Sydney Vacation
Posted by: Wolf2 on 06 April 2009
I bought a Qantas ticket from LA on the new A380, price war, I jumped on it. Never been there, I hear the Blue Mtns and wineries are good day trips. I was told to get the big transit pass so I can transfer to local light rail and ferries.
So much to do to get ready. Any other ideas?
arrive 17-30 April
So much to do to get ready. Any other ideas?
arrive 17-30 April
Posted on: 06 April 2009 by rodwsmith
We had dinner at Guillaume in the Opera House.
Expensive, but very worth it. The eight course tasting menu with accompanying wines by the glass. Surrender all to your credit card and think only about the exquisite cooking. Wonderful.
All the clichés are worth it, fabulous place. Enjoy.
Expensive, but very worth it. The eight course tasting menu with accompanying wines by the glass. Surrender all to your credit card and think only about the exquisite cooking. Wonderful.
All the clichés are worth it, fabulous place. Enjoy.
Posted on: 06 April 2009 by Wolf2
yeah I'm looking forward to good Greek food and Thai/Asian. I'll check out Guillaume.
I know one thing I won't be doing and that's climbing that bridge, NO WAY NO HOW could I stand up there.
I know one thing I won't be doing and that's climbing that bridge, NO WAY NO HOW could I stand up there.
Posted on: 06 April 2009 by crackie
Sydney harbour cruise day & night. The zoo is quite good, you get there via the harbour ferry.
The Rocks area (very historic also has some good pubs!),
Bondi Beach for the "scenery".
Enjoy.
The Rocks area (very historic also has some good pubs!),
Bondi Beach for the "scenery".
Enjoy.
Posted on: 06 April 2009 by Lontano
G'Day,
I have recently moved back after 4 and a half years in Sydney. Great place.
The best Thai/Asian restaurant IMHO is Longrain. You cannot book in the evening (you can for lunch). You sit at big long table with the other guests. Outstanding food and a good atmosphere off the tourist trail. I can taste it now......
http://www.longrain.com/
My favourite restaurant in Sydney is Cottage Point Inn. The best way to get there from the city is by seaplane. Yes it will cost you a bit but you will never forget this meal, flying over the harbour, the northern beaches and then landing on the water in Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park. We used to eat regularly and just loved the leisurely pace.
http://www.cottagepointinn.com.au/
http://www.seaplanes.com.au/
Don't forget to jetboat the harbour available from Circular Quay.
http://www.ozjetboating.com/
http://www.ozjetboating.com/files/OzJet3.mpg
A super view of the opera house and bridge can be had from Cafe Sydney. Book early and get a balcony seat!
http://www.cafesydney.com/
Another regular haunt for us was Bather's Pavillion. It comes in two guises - casual cafe or formal restaurant. Cafe for breakfast. Very popular. Nice beach view. We used to eat here and watch the kids on the beach whilst we relaxed and they got wet and sandy winter or summer.
http://www.batherspavilion.com.au/
Another one, with to die for views under the harbour bridge looking at the opera house - Aqua Dining - great food, great view.
http://www.aquadining.com.au/
I had dinner at Guillame. It's fine and well regarded but I prefer all the other places above.
If you want to try a popular and famous fish and chip restaurant go to Doyles on the Beach at Watson's Bay. Must book.
Visit the Northern Beaches if you can - Palm, Whale, Avalon for a nice day trip drive. Do the Bondi to Bronte walk, Botannical Gardens, Opera House Tour, Walk across the bridge but no need to climb - you walk up inside one of the bridge pillars (city side, opera house side) and get most of the view of the bridge climbers, leisurely lunch on the harbour - so many sailing choices.
http://www.sydney.com/Bondi_to_Bronte_p677.aspx
Blue Mountains is nice - if you want some luxury stay at Lilianfels - great place. Hunter Valley is pleasant but you probably have just as good vineyards where you live.
http://www.lilianfels.com.au/w...at/okat_a2a_home.jsp
You could always go and visit Harry the local Naim dealer and say hi from me!
Live jazz/small club at the Basement just behind Circular Quay
http://www.thebasement.com.au/
And of course they will hopefully be some good music on at the Opera House!
I am feeling all home sick as I type. Enjoy and if you want more info email me (in profile).
Adrian
I have recently moved back after 4 and a half years in Sydney. Great place.
