tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10854298840539204142024-03-09T17:26:28.713+11:00The Adventures of Miss PiggyMelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.comBlogger530125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-54647646173909654742014-12-19T09:24:00.002+11:002014-12-19T09:25:52.989+11:00Taking a break...Hi everyone! Just a heads up to let you know that I'm going to be taking a break from blogging at The Adventures of Miss Piggy.<br />
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I've been blogging here for well over four years now...and this my 530th post! After so much time and output I think the joy of food blogging has finally evaporated for me. Whilst I still love eating out, discovering new cuisines and places to eat, the act of writing about my eating discoveries has become a real chore. I've got a lot coming up over the next few months...new job, holiday to Japan and possibly moving house and I think it's time I gave myself a break from the "chore" of the food blog.<br />
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I'm not sure when/if I'll be back yet...but a big thank you to everyone has read my blog and commented over the last four years!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-13916049735654622632014-12-15T07:29:00.001+11:002014-12-15T07:29:50.726+11:00Taste of Shanghai, AshfieldThe number of dumpling houses available in Ashfield seem to be endless and choosing where to eat can be quite a process! In the end, we choose <b>Taste of Shanghai </b>as we've never been there before...it's as good a system as any. <br />
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For some reason I had it in my head that Taste of Shanghai was a "fancy place". I'm pleased to report that it's NOT. It's your standard "casual" Ashfield dumpling joint and I really like it! Service is fast, efficient and polite(ish). We arrive at noon, just before the rush hits. But 12.30pm the place is packed! The tables are a notch up from the usual laminex tables...and the clientele are a mix of locals, families, oldies, couples. The majority of the patrons are Asian which Aussies like us always take as a great sign of how good, and authentic, a place is. If a Chinese restaurant is full of Aussies I suggest you RUN away (unless you're in a country town like the ones I grew up in of course)! <br />
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Lunch kicks off with a pot of hot FREE tea! Imagine the uproar if places like this ever start charging for their tea!<br />
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Although we're here for the dumplings we also have to order a side of <b>Lebanese Cucumber </b>($7.80) that is doused with a heafy splosh of <b>garlic and vinaigrette</b>. I love cucumber prepared in this way, so simple, so tasty and so refreshing when you're about to inhale a tonne of meaty dumplings! It's also a pretty simple dish to make at home and it's become a staple in our house.<br />
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I also just have to order another of my favourite dishes - <b>stir fried green beans with pork mince</b> ($15.80). This is a another dish that I've learned to master at home (thanks to a recipe emailed to me by <a href="http://www.onebitemore.com/">Shez</a>)...it's quite simple to make and super tasty. Whilst this restaurant version is a bit more oily than my homemade attempt, I think the flavour of this version is slightly better than mine - is it salt, MSG? I have no idea but it's delish. <br />
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Dumpling time! Taste of Shanghai isn't purely a dumpling joint so you'll find LOTS of other stuff on the menu. It's hard for us to stay focused but we pull through in the end and order a serve of <b>pan-fried pork dumplings </b>($9.80 for 8 pcs). These dumplings are excellent - just look how crispy that pan-fried bottom is. They were very tasty too - sometimes I'm not in love with the strong flavour of pork dumplings, but this was lovely and mild, and well seasoned. <br />
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And last but not least a serve of <b>pork and chive dumplings </b>($8.80 for 12 pieces). These steamed dumplings never look as tempting as their crispy-bottomed brothers, but they are lovely in their own way..and we feel quite virtuous and healthy eating these. <br />
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Taste of Shanghai is at <span class="street-address">264 Liverpool Road, Ashfield.</span><br />
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<span class="street-address"><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1467541/restaurant/Ashfield/Taste-of-Shanghai-Sydney"><img alt="Taste of Shanghai on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1467541/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> </span>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-4071641999436033592014-12-08T07:00:00.000+11:002014-12-08T07:00:02.169+11:00Overnight in CanberraOver the October long weekend Dave + I made a last minute decision to hop in the car and spend a night in Canberra for no particular reason other than to get out of town. As usual we stayed at the lovely East Hotel (we first stayed there during the <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2012/11/humanbrochure-canberra.html">Human Brochure </a>weekend and fell IN LOVE with the place)!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Smoque </span></b></span></div>
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Before we checked into the hotel we made a beeline to <a href="http://www.smoque.com.au/">Smoque </a>for some good ole American style BBQ right in the centre of town.<br />
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There's a lot on offer on the menu so in order to try and get a taste of most things we ordered a <b>Combo Platter</b>, namely the <b>Trifecta </b>($39.00) filled with <b>pulled pork</b>, <b>pork ribs, brisket </b>and a choice of one side (we chose <b>red cabbage coleslaw </b>and added a side of "Mexican Street corn" for $3.90).<br />
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Our <b>cornbread </b>was a bit of a (dry) write off but the <b>pork ribs </b>were the shinning star on the platter - super tasty, moist with a great smokey flavour (they do their smoking off site in case you're wondering why the restaurant doesn't smell smokey at all). The <b>brisket </b>was also quite good, but the pork ribs won the day for me.<br />
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Because I can't help myself when <b>buffalo wings </b>are on the menu we ordered a side of these too. They were FANTASTIC - super flavourful with a slightly spicy, sticky sauce. And the <b>blue cheese sauce</b> was spectacular...I could eat this all day, every day!<br />
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Of course all of this was washed down with a Miller's brewski - though isn't Miller's Canadian, not American?<br />
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Smoque is at Baileys Arcade, Shop 2, 131 London Circuit, Canberra. Phone them on 6162 3350.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Addicted to Fabric</span></span><br />
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After lunch we went and checked into the hotel and then Dave dropped me off at <a href="http://www.a2f.com.au/">Addicted to Fabric</a> to catch up with some Canberra sewing ladies I've become friends with; and he headed off to the War Memorial.<br />
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I love fabric shopping and this is a pretty great shop! I'm not sure if there are a lot of fabric stores in Canberra, and this is a food blog so why would you give a hoot, right? But just in case you do...I bought this lovely fabric that I hope to make into a dress soon - the bodice using one side and the skirt using the other.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_byPdRHBWdvaMWx2k3KY5m4fvzGQjl6h1BcdDgcviVdYnFchVCHpl9ak28q5UnMIeuE3Npx1hI2vD7ta2NPEAMvLOlNzEx3E18x6dkzEBz5WK3Fgn5uAUaSj75LXRQKBlJgmOWjLmqjy/s1600/20141005_093203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_byPdRHBWdvaMWx2k3KY5m4fvzGQjl6h1BcdDgcviVdYnFchVCHpl9ak28q5UnMIeuE3Npx1hI2vD7ta2NPEAMvLOlNzEx3E18x6dkzEBz5WK3Fgn5uAUaSj75LXRQKBlJgmOWjLmqjy/s1600/20141005_093203.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;">Parlour Wine Room</span></span><br />
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I decided I wanted to go somewhere a little bit fancy for dinner and we decided to check out <a href="http://www.parlour.net.au/">Parlour Wine Room</a>, in the New Action area - which offers Spanish style tapas dishes in a luxe, old school style dining room. It was a bit hard to find this place from the address but it's actually inside the Peppers Gallery Hotel - at the back. <br />
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When we first arrived we were sat at one of the lovely chesterfield lounges but after sitting there for a drink (Negroni for me, beer for Dave) I needed to move to a "proper table" as my back couldn't handle sitting on the sofa. <br />
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The menu has a number of raciones, or small plates, so we start off with a few of things over (another) cocktail. Nearly everything in this part of the menu appeals to me so it's really hard to pick just a few things...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pork Crack </b>($8) - really good, air puffed pork rind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cider battered anchovies </b>($7)<b> - </b>Brilliant! The batter was thick and crisp, almost like a dagwood batter. Perfect for the salty anchovies and creamy, spicy sauce. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Smoked pork butter with bread </b>($2). This was good, but not as good as the chicken crackling butter we had at Jamie's Fifteen in London last year.</td></tr>
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Moving right along to the larger Tapas plates. We initially ordered three of these these but as they weren't overly large and I needed just *one more* to finish off the night. The descriptions of each item is fairly light-on (which is the trend de jour I think with many modern restaurants) so we choose by simply going with the ingredients that sound good to us (those we could identify that is)!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIgn_jy4G4F5IkJYZTaS66om1UJ6DCPepM0b7vLifHNQ2WLGA-bAWAlInvE1pGPmCEXhGXBbzofIZ65ix9EZJpQW09pt1RX2FOrXBgz1sz1DcqgxQpdSyKOdLJjwdVsJpq5jUB67NAQjk/s1600/PA048776.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House code, ancient grains, baby turnips + aoili ($19) - very tasty, though I found our cod overly salty. Loved the crunch of the grains and the creamy aoili.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusted calamari, squid ink, black garlic romesco, almonds ($17) - really nice, great seasoning on the calamari. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twice cooked crispy pork belly, px glaze, fried onion, hazelnut ($18) - very delicious, excellent pork though I did find our glaze a tad salty and thick...it overpowered the pork in a way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot + onion escabeche, labneh, crushed seeds ($15) - really loved this dish, light, refreshing and delicate flavours.</td></tr>
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The Parlour Room is at 16 Kendall Lane, Newacton Pavilion, Canberra. Phone them on 6257 7325.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/344/1570406/restaurant/ACT/Parlour-Wine-Room-Canberra"><img alt="Parlour Wine Room on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1570406/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Me + Mrs Jones</span></span><br />
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The next morning we decided to head over to Kingston and revisit <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2013/12/me-mrs-jones-kingston-canberra.html">Me + Mrs Jones</a>. Afterwards we wandered around the area and I spied another great looking cafe, Penny University that I'm keen to try next visit. <br />
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There seems to be a few more places to brunch/lunch in Kingston since our last visit so we have no trouble getting a table this time around. We promptly order coffees and a juice whilst studying the menu.<br />
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Dave ordered the <b>Spanish Eggs </b>($18.00) that was a fry up of A fry up of chorizo, smoked spec,<br />
roast capsicum, olives, roquette and scrambled eggs, served with romesco sauce and linseed toast. It was packed with flavour and to be honest I had BIG breakfast envy!<br />
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In comparison to Dave's tasty, flavour packed breakfast I found my <b>Breakfast Quesadilla </b>($17.00) a little bland. Squashed between two tortilla warps was a bevy of scrambled eggs and manchego cheese, served with sides of smashed avocado, braised black beans and and house made hot sauce. I think this dish would've worked better for me if the sauce and beans were inside the Quesailla to give a bit of moisture to this mix - like the Spanish Eggs above which were a medley of flavours and textures all mixed together..<br />
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Me + Mrs Jones is at 26 Giles St, Kingston ACT. Phone them on<span style="font-weight: bold; margin-right: 4px;"> </span>6162 3355.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/344/1716283/restaurant/ACT/Canberra/Me-Mrs-Jones-Kingston"><img alt="Me & Mrs Jones on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1716283/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
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After breakfast we checked out a HUGE craft market that happened to be on during the same weekend we were visiting. I think (ok, I know for a fact) Dave found this SUPER boring but I loved it. It's always inspiring to see others people's creative endeavors. <br />
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We also decided to for a spin before lunch and check out some of the embassy's and fancy houses nearby. Whilst we thought this was fun the AFP, and the guards at the American Embassy didn't seem too impressed at first. Still...it's a free country and we continue on our merry way picking our favourite embassay's and houses.<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jamie's Italian</span></span><br />
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Although we have Jamie's Italian in Sydney, Dave was keen to go here for lunch as he'd seen Pavlova on the specials board when we walked past the day before.<br />
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Although we been to Jamie's Italian in Edinburgh I really wanted Dave to try Jamie's "<b>famous polenta chips</b>" ($8.50). I LOVE these crispy fried polenta chips that are sprinkled with rosemary and parmesan.<br />
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I always love to have a salad when I'm eating pasta. The <b>simple green salad </b>($7.00) was really lovely, though I found the plating a bit awkward as dressing spilled off the plate. Anyway, our salad of roundhead and babygem lettuce with a lemony yoghurt, tarragon and basil dressing went perfect with my pasta, "<b>Jools' favourite tuna fusilli</b>" ($13.50 for a small serve). I really loved this dish - sustainable tuna, slow-cooked tomatoes, garlic, herbs and cinnamon with crunchy, herby breadcrumbs. I really like the addition of bread crumbs and might try this in my pastas at home. I'm not sure why Dave forsook Pasta, but he seemed very happy with his <b>Tuscan Wild Boar Sausage</b> ($25.00). <br />
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And the Pavlova you may ask? It was more of a Meringue but still pretty good!<br />
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Jamie's Italian is at 125 Bunda Street, Civic, ACT (Canberra Centre, under the Dendy Cinema). Phone them on 6268 0400.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/344/1716283/restaurant/ACT/Canberra/Me-Mrs-Jones-Kingston"><img alt="Me & Mrs Jones on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1716283/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
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And that my friends is the end of our overnight trip to Canberra. I keep hearing people say how boring Canberra is...and to them I say YOU ARE WRONG! There is loads of great food to be had, wineries to visit, galleries to explore, shopping to be had and friends to meet. <br />
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Until next time...
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If you are as old as I am and remember watching My Restaurant Rules back in 2005, then you’ll remember the birth of the restaurant, <a href="http://www.pinksalt.com.au/">Pink Salt</a>. I think this was one of the first “reality shows” I ever watched and I REALLY loved it (I was also gutted the stopped the show after just two seasons).
