The Galleries - Foodcourt

#food #sydney #galleriesvictoria

 Hidden in the basement of the Galleries Centre is a much missed food court. It has recently been renovated and is not quite a little art space. It is dimly lit, organised in different sections that break up the room. Across the back of the furthest wall is the below art piece of an Asian Lady. I love this picture. It really lights up the space taking you right away from the bustle of the city and nearby Town Hall Station. It is probably as Melbourne as you are going to get in central Sydney.

If you are going to grab a quick bite (on your way to JB HI FI) then you cannot go past Mero Mero. They have the most tasty (steak) sandwiches that you are going to find. Beautiful marinades on your freshly cooked meats with fresh salads. I have never been disapointed. You usually have to wait, but it is well worth it. 

https://www.thegaleries.com/

Archibald Fountain - Hyde Park

#hydepark #sydney .

This is the most visited and well known fountain in Sydney. It is located in Hyde Park North, and every person in Sydney has had at least one visit to it. It was build in 1932, and I find it hard to imagine Hyde Park without it.  It was built to commemorate the relationship with France in World War 1. It is an Art Deco design and.... blah blah - I will not bore you with the design. What most kids like are the animals in the fountain with spurt water into the pond below. I can always remember the turtles and they take me back to my childhood.

Heading South from the fountain you walk under the canopy of  trees to the other end of the park. It is beautiful and you can easily forget you are in the middle of the city as you casually walk with the occasional specks of sunlight making its way through the trees. 

The Queen Victoria Building

This shopping centre, a former market is Sydney's answer to London's Harrods. Built in 1898, it has been a pivotal part of retail in Sydney ever since. It's art deco interiors and domes are probably a bigger draw-card then the shops within it. For most people it is just a thoroughfare from Town Hall train station to the surrounding city streets.  If you stop and take time to examine the architecture and fittings you will be well rewarded. It is on of the few well preserved buildings in Sydney that remind you of a time long gone. If you look online you will fine pictures of this building surrounded by horse and buggies instead of the buses that are there now.

The building itself was destined to be pulled down in the late 70s and be replaced with a car park, however sense prevailed and a major refurbishment turned it into the classy landmark it is today.

One thing I really want to try, but never have is the Tea Room in the QVB which serves High Tea Daily. Has anyone been? Is it worth the wait?? Time will tell.

http://www.qvb.com.au/ #QVB #sydney

Vivid Sydney

Vivid arrives to welcome winter to Sydney. It is our festival of lights where key buildings in the city are lit up and morphed into art. It is becoming bigger than NYE in terms of crowd numbers. Last year's experience reminded me to go on a week night as the crowds are less and you can move around more freely. This year saw Martin Place and the Sydney Star Casino added to the mix. I completed it all over two nights and was not disappointed. I have the usual photos of the spectacular Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Also added below are the inflatable rabbits that won me over. I must admit, I will be sad to see it end for another year, as winter takes over and the lights fade...

If it is your first time make sure you time your visit to Darling Harbour for the light & water show that it finished with fireworks. Touristy, yes but still a bit of fun.

http://www.vividsydney.com/

The Golden Age Cinema & Bar

The Golden Age Cinema and Bar was described to me as one of Sydney's prettiest bars, and the talk was not wrong. It is down in a basement in Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills.  The bar is stunning and beautifully lit. The curtains look golden as the light dimly expresses its colour. On arrival there was a big band playing all the usual standards. It takes you back in time, allowing you to forget the modern world. The band comes out from behind the curtain, literally a half a metre away. This is the bar to be taking your date to. To romance your special someone.

There is a cinema in the bar too, but I did not make it to the cinema this time round - though I will be back. They play old classics, so I have to remember to check out what is coming up and make sure I get a good movie - I am sure it will be worth the wait.

http://ourgoldenage.com.au/

Palm Beach

So it is long weekend and the weather is bad. I took the chance to take a small road trip up to Palm Beach. This is the strip where Home & Away is filmed, with the famous lighthouse in the background. Now this is not Bondi, so you are limited in what you can do food-wise, but it is very nice to look at. The clouds enhance the texture of the sky, which is different from the blue sky pictures you will find online.

 Had the day have been better I would have taken the trail up to the lighthouse. I have done this many years ago, and will keep it on my list to do again. Brave folk were swimming and surfing. I found a coffee and took in the view.

The Rocks Brewing Company

The latest fad in Sydney is boutique beer. Having outgrown their brewery in the Rocks, the Rocks Brewing Company opened its new brewery in downtown Alexandria. This has allowed them the space they need to produce their high quality beer. Now most of you know I am not a huge beer drinker, but the range and subtle flavours mixed in make me drool.

It the lure of beer is not enough then i should make a note of their food. Cheap pub food this is not! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The steak I ate for dinner was cooked to perfection and served with wedges. I have also had a great lunch here, where the beef roll melted in my mouth.

The only negative is that it is a little too far for me to walk home, so I normally drive. I stick to the limit and order a take home back of beer and let the party continue at home.




 160 Bourke Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015

#rocksbrewingcompany