Sydney - Australia 2004 - page 121

most exclusive boutiques, are clean and comfortable, and a bargain by Sydney
standards. Each comes with a springy queen-size bed or two singles, a small TV,
and a sink; a few have balconies. All except room no. 13 have good city views.
The best is room no. 1, which is larger and brighter than the rest, and comes
with a large balcony with good views. Family rooms come with a double bed, a
foldout sofa bed, and a trundle bed—all in one room. All rooms share nice bath-
rooms. The fabulous Balmoral Beach is a 10-minute walk away, or just 5 min-
utes by bus. Ask hotel staff for ferry times and bus/ferry connection details from
Taronga Zoo and Mosman wharves. The taxi from the city is around A$22
(US$14). If you stay here I highly recommend the Japanese restaurant, Kyushu,
at Shop 5, 9-11 Grosvenor St., Neutral Bay ( & 02/9953 8272 ), about 5 min-
utes away by taxi.
76 Middle Head Rd., Mosman, NSW 2095. & 02/9969 7022. Fax [phone] units (5 doubles, 6 sin-
gle, 1 twin, 1 family room), none with bathroom. A$75 (US$49) single; A$85 (US$55) double/twin; A$100
(US$65) family room. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Ferry: Taronga Zoo, then a 5-min.
bus ride. Bus: Taronga Zoo from Wynyard station. Amenities: Restaurant; 2 bars. In room:TV.
AT THE AIRPORT
Stamford Sydney Airport This is the best airport hotel. Opened in
1992, it has the largest rooms, each with a king-size bed or two doubles, access
to airport information, and a good-size bathroom with tub. The location is 7
minutes from the airport via a free pickup service. Day-use rates for 2 to 4 hours
cost A$85 (US$55) and from 4 to 8 hours A$115 (US$75).
Corner of O'Riordan and Robey sts. (P.O. Box 353, Mascot, Sydney, NSW 2020). & 1300/301 391 in Aus-
tralia, or 02/9317 2200. Fax [phone]. www.stamford.com.au. 314 units. A$270 (US$176) double; from
A$370 (US$240) and up for suite. Extra person A$25 (US$16). Children under 17 stay free in parent's room.
Ask about discount packages and weekend rates. AE, DC, MC, V. A$5 (US$3.25) self-parking fee for up to 10
days. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; good-size outdoor pool; fitness center; Jacuzzi; sauna; concierge; busi-
ness center 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; currency exchange; nonsmoking rooms; execu-
tive rooms. In room: A/C, TV, minibar, dataport, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
4 Where to Dine
Sydney is a gourmet paradise, with an abundance of fresh seafood, a vast range
of vegetables and fruit always in season, prime meats at inexpensive prices, and
top-quality chefs making an international name for themselves. You'll find that
Asian and Mediterranean cooking have had a major influence on Australian cui-
sine, with spices and herbs finding their way into most dishes. Immigration has
brought with it almost every type of cuisine you could imagine, from African to
Tibetan, from Russian to Vietnamese, with whole areas of the city dedicated to
one type of food, while other areas are a true melting pot of styles.
Sydney is a great place to try “Modern Australian,” or “Mod Oz,” cuisine,
which has been applauded by chefs and food critics around the world. Modern
Australian cuisine emphasizes fresh ingredients and a creative blend of European
styles with Asian influences. (Some foodies complain that some restaurants use
the label “Modern Australian” as an excuse to serve skimpy portions—like one
lamb chop atop a tiny mound of mashed potatoes sprinkled with curry sauce.)
At its best, Modern Australian food is world-class, but you'll probably have to
go to the best of Sydney's restaurants to really see what the scene is all about.
Australians think American-style coffee tastes like ditch water and largely
favor a range of Italian-style coffee creations. Ask for a latte if you just want cof-
fee with milk. “Bottomless” cups of coffee are very rare in Australia. By the way,
in Australia, the first course is called the entree and the second course the main.