Whilst I never got to dine at Pink Salt whilst they were (briefly) in Manly I’ve finally made it to Pink Salt nearly 10 years after they first opened!<br />
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The restaurant has recently undergone a major refurb. Prior to its sleek, warm interior we’re told that this place gave new definition to the work PINK! A quick Google Search will confirm this, but gone is the pink overload and in its place is a fit out that is chic, comfortable and that feels just a little bit suave French bistro.<br />
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Pink salt has recently launched its Spring menu and that’s what we’re here to try. We ask if the chef, Mark Williamsom - formerly from Bondi Hardware, the Botanist and Bayswater Diner – would mind sending out a selection of dishes for us. I think this is: <br />
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a) a good strategy for lazy buffoons like us;<br />
b) a great way for the restaurant to showcase the dishes they feel best highlights their menu; and,<br />
c) lets me focus more on the cocktails at hand!<br />
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Speaking of cocktails, I’m also a bit lazy in this respect and ask the restaurant manager for his suggestions. I LOVE both of the cocktails he sends out for me. The <b>Pomegranate and Malibu Mojito</b> is fresh and light and crammed with fresh pomegranate muddled with brown sugar, fresh mint, Malibu coconut rum and topped with a super zesty grapefruit soda. Perfect Spring drink if there ever was one.<br />
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I also LOVED the <b>Blood Orange Amaretto Sour </b>that is a sweet, yet sour mix of Dissarno, fresh blood orange juice, gomme and fluffy egg white on top. This of course is topped off with a sweet, Maraschino cherry. Oh yeah, Dave had a beer. It was beery…and not a cocktail so let’s not talk about that. <br />
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The menu is split into a few different sections. We start off with a few offerings from the <b>“Fare to Share” </b>section. First up is a delectable <b>Charcuterie Board </b>($29) that is almost overflowing with delicious <b>sopressa</b>, <b>bresaola </b>and <b>truffle prosciutto</b>. All of these beautiful meats are <b></b>served with wholgrain mustard, pickles, charred Brasserie Bread. We told by Pink Salt owner, Evan, that all of the charcuterie comes from Pino’s Dulce Vita in Rockdale which is quite renowned for fine quality meats and charcuterie. Only the best in Double Bay folks, only the best. <br />
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Dave was a bit...upset when I asked the chef to send out some dishes for us. He was worried the <b>popcorn chicken </b>would pass us by. Lucky for him the chef had his back and a plate of hot, crisply battered chicken makes its way to our table accompanied by shreds of <b>fresh chilli </b>and a tongue tingling <b>sriracha aioli </b>($15).<br />
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We also try a lovely, fresh salad of <b>grilled haloumi </b>(yum) that sits next to a pile of delicately sliced <b>kale</b>, <b>quinoa</b>, <b>pomegranate </b>and <b>hazelnuts </b>($17). It seems to blow Dave's mind a little that kale can be used for something <i>other </i>than kale chips (which we both kinda agree really are a poor substitute for a packet of Smiths Crisps). We both really liked this salad - it felt sooooo healthy - and we even talked about (perhaps) trying to replicate it at home....especially now that pomegranates are in season.<br />
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We now move onto the <b>“Larger plates"</b>. The <b>blue eye cod </b>has the most lovely, crispy skin yet the fish is still moist and tender. If you're wondering what could possibly make crispy skin better, well the addition of <b>bacon crumbs </b>lifts it to a WHOLE new (tasty) level! The fish is served a top a <b>celeriac mash </b>with a side of fresh, crunchy <b>asparagus </b>($33).<br />
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We were both really hoping the chef would send out the <b>pork belly</b>, and he does! HURRAH! Our luscious, fatty pork belly has a lovely crisp lid on it and is served with a side of <b>savoy cabbage </b>and <b>grilled pear</b>. The <b>carrot mash </b>really stands out in this dish, both in terms of its vibrant colour but also because of its sweet flavour and creamy texture ($29).<br />
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Moving along to the<b> “sweet”</b>section of the menu, we didn't really have room for dessert, but when it's for the blog we need to step up to the challenge, right? I really loved how light and summery the <br />
buttermilk panacotta, milk crumb, strawberry sorbet ($15) was. Perfect for the hot weather we are having - the flavours are tart, sweet and cooling.<br />
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The white chocolate brownie, chocolate ice-cream, raspberry sauce ($15)
was probably Dave's favourite of the two desserts we tried. At first glance the brownie looks quite dense, but it is actually very soft and light.<br />
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Double Bay really is a lovely suburb and I think it's experiencing a bit of a renaissance after a few tough years where businesses and hotels shut down. The area is now buzzing again and Pink Salt is a great spot to sit, eat, relax and watch the passing parade.<br />
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Pink Salt is at 2/53 Cross St, Double Bay. Phone them on 9328 1664.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/751758/restaurant/Sydney/Pink-Salt-Double-Bay"><img alt="Pink Salt on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/751758/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-36958906812039993302014-11-24T06:00:00.000+11:002014-11-24T06:00:02.421+11:00Jonga Jip, EastwoodMy next door neighbour is a BIG fan of Eastwood Korean restaurant, <b>Jonga Jip.</b> A few months ago our schedules aligned and I asked if he'd come for lunch with Dave and I...and basically order for us as I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to Korean Food. I often find myself avoiding a cuisine if I don't really know what I should be order...do you find you do the same?<br />
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So, armed with our trusty guide to all things Korean food related we headed off to Jonga Jip. Our first handy tip from my neighbour is to make sure you go to the original Jonga Jip NOT the one opposite the train line...as the original is the best.<br />
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I love the handy push button that summons the waitstaff...be careful not to press it too often though as you might end up in trouble!<br />
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Once we finally decide on what to order a parade of <span class="st"><b>banchan </b>- or Korean side dishes - arrived at our table. There are SO. MANY. SIDE. DISHES that it quickly becomes apparent that we're not going to have much room for any of the actual dishes we've ordered. Eat quickly to make table room! I really loved the potatoes we were given and didn't mind this version of Kimchi (Kimchi is something I've never been in love with after getting sick eating it in Korean over 10 years ago).</span><br />
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<span class="st">Jonga Jip is a Korean BBQ although they do have a number of other items on the menu. When in Rome though...order Korean BBQ! We opted for the fatty, delicious <b>Pork Belly </b>($19.00) and also some thinly <b>sliced beef </b>of some sort (my memory is betraying me when it comes to the beef)! Both of the grilled meats were deliciously charred and provided some fiery theatrics at the table. Word of warning though...the meat does thrown up quite a bit of greasy splatter, so probably best not to wear your finest garb to a Koraen BBQ.</span><br />
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Another senior citizen moment with this dish - obviously its noodles of some sort with "other things" (food blogging its finest today people). When my neighbour ordered this I was a bit skeptical as the meat and noodles were served cold and I thought the dish would be a bit gelatinous in texture BUT it was great...very refreshing, and cooling after the fatty BBQ meats.<br />
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OK, I am 100% sure that this is a <b>spring onion pancake with seafood</b>, that it cost $20.00 and that it was delicious! This thing was MASSIVE - the size of a <i>huge </i>dinner plate, but our group of four happily ate every last <span class="st">skerrick</span>. They were very generous with the seafood in this pancake and everything tasted fresh and vibrant.<br />
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<span class="st">I love our lunch at Jonga Jip and there are so many more things on the menu I want to try! Now that we have an introduction I feel like I can "almost" tackle Korean food all on my own...</span></div>
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<span class="st">Jonga Jip is at 87 Rowe Street, Eastwood. Phone them on 9858 5160.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1588624/restaurant/Sydney/Jonga-Jip-Eastwood"><img alt="Jonga Jip on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1588624/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a></span></div>
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Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-30868661086746553522014-11-18T12:54:00.002+11:002014-11-18T12:54:24.952+11:00Bread and Circus, Alexandria<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4197227/?claim=8rrfh9p8xcq">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> <br />
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Whoever coined the phrase"you don't make friends with salad" has certainly never met me. I LOVE a good, hearty, tasty salad and it was the lure of such salads that drew me to Alexandria's<b> <a href="http://www.breadandcircus.com.au/">B</a></b><a href="http://www.breadandcircus.com.au/">r<b>ead and Circus.</b></a><br />
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Bread and Circus is a wholefoods canteen with a focus on hearty, healthy fare. When the first opened a few years ago they didn't even serve coffee (just teas and juices) but I think they may have changed that policy...after all the lure of coffee is hard to deny (as is the revenue it brings in the door I'm sure).<br />
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There's quite a lot on offer on the menu from sandwich boxes, sandwiches and various breakfast items and daily plates. That all sounds really tasty but I'm here for one thing, and one thing only. SALAD!<br />
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The salads come in three sizes: side ($10), regular ($16) and sharing ($25). I decide to order the regular size as that way I can fit ALL the salads on offer on my plate. It's a good size though if you're ordering a side and aren't overly hungry and side plate would probably be enough.<br />
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There are five different salads on offer and I love the way that are all piled next to other. My favourites were whatever it was that had goats cheese in it, plus that cauliflower you see there...I reckon it has some cheese action going on as well. <br />
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A girl cannot live on salad alone however and a side of <b>haloumi </b>($6.00) is to hard to resist. It is grilled to perfection and is SO delicious and I'm pleased that the serve is so generous (does anyone else thing the haloumi looks like toast in this photo)?!<br />
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I wash all of this down with a juice. This red coloured juice is aptly, but probably PC incorrectly, called <b>The Ranga</b>! It's a mix of orange juice, watermelon juice and ginger (if you heart desires). It's very tasty, but I think it's more Strawberry Blonde than Ranga.<br />
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I really loved my first visit to Bread and Circus. It was hearty, filling and tasty. The atmosphere is lovely and the staff were very friendly. <br />
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A few weeks later I'm back at Bread and Circus with my sister who lives not too far away. I was really hoping for more salad but alas, no lunches before noon. We arrived at 11am so it's just too long to string things out til lunch is served so I end up ordering <b>toast with feta, tomatoes and a side of their delicious haloumi</b>. I did have a bit of a struggle deciding what to order for brunch as nothing really leapt out at me...I definitely think, for me, lunches are the way to go here. They just seem a bit more interesting and no so run-of-the-mill.<br />
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Bread and Circus is at 21 Fountain Street, Alexandria. Phone them on 9698 2939.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1641737/restaurant/Sydney/Bread-Circus-Alexandria"><img alt="Bread & Circus on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1641737/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-47438022283013559052014-11-10T10:23:00.000+11:002014-11-14T09:27:31.865+11:00Goodtime Diner, Bondi Junction<span style="font-size: x-small;">Miss Piggy dined as a guest of the Goodtime Diner. </span><br />
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I’ve not paid a visit to Westfield Bondi Junction since the place very first opened. And even then I didn’t really have a very good look around – a quick look at Target, a glance at the “posh shops” and then it was off to the beach for Fish ‘n’ Chips.<br />
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Needless to say on this visit I was pretty amazed to find a huge, multi-level pub nestled into the building. At first I couldn’t figure out of <a href="http://theeastern.com.au/">The Eastern </a>was part of the Westfield building or something that existed before Westfield took over Bondi Junction. Turns out the pub has been in Bondi Junction for decades and Westfield was built around the structure. It’s quite nifty looking and from certain angles the circular façade of The Eastern reminds me of a lighthouse. <br />
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On this visit I’ve been invited to the <a href="http://goodtimediner.com/">Goodtime Diner </a>on level one to try a selection of New Orleans inspired eats where meats are cooked in an American Yoder smoker for up to 18 hours. Let me at it!<br />
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Our foray into the good old days of America start off with a <b>Charcuterie Plate </b>featuring sm<b>oked pork belly, smoked cheese, gherkins, smoked nuts and salumi</b>. The cheese was a bit light on the smoke for me, but I loved the smoked nuts and smoked pork belly. Both had a good whack of smokiness about them.<br />
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Next up is a serve of <b>garlic bread</b>. It was nice and buttery, and the wasn’t too pungent from too much garlic. There's not much you can say about garlic bread really other than my piece was pretty good.<br />
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I think EVERYONE at this dinner loved the <b>Mac n’ Cheese </b>which came served in a little, cast-iron pot. Beneath the layer of crunchy breadcrumbs was a pile of tender macaroni laden with stringy, gooey cheese. I think this dish was the highlight of the night for me.<br />
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Coming a close second though was the spicy hot <b>Cajun Corn </b>that was generously slathered with butter. If you’re shy of chilli just beware of this dish as it has a slow burn. <br />
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Next up is the meet platter. I felt so sorry for the vegetarian sitting next to me whose eyes brightened for a moment before she realized that the <b>Beef Short Rib </b>was in fact, NOT a chocolate brownie. More for me though, which is great as I really enjoyed the short rib. The meat was tender, fatty and quite moist though I didn’t detect much of a smoked flavor. Accompanying the beef was some <b>Smoked Chicken </b>– again, not overly smokey, but still tasty. <br />
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Our feast came with two salads - <b>Cous Cous salad with chickpea, pinenuts and roast pumpkin </b>and a lovely, fresh <b>goats cheese, fennel, walnut, pear and spinach </b>salad which I really loved. The creamy, rich goats cheese paired really well with the zesty pear.<br />
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I think if you’re in the area the Goodtime Diner is a great spot to catch up with friends or family. Just don’t try to share your Mac ‘n’ Cheese – it’s too good to share!<br />
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The Goodtime Diner is at The Eastern Hotel, Level One, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction. Phone them on 9387 7828.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1827145/restaurant/Sydney/GoodTime-Diner-Bondi-Junction"><img alt="GoodTime Diner on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1827145/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
<br />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-36476891210603740522014-11-04T10:45:00.002+11:002014-11-04T10:45:54.428+11:00Keg & Brew, Surry HillsThe KB Hotel on Foveaux Street in Surry Hills has recently received a bit of a facelift and reopened as <a href="http://www.kegandbrew.com.au/"><b>Keg + Brew</b></a>, serving up a menu of delicious eats inspired by the "deep south" of the USA.<br />
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You'd be forgiven for walking right past this pub in its former incarnation as it did have the look of a bit of an "old man's pub". The sympathetic refurb has spruced the place up but the pub still retains many of its glorious old features such as the stunning bar that takes center place.<br />
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Once you get closer to the bar you'll notice a bank of stunning looking beer taps - each one is a work of art in its own right. Whilst I'm not a beer lover I can certainly admire the taps, of which there are over 30! Keg + Brew serves a HUGE array of local craft beer along with a few Aussie staples like VB (that is still their highest selling brewskie). If you're not into beer they also specialize in a bespoke range of Bourbons...many hailing from the US of A.<br />
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I'm not really into beer or bourbon so I opt for refreshing apple cider. The <b>Pink Lady Cider </b>is a brew made by cider-makes, The Apple Thief. The cider is so sweet and crisp, almost like eating an apple but in liquid form. I like this drink A LOT!<br />
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We start our lunch off with a few morsels from the "Fixin's" section of the menu. I of course can NEVER go past <b>Buffalo Wings </b>($10) when then are on offer and Dave is quite smitten by the sound of the <b>Monterey Jack Fried Cheese Sticks </b>($10).<br />
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The <b>Buffalo Wing Board </b>isn't stingy on the wings and comes with a really dang good <b>gorgonzola docle blue cheese dip</b>. Just as an aside nearly everything you order will go fantastically with this flavoursome dip (trust me, I know as I dipped everything into barring the Twinkies we had for dessert).<br />
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The <b>cheese sticks </b>are also quite a generous serve and we're impressed at how well the cheese has held its shape despite being crumbed and deep fried - is there anything that cheese cannot do? The texture of the cheese is almost like a cross between a fluffy-on-the-insidi-crisp-on-the-outside hot chip and a Kraft cheese stick. The <b>plum sauce </b>is sweet and smokey and the bartender tells us it's one of his favourite sauces on the menu.<br />
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Moving on to the "Grub" section of the menu I feel compelled to try the <b>KBFC </b>($19) as <b>fried chicken</b> is so "in" right now it would be remiss not to order it (also it goes SO well with the aforementioned blue cheese sauce). For your nineteen bucks you'll get a half Southern-style buttermilk fried chicken that has a light, crispy coating. The serve is pretty big so I think it's great value. The chicken is SO tender and moist, it really is quite amazing. The chook is served with a hot mayo, french friends and a crunchy salad (that I don't rate at all - needed more dressing and seasoning I think, but we're here for the chook not the salad).<br />
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For our second main Dave orders the <b>Chipotle Pork Ribs </b>($19) that are <i>so tender </i>the meat practically falls off the bone. The ribs are doused in a smokey chipotle sauce that is sweet and finger licking good. The ribs are topped with a slathering of chimichurri which helps cut through the richness of the chipotle sauce. This is one messy dish but that's half the fun of eating ribs isn't it? Again this main comes with french fries and a salad (again with the meh for the salad).<br />
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It wouldn't be an American-style meal without a deep-fried dessert now would it? Behold the <b>deep-fried Twinkies </b>($10 for 3). There was a bit of a miscommunication when ordering dessert and we each end up with our own Twinkie platter...possibly too many Twinkies but we gave it our best shot (and failed to finish either platter). These were quite nice - not overly sweet and definitely not oily at all. The batter was quite soft (almost like a dagwood dog batter in texture). For those not in the know a Twinkie is similar to a light sponge cake with a creamy filling...I don't think there's one natural ingredient in them which explains why they handle the deep-frier like boss! Only think that would've made this better would've been a scoop of ice-cream on the side. Vanilla of course.<br />
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Dave and I really enjoyed our lunch at Keg + Brew. The fit out is really great, reminiscent of an old style of pub with a few quirky elements of Americana thrown in (like these hulking guys in the photo below). The food is very hearty, filling and epically good value I thought. We only made the smallest dent in the menu and there are a lot of items I'd love to come back and try (po'boy anyone)?<br />
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The Keg + Brew is at 26 Foveaux Street in Surry Hills.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1883874/restaurant/Sydney/Keg-Brew-Hotel-Surry-Hills"><img alt="Keg & Brew Hotel on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1883874/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
<br />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-52997538216136741872014-10-30T12:20:00.001+11:002014-10-30T12:20:13.188+11:00The Burger Project, World Square<span style="font-size: x-small;">Miss Piggy and Dave attended the launch part of Burger Project as guests. Sadly my Logistical Director (that's YOU Dave) accidentally left my camera at home, so please excuse my phone camera photos...they don't do the food justice!</span><br />
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There’s been much anticipation in the lead up to Neil Perry’s latest venture, <a href="http://burgerproject.com/"><b>Burger Project</b></a>. Much of this anticipation is no doubt surrounding whether the burgers at this new causal eatery are going to be anywhere near as good as Perry’s famed burger the <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2011/08/rockpool-bar-and-grill-city.html">Rockpool Bar + Grill</a>. I’ve never had the pleasure of indulging in that famous burger so I’ll leave the comparison making up others.<br />
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We visited Burger Project on their media preview night last night, two days before their scheduled opening on 31st October. Things are <i><b>SUPER crazy </b></i>and the kitchen is <i><b>packed </b></i>to the rafters with blue-shirted staff working the production line. Neil Perry is in there somewhere too, no doubt flipping his fair share of burgers. I think once the craziness dies down here, and the staff get in to the swing of serving a normal amount of people this place will be great. <br />
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Burgers aside, one of the most admirable things about Burger Project is the restaurants focus on the <a href="http://burgerproject.com/what-were-about/#provenance">provenance </a>of their produce. Only free range meat is used and their philosophy of using only animals that have led a happy life is plastered all over their website and the restaurant. For that very reason Burger Project will shoot to the top of my burger joints in Sydney.<br />
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You’d think will all that free range meet gracing the menu that prices would be high, but it’s quite the opposite. The price of a classic burger (grass-fed beef, onion, pickles, tomato, lettuce and a “secret sauce”) is just $7.90. For that price I thought the burgers would be tiny but rest assured these babies are monsters…definitely a two-hand burger if I ever saw one. Why are these great quality burgers so cheap? Who knows, but I’m thinking that perhaps with the size of Neil Perry’s restaurant empire he’s getting some good economies of scale which are feeding down into this venture. Dave and I do have a bit of a chuckle though that the most pricey burger on the menu is the mushroom burger which clocks in at $12.50. We think they must be “special” mushrooms?<br />
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To kick off our Burger Project adventure we decide to try the <b>Crispy Hot Wings </b>($3.50 each or 3 for $9.00). The whole chicken wings are HUGE and come with your choice of <b> Sichuan pepper and salt </b>or a <b>classic hot sauce </b>which looks a bit like the salted duck egg sauce we had in <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2012/10/new-shanghai-ashfield.html">Ashfield </a>a while ago. We opt for the Sichuan pepper and salt (because I love salt, der) and it is delicious. The chicken wings are super moist and tender, though a smidge oily and the seasoning is spot on. <br />
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Although there are hot dogs on offer we both decide to order a burger.
