2009 METROPOLITAN
AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE FINALIST AND WINNERS LIST

Winners announced Monday 28 September 2009.

RESTAURANT AWARDS

BEER CAFÉ
Sponsored by Employers Mutual
Winner: Redoak Boutique Beer Café, Sydney
Bavarian Bier Café, Sydney
Epoque - Belgian Beer Café, Cammeray
Heritage Belgian Beer Café, The Rocks
Prague Czech Beer Restaurant, Potts Point

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Westpac
Winner: Cafe Morso, Pyrmont
Bills Restaurant, Darlinghurst
Cafe Twelve, Gymea
Il Paradisso, Neutral Bay
The Bathers' Pavilion, Balmoral
Trio Cafe-Bar Restaurant, Bondi Beach

BYO RESTAURANT
Sponsored by ClockOn
Winner: Pazzo Restaurant, Surry Hills
Ripples Café at Milsons Point, Milsons Point
Sofias Restaurant, Allambie Heights

CAFÉ – LICENSED
Sponsored by Foster's Group
Winner: Zinc Café, Potts Point
Buon Gusto Restaurant, Chippendale
D to D Cafe Food & Wine Restaurant, Beverly Hills
Deck 23, Dee Why
Dov at Delectica, Potts Point
Olio Cafe / Bar, St Leonards
Ripples at Chowder Bay, Mosman

CHINESE RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Foster's Group
Winner: Din Tai Fung, Sydney
East Ocean Restaurant, Sydney
Fook Yuen Seafood Restaurant, Chatswood
Golden Century Seafood Restaurant, Sydney
Kam Fook Restaurant, Bondi Junction
Lees Fortuna Court, Crows Nest

COFFEE SHOP / TEA HOUSE
Sponsored by BUNZL Catering Supplies
Winner: Allpress Espresso, Zetland
Ampersand in Paddington Cafe & Bookstore, Paddington
Electric Bean Café, North Sydney
Single Origin Roasters, Surry Hills

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – FORMAL
Sponsored by Vittoria Coffee
Aqua Dining, Milsons Point
Catalina, Rose Bay
Forty One Restaurant,Sydney
Jonah's, Jonah’s Restaurant and Accommodation, Whale Beach
Sails Restaurant, McMahons Point
Winner: Universal Restaurant, Darlinghurst

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
Sponsored by Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia
Winner: whitewater, Manly
Baylys Restaurant, Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli
Bird Cow Fish, Surry Hills
Cafe Sydney, Sydney
Oscillate Wildly, Newtown
Restaurant @ The Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Sugaroom Restaurant, Pyrmont
Wildfire, Sydney

EUROPEAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Coca-Cola
Winner: Bambini Trust, Sydney City
ESSEN Restaurant and Beer Cafe, Ultimo
Euro Lounge, Castle Hill
La Boheme Restaurant & Café, Balmain
Löwenbräu Keller, The Rocks
Maitre Karl, Willoughby
Restaurant Sojourn, Balmain

FAMILY RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Coca-Cola
Winner: Rocksalt Restaurant, Menai
Il Buco, Enfield
Mezzanotte, Dee Why
Nunzio's Pizza and Pasta Family Restaurant, Castle Hill
Sea La Vie Restaurant, Dee Why Beach
The Bronzed Onion, Freshwater

FINE DINING RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Vittoria Coffee
Winner: Marque Restaurant, Surry Hills
Aria Restaurant, Sydney
Guillaume at Bennelong, Sydney
Quay Restaurant, The Rocks
Tetsuya's, Sydney

FINE DINING IN A HOTEL
Sponsored by American Express
Winner: Bilson's Restaurant, The Radisson Hotel, Sydney
Altitude, Shangri-la Hotel, Sydney
Astral Restaurant, The Crown Casino, Pyrmont
est. Restaurant, The Establishment Hotel, Sydney
Glass Brasserie, Hilton Hotel, Sydney

FRENCH RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Finlease
Winner: Becasse, Sydney
Assiette, Surry Hills
Bistro Ortolan, Leichhardt
La Brasserie, Darlinghurst
La Grande Bouffe, Rozelle
Restaurant Balzac, Randwick

