tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82561757293057898142024-03-06T13:48:22.799+11:00DUMPLING GIRL AND CHEESECAKE BOYDumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-83901017148268357332011-12-19T13:10:00.001+11:002011-12-19T14:00:23.815+11:00Momofuku Seiobo, Prymont and on another note farewell and thank you...<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
It's taken a while for this post to come together, and I didn't want to rush this one out even though I knew that some of you have been waiting to hear my thoughts on Momofuku Seiobo. The reason for this careful slowness is that Cheesecake Boy and I have come to a decision that this will be the last post on this blog. Yes, you read right 'last post', this decision was sealed with a kiss, so it's final. Being the 'last post' I wanted to ensure that our final post was going to do this blog justice, but at the same time I wanted to immerse myself in the crazy typing, editing and sorting of photos in its entirety one last time which is the reason for the extended delay. However, we will come back to the farewell part of this post and shift our focus back to Cheesecake Boy and my dining experience at Momofuku Seiobo for now...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been restlessly waiting for the opening of Momofuku Seiobo for months, so you could imagine my excitement when it was up and running. However, much to my surprise, my initial obstacle was Cheesecake Boy. I'd always expected my partner in crime to support me immediately in these circumstances. Initially, I thought he was hesitant because of the at the cost of $175.00 per person for the degustation that is unlike him, but it was actually because Cheesecake Boy wanted to surprise me for my birthday. Well, I wasn't going to make my birthday that easy for him, so with the lingering threat dangling in the air that I was going to go without him, Cheesecake Boy relented and with K and Mr K we all headed to Momofuku Seiobo to celebrate the start of the silly season.<br />
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I must be one of the few, but I actually like the online reservation system. I prefer to make all my bookings online where possible, as I like to have something in writing to show for the times when the bookings fall through. I made sure that I set up my reservation account a couple of weeks before I planned to make my booking. Yes I am pedantic, if that is what you are thinking, but you can only book ten ten days in advance. Anyway, on the big day that I was required to book, I logged in a few minutes before the 10am availabilities were to pop up for the new day, and the system is actually quite smart as it tells you what time their database is, and lets you refresh until the 10am booking screen comes up. Rather than having to login again, once 10am hits the system takes you straight to the availabilities screen. Well, I got my desired date and time straight away, and then the rest of the process was not unlike ordering concert tickets off Ticketek. Meaning you have an allocated amount of time to complete your booking, enter your credit card details and any further comments like allergies before you hit submit. An email confirmation is sent through with very thorough rules and expectations and then all you have to do is wait for your big day to come around. The reservation does take a bit more effort, but I guess you have to earn your spot.<br />
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We were a group of four, but we managed to get seating right up at the kitchen bench. All I can say is that I couldn't believe our luck. The offering of shiitake chips, mochi, nori and smoked potato for snacks seem to be the introductory staple at Momofuku Seiobo. We started with the flat shitake chips that had a depth of a shitake mushroom to them, but a dull crunch. The balls of mochi on picks were one of my favourite snacks with its stickily soft and chewy centre, as well as a delightfully crunchy, but slightly sweet and spicy coating. I really could of happily munched on a whole bowl of those mochi balls. The nori chip was a nice take on a prawn chip, but the inner chip surface was lined with nori. We finally made it to my other favourite snack being the smoked potato that consisted of a delicately crisp tube filled with light as air potato dust and a deliciously pure tasting apple gel. The combination of potato and apple was an unexpected combination, but it was sublime. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snacks of shitake chips, mochi, nori and smoked potato</td></tr>
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I have been dreaming about getting my hands on one of these steamed pork buns as soon as I heard that Momofuku was coming to Sydney, so you may be able to understand that I had incredibly high expectations. The succulent slice of pork belly was wonderfully tender and to die for, but the fluffy steamed bun slightly missed the mark for me as it bordered on almost being slightly too moist from probably being steamed a touch longer than desired. All in all it was a delicious combination of pork, cucumber and hoisin sauce, and the accompanying chilli sauce gave the buns a nice kick. There was a pork bun in my youth that I used to frequently eat in North Sydney that was executed in a similar manner, but it came with wonderfully crispy suckling pig that was nestled in a soft white bun half and topped with a lovely lashing of hoisin sauce. I think this suckling pig bun creation ruined me for Momofuku Seiobo version this time round. However, don't get me wrong I would happily indulge with quite a few of these Momofuku Seiobo steamed pork buns as they are really good, but it's just not the steamed pork bun of my dreams.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed pork bun - pork belly, cucumber and hoisin sauce</td></tr>
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Our next course was the striped trumpeter with blood orange, which would be best described as being a simply elegant dish with lovely pieces of striped trumpeter and delicate bits of tangy blood orange that was finished off with a healthy drizzle of olive oil. The sensually silky and sweet tang coming through really got the taste buds watering, and ready to savour our next creation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped trumpeter with blood orange</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The next dish to grace our presence was the white asparagus with marron and szechuan pepper. Out of the four of us dining that night, it seemed like I was the only one that was completely enarmored with this dish. Now it could be that I love marron, but that wasn't the only reason. The sauce perched on top of the marron was reminiscent in taste and consistency to that served on ginger and shallot lobster Chinese style, but the marron was incredibly sweet and so beautifully cooked in this instance. The addition of the charred asparagus and lightly citrus puree with the sweet shallot was simply sublime against the marron. This was the dish of night for me. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White asparagus, marron and szechuan pepper</td></tr>
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Next came the exquisitely plated beef with radish and fermented black bean. The small pieces of tender beef and fermented black bean sauce lay beneath the crisp petal bed of radish. This dish was an intriguing combination that really teased my senses, as I wasn't sure initially whether to love it or hate it. This was Mr K's favourite dish of the night, and we decided that the fermented black bean sauce was not dissimilar in saucy consistency to black squid ink, and although it was salty there was a fermented after taste which did grow on me as it was nicely complemented by the diced pieces of beef and crisp sharp acidity of the raw radish. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef with radish and fermented black bean</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Out of all the dishes the smoked eel with Jerusalem artichoke and pink grapefruit was the most forgettable for me, as I really didn't have much of a reaction towards it, it wasn't bad my no means, but just nice. The smoked eel was not overwhelmingly smoked, and I liked the depth that the Jerusalem artichoke bought to the dish. The issue could be that as much as I like grapefruit, grapefruit does not like me, so perhaps the omission of the sweet and tangy acidity of the grapefruit would of changed this dish around for me, but I guess I will never know. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked eel with Jerusalem artichoke and pink grapefruit (omitted in this case due to allegies)</td></tr>
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The mud crab with butter, pepper and pudding was another dish that Cheesecake Boy and I did not see eye to eye on. I adored this dish with its robust buttery peppery zing against the delicate and sweet mud crab flesh. The rich intensity of the sauce was spot on for me when soaked with the crispy exterior, but fluffy innards of the buttery goodness of the accompanying Yorkshire pudding. Cheesecake Boy on the other hand thought that the sauce was too heady for his liking and that there was a tad too much seasoning for his taste, which was surprising as I usually prefer much more subtle flavours as opposed to Cheesecake Boy who usually likes his food to have a stronger hit of flavour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud crab with butter, pepper and pudding</td></tr>
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Another clash between Cheesecake Boy and I came about when we were served with our next dish of egg with toasted rice and brown butter. Cheesecake Boy really enjoyed this dish as the toasted rice butter reminded us of genmaicha. Now genmaicha is a Japanese puffed rice tea which to me tastes like intense, but not quite burnt popcorn, and is one of the very few things I actually detest, so you may be able to understand my indifference, whereas Cheesecake Boy loves genmaicha. The other component 'egg' was actually a very plain, but silky steam egg custard that was not unlike the egg custard of a <span class="st">chawanmushi. I never thought Cheesecake Boy would appreciate the steamed egg concept, but he loved it. At least, I know that for a lazy dinner I can resort to cooking the Chinese steamed egg dish of my childhood now. The things you learn about your other half when dining out. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egg with toasted rice and brown butter</td></tr>
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It was a matter of two against two when it came to the hand torn pasta with goat cheese, pickled tomatoes and mint. Cheesecake Boy and K thought this dish was missing something and was too subtle. However, the ever Italian Mr K and I were in a blissful state in our indulgence. If you could imagine wonderfully delicate shreds of silky pasta with the lightest and creamiest, but a very subtle goat cheese acting as a sauce. Now add a hint of mint essence dying to be stirred through underneath the bed of pasta with some extra crispy mint for added measure, and then best of all to finish off with pickled tomatoes that just explode in your mouth and come through as a lovely sweet balsamic vinegar at the end. A truly heavenly experience, especially for a girl who doesn't usually enjoy cheesy creamy pasta dishes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand torn pasta with goat cheese, pickled tomatoes and mint</td></tr>
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Now the striped trumpeter with fennel and wakame accompanied by a fish head soup had us girls and the boys divided, but we'll get to why soon. The striped trumpeter was a bit too firm for my liking, but I loved how the crisp fennel really gave this dish a much needed lift. The oozing black squid ink was beautiful to behold on the plate, but for me did not do much for the striped trumpeter. The small inclusion of wakame which is a type of Korean seaweed laid beneath the fennel and didn't leave an impression on me. However, the fish head soup for K and I was another matter. I adored the trumpeter fish head soup, but the same could not be said for the boys. The depth of the flavours without the fishiness for me was all at once both wonderfully nourishing and comforting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped trumpeter with fennel and wakame accompanied by fish head soup</td></tr>
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The last of the savoury dishes of the night before we headed towards dessert was the lamb neck with cauliflower and mustard. The lamb was perfectly cooked, the cauliflower tasted just like cauliflower and the mustard in this dish was quite subtle. Overall it was nothing out of the ordinary, but it was just simply nice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lamb neck with cauliflower and mustard</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I never thought I'd make it to dessert, but we did. The Pecorino with honey licorice and bee pollen was a major highlight for Cheesecake Boy and Mr K. It helped that the honey licorice was intoxicating delicate in its sweetness beneath the luscious soft bed of grated Pecorino and the crisp lattice of bee pollen. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pecorino with honey licorice and bee pollen</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I love subtle sweet flavours and this dessert of wattle seed meringues, malt ice cream and crispy milk really hit all the right notes for me. The mildly malt flavoured ice cream had a lovely creamy and smooth consistency, but the real surprise was the thin crispy milk skin. The milk skin had an addictively sweet and slightly caramelised burnt taste coming through and just shattered wonderfully after each bite. The delicate wattle seed flavour of the firm and soft powdery texture of the small meringues was the icing on the cake for me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wattle seed, malt and crispy milk</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's not very often that I find it hard to consume a dish as I'm not a picky person at all when it comes to food, but in the case of the miso ice cream I really had to pass this on to Cheesecake Boy to finish off after my first two bites. This combination didn't really work for any of us, as I found that the miso was overly intense. Unfortunately, the pickled strawberries were the only thing in this bowl that agreed with me. However, I really enjoyed the matching beer with this dessert from Kuichi Brewery, as it had a nice intensity from roasted coffee beans. It's probably one of the few times that Cheesecake Boy has disliked a beer, but he agreed that the inclusion of coffee beans was definitely an interesting concept.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miso, pickled strawberry, toasted rice and mustard</td></tr>
