Goals

It’s no secret that I love a good fine dining experience. Whether I’m treating myself to my monthly fine dining experience or going all out during my birthday week in Melbourne, sitting down to that beautiful plate of food has never lost its appeal. After more than a decade of getting to know Sydney and Melbourne’s food scenes, I feel like there’s always something new to discover – not to mention a few old favourites that deserve another visit. My birthday week has become the perfect excuse to explore Melbourne’s dining scene, while the rest of the year is all about making the most of what’s on offer in Sydney. I don’t necessarily feel the need to try every new opening or every hatted restaurant. Sometimes a restaurant stays on my radar for years before I finally make it there. Other times I find myself thinking about a particular dish…

If you’d like to see the original list, you can find it here: 26 Things To Do In 2026. This year’s Things To Do list was a part-continuation, part re-attempt of last year’s list. I felt cautiously optimistic when I drew up this year’s list because I had chosen what I felt were more attainable goals. It’s only halfway through 2026 and so much has happened, from rebuilding my savings to the very real possibility of re-entering the job market. Looking back over the list, I’ve realised that some goals were more important than I expected, while others have quietly evolved into something completely different. It’s as good a time as any to take a few minutes to revisit that list and see how things are going. What Went Well 8. Check the fridge/cabinets/etc before going grocery shopping. And stick to a shopping list. This one was definitely more of…

My 2026 Fine Dining Bucket List

Mid Year Check In: 26 Things To Do In 2026