With summer fast-approaching and the holiday period (finally) becoming a reality, we could all ease the tension of 2019 with a stress-free date night with bae or what’s his face from Tinder. Whether you want to eat al fresco, with an ocean view to die for, or in warm-lighting to hide your boozy-holiday eye bags, these three restaurants offer one of the above and out-of-this-world cuisine. I can guarantee you, by the time dessert’s finished you’ll be ordering your Uber to whoever’s place is closer – not because of food poisoning… the other reason (*insert wink face emoji*).
For something between romantic and sexy
Mangiasti? is tucked away in the Upper North Shore of Sydney and offers a warm-lit rustic space, an array of candles and table deco, and home-made italian food that will make you go weak at the knees. You can choose to sit downstairs where all the action’s at with the bar and kitchen right in front of you (but not at all disturbing your one-on-one moment). If you choose to sit upstairs, you have ultimate privacy with just a few other tables in proximity. Either way, it’s Sydney’s best kept secret for an intimate night with your other half.
The Southern Italian cuisine will take your breath away with their earthy flavours. If sex was a food, it would be Mangiasti?’s Linguine al Cartoccio – a fusion of fresh W.A. scampi and fresh local mixed seafood baked in a parcel. You don’t understand how good this pasta dish tastes until you try it for yourself. Other menu highlights include the garlic QLD king prawns , dry ricotta and green pepper; and the Croquette di feta with sesame seeds, honey and green apple. Just heavenly.
Extra bonus: The very generous serving sizes means lunch the next day is sorted (or seconds later on in the night at your place…)!
For the best views of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
Bondi Icebergs is the classic venue for cocktails and fine dining for mum’s birthday brunch or a work Christmas event in the day-time. However, try giving Icebergs a chance in the evening – the view is just as magical. When people think of fine dining, they think “no thanks, I’m not spending $50 for small plates of food the size of my palm”. I completely get that, I’m with you. However, Icebergs actually has the perfect view, the best food, and the freshest non-acidic tasting white wine on offer all at once. Five star experience.
The Fettuccini Chilli Prawns finished with baby spinach, garlic, chilli, lime juice & parmesan cheese is an obvious must-have when dining here with your schnookums.
For outdoor tapas in the garden
Bodhi Restaurant in Sydney’s CBD will treat you and your other half to vegan tapas in a secret underground garden tucked away from the hustle and bustle; and you don’t have to be vegan to appreciate the godly plates of food. “Nestled under ancient Moreton Bay fig trees, this unique parkland oasis is a tranquil escape,” reads the website.
By daytime it’s yum cha style, and by night it’s Pan-Asain cuisine. “The cocktail menu uses the very best organic herbs, fruits, fresh pressed juices and bespoke syrups, whilst the range of craft beers and Australian boutique wines has been thoughtfully selected from local growers using organic, bio-dynamic or environmentally friendly farming practices to compliment our cuisine,” reads the website. A must-try from the cocktail menu is the Raise the Red Lantern: a concoction of Baijiu shaken w. spytail ginger rum, bacardi carta blanca, fresh pineapple juice, lemon juice and bespoke strawberry syrup. From the dinner menu, I highly suggest you lady-and-the-tramp it together with the sweet potato and yam tempura spring rolls. They are too good.
Which fancy-pants restaurant will you try this Summer with boo? Tell us in the comments below!