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By now all of us were utterly stuffed, and by the time this petit four share plate of caramelised pork made it's way to Cheesecake Boy and I, we could only just pinch off a strip each, yes you need to indulge with your fingers for this last tribute to pork. Even Cheesecake Boy who loves pork more than I do could not finish this off. We were offered to have this wrapped up for take away, but we decided to let this piece of pork go. It was definitely a tender piece of pork and had a beautifully sweetness due to the slightly sticky caramelised exterior. I just wished I had not been so full, so that I could of really appreciated it. Looking back on it now, I would of loved to soak up the lovely sweet liquidity goodness of the caramelised pork with some rice. However, I must say that the caramelised pork has not made me stop yearning for the pork belly from the steamed pork bun that I had devoured only earlier that night.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nHi9Y5WBF4/TuRmOi736tI/AAAAAAAAFlE/fMO1fGFHUjU/s1600/IMG_8770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nHi9Y5WBF4/TuRmOi736tI/AAAAAAAAFlE/fMO1fGFHUjU/s640/IMG_8770.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petit four of caramelised pork shoulder</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Momofuku Seiobo left us generally underwhelmed, but that's not to say it was not a lovely meal because it really was. In my opinion I thought that the food was truly beautiful in its simplicity, and although I was not blown away it could have to do with the fact that I grew up with quite a few of these Asian inspired flavours. However, I did appreciate that this meal truly highlighted the actual flavours of each ingredient and made each element have a subtle life of its own. On the other hand, I thought the matching wines at $95 per head were really something different, and I enjoyed each of them for their individual uniqueness especially the Gaba do Xil Godello, the Wildone Shiraz and the koshu (aged sake) made for a refreshing experience. To sum up the rest of our experience, the service was exceptional, but casual at the same time. Trust me when I say that nothing was too much trouble and as for the music, well it was right up my alley.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0MDNHGR0XQ/TuRlWx6SkqI/AAAAAAAAFfU/IQ7kXCENmFw/s1600/IMG_8603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0MDNHGR0XQ/TuRlWx6SkqI/AAAAAAAAFfU/IQ7kXCENmFw/s640/IMG_8603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Now this is the end. I know this will come to a shock to most of you, but after a lot of contemplation Cheesecake Boy and I thought that it was time for our blogging days to come to an end. We will always remember this chapter of our lives fondly, especially as we have decided to keep our blog up indefinitely. We've had a lot of fun experiencing this blogging journey together, developed an appreciation for photography, met some really lovely people (you know who you are) and thank you to all our followers and readers especially for the nice comments and emails that kept a smile on my face, and even better the ones that made me laugh. However, all good things must come to end, and it's better to end this while we're still going strong. Who would have thought the initial 69 views we got this year in January would now lead to almost 10,000 views a month, we've definitely come a long way. I've enjoyed every moment of writing these posts, and I guess the only thing left for Cheesecake Boy and I to say is thank you to all for reading our little blog and hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas break.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Farewell, Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boy.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. We'll still be eating and cooking away and you can still see what we're up to through <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/DGirlandCBoy">Twitter</a>. <i><br />
</i><br />
<br />
Momofuku Seiobo<br />
The Star<br />
Level G <br />
80 Pyrmont Street (entry via Edward Street) <br />
Pyrmont NSW 2009<br />
<a href="http://www.momofuku.com/restaurants/seiobo/">http://www.momofuku.com/restaurants/seiobo/</a> </div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1629465/restaurant/Sydney/Momofuku-Seibo-Pyrmont"><img alt="Momofuku SeiĆbo on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1629465/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-57282847933428116472011-11-29T22:13:00.009+11:002011-11-30T10:06:22.128+11:00Vietnamese spring rolls<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
It's been a while since my last recipe post, and I did promise Cheesecake Boy for his birthday this year that I would cook more of his favourite foods and that we would eat at home a bit more frequently. I may not cook at home as much as I used to, but I'm hoping to change that soon. However, when I do cook, they are mainly Cheesecake Boy's favourites, so I did keep half of the promise, if not the other half yet. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vietnamese spring rolls are my favourite type of spring rolls, to the point that I actually came up with this recipe so that I could whip up a batch at whim and just to my liking. However, as this recipe does make around twenty spring rolls, I always make sure that we have guests over when I make these and there are usually never any leftovers. I'm thankful that our friends like to eat as much as we do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psLDB1cZ1Ro/TtS2q8oID8I/AAAAAAAAFeE/MdzzG9yjh-E/s1600/IMG_1909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psLDB1cZ1Ro/TtS2q8oID8I/AAAAAAAAFeE/MdzzG9yjh-E/s640/IMG_1909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><b style="color: black;">Ingredients for the filling</b><br />
<br />
30g black fungus finely diced<br />
6 large rehydrated shitake mushrooms finely diced (soaked overnight and then drained)<br />
500g pork mince<br />
60g dark palm sugar grated<br />
2 tablespoons of fish sauce<br />
1 tablespoon of light soy sauce<br />
1 spring onion finely diced (the actual onion and not the shallots) <br />
1 small to medium to large carrot grated <br />
50g of hydrated and roughly chopped bean thread noodles (soaked for at least 15 minutes and then drained, before chopping)<br />
1 egg to bind all the filling together <br />
A dash of white pepper and salt to season<br />
<br />
<b style="color: black;">Ingredients for wrapping and cooking</b><br />
<br />
20 spring roll wrappers (I used Spring Home brand, TYJ Spring Roll Pastry 215mm x 215mm)<br />
Lightly whisk one egg<br />
Vegetable oil for frying <br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><b style="color: black;"> </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB-PzYsjKYlEYQZ0EhmR07FUUB5PeibdxUx714Uwb1Pj9x0wAGPP-BOTES-N5liSpyXzGOldLtyw8FViz8B3hSEwwdNLQ2w7zyafbtmqo44VCO4aPp21womPDkSKzF6-bcekK-NfftNfu/s1600/IMG_7838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB-PzYsjKYlEYQZ0EhmR07FUUB5PeibdxUx714Uwb1Pj9x0wAGPP-BOTES-N5liSpyXzGOldLtyw8FViz8B3hSEwwdNLQ2w7zyafbtmqo44VCO4aPp21womPDkSKzF6-bcekK-NfftNfu/s640/IMG_7838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: black;"><b>Method for the spring roll filling</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once all the ingredients have been prepared and measured out as described above. Place all the ingredients for the filling all in one bowl. Lastly make sure that you crack the egg to bind all the ingredients together, and season with salt and pepper accordingly and place in the fridge for at least thirty minutes. The mixture will be quite moist.<br />
<div style="color: black;"><br />
<b>Method for wrapping the spring rolls</b></div><br />
As the sugar content for the spring rolls are quite high, you will need to use the relatively large 215mm x 215mm spring roll wrapper to wrap each spring roll. Otherwise, when frying the spring rolls will look quite caramelised.<br />
<br />
<ol><li>To start make sure that the spring roll wrappers have been defrosted, and then proceed to separate each spring roll wrapper in the stack.</li>
<li>When proceeding to roll your initial spring roll, make sure that the square wrappers are turned to resemble a diamond shaped wrapper.</li>
<li>At the base of diamond about a third up, place two large tablespoons of spring roll filling onto the wrapper horizontally.</li>
<li> Take the bottom tip of the diamond, and fold it over the filling.</li>
<li>Then take the right tip of the spring roll skin and fold this tip over the spring roll filling. Repeat this process for the left end of the spring roll wrapper as well.</li>
<li>Now you can roll your wrapper until the top tip meets the rest of the spring roll.</li>
<li>To seal the spring roll, dab a bit of whisked egg onto the top tip of the wrapper and press gently against the spring roll skin to seal both parts together.</li>
<li>Put aside and repeat this process for the rest of the spring rolls.</li>
</ol><div style="color: black;"><b>Method for frying the spring rolls</b></div><ol><li>Once you have finished wrapping up all your spring rolls, heat up a wok. </li>
<li>When the wok is hot, pour vegetable oil until the wok appears two-thirds full.</li>
<li> Wait until the oil is hot and ready to go. Some people use wooden chopsticks to test this, so when you place your chopsticks into the oil and small bubbles appear around it, then you are ready to start frying. My own method is a bit dangerous, so will not mention it here.</li>
<li>My magic number seems to be seven minutes for a batch of about seven spring rolls at at time. However, my wok is quite large, so times may differ.</li>
<li>When the spring rolls are cooked through, strain them and place on paper towel to soak up excess oil. </li>
</ol><ol></ol><ol></ol><b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-znePRxsuGGE/TtS2zOr4fnI/AAAAAAAAFe8/EG8yfPsQ_-8/s1600/IMG_7847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-znePRxsuGGE/TtS2zOr4fnI/AAAAAAAAFe8/EG8yfPsQ_-8/s640/IMG_7847.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Serve with dipping sauce (nouc cham), and if you want something different then wrap your spring roll up with a lettuce cup and some sprouts and herbs. This time round I added some peanuts and rice noodles as I was going for a vermicelli rice noodle bowl, but did not want to overdose on noodles.</div><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<i>Cooking away, Dumpling Girl. </i><br />
<br />
