Wendy Johnson

Food Reviewer at CityNews.com.au

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Articles

Lots of lovely niceties at Nicky's

1 week ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

It’s the special touches that count for hospo veteran and chef Nicky Kim… like making her own smoked salmon for eggs benedict. It may take more time, but it produces better results, writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. We hit Nicky’s at Dickson around lunchtime on a weekend, feeling peckish and curious about what the menu would offer. It kicks off with toast, which includes house-made focaccia ($8) and a sour cherry and sultana loaf ($9).
Big switch in the Monster's plant-based menu

2 weeks ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“We popped in for lunch. Given that the Monster Kitchen’s main restaurant is only open for dinner, we settled into a table in the casual dining area tucked into a corner on the ground floor of Ovolo Nishi,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. “The Monster is an omnivore”. This website declaration signals a switch in Monster Kitchen and Bar’s menu from solely plant-based to meat and plant dishes. We popped in for lunch.
Pronto gets a quick embrace from Weston Creek

3 weeks ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“Pronto is quickly being embraced by Weston Creek locals. We booked in advance but couldn’t secure a seat indoors (smart, urban cool fitout), which points to Pronto’s popularity,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. Weston Creek’s food scene has ramped up with the arrival of Pronto at Cooleman Court and its comforting Italian food. If trying to book a recent Saturday lunch was an indicator, Pronto is quickly being embraced by locals.
A small bar celebrating big things

3 weeks ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“All food at Joe’s Bar centres around the love of simple, but flavoursome food, created with fresh, quality produce and oodles of love. This is food designed to hit the spot.” You can see where dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON has been. Joe’s Bar, East Hotel, is a small bar celebrating big things, including curious cocktails, good wines and contemporary Italian fare (excellent antipasto, share plates and pizza).
Rebel Rebel always dares to be different

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

Award-winning Rebel Rebel, in the NewActon precinct, always dares to be different, says dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. Although the menu changes over the seasons, Rebel Rebe’s intense desire to dish up award-winning, innovative and scrumptious food does not. I love the place and promise to visit more often. Under the watchful eye of colourful David Bowie – featured on a framed poster near the large, open-concept kitchen – Rebel Rebel’s team operates with care, detail and attention.
Wine bar with cool vibe and a compact menu

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“Tucked in the back of Lonsdale Street’s Branx Building is a wine bar with a cool vibe, an extensive and impressive wine list, and a compact menu with interesting food that complements the top drops on offer,” says dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. Romanée Wine Bar in Braddon has a niche place in the market and in charge is sommelier Chester Mok, who has strong credentials in the hospitality industry and deep knowledge of wines from Australia and around the world.
Bistro with its heart in the country

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

It was a day for a drive, and dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON landed in historic Gundaroo for a pub-grub experience at Loose Goat Bistro. The cosy Loose Goat Bistro is housed in the famous Gundaroo Inn, established in 1872. It claims to hold the oldest liquor licence in NSW. We stepped back in time when we entered, with history everywhere we turned. The inn is divided into different rooms.
The Ottoman we know and love, almost

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“To say that Ottoman Cuisine is a fine-dining institution is an understatement and it’s no wonder the anticipation of its reopening in its original building in Barton created a next-level buzz,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. Established in 1992, Ottoman Cuisine has a long list of awards for its superb Turkish cuisine and expectations were justifiably high when a friend and I visited for lunch.
Up the hill and over the moon

2 months ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON took to the heights of Red Hill, where the views matched the trattoria food experience. The views from the top of Red Hill are breathtaking and can now be enjoyed from two new dining venues – Lunetta Trattoria (downstairs and more casual) and Lunetta (upstairs and more elevated to fine dining). I haven’t been to Lunetta (yet) but have enjoyed lunch at the trattoria twice and each time was over the moon with the décor, service, food, wine and atmosphere.
Where the beef ragu was divine and the service so-so

Dec 11, 2024 | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“Carlotta has established relations with local producers and growers, but also sources high-quality ingredients from afar, including Italy and Spain,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. Scotts Crossing, Civic, is the home of new Mediterranean restaurant Carlotta, opened by Chris Lucas, the Australian restaurateur behind Chin Chin in Sydney and Melbourne.