I like this dessert spot... lots of variations and the desserts costs around $5.50, but a huge serving... yummm on a hot day!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Desserts, glorious Asian desserts
Where can you go to find refreshing dessert after a spicy meal?? Fret not! If you are in Chinatown, then head to Meet Fresh, a Taiwanese dessert outlet, located in Dixon Street, from the corner of Mamak restaurant. What I like about this restaurant is that there are ample seating, on the ground floor, outside as well as their top floor. The desserts are divided into combinations of pearls, peanuts, taro balls with herbal grass jelly or taro... all very new to me and I didn't know what to expect. For the unsure, there's the usual blended drinks.
I like this dessert spot... lots of variations and the desserts costs around $5.50, but a huge serving... yummm on a hot day!
I like this dessert spot... lots of variations and the desserts costs around $5.50, but a huge serving... yummm on a hot day!
Spicy Panda
What a name for a restaurant... Spicy Panda??? What kind of a restaurant is it? Turns out that this is a Sichuan restaurant. The restaurant is located on Level 1, 8 Dixon Street, Chinatown.
My friend decided to check it out to see if it could rival the Red Chilli Sichuan which we have been frequenting.
Going up the stairs, the restaurant looked bright and the tables were quite spacious. Good first impressions...
the menu looked interesting and varied too, mains ranged from $15 - $30. The first time we went, we decided to order the Spicy fish with minced pork and the Ma Po tofu. It was an enjoyable meal and was tasty (no photos...as we were too hungry...)
We decided to go again and ordered the same fish with minced pork (you pay an additional $5 for fresh barramundi, otherwise the barramundi is frozen) and this time it was pork ribs with chips.
It was once again an enjoyable meal...a restaurant which we will come again... given that there is more often than not a queue outside Red Chilli Sichuan in Chinatown....
My friend decided to check it out to see if it could rival the Red Chilli Sichuan which we have been frequenting.
Going up the stairs, the restaurant looked bright and the tables were quite spacious. Good first impressions...
the menu looked interesting and varied too, mains ranged from $15 - $30. The first time we went, we decided to order the Spicy fish with minced pork and the Ma Po tofu. It was an enjoyable meal and was tasty (no photos...as we were too hungry...)
We decided to go again and ordered the same fish with minced pork (you pay an additional $5 for fresh barramundi, otherwise the barramundi is frozen) and this time it was pork ribs with chips.
It was once again an enjoyable meal...a restaurant which we will come again... given that there is more often than not a queue outside Red Chilli Sichuan in Chinatown....
Il Goloso - Oh so....
When Kevin suggested meeting up, we thought, yes, we'd head out to Haberfield (which Kevin could not refuse) and try Il Goloso which neither of us have tried before.
I was a bit apprehensive after reading the reviews which were quite mixed and I thought had more negatives than positives ... but we decided to give the restaurant a go anyway.
Il Goloso is situated at the old Haberfield Post Office building and I think the old signpost is still there.
As we approached, the waiter (or more like the owner) greeted us and asked if we wanted to sit alfresco or inside. He took us inside but we decided that the patio area looks nicer (but I was hoping the mosquitoes would not come after me...!). He then proceeded to take us round the back of the restaurant past the open kitchen.
There is a blackboard special. We decided to share our entree of zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and anchovies. It tasted ok ... but lacked presentation with the zucchini flowers sitting on only a few salad leaves.
Our mains came next, fillet steak in peppercorn sauce with spaghetti marinara. The pasta was quite tasty but the serving was relatively small for the price. The fillet steak (my portion) anyway was full of grizzle and again, lacked taste... alas...
Kevin said... "it could be better"... that says it all, and explains why this restaurant was not as full when compared to the other restaurants around them which were full of customers.... hmm... I have a sneaky suspicion why the owner was so keen for us to sit outside...
I was a bit apprehensive after reading the reviews which were quite mixed and I thought had more negatives than positives ... but we decided to give the restaurant a go anyway.
Il Goloso is situated at the old Haberfield Post Office building and I think the old signpost is still there.
