La Rosa Bar & Pizza

So my trip to this Italian restaurant was 2 months ago, after I was admitted as a lawyer. I had made a reservation for 1pm because I wasn't sure how long or short the Admission Ceremony would be. On the morning of my reservation they called me to confirm, which was nice. I then called them back to change the time of my reservation to 12:30. Already, I was kinda impressed by the thoughtfulness of the first call and then being accommodating to me changing my reservation.




One of the things I've always wanted to find in the city is good pizza. Like, I'm in love with the idea of the giant slices of American pizza. Anyway, this was pretty good pizza. I don't even eat Pizza Hut or Dominos anymore. I call Crust and that's pretty expensive for home delivered pizza so it's not an everyday thing.

I also had Peroni beer for the first time. That is NICE.



And since I'm a bad food blogger (something I explained to an acquaintance of mine who is like a proper food blogger), I forget what I ordered so enjoy the delicious-looking photos.





I think it's a pretty good Italian place right in the middle of Pitt Street mall, in The Strand in fact. The restaurant has a nice vibe and I'm totally going to revisit for more pizza.

• Find La Rosa Bar & Pizza at Shop 133, Level 2 The Strand Arcade, 193 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

We're going to Brazil! #gosocceroos

I don't know if you can tell but I'm super excited about this! Last night I got to see the Australia v Iraq game at ANZ Stadium. I don't know football terminology so my friend was kindly pointing out what had happened and why everyone was clapping (i.e. corners, feigning injury then getting straight back onto the field, calling for the whistle).

We had General Admission tickets and we could sit anywhere. We arrived just before 7:30pm because of horrible packed train. It had been raining beforehand so there was a section of empty seats close to the ground that were empty just because they were wet and that's where we sat. Right behind the goal. I loved going and I totally want to see them play again. Tim Cahill. Schwarzer. Lucas Neill. I wish I had a job so I could book tickets to Brazil. ALSO, that Peter Allen "I Go to Rio" song was the PERFECT SONG CHOICE at full-time. I loved the elation when Kennedy scored and everyone did the whole stacks-on thing. And then the team on the side shoulder-to-shoulder while waiting for full-time to be called and the running onto the field. AND I saw on FoxSports later at a pub that Tim Cahill piggybacked by Holger. THE ADORBS. IT NEEDS TO BE GIF'D. SHOW ME VIDEO!

Anyhoo, some low quality photos from my phone and BONUS TIM CAHILL from Customs House earlier today!!!







And handsome Tim Cahill!



I arrived at Customs House just before 12:30 (it started at noon) and there was still a bunch of people there and I couldn't squeeze to the front so had to hold up my camera up high which is still pretty short for me because I'm short. I was pretty close and saw him in real life through the people in front of me. He's so cute and so nice!

BONUS TIM CAHILL EXPRESSWAY!



SO YAY! BRAZIL 2014! So glad I went to the game despite being rain-soaked all over! Still so happy!

The Argyle, The Rocks

The Argyle! I went there sometime last month for random $5 drinks. We got there around 5 and it was pretty empty so we got to sit down and have a waitress bring our drinks.







Such a really lovely vibe inside. Love the chairs.


Gin and tonic with a wedge of lemon - $5.

I loved the look of the interior and the fact they have $5 drinks between 5 and 7 and if I was still out in the city every weekday I'd be so going there for after work drinks. It was this trip to The Argyle that made me book a space for a thing this Friday (I'm getting admitted as a solicitor but I'm still unemployed!). Especially since my friend and I didn't get to try any of the amazing sounding food on the menu. So, see if you can randomly spot which one I am, if you care to!

• Find The Argyle at 18 Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000.

Stitch Bar

I finally got to drink and somewhat dine at the much-hyped Stitch Bar.



I arrived just before 5pm. It was pretty empty. However, a lot of the booths were reserved. I was waiting for my friend, alone. And I am very awkward when I have to sit somewhere on my own when there are people not on their own. I just played with my phone and whatsapp'd my friend telling her that I'm already there ON MY OWN. I didn't have to wait long. She was there in about 5 minutes.