<i> </i>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-73539035658688528572011-11-22T23:19:00.001+11:002011-11-23T09:14:04.472+11:00Tapioca, Cremorne<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I've be wanting to dine at Tapioca for quite sometime now, as the offerings seem a bit different compared to the usual Thai eatery options in the area. Cheesecake Boy and I just never seemed to get around to trying this place out, but I knew that we'd get here eventually. Even though, Cheesecake Boy and I usually get sidetracked by <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/09/ju-ge-mu-shimbashi-neutral-bay.html">Ju Ge Mu & Shimbashi</a>, I was not going to get sidetracked this time, as I wanted to try something different to mark a certain special occasion. I guess most of us can relate to finishing high school and my sister Pumpkin just undertook her last HSC exam the other day, so I thought Tapioca would be the perfect spot to celebrate the end of an era, and the start of a new beginning. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeiODE9dcN4/TsjnTXLh1rI/AAAAAAAAFdk/c01PMTufRvQ/s1600/IMG_8049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeiODE9dcN4/TsjnTXLh1rI/AAAAAAAAFdk/c01PMTufRvQ/s640/IMG_8049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLKL6gSrWbI/TsjmnaLO8lI/AAAAAAAAFZU/qFQr29kjGXU/s1600/IMG_7947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLKL6gSrWbI/TsjmnaLO8lI/AAAAAAAAFZU/qFQr29kjGXU/s640/IMG_7947.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Drinks always marks a start to any celebration, and for Cheesecake Boy that usually means beer, so this time round he ordered a Peroni.<br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SeQ6grrxWas/Tsjmv7G8OGI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/N_cXfX6r420/s1600/IMG_7956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SeQ6grrxWas/Tsjmv7G8OGI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/N_cXfX6r420/s640/IMG_7956.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peroni, $7</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Pumpkin is not quite eighteen years old yet, so Dumpling Sister and I decided to set a good example and order one of the two mocktails available. We both chose the Like a Virgin mocktail, and it was a truly refreshing concoction of pomegranate juice, cranberry juice with fresh lime and mint. The heady punch of lime juice was delightful, and I'm really keen to try and reinvent this drink at home, but with a dash of vodka.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqvfnyw3RXQ/Tsjmw-592pI/AAAAAAAAFaE/oGhN4_jQiRQ/s1600/IMG_7962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqvfnyw3RXQ/Tsjmw-592pI/AAAAAAAAFaE/oGhN4_jQiRQ/s640/IMG_7962.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like a Virgin, $7.90</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Pumpkin ordered the other mocktail being the Yellow Shirt that consisted of passionfruit, apple juice, mango nectar, kaffir lime leaves and fresh lemon juice. This drink instantly reminded me of a balmy summer day with its syrupy sweet and tropical flavours.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vcESYyOvpDA/TsjmxwHiU-I/AAAAAAAAFaM/TGlJx51HdJA/s1600/IMG_7963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vcESYyOvpDA/TsjmxwHiU-I/AAAAAAAAFaM/TGlJx51HdJA/s640/IMG_7963.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Shirt, $7.90</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The entree of deep fried quail eggs and minced prawns wrapped in egg noodles with tamarind sauce has been something that I've been wanting to try for ages. Yes, I am an annoying menu stalker. This entree usually comes with three whole eggs cut in halves, but the lovely staff offered to add another crispy egg for us to munch on, so we'd all get one each. If an entree is great, it always gets me excited about the rest of the meal ahead, and this entree was definitely one of those entrees. This entree was a lovely play on texture with its soft quail egg centre encased by minced prawns that was encrusted by gloriously crispy egg noodles, and finished off with a somewhat sweet, but tart tamarind sauce.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4dVgME8zFY/Tsjm1vIWIgI/AAAAAAAAFak/k5LrLX8jXQ8/s1600/IMG_7974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4dVgME8zFY/Tsjm1vIWIgI/AAAAAAAAFak/k5LrLX8jXQ8/s640/IMG_7974.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep fried quail eggs & minced prawns wrapped in egg noodles with tamarind sauce, $18.50 for four eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pumpkin loves scallops as much as I do, so the grilled scallops with mint, coriander, dried chilli and lime dressing was the obvious choice for our second entree. The grilled scallops were beautifully cooked to juicy perfection. The tangy lime dressing was nicely contrasted by the fresh mint and corinader and lemongrass with a hint of chilli coming through. These delicate morsel were definitely packed with flavour.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LXmioEFTR4/Tsjm4bdH_CI/AAAAAAAAFa0/lX4ksQ490n0/s1600/IMG_7981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LXmioEFTR4/Tsjm4bdH_CI/AAAAAAAAFa0/lX4ksQ490n0/s640/IMG_7981.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled scallops with mint, coriander, dried chilli & lime dressing, $16</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy usually makes a beeline for pork belly if he sees it on any menu, and I can say that I'm so glad that he ordered the crispy pork belly in sweet and sour spicy sauce, as it has to be one of my favourite versions of this dish. The pork belly was wonderfully caramelised, and rightly crispy where it need be, so that the succulent sweet pork still came through with each bite. The sticky sauce that coated each piece of pork had just the right amount of sweetness, and the slightly sour and spicy notes tingled blissfully at the end of each bite, making it so easy to go for another piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OzGlf54M328/Tsjm7bPsicI/AAAAAAAAFbE/YRFEOMWzFJs/s1600/IMG_7992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OzGlf54M328/Tsjm7bPsicI/AAAAAAAAFbE/YRFEOMWzFJs/s640/IMG_7992.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy pork belly in sweet and sour spicy sauce, $25</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I initially wanted the fried rice ball salad with chicken mince, but I realised that most of our meal was either fried or caramelised, and a healthier balance was in order. That's how we ended up with the trout fillet with green mango salad, fresh mint and coriander upon the recommendation of our waitress. The pieces of trout were beautifully flaky, but there were some pesky little delicate bones in parts. However, this salad was so refreshingly moreish with its tangy and sweet green mango salad, and the addition of mint and coriander gave it a lovely lift.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YO3S-Sasvl0/TsjnCEQu_RI/AAAAAAAAFb0/85clQ9oBNss/s1600/IMG_8003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YO3S-Sasvl0/TsjnCEQu_RI/AAAAAAAAFb0/85clQ9oBNss/s640/IMG_8003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trout fillet with green mango salad, fresh mint and coriander, $27 </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It seem to be a night of fish, as we also ordered the deep fried whole snapper with three flavour sauce and crispy Thai basil. The snapper was nicely deep fried with great crispy skin and moist flesh. However, the three flavour sauce was reminiscent of a tomato chutney that I was not so into, but I did adore the the fragrant crispy Thai basil perched around the snapper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMFWNrAAgVc/TsjnFoywMHI/AAAAAAAAFcM/DSNcn6BH96M/s1600/IMG_8007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMFWNrAAgVc/TsjnFoywMHI/AAAAAAAAFcM/DSNcn6BH96M/s640/IMG_8007.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep fried whole snapper with three flavour sauce & crispy Thai basil, $29.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They actually offer a king prawn pad Thai here as the standard, but chicken was an option too. The noodles are thinner than the usual pad Thai noodles, so there's more skill involved in getting this dish right. I enjoyed the thinner and slightly bouncier texture of the noodles, but these delicate noodles seemed to clump together and this made it hard to mix through the peanuts and sprouts. Unfortunately, I also thought this dish was let down by the sauce, as there wasn't enough in parts, and at the same time the sauce was a bit bland.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1whcKy_1yX0/TsjnHnjyUsI/AAAAAAAAFcc/hD9JPpu7Img/s1600/IMG_8015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1whcKy_1yX0/TsjnHnjyUsI/AAAAAAAAFcc/hD9JPpu7Img/s640/IMG_8015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pad Thai with chicken, beansprout, tofu, egg & peanut, $16</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We may have been clutching our stomachs just a little, but no celebration is complete without dessert as far as I'm concerned. To make things a little easier, we ordered two desserts to share. We needn't have worried about our fullness because right after our first taste of the coconut dumplings with sweet coconut cream, our dessert stomachs kicked. I've never tasted coconut dumplings quite like these, and they were truly delicious. The dumpling skin was glutinous, but not over sticky or soft, but quite firm to the bite. However, it was the filled to the brim roasted nuttiness of the desiccated coconut filling that I swooned over. These dumplings went down well against the sweet saltiness of the sweet coconut cream.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSg2rOqkDFY/TsjnI5F8YnI/AAAAAAAAFck/FcmmWdRpoNc/s1600/IMG_8020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSg2rOqkDFY/TsjnI5F8YnI/AAAAAAAAFck/FcmmWdRpoNc/s640/IMG_8020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut dumplings with sweet coconut cream, $9</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had difficulty with choosing the second dessert, as we couldn't decide between the Tapioca pudding with young coconut and coconut cream or the sticky rice with mango and coconut cream. Our choice was made easier once we realised that both the pudding and mango sticky rice were available under the selection of desserts of the day. The other dessert on our platter were crispy wafers with meringue and shredded yolk custard. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was really looking forward to the Tapioca pudding with young coconut and coconut cream. However, my first impression was not a good one, as I found it quite salty at first. Undeterred I gave this dessert another try, and before I knew it, I was addicted to this sweet and salty textural pudding of tapioca and young coconut. I decided to try the sticky rice with mango and coconut cream next. I don't know about you, but I find it hard to go past a sticky rice with mango dessert, and not want to eat it. The sweetness of the sticky rice and coconut cream was quite restrained, so it really let the beautifully sweet mango flesh shine through. I don't know how my stomach pulled through, but I did managed to taste the crispy wafers with meringue and shredded yolk custard. The highlight of these taco shaped wafers was the light as air and fluffy meringue filling. Just heavenly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRhxriQy7UQ/TsjnK6n3ikI/AAAAAAAAFc0/6EQ5XeGjs34/s1600/IMG_8026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRhxriQy7UQ/TsjnK6n3ikI/AAAAAAAAFc0/6EQ5XeGjs34/s640/IMG_8026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selection of desserts of the day, $12</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">My only regret is that I wished that we had dined at Tapioca earlier. I'm a bit envious that it's my family's local Thai restaurant and not mine, as I'm a bit smitten by the pork belly and coconut dumplings, and they do home delivery as well. However, I guess to sum up our experience, I would have to say that with all the dining out that Cheesecake Boy and I do, Cheesecake Boy is becoming hard to impress. As a couple, we always talk about the meal afterwards and often disagree, so imagine my surprise when we left restaurant and Cheesecake Boy turned to me with a smile, and for once all he said was, "I really enjoyed that meal." Trust me that those five little words, they mean a lot.</div><br />
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<i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl. </i><br />
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Tapioca<br />
<span class="street-address">318 Military Road</span><br />
<span class="locality">Cremorne</span> <span class="region">NSW</span> 2090<br />
Ph: (02) 9908 1588<br />
<a href="http://www.tapioca.net.au/">http://www.tapioca.net.au/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1564687/restaurant/Sydney/Lower-North-Shore/Tapioca-Cremorne"><img alt="Tapioca on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1564687/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-42166451361939493002011-11-16T21:11:00.001+11:002011-11-16T22:45:59.305+11:00Shanghai Stories 1938, Chatswood<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Don't know if it's just me, but there seems to be a lot of Taste of Shanghai restaurants around now a days. I guess, Taste of Shanghai must think so too, as they had a competition to name their new establishment at The Concourse. The winner came up with Shanghai Stories 1938 and won an iPad2 and iPhone4, and for everyone else who participated they received a Taste of Shanghai VIP discount card. I'd love to know the winner's thoughts whilst coming up with this name, as the time period chosen seems a bit controversial. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, Shanghai Stories 1938 is quite modern and sleek. Although it's a massive two level restaurant, we still had to patiently wait our turn before getting a table. I wanted to give up and eat elsewhere, but Cheesecake Boy said we'd already waited too long to leave our spot when we were almost there. You see patience is definitely not one of my virtues, but Cheesecake Boy kept me going with the thought of dumplings. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dvHH87obQss/TsECnxzhOaI/AAAAAAAAFYk/EhwhhNLDzsA/s1600/IMG_8181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dvHH87obQss/TsECnxzhOaI/AAAAAAAAFYk/EhwhhNLDzsA/s640/IMG_8181.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Oya8Ovrhwg/TsECNclKGBI/AAAAAAAAFVc/pKgOxiWh_mk/s1600/IMG_8105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Oya8Ovrhwg/TsECNclKGBI/AAAAAAAAFVc/pKgOxiWh_mk/s640/IMG_8105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We're finally seated and the lower level is a lot smaller inside than expected. Everything at Shanghai Stories 1938 is a bit fancier than your usual Taste of Shanghai restaurant, it's not just because they offer high tea, but the teapots and cups made Cheesecake Boy felt awkwardly dainty. Another point of difference was that there were two pairs of chopsticks per person. One pair was white and the other black, I guess if you don't want to mix your savoury and sweet, it's the perfect system. Also to order they provide you with a paper menu, and you need to write your quantities down as you go. I don't mind this system at all, just wished that they mentioned it when we were seated and not when I wanted to order.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NNU6xeg_u8/TsECO7fcvzI/AAAAAAAAFVk/rF891lN_RQE/s1600/IMG_8106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NNU6xeg_u8/TsECO7fcvzI/AAAAAAAAFVk/rF891lN_RQE/s640/IMG_8106.