Because I had been thinking the burgers would be small, and because I am
a guts, I order the <b>Double </b>($11.90) which is a mistake as it’s HUGE!
The monstrous burger holds <b>two grass fed beef patties, cheese, onion,
pickles, tomato,</b> <b>lettuce </b>and the aforementioned <b>secret sauce</b>. It looks
remarkably similar to the famous Shake Shack burger, coming wrapped in a
grease proof paper bag. The burger is tasty but doesn’t blow my mind.
Like I said less meat is probably a good thing for me on this one...and I think the burgers will be great once the place calms down a bit and the staff hit their groove. <br />
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Dave goes for a single patty option with a <b>Cheese and Bacon burger </b>($9.50). His burger is basically the same as mine with minus one patty and plus some bacon. He really likes it...as evidenced by an empty tray at the end of our meal.<br />
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<b>Housemade chips </b>are on offer for $4.90 and as with the chicken wings you have a choice of seasoning. You can choose to dust your thrice cooked chips with either just <b>salt</b>, <b>salt and vinegar </b>or <b>chipotle chilli</b>. We both have no trouble in deciding on a salt and vinegar flavour…and it’s GOOD! The chips are crunchy and fluffy, and I love how the vinegar is just tart enough to make your eyes squint with each bite. <br />
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Dave obviously enjoyed his <b>salted dulce de leche “real shake” </b>($6.50) as he goes back for a second pretty much as soon as the first one is done. I had a sip and can attest that this shake is THE BUSINESS PEOPLE! Alas milk is not my friend so I made do with a <b>house soda </b>($4.50) – <b>mandarin</b> for me, though next time I’ll be trying the passion pop.<br />
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If the shake is not sweet enough for you there are some desserts on offer. Dave clearly hasn’t had enough dairy this evening and goes for a <b> double scoop of ice cream </b>($6.50) that is topped with <b>crumbled meringue </b>(toppings are $1 extra). His ice-cream flavours are good old <b>vanilla </b>and again with the <b>salted dulce de leche</b>.<br />
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I think it's unfair to judge a restaurant within their first few weeks of opening, let alone solely on a pre-launch party where hundred of people came through door in a feeding frenzy. Given how crazy pants last night was I think every was pretty great for us. Staff were friendly, food came out in a reasonable time considering all of Sydney were there, and our food was hearty and tasty. I'm super keen to come back and try some more things in a few weeks. <br />
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The Burger Project is at Shop 11.06, World Square (next to Din Tai Fung, on Level 1); 644 George Street,
Sydney. They are open 11am – 10pm every day. <br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1871647/restaurant/Chinatown/Burger-Project-Sydney"><img alt="Burger Project on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1871647/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-37986836133404820812014-10-27T10:55:00.001+11:002014-10-27T10:55:32.053+11:00El-Phoenician Restaurant, ParramattaWhilst we’re still drooling over the delicious food from my <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2014/10/emmas-on-liberty-enmore.html">last post </a>let’s continue with the Lebanese theme. Back to Parramatta where we hit up <a href="http://el-phoenician.com.au/"><b>El-Phoenician </b></a>for a family birthday. El-Phoenician is one of the many restaurants located on the "Eat Street" part of Church Street. This area has changed a lot since we moved in but El-Phoenician is holding steady. <br />
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I wish my photos were better but when you're dining in a BIG group it's the quick or the hungry I'm afraid. So you'll have to trust me when I say the food was really great.<br />
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I’ve been wanting to go here since we first moved to the ‘hood over four years ago now. Not sure why it took this long to make it, but it was always the baskets of crisp, fried Lebanese bread set alluringly on each table that had me wanting to come here. Fried bread = winning. <br />
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Because we dining in quite a big group we decide to go for one of the group menus – always the best way to go when there are so many people eating together. We choose the “<b>Roche” banquet for meat lovers </b>for $50 per person. Massively good value. I have have to give the staff two thumbs up for happily accommodating all of our varying dietary requests with hardly the blink of an eye. <br />
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The banquet kicks off with a trio of dips that are all very lovely. The <b>Homous </b>is a smooth, creamy blend of chick peas blended with tahina and lemon juice. The <b>Baba Ganouje </b>is a heady mix of smoky char-grilled eggplant blended with tahina and lemon juice. Yum. And last but not less a beautiful <b>Labne </b>made from fresh home-made yoghurt. I really love the tanginess of labne. Needless to say that all the dips go really well with that crispy bread I’ve been drooling over since 2010.<br />
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We also enjoy some fresh salads. I loved the tangy <b>Tabouli </b>(not pictured as we ate it too fast) – a mix of finely chopped parsley, tomato, shallot with crushed wheat and mint mixed with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. We also get the <b>chef's salad </b>as part of our banquet. Bad photo but a good salad.<br />
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Possibly one of my favourite elements of the banquet is the <b>feta cheese </b>that comes on a plate with one of my all-time favourite foods, <b>PICKLES</b>!!! A plate of kalamata olives, pickled cucumber, turnip, radish and whole chilli (hot, but not deadly so) is nestled alongside fat slabs of creamy, tangy feta cheese.<br />
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And lastly we come to the “meat lovers” section of the banquet. This platter is piled high with a medley of mouth watering meats. All of them are deliciously charred and smokey after their treatment over the hot grill. So what do we have? Let’s have a look: <br />
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<ul>
<li><i>Jawaheh </i>(<b>chicken wings</b>) which are marinated in lemon, garlic and extra virgin olive oil</li>
<li><i>Kafta </i>(<b>skewered minced lamb</b>), one of my favourite Lebanese meat dishes that consists of premium lamb mixed with parsley, herbs and onions</li>
<li><i>Shish tawouk </i>(<b>skewered chicken</b>) which his Marinated with traditional Middle Eastern spices and a hint of garlic</li>
<li>Shish kebab (<b>skewered lamb</b>) which is marinated in vinegar and traditional Middle Eastern spices</li>
<li><i>Batata b-kizibra (</i><b>potato coriander</b>) a bowl of yummy diced potato fried and tossed in a fresh coriander dressing. Dip it into the garlic sauce provided to take it up a notch.</li>
</ul>
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Because my sister doesn't eat lamb (long story) we also receive a plate of<i><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></i>fluffy on the inside, crunchy on the outside <b>falafel </b><span lang="EN-AU">with <b>tahina sauce </b>for no extra charge. It's little touches like this that make me want to return to certain restaurants. Everyone at El-Phoenician was very accommodating, which is no easy feat given there must have been about 200 people there on the night we visited. Oh, and the falafel is served with mixed pickles so double win.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">In
keeping with the El-Phoenician motto that “food isn’t simply about eating, it’s
an experience” as the night carries on out come the belly dancers. Lots of fun
(though the music was deafeningly loud and quashed any conversation that people
were having). I'm not sure what the deal is with balancing the walking stick on people's heads but it is worth nothing that Dave's brother (not the dude in the picture below) can balance a walking stick on his head for a VERY VERY long time. I'd totally be putting THAT skill on my resume for sure.</span></div>
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All in all I had a great night at El-Phoenician. It's popular for big groups, but it is definitely somewhere I'd go with
just Dave and myself as it has a intimate vibe due to its nice, warm
decor.<br />
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The only thing that would make it better is if they served homous with lamb mince (hint hint if you're reading this El-Phoenician).</div>
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<a href="http://el-phoenician.com.au/">El-Phoenician </a>is at<span lang="EN-AU"> Church Street, Parramatta. Phone them on 9633 1611. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/750766/restaurant/Sydney/El-Phoenician-Parramatta"><img alt="El-Phoenician on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/750766/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
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Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-75480475868105741272014-10-20T10:39:00.001+11:002014-10-24T10:59:12.087+11:00Emma's on Liberty, Enmore<span style="font-size: x-small;">Miss Piggy and Dave dined as guests of Emma's Snack Bar. </span><br />
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Fans of Emma's on Liberty would've had their hearts in their mouths earlier this year when the newspaper went up on the windows of the restaurant, the lights went out and they closed the place down. Never fear however as they restaurant has reopened as <a href="http://www.emmasonliberty.com.au/main/page_home.html">Emma's Snack Bar</a>.<br />
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During the brief shutdown Emma got herself a new kitchen, a new look and a new direction, bringing a more casual vibe to your Lebanese dining experience. Owner and chef Anthony Sofy is still cooking delicious Lebanese food (so fans of the former incarnation needn't worry), just in a more simple, street food-esque kind of way these days. He tells that after operating Emma's on Liberty for 13 years it was time for a bit of a change of pace and to make things more simple. This isn't really surprising to hear is it, given so many other restaurants are following the same path.<br />
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I have to confess that I never got myself to Emma's on Liberty so it's impossible for me to compare the old and the new. What I can tell you is that the food we had on our visit to Emma's Snack Bar is some of the best Lebanese I've had anywhere...ever...and I've already made a booking for a family dinner this week! Dave has plugged the address of Emma's in to his GPS so it's set to become a firm favourite with us.<br />
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We kick things off with a drink. Dave goes for a refreshing <b>Lebanese Beer </b>and I have a shot of <b>Arak</b> - a milky-looking spirit that tastes similar to Ouzo. I love it. I'm told that you are meant to sip Arak slowly and enjoy the flavour and coolness the ice imparts in the drink (I obviously look like a bogan skuller of tiny drinks)!<br />
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We ask Anthony to choose our dishes for us, although I do have just one request. <b>Hummus with meat</b> is something I hunt high and low for on every Lebanese menu I come across and I'm delighted beyond belief that they serve it at Emma's. I'm going to put it out there and say that this is THE BEST Hummus with meat I've very had. <u><b>EVER</b></u>! The meat is so deliciously charred, with just the right hint of spices like cumin to elevate the flavor of the lamb to something amazing. The hummus is really nutty and creamy. I basically forget eating this with the bread provided and just scoop the dip out of the bowl with my spoon.<br />
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I had read that when Emma's reopened the much-loved <b>baba ganoush </b>was no longer on the menu, much to the regular customers dismay. It wasn't long before it reappeared however and I have to say I can see why people were so upset that it was no longer on offer. Our baba ganoush had a wonderful smokey flavour - not overpowering, just enough to let you know that this is the real deal. A little dash of paprika and a handful of pickled turnips makes this a bit different to other versions of this dip that I've had before.<br />
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I've made <b>fattoush salad </b>at home myself (I know right, I cannot believe it either) and I'm really taken with the combination of fresh veggies with the crunch of crispy, fried bread. It's a good textural combination and the fried bread perks up what could otherwise just be a regular salad. Unlike other versions of fattoush that I've had Emma's offering does away with the flat bread and uses a thick, rusk like bread known as ka'ak. It's quite hard initially but softens up as it spends time in the bowl with the dressing and other salady items. I can detect of slight aniseed flavour - not sure where this comes from, but I like it!<br />
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What can I say about the <b>Moorish Chicken </b>other than Dave liked
it so much that he ate all of his share <i>plus </i>most of mine! Outrageous! You've got
to be quick around these parts folks. The chicken is tangy, moist and
tender and comes wrapped in charred flat bread. Inside the flat bread
the chicken sits on a bed of thinly sliced red onions and the dish is
accompanied by little pot of potent garlic sauce. You all know the
garlic sauce rule right? If one person eats it then everyone at your
table has to too otherwise you risk killing each other with your garlic
breath!<br />
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At the first taste of the <b>fried cauliflower </b>Dave declares that <i>"Emma's has done for cauliflower what Porteno has done for the brussel sprout</i>" (if you've been to Porteno and had the brussel sprouts then you'll know what I'm on about). He's right of course, dramatic, but right! The crispy florets are doused generously in a tangy tahnini sauce and scattered with parsley.<br />
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When presented with the bowl of <b>fried potatoes </b>we politely and sedately pick at them until we realize that perhaps the other person may have had one more potato cube than the other...and with something this tasty that is just not on. I wanted my fair share of these as they are GREAT (I'd already lost my share of Moorish Chicken so I was now keeping score)! The potato is wonderfully crunchy on the outside with pillowy soft innards. The whole lot is drizzled in garlic sauce and topped with a pinch of coriander. Honestly, so so SO good!<br />
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And last but not least is the <b>shish kebab </b>- tender pieces of lamb are skewered over cooked over the grill which gives them a wonderful, charred flavour. It's amazing how much flavour the lamb dishes here have - I think that's down to the quality of the produce used. I love pickled veggies and the little pile of pickled red cabbage is very welcome.<br />
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It's funny to me (well, more like sad really) that I drove past Emma's on Liberty regularly over the last decade or so and never really gave it a second thought. I'd often hear people saying how lovely the food was there but I had no idea what the place was about, nor that they served delicious Lebanese food. I feel like with the opening of Emma's Snack Bar I've been given a second chance to make up for lost (eating) time.<br />
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Emma's Snack Bar is at 59 Liberty Street, Enmore<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/750780/restaurant/Enmore/Emmas-on-Liberty-Sydney"><img alt="Emma's on Liberty on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/750780/biglogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-1114045434226540512014-10-17T09:31:00.001+11:002014-10-17T09:31:47.374+11:00Bowrey Lane, CBD<span style="font-size: x-small;">Miss Piggy dined as a guest of Bowery Lane and Wasamedia</span><br />
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It's always great when a new dinner option pops up in the CBD, and it's especially good when the restaurant offers great food in a lovely setting.<br />
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You'll find <a href="http://www.bowerylane.com.au/">Bowery Lane </a>on O'Connell Street, nestled on the ground floor of a gleaming office tower in "The Big End of Town" as I like to call it. Why do I call it that? Ummm...isn't this where all the bankers and stockbrokers lurk about during the day?<br />
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Bowery Lane's menu declares they are channeling the New York of a bygone era when the area known as Bowery Lane became one of New York's poshest areas and was no longer a thoroughfare connecting farmlands and estates to the city. The menu offers a "<i>collection of local flavours and textures
reminiscent of industrial era New York including an updated era style
cocktail bar</i>". Well, I'm not much of a history buff to be honest so all I can tell you is that the food we had was very nice...I'll let the history boffins among you decide if the food channels the end of the 18th century in NYC.<br />
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Menu interpretations aside I really like the interior of Bowery Lane - the hardness of exposed brick walls and concrete are offset with comfy black leather
banquettes, deco fixtures and a huge 18 seat communal table (where this group of hungry food blogs descended for our dinner).<br />
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And speaking of dinner you're probably wondering by now what we ate...well here it is!<br />
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We kick things off with a few items from the "<i><b>snacks</b></i>" section of the menu. Here we have some little <b>Yamba prawn sliders</b>; succulent, fatty (in a good way) <b>char-grilled lamb ribs </b>that I could easily have eaten 10 of; and some oozy, crunchy, and totally moreish <b>Manchego croquettes</b> that were served with a tasty smoked chilli aioli. <br />
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Next up is a few tasty treats from the "<i><b>entree</b></i>" section of the Bowrey Lane menu. The <b>house-smoked hickory salmon </b>is a delicate dish served with puffed wild rice, bottarga salad and burnet (whatever that is) - the salmon is quite meaty in texture and very fresh. The <b>Master Kobe wagyu </b>is cooked on the rare side and comes with a tangy chermula and a wedge of lemon. As someone who usually gets their steak cooked to "charcoal levels" I can see how the rare treatment keeps the meat tender and flavoursome. The <b>jamon serrano </b>was perfection! Eaten with the creamy, buffalo mozzarella, bitter witlof rocket and sweet shaved pear all the flavours combined to make the perfect mouthful of food. Loved this dish. <br />
