Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

WHERE TO DINE 123
all that sightseeing. On weekends live jazz sets the mood. The breakfast specials
(A$8.50/US$5.50) are popular with guests from surrounding hotels, while at
lunchtime it’s bustling with tourists and local office workers. Lunchtime blackboard
specials cost A$11 (US$7.15). More regular fare includes the disappointing
Ploughman’s Lunch (why spoil a traditional English meal of bread, cheese,
and pickles by limiting the bread and adding unappealing vegetables and salad?),
the better chicken and leek pies, and good pasta and noodle dishes. Filling Turkish
sandwiches cost between A$7.70 and A$9 (US$5–US$5.85). The courtyard
is heated in winter, making it quite cozy. It’s BYO with no corkage fee.
28 Harrington St., The Rocks. & 02/9247 9591. Main courses A$8.50–A$14 (US$5.50–US$9.10). AE, DC,
MC, V. Sun–Wed 8am–5pm; Thurs–Sat 8am-10:30pm. CityRail, bus, or ferry: Circular Quay.
The Löwenbräu Keller BAVARIAN Renowned for celebrating Oktoberfest
every day for the past 20 years, this is the place to come to watch Aussies let
their hair down. Come for lunch and munch a club sandwich or focaccia in the
glassed-off atrium while watching the daytime action of The Rocks. For a livelier
scene, head here on a Friday or Saturday night, when mass beer-sculling
(chugging) and yodeling are accompanied by a brass band, and costumed waitresses
ferry foaming beer steins about the atmospheric, cellar-like inside. Hearty
southern German and Austrian fare and no less than 17 varieties of German
beers in bottle or on draught (tap) are served. There’s a good wine list, and, surprisingly,
vegetarians are well catered for, too.
18 Argyle St. (at Playfair St.), The Rocks.& 02/9247 7785. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$15–
A$22 (US$9.75–US$14). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 9:30am–2am (kitchen closes at 11pm). CityRail, bus, or ferry:
Circular Quay.
Pancakes Licensed Café AMERICAN/PANCAKES Buttermilk and
chocolate pancakes; French crepes filled with seafood, chicken, and mushrooms;
vegetables in a basil-cream sauce; or smoked ham and cheese are the most popular
dishes served up in this old warehouse done up in Art Deco style. The beef
ribs, pastas, and pizzas are also good sellers.
10 Hickson Rd. (enter from Hickson Rd. or George St.), The Rocks. & 02/9247 6371. Reservations not
accepted. Main courses A$13–A$22 (US$8.40–US$14); breakfast (served 24 hr.) A$8.95–$A12
(US$5.80–US$7.80). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 24 hr. CityRail, bus, or ferry: Circular Quay.
Phillip’s Foote BARBECUE Venture behind this historic pub, and you’ll
find a courtyard strung with tables and benches and large barbecues. Choose
your own steak, lemon sole, trout, chicken, or pork, and throw it on the “barbie.”
It’s fun, it’s filling, and you might even meet some new friends while your
meal’s sizzling.
101 George St., The Rocks. & 02/9241 1485. Main courses A$22 (US$14). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon–Sat noon–
midnight; Sun noon–10pm. CityRail, bus, or ferry: Circular Quay.
Sailors Thai THAI With a reputation as hot as the chiles in its jungle
curry, Sailors Thai canteen attracts lunchtime crowds who come to eat greattasting
noodles and the likes of pork and prawn won ton soup, red curry with
lychees, and Thai salads. Seating is at its single, stainless steel table lined with
some 40 chairs. Four other tables overlook the cruise-ship terminal and the
quay. Downstairs, the a la carte restaurant serves inventive food such as stirfried
pineapple curry with chiles and cashew nuts, and a wonderfully glutinous
coconut ash pudding made from the ash of burnt coconuts cooked with
licorice root, coconut water, rice flower, and sugar—a far cry from your average
Thai dishes!