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jasmine tea, $4.80 per pot</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Surprisingly our dessert of panda buns came out first. I had assumed that the buns were for dessert, and so did Cheesecake Boy. However, when Cheesecake Boy inquired if the buns were sweet, the waitress said they weren't, but have red bean paste in them, so we both ended up a bit confused. Anyway, I decided that we were going to have them for dessert and put them aside to cool down.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O43UNv2wxpw/TsECen2MsSI/AAAAAAAAFXk/RwlNMH7dwG8/s1600/IMG_8151.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O43UNv2wxpw/TsECen2MsSI/AAAAAAAAFXk/RwlNMH7dwG8/s640/IMG_8151.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">China panda buns, $5.80</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Our first savoury offerings came out, and I am starving by then. The pan fried beef buns were slightly crisp on the outside and wonderfully soft and fluffy inside. The beef mince and onion filling although there was not much of it, had a really nice, but unexpected curry flavour coming through. Cheesecake Boy and I really liked these, and share exactly one and a half buns between the two of us, because neither of us wanted to give up our extra half.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xie6HfT-GT0/TsECUQvBALI/AAAAAAAAFWU/W-ejvzYlD4k/s1600/IMG_8122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xie6HfT-GT0/TsECUQvBALI/AAAAAAAAFWU/W-ejvzYlD4k/s640/IMG_8122.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan fried beef buns, $7.80</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">For us, pan fried pork buns are a must order. They're nice, but not the best pan fried pork buns that I've ever had. I didn't experience the much loved gushing of piping hot juices after my first bite in so they were slightly dry, instead being succulent and juicy little morsels that I adore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0E4SWkWmIt4/TsECWVTO1GI/AAAAAAAAFWk/7PcR3f26oms/s1600/IMG_8126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0E4SWkWmIt4/TsECWVTO1GI/AAAAAAAAFWk/7PcR3f26oms/s640/IMG_8126.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shanghai pan fried buns, $6.80</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy wanted the prawn and pork wontons in chilli and vinegar sauce. Besides being as pretty as a picture, these wontons were beautifully silky and were generously filled with pork and some prawns. I like the slightly more acidic notes of vinegar coming through in this sauce over the chilli. They were very moreish and before we knew it, all six wontons were gone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4mDoNi1Gx4/TsECZswjhmI/AAAAAAAAFW8/0SwtkBJCQyk/s1600/IMG_8134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4mDoNi1Gx4/TsECZswjhmI/AAAAAAAAFW8/0SwtkBJCQyk/s640/IMG_8134.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wontons (prawn & pork) in chilli and vinegar sauce, $8.80</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Pan fried pork dumplings use to be my favourite kind of dumpling, that was until my first glorious pan fried pork bun experience, and I've never looked back. Anyway, I saw some orders of pan fried pork and chive dumplings floating around and it made me feel nostalgic. After eating one of these dumplings I became having seconds thoughts as to why I had deserted them in the first place. Beautifully crisp bottoms and nicely cooked through, I really had forgotten how much I once loved these dumplings. The additional of chives in the filling was good for something a bit different to just plain pork.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdITGYgSj84/TsECbtKkTLI/AAAAAAAAFXM/Tat2wypYmtg/s1600/IMG_8143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdITGYgSj84/TsECbtKkTLI/AAAAAAAAFXM/Tat2wypYmtg/s640/IMG_8143.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan fried pork and chive dumplings, $6.80</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Our meal was almost over and Cheesecake Boy's mango frappe finally arrived. The heat had Cheesecake Boy craving one of his many weaknesses being icy drinks and mangoes, so a mango frappe was exactly what Cheesecake Boy was looking for. I actually didn't mind this at all, it almost tasted like the mango part of a Weiss Bar, just without the creaminess and slightly more sugary. There were also bits of jelly-like mango pieces for some extra texture against the blended iciness.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4s7JGduPYWs/TsECch9VtPI/AAAAAAAAFXU/aV7KPsgleG4/s1600/IMG_8144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4s7JGduPYWs/TsECch9VtPI/AAAAAAAAFXU/aV7KPsgleG4/s640/IMG_8144.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango frappe, $6.80</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We had one more savoury to come, but it was taking a while and these panda buns were just looking at me to eat them, so I did. The red bean paste filling was not overly sweet, but felt a bit dry in the mouth. However, the buns were adorable, but I'm biased as the panda has to be my favourite animal. There's this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRH3iTQPrk">clip</a> that shows a baby panda sneezing. I seriously cannot remember how many times I've watched the sneezing baby without a smile coming across my face each time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHvqwlBmeZE/TsECfdITXVI/AAAAAAAAFXs/8F4pItD6jc8/s1600/IMG_8153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHvqwlBmeZE/TsECfdITXVI/AAAAAAAAFXs/8F4pItD6jc8/s640/IMG_8153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbdgUMXYADY/TsECgcue_CI/AAAAAAAAFX0/ViassZBLaf4/s1600/IMG_8155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbdgUMXYADY/TsECgcue_CI/AAAAAAAAFX0/ViassZBLaf4/s640/IMG_8155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Right after dessert, one of the waitress' started to clear our table, but we were still waiting for one more dish to come out. They had forgotten our noodles. Although, as soon as the order was put through, it literally took less than ten minutes for our fried noodles with shredded beef and black pepper to grace our presences. The noodles were crispy and crunchy, but we found the black pepper sauce a bit too artificial for our liking. However, I did enjoy the addition of the capsicum, as it really helped cut through the black pepper sauce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAZ0ydH1vJc/TsECiW5-22I/AAAAAAAAFYE/GLiFEPM9nwY/s1600/IMG_8159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAZ0ydH1vJc/TsECiW5-22I/AAAAAAAAFYE/GLiFEPM9nwY/s640/IMG_8159.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried noodles with shredded beef and black pepper, $9.80</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shanghai Stories 1938 is definitely pricier, flashier and has very different options available compared to other Taste of Shanghai restaurants. However, if you're looking for something different then Shanghai Stories 1938 may be your cup of tea, but I'd try the yum cha menu first to test the waters, as their other menu seems quite pricy in parts. Anyway, it's good to see something different is emerging in this relatively new establishment, and I'm a bit curious about this Shanghai style high tea that they have on offer. </div><br />
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<i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
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Shanghai Stories 1938<br />
The Concourse <br />
<span class="street-address">419 Victoria Avenue</span><br />
Chatswood NSW 2067<br />
Ph: (02) 9261 8832<br />
<a href="http://www.tasteofshanghai.com.au/">http://www.tasteofshanghai.com.au/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1628596/restaurant/Sydney/Lower-North-Shore/Shanghai-Stories-1938-Chatswood"><img alt="Shanghai Stories 1938 on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1628596/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-54604291876162028432011-11-13T23:08:00.001+11:002011-11-13T23:09:40.016+11:00Gigi, Newtown<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I love getting emails from readers, especially the kind where they thoughtfully read your blog and understand exactly where you are coming from. A few weeks ago, I received an email from a reader urging us to try her brother's ricotta cheesecake, as quite a few customer's claim that it is better than the legendary Pasticceria Papa's ricotta cheesecake. However, she did mention that it all came down to personal preference at the end of the day. Of course with Cheesecake Boy's intense love for Pasticceria Papa's ricotta cheesecake we were more than intrigued. <br />
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For Cheesecake Boy and I, it's a huge call to say a ricotta cheesecake can top the one at Pasticceria Papa's. We actually get offended for Pasticceria Papa when people tell us they don't like the ricotta cheesecake, or I think their taste buds might need to be checked. As a matter of fact, Cheesecake Boy could not stop thinking that there really might be a better cheesecake out there, so as soon as we could, we dashed over to Gigi's for their ricotta cheesecake and some pizza too. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbnEozmaOfE/Tr7pcNKd9cI/AAAAAAAAFVM/D52Sa_SGaSI/s1600/IMG_7581.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbnEozmaOfE/Tr7pcNKd9cI/AAAAAAAAFVM/D52Sa_SGaSI/s640/IMG_7581.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJZItKKl0_U/Tr7pY3M9tWI/AAAAAAAAFVE/sw4ryYjnryQ/s1600/IMG_7554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJZItKKl0_U/Tr7pY3M9tWI/AAAAAAAAFVE/sw4ryYjnryQ/s640/IMG_7554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">When it comes to what pizzas Cheesecake Boy and I prefer munching on, we clash big time. Cheesecake Boy will not eat a vegetarian pizza and I'm not keen on cured meats. We seem to meet each other half way when it comes to seafood, so that's how I decided on the gamberi and rucola pizza.<br />
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Our pizza was topped with tomato, garlic, fresh prawns, cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, chilli and rocket. It looked wonderfully rustic when it arrived, but I could smell the faint fishiness of the prawns coming through. Undeterred, I decided to give the prawns a try as sometimes the scent of food can be misleading. Unfortunately, after eating three prawns, they all tasted fishy and were overcooked, so I had to push the prawns aside. The pizza base on the other hand was thin, but soft and chewy to the bite and was topped with crushed tomatoes that didn't overpower the rest of the ingredients. Although, I could not detect the chilli coming through, they were more than generous with the rocket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC1RMN0dtcbXuBf02pEKBeI8J7Wc2WaWVF1t4JXYupFCD0oBRkcXaus8V2-NZADonlWOoG7FHhErK5ExUQj691gYclaC2bnj4vufVstDFeUOJHrYDFFetKm_eJL9PmDkq5uZOdsDYHQaD/s1600/IMG_7557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC1RMN0dtcbXuBf02pEKBeI8J7Wc2WaWVF1t4JXYupFCD0oBRkcXaus8V2-NZADonlWOoG7FHhErK5ExUQj691gYclaC2bnj4vufVstDFeUOJHrYDFFetKm_eJL9PmDkq5uZOdsDYHQaD/s640/IMG_7557.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gamberi e rucola, $20.50 </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy and I decided to mix things up and instead of ordering another pizza we went for a calzone instead. Cheesecake Boy chose the calzone con prosciutto and funghi that was stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella, double smoked leg ham, mushroom, spinach and topped with a dash of tomato sauce, a sprinkling of parmesan and garnished with some basil leaves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvPmrl-BgaY/Tr7lXQSi4II/AAAAAAAAFS0/zrh8ECaCY8U/s1600/IMG_7566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvPmrl-BgaY/Tr7lXQSi4II/AAAAAAAAFS0/zrh8ECaCY8U/s640/IMG_7566.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calzone con prosciutto e funghi, $19.00</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This was easily the biggest calzone that I have eaten in a while. I really enjoyed this calzone even though I was skeptical due to the double smoked ham. However, the double smoked ham in this instance was nice and sweet. The ricotta added a lovely creaminess, and you could really taste the fresh mushrooms and spinach coming through each bite. The dollop of tomato sauce provided just the right rich acidity against the creaminess of the cheeses, and the freshness of the basil really rounded off the flavours. There really is something to be said for letting the natural flavours of each ingredient shine through here.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgGWwHyAeug/Tr7lms9N1rI/AAAAAAAAFS8/ACaNPkF31NE/s1600/IMG_7569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgGWwHyAeug/Tr7lms9N1rI/AAAAAAAAFS8/ACaNPkF31NE/s640/IMG_7569.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We knew we wanted the ricotta cheesecake, but Cheesecake Boy and I couldn't decide between the chocolate tart or the cannoli. We ended up asking our waiter for some help to settle this, and it seemed that the chocolate tart was the way to go. The dark chocolate tart was served with homemade icy vanilla gelato and chocolate sauce, and although it looked unassuming, it was actually a beautiful dessert. This chocolate tart really won Cheesecake Boy over. However, I also really enjoyed this delightful combination of crumbly short crust pastry against the soft and moist dark chocolate cake filling that was perfectly sweeten by the generous pool of chocolate sauce. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_o7YfkOFVw/Tr7lzfWBpVI/AAAAAAAAFT8/cy14N7Hllhw/s1600/IMG_7585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_o7YfkOFVw/Tr7lzfWBpVI/AAAAAAAAFT8/cy14N7Hllhw/s640/IMG_7585.