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National finalists in this year’s Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence revealed
8th October, 2014

National finalists in this year’s Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence revealed

SYDNEY’S top spots to grab a bite have been revealed as part of an annual competition.

Dozens of eateries and caterers have been named national finalists in this year’s Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence.

What sets a great restaurant apart from an exceptional one is simple — the chefs at the latter “do it better”.

So says the hardworking people behind the three lower north shore eateries that have been named as national finalists.Ripples at Milsons Point has been named the best cafe restaurant in Sydney, while Sails on Lavender Bay has taken out the title of best restaurant caterer.

Milsons Point’s Aqua Dining has been celebrated as the best Italian restaurant, which owner Bill Drakopoulos said was thanks to the new man at the helm, Davide Rebeccato, who creates food that is full of “Italian flavours with a modern twist”.

These three tasty spots join other Sydney foodie institutions, such as Quay at The Rocks, Rose Bay’s Catalina and Hugo’s in Manly, on the long list of finalists, which is below.

Head chef Nathan Darling said Sails on Lavender Bay ticks every box and, as far as the food was concerned, “we must just do it better”.

Read more: The top 15 hottest Indian restaurants in Sydney

Mr Drakopoulos, who owns both Ripples and Aqua Dining, echoed a similar sentiment about scoring the accolades.

“Whatever everyone else is doing, we’re doing it better,” he said.The three waterfront restaurants will go up against their interstate counterparts to win the national award, which will be announced on October 27.

THE SYDNEY FINALISTS

Restaurant of the year – Quay, The Rocks

Breakfast restaurant – Pavilion Beachfront, Maroubra Beach

Chinese Restaurant – Chefs Gallery, Sydney

Coffee shop/Tea house – Ampersand Café & Bookstore, Paddington

Contemporary Australia restaurant – Catalina, Rose Bay

European Restaurant – Ananas, The Rocks

Indian/sub-continent – AKI’s Restaurant, Woolloomooloo

Pizza – Hugos, Manly

Restaurant in a pub/club/tavern – 3 Weeds, Rozelle

Seafood – Fish Café, Balgowlah

Speciality restaurant – Efendy, Balmain

Steak restaurant – Prime, Sydney

Sushi – Raw Bar, Bondi Beach

Thai – Alphabet Street, Cronulla

Corporate caterer – Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sydney

Events caterer – Forte Catering and Events, Ashfield

Function/convention centre caterer – Australian Turf Club – Rosehill Gardens, Rosehill

Small caterer – Piquant Catering, Five Dock

Venue caterer – Blond Catering – Austral Bricks Design Studio, Marrickville

Caterer of the year – Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sydney

You’ll be licking your lips after the mixed oyster plate at Fish Cafe in Balgowlah.