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The "share" section of the menu is where you'll find, hearty platters of meaty goodness. Let's address these in dot point format shall we as there's nothing as ace as a good old bullet list: <br />
<ul>
<li>The <b>1kg braised wagyu short rib </b>was super tender and the perfect "wow" dish to kick off our foray into the sharing dishes. The short rib pretty much fell apart without much help from the sharp knife provided. And, I just loved the peppery horseradish cream that accompanied this dish. If you're warding off vampires there's enough roast garlic here to see you through the entire Twilight series.</li>
<li>Another "wow" moment was the massive piece of crackling nestled alongside the <b>Pork Collar + Scratchings</b>. The pork comes with apple, parsley + fennel salad with pear chutney and the fresh accompanies marry really well with the fatty, unctuous pork.</li>
<li>The <b>whole BBQ organic chicken </b>comes with lentils, grains and smoked yoghurt and the combination of these elements is quite wholesome and rustic (and yum). </li>
<li>I was too slow to get a picture of the <b>slow cooked lamb shoulder </b>before it was demolished by the other end of the table, so you'll have to trust me when I say it was good. So good that it was photographed and devoured before I even knew what was happening!</li>
<li>Oh, and with meat there must be salad! I LOVED the <b>baby cos salad with peas, beans and mint</b>. The perfect accompaniment to the meat-coma you've just bestowed upon yourself.</li>
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If you're still hungry there's an entire "mains" menu section to delve into. We got to sample the towering tempura soft shell crab burger and I have to say it was GOOD! I loved the saltiness off the softshell crab and the zestiness of the Asian slaw and miso mayonnaise.<br />
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And finally <b>desserts</b>! There was a bit of a lull in the eating for me as I couldn't face ordering a main for myself...so I was well and truly ready to sample the desserts on offer. They look pretty good don't they!<br />
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Here we have an <b>ice-cream sandwich</b>; a jar of "<b>cookies and cream</b>"; and a <b>strawberry shortcake</b>. It's a toss up as to which was my favourite but it's a tight race between the "cookies and cream" and the strawberry shortcake. Both were so light and summery...perfect to end a big, hearty meal.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bowerylane.com.au/">Bowrey Lane </a>is at 1 O'Connell Street, Sydney. Follow "the suits" and you'll find it! Call them on 9252 8017.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1841522/restaurant/CBD/Bowery-Lane-Sydney"><img alt="Bowery Lane on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1841522/biglogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
<br />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-66589675480211348112014-10-13T06:00:00.000+11:002014-10-13T06:00:02.887+11:00Food tour of The RocksIf you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time you’re probably aware that I LOVE a tour…especially a tour where food is involved.<br />
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When the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) invited me on a media “food and beverage” tour of The Rocks I quickly submitted an annual leave day from work and RSVPd YES YES YES!<br />
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Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority owns and manages some of the State's most significant assets, including The Rocks. The SHFA website tells us that their “vision is to make extraordinary places the world talks about by preserving and enhancing the inter-generational value of the State, heritage and cultural assets it manages”.<br />
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I think it must be a tricky balance to preserve the heritage of The Rocks precinct whilst at the same time making the area relevant and modern through food, beverage, shopping and events in order to attract locals and visitors alike. The SHFA are the brainchild behind the ever popular Vivid Festival which was designed to bring visitors to the area in the normally quiet (for them) month of May. I’d say that idea worked pretty well, huh?<br />
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So where did the tour take us? Read on to find out. All of these places were new to me and I’m super excited to get back to some of them to revist.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Le Pain Quotidien
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Firstly, massive props to the <a href="http://www.lepainquotidien.com.au/">Le Pain Quotidien </a>website which tries to help us pronounce the name of the place. They say it sounds like “<i>luh paN koh-ti-dyaN</i>”. Yep…still cannot pronounce it but in English that translates to “the daily bread”.<br />
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The first stop on our food tour of The Rocks is Le Pain Quotidien...a bakery hailing from Belgium that is located in a (very) old police station on George Sreet. I cannot count the number of times I’ve walked past this building and not given it a second glance. This is a lesson in why it pays to look up from the pavement and take in the beauty surrounding us!<br />
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At the back of the café is where you’ll find the old gaol cells. The "cells" have been done up as little dining spaces and it is really really cool. If you don't like your dining buddies you could just get up from you cell and lock them in the cell behind you! If you cannot get yourself locked in a cell never fear! There is loads of seating in the front of the building and also out on George Street where you’ll have a stellar view of the MCA.<br />
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On this first pit stop we get to try a few items from the Patisserie menu and I go for the <b>almond and cheese croissant </b>which is delicious. The cheese is almost undetectable so don’t let that put you off. It provides a subtle sweet and and creamy note to the pasty. This is not like eating a slice of Kraft cheese on your sweet croissant I promise. I also sink my teeth in to the <b>fruit bread </b>with a good sized schmear of the creamy, luscious <b>hazelnut spread</b>. All of this is washed down with some tart, refreshing <b>Homemade Lemonade</b>.<br />
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I really like this space. I think it’s fantastic that the café is making use of one of the most interesting features of the buildings (the cells for those not keeping up with my love of THE CELLS). I’m keen to come back on the weekend to have brunch or lunch with Dave and enjoy some French goodies. And YAY for somewhere that is open for brunch in the city ALL weekend (they also open for dinner FYI).<br />
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127 George Street, The Rocks<br />
Phone them on: 9252 3840<br />
<b>Trading hours</b>: Monday - Sunday 8.00am - 9.00 pm <br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1795848/restaurant/Sydney/Le-Pain-Quotidien-The-Rocks"><img alt="Le Pain Quotidien on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1795848/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>ChocolArts</b></span></span><br />
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Next stop on our tour of the rocks is one for the lovers of handmade, artisan chocolate. Behold the wonder that is <a href="http://www.chocolarts.com.au/">ChocolArts</a>.<br />
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This place smells INCREDIBLE - rich and luscious. At ChocolArt you’ll find a HUGE range of beautiful handcrafted chocolates make from premium Belgian and French couverture chocolate. There's also some couverture on hand from North Queensland (it's grown on a banana farm)! Fantastic! What's more is that there’s no artificial ingredients or preservatives in the ChocolArt choccies so this place is basically a health food shop if you think about it!<br />
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ChoocolArts has a range of traditional chocolates but I also like the addition of a few Australian flavours such as <b>Lemon Myrtle </b>(which is super yum FYI) and also the <b>Leatherwood Honey</b>. Whilst in store I also tried the <b>Fleur de Sel</b>. One word = YUM!<br />
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75 George Street, The Rocks<br />
<b>Trading Hours</b>: Monday - Sunday: 10.00am - 6.00pm<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1740003/restaurant/Sydney/Chocolarts-Handcrafted-Chocolates-The-Rocks"><img alt="Chocolarts Handcrafted Chocolates on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1740003/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Ananas Bar and Brasserie</b></span></span><br />
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Moving right along to the third stop on our food tour. We pop into the beautiful <a href="http://www.ananas.com.au/">Ananas </a>for some wine and a light lunch.<br />
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I figured out pretty quickly that Ananas is French for pineapple as there are pineapple "things" all over the joint. Pineapple lights of different shapes and sizes adorn various parts of the bar and brasserie and it REALLY is gorgeous. How have I not been here before? Now, if you're wondering about the link between France and pineapples we are told that "way back in The Day, pineapples were a sign of wealth and great hospitality in France". You learn something new everyday.<br />
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The bar area takes up a huge chunk of the building and is light and bright with a touch of “old world France about it”. It positively shimmers from the glow of the pineapple chandeliers. LOVE!<br />
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We move through to the brasserie, which is dark and lux, and settle at the tables for some tasty treats. First up is a glass (or two) of a smooth <b>2012 Château Darzac Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc</b> from Bordeaux, France (naturally). I think I can now add another wine to my list of wines that I like…welcome to the club Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc!<br />
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On to the food… <b>King Crab Salad with avocado and fresh green apple </b>(from the restaurant lunch menu); <b> Chef's celection of house charcuterie with brioche </b>(from the bar menu); <b>Ananas seared yellow fin tuna salade niçoise </b>(from the restaurant menu). The dishes we are presented with are all beautiful with delicate flavours and textures that all blend perfectly together. I adored the charcuterie as it just screams Paris to me...<br />
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We finish off our light lunch with a trio of <b>Ananas eclairs </b>– the Chef's selection as Chef knows best after all. We had an <b>African chocolate éclair</b>, an <b>Earl Grey Tea éclair </b>(oh boy this was GOOD) and a <b>salted caramel éclair</b>. We cut each éclair into five pieces so we could each have “just a taste”. The perfect, guilt free way to have dessert I think.<br />
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18 Argyle Street, The Rocks<br />
Phone them on 9259 5668 or email reservations@ananas.com.au <br />
<b>Trading Hours: </b><br />
Lunch = Mon - Fri 12.00pm – 3.00pm<br />
Dinner = Mon - Thu 6.00pm – 10.00pm | Fri - Sat 5:30pm – 11.00pm<br />
Bar = Mon- Fri 12.00pm – 1.00am | Sat 4.00pm – 1.00am<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1703960/restaurant/Sydney/Ananas-Bar-Brasserie-The-Rocks"><img alt="Ananas Bar & Brasserie on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1703960/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Wine Odyssey Australia</b></span></span><br />
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Moving right along on our food tour of The Rocks to <a href="http://www.wineodyssey.com.au/wineclub/">Wine Odyssey</a>. This is another venue with a historical past – built in 1886 it initially operated as a hotel run by one of Australia’s first female publicans. <br />
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The resident archaeologist from the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, who attended the tour with us, tells us that this building also served as a morgue (pubs with cellars = cool, dry place to store the bodies) as well as a “house of ill repute”!<br />
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I've never seen a DIY "wine tasting machine" before...and now I have. This month the machine is loaded up with NSW wines...you put credit on your Wine Odyssey card...stick it in the machine and taste away. More fun than an iPad people.<br />
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As well as the DIY "wine tasting machine" Wine Odyssey also has a wine bar, wine store, wine club and can host a variety of events. On the second floor of their venue is a “theatre” which is where we head to try both a red and white wine, and to sample a few of the delectable cheeses on offer.<br />
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39/43 Argyle Street, The Rocks<br />
Phone them on 8114 0256<br />
<b>Trading hours: </b><br />
Monday - Closed<br />
Tuesday to Saturday – 12.00pm to late<br />
Sunday - 12.00pm to 10.00pm<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1435249/restaurant/Sydney/Wine-Odyssey-Australia-The-Rocks"><img alt="Wine Odyssey Australia on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1435249/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>The Push</b></span></span><br />
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Next stop on our food tour of The Rocks is <a href="http://www.pushbar.com.au/">The Push</a>. It's the first pub you'll meet as you enter The Rocks ...a really cozy space for a cocktail (or two) and something to eat. The Push sits on the ground floor of the lovely (and again, historic) Russell Hotel building.<br />
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The Push is a bit of a funny name isn’t it? It comes from a Blues and Jazz Club that operated in the Rocks in the 70’s, known as “The Rocks Push”. The club took its name go back to the early 1800s when a group of ye olde worlde gang-bangers (also referred to as “larrikins” back in the day) formed a gang called “The Rocks Push”. They terrorized the area and sailors frequenting the Rocks.<br />
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During our brief stop at The Push we get to sample a few of the bar snacks on offer and a few cocktails. I LOVE LOVE LOVED the <b>crumbed calamari strips </b>that are dusted with sichuan pepper and kaffir lime. I ignored the accompanying soy dipping sauce and dunked the calamari in the aioli that accompanied the <b>cheesy little arancini balls</b>. Good stuff. The <b>nachos bites </b>were piled high with spiced beef flank, beans, rocket, cheese and avocado – not so pretty to eat (more of a shove-it-in-your-gob) but really tasty! I also loved the <b>slider </b>I tired - <b>pulled lamb with mashed peas </b>(there’s also pork rib and vegetarian sausage sliders on offer if you prefer).<br />
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We try a few cocktails here, include their signature cocktail ‘Push Over’. The drinks menu tells us this drink is “<i>inspired by the well-dressed ladies who were dazzled by the charisma of the members of The Push in the 1800′s. This cocktail is a fruity, refreshing mix of raspberries, lime, Chambord and vodka</i>”. I’m not sure I’m classified as a “well-dressed lady” (I err more on the casual side of things) and I don’t go ga-ga for gang members BUT I did love this cocktail. Yum.<br />
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143 George Street, The Rocks.<br />
Phone them on 9241 2999<br />
<b>Trading Hours</b>:<br />
Monday – Thursday: 12.00pm - 11.00pm<br />
Friday – Saturday: 12.00pm – 12.00am (nice one lock-out laws...not)!<br />
Sunday: 12.00pm – 10.00pm<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1569245/restaurant/Sydney/The-Push-The-Rocks"><img alt="The Push on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1569245/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.theglenmore.com.au/"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>The Glenmore Hotel</b></span></span></a><br />
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The rooftop of The Glenmore Hotel is a SPECTACULAR place to end our food tour of The Rocks. Stunning views...especially in the glorious weather we’ve been experiencing lately. The rooftop has received a face lift and is the proud owner of a a retractable roof. This means the rooftop will be open rain, hail or shine. Woot.<br />
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I take a seat at the table that overlooks the Opera House...and that overlooks three giant jugs of cocktails. I’m not sure what any of there are I’m sorry (I heard mutterings of <b>Pimms </b>and of rum {not in the same jug of course}) – but I had a VERY good sample from each one and can confirm that they are all delish. Coupled with the stunning, warm spring weather and the million dollar view I’d say these cocktails are darn near perfect!<br />
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Quite a few plates of food came out but I didn’t get to sample (or snap) them all. I'm keen to come back and try the chicken wings which we are told are devilishly spicy and messy.<br />
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The <b>Salt and Pepper Squid </b>was dusted in chilli and came with a coriander and lime mayonnaise – yum. I loved the <b>BBQ corn salsa and tartare sauce </b>that accompanied the <b>Fish Cakes </b>(which reminded me of a prettier version of the tuna patties I used to try and make at home, but they would never stick together). After a few fried dishes the Tuna Salad was fresh and refreshing. <b>Seared
Albacore Tuna </b>is plated under a medley of avocado, cucumber ribbon,
heirloom cherry tomato, crispy panache salad with spicy sesame soy
dressing.<br />
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I absolutely LOVED spending time on the rooftop of the Glenmore Hotel. It just felt like the quintessential Sydney experience - big blue skies, warm weather, sunshine and a dazzling view of the sparkling water and Opera House.<br />
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96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks.<br />
Phone them on: 9247 4794<br />
<b>Trading Hours: </b><br />
Mon – Thurs: 11.00am to 12.00am<br />
Fri -- Sat: 11.00am to 1.00am<br />
Sun: 11.00am to 12.00am<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/750938/restaurant/The-Rocks/Glenmore-Hotel-Sydney"><img alt="Glenmore Hotel on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/750938/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-45775394019456216772014-10-06T06:00:00.000+11:002014-10-06T06:00:01.961+11:00PappaRich, Parramatta<span style="font-size: x-small;">I have been to PappaRich in Parramatta about 10 times now. All but our last meal with PappaRich ambassador Poh Ling Yeow has been paid for by ourselves...just FYI.</span><b> </b><br />
