Gary is a freelance writer based in Sydney, who does regular write-ups for Concrete Playground on venues including pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes. He has two published novels and spends all his free time and money travelling the world.
Favourite bar in Sydney: This is a tough one, but if I had to choose just one bar, it'd be Shady Pines. I've been visiting since the week it opened. The place has everything: good service, amazing music, rock-solid drinks and free peanuts.
11-15 Duckboard Place, Melbourne
An easy dinner choice that won't disappoint.
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160-162 Bourke Street, Melbourne
An abundance of delicious dishes at this fun Korean BBQ restaurant.
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105 Swan Street, Richmond
An earnestly and effortlessly Parisian-style restaurant.
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{"id":909611,"type":"restaurant","icon":"hamburger","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E80 Collins Street, Melbourne\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"Lillian Brasserie","description":"Live a little fancy...","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lillian-specials-supplied-6-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lillian-specials-supplied-6.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/lillian-brasserie","latitude":"-37.8135003","longitude":"144.9707349","address":"80 Collins Street, Melbourne","booking":"","archive":{"title":"Restaurant","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants"},"banners":[{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lillian-specials-supplied-6.jpg","alt":"Lillian Brasserie"},{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lillian-specials-supplied-5.jpg","alt":"lillian brasserie - frecnh restaurant in melbourne"},{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lillian-specials-supplied-7.jpg","alt":"lillian brasserie - frecnh restaurant in melbourne"}]}
28 Artemis Lane, Melbourne
The Korean BBQ experience you've been craving awaits you.
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38 Mcilwraith Place, Melbourne
With an atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the vibrant hustle and bustle of a Bangkok market.
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Shop 9 Equitable Place, Melbourne
Let little robots with digital cat faces deliver your Thai street food eats directly to the table.
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{"id":906993,"type":"restaurant","icon":"hamburger","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E Elizabeth Street, Melbourne\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"Son in law","description":"Home to some of the cutest bao buns in Melbourne.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/son-in-law-supplied-7-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/son-in-law-supplied-7.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/son-in-law","latitude":"-37.8106655","longitude":"144.9622162","address":" Elizabeth Street, Melbourne","booking":"","archive":{"title":"Restaurant","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants"},"banners":[{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/son-in-law-supplied-7.jpeg","alt":"Son in law"},{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/son-in-law-supplied-4.jpeg","alt":"Son in law"},{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/son-in-law-supplied-3.jpeg","alt":"son in law - melbourne central - thai restaurant melbourne"},{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/son-in-law-supplied-6.jpg","alt":"son in law - melbourne central - thai restaurant melbourne"}]}
49 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Tucked away in South Yarra, this Japanese spot is perfect for a bite (or two).
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106 Kingsway, Glen Waverley
The kitchen's known for its classically Shanghainese dumpling lineup, all handmade in-house daily.
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111 Bridge Road, Richmond
A New York-style bagel joint on Richmond's Bridge Road.
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13 Beatty Avenue, Armadale
Grab some of the best bagels in Melbourne from this Armadale haunt.
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136 Koornang Road, Carnegie
BYO bottle of wine and indulge in some Korean BBQ.
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287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
A Melbourne seafood restaurant with Japanese flair — pair your lobster and oyster platters with plum wine and sake.
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