GREEK RESTAURANT
Sponsored by PPCA
Winner: Perama, Petersham
Aesops Restaurant, Sydney City
Kafenes Greek Restaurant, Enmore
Kouzina Greco, Parramatta
Medusa Greek Taverna, Sydney

INDIAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by BUNZL Catering Supplies
Winner: Nilgiri's, St Leonards
Abhi's New Indian Restaurant, North Strathfield
AJ's Indian Restaurant, Eastwood
Aki’s, Woolloomooloo
A∙S∙H∙I∙A∙N∙A Indian Restaurant, Avalon Beach
A∙S∙H∙I∙A∙N∙A Indian Restaurant, Manly
Bijolias, Seaforth
Raavi's Cumin, Crows Nest

ITALIAN RESTAURANT - FORMAL
Sponsored by Barilla
Winner: Pilu at Freshwater, Harbord
Buon Ricordo, Paddington
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi Beach
Lucio's Italian Restaurant, Paddington
Otto Ristorante, Woolloomooloo
Pendolino, Sydney

ITALIAN RESTAURANT - INFORMAL
Sponsored by Barilla
Winner: A Tavola, Darlinghurst
Candelori's Restaurant, Smithfield
Fratelli Paradiso, Potts Point
Grappa Ristorante e Bar, Leichhardt
Vini, Surry Hills

JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Tourism New South Wales
Winner: Yoshii Restaurant, Sydney
Azuma Japanese Restaurant, Sydney
Kobe Jones, Sydney
Rise Restaurant, Darlinghurst
Toko, Surry Hills

MALAYSIAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by HTN - Hospitality Employment Solutions
Winner: Chinta Ria... Temple of Love, Sydney
Istana Restaurant, Thornleigh
Kuali, Lane Cove
Mamak, Sydney
The Malaya, King Street Wharf

MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by ClockOn
Winner: Vera Cruz Restaurant & Bar, Cremorne
Baja Cantina, Glebe
Mad Mex, Darlinghurst
Tequila's On Main, Rouse Hill

MIDDLE EASTERN / NORTH AFRICAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Westpac
Winner: Souk in the City, Surry Hills
Almond Bar, Darlinghurst
Efendy, Balmain
Kazbah On Darling, Balmain
Restaurant Sahara at the Republic, Darlinghurst
Tagine, Rozelle

MODERN ASIAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by HTN - Hospitality Employment Solutions
Winner: China Doll, Woolloomooloo
Billy Kwong, Surry Hills
Blue Ginger, Balmain
Jimmy liks, Potts Point

NEW ASIAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by HOSTPLUS
Winner: Spice Temple, Sydney
Dragonfly, Collaroy
Shanghai Tang Restaurant, Haymarket
Spice I Am - The Restaurant, Darlinghurst
Sugarcane Restaurant, Surry Hills

NEW RESTAURANT
Sponsored by HOSTPLUS
Winner: Sepia Restaurant, Sydney
Bistro Bruno, Balmain
Bronte Road Bistro, Charing Cross
Etch Restaurant, Sydney
Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney
Rosebud Restaurant and Bar, Rozelle
Uccello, Sydney

PIZZA RESTAURANT
Sponsored by APRA
Winner: Hugos Bar Pizza, Kings Cross
Pompei's, Bondi Beach
Puntino Trattoria, Woolloomooloo
Rosso Pomodoro, Balmain
Ventuno Restaurant, Walsh Bay
Vicini, Annandale

RESTAURANT IN A CLUB
Sponsored by Lion Nathan
Winner: La Tratt, Fairfield RSL Club, Fairfield
Dedes Bar & Grill, Sydney Rowing Club, Abbotsford
Flame Dining, Dee Why RSL, Dee Why
Klaus’s Brasserie, Hakoah Club, Bondi Beach
The Terrace Restaurant Bar & Grill, The Epping Club, Epping

