I know we have run this thread before but it is probably time for refresh of the topic of peoples favourite BYO restaurants after an enjoyable dinner at Lindas On King (which I had never heard of) on Thursday. To help people decide whether the restaurant is what they are after, I suggest we use the following format.
Brown sugar has become my favourite BYO in Sydney for several reasons, not the least because it is a 300m walk from home on the way to Bondi. It also services some of the best French/Mod Aus style foods for a BYO restauarant in the Eastern Suburbs. There's a good reason its been packed the last two times I have been there recently on a Tuesday night when other restaurants in the area are empty.
1. Quality of glassware - definitely not Riedel but also not glass tumblers. Basic slightly thick tulip shaped glasses.
2. BYO cost - $12 per bottle
3. Style / quality of food - French/Italian mix, veal shanks with parsnip puree, porcini pasta, eye fillet steaks with deglazed sauces. Very much French bistro style. Mains are low $30s but large with no need to order side dishes. The last time we did order sides, we ended up leaving them on the table untouched.
4. Quality of service - great service with no adverse reaction to BYO
5. BYO - all week from what I can establish
6. Overall score: 14/20 (using the GFG scale)
Sydney BYO Restaurants
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Bobthebuilder
- Posts: 614
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 11:13 pm
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Love supreme on Oxford st is one of our regulars
Glassware is good, they have some nice riedel like burgundy glasses too (don't hesitate to ask for them if you get the default, which are ok too but a bit small and chunky)
They are licenced too and have some nice wines incase you get surprised with a corker
The pizzas are really good.
Il barretto on Bourke St is an old favourite I haven't been to for far too long, that long I can't actually remember the glassware
But you won't forget the food as easily, great Italian (no pizza)
Glassware is good, they have some nice riedel like burgundy glasses too (don't hesitate to ask for them if you get the default, which are ok too but a bit small and chunky)
They are licenced too and have some nice wines incase you get surprised with a corker
The pizzas are really good.
Il barretto on Bourke St is an old favourite I haven't been to for far too long, that long I can't actually remember the glassware
But you won't forget the food as easily, great Italian (no pizza)
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Funny enough I went to Love Supreme for the first time with a friend from Paddo the other night. Can agree the pizzas are good and the service very hospitable. Nice vibe too. Didn't realize they were BYO as they had a bit of a list (we had an ok Chianti). Nice one.
Will add a few of my favorites (mostly around Balmain) when I get the chance.
Will add a few of my favorites (mostly around Balmain) when I get the chance.
You can find me on Instagram at oz_oenophile
Follow for my little wine journey.
Follow for my little wine journey.
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Great thread, especially as I always seem to be searching variants of this on Google when deciding where to eat 
Il Baretto a favourite as well..
Glassware is out of the plain glasses they serve water in, but they don't mind if you bring your own.
That duck ragu.. talking about it has made me want to head back!
La Disfida in Haberfield's also a great Italian joint.
$5/bottle, and the glassware's simple but more than serviceable!
Food's also tops.
The Larder in Woolloomooloo also caters very nicely for BYO, although I can't remember the cost per bottle.
Good location, great food and service.
I'm sure there are more, but my mind's coming up a blank right now
Il Baretto a favourite as well..
Glassware is out of the plain glasses they serve water in, but they don't mind if you bring your own.
That duck ragu.. talking about it has made me want to head back!
La Disfida in Haberfield's also a great Italian joint.
$5/bottle, and the glassware's simple but more than serviceable!
Food's also tops.
The Larder in Woolloomooloo also caters very nicely for BYO, although I can't remember the cost per bottle.
Good location, great food and service.
I'm sure there are more, but my mind's coming up a blank right now
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Ones we've been frequenting of late..
Salt, Pepper Nutmeg at Roseville
Cafe Lyon at Lindfield
Brio at Pyrmont
Rubyos at Newtown
Sofritto at Newtown
Lindas on King at Newtown
Rocket at Chatswood
Via Napoli at Surry Hills
The Devonshire at Surry Hills
Salt, Pepper Nutmeg at Roseville
Cafe Lyon at Lindfield
Brio at Pyrmont
Rubyos at Newtown
Sofritto at Newtown
Lindas on King at Newtown
Rocket at Chatswood
Via Napoli at Surry Hills
The Devonshire at Surry Hills
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
I love taking a good Riesling or Champagne to Ripples at Chowder Bay and Pyrmont
I think corkage is roughly $10-$15 and glassware is pretty decent too
The wines off the list are ok but not great. Had a nice Felton Road Bloack 2 Chardy last time I went off the list.
Good thread!!
