AmyHuang
Jason KingWhere to Take Your Date for Dinner on a Budget
May 2nd 2006 12:58
So you're short on money, but need to impress? Got a hot date, but not enough money for gas in the tank? Well you've come to the right place. Depending on how much you've got to spend, Uncle Ed has an option for you. All is saved, my friends!
The Paddington Inn: The Paddington Inn is a rocking pub/bar/bistro and the perfect place to take a date. Snuggle up in one of the little nooks or out-of-the-way rooms for a great meal. $16-$20 gets you a high quality dinner or lunch with much more effort than you'd find in most other bistros or pubs, so you're sure to look classy. It's also close to the city if you want to continue the night with some partying.
Alio: Alio is a very suave modern Italian restaurant off Cleveland Street in East Redfern. Two courses will set you back roughly $45 a head, or to really impress you cant get the degustation menu, seven courses for $55 a head; but you can only find out about it on the internet, and you'll have to ask for it specifically, they won't offer it to you if you don't mention it. The menu and the degustation menu offer is here. Well worth it.
Deco, in the Civic Hotel (City): Another bistro, about $5 more expensive than The Paddington Inn; mains around $25. Great food in a rather classy room but still with a bit of that pub feel. See the review on Grab Your Fork here.
Burgerman (Bondi; Review soon to come): A burger joint, you say? For a date? Well yeah, but *what* burgers! And for under ten bucks a head! Despite a couple of changes in ownership BM's burgers are still top quality, in a very 70s rollerskate-disco style shop. There are lots of choices for all the new age diets, and the chips are consistently good, especially with the tomato-shaped sauce bottles (you'll see what I mean). If your date's into this, Burgerman is the best place to take them.
North Bondi Italian Food: Wonderful traditional Italian food in a real Trattoria setting right on Bondi Beach. Run by the same people as Icebergs at the other end, NBIF is a fun and friendly place to bring a date, and perfect to precede a romantic stroll along the beach at night. Two courses will set you back around $45, roughly the same as Alio.
Forty One: Now I hesitate at recommending this place for those with already a light pocket; but it really depends on how light. Three Courses at lunch (that's the secret) is $75. But the same three at dinner would be $125. See, you're saving money! I know this won't be for everyone, but it is worth it, at least once. Depends how special the date is...
Go at lunch; it's cheaper, and you can actually see the view, which is why you're here. It's forty-two floors up (don’t ask), in a spectacular observatory style setting, with a panoramic view of the city. For an anniversary or the like, this is a special place. It also makes half decent food...
Restaurant Balzac (Randwick): Restaurant Balzac, usually exclusive because of its price, offers a very attractive deal for those earlier in the night. For $45 a head (as long as you mention when you book), you get two courses, coffee and petit fours; as long as you're out by 7:30 pm. And these are good courses! Mathew Kemp knows what he's doing. It's called the Pre Ritz (movie) menu and for those on a date, it's a good hint for where to go next.
Billingsgate Fish Bistro (Randwick): Billingsgate does a similar deal as Balzac does, as it's owned by the same people. A pre and post Ritz menu is on offer, for less than that of Balzac. Both are good options for the dinner and movie double.
Tetsuya’s: Just kidding.
The Paddington Inn: The Paddington Inn is a rocking pub/bar/bistro and the perfect place to take a date. Snuggle up in one of the little nooks or out-of-the-way rooms for a great meal. $16-$20 gets you a high quality dinner or lunch with much more effort than you'd find in most other bistros or pubs, so you're sure to look classy. It's also close to the city if you want to continue the night with some partying.
Alio: Alio is a very suave modern Italian restaurant off Cleveland Street in East Redfern. Two courses will set you back roughly $45 a head, or to really impress you cant get the degustation menu, seven courses for $55 a head; but you can only find out about it on the internet, and you'll have to ask for it specifically, they won't offer it to you if you don't mention it. The menu and the degustation menu offer is here. Well worth it.
Deco, in the Civic Hotel (City): Another bistro, about $5 more expensive than The Paddington Inn; mains around $25. Great food in a rather classy room but still with a bit of that pub feel. See the review on Grab Your Fork here.
Burgerman (Bondi; Review soon to come): A burger joint, you say? For a date? Well yeah, but *what* burgers! And for under ten bucks a head! Despite a couple of changes in ownership BM's burgers are still top quality, in a very 70s rollerskate-disco style shop. There are lots of choices for all the new age diets, and the chips are consistently good, especially with the tomato-shaped sauce bottles (you'll see what I mean). If your date's into this, Burgerman is the best place to take them.
North Bondi Italian Food: Wonderful traditional Italian food in a real Trattoria setting right on Bondi Beach. Run by the same people as Icebergs at the other end, NBIF is a fun and friendly place to bring a date, and perfect to precede a romantic stroll along the beach at night. Two courses will set you back around $45, roughly the same as Alio.
Forty One: Now I hesitate at recommending this place for those with already a light pocket; but it really depends on how light. Three Courses at lunch (that's the secret) is $75. But the same three at dinner would be $125. See, you're saving money! I know this won't be for everyone, but it is worth it, at least once. Depends how special the date is...
Go at lunch; it's cheaper, and you can actually see the view, which is why you're here. It's forty-two floors up (don’t ask), in a spectacular observatory style setting, with a panoramic view of the city. For an anniversary or the like, this is a special place. It also makes half decent food...
Restaurant Balzac (Randwick): Restaurant Balzac, usually exclusive because of its price, offers a very attractive deal for those earlier in the night. For $45 a head (as long as you mention when you book), you get two courses, coffee and petit fours; as long as you're out by 7:30 pm. And these are good courses! Mathew Kemp knows what he's doing. It's called the Pre Ritz (movie) menu and for those on a date, it's a good hint for where to go next.
Billingsgate Fish Bistro (Randwick): Billingsgate does a similar deal as Balzac does, as it's owned by the same people. A pre and post Ritz menu is on offer, for less than that of Balzac. Both are good options for the dinner and movie double.
Tetsuya’s: Just kidding.
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Comment by Laura
Recipes Room
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Are you taking all sorts of defenseless women to great restos, where you ply them with delicious food and wine?
A date with me would probably involve sharing a Big Bondi meal at Oporto... we can't all swing like Ed!
Comment by edward
Rocky's Running Diary
Cibby, haha maybe I am, and maybe I'm not. I guess we'll just have to see.
And there's nothing wrong with Oporto (in theory
P.S. What are you guys doing up so late?
P.P.S I probably should have included Zaaffran in Darling Harbour, quite specatcular and really nice for those looking from something different.
P.P.P.S Don't you hate people who put tonnes of P.S.'s after a message with everything they're actually saying...
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Oporto does one thing well... the slow-roasted chicken is unbelievable.
Comment by edward
Rocky's Running Diary
I haven't tried the slow roasted chicken - I've only had burgers at Oporto before - but I might have to!
Comment by Stanley