The esteemed chef has a warm way of speaking – you can hear a smile in her voice as she lists the venues around town she loves.

The Recipes for a Lifetime of Beautiful Cooking author and former head chef of Fred’s is now the culinary director of the Sydney Opera House’s event venues. And amid the iconic venue’s refreshed roster of culinary events, Alvarez is hosting A Culinary Canvas, a special dinner for Vivid.

On Friday June 7 and Friday June 14, enjoy a menu and wine pairing celebrating female talent in the Aussie culinary scene, with a mid-dinner performance by Katie Noonan. Afterwards, you’re perfectly placed for a wander through the lights.

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After you’ve booked your spot, check out Alvarez’s picks of the city.

Danielle, what’s your go-to for a takeaway dinner?
Bahn Cuon Ba Oanh, a Vietnamese in Marrickville. It is incredible, I love the fresh rice noodles.

What about lunch on the go?
If I’m in the city, I love Bar Mammoni. They do these excellent little focaccia sandwiches. It’s near the Opera House and I’ve been known to sneak away for the mortadella with rocket – it’s all I want.

Do you have a favourite spot for a snack?
Oh, yes: Flour and Stone. Nadine [Ingram] is just amazing at having this, like, extreme variety. She makes it so hard to choose. I love it when she does cookies because I can just have one of those with a coffee – it’s a perfect little treat. But I can’t get past her cakes. They’re just heaven. The lemon dream? The one with meringue and lemon? It’s a big doorstop of a piece of cake.

Where do you go for a special occasion?
Look, they don’t take bookings but I love, love, love Ante [a sake bar] in Newtown. It’s not fancy in the way that people might think a special occasion place should be, but the service is amazing, the food is incredible. And it’s always a bit different every time I go. We always feel really well looked after – it’s just fun and delicious. [My favourite’s the] one thing that never leaves the menu: the noodles with fermented shiitake mushrooms. Oh my god, I could have like two bowls of that to myself, please.

Do you have a favourite spot for coffee?
Sample in St Peters is usually pretty chill, so if I need to have a work meeting or something, I just adore their coffee and it’s like a really lovely spot to have a conversation.

Ona in Marrickville is pretty luxe: really beautiful fit-out and they take the coffee super seriously.

If you’re settling in for a longer lunch, do you have a go-to?
Sean’s in Bondi. It’s just always on my list. I adore Sean [Moran]’s cooking. I adore the restaurant. There’s nowhere I’d rather be for a lunch in Sydney.

And even if they’re busy – and because they’re always busy – they seat you out front once your booking is finished. I just love that, so nice of them to do.

Where do you go with a big group?
Look, if it was people not from Sydney, I would for sure book Mr Wong. That food really lends itself well for sharing, and I think a lot of people – especially not from Australia – have never experienced delicious Cantonese food in that kind of vibey setting. And then there’s Palmer & Co underneath, and lots of other great bars in that laneway.

Do you have a bucket list restaurant? Anywhere in the world!
Oh, the world – I was gonna give you one in Sydney. I was going to say Quay. I’ve never actually been and I’ve lived here for 10 years – I kind of can’t believe it.

In the world, it’d be Le Doyenne, in France. James Henry is the Australian chef. Everyone that I know that’s been there said it’s as good if not better than what you see online. It looks beautiful and wholesome, which is totally my speed.

Where do you go for something sweet?
My absolute favourite gelato is Mapo, in Bondi and Newtown. The pistachio is my obsession.

Is there somewhere in Sydney you think is underrated?
It’s a cafe during the day and it turns into a Mexican restaurant at night. It’s called Little Birria, and it’s in Mascot. It’s in a really random spot – like you see shipping trucks passing you by as you’re sitting there. But the birria tacos are legit.

A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez takes over the Yallamundi Rooms on June 7 and June 14, as part of Vivid Food. Bookings essential.

@daniellemariealvarez
@sydneyoperahouse