I think corkage is roughly $10-$15 and glassware is pretty decent too
The wines off the list are ok but not great. Had a nice Felton Road Bloack 2 Chardy last time I went off the list.
Good thread!!
instagram.com/wine_pug
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Mike Hawkins
- Posts: 2796
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:39 am
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Sean's Panorama... good food, superb location.
If you have visitors from o/s or interstate, Eastbank near the toaster is byo. Food is reasonable and glassware is ok, but the view of Circular Quay, especially al fresco seating, is great.
If you have visitors from o/s or interstate, Eastbank near the toaster is byo. Food is reasonable and glassware is ok, but the view of Circular Quay, especially al fresco seating, is great.
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Pretty lucky in my 'hood of Balmain. All on darling Street except Rosso Pomodoro.
Rosso Pomodoro
Great pizzas, some anti pasto type stuff, gelato and tiramisu. Not huge variety but everything is good and it is all about the pizza. Terrible glassware (clunky little trattoria style). BYO every night. No corkage. Really good if you love pizza. Even better when it is 2 minutes walk away.
Mabasa
Very handy local Korean. Much better than your average Korean joint. One of our Au pairs lived in Korea for 4 years before coming to live with us and she rated this place. Soft spot for me because I love Korean. Quiet but friendly service. Not too exxy for what you get. Average neighborhood restaurant glassware. BYO every night. I think it is $5 per bottle.
Blue Ginger
Above average mixed Asian place, kind of Vietnamese/Malaysian/Chinese blend going on. Definitely better food than your average local. Average glassware. BYO during the week, not sure about weekends. Food is quite good. Service can be hit and miss when they get busy. Glassware is average restaurant stuff. I think corkage is $5 per bottle.
Love Fish
Classy version of the local fish and chip shop. Great selection of fish and seafood dishes. Little exxy but quality across the board. I'm pretty fussy with seafood but always happy to go here. BYO every night. Nice place to sit on a warm evening as most of the seating is outside on the footpath. Service is mixed but better than when they first opened. Glassware average. Corkage...can't remember but not hideous.
All good places in what they offer. Nothing 'fancy' but they do what they do well. Certainly better than your average neighborhood joints. If you live nearby and haven't given them a whirl, well worth the visit.
Also La Grande Bouffe over the other side of rozelle used to be BYO during the week. Haven't been there for ages but good little French bistro type place when I was last there for dinner. Handy breakfasts too (no BYO for breakfast. Quelle horreur)
Rosso Pomodoro
Great pizzas, some anti pasto type stuff, gelato and tiramisu. Not huge variety but everything is good and it is all about the pizza. Terrible glassware (clunky little trattoria style). BYO every night. No corkage. Really good if you love pizza. Even better when it is 2 minutes walk away.
Mabasa
Very handy local Korean. Much better than your average Korean joint. One of our Au pairs lived in Korea for 4 years before coming to live with us and she rated this place. Soft spot for me because I love Korean. Quiet but friendly service. Not too exxy for what you get. Average neighborhood restaurant glassware. BYO every night. I think it is $5 per bottle.
Blue Ginger
Above average mixed Asian place, kind of Vietnamese/Malaysian/Chinese blend going on. Definitely better food than your average local. Average glassware. BYO during the week, not sure about weekends. Food is quite good. Service can be hit and miss when they get busy. Glassware is average restaurant stuff. I think corkage is $5 per bottle.
Love Fish
Classy version of the local fish and chip shop. Great selection of fish and seafood dishes. Little exxy but quality across the board. I'm pretty fussy with seafood but always happy to go here. BYO every night. Nice place to sit on a warm evening as most of the seating is outside on the footpath. Service is mixed but better than when they first opened. Glassware average. Corkage...can't remember but not hideous.
All good places in what they offer. Nothing 'fancy' but they do what they do well. Certainly better than your average neighborhood joints. If you live nearby and haven't given them a whirl, well worth the visit.
Also La Grande Bouffe over the other side of rozelle used to be BYO during the week. Haven't been there for ages but good little French bistro type place when I was last there for dinner. Handy breakfasts too (no BYO for breakfast. Quelle horreur)
You can find me on Instagram at oz_oenophile
Follow for my little wine journey.
Follow for my little wine journey.
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Mike Hawkins wrote:Sean's Panorama... good food, superb location.
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Mike
We are normally on the same page but I really struggle with Sean's. The whole we are tooooo cool for school and ohhh so uber hip just drives me nuts which is funny because normally this attitude from impoverished waiters is like water off a ducks back.