RESTAURANT IN A PUB
Sponsored by Lion Nathan
Winner: The Restaurant at 3 Weeds, 3 Weeds Rozelle, Rozelle
Bistro Moncur, Woollahra Hotel, Woollahra
Light Brigade Bistro, Light Brigade Hotel, Woollahra
Terrace on Pittwater Restaurant, Newport Arms Hotel, Newport
Uncorked Restaurant, The Union Hotel, North Sydney

RESTAURANT IN A TRAINING INSTITUTE
Sponsored by NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Winner: Pittwater Training Restaurant, Northern Beaches College, Brookvale
Ambassador Restaurant, TAFE Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde
Billy Blue Brasserie, William Blue College of Hospitality and Tourism, North Sydney
Restaurant 2153, TAFE Western Sydney Institute, Baulkham Hills

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT - INFORMAL
Sponsored by Sydney Fish Market
Winner: Garfish, Manly
Fine Fish, Neutral Bay
Fish Face Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Darlinghurst
Limani Seafood Restaurant, Narrabeen
Nick's Seafood Restaurant, Darling Harbour
Peter Doyle @ The Quay, Sydney

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT - FORMAL
Sponsored by Sydney Fish Market
Winner: The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, Glebe
Flying Fish, Pyrmont
Manta Restaurant & Bar, Woolloomooloo
Ocean Room, The Rocks
Pier Restaurant, Rose Bay
Summer Salt Restaurant, Cronulla

SPANISH RESTAURANT
Sponsored by PPCA
Winner: Spanish Terrazas, Sydney
Capitan Torres Restaurant, Sydney
Mi Morena Restaurant, San Souci

STEAK RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Meat & Livestock Australia
Winner: PRIME Restaurant, Martin Place
Kingsleys Australian Steakhouse, Sydney
Kingsleys Steak and Crabhouse, Woolloomooloo
La Grillade, Crows Nest
Meat & Wine Company Pty Limited, Darling Harbour
Outback Steakhouse, North Strathfield

SUSHI BAR
Sponsored by Entertainment Publications
Winner: RAW BAR, Bondi Beach
SoSumi Sushi Bar, Sydney
Sushi Bar Makoto City, Sydney
Sushi Inn Japanese Restaurant, Randwick
Sushi Fusion, Randwick
Umi Kaiten-Zushi, Sydney

TAPAS RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Meat & Livestock Australia
Winner: Delicado Foods, McMahons Point
Bodega Restaurant, Surry Hills
Emmilou Drink Wine Dine, Surry Hills
Firefly, Walsh Bay
Pacific Grill, Newport
Subsolo, Sydney

THAI RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Employers Mutual
Winner: Rambutan, Darlinghurst
Arun Thai Restaurant, Potts Point
Banana Blossom, Cremorne
Longrain, Surry Hills

VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
Sponsored by HOSTPLUS
Winner: Red Lantern, Surry Hills
Bay Tinh Vietnamese Restaurant, Balmain
Libertine Restaurant and Bar, Kings Cross
Phamish Vietnamese Cafe, Darlinghurst

WINE BAR
Sponsored by APRA
Winner: Tastevin Bistro & Wine Bar, Darlinghurst
The Gazebo Wine Garden, Kings Cross
Time to Vino, Darlinghurst
Wine Odyssey, Sydney

WINE LIST AWARD - COMPREHENSIVE
Sponsored by Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia
Winner: glass brasserie, Sydney                                                         
Aqua Dining, Milsons Point                                                   
Bilson's Restaurant, Sydney                                                    
Bird Cow Fish, Surry Hills                                                     
Catalina Restaurant, Rose Bay                                              
Jonah’s, Whale Beach                                                
Time to Vino, Darlinghurst                                                   
Uccello, Sydney                                                                     
Wildfire, The Rocks                                                              
Wine Odyssey, The Rocks                                        

WINE LIST AWARD - LIMITED
Sponsored by Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia
Winner: Swell, Bronte                                                 
Bei Amici, Darling Point                                            
Sugaroom Restaurant, Pyrmont                                                         

NSW WINE LIST AWARD
Sponsored by NSW Department of Industry and Investment
Winner: Wine Odyssey Australia, The Rocks