As we approached, the waiter (or more like the owner) greeted us and asked if we wanted to sit alfresco or inside. He took us inside but we decided that the patio area looks nicer (but I was hoping the mosquitoes would not come after me...!). He then proceeded to take us round the back of the restaurant past the open kitchen.
There is a blackboard special. We decided to share our entree of zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and anchovies. It tasted ok ... but lacked presentation with the zucchini flowers sitting on only a few salad leaves.
Our mains came next, fillet steak in peppercorn sauce with spaghetti marinara. The pasta was quite tasty but the serving was relatively small for the price. The fillet steak (my portion) anyway was full of grizzle and again, lacked taste... alas...
Kevin said... "it could be better"... that says it all, and explains why this restaurant was not as full when compared to the other restaurants around them which were full of customers.... hmm... I have a sneaky suspicion why the owner was so keen for us to sit outside...
Did curiosity kill the cat?
My girlfriends and I tried to book into this restaurant in Melbourne during the June long weekend - after several attempts and at the receiving end of the rude staff... we thought... what is so special about this restaurant that there are people queuing even before it is opened?
I tried to make a booking for my next weekend in Melbourne and was quite surprised to see that I could get a table on a Saturday morning at quite short notice... When the day arrived, my friend and I eagerly anticipated having brunch at this restaurant, the Hutong Dumpling restaurant, 14-16 Market Lane, Melbourne. This restaurant is tucked away in a laneway but if you were to glance upwards, one would be able to see the sign. If not, you will be led to the group of hungry customers waiting outside patiently.
There was a scurry of movement as soon as the door was opened at 11.30am. We were quickly ushered into our tables. It was not a very big restaurant with a couple of tables downstairs. We were sent upstairs where there were a few big tables to cater for the families.
We ordered a hot and sour soup, Dan Dan noodles, their famous Xiao Long Pau and Eggplant hotpot.
The hot and sour soup to my disappointment was quite watery... and lack taste. The Dan Dan noodles was yummy though and the noodles were really smooth and the soup was tasty.
The Xiao Long Pau... let's say that I've had better. I thought the pastry was a tad too thick and the filling had aa sticky film over it.
However, this was compensated by the eggplant hotpot was was delicious.
Overall, I thought that this restaurant was not too bad in terms of price but... I can't understand the hype... nor the attitude...??
I tried to make a booking for my next weekend in Melbourne and was quite surprised to see that I could get a table on a Saturday morning at quite short notice... When the day arrived, my friend and I eagerly anticipated having brunch at this restaurant, the Hutong Dumpling restaurant, 14-16 Market Lane, Melbourne. This restaurant is tucked away in a laneway but if you were to glance upwards, one would be able to see the sign. If not, you will be led to the group of hungry customers waiting outside patiently.
We ordered a hot and sour soup, Dan Dan noodles, their famous Xiao Long Pau and Eggplant hotpot.
The hot and sour soup to my disappointment was quite watery... and lack taste. The Dan Dan noodles was yummy though and the noodles were really smooth and the soup was tasty.
The Xiao Long Pau... let's say that I've had better. I thought the pastry was a tad too thick and the filling had aa sticky film over it.
However, this was compensated by the eggplant hotpot was was delicious.
Overall, I thought that this restaurant was not too bad in terms of price but... I can't understand the hype... nor the attitude...??
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Shark Fin House
Fancy some good Yum Cha? Then head over to Shark Fin House. This is one of four restaurants in the Shark Fin Group's chain of restaurants which was established in 1980. Shark Fin House is located in the heart of Chinatown in Melbourne on Little Bourke Street.
I was there in June for dinner and had an enjoyable dinner. I decided to go there again last month for a late lunch. Would you believe that even at 1.30, there was a queue for tables? The waiting staff was busy heralding groups of customers in and asking those without reservations to take a number. After being told we had to wait about 20 mins, we were told our table was ready and was taken up to the 2nd floor. There were quite a few big tables around us. The trolleys of yum cha dishes looked delicious and we couldn't resist even though we had decided to have lobster. We ordered our lobster but was too hungry and could not resist some dumplings while waiting. The dumplings were delicious.