The best Thai/Asian restaurant IMHO is Longrain. You cannot book in the evening (you can for lunch). You sit at big long table with the other guests. Outstanding food and a good atmosphere off the tourist trail. I can taste it now......
http://www.longrain.com/
My favourite restaurant in Sydney is Cottage Point Inn. The best way to get there from the city is by seaplane. Yes it will cost you a bit but you will never forget this meal, flying over the harbour, the northern beaches and then landing on the water in Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park. We used to eat regularly and just loved the leisurely pace.
http://www.cottagepointinn.com.au/
http://www.seaplanes.com.au/
Don't forget to jetboat the harbour available from Circular Quay.
http://www.ozjetboating.com/
http://www.ozjetboating.com/files/OzJet3.mpg
A super view of the opera house and bridge can be had from Cafe Sydney. Book early and get a balcony seat!
http://www.cafesydney.com/
Another regular haunt for us was Bather's Pavillion. It comes in two guises - casual cafe or formal restaurant. Cafe for breakfast. Very popular. Nice beach view. We used to eat here and watch the kids on the beach whilst we relaxed and they got wet and sandy winter or summer.
http://www.batherspavilion.com.au/
Another one, with to die for views under the harbour bridge looking at the opera house - Aqua Dining - great food, great view.
http://www.aquadining.com.au/
I had dinner at Guillame. It's fine and well regarded but I prefer all the other places above.
If you want to try a popular and famous fish and chip restaurant go to Doyles on the Beach at Watson's Bay. Must book.
Visit the Northern Beaches if you can - Palm, Whale, Avalon for a nice day trip drive. Do the Bondi to Bronte walk, Botannical Gardens, Opera House Tour, Walk across the bridge but no need to climb - you walk up inside one of the bridge pillars (city side, opera house side) and get most of the view of the bridge climbers, leisurely lunch on the harbour - so many sailing choices.
http://www.sydney.com/Bondi_to_Bronte_p677.aspx
Blue Mountains is nice - if you want some luxury stay at Lilianfels - great place. Hunter Valley is pleasant but you probably have just as good vineyards where you live.
http://www.lilianfels.com.au/w...at/okat_a2a_home.jsp
You could always go and visit Harry the local Naim dealer and say hi from me!
Live jazz/small club at the Basement just behind Circular Quay
http://www.thebasement.com.au/
And of course they will hopefully be some good music on at the Opera House!
I am feeling all home sick as I type. Enjoy and if you want more info email me (in profile).
Adrian
Posted on: 06 April 2009 by winkyincanada
Great time of the year to be there. Not too hot and not much rain (it never really rains very much in Southern Australia now anyway, unfortunately). The city is just a standard city to some extent, but the Harbour is nice. The cuisine is eclectic, but there is little in the way of authentic "Australian" food on offer. What there is is usually quite pricey. If price doesn't bother you, take a seaplane tour to Broken Bay, Pittwater and include lunch at the Berowra Waters Inn.
Take the ferry to Manly and have lunch overlooking the beach. Take a harbour cruise if that appeals to you, but I find the ferry ride to be more authentic. The Taronga Zoo is just a Zoo, but in a nice setting.
Very poor transport infrastructure makes moving around Sydney a chore, but persevere if there are things you really want to see. At least in April, the trains won't quite be the third-world sweat-boxes that they are in the summer. They'll still be ludicrously crowded at peak-hour, though.
The Blue Mountains offer some great hiking, canyoning and climbing if that's your thing.
There are a quite a few very nice guest houses in the Blue Mountains if you want some more comfort. We enjoyed Lilianfels. In the Hunter, try Peppers.
Head North or South on the highway to some charming (but increasingly overdeveloped) beach towns that lie along endless surf beaches. Scott's head in a favourite of mine. Angourie, further North is also very nice. Avoid Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour as they are mainly touristed out.
Above all, enjoy. The best beer is NOT Fosters.
Just my two cents.
Oh, and my favourite place to stay in Sydney is "The Observatory" Hotel. No view, but a central location and fabulous ambience.
I agree with everything Lontano says (we typed in parallel) - except that I don't miss it at all. Too busy enjoying Vancouver.
Take the ferry to Manly and have lunch overlooking the beach. Take a harbour cruise if that appeals to you, but I find the ferry ride to be more authentic. The Taronga Zoo is just a Zoo, but in a nice setting.
