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Three hats

Well, the Hats have just been awarded at the Good Food Guide 2003 awards. Being a bit of a foodie, I take the utmost interest. If only I can get around to visiting all these restaurants! (I have been to quite a few more than I had last year though, so I must be slowly climbing the ladder of food connoisseurism!)

Here's what they mean
Three hats
The food surprises in its originality, delights in its technique and is delivered by professionals who know exactly what temperature the oven is set at to prepare the slow-cooked duck and what the mystery ingredient is that makes it taste so sexy. When you as much as glance at the wine list a waiter or (even better) a sommelier is
suggesting not only a wine that's drinking well now but one you can afford. The interior is probably going to be fabulous, but it doesn't have to be.
Two hats
All of the above - just down a notch or two (in some cases, only a tiny notch). Professional service and seriously good flavours on the plate.
One hat
There is noticeable flair in the kitchen - good flavours and polished cooking techniques. Service is caring, if not always textbook perfect.
Unhatted
If it's in the Good Food Guide, we've been and are happy to recommend it (and we've been to plenty that missed out).

And here are the restaurants...

GOOD FOOD GUIDE 2003: THE HATS
Metropolitan:
Three hats
Claude's, MG Garage, Quay, Rockpool, Tetsuya's
Two hats
Aria, Banc, Bathers' Pavilion, bel mondo, Bistro Moncur, The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, Buon Rcordo, Celsius, Eleni's, Forty One, Guillaume at Bennelong, Longrain, Lucio's, Marque, Pier, Restaurant VII Sailors Thai, Salt, Sean's Panaroma
One hat
Alio, Aqua Dining, Aqua Luna, Becasse, Billy Kwong, Bistro Lulu, Cala Luna, Catalina Rose Bay, Certo Ristorante, Cottage Point Inn, Darling Mills, Elio, Fuel, Golden Century, Grappa, harbourkitchen&bar, Hugo's, Il Piave, Jaspers, Kam Fook, Kam Fook, Chatswood, L'Unico, Milsons, The Mixing Pot, Neptune Palace, Ocean King House, Oh! Calcutta!, Otto, Pavilion on the Park, Pello, Prime, Restaurant Balzac, Ristorante Riva, Sailors Thai Canteen, Sea Treasure, Tables, Tabou, The Wharf, XO, Ying's
Country:
Two hats
Atlantic, Fins, Vulcans
One hat
Aubergine, The Bantam Restaurant, Boomerang, The Cellar, Darley's at Lilianfels, dish, Echoes, Lolli Redini, Lorenzo's Diner, Neila, The Old George & Dragon, Ottoman Cuisine, Restaurant de Ville, Scott Street Restaurant, Selkirks, Silk's Brasserie, Solitary