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate tart, $7</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We finally made it to the baked ricotta cheesecake, and this really was a case of saving the best for last in my books anyway. The ricotta cheesecake here is made with ricotta and fresh vanilla bean that has been baked in a short pastry crust and was served with a sprinkle of crushed, but chewy almond praline bits. In Cheesecake Boy's opinion there is no doubt that the ricotta cheesecake at Pasticceria Papa wins hands down. However in my opinion, you simply cannot compare the two creations, as they are both truly lovely in their own way. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We did come here to compare in all honesty, so I guess the main differences were that the version at Gigi's is more like a traditional baked cheesecake, as oppose to Pasticceria Papa's version that I always think of as a ricotta pie. The ricotta filling at Pasticceria Papa's is decadently creamy, to the point that I am usually limited to a couple of slices on a very hungry day, whereas the baked cheesecake here really melted in my mouth and felt as light as a feather going down. The one thing that both these cheesecakes have in common is that they each have a distinct subtle beauty, that is awfully hard to resist. However, with Gigi's version the addition of the chewy almond praline heightens the subtle sweetness, and I can really see why some may prefer this version over Pasticceria Papa's take on ricotta cheesecake. All I can say is that if Gigi's baked ricotta cheesecake was ever sold whole, I would definitely purchase one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dB21NWiEw18/Tr7l5qDYPPI/AAAAAAAAFUk/WWbjRlCOYxo/s1600/IMG_7591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dB21NWiEw18/Tr7l5qDYPPI/AAAAAAAAFUk/WWbjRlCOYxo/s640/IMG_7591.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked ricotta cheesecake, $8</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">There's not many establishments left where you'd find friends catching up on some tables and families with little kiddies on others in perfect harmony. Cheesecake Boy and I enjoyed the easy and relaxed environment of Gigi's. The food was generally nice with only one disappointment, but it really was the home style desserts that captured our hearts. Well, that baked ricotta cheesecake has mine for now, all thanks to one lovely email. </div><i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Gigi<br />
379 King Street<br />
Newtown NSW 2042<br />
Ph: (02) 9557 2224<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1454439/restaurant/Newtown/Gigi-Pizzeria-Sydney"><img alt="Gigi Pizzeria on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1454439/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-86324593258316534722011-11-10T22:27:00.001+11:002011-11-11T08:14:12.099+11:00Iku Sushi, Perth<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
If you've been following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/DGirlandCBoy">twitter</a> or reading this blog quite frequently, you may remember that in early October I tagged along with Cheesecake Boy on his business trip to Perth. While Cheesecake Boy was working hard, I was busy munching and exploring. Like any good food blogger, I had to do some eating research. That's how I stumbled upon Iku Sushi, the home of the deep fried cheeseburger sushi. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
In Sydney we have many deep fried foods available thanks to <a href="http://www.theabercrombie.com.au/">The Abercrombie</a>, but deep fried cheeseburger sushi is something that I have not heard or seen in Sydney, and if someone can let me know otherwise, I'd be more than intrigued to compare them. I initially came here by myself, but later discovered this place was near Cheesecake Boy's work and as the prices were more than reasonable than other establishments around, so we met up here for a couple of lunches.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39Tdr05EYD4/TreTL7ENF-I/AAAAAAAAFRs/af1ZxBMzFDo/s1600/IMG_6253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39Tdr05EYD4/TreTL7ENF-I/AAAAAAAAFRs/af1ZxBMzFDo/s640/IMG_6253.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Nk2P_JGJcl5Mj_Mtl7J5u9bC9hct_cL0rUFnMhsdZ5aodMVHQEQFPcFvbGLlDe8Cft25SngYHELi9Ew9ACghAaCXmssp-7_HbiavotV4y5cBmfmYsGN6GNm5Pzczmiiq-xC88pFAya3/s1600/IMG_6829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Nk2P_JGJcl5Mj_Mtl7J5u9bC9hct_cL0rUFnMhsdZ5aodMVHQEQFPcFvbGLlDe8Cft25SngYHELi9Ew9ACghAaCXmssp-7_HbiavotV4y5cBmfmYsGN6GNm5Pzczmiiq-xC88pFAya3/s640/IMG_6829.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It's not all about the cheeseburger sushi here, they do have obento boxes and fresh sushi made daily that's available in the fridge section from 7.30am on weekdays to allow commuters on their way to work to drop in to buy a sushi lunch all ready for the fridge. All the packaging here is cutesy and disposable, so great for convenience, but not so good for the environment. However, they do have a recycling system implemented here.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3OVCDpAVis/TreRUlpwFhI/AAAAAAAAFPU/rJkDxX4ERGk/s1600/IMG_6432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3OVCDpAVis/TreRUlpwFhI/AAAAAAAAFPU/rJkDxX4ERGk/s640/IMG_6432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zrmN9Msm7fw/TreRTZ5dItI/AAAAAAAAFPI/FrjmuKgCTIs/s640/IMG_6431.jpg" width="640" /> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On my first visit without Cheesecake Boy, I ordered the small teriyaki chicken obento. It was actually the perfect size, especially when you're not too hungry. The teriyaki chicken was pleasantly sweet and not dry, but nothing to write home about. It was a nice start, but I was still too amused by the gimmicky cuteness of this place. Anyway, see what I mean by the adorable packaging.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8u9XEhANZIXS7wJaqyAAntTkCy5fNYQ64jbphIK3pqmIGjgBaNASkFUklbdE89o8LM2reaO6uoEEkv2A72SvWDNYBYD48CO5N7zXyV8Tk1AO3xWyZ-gx8iTOJA6lHLL5PGNyYA9AveFl/s1600/IMG_6239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8u9XEhANZIXS7wJaqyAAntTkCy5fNYQ64jbphIK3pqmIGjgBaNASkFUklbdE89o8LM2reaO6uoEEkv2A72SvWDNYBYD48CO5N7zXyV8Tk1AO3xWyZ-gx8iTOJA6lHLL5PGNyYA9AveFl/s640/IMG_6239.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teriyaki chicken (small), $5.95</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had to order the cheeseburger sushi because at that stage I had no idea if I was coming back. I decided to try the regular cheeseburger sushi that consisted of teriyaki beef and mozzarella cheese. The crunchy crumbed exterior and rice inside reminded me of arancini, but even with the melting mozzarella the teriyaki beef was slightly dry and bland and I was left underwhelmed even with the accompanying spicy mayonnaise that was more sweet than spicy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7hHmV66f1g/TreQ_ArbFhI/AAAAAAAAFNs/nUdwXWqXUCo/s1600/IMG_6242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7hHmV66f1g/TreQ_ArbFhI/AAAAAAAAFNs/nUdwXWqXUCo/s640/IMG_6242.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheeseburger sushi (4 pieces), $5.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was telling Cheesecake Boy about my cheeseburger sushi experience and he decided that he needed to try it too. Except, Cheesecake Boy decided that we should go all out. I've glad thinking back on this that I was walking at least five hours a day. However, I'm sure we visited another two times together, so don't be alarmed we did not consume all this in just one visit.<br />
<br />
Cheesecake Boy ordered the large chicken katsu obento. The chicken katsu was bordering on the dry side and was quite plain, so the tonkatsu sauce and mayonnaise gave the chicken a lift. The simple tuna and cucumber sushi rolls were nice and fresh, and it was a nice break between the fried offerings of the katsu chicken and cabbage filled spring rolls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GXNGe1C0uE/TreRRptkyWI/AAAAAAAAFPE/Rijss04YY9E/s1600/IMG_6430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GXNGe1C0uE/TreRRptkyWI/AAAAAAAAFPE/Rijss04YY9E/s640/IMG_6430.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken katsu obento (large), $11.95</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy loves popcorn, popcorn chicken and all things popcorn including popcorn shrimp, so ordering the karaage popcorn chicken was a must. The karaage popcorn chicken were bite size chicken pieces that were lightly drizzled with mayonnaise and a sweet barbeque like sauce. The chicken bits were really succulent and the batter had a nice even consistency that provided a good crispy coat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqLClfyRDyc/TreRY0fel3I/AAAAAAAAFPs/UhVhjLp69wY/s1600/IMG_6435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqLClfyRDyc/TreRY0fel3I/AAAAAAAAFPs/UhVhjLp69wY/s640/IMG_6435.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karaage popcorn chicken, $5.95</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I was getting a bit bored with all things rice, and decided I needed some udon to shake things up. I liked the addition of raw carrots, shallots and seaweed in my udon. Although, they were not generous with the serving of udon, I definitely thought they made up for it with my portion of tempura. The tempura was nice and crisp with a nice selection of prawns, fish, zucchini, pumpkin and eggplant to choose from.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIJWRAZlUPY/TreRd6F1j2I/AAAAAAAAFP8/u15fUF_FW1g/s1600/IMG_6437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIJWRAZlUPY/TreRd6F1j2I/AAAAAAAAFP8/u15fUF_FW1g/s640/IMG_6437.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tempura udon, $9.95</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQRujyrvfMQ/TreRgy-qpDI/AAAAAAAAFQM/SAilsgaRhxA/s1600/IMG_6439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQRujyrvfMQ/TreRgy-qpDI/AAAAAAAAFQM/SAilsgaRhxA/s640/IMG_6439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Where Cheesecake Boy has a love for popcorn, I feel the same about onion rings and chicken nuggets. Onions rings always take me back to my Hungry Jacks days with a Whopper in one hand and some onion rings with ketchup in another. The panko onion rings had a nice crunch to them, I just wished that they were coated more evenly with panko crumbs. As the inconsistency of the crumbs led to some of them being slightly too greasy.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrWEcdRsqMGXGjptH64hJcuCLIqLuw9MXCDjv7f-sM2wK5dkKPgVg9CDC4_KzlwkBDhI7ytSlQIolrNXrcFFnH1ieW7lLM4V8ANaxgwjb6phlRRL0tu5-OR6RcQIM1y8BrfWqsgzMl-oL/s1600/IMG_6833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrWEcdRsqMGXGjptH64hJcuCLIqLuw9MXCDjv7f-sM2wK5dkKPgVg9CDC4_KzlwkBDhI7ytSlQIolrNXrcFFnH1ieW7lLM4V8ANaxgwjb6phlRRL0tu5-OR6RcQIM1y8BrfWqsgzMl-oL/s640/IMG_6833.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panko onion rings, $4.95</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy is in the school of thought where everything tastes better if you add bacon, whereas I don't necessarily agree with this, and tend to look like the Grinch when I discourage it from appearing on our grocery list. However, I have to say the bacon actually completed the cheeseburger sushi experience, as the bacon gave the sushi that much needed greasy saltiness against the melted mozzarella and teriyaki beef. This time round with the sweet flavoured spicy mayonnaise the cheeseburger sushi pieces were almost addictive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXnfP2eFwGg/TreRvWkQw1I/AAAAAAAAFRM/7W4YGfymYak/s1600/IMG_6838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXnfP2eFwGg/TreRvWkQw1I/AAAAAAAAFRM/7W4YGfymYak/s640/IMG_6838.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon cheeseburger (6 pieces) , $7.95</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F7kVOAy4fig/TreR5-sLkHI/AAAAAAAAFRc/MXRXDo0DNIk/s1600/IMG_6843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F7kVOAy4fig/TreR5-sLkHI/AAAAAAAAFRc/MXRXDo0DNIk/s640/IMG_6843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I could definitely see this concept working well with Sydney's CBD lunch crowd with it's swift ninja-like service and menu consisting of firm favourites and the fun cheeseburger sushi series. Iku Sushi is really a fun Japanese fast food joint, and for what it is, it is rather quite good especially taking in the prices that I think are quite reasonable for Perth CBD standards. </div><br />
<br />
<i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
Iku Sushi<br />
<span class="street-address">Shop WG.07</span><br />
<span class="street-address">140 William Street</span><br />
<span class="street-address">Perth WA 6000</span><br />
<span class="street-address"></span>Ph: (08) 9322 6008<br />
<a href="http://www.ikusushi.com/">http://www.ikusushi.com/</a><br />
