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House of Siam

House of Siam (Shop 5, The Boardwalk, Marina Shopping Village, Santa Barbara Road, Hope Island, Queensland) — authentic spices and balanced flavors are the order of the day at House of Siam. Overlooking the Hope Island Marina boardwalk with a backdrop of mountains, this secluded local favorite is spacious, clean and elegant. A menu of faithful regular Thai dishes has many highlights that include roasted duck spring rolls, an instant classic upon first tasting, or the chicken Panang curry that certainly packs a punch with flavor.

Glass Brasserie

Glass Brasserie (Level 2, 488 George Street, Sydney) – located within the Hilton Sydney, this is the definitive Sydney dining experience by celebrity restaurateur Luke Mangan, with interiors by esteemed New York designer Tony Chi. The 240-seat restaurant provides guests and Sydney residents with an unprecedented dining experience in the heart of the city, offering simplicity, quality and consistency in all aspects of food, wine and service. The restaurant features a 13 meter floor to ceiling glass wall, which frames a captivating view of the historic Queen Victoria Building.

Signature dishes there include: Hiramasa kingfish sashimi ginger, with eschallot and Persian feta; Organic egg omelette of blue swimmer crab meat, with enoki mushroom & herb salad, and miso mustard broth; and Pan fried potato gnocchi with corn, asparagus, zucchini, Parmesan, and lemon thyme.

Flying Fish

Flying Fish (Jones Bay Wharf, Lower Deck, 19-21 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, Sydney) — boasting spectacular harbor views, a coveted Chef’s Hat and a rustic interior that celebrates the site’s industrial-maritime heritage, Flying Fish is headed up by Stephen Seckold, who delivers an innovative menu that flows with the seasons and constantly surprises the palate. While Flying Fish’s curries and Asian-inspired flavors are renowned, regular guests also appreciate the unique mix of seafood and meat dishes on the menu – think WA Marron with brown butter emulsion, charred lettuce and aged balsamic or blue eye trevalla with spiced nage – and the desserts are to die for!

Along with a menu that changes with the seasons, Flying Fish offers a range of dining options – guests can take in the views from the main restaurant, entertain privately in the Arcadia Room or The Wine Room, or sit up at Raw Bar and watch Sushi/Sashimi being prepared. Alternatively, call by for a post-work cocktail at Little Fish Bar the restaurant’s popular outdoor wining and dining area, launched earlier this year.

China Doll

China Doll (hop 4/6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo, Sydney) — With its spectacular vista of the city skyline, China Doll elegantly resides at Sydney’s historic Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo. This stylishly sleek, award-winning, Iain Halliday-designed beauty offers a balanced menu of generously portioned, modern Asian dishes from the talents of Chef Frank Shek.

China Doll modernizes, yet follows traditional oriental experiences from Japan, Hong Kong, China and across South East Asia. However, this is not Asian fusion cuisine. Each dish stays true to its roots. There is no compromise in technique and by using locally grown, superior produce, flavors are clean and distinguished. A synergy of flavors (hot, sour, salty, sweet and aromatic) is achieved to suit the western palate.

Match dishes with a wine selection from the thoughtfully eclectic yet reasonably priced list, or simply relax on the wharf while the sun sets and sip one of our Asian inspired cocktails. The ‘yin and yang’ cocktail list, based on our interpretation of five spice (cardamom, star anise, Sichuan, cinnamon, lemongrass) is matched cleanly with the mod-Asian food.

Billy Kwong

Billy Kwong (Shop 3/355 Crown St, Surry Hills) – located in the gentrified Sydney district of Surry Hills, this is a popular Chinese restaurant that was launched by Chinese-Australian television chef & author Kylie Kwong. Kwong has made a commitment to use only organic and biodynamic foods in the dishes served at her restaurant. Such meals include Crispy Taro Dumplings filled with Organic Heirloom Carrots, Corn & Warrigal Greens; Stir-Fried Organic Warrigal Greens with Patrice Newell’s Biodynamic Garlic; Deep-Fried Whole Snapper with Chilli-Caramel Sauce & Organic Desert Limes; White-Cooked Free-Range Chicken with Organic Tamari, Chilli & Coriander, and other dishes.

Balla

Balla (Level G, Harbourside, The Star/80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, Sydney) – located in Sydney’s swankiest dining precinct (The Star), this is an upscale restaurant with an enviable view of Sydney harbor. Dishes there range from yamba prawns with basil & pistachio pesto; to lamb cutlets with roasted lettuce, tomato & almonds; and whole snapper with salsa verde & olive salsa. That, and Italian dishes like eggplant parmigiana.

Aria

Aria (1 Macquarie Street, Sydney) – this is an upscale restaurant with views of Sydney harbor. Dishes served here range from seared trout (with cauliflower, almonds, spanner crab, pickled radish & smoked trout tea), to roasted Holmbrae chicken stuffed with sage, onion and brioche, tarragon chipolatas and truffled pearl barley), and roasted lamb with sugar loaf cabbage, sweet breads, sorrel and salt bush). Aria also has an extensive wine list (both Australian and international vintages), and currently holds two coveted Chef’s Hats and was awarded the ‘Diner’s Choice’ award by the readers at the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2012 Awards.

Allure on Currumbin

Allure on Currumbin (136 Duringan Street, Currumbin, Queensland) – this Gold Coast area restaurant serves various French dishes and is well-rated by various travelers on TripAdvisor.com Dishes served there range from lamb cutlets, to filet mignon, duck with black cherries, oxtail croquettes, and prawns. This, along with tasty desserts like chocolate mouse dessert and affogato.