Signal Cafe, CBD Sydney (29 May 2018)

215-217 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.instagram.com/signalcafe.syd/

New spot for Ona coffee

Time poor lunchers will find the estimated wait times handy on the weekly specials menu. Chicken Schnitzel with chips and salad ($13 weekly special) is a smallish and thin style schnitzel with nice crumbing that managed to come out in about 3-4 mins which beat the 5-8 mins estimate on the menu. Chips could probably benefit from an extra 30+ seconds to become a bit more crisp and the salad definitely needed a more interesting and tasty dressing to make it come alive and not just the sparingly used balsamic vinegar. A squeeze of lemon saved it a bit. There's potential with just some easy tweaks. Their strength seems to be their coffee game. Barista @gy_jason is doing good things with ONA Coffee. Cappuccino ($2 special with Hey You, normally $3.50) had a nice flavour and made for an enjoyable 2nd coffee of the day. There's lots of seating and the service is friendly. I spy green tea latte for the matcha lovers.

The Bellevue Hotel, Paddington (3 May 2018)

159 Hargrave St, Paddington NSW 2021
https://www.bellevuehotel.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/bellevuepaddington/

$1 Oyster Hit in Paddo

Nice casual pub that's well attended by the locals and you'll spot lots of oysters by the dozen being served on a Thursday night. Apparently they'll get through around 500 in the 2 hour happy hour which accounts for them being preshucked before service. A glass of Jim Barry Riesling, Clare Valley SA ($10) and Opawa Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough NZ ($10.50) helps calm the nerves for the adults while the Orange Juice ($2 kids) served in a plastic cup for the kids helps boost their energy. Oysters ($1 Thursday 6-8pm) aren't the prettiest shucked oysters I've seen but for $1 each and a big squeeze of lemon they're certainly do the trick as an appetiser. Chicken Schnitty with house slaw and beer battered fries ($20) had a good crunchy coating and tender chicken inside. Chips were crispy and the slaw was nice although would have loved a bit more of it and preferably served on the side so it doesn't get all warm sitting on the heat of the freshly deep fried schnitzel. 250g rump steak - Rangers Valley Black Angus Rost Biff MS3+ (270+ days grain fed) ($26) served with mushroom sauce and beer battered fries was ordered medium although in hindsight would have been better as medium rare. The plentiful supply of mushroom sauce was very good. The pub is kid friendly with a baby change table available and kids menu but it certainly caters for the older crowd with comfy seating and friendly service. The restaurant at the back looks really nice and I'd been told the oysters are shucked to order there which is good to know.

Markt: Schnitzel, Martin Place, CBD Sydney (28 Sept 2016)

Shop 2, 52 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.instagram.com/marktschnitzel_

Schnitzel game strong

A foodie tip from a Mr Anderson brings me to check out this schnitzel eatery. Brekky Schnitty - schnitzel, eggs, bacon, homemade bbq sauce wrap + water ($10) is cooked to order and comes with free range eggs, tasty rindless bacon, very good schnitzel that's tender and moist with nice crumbing served in a nice soft thin wrap. I didn't really need the water so a cheaper option without bottled water would be preferable. Housemade BBQ sauce is tasty and goes well with the rest of ingredients. Quite a large wrap so will definitely fill you up till lunch. There's a decent amount of seating inside which is good as I find the foodcourt can get a bit challenging to find a table during lunch time. Hoping to try more of the menu including the hot chips which are served in a European style cone. Plenty of different housemade sauces available from the free sauce bar to pour over them as well. I spotted they also do a housemade vegan schnitzel with chickpeas, corn, fresh mint and spices. Banana Boom on Oxford St used to be my favourite chicken schnitzel fix but unfortunately closed so these guys could be my next favourite in town.