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<a href="http://www.papparich.net.au/locations/"><b>PappaRich </b></a>has been open in Parramatta for a few months now and I have <i>slowly </i>been making my way through the menu. It's slow going as every few weeks I find a new favourite and have to have that dish multiple times before moving onto the next thing! <br />
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I like PappaRich as it's the kind of place you can go to on your own for a quick meal (which I often do if Dave is not around) or with a group of friends for a big rowdy lunch - the table piled high with delicious Malaysian food. I know the basics of Malaysian food, but I think the big picture menu really makes the food accessible for everybody...a picture paints a thousand (yummy) words as they say. That might go someway to explaining why PappaRich has been so successful in Sydney.<br />
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And just as an aside, PappaRich is a series of independently owned franchises operating under the PappaRich banner. Each restaurant has an owner who's invested his (or her) hard earned bucks into their business hoping like heck it works. It's good to know this as I had actually thought it was a big evil "chain". At a recent blogger gig at PappaRich here in Parramatta I met the owner who was very nice and he was so keen to know if we all thought their outlet was doing a good job. Two thumbs up from me mate! I've always had great service and nice food. <br />
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The menu options and ordering style are the same at all PappaRich outlets so if you've been to one before you'll know the drill. Peruse the menu, mark out the items you'd like on the chit provided and then ring the buzzer. Within moments the waitstaff will appear to rush your order off to the kitchen. It doesn't take long for the food to arrive...always a good thing I'd say. As your items get put through the ordering system the staff bring back the bill to your table which happens before your food arrives - it's not an invitation to get up and leave already, it's just the way it works. I remember the same system from the diners I've eaten at in America.<br />
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Whilst the menu has A LOT on offer there is A LOT I'm yet to try. With that all said and done here's what's floating my boat at the moment...<br />
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<b>Chicken skin</b> (of course) though I <b><i>only </i></b>order this if I am with other people. Whilst I'd love a WHOLE plate to myself my dream in life isn't to become the fattest woman on earth! You don't get a figure like this eating plates of chicken skin all to yourself people! Anyway...back to the skin! I notice that the flavour here is a bit different to the skin I tried at Chatswood -- a bit more "five spicy" perhaps? The last few times we've also noticed that there have been some chewy pieces on the plate too...not sure what that's about, but Dave eats the chewy and I eat the crunchy (see you HAVE to share...it works out better).<br />
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<b>Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang </b>because IT'S FREAKING AWESOME and it comes with Ikan Bilis + peanuts which together form one of the <i>best things on the planet </i>(not including <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2014/06/gelato-messina-parramatta.html">Messina </a>and <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2011/08/mappen-sydney-cbd.html">Mappen </a>that is)! Mostly the beef is fall apart tender and I just love mixing everything together for a spicy, meaty, crunchy plate of deliciousness. I save the cucumber 'til last as it helps to offset the burning that the sambal causes to my poor delicate mouth. The egg is kinda random but I save that til the end too...dipped into a dash of sambal.<br />
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The <b>Char Kway Teow </b>here is pretty good. It has a nice, delicate smokey flavour and is the most beautiful colour. The CKT is studded with fat prawns, bean sprouts and other bits and bobs. I've only had this here once but I'll be back for more!<br />
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I had NO interest in the <b>Chilli Pan Mee </b>until a guy next to me was eating it and I thought "hey, that looks pretty good". And you know what, it <i><b>IS </b></i>pretty good (though a friend of mine tells me she's never had a Chilli Pan Mee that doesn't have some sort of broth in the bottom - I've never had it before so I'm not sure what is legit).<br />
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The idea is to mix everything together so that the whole lot is coated by the soft egg that's hiding under all that sambal. The "mixed" product looks pretty gross - but in the interest of blogging transparency that's it below. I really like the mixture of textures in this dish: soft noodles, fatty mince, gooey egg, crunchy Ikan Bilis and fresh crunchy greens. A word of warning though, the sambal IS HOT! I once ate this when I had a sinus/throat infection and I thought I'd set my nose on fire!!! <br />
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I've had the <b>Roti Canai </b>a few times, again because it's awesome, though I think the roti here is a little sweeter than I've had at other Malaysian places. It's not so noticeable when you dunk it in the curry sauces and I actually didn't <i>really </i>notice this until someone pointed it out (my tastebuds are obviously highly susceptible to suggestion and are totally ignorant at all other times).<br />
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The <b>chicken skin </b>because it is DELICIOUS! Oh wait...I've said that already. Whoops!<br />
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Each time I come to PappaRich I order the <b>Lychee Soda</b>. It's quite sweet so after I've had a few sips I top it up with water and keep doing so right until I cannot drink anymore. It's the never ending drink!<br />
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Dave always orders the <b>Milo Dinosaur </b>because he is a man child I'm sure. Does anyone know why this is called a Milo Dinosaur? Anybody?<br />
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Oh look, here's PappaRich ambassador Poh having lunch at PappaRich in Parramatta. Dave and I were lucky enough to be invited along to have lunch with Poh and a bunch of other Sydney bloggers in Parramatta last weekend. And...we got to sit right at her table which at first freaked me out as you know...she has her own TV show and all that jazz BUT she was very easy talk to, a really engaging, honest and intelligent woman. Go Poh!<br />
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Have you been to a PappaRich restaurant yet? If so what do you think? What's your favourite dish?<br />
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PappaRich is at Store 2185A, Level 2 (which is street level), Westfield Parramatta. It's right where all the buses pull up at the interchange. <br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1826903/restaurant/Sydney/PappaRich-Parramatta"><img alt="PappaRich on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1826903/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
<br />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-44902407974843487172014-09-29T04:00:00.000+10:002014-10-10T20:31:25.560+11:00(almost) 4 days in MelbourneIt's amazing how <i><b>short </b></i>a 4 day trip to somewhere you love can feel. No matter how long I schedule for my visits to Melbourne I can never squish in everything I want to see...let alone everything I want to eat. I gave it my best shot though on this last trip...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Mamasita</span></b></span><br />
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As soon as I dropped my bags at my hotel I raced out to grab a late lunch at <a href="http://www.mamasita.com.au/">Mamasita</a>.This is one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne and until Mr Moustache opened in Sydney it was the best Mexican I'd ever had in Australia. I always order a <b>Tamarind Jarrito </b>(I've never seen this on offer anywhere else), <b>Mexican corn </b>(oh Lord, its good! The cheese, the cheese!), <b>soft shell tacos </b>(fish is their best) and a bowl <b>plantain chips </b>(again with the cheese). <br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1507775/restaurant/CBD/Mamasita-Melbourne"><img alt="Mamasita on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1507775/biglink.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Wonderbao</span></span></b><br />
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Bao's are the new black...so of course I was desperate to try this place! I heard about <a href="http://www.wonderbaokitchen.com.au/">Wonderbao</a> about a year ago and up until this trip they'd not been opening on weekends. It didn't really matter this time as I'd arrived in Melbourne on a Thursday...but for future weekend trips I'm glad I can pay them a visit on the weekend.<br />
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The cafe is a little hard to find...it's at the back of a modern-looking building and faces out to a small laneway. The space is tiny, just a few bench seats inside but when I arrive for afternoon I manage to snaffle myself a seat. If I hadn't *just* had lunch at Mamasita I would've gone for a few things on the menu, but as it is I went with the suggestion of one of the staff and choose the <b>braised pork belly gao bao. </b>It's messy...but pretty darn tasty.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1696097/restaurant/CBD/Wonderbao-Melbourne"><img alt="Wonderbao on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1696097/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Melbourne Cat Cafe</span></b></span><br />
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Can I just say "squeeee"! Australia's <a href="http://catcafemelbourne.com/">very first cat cafe </a>opened in Melbourne the week before my visit...talk about epically perfect timing. And no, for all of your smart Alec's out there, they don't serve cat...you get to pay you money and spend an hour stalking cats to pat whilst interrupting their nap time. Fun.<br />
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The concept is pretty similar to the cat cafes we visited in Japan this year...though they aren't *quite* as strict with "the rules". We get to leave our shoes on for example and there's a distinct lack of hand sanitizer on every counter (though you should wash your hands in the loos before/after your patting session). The space is WAY bigger than anything we encountered in Japan too...this place had room after room with CATS! Wall to wall CATS (well about 12...so not quite wall to wall). Just like Japan this is a fun and relaxing way to while away an hour (or more if you book for more time). Unlike Japan the cats here are all rescue cats...unlike the cat cafes in Japan where most of the "staff" are pure bred. I like our model much better to be honest and all of the cats here seemed really happy with their new digs.<br />
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There's not much of a "cafe" to the Cat Cafe but there's a Japanese-esque vending machine downstairs and the staff with bring up a hot drink...or a cold drink...to sip on whilst you pat your cat of choice.<br />
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<img alt="Cat Cafe Melbourne on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1877876/biglink.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Nama Nama</b></span></span><br />
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Cat patting really works up an appetite so I decided to check out <a href="http://www.namanama.com.au/">Nama Nama </a>for dinner - a casual Japanese udon joint owned by the people behind Izakaya Den.<br />
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It was the draw of Udon that made me really want to try this place, and whilst the Udon was good (though pricey) I'm not sure I'm in love with this place. I'm sad the Edamame were served cold -- like out of the fridge cold, the service was 'weird' (I was the only person in the place but had to keep getting up to ask the waitress if I could order) and the bowl the Udon was served in was so deep and awkward for a noob chopstick user (and even difficult when I switched over to a trusty fork). I wish they'd had a few more snack sized dishes to help paid out my Udon.<br />
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All of that aside I think this place is closing down soon and being reopened as something else... <br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1686526/restaurant/CBD/Nama-Nama-Melbourne"><img alt="Nama Nama on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1686526/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Queenies "<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Breakfast City tour"</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The next morning I'd booked myself into a breakfast city tour run by Andrew Prior who was a contestant on Masterchef (to quote Andrew "the season that noone watched" LOL). Andrew is a very vibrant personality and his vivaciousness and love of food come across as he leads us around Melbourne.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Our tour kicks off with breakfast at <a href="http://www.peimodern.com.au/">Pei Modern </a>and I order the Eggs Benedict with an OJ on the side. I like starting off the tour with a meal...it gives us a chance to hear what the tour guide has to say and to meet our other tour-goers. The eggs-benny are really good...good yolk porn.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This tour doesn't take us "into" a lot of places for sampling like many other tours do, it's more like having a friend show you around town as they point out the tasty places they like to eat. It's perfect for me. I especially liked seeing where Melbourne's smallest bar is located...I wonder if I'd even try to get in given it can only accommodate about 10 people are any one time. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a aria-haspopup="true" class="goog-spellcheck-word" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id=":13.43" role="menuitem" span="" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" tabindex="-1"></a><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1655698/restaurant/CBD/Pei-Modern-Melbourne"><img alt="Pei Modern on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1655698/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Little Veggie Patch Co</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Even though I've packed up my balcony garden I'm still really interested in urban gardens and love to take an opportunity to see community gardens whenever I can. The Little Veggie Patch Co has a "<a href="http://littleveggiepatchco.com.au/pages/pop-up-patch">pop-up patch</a>" on a carpark rooftop behind Federation Square. I've heard that the patch is so popular that it's actually become a permanent fixture and houses plots of inner-city residents/workers plus a host of patches for restaurants. Super cool. I LOVE it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Supernormal</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">During the food tour Andrew points out <a href="http://supernormal.net.au/">Supernormal </a>to us - a new(ish) modern Asian restaurant located on Flinders Lane. As an aside is Flinders Lane the BEST street in Melbourne, or what? So many great places to eat PLUS my favorite fabric store is on this street too.</span><br />
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I wanted to try Supernormal as Andrew tells us that even though the menu is designed for sharing they are MORE than happy to make smaller portions if you're dining on your own (I was...I came to Melbourne on my own as Dave was gallivanting around Europe on a sporting trip). As soon as I sit down at the counter I'm told that anything I want to order can be made in a smaller portion...nice one Supernormal. After the yummy <b>Lobster Roll </b>at Devon I was keen to try this one -- good, but not *quite* as good as Devon. I also had a yummy (1/2 serve) <b>crab salad </b>and some <b>pickles</b>. Happy. I'd go back here in a heartbeat.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4nGbIZtkX5muCIgyjkNkQcE_TZbAQLOeZeTNhBuj_w-X40Baoeinjro0fWwefCw9Qdl7qG_OFvqr9vmo7eRXR5yg8yHZ2g-43jCQ_AdhDRWZVhHgwLVLmOmGgI8t7XV2tw1UpJg_ThG9/s1600/Melbourne.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a aria-haspopup="true" class="goog-spellcheck-word" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id=":13.60" role="menuitem" span="" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" tabindex="-1"></a><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1793335/restaurant/CBD/Supernormal-Melbourne"><img alt="Supernormal on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1793335/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Fonda</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I decided to try <a href="http://www.fondamexican.com.au/">Fonda </a>for dinner as it was close to my hotel and you know, it's Mexican. Was it as good as Mamasita (if you're a Mamasita fan comparisons have to be made)? Hmmm...truth be told...no. But it wasn't bad...it just wasn't Mamasita.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq49V9ccme8zU_eX9pklLse1CTg10ojqKTVblRfyAMqTP-d1_QPOl26drlYRH0xTqo3HE9zlEdcAY7X-f969SrUBqolnKYoHDdwAKPWcd6HhB31Se-A4Y3Q6sFc4MhAhxLv7oJM__7Urv9/s1600/P8158152.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I'm not a fan of places where you have to go up to the counter to order, especially when you're dining on your own as it means you cannot leave anything on the table in case someone snaffles it. That aside, the food was good, it just wasn't Mamasita. The <b>corn </b>was good with just the right about of spice to give it a little heat and I loved my </span><b>margarita</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">...in a jar.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJqgPb6kk-xgymhhWCIpafA-wXLuqcYTFA9HHXTJTpnqvlrXZSPMZ7eCJ0hyphenhyphenJDW1JKdPIc21KqS6yWtfBeKfFuKx9fp-cGSBeHm6W2xUQrLGAmzi3IJAs_3rx2oAZr-91ywT21sObV9y8/s1600/Melbourne2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a aria-haspopup="true" class="goog-spellcheck-word" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id=":13.106" role="menuitem" span="" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" tabindex="-1"></a><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1824573/restaurant/CBD/Fonda-Melbourne"><img alt="Fonda on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1824573/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Cumulus Inc</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I went to <a href="http://cumulusinc.com.au/">Cumulus Inc </a>a few times on my trip as it was so close to my hotel and they do really good coffee. The good thing about traveling alone is that you can usually nab a spare seat at the bar without much of a wait - which I do on both my visits. I had the most amazing <b>baked eggs </b>here for breakfast one morning - I think the addition of <b>shankleesh cheese </b>is what really made this dish amazing. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760535/restaurant/CBD/Cumulus-Inc-Melbourne"><img alt="Cumulus Inc. on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/760535/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Jimmy Grants</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I adored the <b>grain salad </b>I had at Jimmy Gr<a href="http://jimmygrants.com.au/">http://jimmygrants.com.au/</a>ants during my last Melbourne visit and there was NO way I was missing out on it this trip. I decided to check out the branch at the new Melbourne Emporium - very swish - and I am happy to report the grain salad was just as good as I remember. And, some happy news (if it's true) is that Jimmy Grants is going to be opening a branch in Parramatta. Seems quite random but if the rumour is tree I'm going to be one happy, grain salad eating, camper.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiMcTDqMc0UDD7K9uc9TFWwgiQ_2QSxZ-2jDgaQqsSd8SnhizM6IOyyuKxif4_6NV0NXuVs02mSfOnxM4rjovmki2HIRAn0lFSN7QIBWCoW0aASXHHZ9BlSgXSbtNjQV0lm5187DqkFVU/s1600/Melbourne-001.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1839603/restaurant/CBD/Jimmy-Grants-Melbourne"><img alt="Jimmy Grants on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1839603/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Huxtaburger</b></span></span></div>
