My friend and I were looking for a nice but casual restaurant to have our last dinner in Sydney. We wandered about Darling Harbour and looked at various dining options (some high-end, some closer to fast-food) until we finally wound up at the Festival Cafe in the Harbourside shopping center.
It was a pleasant enough evening, so we sat on the outside patio facing Cockle Bay (there is also the regular indoor dining room). I thought it was going to rain at first (it had rained quite a bit during the day), but we took a chance and had a pleasant meal amidst the jovial surroundings. This is a prime viewing spot for people watching along the promenades below. We could see and hear various fireworks, water and light shows.
Now for the restaurant itself. There is nothing very fancy about Festival Cafe, but it was a comfortable place for a relaxing meal. We both had filet mignon for dinner, and it was well prepared with a tasty mushroom garnish. The prices are not cheap, but not too expensive either.
I decided to skip dessert because my entree was very filling for me, so my friend wanted to order a dessert to go. The waiter informed him that desserts were only to be served in the restaurant. We thought this was a curious policy, but we dutifully reclaimed our table and I watched my friend devour his slice of white chocolate mousse cake. Actually, I just sat there and soaked in the nighttime atmosphere of Darling Harbour.