Very poor transport infrastructure makes moving around Sydney a chore, but persevere if there are things you really want to see. At least in April, the trains won't quite be the third-world sweat-boxes that they are in the summer. They'll still be ludicrously crowded at peak-hour, though.
The Blue Mountains offer some great hiking, canyoning and climbing if that's your thing.
There are a quite a few very nice guest houses in the Blue Mountains if you want some more comfort. We enjoyed Lilianfels. In the Hunter, try Peppers.
Head North or South on the highway to some charming (but increasingly overdeveloped) beach towns that lie along endless surf beaches. Scott's head in a favourite of mine. Angourie, further North is also very nice. Avoid Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour as they are mainly touristed out.
Above all, enjoy. The best beer is NOT Fosters.
Just my two cents.
Oh, and my favourite place to stay in Sydney is "The Observatory" Hotel. No view, but a central location and fabulous ambience.
I agree with everything Lontano says (we typed in parallel) - except that I don't miss it at all. Too busy enjoying Vancouver.
Posted on: 06 April 2009 by bazz
You've picked a good time to come Glenn, autumn's usually the best time of year in Sydney weather-wise. The heat and humidity have gone, plenty of clear sunny days and the water's still warm enough for swimming if you're so inclined. Must say though that it's been unseasonally wet for the last couple of weeks, hopefully that will clear up!
The Hunter Valley/Newcastle area where I live (2 hrs north of Sydney) is well worth a look. Happy to meet up & spin a few records if you like, I'll email you.
The Hunter Valley/Newcastle area where I live (2 hrs north of Sydney) is well worth a look. Happy to meet up & spin a few records if you like, I'll email you.
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by ewemon
Might decide to visit relis there at some point in the future.
Just to see how they were getting on with a book re my Dad's family.
I am off to HK in Sept for approx 3 weeks for my hols this year. Always good to go back.
Just to see how they were getting on with a book re my Dad's family.
I am off to HK in Sept for approx 3 weeks for my hols this year. Always good to go back.
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by ewemon
quote:Originally posted by Lontano:
G'Day,
I have recently moved back after 4 and a half years in Sydney. Great place.
The best Thai/Asian restaurant IMHO is Longrain. You cannot book in the evening (you can for lunch). You sit at big long table with the other guests. Outstanding food and a good atmosphere off the tourist trail. I can taste it now......
http://www.longrain.com/
My favourite restaurant in Sydney is Cottage Point Inn. The best way to get there from the city is by seaplane. Yes it will cost you a bit but you will never forget this meal, flying over the harbour, the northern beaches and then landing on the water in Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park. We used to eat regularly and just loved the leisurely pace.
http://www.cottagepointinn.com.au/
http://www.seaplanes.com.au/
Don't forget to jetboat the harbour available from Circular Quay.
http://www.ozjetboating.com/
http://www.ozjetboating.com/files/OzJet3.mpg
A super view of the opera house and bridge can be had from Cafe Sydney. Book early and get a balcony seat!
http://www.cafesydney.com/
Another regular haunt for us was Bather's Pavillion. It comes in two guises - casual cafe or formal restaurant. Cafe for breakfast. Very popular. Nice beach view. We used to eat here and watch the kids on the beach whilst we relaxed and they got wet and sandy winter or summer.
http://www.batherspavilion.com.au/
Another one, with to die for views under the harbour bridge looking at the opera house - Aqua Dining - great food, great view.
http://www.aquadining.com.au/
I had dinner at Guillame. It's fine and well regarded but I prefer all the other places above.
If you want to try a popular and famous fish and chip restaurant go to Doyles on the Beach at Watson's Bay. Must book.
Visit the Northern Beaches if you can - Palm, Whale, Avalon for a nice day trip drive. Do the Bondi to Bronte walk, Botannical Gardens, Opera House Tour, Walk across the bridge but no need to climb - you walk up inside one of the bridge pillars (city side, opera house side) and get most of the view of the bridge climbers, leisurely lunch on the harbour - so many sailing choices.
http://www.sydney.com/Bondi_to_Bronte_p677.aspx
Blue Mountains is nice - if you want some luxury stay at Lilianfels - great place. Hunter Valley is pleasant but you probably have just as good vineyards where you live.
http://www.lilianfels.com.au/w...at/okat_a2a_home.jsp
You could always go and visit Harry the local Naim dealer and say hi from me!