<h3 class="phone tel"></h3><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/338/1566392/restaurant/Perth-CBD/Iku-Sushi-Perth"><img alt="Iku Sushi on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1566392/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-75942210382788484452011-11-05T22:14:00.000+11:002011-11-05T22:14:30.823+11:00Felix, Sydney<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I'd been wanting to go to Felix for quite sometime now, so when our friend Flying High Girl was down for a visit, we decided that we would catch up over dinner. Flying High Girl let me decide where we would meet for dinner, and since Cheesecake Boy and my relationship is democratic to an extent, I gave him a list of places that I was considering, and all he had to do was choose the place and I would book it in. I knew he was going to choose Felix, especially when I mentioned that they had oysters, cheese souffles and last but not least Reuben sandwiches, so I may have slightly manipulated his decision, but that's how we finally ended up at Felix. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have to say that the environment of Felix really was very inviting with all that red, it's really seductive and quite dark at night, so great for a cosy dinner and thinking your in a brasserie in France, but not great for taking photos especially in the plush booth corner we were in, so the photos on this post don't really do the food enough justice, but they were the best we could do given the circumstances.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCGQLuk3rWw/Tq555HmbLjI/AAAAAAAAFNE/5uygXyFHLwU/s1600/IMG_7519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCGQLuk3rWw/Tq555HmbLjI/AAAAAAAAFNE/5uygXyFHLwU/s640/IMG_7519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABqGE0kflqw/Tq55R0QNvDI/AAAAAAAAFJk/ftBGz9QTncM/s1600/IMG_7447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABqGE0kflqw/Tq55R0QNvDI/AAAAAAAAFJk/ftBGz9QTncM/s640/IMG_7447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Complimentary bread came with a choice between a soft sourdough and rye with French butter. French butter is a favourite of Cheesecake Boy's, so there was liberal smear on each of his slices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AD9yADWtC3c/Tq55PS6d3zI/AAAAAAAAFJU/MhDD6Uaoryo/s1600/IMG_7440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AD9yADWtC3c/Tq55PS6d3zI/AAAAAAAAFJU/MhDD6Uaoryo/s640/IMG_7440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Flying High Girl and Ms. Montana both ordered the Debutant. I was too busy catching to realise that I did not take note of this concoction at the time, except that there was ginger and I am pretty sure citrus notes, to make for a refreshing drink.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbgmHj17O2E/Tq55XswU_cI/AAAAAAAAFKM/rgGaeClo54A/s1600/IMG_7461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbgmHj17O2E/Tq55XswU_cI/AAAAAAAAFKM/rgGaeClo54A/s640/IMG_7461.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debutant, $16</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I went for the Pigalle cocktail that night that consisted of calvados, dubonnet rouge and cherry brandy shaken with fig jam, lemon juice and bitters. It was sweet at first due to the apple and cherry notes, but the bitters gave it a slightly bitter edge. The fig jam and lemon really rounded off the balance of bittersweet notes nicely. However, the rouge dubonnet provided the much needed depth. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mV5gbmvr65o/Tq55YwiNcpI/AAAAAAAAFKU/bYco8SfUDxk/s1600/IMG_7464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mV5gbmvr65o/Tq55YwiNcpI/AAAAAAAAFKU/bYco8SfUDxk/s640/IMG_7464.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pigalle cocktail, $16</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy ordered the Coopers Pale Ale. He has a soft spot for Coopers Pale Ale, and it's usually one of his standard go to beers.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lY9wEDToeR8/Tq55bVWI2TI/AAAAAAAAFKk/1tMz3mwHoyg/s1600/IMG_7468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lY9wEDToeR8/Tq55bVWI2TI/AAAAAAAAFKk/1tMz3mwHoyg/s640/IMG_7468.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coopers Pale Ale, $8</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately the day before I had been quite under the weather and almost had to cancel, but I hadn't seen Flying High Girl in ages so I was going regardless. Luckily, by lunch time I was feeling better, but I wasn't game enough to unsettle my stomach again with overly rich food, so I had to put off trying the chicken liver pate and Gruyere souffle this time round.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Instead we decided to get a couple of the Sydney rock oysters each except for Ms. Montana who joined us for dinner too. I'm pretty sure we chose Merimbula lake rock oysters out of the three kinds of Sydney rock oysters available from the oyster bar, but my memory is failing me. They were lovely and beautifully shucked, nice and cool going down and the vinaigrette hit all the right sweet and acidic notes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0SZ8lsVNsc/Tq55Vf4xM1I/AAAAAAAAFJ8/qCCIr1jD6vA/s1600/IMG_7459.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0SZ8lsVNsc/Tq55Vf4xM1I/AAAAAAAAFJ8/qCCIr1jD6vA/s640/IMG_7459.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney rock oysters with condiments, $3.50 each</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Flying High Girl ordered the spatchcock with iceberg and lemon. It looked beautifully roasted and juicy, but I didn't try any of this, so can only say that Flying High Girl definitely enjoyed her spatchcock when I inquired. I trust her judgment completely, as we seem to have similar likes and dislikes at where and what we like to eat from our past dining experiences together.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3THsfujk5vXFHwwDlGuV6krarpqeaFNsOdSJ3oUEbH5yu4FnUscTAjvbFf67O3Yv7W_Ciibt7Qgcq_Gs5v3VQQzqyGkepYja9In3Dld8OUkfBt308tof5QYguiQBl8S02dLbDkVHtEJEb/s1600/IMG_7481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3THsfujk5vXFHwwDlGuV6krarpqeaFNsOdSJ3oUEbH5yu4FnUscTAjvbFf67O3Yv7W_Ciibt7Qgcq_Gs5v3VQQzqyGkepYja9In3Dld8OUkfBt308tof5QYguiQBl8S02dLbDkVHtEJEb/s640/IMG_7481.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spatchcock with iceberg & lemon, $32</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I never doubted that Cheesecake Boy would order the Rueben sandwich with dill pickles. The version at Felix is quite different to the one that Cheesecake Boy regards as his favourite at <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/05/reuben-moore-westfield-cbd-sydney.html">Rueben & Moore</a>. The bread had quite a charred quality to it. However, I liked that the sauerkraut was not too sour and really enhanced the flavour of the corned beef. Also, I loved the dill pickles as they were slightly sour and had a nice sweetness that did not overwhelm the rest of the elements. However, Cheesecake Boy did not agree with me and thought the sauerkraut and pickles were not sour enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1vQrzsIIXs/Tq55lP24XBI/AAAAAAAAFLc/4Us4Sbwnoug/s1600/IMG_7483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1vQrzsIIXs/Tq55lP24XBI/AAAAAAAAFLc/4Us4Sbwnoug/s640/IMG_7483.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rueben sandwich with dill pickle, $18</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Ever since dining at the <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/10/chophouse-sydney.html">Chophouse</a>, I have been ordering steak a lot more frequently. Usually I would only eat it once a year, but it's a year full of change so the sirloin fillet with herb butter and fries was what caught my eye that night and Ms. Montana too. There's something very luxurious about melted herb butter with beautifully cooked medium rare sirloin and nicely crisp fries. The side of rocket was a good contrast against all that rich goodness.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvkI-YFzabo/Tq55m_6-ELI/AAAAAAAAFLk/aupXooNSYOI/s1600/IMG_7485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvkI-YFzabo/Tq55m_6-ELI/AAAAAAAAFLk/aupXooNSYOI/s640/IMG_7485.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sirloin fillet with herb butter and fries, $36</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Flying High Girl was definitely a good influence on us, as we got a side of steamed vegetables consisting of broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini cooked just the way I liked them. Meaning they were still slightly crisp. It was much needed against all the meat we were consuming that night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-MdH835khM/Tq55rJDWRnI/AAAAAAAAFL8/w85Gp5y88qU/s1600/IMG_7489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-MdH835khM/Tq55rJDWRnI/AAAAAAAAFL8/w85Gp5y88qU/s640/IMG_7489.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed vegetables, $10</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy wanted a side of fries with his Rueben. For the price it wasn't a huge serving, but it was a nice crisp bowl of fries that still managed to get demolished mainly by Cheesecake Boy. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBVe7nhR4ws/Tq55uGcsbFI/AAAAAAAAFMM/YxfWN2nT7jQ/s1600/IMG_7491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBVe7nhR4ws/Tq55uGcsbFI/AAAAAAAAFMM/YxfWN2nT7jQ/s640/IMG_7491.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fries, $8</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The restaurant was really buzzing after our mains, so it took a while for them to clear our plates. It would be the only fault of the night, but seems to be happening to us more frequently. However, when you have a restaurant that was so busy for a Wednesday night, I guess I can understand the twenty minute delay for our table to be cleared and for the dessert menu to come around.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You may then be able to understand why Cheesecake Boy did not want me to order the passionfruit souffle with vanilla ice cream, as it was going to be another twenty minute wait. However, I insisted, and lo and behold an ethereally light and gloriously high passionfruit souffle graced our presences. Now for the guy that didn't want me to order this dessert, he more than ate his share. I don't blame Cheesecake Boy for invading my souffle as he enjoys intense notes of flavour, especially when the sweet tangy passionfruit really screamed to be noticed in this souffle. The passionfruit almost overwhelmed the delicate lightness of this souffle for me, but not quite. The vanilla ice cream was simply nice and creamy, the way vanilla ice cream should be.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsKu8mq7xVMpMlweY_B6AiP24QSZQxquYJpKRz2xjA8YPlj3OmMYJfKFLFJvMtAqaLC9DUX_WoJV3zcBdWA2ZHx137jsQNckzQt9gmkPQv9wDr3AvgXEIDRonZvw4etRTClZ46ecfG7xE/s1600/IMG_7497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsKu8mq7xVMpMlweY_B6AiP24QSZQxquYJpKRz2xjA8YPlj3OmMYJfKFLFJvMtAqaLC9DUX_WoJV3zcBdWA2ZHx137jsQNckzQt9gmkPQv9wDr3AvgXEIDRonZvw4etRTClZ46ecfG7xE/s640/IMG_7497.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passionfruit souffle with vanilla ice cream, $18</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Ms. Montana ordered the <span class="st">white chocolate almond parfait with roasted strawberries. I actually really quite liked this dessert, but not everyone took the same shining to it that I did. The white chocolate was quite subtle and not overly sweet at all, but sweet enough for me to really savour the almond that was coming through. Out of all the desserts that night it was the one that was just simply nice, but in a good way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khe63J9Noj8/Tq55zgxhMpI/AAAAAAAAFMk/SIMBcgv8E_M/s1600/IMG_7499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khe63J9Noj8/Tq55zgxhMpI/AAAAAAAAFMk/SIMBcgv8E_M/s640/IMG_7499.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><span class="st">White chocolate almond parfait with roasted strawberries, $16</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">If you remember the beginning of this post, I lured Cheesecake Boy here because of the lemon delicious pudding with cream and candied lemon. You don't see many lemon delicious puddings around and for Cheesecake Boy it's always a winner. If you love sweet and sour lemony tanginess with a soft and gooey texture, then this lemon delicious pudding ticked all the boxes. If it wasn't for the passionfruit souffle, this would have been Cheesecake Boy's favourite dessert of the night.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxK82yy1kzY/Tq5501XRRxI/AAAAAAAAFMs/SMZCdI6xlzQ/s1600/IMG_7503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxK82yy1kzY/Tq5501XRRxI/AAAAAAAAFMs/SMZCdI6xlzQ/s640/IMG_7503.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon delicious pudding with cream and candied lemon, $16</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">As soon as we got the dessert menu, Flying High Girl had her eyes set on the chocolate mousse with hazelnut milk granita and caramel. The only component of the dessert that I tried was the mousse and this one was quite a rich and dense chocolate mousse. Flying High Girl's eyes twinkled with each bite, so I'm sure this was a lovely way to end the night. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQzIUF8D9E8/Tq552DtFfYI/AAAAAAAAFM0/5clwosgUTdw/s1600/IMG_7504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQzIUF8D9E8/Tq552DtFfYI/AAAAAAAAFM0/5clwosgUTdw/s640/IMG_7504.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate mousse, hazelnut milk granita and caramel, $16</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We all had a lovely meal at Felix, I don't know if it's because it's hidden off in Ash Street or the lovely decor, but I was truly enchanted by this place. The service did stray during the busier periods and our meal did take three hours, but when you're catching up, time really does fly. Otherwise, the service was pretty impeccable at the start. However, at times Felix did get a bit noisy with everyone chattering and buzzing along with enjoyment, but it's all part of the ambience.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">On another note, I have just recent set up a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dumpling-Girl-and-Cheesecake-Boy/171611569596259#%21/pages/Dumpling-Girl-and-Cheesecake-Boy/171611569596259?sk=wall">facebook</a> page that will make it easier for some of you to keep up to date with our posts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
