Korean Charcoal BBQ restaurant

Hmm... is this an authentic Korean restaurant?  On the door there was a poster which advertised a lunch buffet for $12 per person.  Not a bad price but... what do we get?  We went round to take a look at the food on offer and thought... it was not a bad value and decided it was worth a try.

This Korean Charcoal BBQ is located at the Mandarin Center, Chatswood where the food court is.  The buffet bar is quite small but has a good selection on both sides.  There are two different types of soups when we went, a Corn soup and a miso soup.  Next to the soup pots, was the rice cooker which to make one's own Bibimbap with the red bean sauce and the rest of the condiments next to it... The bibimbap bar also extends to a salad bar as well as their other side dishes with freshly cut oranges.  After the side dishes, then came the hot food selection which includes the pancakes, fried chicken and the chapchae, amongst others.

The hot food was replenished quite promptly.  I liked the fact that they have kept the buffet bar clean.  There is also a self serve coffee / tea at the oher end of the restaurant and on the day we went, they also served some egg rolls.

For the kids (and adults alike), the buffet also included ice cream.

I think this is a good for value restaurant, although some of the reviews on eatability were not so favourable.  I guess, there are other Korean restaurants which serves tastier Korean food, but if you are after a quick meal with variety, then one could not fault this restaurant.

ps... this is the first time I saw dental floss in the ladies toilet and starch tooth picks instead of the normal wooden tooth picks... says something about the restaurant owner...

Spiedo

A few girlfriends decided to surprise me for my birthday and took me out to Spiedo, Westfield.  Spiedo is the new restaurant by Alessandro Pavoni who had previously opened Ormeggio at the Spit.

Braving the rain, we headed down to the city for our 8pm booking.  The restaurant has two sittings, one for the pre-theatre goers (with a 2 course special for $45) and the other for people who are not in a hurry.  Spiedo is situated on Level 6, the new level in Westfield shopping which now houses Xanthi, Chat Thai, Max Brenner and Chinta Ria in addition to Sky Phoenix which has been there for a couple of months now.

Level 6 has ambient lighting and the glassed windows gave it a nice atmosphere on a rainy night.  Spiedo is located round towards the left, past Xanthi.  One can also sit "outside" by the Stuzzi Bar for a drink and antipasto.

We were shown to our table promptly upon arrival.  The restaurant was modern and had clean lines with an open kitchen.  The service was impeccable and attentive.

After ordering a bottle of Chianti, we ordered a Salumi selection to share.  The antipasto plate was great, with a good selection of ham, prosciutto, salami, served with olives and crackers.

 For mains, we ordered a wild boar risotto, a Yabbi bigoli, a Crispy Skin King Salmon and the house specialty, Spiedo Bresciano con Polenta, a Brescian slow spit Roast with Pork ribs, pork scotch fillet, quail, duck served with Polenta.

Bigoli Yabbies

Wild Boar Risotto

Crispy Skin King Salmon

Brescian Slow Spit Roast

I must say the food is nice and "clean" and was tasty.

We were too full for desserts, which was just as well as they served us Petit Fours (chocolate truffle and panaforte) with our coffees.

Definitely a good addition to the foodie scene at Westfield, Sydney.        

Fishmonger's, Byron Bay

We visited this fish cafe on our first night in Byron Bay.  Having read some reviews, this place seemed to be very popular.  We were there quite early.  Not a big place but has tables and chairs to sit and enjoy one's meal.  It's also BYO and there is a bottle shop across the road.

This cafe has two other outlets in Australia, one in Manly and the other in Bondi Beach.  Fish Mongers, Byron Bay was busy, people were queuing up to order either to sit down or for a takeaway.  There is the standard menu which is supplemented by their specials which included Salmon, Snapper, Barramundi and Prawns.  The seafood then came with various combinations ie. either fragrant rice and corn or salad or tempura vegies... therefore not the usual fish and chips.  Price was reasonable, on average around $20.00 and it was a decent serve.

We ordered a serving of the fish but with salad together with a serve of their salt and pepper calamari.  The fish was yummy - not oily at all.  Everyone talked about the kumara chips - they were definitely a good supplement.

I loved the salt and pepper calamari too - cooked to perfection.

Loved this place so much, I went back there again prior to heading home.  Must check out their outlets in Sydney to satisfy my search for a GREAT fish and chips!