Live jazz/small club at the Basement just behind Circular Quay
http://www.thebasement.com.au/
And of course they will hopefully be some good music on at the Opera House!
I am feeling all home sick as I type. Enjoy and if you want more info email me (in profile).
Adrian
Missing Bundabah Avenue, St Ives. Adrian?
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by anderson.council
Don't forget The Lord Nelson. The best pub in Australia (...that I've been to anyway). I've stayed here as well and it is very nice but could get a bit dangerous ... praise the Lord. 
Also nearby in The Rocks is the Australian Hotel which does great pizza's (so I'm told - I don't eat cheese). Stayed here a few years back when it got up to 42C in Sydney on New Years Day. Ouch.
Mojo Music is a good little music store located not far from the Rocks. They are usually playing pretty funky stuff here.
These are some of the less in-your face destinations that I usually get to when I'm in town.
Have a great trip ... and go on, climb the bridge. It's much easier than you may think and a very interesting guided walk. My partner's 72 year old Aunt did it when she visited us in 2007.
Cheers
Scott
Also nearby in The Rocks is the Australian Hotel which does great pizza's (so I'm told - I don't eat cheese). Stayed here a few years back when it got up to 42C in Sydney on New Years Day. Ouch.
Mojo Music is a good little music store located not far from the Rocks. They are usually playing pretty funky stuff here.
These are some of the less in-your face destinations that I usually get to when I'm in town.
Have a great trip ... and go on, climb the bridge. It's much easier than you may think and a very interesting guided walk. My partner's 72 year old Aunt did it when she visited us in 2007.
Cheers
Scott
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by Derek Wright
The Jewish Museum in Sydney is well worth a
visit - the Holocaust section is very harrowing.
http://www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/default.asp
When I visited there in 1995 there were camp survivors interpreting the museum and telling of their experiences. AS time has passed since 95I would expect that the number of survivors able to do this will have diminished.
visit - the Holocaust section is very harrowing.
http://www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/default.asp
When I visited there in 1995 there were camp survivors interpreting the museum and telling of their experiences. AS time has passed since 95I would expect that the number of survivors able to do this will have diminished.
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by MilesSmiles
quote:Originally posted by rodwsmith:
We had dinner at Guillaume in the Opera House.
Expensive, but very worth it. The eight course tasting menu with accompanying wines by the glass. Surrender all to your credit card and think only about the exquisite cooking. Wonderful.
All the clichés are worth it, fabulous place. Enjoy.
Guillaume is very nice, but if you want to spend on a top notch dinner I would recommend 'Flying Fish' (my Sydney favorite) or '41' (excellent food and stunning view over the inner harbour from the 41st floor).
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by MilesSmiles
quote:Originally posted by Wolf2:
yeah I'm looking forward to good Greek food and Thai/Asian. I'll check out Guillaume.
I know one thing I won't be doing and that's climbing that bridge, NO WAY NO HOW could I stand up there.
A shame, that's a pretty cool walk.
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by MilesSmiles
Adrian's list is very good, the zoo is a must - you have a stunning view over the city.
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by MilesSmiles
PS: If you want an emergency contact number or would like to come by for a listening session - just e-mail me.
Cheers ... Oliver
Cheers ... Oliver
Posted on: 07 April 2009 by Lontano
quote:Originally posted by ewemon:
Missing Bundabah Avenue, St Ives. Adrian?
I am now after reading this thread
Think I had better arrange a trip back.Posted on: 08 April 2009 by akseland
Try and squeeze a few days in and fly down to Melbourne.. fares are dirt cheap with safe reliable airlines. Melbourne is gorgeous in Autumn.. Elm leaves everywhere.. more restaurants than people.. well just about ... trams if you like them.. I drive them so you might bump into me. Vibrant shopping, and the International Comedy Festival is on for almost a month if you tire of Sydney and are in need of a laugh..!
Enjoy your stay in Australia..
Akseland
Enjoy your stay in Australia..