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After an afternoon of wandering around the fabric shops at Fitzroy I found myself right in the vicinity of <a href="http://www.huxtaburger.com.au/">Huxtaburger</a>. It would be rude not to pop in for a burger, right? I just love these burgers - soft bun, perhaps cooked and seasoned beef patties. If only Huxtaburger would move to Sydney too.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgwvbl5xokC1QuzfvBOeEKnl7JtZymjeKCgQjq9wiQoDHSgDyGmQmDErv41JxSdEJUMOQub9nB0gSdu68dwMnW3qSt7eTL0tM-eOHHvL4WYvv2RhN8yQd53mbSwAGCHyHCq0eCaFGxg9B/s1600/20140815_160951.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1642008/restaurant/Melbourne/Huxtaburger-Collingwood"><img alt="Huxtaburger on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1642008/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>BistroVue</b></span></span></div>
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On my second last day in Melbourne the BFF flew down with his cousin and we decided to go for a fancy dinner at <a href="http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/bistro_vue">Bistro Vue</a>. I love French food and was really looking forward to this meal but it fell a bit flat for me. The layout of the restaurant just didn't feel very comfortable to me -- we were sort of sat in a corridor and the service felt a bit pushy given that we only had a 2 hour window to eat. </div>
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I liked the food that I ordered, steak tartare and a grilled lamb dish. My friends ordered some wonderful French mainstays - confit duck, french onion soup and steak with frittes. We didn't have time to enjoy dessert at BistroVue as we ran out of time...but not too worry, I'd probably eaten enough on this day anyway. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtI52tOoefUcz0gUgJJpxGdJ0vfsoXZMhX10amQElBeNuIpWE7f7g2dvxy_U-uWJEqhG4p8EVPhE1IMz165NLnb59F3qPg0ZrhJCLZKY8cpUuUfG8fDLcaW0FgYagh8dslOYjPMRAOZcD/s1600/Melbourne1-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtI52tOoefUcz0gUgJJpxGdJ0vfsoXZMhX10amQElBeNuIpWE7f7g2dvxy_U-uWJEqhG4p8EVPhE1IMz165NLnb59F3qPg0ZrhJCLZKY8cpUuUfG8fDLcaW0FgYagh8dslOYjPMRAOZcD/s1600/Melbourne1-001.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760208/restaurant/CBD/Bistro-Vue-Melbourne"><img alt="Bistro Vue on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/760208/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Bowrey to Williamsburg</span></b></span><br />
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Are you full yet? Luckily I still had room for one more delicious Melbourne breakfast at the NYC inspired Bowery to Williamsburg. My cornbeef hash with potatoes was delish and my piccolo latte was perfect. I just love how Melbourne has so many great cafes in the CBD that open all weekend...if only Sydney took a leaf out of Melbourne's book in this respect the city would be a much more fun (and tasty place) to hang out on a weekend.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1757186/restaurant/CBD/Bowery-to-Williamsburg-Melbourne"><img alt="Bowery to Williamsburg on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1757186/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a> <br />
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The End xoxo<br />
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PS, oh, there may have been a cheeky Souva that I snuck in from Jimmy Grants after breakfast but let's just keep that between us, ok?Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-67850782525207623062014-09-22T03:00:00.000+10:002014-09-22T03:00:01.675+10:00Marukame Udon, ChatswoodSome careful planning saw me visiting Chatswood four times recently for some sewing classes. I'd be lying if I said that my decision to do the class in Chatswood wasn't motivated by the arrival of a new udon noodle restaurant in the suburb, Marukame <span class="st">Udon.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1jhspEzDkbo-JIqkeG77cjefo3v2av7KmY0x5kwcrXsUwE9E759mLKNxAaevjNk7Z545gq4r6Y0BqRuQ9cC1hcjyna588lNNT7hbQ9ggm1Uwf-yD4nMq3J0H7x32XSdahVuBIPR2-V3D/s1600/P3286128.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<span class="st"><span class="st">Marukame Udon is a bit
different from <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2011/08/mappen-sydney-cbd.html">Menya Mappen </a>and <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2012/09/hana-hana-chinatown.html">Hana Hana </a>as they make their own noodles
in-house. This means they are super-fresh and have a nice "bounce" as
you bite into them.</span></span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhP2ANI9Qut0Fiizfor14333CfD4w-AUp5akap5pM3QwrdrTlXM5HOUEI3s4dtf0REXVQJBLNSSNBOuMOLRJbp1A-Iu_l1-BTYvJCLqmbZf6_pFlIFEQbT9nWT1OO3Yeg6RSQfiKKghVA/s1600/P3286133.JPG" height="480" width="640" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsgUwETW-D-T0QNF0-W8ScFQtUUCRV9C43-gjskdQoHNjjQrimMhtVuBwExDBgWvme-2hUp5Z17ETfOEkBAC7hcPbvaqSXS_Ff7CYNzVNMYD5d2dTOrSMLbbTvjGGhyXj7H91RifnkHvP/s1600/P3286132.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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The set up of Marukame Udon is same as the other udon restaurants I've visited both in Sydney and Japan. Place your order, pick up your noodles, shuffle along and collect any side dishes you want...and then pay. Simples.<br />
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The sides are your usual suspects...tempura and various sushi-type offerings. I do miss the range of little salads and tidbits on offer at other places that I've visited so Menya Mappen will always be #1 for me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglwTd2UYP1_CY1MJWas01bXF505boQQYvRsyhPy1rvwhhWvUkMtUal81ZVQgBesS7eBA5dDBx8CIfnhfgXncF8VvHsFktJttFi8VgZ7g68dkqoBsHFO-OCoRuHIp3ShOaEMdR_82SKObr/s1600/P3286135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglwTd2UYP1_CY1MJWas01bXF505boQQYvRsyhPy1rvwhhWvUkMtUal81ZVQgBesS7eBA5dDBx8CIfnhfgXncF8VvHsFktJttFi8VgZ7g68dkqoBsHFO-OCoRuHIp3ShOaEMdR_82SKObr/s1600/P3286135.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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On my first visit I try to recreate the delish udon I had in Tokyo back in February and order a bowl of <b>Bukkake Udon with slow-cooked egg and beef</b>. The meat here was stewed (with quite a strong flavour) rather than grilled like I had in Tokyo so sadly I think I ruined a good bowl of udon with this stunt. Better luck next time Miss Piggy!<br />
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I exercise restraint and order just one piece of tempura, settling on a <b>Tofu Tempura </b>($2.40). Tasty, but I couldn't find any tempura dipping sauce here so opted for soy sauce instead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmBmJOOrurzSxQDqcRwMikmHBbpynS74yh9VQyroEm80kwweLyHUz4jFRrZQABpSn8h-vOMBYcPC01KkaLYfpraIbsVO1p26C_UZoucwLv9A2PiRE-aUSidGVnTyeiKHMfwyDqoUa-wDB/s1600/P3286139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmBmJOOrurzSxQDqcRwMikmHBbpynS74yh9VQyroEm80kwweLyHUz4jFRrZQABpSn8h-vOMBYcPC01KkaLYfpraIbsVO1p26C_UZoucwLv9A2PiRE-aUSidGVnTyeiKHMfwyDqoUa-wDB/s1600/P3286139.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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On my next visits I stick with what I know and am not disappointed. The <b>Bukkake Udon with slow-cooked egg </b>is really good. Without the addition of the strong-flavoured beef the texture of the noodles really shine through. Happy happy! You can actually choose to have your bowl of udon hot or cold...I always go with hot, but I think next time I'll try the cold version as I'm told it's really good.<br />
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The side this time is a really delicious <b>Tempura Chicken with Sesame </b>($2.90). The black sesame seeds add a really nice, nutty flavour to the batter. More please!<br />
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I'm already plotting my next sewing class in Chatswood so I can try a bowl of cold udon!<br />
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Marukame Udon is at 332 Victoria Ave, Chatswood. Phone them on 9413 9434. <br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1799021/restaurant/Sydney/Marukame-Udon-Chatswood"><img alt="Marukame Udon on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1799021/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-47427841173101159472014-09-15T10:14:00.003+10:002014-09-15T10:14:42.883+10:00Ester, Chippendale<a href="http://ester-restaurant.com.au/">Ester </a>is certainly Sydney’s darling at the moment, especially after winning awards at both the recent Time Out and SMH Good Food Awards. Despite its recent accolades I had no trouble making a booking for a Friday night recently.<br />
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Set in an unprepossessing location in the gritty(ish) backstreets of Chippendale the restaurant nestles amongst new apartments, old warehouses, terraces and warehouse conversions and the new Central Park development looms overhead. I really love that a restaurant that is sort of the middle of nowhere (as much as anywhere in the inner city can be “in the middle of nowhere”) is going gangbusters. Proves that if you build something great you don’t need to be on bustling Crown or King Streets for the customers to turn up. <br />
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Ester is much more spacious than I was anticipating and despite the concrete walls, the wooden floors and the gale blowing outside the place was lovely and warm. This is no doubt due to the big wood-fired oven they have blazing away in the kitchen. I really like the big arches on the wall - the remind me of the arches of a wood-fired oven. I wonder if that is the intention they were going for?<br />
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Whilst we pondered the menu we were given a little bowl of <b>roasted chickpeas</b> with salt, rosemary and (I think) fennel seeds (or something else with an aniseed flavour). I wish I could've lingered over these more as they were all gone by the time my wine arrived.<br />
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After a particularly craptastic day I was keen for a glass of wine...or two. I don’t really know much about wine varieties so out waitress was happy to recommend something close to the only wine I know I like (which FYI is a Pinot Gris). I pleased to say my <b>Dario Princic Chardonnay Pinot Grigio Bianco '12 Friuli Italy</b> (wow that’s a mouthful) ($15.00) went down a treat. Ester has a good choice of beers if you’re that way inclined and Dave went for the <b>Mountain Goat Organic Steam Ale</b> from Victoria ($8.50). His beer had a great, fruity scent and flavour and was super easy to drink.<br />
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The menu at Ester is a little cryptic. There’s no description, just a few things are listed separated by a forward slash. You can either cross your fingers and hope for the best or ask your waitress for a bit more information. We’re happy to go the first route and are not disappointed at all.<br />
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A lot has been written about Ester (by bloggers, avid Urbanspooners and “proper” journalists alike) and many people sing the praises of the <b>Roasted Oysters </b>($4 each). I’m an oyster lover from way back and couldn’t pass these by. The oysters are served slightly warm (sounds gross, but trust me it’s EPICALLY good) after a brief stint in Ester’s famous wood –fired oven and dressed with a horseradish mignonette. If you’re an oyster lover too then these are a must order.<br />
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I think the <b>Lobster Sausage Sanga </b>($9 each) is a new item on the menu. The “snag” is lovely and tender with a wonderful hit of lobster within. I was particularly enamored with the bread which was thick, moist and crumbly, almost like cake in texture. Excellent. <br />
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We were ordering quite a lot (whoops) so just ordered one <b>Smoked Pork Croquette </b>($5 each) between us to try. The smoky flavour from the oven was really evident in our croquette and I think the lemon was a good way to really lift the flavour to something a bit special.<br />
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I’m not sure that I’ve ever actually ordered bone marrow before but I know a few people who are devotees so I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. Ester’s <b>Bone Marrow and XO sauce </b>($17) is served with some deliciously smoky (yes, everything is smoky) wood-fired bread which matches SO well with the unctuous, fatty, buttery marrow. Yum. <br />
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The <b>cauliflower / almond / mint </b>($8 for a ½ serve) is another now-famous Ester dish. We’re told the cauliflower is quite a big dish but they are happy to offer a half serve if you’re wanting it as a side to your main...which is what we do. I really love when restaurants are happy to bend a little with their menu to allow their customers a bit more flexibility in ordering. The twice-cooked cauli is served with on top an almond purée and topped with almonds and fresh mint. It really is VERY delicious.<br />
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The <b>Honey Glazed Duck </b>($38.00) is a special for the night and we HAD to order it as Dave finds it nearly impossible to pass up duck on a menu. He was pretty happy let me tell you! The Asian-inspired duck had a super crisp skin, a sweet honey glazed and a subtle Aniseed flavour (Star Anise)?<br />
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During dinner I confess that salad is one of my favourite things to eat, a confession brought on no doubt by the salad we ordered. The salad of <b>cos / walnut / white anchovies </b>($9) is a good counterbalance to the rich, fatty duck and the white anchovy dressing was a thing of beauty. Whilst I declare that I LOVE salad I think what I really love is a good good dressing...something that for me is hard to replicate at home.<br />
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I like that the <b>Salted Caramel Semi-Freddo </b>($4) is just a little dessert. Sometimes you want something sweet after dinner but cannot face a whole dessert. This of course is not that time for us as we also order the whoppingly large <b>Citrus Curd Meringue Pie </b>($15). The pie comes not served by the slice, but packed into a rather hefty bowl. I have flashbacks of the Magic Pudding as soon as it’s placed before us. Once we dig down beneath the soft, fluffy meringue the citrus curd is *just* on the right side of being eye-squintingly tart, with just a hint of sweetness. The whole lot sits on a dark, crumbly cake-like base. Absolutely LOVED this!<br />
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I paired my desserts (well, technically “our” desserts) with an interesting glass of <b>Japanese dessert wine</b>. I’ve never had Japanese dessert wine before, or even heard of it, so it was fun to try something new. Loved the apricot flavour and slightly sour afternote. Much less sweet than other dessert ones I’ve had.<br />
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I really enjoyed my dinner at Ester. The food was excellent, hearty, rustic and flavoursome though I have to admit nothing blew my socks right off my feet. I'm keen to go back and try a few of the other things on the menu though as there is SO much more to try (like the prawns please). Soon I hope. If we can get a booking.<br />
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Ester Restaurant and Bar is at 46-52 Meagher Street, Chippendale. Phone them on 8068 8279.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1770165/restaurant/Sydney/Ester-Chippendale"><img alt="Ester on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1770165/biglogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-42012012924581851212014-09-08T10:08:00.001+10:002014-09-08T10:08:34.788+10:00Guerrilla Eats Progressive Dinner, Darlinghurst<span style="font-size: x-small;">Miss Piggy and friend dined as guests of Guerrilla Eats. Terrible photos are all my own work as per usual. </span><br />
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Sydney based company <a href="http://guerrillaeats.com.au/">Guerrilla Eats </a>is bringing a fun, new dining concept to those of us who are keen for a bit of adventure, and a brisk stroll, whilst enjoying a meal out. For those of you old enough to have memories of progressive dinner parties from the 70s and 80s rest assured you don’t need to bring your own plate along to the neighbour’s house in order to take part in this revamped version of the progressive dinner. <br />
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A few days before our scheduled <a href="http://guerrillaeats.com.au/">Guerrilla Eats </a>experience we receive a “treasure map” via email directing us to where our dinner kicks off, along with our other stops for the night. My friend and I both thought this was great fun and it really got us into the mood for a fun night out.<br />
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First stop is <a href="http://hinkydinks.com.au/"><b>Hinky Dinks </b></a>(185 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst) – a groovy small in Darlinghurst that has a bit of a cool 1950s “cocktail bar” vibe going on. I couldn’t think of a better place to relax on a Friday night and enjoy cocktail hour. Included in our Guerrilla Eats package is a cocktail each and a choice of one item each from the food menu.<br />
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Speaking of cocktails – we both decide to order the special cocktail of the night, the classic <b>margarita</b>. We’re giving a little basket of <b>popcorn </b>and also a bowl of <b>beetroot chips </b>to help the margarita along.<br />
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In order to maximise chatting and drinking time we ask our waiter to select the food for us…which is always a great idea in my mind as who knows the stellar menu items better than those people who work at the place? He doesn’t disappoint us, sending out a plate of lusciously fluffy, and tasty <b>Jalapeño croquettes </b>(4 per serve) and a box of moreish <b>popcorn chicken with BBQ sauce</b>.<br />
