Week ending Friday 27th June
Do you like eating out alone? Prefer the company of at least one other? Or do you actually favour dining in a group?
I like all three, but to be honest, I really enjoy visiting a restaurant all by myself.
I have no doubt that some people think this is strange, and certainly when I owned a restaurant it was a little annoying that a table that could fit two was occupied by a single only, especially if it was a full house.
I’ve been in Sydney for the last day or so finalising things at the apartment to get it ready to Airbnb. I’m having a pre-wedding weekend away with Victoria starting today (even though the wedding is still just over 4 months away) so I needed to be in Sydney anyway. I had a lovely catch up with my fab friend Sandy on Wednesday evening, with dinner at one of my favourite places in Potts Point (Chester White Cured Diner). We shared some Pork Empanadas and then a Nduja Spicy Ricotta Gnocchi, both of which were absolutely fabulous and devoured so quickly that I forgot to take photos. We may have also been talking too much!
Apart from that meal with Sandy, I ate all my other meals in Sydney alone.
I started with an incredible bowl of Hokkaido Miso Ramen at Sapporo Miso Ramen Factory Soro in Kings Cross for lunch after arrival on Wednesday; then for lunch yesterday at Bondi Junction – a spicy and delicious bowl of Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup with a side of garlic cucumbers; and finally last night I treated myself to dinner at Fratelli Paradiso.
This was the second time I’d eaten at this highly rated restaurant, following a great experience with my friends Kirsty and Steve a few weeks ago. That night we had shared a few dishes, all of which were extremely good, and in particular I’ve been thinking about the risotto we ate that night ever since.
Does anyone else regularly think about previous meals and even sometimes dream about them?
I’m assuming I’m not normal in doing that, but surely there are some others among my readers!
A perfectly al dente, yet soft, creamy and flavoursome risotto, with each grain coated in the starchy, cheesy sauce, is my idea of heaven. I’ve eaten a lot of risottos in my time, but the one at Fratelli Paradiso is probably the best. It’s not complicated, or fancy, just cooked Milanese style with threads of saffron for colour and flavour, then topped with three plump scallops and a swirl of a beef jus. Of course, it contained just enough Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to give it that sharp salty note that only the best version of the cheese can. I also ordered a small bowl of Ascolane – cheese stuffed green olives that are crumbed and fried; and a side of broccolini, perfectly sautéed in garlic, chilli and olive oil.
The restaurant has two dinner sittings and even on a Thursday night at 6pm, the place was heaving. The charming waiters all had gently Italian accents, adding to the already warm, dark and moody atmosphere of this stalwart restaurant that has been pleasing locals and others since 2001. That’s a very long haul, especially in the ever-fickle restaurant game!
Eating by myself here was so enjoyable, because it was all about the full experience. Not that I don’t like eating out with others, but when the food is this good, it’s really enjoyable to savour it all alone. I ate way slower that I usually do (growing up with three siblings made me a gobble-guts!) and thought carefully about each mouthful, its flavour, texture, temperature, and the way the dish tantalised my taste buds!
I also got to chat with the (rather cute) waiter plus spend time doing one of my favourite pastimes… people watching. There was a mix of customers sitting around me, a young couple; a group of six middle-aged friends; a table of four (with two older couples who appeared to have been eating together regularly for a very long time); and a father with his three early 20’s daughters. Some of their conversations were fascinating!
Before I sign off to head off on the weekend away, a quick recap on the past week…
The dinner party that I had donated to the cricket club auction was a big success, and all six diners seemed to enjoy the night. The crackle crisped up nicely on the locally grown pork belly which I served on a carrot puree, with an apple and microgreen salad, and an Asian sticky glaze. You could have eaten the super tender beef cheeks with a spoon after they were slow braised in Pedro Ximenez; and since they also started with a nibbles platter, the warm sticky date pudding with homemade butterscotch ice-cream and brandy tuille nearly finished them off, although I do hear the night went on well after I left!
Sunday was busy, with the RSL Cricket Club AGM followed by lunch with friends, then seeing the very entertaining ‘Robertson Brothers 60’s show’ at the Civic Theatre. Yes, I am still secretary for the cricket club, but am now sharing the role with the lovely Erica, which will be a big help considering 2025 is officially the ‘year of travel’ for Dave and me.
Speaking of travel, it’s time for me to get off the computer – the weekend with my baby girl awaits! I’ve just arrived in Auckland, but she won’t be here for another few hours… dinner alone again maybe? 😉
Catch you all next week!
Sara xx
p.s. Oh yes, I also snuck in a delicious lunch at Perennial (my fav Wagga lunch spot) with Bek this week 🙂