We sat next to the amazingly stocked alcohol cabinet which I clearly want in my life.



And the drinks:


Prudence - $18.50, though I could be mistaken. Feel free to correct me! I'm not really a cocktail person since they're quite pricey compared with a beer or wine but it was nice.

Ginger Collins - $17.00. Once again correct me if I'm wrong. This visit was back in April so my memory is a bit fuzzy. This was the cocktail the waitress recommended.

And the thing I was most looking forward to ... CURLY FRIES!




They sprinkle this chilli powder on it as well which makes it even more amazing. It was so crunchy when served and then like all fries, the colder they area the less crunchy they become. SO EAT THEM FAST!

When we ordered the waitress asked for a credit card to hold while we were there. This wasn't a problem for us, it's just this was something I wasn't aware of so FYI for anyone else. I don't know what they do if you don't have one handy. And I don't know if this is standard for the bar.

By the time we left at around 6pm the place was pretty full. Lots of standing around at the bar. So go early or book in advance!

• Find Stitch Bar at 61 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

Bo 7 Mon Thanh Tam, Market City

After reading this very infromative post on the wonderful food blog Noodlies, where this food court pho was described as the best pho in Sydney.



I had time to kill before I had to do something at uni so I stumbled across the road and decided to try it out. And I'm so glad I did. It was amazing. And the best part was the broth. Usually with pho the broth is okay. Nothing especially exciting or amazing but this broth was so good. It was broth that I actually wanted to drink. And if I wasn't so terribly full I would have drunk it all. So yes, try this.

• Find Bo 7 Mon Thanh Tam at Store F3.13A Level 3, Market City, 9-13 Hay Street, Haymarket NSW 2000.

Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills

I planned ahead and finally got to book a table at Cafe Lounge on a cold autumn night.



I was running late, as per usual, and tried to get a taxi and failed. So I had to walk the length of Goulburn Street to Cafe Lounge. Cafe Lounge is defined as a small bar. If you want a table, I suggest booking early. If you walk in, I suspect you'll be standing around waiting for people to leave their table. It wasn't super busy when I got there. Though as we left at around 9pm more people did seem to be coming in.

It has a very cosy vibe and I loved all the decor.







In terms of food, it was kind of limited. They really only have pizza and then some sides. We ordered two pizzas and we waited quite a while for them to arrive at the table.


Ducks Nuts - $12


Chorizo - $12

Instead of numbers for your table they have little cute toys like these:




We also ordered jugs. All jugs are $25 each. I guess because we had 4 to a jug, the alcoholic effects weren't really felt.


Mon Mon Sangria. There was something about this that tasted a little different to sangria that I've had in the past.


Pimms Garden

I liked that it was so cosy and cute and a little bit hipster. Though, I don't know what that word means anymore! A couple of the bartenders and the clientele are British, if that's your thing. XDD

• Find Cafe Lounge at 277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010.

The Carrington, Surry Hills

I was googling, trying to find somewhere to hold an early birthday/end-of-PLT event and The Carrington was one of the names that turned up in the search. Its menu looked amazing too. My first choice was Cafe Lounge but I didn't inquire early enough for that.

I had pre-drinks already at my old work and was running terribly late and had to take a taxi there. By the way, so difficult to get a taxi on a Friday night, on the street. Also, kind of embarrassing when a full taxi just drives right by you. XD



It was pretty packed. Lots of people standing. I asked the bartender if it's always like this. He says that on the other weekdays it's pretty quiet. Btw, these photos are like later in the night as people had left the place.




And here's what I ordered:


Calamari Slider - $6; Meatball Slider - $6

Both so good. And I love that they're mini in size because you can eat 2 sliders and not just one!


Jalapeno and smoked cheddar croquettes - $14


Pretty sure this is the kingfish pastrami on rye - $4, though feel free to correct me.

It had a pretty good vibe to it. I hope to come back to eat more of their food. The bartenders were super nice. They do take EFTPOS. Though I'm pretty sure they have a minimum before you can use it. I can't remember what amount it was though.

There are other places for functions. One day I'll like to book out The Apartment. Seems like it'd be a fun time.

• Find The Carrington at 563 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010.