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Before we know it our time as Hinky Dinks is up and we’re off searching for the next place. I actually had no idea where <a href="http://www.jekyllandhydebar.com/index.html"><b>Jekyll and Hyde </b></a>(332 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst) was having not heard of it before so it was fun actually having to “search” for the venue. <br />
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Turns out Jekyll and Hyde occupies the spot where Café Fellini used to be – which is where Dave and I had our very first date a billionty years ago. It was lovely to see how the place had transformed into a warm, inviting space with a bit of a Brit meets Paris vibe going on.<br />
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More cocktails are on offer and my buddy and I decide on two different cocktails that take our fancy with the view to sharing them…sharing is caring after all. My favourite of the two was the <b>Jekyll’s Elderflower Sour </b>(Hendricks Gin with St Germain Elderflower Liqueur with fresh lemon juice, hopped grapefruit bitters and and rose – served on the rocks). Luckily my friend prefers the <b>French Mojito </b>which was just a *bit* too potent for me (Havana blanco, Peach Liqueur, Chambord, lime and mint shaken with sugar syrup, finished with a splash of Sparkling Wine for something different).<br />
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Our “dinner” portion of the evening kicks off with a few <b>smaller plates </b>including a battered and fried <b>haloumi with a lemon honey syrup </b>(yum), <b>crispy fried zucchini flowers with roasted pumpkin and thyme stuffing with an aioli dressing </b>and finally a <b>deconstructed warm beetroot and goats cheese tart with candied walnuts and a beetroot dressing</b>.<br />
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For our “large plates” I was really keen to try the <b>slow cooked beef rillette served with a beetroot relish and chimmichurri sauce </b>- served <b>with crispbread </b>of course – as it’s totally different to the French style rillettes we enjoyed in Paris last year (think duck, goose and pork). It wasn't as unctuous or fatty as the French-style rillette, and was still quite rich in flavour so the relish and sauce was welcomed. The rillette was accompanied by a <b>sweet potato rotolo </b>that I was really too full to enjoy properly. My stomach let me down!<br />
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By this stage I was feeling pretty (very) full so I was glad to get up and stroll to our final destination, <b>The Darlo Bar</b>, for a nightcap. Here we get to enjoy a tap beer or a house wine and watch all the cool Darlinghurst people having fun in this retro style pub.<br />
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This was a GREAT night out and with so many different Guerrilla Eats options on offer there really is something to suit everyone. I love the idea of making the experience of dining out a real adventure – and as a person keen to try ALL the restaurants Sydney has to offer what could be better than getting to try three places all in one night? Nothing!<br />
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You can visit the Guerrilla Eats website <a href="http://guerrillaeats.com.au/">here</a>, or phone them on 8078 4776 or email on eats@guerrillaeats.com.au.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1612626/restaurant/Sydney/Hinky-Dinks-Darlinghurst"><img alt="Hinky Dinks on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1612626/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1678669/restaurant/Sydney/Jekyll-Hyde-Darlinghurst"><img alt="Jekyll & Hyde on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1678669/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/750664/restaurant/Darlinghurst/Darlo-Bar-Sydney"><img alt="Darlo Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/750664/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<br />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-15988800964470273102014-09-01T07:30:00.000+10:002014-09-01T07:30:00.915+10:00Armory Wharf Cafe, Newington Keeping with the theme of exploring all things local at the moment, we make a visit to the <a href="http://www.armorywharfcafe.com/">Armory Wharf Café </a>at Newington with Dave’s family. We’re there to celebrate his brother’s birthday with a spot of Segwaying around the Armory, followed by lunch at the café.<br />
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For the record, Segwaying is AWESOME fun. If these things ever become street legal in NSW (they are not at the moment so anyone you see not on private property is breaking the law) I’m giving up walking and replacing my legs with a Segway...<br />
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Now, onto the food. After seeing everyone else’s meals I think I could’ve been more adventurous with my ordering. I NEED to stop order things based solely on whether or not they come with chips or not. Nevertheless my <b>grilled scotch fillet ciabatta roll </b>(toasted), with <b>caramelised onion, gruyere cheese, Smoky BBQ sauce, roquette slaw </b>($18.50) hit the spot. As did the <b>chunky chips</b>. <br />
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My father-in-law wanted something light and ordered the <b>Beetroot Cured Atlantic Salmon on a nicoise salad of potato, green beans, onion, capers. and olives </b>($22.00). This was topped with a poached egg.<br />
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The <b>crispy battered flathead fillets with chunky chips with a side of lemon, caper and garlic sauce </b>($20.00) was a pretty popular choice at the table. The fish pieces were HUGE, totally eclipsing the decently sized serve of chips. The batter was as crispy and cracking and is looks. The inclusion of a token salad ensures you don't feel like a total fat blob eating this. Food envy. <br />
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The <b>salt and pepper squid with orange and fennel salad and served with aioli </b>($21.00) was another popular choice. The red onion rings were pretty tasty (I may have stolen one...or two). <br />
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Dave was carb-loading post our Segwaying adventure and ordered the <b>Trio of Dawgs </b>($22.00). Each of the the three soft brioche buns showcased a different type of "dog". We have the <b>traditional American Frankfurt, mustard and onion</b>; a <b>Bratwurst and Sauerkraut</b>; and for the French want-to-be in all of us a <b>Toulouse sausage w/ five-spice marmalade, and goats cheese</b>. In case you're still peckish after all of this rest assured this dish comes with a serve of <b>chunky chips</b>. <br />
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More food envy with this dish...in fact this is the dish I really REALLY wished I'd ordered. Here we have VERY <b>large ravioli filled with pumpkin, potato and pine nuts finished in the pan with a sage and beurre noisette and pine
nut sauce </b> ($22.00). Served with a side radicchio salad...as you do. I stared longingly at this dish for the ENTIRE meal and my niece finally! offered me a taste. Excellent.<br />
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Overall we had a pretty nice lunch at The Armory Wharf Cafe. We were a big group and I think we were well looked after given how busy and chaotic this place was on the day we visited. I'd be keen to visit again on a much more sunny (and warmer) day.<br />
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The Armory Wharf Cafe can be found in the Blaxland Riverside Park, Jamieson Street, Newington. Phone them on 9714 7513.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1477165/restaurant/Sydney/Silverwater/Armory-Wharf-Cafe-Newington"><img alt="Armory Wharf Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1477165/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-14571729148017310992014-08-25T09:48:00.001+10:002014-08-26T09:45:08.392+10:00Badmanner Thymes Cafe, ParramattaI'm thrilled that another Parramatta cafe has decided to open up its doors on weekends for the locals to enjoy. It seems a lot of new cafes initially open Monday to Friday (which is great if you work in the 'hood {which I don't so it's bad for me}). Once these weekyday cafes find their feet the locals are set to benefit with weekend opening times. Yay!<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BadmannerParramatta">Badmanner Thymes Cafe </a>is...compact with a lovely, cozy fit out. I love the old leather Chesterfield that sits against the back wall (channeling "Central Perk" from Friends perhaps)...and there are interesting little bits and pieces to feast your eyes upon whilst you wait for your food. It's a great space that feels really warm and welcoming.<br />
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We kick things off with coffees - a piccolo latte for me and a cappuccino for Dave. Both of our coffees are great, very smooth and easy to drink.<br />
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One of the specials of the day is a <b>Big Breakfast </b>which Dave immediately orders...he doesn't even need to look at the menu. He's VERY happy with his breakfast...the <b>scrambled eggs </b>are nice and fluffy and the plate is crammed with <b>baby spinach</b>, <b>grilled tomatoes</b>, <b>mushrooms</b>, <b>bacon </b>and a smokey, delicious <b>chorizo</b>. <br />
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There are two Korean inspired rolls on the menu (though the chef isn't Korean...he just has a thing for experimenting with Korean food). On this visit I go for the <b>Bulgogi Roll </b>(and next time I'll hit up the Kimchi Roll). This roll is REALLY delicious! The <b>toasted wholemeal roll </b>and is filled with thin slices of <b>marinated beef</b>, <b>pickled white radish</b>, <b>Spanish onion</b>, band topped with a generous serving of <b>sweet potato crisps</b>. There's a little <b>chilli </b>hiding in amongst this medley of ingredients...so chilli whimps beware! I loved how the crisp sweet potato crisps offset the soft roll and tender beef. The aoli is really lovely, with just a little bit of "zing" to it. <br />
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I'm normally able to avoid the temptation of the sweet offerings at cafe, but the lure of a cabinet filled with <b>Cronuts </b>(aka "Brewnuts) from <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2014/04/brewtown-newtown.html">Brewtown </a>is too much to resist.<br />
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We decide on a <b>Cinnamon Cronut </b>and our waitress heats it up for a little. It's not as mind-blowing as the Cronut from Brewtwon which I enjoyed pretty much fresh from the oven, but it's still pretty impressive to have THE LEGENDEY CRONUT IN PARRAMATTA! We've hit the big time now folks.<br />
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I'm not in the mood for a second coffee so decide to try one of their fresh juices. I opt for the <b>Ginger Zinga </b>as I love ginger in juices. The drink comes in a (hipster) jam jar glass sans paper straw (thankfully). I think paper straws are cute but it's nice to be able to linger over your drink without your straw disintegrating on you.<br />
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Badmanner Thymes is a great new weekend addition to Parramatta's weekend eating options. The cafe is cute, has great coffee, a good menu and some really friendly staff. At the moment they are just opening Saturdays (til about 4pm) but hope to open up on Sundays in October(ish).<br />
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Badmanner Thymes Cafe is at 1 Horwood Place, Parramatta.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1881600/restaurant/Sydney/Badmanner-Thymes-Parramatta"><img alt="Badmanner Thymes on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1881600/biglogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a> Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-41003504308322294922014-08-18T10:37:00.001+10:002014-08-18T10:37:08.318+10:00PappaRich, ChatswoodI celebrate the opening of <b>Pappa Rich </b>in Parramatta (yay for another Malaysian food option in my ‘hood..and just another food option in general) by heading over to Chatswood (as you do) for an epic Malaysian feast.<br />
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Whilst I’m all about supporting the business in my suburb the lure of meeting Pappa Rich’s newest (and first) ambassador, Poh (aka Poh from Masterchef) was too hard to resist.<br />
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Poh is as lovely in real life as she has always appeared on TV. Her energy and bubbly nature are infectious as is her love for Malaysian food (she was still fully devouring the banquet as "her people" were trying to drag her off to the airport for the flight home - love a gal who loves her food as much as I do)!<br />
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And here's Poh and I...we're totally BFFs now!<br />
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Our feast kicks off with LOADS of different dishes that include <b>Roti Canai </b>– a flatbread that is quite theatrical in the making with the dough being tossed and spun like a circus trick to achieve its soft, fluffy texture. <br />
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<b>Roti Canai with Tandoori Chicken </b>- served with a side of spicy sambal and a cooling yoghurt raita (I like how these two balance each other out, hot vs cool). The tandoori chicken is so tender and flavorsome and you’ll be left with pink fingers as you try to pick every bit of meet off the bone. <br />
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<b>Roti Planata </b>– a sweet style Roti Canai with margarine and smidgen of sugar sprinkled throughout the bread. It’s interesting to eat a sweet roti with the savoury, spicy accompaniments and surprisingly (to me) it works. <br />
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<b>Roti Canai with Beef Rendang </b>– my favourite as I basically love Beef Rendang, it’s my all-time favourite curry (closely followed by a Thai yellow curry as I love the potatoes in that dish). <br />
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<b>Satay </b>– a HUGE platter of satay beef and satay chicken is accompanied by housemade satay sauce, red onions and cucumbers. The satay is marinated in fresh lemongrass and turmeric (not sure if this is an authentic Malaysia style or not, but it’s tasty).<br />
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<b>Chicken Curry Laksa </b>– the most popular style of laksa in Australia (until recently I had no idea there WAS any other style of Laksa) cooked in a spicy coconut gravy with chicken, tofu puffs, beancurd skin, beansprouts, fish cakes and the kitchen sink! If you’ve dined in a food court you’ve probably had this version of Laksa.<br />
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<b>Pappa Asam Laksa </b>– I cannot enough of this dish!!! Until last year I had NO idea Asam Laksa was a “thing”. I am now so in LOVE with the sour flavor that comes from the tamarind broth topped with shredded pineapple, mint and shrimp paste. Another soup with just about everything in it plus the kitchen sink – we have lettuce, chilli, cucumber, red onion. This is now my laksa of choice. Two hoofs up from me.<br />
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<b>Pappa Special Nasi Lemak with Curry Chicken and Sambal Prawns </b>– I LOVE LOVE LOVE Nasi Lemak, probably as it always comes with Ikan Bilis (little dried, crunchy, salty anchovies) and peanuts. I love mixing the Ikan Bilis and Peanuts in with the rice and incorporating some of the hot hot hot spicy sambal for good measure. The cucumber provides the right amount of “coolness” for the mouth if you overdo the sambal (which I always do).<br />
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<b>Fried chicken skin </b>- really not much to say about this other than "OMG, IT'S INCREDIBLE, LIKE THE TRUE ESSENCE OF CHOOK...AND NO I DON'T WANT TO SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE. EVER".<br />
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This is just a really a small sample of the food on offer at Pappa Rich. There menu is HUGE and I’m dying to get back ASAP to try the Kaya Toast with a side of soft-boiled eggs. Come to mumma! <br />
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The Pappa Rich menu also has a TONNE of drinks on offer, from Kopi (that's coffee to you and I), Teh (Tea) and a range of fruit based drinks. You won't be left thirsty here that's for sure with the drinks menu being almost as long as the food menu. I LOVE this as I find the drinks (and deserts) on offer in SE Asia always so colourful and appealing.<br />
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Pappa Rich Chatswood is at 63A Archer St, Chatswood. Phone them on 9411 3207.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1747757/restaurant/Sydney/PappaRich-Chatswood"><img alt="PappaRich on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1747757/biglogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-6990910898989144082014-08-11T02:00:00.000+10:002014-08-11T02:00:01.472+10:00Chi + Co, Canley HeightsIt's been a LONG while since I bought a meal deal voucher, but when one popped up for <a href="http://chiandco.com.au/">Chi + Co </a>I quickly grabbed it.<br />
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Chi + Co is a modern Thai/Malaysian/Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney's Canley Heights.Where is Canley Heights I hear you ask? Think Cabramatta and you're in the general vicinity. The suburb has a similar ethic diversity to Cabramatta and it's a great area bustling with vibrant street life, delicious eateries, Asian grocery stores and Vietnamese coffee shops. It's not <i>quite </i>as busy as Cabramatta...but finding a park close to the main street will still make you feel like you've won the lottery!<br />
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In a suburb of homely, laminate table clad Vietnamese eateries Chi + Co sure stands out! The sleek warehouse-style interior (and the modern menu) reminds me of a cross between <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2011/02/ms-gs-potts-point.html">Ms G'</a>s and Melbourne's <a href="http://www.theadventuresofmisspiggy.com/2013/04/chin-chin-melbourne.html">Chin Chin</a>...all within 20 minutes of home!<br />
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Our six course meal (all for the bargain price of $39 with our voucher) kicks off with <b>smoked trout on betel leaf with galangal, roasted chilli and fried shallots.</b> We both enjoyed the fresh flavours of this dish alongside the earthy smoked trout.<br />
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Course two is the happily named "<b>chicken lettuce delight</b>". This delicious san choy bao came heaped with lup cheong sausage, minced chicken, mushrooms, water chestnuts and crispy glass noodles. The iceberg lettuce cup were super fresh and really added to the crisp texture of the dish. <br />