Felix<br />
2 Ash Street<br />
Sydney NSW 2000<br />
Ph: (02) 9240 3000<br />
<a href="http://www.merivale.com/#/felix/felix">http://www.merivale.com/#/felix/felix</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1557528/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Felix-Bistro-and-Bar-Sydney"><img alt="Felix - Bistro and Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1557528/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-68131564704544285382011-10-31T21:18:00.005+11:002011-11-26T11:38:59.379+11:00Adriano Zumbo's Concept Store and Dessert Train - The Star, Pyrmont<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
On a superficial level people generally don't think Cheesecake Boy and I have anything in common. However, in all honesty we share many interests and are quite similar creatures deep down. One of the smaller, but still important things we thankfully have in common is our love for sweets. However, sometimes I think Cheesecake Boy might love sweets more than I do. For instance, we initially went to Adriano Zumbo's latest store at The Star because I wanted to buy our dear friend Flying High Girl some macarons, as it was the first time in years that she's been able to come down to Sydney for a visit. We'd talked about visiting Zumbo in the past, but a lack of time always prevented Flying High Girl and I from going together. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, my point about Cheesecake Boy is that on our first visit he noticed that there was a sushi train layout next to the concept store, and when he found out that it was going to be a dessert train, he couldn't contain his excitement. Originally the dessert train was meant to commence trading on the 22nd of this month. He even took me out for a drive to check it out that day, but to his disappointment the train was delayed and not running to schedule. To play it safe this time round Cheesecake Boy actually called last Sunday to make sure that the dessert train was going to open as planned, and with the green light that it was definitely going ahead, Cheesecake Boy couldn't wait to try it out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zHSFBf0Xn34/TqvkmutD7hI/AAAAAAAAE0g/wHrzOKp9QuU/s1600/IMG_7784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zHSFBf0Xn34/TqvkmutD7hI/AAAAAAAAE0g/wHrzOKp9QuU/s640/IMG_7784.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our first visit to the concept store really left an impression on us, as the surroundings really did live up to the fun and exuberance of Zumbo's crazy creations. Each creation has its own display unit and to order all you have to do is speak to one of the lovely staff. With their electronic ordering system in hand, they put your request through and then provide you with a number before you proceed to the counter to collect your goodies. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9Jr_S9PZx0/Tqvic1NwsuI/AAAAAAAAEsg/19FBe81pJHw/s1600/IMG_7405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9Jr_S9PZx0/Tqvic1NwsuI/AAAAAAAAEsg/19FBe81pJHw/s640/IMG_7405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Every time I have headed over to the counter, I always managed to get sidetracked by the piping and assembling of macarons taking place.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bj7GgvQGRkk/TqvkbgR8THI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/q376CbNa5Ow/s1600/IMG_7777.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bj7GgvQGRkk/TqvkbgR8THI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/q376CbNa5Ow/s640/IMG_7777.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-mRDQGvjBM/TqviawT31lI/AAAAAAAAEsY/CLFdF14G7pw/s1600/IMG_7404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-mRDQGvjBM/TqviawT31lI/AAAAAAAAEsY/CLFdF14G7pw/s640/IMG_7404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, our first visit was meant to be all about buying a gift box of macarons for Flying High Girl, but Cheesecake Boy has been a bit of a workaholic lately and realised that he hadn't eaten all day. I couldn't let my better half starve until dinner time, so we bought a couple of cakes to keep him going for the time being. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The first cake that we settled on was water my melons, the watermelon creation was too cute to pass up. It consisted of an orange </span>crÚmeaux,<span class="Apple-style-span"> watermelon jelly, compressed watermelon and yoghurt crÚme légÚre. I will admit as much as I love some Zumbo creations, I don't always love them all. Upon tasting, we found that the latter applied to us with this watermelon inspired creation.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RDq8TYW97Hk/Tqvirsl8xLI/AAAAAAAAEtY/bNwuritUMCc/s1600/IMG_7425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RDq8TYW97Hk/Tqvirsl8xLI/AAAAAAAAEtY/bNwuritUMCc/s640/IMG_7425.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water my melons, $9</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The top half seem to be comprised of orange </span>crÚmeaux<span class="Apple-style-span">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span">bits of compressed watermelon and</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> yoghurt crÚme légÚre</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> which is a slightly fermented cream like creme fraiche, but has a lower fat content</span><span class="Apple-style-span">. I didn't mind the top half, but there was a slight sourness to it due to the </span><span class="Apple-style-span">yoghurt crÚme légÚre, and it felt very moist and had an almost spongy texture to it. Unfortunately, the bottom half of </span><span class="Apple-style-span">watermelon jelly was this creation's downfall for us, because the watermelon jelly tasted like overripe watermelon. It was a shame as I loved the presentation of this creation and the white chocolate shell shattered nicely into shards when bit into.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEwUqJyUS3A/Tqvi0fLF6YI/AAAAAAAAEuA/EvZhRbeRHI4/s1600/IMG_7432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEwUqJyUS3A/Tqvi0fLF6YI/AAAAAAAAEuA/EvZhRbeRHI4/s640/IMG_7432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm a bit crazy about choux pastry and I always seem drawn to snowman like shapes as our climate never seems to snow and I'm never really had a chance to make a proper snowman. I tried once, but the snow was too slushy, so for all these reasons the ssnowmanor was an alluring choice for me. It doesn't hurt that it was also made of all things I consider delicious being pate a choux, bubble tea custard, lychee coconut <span class="Apple-style-span">crÚme légÚre</span>, lychee gel and coconut crunch. The ssnowmanor I have to say is definitely one of my favourite Zumbo creations in a long time. It was just wonderfully subtle and sweet in all the right places, and felt gooey, soft and slightly crisp all at once. It also helps if you love lychees, as that really comes through here and just rightly so.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzwJtH-7z9A/TqvitYPTFnI/AAAAAAAAEtg/OeS9yxVXfX0/s1600/IMG_7428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzwJtH-7z9A/TqvitYPTFnI/AAAAAAAAEtg/OeS9yxVXfX0/s640/IMG_7428.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ssnowmanorr, $9</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I can't remember the order of the flavours in the box, but I did choose lychee, passionfuit and tonka bean, raspberry caramel, hot chocolate, blood peach and the one at the right end was the chocolate coated surprise macaron. Flying High Girl did message me to say later that they were delicious though.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VRVPQKmZbc/TqvivCvqbeI/AAAAAAAAEto/lClSRb4uIj8/s1600/IMG_7429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VRVPQKmZbc/TqvivCvqbeI/AAAAAAAAEto/lClSRb4uIj8/s640/IMG_7429.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted macarons, $2.50 each</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Now fast forwarding a couple of weeks to last Sunday's dessert train happenings. As mentioned Cheesecake Boy called that morning and was told that the train would open at 6pm, but there was a delay and the opening was pushed to 7pm that night. Anyway, after having a nice chat with one of the girls in the concept shop, we were told to get ready to line up around 6.30pm as there is limit of only 16 places per session, where you can indulge your sweet tooth cravings for only thirty minutes at a time before the next session commences. Also, all desserts are unique to the dessert train and not available in any other stores. Intrigued we decided that we would stay and wait.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV4RJLuhOWM/TqvkqbRHM-I/AAAAAAAAE0w/YwDwjBVmeJQ/s1600/IMG_7788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV4RJLuhOWM/TqvkqbRHM-I/AAAAAAAAE0w/YwDwjBVmeJQ/s640/IMG_7788.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We returned slightly earlier than 6.30pm and Cheesecake Boy wanted to maintain our first place in the queue, but after looking at the production process he caved in to his sweet tooth a tad earlier and dashed off to buy some macarons.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkXFu97Wx7A/Tqvi2HQORhI/AAAAAAAAEuI/FjRIG6aQrLk/s1600/IMG_7682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkXFu97Wx7A/Tqvi2HQORhI/AAAAAAAAEuI/FjRIG6aQrLk/s640/IMG_7682.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macarons, $2.50</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While we were waiting outside there were some cute critters that travelled by us on the dessert train. However, once the dessert train was in full swing with drinks and desserts, the little critters got ditched as they kept toppling over. Such a shame as I thought they were quite adorable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3z_CNq0hXNM/Tqvi5lXCNWI/AAAAAAAAEuY/pVbXPWIhMOs/s1600/IMG_7685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3z_CNq0hXNM/Tqvi5lXCNWI/AAAAAAAAEuY/pVbXPWIhMOs/s640/IMG_7685.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGvwqSqBVG4/Tqvi-6jMWjI/AAAAAAAAEuw/WrYQN4ODdSQ/s1600/IMG_7690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGvwqSqBVG4/Tqvi-6jMWjI/AAAAAAAAEuw/WrYQN4ODdSQ/s640/IMG_7690.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ignQX-vsQXI/TqvjA1OMxrI/AAAAAAAAEu4/w5YEDLcsWDU/s1600/IMG_7691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ignQX-vsQXI/TqvjA1OMxrI/AAAAAAAAEu4/w5YEDLcsWDU/s640/IMG_7691.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp_7UCh4FGs/TqvkVAwCVuI/AAAAAAAAEz4/cT6AkPcQfBI/s1600/IMG_7772.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp_7UCh4FGs/TqvkVAwCVuI/AAAAAAAAEz4/cT6AkPcQfBI/s640/IMG_7772.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gC5rNFhkbvA/TqvjERDExyI/AAAAAAAAEvI/jib7XKJw_HM/s1600/IMG_7698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gC5rNFhkbvA/TqvjERDExyI/AAAAAAAAEvI/jib7XKJw_HM/s640/IMG_7698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">A bit after 7pm, the doors slid open and we were finally seated. There are no menus as of yet, so if you're curious in relation to what you're eating, have no idea or simply wish for some clarity, then you'll have to ask the staff. The prices of the plates were set at $10.50 for any black plate, $9.50 for each pink plate and $8.50 for a white plate.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2Q1sYoxZfg/Tqvj15ELJYI/AAAAAAAAEx4/9lrBwJ_8x5g/s1600/IMG_7745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2Q1sYoxZfg/Tqvj15ELJYI/AAAAAAAAEx4/9lrBwJ_8x5g/s640/IMG_7745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The very first plate that graced the train was the salted chocolate and Aero cake. The slabs of salted chocolate cake were slightly dry, but the silky chocolate mousse rectified that issue. This dessert was sweet, but more bittersweet and the piece of bubbly and crumbly Aero was a nice contrast against the softness of the cake and mousse. However, my favourite part was that extra sprinkling of sea salt, as it just intensified the sweetness of the bitter chocolate in this dessert.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JQs_NvBhUzr4jy2NNFfStU7hoLx2YiBbEXQZbk62CX94HSTdlXCRXnI65UzqVHz0AZr2bL9RYKGuVlbuaMWgIomVMF_mXA8WpF-JbMcqs1eiy-LHZ-o4etDpVy4JOm789Mkk8kM_8gy4/s1600/IMG_7713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JQs_NvBhUzr4jy2NNFfStU7hoLx2YiBbEXQZbk62CX94HSTdlXCRXnI65UzqVHz0AZr2bL9RYKGuVlbuaMWgIomVMF_mXA8WpF-JbMcqs1eiy-LHZ-o4etDpVy4JOm789Mkk8kM_8gy4/s640/IMG_7713.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salted chocolate and Aero cake, $10.50</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We saw foam and without knowing what this was, we grabbed it. It was actually coffee brulee, and I wasn't fond of this only because coffee tends to give me migraines, so more of a dislike by association, but Cheesecake Boy who needs his daily caffeine kick wasn't taken with the coffee brulee either. However, I was confused by the interpretation of this dessert as the small and subtle crisp toffee strip seemed to be overshadowed by the softness of the roll of firm custard, pieces of chocolate cake and generous squirt of foam. In my opinion the best part of any brulee is the crunch and sticky sweetness of the sugary toffee top that seemed almost forgotten here against all the other elements. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39OLv6z08Rw/TqvjTYLvZfI/AAAAAAAAEwA/d55De8mlQp4/s1600/IMG_7716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39OLv6z08Rw/TqvjTYLvZfI/AAAAAAAAEwA/d55De8mlQp4/s640/IMG_7716.