CATERING AWARDS

BOARDROOM CATERER
Sponsored by AON Risk Services
Winner: Toast Food, Sydney
Ernst & Young Corporate Hospitality, Sydney
Gastronomy, the Art & Science of Food, Kensington
The Piquant Kitchen, Five Dock

CATERER AT AN EVENT
Sponsored by Bidvest
Winner: freshcatering, St Peters
Events Management Catering – Acer Arena, Olympic Park
Flavours Catering & Events, Artarmon
Forte Event Catering, St Leonards
The Piquant Kitchen, Five Dock

CATERER AT A MAJOR EVENT
Sponsored by Bidvest
Winner: Rosehill Gardens Event Centre. Rosehill
Australian Jockey Club at Royal Randwick, Randwick
Avocado Group, Chatswood
Bayleaf Catering & Edible Solutions, Alexandria 

CORPORATE CATERER
Sponsored by AON Risk Services
Winner: ICON Event Catering, Narrabeen
Alliance Catering, Sydney
Avocado Group, Chatswood
freshcatering, St Peters
Flavours Catering & Events, Artarmon
Microsoft Restaurant Associates, Macquarie Park
Packed Lunch, Kensington

FUNCTION / CONVENTION CENTRE CATERER  
Sponsored by Bidvest
Winner: Australian Jockey Club at Royal Randwick, Randwick
Doltone House, Pyrmont
Horsley Conference and Events Centre, Fairfield RSL Club, Fairfield
Forte Event Catering, Northern Suburbs Rugby Club, St Leonards
Nielsen Park Venues, Vaucluse
Taronga Centre, Mosman
The Cuisine Group, Darling Harbour
Zest Waterfront Venues, Point Piper

HOTEL / CLUB CATERER
Sponsored by AON Risk Services
Winner: Dedes Bar & Grill, Abbotsford
Fairfield RSL Club, Fairfield
Shangri-la Hotel, Sydney
The Epping Club, Epping
Tradies, Gymea

RESTAURANT WEDDING CATERER
Sponsored by Bidvest
Winner: Summer Salt Restaurant, Cronulla
Aqua Dining, Milsons Point
Botanic Gardens Restaurant, Sydney
Catalina Restaurant, Rose Bay
Jonah’s, Whale Beach
WatersEdge, Walsh Bay

SITE CATERER
Sponsored by AON Risk Services
Winner: Alliance Catering, Pfizer Australia, Gladesville
Toast Food Events & Catering, North Ryde
Trippas White Catering, Art Gallery NSW, Sydney

VENUE CATERER
Sponsored by Bidvest
Winner: Events Management Catering – Acer Arena, Olympic Park
Bayleaf Catering & Edible Solutions, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
Packed Lunch, Kensington
Rosehill Gardens Event Centre, Rosehill
Tradies, Gymea
Trippas White Catering, Art Gallery NSW, Sydney
                                                                                                                                      
WEDDING CATERER – OFFSITE
Sponsored by AON Risk Services
Winner: Gastronomy, the Art & Science of Food, Kensington
ICON Event Catering, Narrabeen 

WEDDING CATERER IN A FUNCTION CENTRE
Sponsored by AON Risk Services
Winner: Newport Mirage Hotel, Newport
Doltone House, Pyrmont
Nielsen Park Venues, Vaucluse
Passion8 Catering, Lane Cove West
Taronga Centre, Mosman
The Cuisine Group, Darling Harbour
The Epping Club, Epping
Zest Waterfront Venues, Point Piper

TRAINING AWARDS

BEST TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT
Sponsored by NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Winner: Cucina Catering, St George Motor Boat Club, San Souci

OUTSTANDING SCHOOL BASED APPRENTICE
Sponsored by NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Winner: Dejan Zec Karan

TRAINEE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Winner: Elyse Bishop

MAJOR AWARDS

CATERER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Bidvest

Winner: Newport Mirage Hotel, Newport

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Lion Nathan

Winner: Marque Restaurant, Surry Hills

JOHN K WALKER HALL OF FAME

Sponsored by Foster's Group

Robert Molines

RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by All-Clad Metalcrafters

Bill Drakopoulos

LIFETIME ACHIEVER AWARD

Jennice and Raymond Kersh

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Sydney Fish Market