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

Head chefs Jeffrey Sue, from Ripples at Milsons Point, Davide Rebeccato, from Aqua Dining, and Nathan Darling, from Sails on Lavender Bay, are chuffed to see their restaurants named as finalists. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg

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.

How’s the view at Ripples at Milsons Point?

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.

Read more: Sydney’s best rooftop bars

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.

The menu is forever changing at Sails on Lavender Bay.

But the offerings are always impressive.

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.

With a new chef at the helm, Aqua Dining is doing Italian with a tasty twist.

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

Ananas at The Rocks looks inviting.

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

The team at Hugos in Manly know how to make a good pizza.

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

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

Venue caterer

Blond Catering – Austral Bricks Design Studio, Marrickville

Caterer of the year

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sydney

Source:  Daily Telegraph - 8th October 2014