Activities that spark joy

  • VIVID SYDNEY (May 26 - June 17 2023)

    • Early on in their friendship (they haven’t started dating yet), whilst staring at the trippy lights, she whispered “Do you know what would make this even better?” IYKYK

  • Opera House

    • Why take photos outside when you can also experience it inside? Optionally, you can even dine inside it at Bennelong (book ahead!) or even drink at the famous Opera Bar. There’s a little something something for everyone.

  • Urban Hikes

    • One their first not-a-real-date-because-she-paid-date, what was supposed to be a short hike around Watson’s Bay, ended up with them also walking from Darling Quarter to Woolloomooloo (the Mississippi of Sydney, in terms of spelling that is), Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (not an actual chair), around the Opera House, across the Harbour Bridge (and back) before ending the night at a classic Australian eatery, Outback Steakhouse Seoul Ria (route).

  • Bridge Climb

    • Anyone can walk across the bridge, but have you walked over a bridge? Get out your patagucci though, it get’s chilly up there.

  • Hunter Valley

    • Got time for a day trip and want to explore outside the city? No better place to visit is the Napa of Sydney. What better place to drink some Australian wine, and practice some Australianisms.

Food that Warms the heart

  • Black Star Pastry ($) Snack

    • Do you like watermelon? Do you like cake? Imagine if they had a baby, yup, it’s as delicious as it sounds.

  • Devon ($$) Brunch

    • This isn’t your basic-b, bottomless-mimosa brunch spot, this is your sober brunch spot where they serve delicate coffee with divine food. A place so good (especially on a crisp Sydney morning) that alcohol will merely detract from the experience, not enhance it.

  • The Grounds of Alexandria ($$) Brunch

    • Remember the good old days where millennials were told to spend less on avocado toast, and you were running around plant nurseries eager to be a plant parent? You can relive those wonder years right here. You won’t regret it.

  • Chinese Malay ($)

    • One of those restaurants you miss when you realize good laksa just doesn’t exist stateside. It’s dirt cheap and you can bet your noodle bowl will be empty by the end of the meal.

  • Mappen ($)

    • If Nancy had to pick her last meal, this place would be a strong contender. The udon is cooked with the perfect amount of chewiness, the umami of the broth at the perfect level, sides as far as the eye can see…

  • Chin Chin ($$$)

    • John: What do you remember about Chin Chin?

      Nancy: I don’t know, I just thought it was really good.

      Narrator: Enough said.

  • Mr Wong ($$$$)

    • Ever wonder what fine dining Chinese would look like? Treat yourself, get the banquet and enjoy your night. Palmer & Co., next door, is the perfect way to wrap up the night.

NOTABLE MENTIONS

  • Seoul Ria (Korean)

  • 678 BBQ (Korean)

  • Madang (Korean)

  • Chat Thai (Thai)

  • Mamak (Malaysian)

  • Taiwan Two Peck(派克) & Hot Star(豪大)

    • It’s still a mystery to Nancy why chicken cutlet (雞排) is so popular in Sydney, that the two most famous chains in Taiwan have stores in Australia, but not the US.

DRINKs that enable

  • Palmer & Co.

    • Prohibition-style bar where Nancy and John first met during a Coffee Meets Bagel launch party. Unfortunately, John failed to make an impression other than being “the guy that called her out, who also lied to her”. Meanwhile, John thought Nancy was into his (white) colleague. We can save that story after a drink, or two.

  • The Baxter Inn

    • If you love whisky and a good time, this is the bar for you. Nancy recommends the whisky apple juice, but John says to try something a little stiffer.

  • The Swinging Cat

    • I know, I know, you didn’t come to Sydney to go to an New Orlean’s bar, but the sazeracs here are truly top notch. Try the half (cognac) & half (rye) sazerac. It slaps.

  • The Opera Bar

    • Come here at night, grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy the light show.