Akseland
Posted on: 08 April 2009 by Derek Wright
Given that you are going to Oz for about two weeks I suggest that you plan to spend say 4 days in Sydney, then fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock) spend a couple of days there, take a trip around the Rock and to the Olgas. Then take a bus/coach to Alice Springs for a couple or three nights, then go back to Sydney or if you have time go to Darwin see if you can get into Kakadu National Park and then back to Sydney
The more you can plan ahead the more time you will have productively looking around.
The more you can plan ahead the more time you will have productively looking around.
Posted on: 09 April 2009 by Wolf2
Bazz my email changed now I'm with SBCglobal.net
Thanks all of you, Very helpful and I'll print it out to take with me.
I've been reading books to get ideas of walks etc. Seems you have some nice parks around the area. I'm not as hardy and hale as I used to be so it's easy hikes for me. I could walk at street level but I've seen pics of people at the top of the bridge. UGH! I was 36 stories up in NYC hotel and approaching the window I had to clutch the wall and a chair. I just couldn't look down, tho I did peep. Same thing at the Grand Canyon rim. Tho in my 20s I hiked with friends to the bottom and back the next day, but I was 24 and in great shape.
I had another schizoid event with my mother. I'd decided to take some drawing material as I did to Italy years ago. Mom wrote back "not to waste your time and see as much as possible". But taking a rest on a walk and doing a quick sketch is very rewarding and you really do remember more. Bothered me all night.
Now this morning she's apologetic and says do what you want. I have great drawings/paintings from my Italy trip in frames and my book. My art friends are astonished at what I do. My sister said just go have a good time and do what feels right. Must say mom and dad have never thought art or music as worthwhile pursuits. I think I was born in the wrong family.
Thanks all of you, Very helpful and I'll print it out to take with me.
I've been reading books to get ideas of walks etc. Seems you have some nice parks around the area. I'm not as hardy and hale as I used to be so it's easy hikes for me. I could walk at street level but I've seen pics of people at the top of the bridge. UGH! I was 36 stories up in NYC hotel and approaching the window I had to clutch the wall and a chair. I just couldn't look down, tho I did peep. Same thing at the Grand Canyon rim. Tho in my 20s I hiked with friends to the bottom and back the next day, but I was 24 and in great shape.
I had another schizoid event with my mother. I'd decided to take some drawing material as I did to Italy years ago. Mom wrote back "not to waste your time and see as much as possible". But taking a rest on a walk and doing a quick sketch is very rewarding and you really do remember more. Bothered me all night.
Now this morning she's apologetic and says do what you want. I have great drawings/paintings from my Italy trip in frames and my book. My art friends are astonished at what I do. My sister said just go have a good time and do what feels right. Must say mom and dad have never thought art or music as worthwhile pursuits. I think I was born in the wrong family.
Posted on: 09 April 2009 by Wolf2
One reason I jumped at the flight down is it would be Fall and cooler, probably like here where we're in Spring. I read 2 articles in the LA Times about the drought and orchards failing. Plus those fires that were so awful a while back. Also not the high season for tourists. The travel industry is really hurting.
I"ve wanted to see Sydney for decades, it has finally come around to time off, and enough money. RT ticket sure was right and my passport expires next year.
I"ve wanted to see Sydney for decades, it has finally come around to time off, and enough money. RT ticket sure was right and my passport expires next year.
Posted on: 13 April 2009 by bivalve
Wolf,
Nice to know you are going to pay us a visit.
If you still have a botanical interest, a road trip north of Sydney as far as Terregal takes you through lush bush with sweeping vistas. In our Spring it is dotted with Waratahs (telopias). Inland is home to stands of Angophora (a rugged angular gum-like tree) and Gymea lillies* which flower with a 15' spike with a vivid red flower on top. Great birdlife too.
*It appears Gymea lillies flower irregularly. Caveat Emptor
David
Nice to know you are going to pay us a visit.
If you still have a botanical interest, a road trip north of Sydney as far as Terregal takes you through lush bush with sweeping vistas. In our Spring it is dotted with Waratahs (telopias). Inland is home to stands of Angophora (a rugged angular gum-like tree) and Gymea lillies* which flower with a 15' spike with a vivid red flower on top. Great birdlife too.
*It appears Gymea lillies flower irregularly. Caveat Emptor
David
Posted on: 14 April 2009 by Wolf2
Yeah I love Gum trees, I call them Eucs, driving down the freeways in some areas I remember them in 80 being small, but now they're magnificent clusters. Some idiot is now planting new banks and intersections with straight rows of Trees 30 on center and shrubs the same way, dull and tedious plantings. I bet it's a Civil Engineer that took over the landscape architects job after they reduced their work force.