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Next we had a bite-sized <b>pulled beef slider </b>with tender beef rib on a steamed bun with mint and house pickles. I really enjoyed this - probably barbecue it was more "bao" than "slider" and a soft, fluffy steamed bao is hard to resist.<br />
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Our last entree (and course four) is the <b>son-in-law eggs with housemade XO sauce</b>. These were cooked perfectly and had a lovely fried crust whilst still retraining a lovely, oozey yolk. I find it total magic how an egg can be deep fried to have a firm white whilst keeping a soft, runny yolk (I obviously have issues soft-boiling my eggs)! MAGIC!<br />
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On to the mains with the arrival of the <b>Shaken Beef. </b>This dish was great - so flavoursome! We loved the wok-tossed scotch fillet cubes that were cooked in aromatic garlic and pepper. The meat had lovely little caramelized pieces throughout and was served with a zesty watercress salad we mixed through the beef before serving.<br />
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I tried to claim the entire tile of crisp salmon skin that came with our final course but I lost that battle (surely the purchaser of "the voucher" gets full ownership of any crispy skinned objects that come to the table)! Course six is a <b>fried crispy skin salmon and green papaya salad with Vietnamese mint and fried garlic</b>. Besides the son-in-law eggs I think this was my favourite dish. So much flavour, so fresh...the total epitome of Vietnamese cooking I think. I also loved the addition of the salmon which is something I've not see a lot of in Asian cooking. <br />
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Our mains were served with a side of steam rice and a lovely plate of stir-fried broccoli, snow peas and bok choy.<br />
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I <i><b>loved </b></i>our lunch at Chi + Co and I cannot wait to return. The staff were very friendly and attentive, and the food was wonderful - so packed full of flavour, so fresh and vibrant. Whilst it's obvious that the menu has its roots in Vietnamese cooking I loved the modern twists on some of the dishes - like the inclusion of salmon in the Papaya Salad. <br />
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<a href="http://chiandco.com.au/">Chi + Co </a>is at 3/264 Canley Vale Road, Canley Heights. Phone them on 9727 2068.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1710221/restaurant/Sydney/Fairfield/Chi-and-Co-Chi-Chi-Canley-Heights"><img alt="Chi and Co. (Chi Chi) on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1710221/biglogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a> Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-34654513565859432592014-08-04T06:00:00.000+10:002014-08-04T06:00:00.723+10:00Devon...by Night, Surry Hills<span style="font-size: x-small;">We dined as guests of <a href="http://www.devoncafe.com.au/">Devon </a>and also of <a href="http://wasamedia.com/">Wasamedia</a>.</span><br />
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Devonshire Streets weekend brunch hot spot, Devon Café, has flung open its doors for dinner and we couldn’t be happier!<br />
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The café makes a nice transformation from bustling day time café, to a cozy, warm and somewhat romantic space over dinner. The garage and breeze-way space are softened by dim lighting and candles. And worry not, it’s cozily warm when we visit on a freezing winter’s night with outdoor heaters warming the space up (and there’s even blankies if you still feel cold…but trust me, you won’t).<br />
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Dinner is on offer from Thursday to Saturday nights (from 6pm) and you can either order off the al a carte menu, or do we did and go for a set menu when features a number of the most popular dishes. <br />
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Things kick off two lovely <b>Coffin Bay oysters </b>that are topped with a zesty <b>passionfruit and yuzu granita</b>. Our oysters were so plump and fresh - in a word, sublime. The granita was a nice refreshing touch that blends nicely with the briny oysters and is actually the perfect way for an oyster newbie like Dave to start to learn to enjoy Oysters.<br />
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We both loved the <b>king salmon sashimi </b>that sits atop a wobbly <b>tomato jelly </b>that has a nice, mild tomato flavor. It’s like eating a tomato with no tomato in sight! The salmon is a mix of fatty belly, and leaner flank pieces and is topped with <b>chives, salmon roe, soy </b>and dotted with a <b>creamy wasabi </b>that has a bit of heat to it, but not so much that it’ll burn your nose hairs!<br />
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The <b>lobster roll </b>was one of our favourite dishes of the night. Fat discs of plump, toothsome lobster are sandwiched in the softest of soft <b>brioche rolls </b>and topped with <b>kewpie mayonnaise, baby radish and tatsoi</b>. I’m so glad to have finally tried a lobster roll. It’s been on my hit list for ages but I’ve just never quite managed to make it happen. My next one is going to have a lot to live up to!<br />
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The <b>KJI chicken </b>(which I believe is named after Kim Jong-Il, a chef not the dictator) is a winner. The chicken has a shatteringly crisp batter that is studded with <b>crispy peanuts</b>. It is accompanied by a mild flavoured <b>go chujang and peanut sauce</b>. <br />
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The <b>char grilled corn in miso-coffee butter </b>turns out to be two little pieces of baby corn. This is a really tasty dish – our corn is grilled to tender perfection (often I find baby-corn to be a bit “tough” as I guess it’s all cob and not much else) and is served on the husks which are dusted with a sprinkle of ground coffee. A tip from our waitress: don't eat the husks (a fair warning as some people do attempt to chow down on them).<br />
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The <b>satay babi </b>is a <b>Penang Hainan style pork satay </b>that is served along with two pieces of <b>grill toasted bread</b>. The traditional peanut satay sauce is replaced with a <b>creamy yam sauce </b>that has a similar texture to regular satay sauce, with a slightly sweeter flavor from what tastes to me like capsicum (or something). I liked that the inclusion of the bread allowed us to sop up every last drop of the sauce.<br />
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The <b>chargrilled jumbo prawns </b>come in a close second as my favourite main of the night. Our prawns are grilled to perfection (so we could eat the shell and tail) and are cooked in a <b>hokkien sauce</b> (soy and sambal chilli) but if you need an extra chilli kick I suggest dipping your prawns cautiously into the accompanying bowl of hokkien sauce...as boy, is it SPICY! <br />
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The <b>wagyu flat iron steak </b>(<b>marble score 5+ </b>if you’re into that sort of thing) is cooked in a tangy <b>ponzu sauce </b>and topped with <b>crisp garlic flakes</b>. The steak is very tender and cooked just on the right side of not too rare (for me)…a nice simple dish I think.<br />
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Our steak is served with a bowl of steamed <b>baby brocolini </b>cooked in an <b>oyster and garlic sauce</b>. It’s impossible to photograph, but easy to eat.<br />
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The special of the night is something I’ve never tried…mainly as I thought a) it looked funny and b) would have a really strong and unpleasant taste. How wrong was I? Very! The <b>sea urchin </b>is served a top silky smooth <b>agedashi tofu </b>and bathed in a <b>fluffy sea urchin emulsion</b>. To me the sea urchin flavour was quite mild (especially compared to the accompanying, briny salmon roe) and the texture is quite soft and silky. Really happy to have been able to try this dish.<br />
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I hope you have saved room for dessert as the <b>coconut jelly with guava sorbet and freeze dried pineapple </b>is TO. DIE. FOR! Dig deep into the glass to get a spoonful of warm <b>tapioca </b>and make sure you get a bit of cool sorbet in every mouthful. Perfection. <br />
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Our final dessert is one of Dave’s personal favourites…fondant. But, not any old fondant – this a heavenly <b>green tea fondant </b>that Dave says tastes like a baked, melty green tea kit kat! As soon as we break the shell of the fondant a river of creamy green tea oozes out...it's deliciously warm and pairs perfectly with the <b>matcha ice-cream</b>.<br />
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Devon Café is at 76 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills. Call them on 9211 8777. <br />
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Dinner is currently being served between Thursday to Saturday at 6pm – 10pm. No bookings so get there early(ish) to grab a table.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1753263/restaurant/Sydney/Devon-Cafe-Surry-Hills"><img alt="Devon Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1753263/biglogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-53861455666478067132014-07-28T09:53:00.001+10:002014-07-28T09:53:21.569+10:00Langkawi Night Markets (Malaysia)One of my favourite parts of our (now distant) holiday to Langkawi was visiting the nightly food market. As Langkawi is quite small the markets move location each night of the week - a roving troop of food vendors delivering tasty happiness to locals and tourists alike.<br />
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Depending on the location you may get more or less stalls...but there always seems to be fried chicken and let's be honest, that's all I care about!<br />
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Our first trip to market is on a Saturday night - probably the biggest market night of the lot given that it's held in Kuah Town, the major town on Langkawi. Every taxi driver on the island will know where the markets are but if you're driving keep your eyes peeled for this pretty snazzy looking building....<br />
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The markets seem to kick off at around 7pm (ish) each night. Again, we're on island time here so I think it's more like "the markets start when we feel like it". Thankfully once the sun sets on Langkawi the temperature becomes bearable and it's really nice to wander the markets stuffing your face. Bring the Aeroguard though - the mozzies are up for a feast too!<br />
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On our first visit I little spazz out at all the amazing food and + drink and make a pig of myself by eating nearly everything in sight including three pieces of fried chicken (pass on the Durian though). Dave and I also bought some things to take back to the villa for lunch the next day. All in all we spent around AUD$15.<br />
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The satay chicken was AMAZING, fried chicken was artery cloggingly GREAT and anything on a stick gets two thumbs up from me. Like I said we gave the Durian a wide berth but made multiple visits to the drink stalls to top up on Coconut Juice or Sugar Cane Juice - both are super refreshing and help to de-grease your tummy if you've eaten too much Ayam Goreng. <br />
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Our second market visit is on a Sunday night, to the much quieter Padang Matsirat. The market is set in a carpark nestled up against rice fields and a mosque. It was really nice wandering the markets (eating fried chicken, ahem) as the call to prayer rung out.<br />
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There wasn't a lot of food on offer as this location (espeically when compared to Kuah Town) but we noticed that Durian is EVERYWHERE!<br />
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We basically ate fried chicken here and took home some tasty Mutabak to have for lunch the next day. Our villa didn't have a microwave but this is suprinsgly nice eaten cold...<br />
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Your hotel or villa should be able to tell you were the markets are each night -- but if not here is a little list:<br />
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• Sunday at Padang Matsirat - in large car park area near the Field of Burnt Rice<br />
• Monday - Ulu Melaka<br />
• Tuesday - Kedawang<br />
• Wednesday - Kuah Town<br />
• Thursday - Pantai Cenang (Tamoyong Village)<br />
• Friday - Padang Lalang (Air Hangat)
• Saturday - Kuah Town Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085429884053920414.post-22803189194765855432014-07-21T07:00:00.000+10:002014-07-21T07:00:01.255+10:00Gowings Bar + Grill. CBD<span style="font-size: x-small;">Miss Piggy and The BFF received a $150 dining credit from Gowings Bar + Grill. Everything spent over this was kindly paid for by The BFF…he knows how to treat a lady (who spends all her food money on fabric these days)! </span><br />
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It’s really lovely to see the transformation of 49 Market Street from its former incarnation as Gowings, the department store, to the newly (ish) opened Gowings Bar + Grill and QT Hotel.<br />
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As soon as your enter the building and head up to the first floor to Gowings Bar + Grill you can sense this space is something special. A respectful refit of the old store has led to an old-style New York diner meets modern, hip space complete with trendy black-clad wait stuff wearing anything but your traditional waiter garb . It feels fancy, and special yet not stuffy or intimidating. <br />
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A large open kitchen runs along the side of the restaurant with chefs bedecked in white peak-hats. For such a large kitchen that houses A LOT of staff it’s amazing how quiet it is. There is no shouting, no clanging of plans…nothing. Just the quiet efficiency of a well-run kitchen turning out delicious food.<br />
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The menu seems to have a slight French influence and we start off with <b>six snails roasted in puff pastry shells in garlic, lemon and mint butter </b>($23 .00). I loved the snails we had in France last year so was very keen to try them again in Australia. Our sauce wasn’t quite as garlicky as other snails I’ve tried (probably a good thing) and our snails were very good, being *just* on the right side of too chewy. The puff pastry shell takes the place of the traditional baguettes slices that you get in France to sop up any butter sauce – which is possible better for the waistline (bread vs puff pastry, hmmm --- I’m not so sure now that I think about it). <br />
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Our second entrée was the <b>steak tartare of pasture-fed Ox/Beef </b>( $29.00). The tatare is mixed with <b>pickled black shimeji mushrooms, a free-range egg, and other classic condiments </b>and is accompanied by a generous serving of <b>shoestring fries</b>. I’m never sure how to eat steak tartare with shoe string fries? Whilst the fries were super scrummy, I think I would’ve liked some crackers (or something) to scoop the tartare on to. Fries, or no fries, our steak tartare was EXCELLENT, so flavoursome and totally moreish. The steak was lusciously tender and the mushrooms added a nice textural element. I love how the condiments add a nice bit of “zing” to the dish.<br />
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Now, it’s probably work pointing out that the serves at Gowings Bar + Grill are REALLY generous…like REALLY REALLY generous! We could have easily gotten away with one entrée (or maybe two), one main between us and just one dessert. Whilst I would consider this a “not-cheap” restaurant you really are getting value for money, especially considering you don’t really need your own entrée, main and dessert! It’s probably a great place to go if you want to experience a more fancy dining experience, but minimize the cost by sharing some courses with your dining companion.<br />
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So with that disclaimer above I was clearly entering food coma territory as I TOTALLY forgot to take a picture of our first main! We opted for the delicious tender, <b>½ serve of organic herbed chicken</b> that is served with a lush, creamy <b>Paris mash, steamed black cabbage and salt </b>bush ($33.00). This was a lovely main and would easily serve two greedy people (like us)! In fact it comes already plated up individually. The Paris Mash was so fine and creamy…really good! Like I said, there's no photo of this dish...but here's a picture of the kitchen where it was cooked!<br />
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Despite feeling rather (very) full at this stage we do a fine job of polishing off the <b>thick-cut free-range Berkshire Pork Chop</b>. The chop is served on a platter with <b>green lentils, carrots, pearl onions, beer-battered sage and Marchetti's rosemary brown sauce </b>($39.00). I really liked trying the beer-battered sage, it’s an usual element that I’ve not seen on a menu before. <br />
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To accompany our mains The BFF ordered a bowl of <b>fried onion rings </b>($7 .00). The slices of red onion are coated in a crunchy batter – really good.<br />
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I think one of my favourite things of the night was this lovely salad of <b>iceberg, red peppers and Ortiz anchovies doused with a seeded mustard dressing </b>($14.00). This salad was so fresh, and whilst many consider iceberg to be tad…dull, I think that the dressing, the anchovies and the peppers really gave what would otherwise be a bowl of lettuce a real kick. So delicious, so zesty and I so wish the bowl was twice the size!!<br />
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I could easily have forgone dessert but desserts are The BFFs happy place so I couldn’t deny him. We kick off with a <b>double baked dark chocolate crème brûlée topped with last season’s sweet marinated cherries </b>($16 .00). Boy this was GOOD! The dark chocolate wasn’t too rich, and the sourness of the cherries really elevated the chocolate flavor up to something special.<br />
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We probably should’ve stopped at one dessert but seeing plates and plates and plates of the <b>Hot Beignets </b>come out of the kitchen was too much to bare. We asked for a half serve of these <b>French market doughnuts </b>that come heavily dusted in <b>icing sugar </b>($16.00). Our waitress suggested that we get a little pot of <b>hot chocolate </b>sauce to poor over the doughnuts – and all good waitresses should be obeyed!<br />
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Gowings Bar + Grill is at Level 1, 1/49 Market Street, Sydney. Phone them on 8262 0062.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1695048/restaurant/CBD/Gowings-Bar-Grill-Sydney"><img alt="Gowings Bar & Grill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1695048/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907743046211723083noreply@blogger.com18