A touch of home...

On a cold Saturday evening, I decided to have an early dinner at this unassuming Indonesian eatery in Willoughby.  Charmaine had earlier checked out this place with Lee Fong and apparently Lee Fong and Fredy has been coming to this eatery on a regular basis.  Known as Tradisional Indonesian Cuisine, this small neighbourhood outlet serves homecooked Indonesian cuisine.

The menu consists of dishes such as Lumpia Goreng, Sup Buntut and Nasi Goreng.  House specialities include Nasi Kuning Complete and Nasi Tim (Steamed Chicken Rice).

Mum and I ordered the Nasi Kuning Complete ($8) and Cap Cay (mixed Vegetables - $10).  The serving was not too bad.  The price of the menu ranged from $5 to $15. 

While we were there, we noticed they had a lot of takeaway orders.  This is a family outlet, nothing too fancy but if you have a craving for some spicy, quick, cheap and a homecooked meal and you happen to be in the neighbourhood then this place is not too bad.

Address:  302 Penshurst Street, North Willoughby
Ph:  9417 3521

C'est Magnifique!

This was the expression of my client after she has had the Chocolate Souffle last night at Guillaume at Bennelong.  She had waited since March to have this souffle.  I must admit the desserts were really wonderful, the souffle tasted light.  It arrived in a little dish with a vanilla and cherry ripple ice cream served by the side.  The waiter then showed us how it was to be eaten i.e. to push the ice cream down towards the middle of the souffle (refer picture).  The result was a great taste sensation with the crispiness of the souffle on the outside blended with the melted ice-cream on the inside.  I never thought of eating my souffle this way!  We also ordered the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee and that tasted wonderful too with the green apple jelly and the green apple sorbet - great combination!

You must wonder why I started with the desserts... well, I thought that was the best part.  For entrees, we ordered the West Australian marron - served with delicious crispy pork belly and marron consomme.  We also had the Scallops gently sealed and served with cauliflower puree, Shiitake mushrooms, spinach and chicken jus.  I had the Scallops and I must say I have had better.  Was quite disappointed as the Scallops were a bit over cooked.  My clients enjoyed the Marron though together with the consomme.  Oh... they also serve a selection of breads (about 3 different types) ....

For mains, both of us ordered the Beef Tenderloin.  You know how you expect the beef to just melt in your mouth?  Well, this one didn't.  It was seared to a crisp outer layer but the insides did not melt in the mouth and  the merlot sauce was a bit overpowering.  Hmm... we were told the sauce was meant to be like that...

If  you are thinking of forgoing desserts, order a cup of coffee or tea instead as it is served petit fours.  I must admit this was one of the best petit fours I have had in the sense that they tasted great and there were about 6 different varieties! 

I think the entrees and mains in this restaurant would be rated a 6/10 (for the price and the taste and portion sizes) but I would rate the dessert an 8/10.  Anyway, I guess if you are out to impress a special someone, the million dollar views would overshadow any of the shortfalls in the food!

Chocolate Souffle

Chocolate Souffle

Creme Brulee

Il Nido

"C'mon, you have to try this Italian restaurant and tell me what you think..." Kevin said on a wet Sunday evening.  His rationale was that while it was still early to have dinner, by the time I head home to Sydney, it would be too late to have dinner on the way.  So, better grab a bite before the two hour journey home.

We had just been to lunch at Aqua restaurant, to celebrate Kevin's birthday.  I ate too much, as usual, but the Prawn Linguine was just "ok".  Kevin had such dramas making the lunch booking. Drama in the sense that most restaurants that he picked such as Il Nido, was not open for lunch and while the other restaurant, Bombora Seafood Restaurant, refused to let Kevin make a booking.  So, Kevin had to book at the Aqua but then had to convince me to try his initial choice i.e.Il Nido to see if his first choice was going to make the cut.

Il Nido (The Nest) is a small Italian restaurant located in Balgownie village.  There is also another Italian restaurant with the same name in Castle Hill. Apparently this joint in Kevin's neighbourhood is frequented by a lot of Italian families.  This was certainly the case when we finally made our way there.  We were the only Asian customers and there were other Italian families there.  The restaurant is decorated with family pictures and as you walk in, you are faced with the pizza oven.

The menu is simple with a small selection of pizzas and pastas complemented by some salads.  Must admit the Spaghetti Marinara was tasty and flavourful and the ham and pineapple pizza was good too.  Although we were not hungry from the outset, our plates were clean.. not a morsel was left. Definitely made the right choice to stay back.

Kevin now has a very good reason to go back as he has a mission to accomplish!  Kevin, please...     

Last piece of pizza