I remember buying a plant called a Black Boy after seeing a 5 gallon one in a nursery. I'd seen a picture of it in a book. I don't know how it's doing but I bet it's stunning. We actually have a plant like it in the desert areas here. Nolina is the name.
Bottle brush are common here and really quite trashy looking tho hummingbirds like them. there's a small bottlebrush shrub that's now in nurseries. Kangaroo Paws are all the rage in the southland now, red, lime and orange flowers and some shorter ones thankfully.
I've never seen a good Banksia unless it's in a botanic garden. They're either too huge in a tight spot or a straggly one. I think they're tough to grow like many of our natives, they don't like any extra attention, water or mulch at the wrong time and they die.
I remember buying a plant called a Black Boy after seeing a 5 gallon one in a nursery. I'd seen a picture of it in a book. I don't know how it's doing but I bet it's stunning. We actually have a plant like it in the desert areas here. Nolina is the name.
Bottle brush are common here and really quite trashy looking tho hummingbirds like them. there's a small bottlebrush shrub that's now in nurseries. Kangaroo Paws are all the rage in the southland now, red, lime and orange flowers and some shorter ones thankfully.
I've never seen a good Banksia unless it's in a botanic garden. They're either too huge in a tight spot or a straggly one. I think they're tough to grow like many of our natives, they don't like any extra attention, water or mulch at the wrong time and they die.
Posted on: 14 April 2009 by roo
quote:Originally posted by Lontano:
The best Thai/Asian restaurant IMHO is Longrain. You cannot book in the evening (you can for lunch). You sit at big long table with the other guests. Outstanding food and a good atmosphere off the tourist trail.
I went to Longrain on two holidays to Sydney. I mustn't stand out as a pommie tourist too much. Probably the best Thai food I've had outside Thailand itself.
I also like the Red Lantern in the Surry hills. Not sure if this is on the tourist radar but the food is excellent and good value. As ever the soft shell crab is amazing. The wine is really good too. I remember sharing four bottles with a friend the night before flying back to the UK. Probably not the best move but a great night.
Posted on: 14 April 2009 by Wolf2
mmm soft shell crab, thanks for that tip I'll look up longrain. trying to do laundry, the bag is open and half of what I put in gets pulled out a couple hours later. It's just chaos. And on top of that I lost my drivers license Friday. I have another picture ID and passport, I don't plan on driving. Such a tedious process to get it replaced by DMV, I drove in to the parking lot and line was out the door and around the corner, I drove home and made a reservation online for the day after I get back.
Absolutely no idea where that dissappeared to tho remember pulling it out to copy it on a copier and again to show it for something. Minihunies must have taken it, Hawaiian mischief spirits.
Absolutely no idea where that dissappeared to tho remember pulling it out to copy it on a copier and again to show it for something. Minihunies must have taken it, Hawaiian mischief spirits.
Posted on: 15 April 2009 by roo
quote:Originally posted by Wolf2:
I've been reading books to get ideas of walks etc.
Check out the Bondi to Bronte Walk. It's not too hilly and you take in some great views along the way. You can get the bus back to Sydney once you get to Bronte.
Posted on: 15 April 2009 by Craig L
As a resident of Sydney and very frequent traveler to Bangkok i'd suggest that Longrain is over hyped and over priced.
An ex collegue of mine owns and runs one of two Sydney Thai restaurants.
The original in Surry Hills literally has people lined up on the street to get in at night. Reservations aren't taken and you are expected to eat and move on as the prices are very reasonable.
Sujet is Thai with many/most of his dishes handed down from his Grandmother.
The New York Times gave him a great write up several years ago and he hasn't looked back since.
http://www.spiceiam.com/eatin-takeaway/index.asp
An ex collegue of mine owns and runs one of two Sydney Thai restaurants.
The original in Surry Hills literally has people lined up on the street to get in at night. Reservations aren't taken and you are expected to eat and move on as the prices are very reasonable.
Sujet is Thai with many/most of his dishes handed down from his Grandmother.
The New York Times gave him a great write up several years ago and he hasn't looked back since.
http://www.spiceiam.com/eatin-takeaway/index.asp