While waiting we noticed that the big tables around us were being filled up and this was already 2.30pm! I think the Melbournians tend to eat late.
Our lobster dish finally arrived - cooked to perfection. The Yee Min which accompanied it in XO sauce was al-dente. There was sufficient sauce, and the 1kg lobster was finger lickin-good!
The service at this restaurant was great too... they were attentive and cleared our plates from all the shells. Yum!
I was there in June for dinner and had an enjoyable dinner. I decided to go there again last month for a late lunch. Would you believe that even at 1.30, there was a queue for tables? The waiting staff was busy heralding groups of customers in and asking those without reservations to take a number. After being told we had to wait about 20 mins, we were told our table was ready and was taken up to the 2nd floor. There were quite a few big tables around us. The trolleys of yum cha dishes looked delicious and we couldn't resist even though we had decided to have lobster. We ordered our lobster but was too hungry and could not resist some dumplings while waiting. The dumplings were delicious.
While waiting we noticed that the big tables around us were being filled up and this was already 2.30pm! I think the Melbournians tend to eat late.
Our lobster dish finally arrived - cooked to perfection. The Yee Min which accompanied it in XO sauce was al-dente. There was sufficient sauce, and the 1kg lobster was finger lickin-good!
The service at this restaurant was great too... they were attentive and cleared our plates from all the shells. Yum!
Magpie Cafe
On a recent trip to the Southern Highlands we decided to drop by Berrima. It was a wintry and drizzly day and was definitely time to stop for a late lunch.
There has been a few changes in Berrima in terms of new shops and cafes. I suspect Magpie cafe has been there for a while and on this late afternoon, the place was full and bustling with activity and noise. It had a charming cottage feel and easy to see why it was so busy. Given the busy-ness of the cafe, it was hard to get service... we had to ask fo some water... more than 3 times... sigh! And... had to even get our own menus.
Anyway, my friend's prawn risotto arrived and she absolutely loved the risotto!
I decided to just have a dessert with my cup of tea and my apple and rhubarb crumble was heavenly! The crumble topping was crunchy and moist... the ice-cream and the crumble went down very well.
The food at the Magpie Cafe definitely made up for the lack of service!
There has been a few changes in Berrima in terms of new shops and cafes. I suspect Magpie cafe has been there for a while and on this late afternoon, the place was full and bustling with activity and noise. It had a charming cottage feel and easy to see why it was so busy. Given the busy-ness of the cafe, it was hard to get service... we had to ask fo some water... more than 3 times... sigh! And... had to even get our own menus.
Anyway, my friend's prawn risotto arrived and she absolutely loved the risotto!
I decided to just have a dessert with my cup of tea and my apple and rhubarb crumble was heavenly! The crumble topping was crunchy and moist... the ice-cream and the crumble went down very well.
The food at the Magpie Cafe definitely made up for the lack of service!
New Kid on the block
House is the new baby of chef Sujet Saenkham of Spice I am fame. I must say he has made a great decision as House is located just round the corner from Spice I am on 202 Elizabeth Street. It is close enough to get the spillover customers from those who do not want to wait around for a table at Spice I am.
This new restaurant is located adjacent to the Triple Ace Bar. From the street, one can see a new courtyard strung with lanterns and standup heaters warming the area. It also features an open kitchen. House definitely has more room than Spice I am, making for a more pleasant dining, not to mention, less rushed!
 | ||
| Open plan kitchen |
House's cuisine predominantly features the street food of northeast Thailand. It is not as packed full of flavour and uses less coconut milk as the dishes found in Spice I am but it is still spicy. The beef "curry" we ordered did not look "red" but was spicy and tasty. The yum woon sen however was simply sensational. The taste was great and definitely one of the better yum woon sen (glass noodle salad) I have tasted in Sydney. We ordered the crispy baby snapper but was disappointed with the lack of sauce which made the fish tasted a bit on the dry side.
