For serious fine dining.
Sepia. My favourite place atm with edgy fine dining, some slightly odd combinations (so go with an open mind), clever molecular gastronomical techniques used but not at the expense of bastardising the underlying ingredient, somelier is young but very switched on.
Quay, not much to say that hasn't been said, excellent restaurant, not an easy place to book for a Saturday night and of course isn't cheap.
Aria, disappointing on the food front, mostly ok but a few glaring issues with flavour combos IMO, scallops dusted with mace...like wtf, peking duck broth tastes like something an amateur would make with a heavy hand of hoisin making it something you will only enjoy for the first few spoonfuls. Service was poor and timing between courses was outrageous the one and only time I have been there, my sister and husband like it a lot and have only positive things to say about it, wine list is outstanding.
Est. A restaurant for eastern suburbs girls. Salads on the plate for no obvious reason on lots of courses and under seasoned/dressed to boot. Cold deconstructed green tomato gazpacho was nearly perfect (except they took the charring of the small pieces of sour dough a bit too far), sashimi was boring and lacked seasoning, quail had a salad on the side...yeah ok, venison had a salad on the side...huh... However, the passionfruit souffle is as good as they come, for dessert lovers a genuine triumph and worth a trip.
Buon Ricordo, not cheap but high end Italian restaurants in the Eastern Suburbs aren't cheap. I know the menu inside out and it isn't cutting edge but for truffle lovers, fettucine al tartufovo is one to try before you die.