Chinatown is close the the CBD and some of them specialise in seafood. I am talking chinese chinese here and not "fried rice and sweet-and-sour" There are places that do great yum-chas, but I cannot remember the names.
You may be interested to know that a lot of chinese people work and own businesses in the
Syney Fish Market and that is also a great place to visit and Eat. Take the Tram there from Central Station and go past Darling Harbour on the way.
BTW. I don't reccommend Darling Harbour for restaurants. Lots of tourists go there, but I regard it as expensive average quality food and service.
For Italian, go out to Leichhardt (Little Italy). If you want cheap and cheerful with character try Bar Italia (we serve coffee - don't ask for skim milk, soy, or decaffeinated). Try the
The Italian Forum
but remember that the rest of Norton Street has very good Italian restaurants.
NB. Leichhardt is under one of the approach flight paths to Sydney Airport and you may get the screaming jets. Hopefully the planes will be using another approach if you go their. I would reccommend a taxi to Leichhardt. Ask the driver to drop you off at the forum, but walk down and up Norton Street before going in.
John
"There are two types of problems: those that solve themselves, and those which you can do nothing about"
Isabel Allende's grandmother