Lovedale Long Lunch, 17-18 May 2008 (win free tickets too!)

Good food, good wine and good music. These are the key ingredients of the upcoming annual Lovedale Long Lunch.Lovedale Long Lunch media launchAll three flowed freely at the media launch last week, celebrating this novel outdoor concept that is now in its 15th year.How does it work? Every year, on the third weekend in May, visitors lunch their way around seven participating vineyards on or near

Encasa Restaurant, Sydney

Albondigas $11.00Beef meatballs in almond sauceI like this end of Pitt Street, the southern end near the Capitol Theatre. Here on this block you find a backpacker hostel, a dim sim factory, the Chamberlain Hotel on the corner and an assortment of cheap and cheerful Thai restaurants.And then there's Encasa, a little patch of Spain in Thainatown, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it entrance were it not for

You could win...

The media launch for the annual Lovedale Long Lunch was held last Thursday, and once again I've brokered a photos-for-prizes deal with the lovely organisers.That's right. You, lucky reader, have the chance to win a fantastic prize package that will see you sipping and supping your way through participating Hunter Valley vineyards.Check back here on Wednesday 19 March for the entire delicious

Koh-Ya Yakiniku Japanese BBQ Restaurant, Neutral Bay

Beef loin, beef harami and chickenFour words that elicit thrill yet terror: all you can eat.For ninety minutes you can order and eat all you like at Koh-Ya. The seafood and yakiniku buffet will set you back $39.80; 44 different dishes and two desserts may set you back three belt holes or more.Ox tongueWe revel in the Japanese tavern style atmosphere at Koh-Ya, the front room furnished with a

Crocodile Senior Thai, Haymarket Chinatown

Grilled marinated pork with sticky rice $8.00Crocodile Senior Thai?The restaurant name always stops people mid-sentence. It makes a little more sense when I explain that there's a sister restaurant called Crocodile Junior Thai in Bondi Junction.Ah. I see. Um, kinda.Chilli basil stir-fry with roast duck $10.50We head here for a weekday lunch, noting the restaurant rapidly filling to capacity by