388 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.universalhotels.com.au/civic-hotel/
https://www.instagram.com/civichotelsydney/
Tasty eats to share
In need of a casual post work drink and eat with the Mrs we headed to Civic Hotel. Gin & Tonic ($7.50) for me uses Beefeater gin as their house stock and the house Sauvignon Blanc ($8) is from Stonefish. Dip Board ($22) comes with a nice selection of tarama, tzatziki, eggplant dip, warmed olives, marinated feta, dolmades, served with toasted pita bread. It's a good sharing board. A generous serve of nice soft pita bread although a bit more would have helped to finish the plentiful amount of dips. The eggplant dip had a pleasant smokiness. Olives were decent in size and tasty. I like it when they're served warm. Dolmades were good. I probably would have preferred some halloumi instead of the feta though as I found the feta a little awkward to eat due to being a little crumbly. Bar service was friendly and efficient and the place had a happening casual vibe.
60 Park St, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.facebook.com/cupnchino/
Coffee Happy Hour continues
It wasn't that long ago when this place was called Uno Espresso. New name and I assume new owners now. Thankfully I spotted they still have a coffee happy hour between 2 and 3 pm. Cappuccino ($2.30 happy hour 2-3pm, usually $3.30) uses Allpress coffee. Unlike the previous place you can now dine in as an option while before happy hour was only for takeaway coffees. Service was friendly and welcoming. Decor and fit out has been improved as well. It's still a very small space with limited seating but provides a bit of an escape from the busy street outside.
580 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.facebook.com/savageespresso/
https://www.instagram.com/savageespresso/
Hole in the wall coffee spot
Best coffee deal of the week. Picked up a loyalty card and spotted the first coffee is FREE! How cool! Plus no extra for decaf, mocha, lactose free, soy, coconut, almond and syrup. Cappuccino (Usually $3.50 but first coffee was free) had a medium roast flavour and was the first person to have one dining in so cups straight out of the box. Jam filled donut ($5) from My Donut Box was generously filled made for a wicked sugar hit. Cronuts and bagels also available. Seating very basic so more suited for takeaways at the moment.
F4 Level 1, Chifley, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.encasa.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/encasaaustralia/
Spanish eats in Chifley
Chifley (formerly Chifley Plaza) is finally back open after months of renovations and Encasa Rapido is quick off the mark as one of the first new eateries to open in the space. Chorizo Bocadillo - Grilled Spanish sausage, roast capsicum, tomato, Spanish onion & aioli ($12.50) comes in a nice crusty baguette and plenty of tasty chorizo with a mild spice. Nice combo of flavours and easy to eat without being too messy. Spotted some tempting Spanish muffins, alfajores, portuguese tarts and almond croissants on display for a sugar hit. Loving the new decor and seating options on Level One. Sort of reminds me of a hotel lobby bar for some reason in parts. Plenty of other eateries still to open and hopefully soon.