A large part of the problem is the two sitting approach which they will happily toss out the window when it suits them. We went a few years back in winter with a friend of ours who was heavily pregnant at the time and they left us standing in the doorway on a rainy night for an hour whilst the diners at our table who were supposed to leave at 8 decided to take their time until 9. I also find the food has a bad case of the Emperors Clothing. Apologies for the rant. Trust NY is fun.
Does anyone know if Sugaroom in Prymont is still doing BYO. They used to be fantastic.
Cheers
Mark
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Mike Hawkins
- Posts: 2796
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:39 am
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
rooman wrote:Mike Hawkins wrote:Sean's Panorama... good food, superb location.
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Mike
We are normally on the same page but I really struggle with Sean's. The whole we are tooooo cool for school and ohhh so uber hip just drives me nuts which is funny because normally this attitude from impoverished waiters is like water off a ducks back.
A large part of the problem is the two sitting approach which they will happily toss out the window when it suits them. We went a few years back in winter with a friend of ours who was heavily pregnant at the time and they left us standing in the doorway on a rainy night for an hour whilst the diners at our table who were supposed to leave at 8 decided to take their time until 9. I also find the food has a bad case of the Emperors Clothing. Apologies for the rant. Trust NY is fun.
Does anyone know if Sugaroom in Prymont is still doing BYO. They used to be fantastic.
Cheers
Mark
Thanks Mark - I wasn't aware of the 2 sitting rule. I've only been there once... and that was with a decidedly uncool, middle aged group of friends..
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Maclay St Bistro in Potts Point is worth remembering. We went a while back for an Auswine Forum offline where I thought the set menu they provided us was less than impressive but I've also been recently with just a small group of friends and ordering off the standard menu have very much enjoyed the meal. Good glassware and friendly service.
I'm interested in anyone else's favourite French restaurants that are BYO.
Mark
I'm interested in anyone else's favourite French restaurants that are BYO.
Mark
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
Inner Westies:
Haberfield - all good italian joints offer BYO. Il Disfida as mentioned above $5pp. Napoli in Bocca $3pb (avg glassware - 250ml, thick), Dolcissimo free (bad glassware 150mL - thick, small, cafe style
Ashfield - all offering free BYO, but bad glassware.
Shanghainese: Shanghai Night - done a few offlines here. good feed, cheap, dodgy service and
New Shanghai Night - better looking place, same menu as above, but not as good. People always queue for this place, not sure why.
Japanese - Manmayura - solid Japanese.
Croydon - Tokyo Sengoku $3 byo, avg glassware. Excellent Japanese.
Summer Hill - all cheap BYO venues. Most offer solid fare
One Penny Red - Mod Oz - no BYO except one Tuesday/month they offer a raid your cellar night with a set menu @ $70pp, free BYO
Fare Nosh - Bistro fare - $5pb BYO, avg glassware 300mL thick rims.
Da Vinci's/Marinellos/Andiamo - avg glassware, reasonable pizza, cheap BYO
Haberfield - all good italian joints offer BYO. Il Disfida as mentioned above $5pp. Napoli in Bocca $3pb (avg glassware - 250ml, thick), Dolcissimo free (bad glassware 150mL - thick, small, cafe style
Ashfield - all offering free BYO, but bad glassware.
Shanghainese: Shanghai Night - done a few offlines here. good feed, cheap, dodgy service and
New Shanghai Night - better looking place, same menu as above, but not as good. People always queue for this place, not sure why.
Japanese - Manmayura - solid Japanese.
Croydon - Tokyo Sengoku $3 byo, avg glassware. Excellent Japanese.
Summer Hill - all cheap BYO venues. Most offer solid fare
One Penny Red - Mod Oz - no BYO except one Tuesday/month they offer a raid your cellar night with a set menu @ $70pp, free BYO
Fare Nosh - Bistro fare - $5pb BYO, avg glassware 300mL thick rims.
Da Vinci's/Marinellos/Andiamo - avg glassware, reasonable pizza, cheap BYO
Re: Sydney BYO Restaurants
rooman wrote:Maclay St Bistro in Potts Point is worth remembering. We went a while back for an Auswine Forum offline where I thought the set menu they provided us was less than impressive but I've also been recently with just a small group of friends and ordering off the standard menu have very much enjoyed the meal. Good glassware and friendly service.
I'm interested in anyone else's favourite French restaurants that are BYO.
Mark
Also enjoyed MacLeay St Bistro a couple of times earlier this year. Food was excellent, BYO experience good as well.
Perhaps I should start a Melb BYO thread
veni, vidi, bibi
Also on instagram m_j_short
Also on instagram m_j_short