Dinner @ Wet Paint, Bronte

Started with a Singapore Sling (their take: Tanqueray gin; Cherry Marnier, Cointreau and Benedictine liqueurs; Grenadine syrup; pineapple juice; pineapple wedge garnish), which a number of my friends have drunk at its Raffles Hotel birthplace, but which I'd never had anywhere. A foamy, fruity, alcoholically potent delight.

My entree was peppered pork skewers, which were accompanied by dainty sweet potato fries, tahini and white beans, and some sort of sprouts drizzled with dressing. There was no wrong combination/proportion of ingredients when eating this dish and the pork was outstanding - perfectly cooked and a treat to the last bite.

For the main course, I selected the restaurant's signature Louisiana stuffed chicken. Also perfectly cooked, this consisted of a large breast piece filled with cornbread, cashews and just enough sun-dried tomato to add an extra dimension without overpowering the chicken-corn flavour. From memory, the vegies were green beans, corn on the cob, carrot and beetroot. My one tiny complaint was the copious amounts of rich lemon butter sauce.

Went for a liquid dessert in the form of a chilli chocolate margarita (Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, creme de cacao [brand?], espresso and chilli-infused Jose Cuervo tequila). Disappointingly like a bland iced coffee with a shot or two in it, this needed more chocolate sweetness or chilli zing. That said, the after-taste was oddly agreeable.

Verdict: First-rate Aussie-Creole food and first-rate service, too.