Flashpacking in Sydney (and more Food Porn)

Due to the fact that when I told people I was leaving I got several monetary gifts from family and friends and awesome tips from customers I’d like to show that your money went to productive things so I’m dubbing some of you sponsors for excursions I may not have otherwise been able to afford.

Thank you Kaufu & Kaumu.  While I’m pretty sure you don’t approve of a number of things I’m doing on this trip, I’m know you appreciate the necessity of a good meal.  Thanks a bunch, miss you all!

I decided that while in Sydney I wanted to go to a really nice dinner, budget be damned.  Accordingly, we decided on Universal Restaurant for lunch which was nominated as one of the world’s best new restaurants when it opened.  Plus the chef has her own wikipedia page which is usually a good sign.

Excited at the opportunity to wear my super practical and not at all space eating 6 inch heels I put on a dress and my heels and we walked over the very hilly streets of Darlinghurst to the restaurant.  When we arrived, the place was closed.  Well mostly closed, the chef and manager were both there and took our reservation.  They also assumed that since we had come all the way from New York that we were chefs, or at least wealthy foodies and asked for the number for our hotel.  “Oh, actually we’re staying at a hostel and we don’t have a phone.”  I’m pretty sure the note in the reservation book said something like “Keep an eye on this table for dine and dash, I don’t think they can’t afford to eat here.”

Now lacking plans for the afternoon I suggested a stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art and maybe a tour of the Sydney Opera House.  Yay tourism!  Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed the Contemporary Art Museum which incidentally, is one of the best way to spend $0 and see some awesome local art.   The Opera House….ehhh I’d rather save my money, take a picture in front and call it a day.  Especially when I already walked from Darlinghurst to the Museum, spent 2 hours in the museum and then did the entire “Writers Walk” around the Circular Quay in 6 inch heels.

After going back, showering and massaging my feet for a while, I put those evil fuckers back on and walked back over to Universal for attempt two – but at least this time we had a reservation.  Unsure of what to order, and having each server tell us a different favorite dish we decided to completely fuck the budget and order over half of the menu.  Don’t ask what the bill was, just know I was thoroughly satisfied with everything we ate and thrilled to have a really good martini.  The chef, Christine Manfield, also came over and talked with us for a little while about travel and even sent us a dessert on the house.  Maybe not the most efficient use of a backpacking budget, but sometimes you have to live a little.