Some are birthday dinners; others are evenings when the food becomes part of the celebration. For Kam’s birthday, we chose S’more Restaurant in Sydney’s leafy Castlecrag, and what a lovely decision that turned out to be.
On Sydney’s Lower North Shore, it offers just the right escape from everyday routines when a birthday calls for something extra.
Good company, a welcoming dining room and a table filled with dishes worth sharing: what more could I ask for?
A little sparkle to start
Our first treat was a plate of fresh oysters. Cool, delicate and full of clean ocean flavour, they made a graceful entrance without stealing the show. Not yet, anyway.
The scallops followed with their own quiet charm. Sweet and tender, they reminded me that beautiful seafood rarely needs much fanfare. A thoughtful kitchen knows when to let the food speak.
S’more’s fresh oysters prove birthdays deserve proper indulgence
Steak, duck and a little birthday indulgence
I have always believed that a classic deserves respect. S’more’s steak and chips made that case beautifully. The steak was rich and full of flavour, while its golden, crisp chips were all the company it needed. No fuss, just pleasure.
Then came the duck, another favourite from our evening. Its generous flavour and pleasing textures made it feel rather special without being too fussy. It was the kind of dish that makes you slow down, take another bite and forget to check your phone.
For once, even the birthday photos had a rival.
S’more’s perfectly seared steak makes birthday dining memorable
The claypot rice steals my heart
If I had to choose the dish I kept thinking about afterwards, it would be the claypot rice.
Fragrant and deeply savoury, it brought the home-style warmth I adore to a big night out. The caramelised rice added a lovely contrast: crisp in places, tender in others, and delicious throughout.
Some dishes impress you. Others make you reach across the table and insist everyone tries a spoonful. This was the second kind.
S’more’s cooking mixes French bistro ideas with Asian flavours, a style shaped by chef Sam Young and Grace Chen. It suits those who like familiar food with a playful twist.
The birthday feeling matters most
Of course, dinner was never only about the menu. We were there to celebrate Kam.
Between the laughter, warm chat and shared plates, the evening developed that easy rhythm that makes a birthday feel personal rather than planned. The team’s warm, thoughtful care helped us relax and enjoy every moment.
S’more feels polished yet relaxed. That balance matters: special occasions should feel special, not like a test of manners.
Would I return? Happily. I would come back for the claypot rice, the seafood and another chance to enjoy this welcoming little corner of Castlecrag.
Best of all, Kam’s birthday gave us something to take home beyond photographs: a wonderful memory.
Vera’s verdict: 5/5 stars. A birthday dinner worth dressing up for and worth recalling for years.
With appreciation,
Vera Lee
Secret Squirrels Blog | Sydney Luxury Dining, Restaurant Reviews & Travel Experiences
Restaurant details
S’more Restaurant
79 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag NSW 2068
Phone (text messages only): 0436 414 953
Website: https://www.smoresydney.com.au
Instagram: @official_veralee @bigsamyoung @smore_syd
#SmoreSydney #BigSamYoung #CastlecragDining #SydneyRestaurants #KamsBirthday #SecretSquirrelsBlog
By: Vera Lee – © 2026.
Read Time: 3 minutes.
Author Bio:
Vera Lee has spent much of her life making travel happen for other people. These days, she gets to write about the best bits, especially when lunch is involved.
Her career began at Lauda, first in reception and then in reservations, followed by reservations work at Austrian Airlines. She later became Online Manager at TravelEdge, lived in London, and worked as an Implementation and Project Manager at BCD Travel. It was a thorough grounding in getting people where they needed to be and making sure the systems kept up.
Then came a career break and two boys, who introduced a different approach to scheduling. Departures became less predictable.
Vera remains part-owner of Royal Aquatics and is now, by her own description, semi-retired. Alongside writing about luxury travel and food for Global Travel Media, she runs Vera’s Pop Restaurant, Vera Premium Flowers and Vera’s Cakes. Retirement appears to have been given a rather generous definition.
She brings industry knowledge, curiosity and an appreciation of thoughtful hospitality to her writing. She knows good service is never an accident and that a memorable meal can justify quite a journey.