The other good thing about House vs Spice I am is that is has desserts on its menu - yippee! We ordered it's special - Better than Sex which is basically a thick slice of brioche topped with a scoop of coconut ice cream. Terry Durack in his review in the Good Living had expressions of OTT and OMG to describe this dessert... hmm.. I certainly begged to differ. It didn't exude this OTT and OMG feeling and I thought given the composition of this dessert, the price of around $15.00 was OTT!
 |
| Better Than Sex |
House is definitely a good option if Spice I am is full but I would opt for the original Spice I am, anytime.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Otto Ristorante
What are our chances of getting a table for 10 at short notice for a Saturday dinner? I think we are not experiencing an economic slowdown as most of our short listed restaurants were fully booked and had two sittings which was not suitable for a Hen's party.
As luck would have it, Otto Ristorante had a table for 10 in a Private function room... Perfect-o!! Otto is situated in Woolloomooloo and exuded a warm atmostphere despite the cold air. The interior was warmly lit and our private room was within the dining area itself but it was a separate room located on the mezzanine level. It was the perfect room for us and accommodated 10 of us comfortably, giving us the privacy and the freedom to laugh as loud as we wanted and having the flash going off without imposing on other diners.
The waiting staff was attentive and not overbearing. Their cocktails were deliciously drinkable and they had an extensive wine list.
When it came to ordering, it was quite hard to decide, there were way too many options to choose from and everything sounded appetising and sumptuous. Most of us started with the main courses. Thankfully, there were quite a few different choices (beef, duck, veal shanks, pastas) made around the table and evevryone agreed that the food was delissimo, the ingredients were fresh and each dish was flawless.
Could we pass on desserts??? Thankfully, it was a resounding NO! Each one of us had desserts and when it arrived, there were the usual oohhss and ahhass... truly an artist's palette, plated up delicately and to perfection. The pastry chef has done himself proud. When we started, the room became silent as we were taking in the tastes and the spectacular play on our palates ...
Kudos to the chef and his team on a job well done!!
As luck would have it, Otto Ristorante had a table for 10 in a Private function room... Perfect-o!! Otto is situated in Woolloomooloo and exuded a warm atmostphere despite the cold air. The interior was warmly lit and our private room was within the dining area itself but it was a separate room located on the mezzanine level. It was the perfect room for us and accommodated 10 of us comfortably, giving us the privacy and the freedom to laugh as loud as we wanted and having the flash going off without imposing on other diners.
The waiting staff was attentive and not overbearing. Their cocktails were deliciously drinkable and they had an extensive wine list.
When it came to ordering, it was quite hard to decide, there were way too many options to choose from and everything sounded appetising and sumptuous. Most of us started with the main courses. Thankfully, there were quite a few different choices (beef, duck, veal shanks, pastas) made around the table and evevryone agreed that the food was delissimo, the ingredients were fresh and each dish was flawless.
Could we pass on desserts??? Thankfully, it was a resounding NO! Each one of us had desserts and when it arrived, there were the usual oohhss and ahhass... truly an artist's palette, plated up delicately and to perfection. The pastry chef has done himself proud. When we started, the room became silent as we were taking in the tastes and the spectacular play on our palates ...
Kudos to the chef and his team on a job well done!!
Cumulus Inc
Cumulus Inc was a popular choice for breakfast amongst us as we had heard a lot about this place. We arrived about 8.30 am but as it was a long weekend, we were told that they would not be opened until 9am. We adjourned to Hotel Sofitel across the road to bide some time and to check out their lobby, sitting around reading our papers and watching the group of Japanese tourist checking out from the hotel.
We then headed towards Cumulus Inc around 9am and we were startled to see that the place was nearly three quarters full. How could that be? We asked ourselves... we felt quite annoyed with the service in that we were not offered the chance to grab a table while waiting for the restaurant to open and yet, at just past 9am, the place was already bustling with activity.
We managed to get their last table for 4 and sat down to check the menu. The Turkish baked eggs with the spiced tomato, dukkah and labne was tasty while my spreads were full of fruits and tasted like home made preserves. The selection of breads were fresh and dense. The breakfast made up for the lack of service and our impressions of the wait staff.
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