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee brulee, $10.50</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">For something different they also offer soft serve ice cream, and best of all it's complimentary. There were three flavours available. Cheesecake Boy and I settled for the salted caramel flavour, but there was also the unusual combination of white chocolate and pepper and the other choice was a mix of both salted caramel and white chocolate and pepper ice cream. The salted caramel tasted more to us like a mealy salted caramel ice cream that was more sweet than salted. However, in my opinion if there was such a flavour, it tasted more like a soft, but icy concoction of a salted caramel macaron mixture.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NF5jCk56ZE0/Tqvjqe0XfnI/AAAAAAAAExY/Pd5tD5XArg8/s1600/IMG_7739.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NF5jCk56ZE0/Tqvjqe0XfnI/AAAAAAAAExY/Pd5tD5XArg8/s640/IMG_7739.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salted caramel ice cream, complimentary</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Out of all the deconstructed desserts, I was most taken with this watermelon, yoghurt, meringue, orange custard and green apple foam creation. The sweet pieces of watermelon was refreshing against the tangy yoghurt and light meringue, but what I loved most was the wonderfully robust orange custard and the acidic green apple foam. This was an ethereally light, sweet but tangy dessert on the palate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrL7emlPV58/Tqvj8fTVDrI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/awEh_FZpe6U/s1600/IMG_7750.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrL7emlPV58/Tqvj8fTVDrI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/awEh_FZpe6U/s640/IMG_7750.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watermelon, yoghurt, meringue, orange custard and green apple foam, $9.50</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I thought we were done, but this play on carrot cake caught my eye, and we vowed that we were going to stop after this one. At first taste I thought this was a deconstructed pumpkin pie, but it was actually carrot cake and it made sense when I started tasting bits of walnuts and cream cheese. The carrot puree was an unusual mix of sweet and savoury, but I loved the subtle cinnamon ice cream.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yoVcNewq4M/TqvkCiu57-I/AAAAAAAAEyo/zn7lEjY2wcY/s1600/IMG_7754.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yoVcNewq4M/TqvkCiu57-I/AAAAAAAAEyo/zn7lEjY2wcY/s640/IMG_7754.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play on carrot cake, $8.50</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">My only gripe with this dessert train was that I wished that they didn't stagger out each different dessert at certain intervals, as you missed out on seeing the full range from the beginning. However, with all the delicate elements, I understand why they do, but I was stuffed by the time this dainty caramel creation came along and when a few other enticing desserts were being churned out. Unfortunately, all I could do was watch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFu2mhBECew/Tqvjd0V6XJI/AAAAAAAAEwo/IGc0_svIVw0/s1600/IMG_7729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFu2mhBECew/Tqvjd0V6XJI/AAAAAAAAEwo/IGc0_svIVw0/s640/IMG_7729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Zumbo's love of sweets knows no bounds as shown by his interpretation of the cherry ripe. Although, I didn't try this one, the mother and child next to us seemed to be enjoying each spoonful.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2QsrcwxZZU/TqvjKq6vNyI/AAAAAAAAEvY/MZw-8oqlvvc/s1600/IMG_7702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2QsrcwxZZU/TqvjKq6vNyI/AAAAAAAAEvY/MZw-8oqlvvc/s640/IMG_7702.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interpretation of cherry ripe, $10.50</td></tr>
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I missed out on tasting the hazelnut mousse, as my stomach had reached it's full capacity and I could only managed to gaze at this one longingly. I was truly gutted due to my affinity for all things hazelnut. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gaiH5VtnPw/TqvjsIEStWI/AAAAAAAAExg/s8Wg_3T9ra0/s1600/IMG_7741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gaiH5VtnPw/TqvjsIEStWI/AAAAAAAAExg/s8Wg_3T9ra0/s640/IMG_7741.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazelnut mousse, $8.50</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I forgot to mention that while we were queuing up, everyone was trying to take some happy snaps of Adriano Zumbo at work in the kitchen. As an extra treat Adriano Zumbo himself came out and talked to each one of us. He's definitely a nice guy and more than friendly enough for me to hint that I wanted the return of the vanilla milkshake that used to be available at his now closed Chocolat Cafe that was in Balmain. I swear it was not a command, and it was all in good fun. It was the best vanilla milkshake I'd ever had, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsKsSrNr3dI/Tqvj-tIguiI/AAAAAAAAEyY/3xDH1bzWMJk/s1600/IMG_7752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsKsSrNr3dI/Tqvj-tIguiI/AAAAAAAAEyY/3xDH1bzWMJk/s640/IMG_7752.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsKsSrNr3dI/Tqvj-tIguiI/AAAAAAAAEyY/3xDH1bzWMJk/s1600/IMG_7752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The session was coming to an end, and in true sushi train fashion I stacked up all our plates to get it ready for the final tally. The bills here are electronically tallied as opposed to the usual pen and paper slips that I've experienced at most sushi trains. Subsequently, an itemised bill gets generated and sent over for payment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kT0_xU96vm8/TqvkPsErh0I/AAAAAAAAEzg/tCb_Dyzg3tI/s1600/IMG_7765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kT0_xU96vm8/TqvkPsErh0I/AAAAAAAAEzg/tCb_Dyzg3tI/s640/IMG_7765.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The doors slid open and that's our queue to scoot as times up and they need to get the second session under way. Cheesecake Boy and I loved the novelty of the fun filled dessert train concept. However, we'd like to see different types of desserts board the this train than just the deconstructed kind, but for the first session ever they did a great job and things went pretty smoothly. It's definitely on the pricy side, but for sweet tooths like Cheesecake Boy and I it's the answer to our fanciful sweet dreams, but only in moderation of course. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdRDqqKln1c/TqvkZTEasAI/AAAAAAAAE0I/3eMCnXdbcwQ/s1600/IMG_7776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdRDqqKln1c/TqvkZTEasAI/AAAAAAAAE0I/3eMCnXdbcwQ/s640/IMG_7776.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">After note: we happened to walk past the other day and saw that trading hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm onwards, and menus are available on the train with prices now. Unfortunately the soft serve is no longer complimentary.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<i>Sugared out, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Adriano Zumbo Patissier<br />
The Star<br />
Level G <br />
80 Pyrmont Street (entry via Edward Street)<br />
Pyrmont NSW 2009<br />
Ph: (02) 9810 7318<br />
<a href="http://adrianozumbo.com/">http://adrianozumbo.com/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1624786/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Adriano-Zumbo-Patissier-Pyrmont"><img alt="Adriano Zumbo PĂątissier on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1624786/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-46076805980635727382011-10-29T07:37:00.002+11:002011-10-31T13:00:58.747+11:00Tan Viet, Cabramatta<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/10/brunch-at-wild-food-cafe-and-our.html">Southern Highlands day trip</a> had come to end and on the way back, a sharp pang of hunger came over me in the back seat. Being the good friend that Noodle Boy is, he happily made a detour to Cabramatta that was on the way back to feed a very hungry me. We all ended up having an early dinner and Tan Viet was the destination of choice after being highly recommended to me by Pho Girl. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have to say that it's truly a small world at times because when we arrived at the restaurant who should we bump into but Pho Girl herself with Camera Girl, who were both tucking into Tan Viet's specialty of dry egg noodle and crispy chicken. Anyway, I had to say cheerio as I was starving and some quick ordering was definitely on the agenda.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LByflDXS9WQ/TqabqJVjQbI/AAAAAAAAEsI/7U6X5Fz5RPo/s1600/IMG_5042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LByflDXS9WQ/TqabqJVjQbI/AAAAAAAAEsI/7U6X5Fz5RPo/s640/IMG_5042.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oaFRXPg43qI/TqabnVnD8XI/AAAAAAAAEsA/q4PY5XtVVPw/s1600/IMG_5040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oaFRXPg43qI/TqabnVnD8XI/AAAAAAAAEsA/q4PY5XtVVPw/s640/IMG_5040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy has a love for <span class="st">chĂš ba mĂ u or its literal translation </span>three colour dessert so we had to order one. Before Cheesecake Boy came along I would seldom drink these type of drinks, but the concoction of split mung beans, red azuki beans and strips of jelly with crushed ice and coconut milk is really growing on me. The version at Tan Viet was perfectly sweet and refreshing. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CluBp4zs2Fk/TqabaPz8ZZI/AAAAAAAAErQ/HtKbdIMAOZ8/s1600/IMG_5026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CluBp4zs2Fk/TqabaPz8ZZI/AAAAAAAAErQ/HtKbdIMAOZ8/s640/IMG_5026.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">ChĂš ba mĂ u</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Out of all of us, Cheesecake Boy stubbornly insisted on ordering his much loved com dac biet (deluxe pork chop rice), so he missed out on the crispy chicken, well almost. I have to admit that I was so enthralled by my crispy chicken that for once I forgot to taste test some of his. Cheesecake Boy is a boy of few words when it comes to describing food, so when he told me that it was good but not great, I know to believe him as he takes his com dac biet very seriously, he even knows how to pronounce this pitch perfect in Vietnamese so his order never gets mixed up.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RE7W-5oFsjs/TqabcBtR4WI/AAAAAAAAErY/UUXVdgPgrdE/s1600/IMG_5027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RE7W-5oFsjs/TqabcBtR4WI/AAAAAAAAErY/UUXVdgPgrdE/s640/IMG_5027.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Com dac biet, $12</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Noodle Boy actually had a pho craving, but unfortunately they don't have beef pho at Tan Viet so he decided to go for the crispy chicken with tomato rice. Noodle Boy also a boy of few words told me he thought this dish was good, so I guess that's a thumbs up. Doesn't that crispy chicken look glorious? I'm going to get to it next though.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzo_Xa0omfk/TqabegVBpeI/AAAAAAAAErg/Pjb400miVLY/s1600/IMG_5030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzo_Xa0omfk/TqabegVBpeI/AAAAAAAAErg/Pjb400miVLY/s640/IMG_5030.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Com ga da don, $12</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Now we get to the reason why I'm here. You may be wondering why I'm putting a picture of the menu on this post, and I will sheepishly admit that in my state of hunger and impatience, I took the crispy chicken off the plate and tampered with the presentation of the dish in the shot below. It was not to make it look prettier, as I think I made the dish look far worse, but I really was that hungry and it's so much easier and quicker to compose a shot in a bowl, as our table was way too cluttered by the time I was served. I definitely regretted it, but what's done is done and as per the menu, the bowl of noodles was presented exactly as pictured, and the crispy chicken actually came on a plate as indicated by the menu. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-ThiNejsDI/TqabMBKx5XI/AAAAAAAAEqY/4SdY6iBEhYY/s1600/IMG_5016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-ThiNejsDI/TqabMBKx5XI/AAAAAAAAEqY/4SdY6iBEhYY/s1600/IMG_5016.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">My bowl of dry egg noodles with the crispy chicken clumsily chucked on top by me, well simply put was delicious. Now I've been told that this is the dish to have at Tan Viet, and I couldn't agree more. The dry egg noodles were not completely dry. The noodles were lightly drizzled with a fragrant oil and a subtle sauce that prevented the noodles from clumping together and gave the plain noodles a needed lift. On top of the noodles was a generous sprinkle of dried onions with coriander, garlic chives and lettuce as well. The noodles were a nice accompaniment, but for me this dish was all about the crispy chicken.<br />
<br />
I have to say that everyone in the restaurant, but Cheesecake Boy was eating the crispy chicken in one form or another when we were dining. Even though, Cheesecake Boy won't admit it, I know he regretted not ordering the crispy chicken. However, I'm not usually partial to ordering crispy chicken either, but this crispy chicken is definitely the exception to the rule. The chicken had beautifully crisp skin, and the flesh was wonderfully succulent, tender and had a lovely freshness in flavour. Dipping the crispy chicken into nouc cham just added to the bliss. I begrudgingly gave Cheesecake Boy a few bites, and he was just as enamoured as I was. I can't recall having a crispy chicken better than this one. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28DqCXoF6XjR5bd2mWpKkbFiEgEy9J_w_hmUPp2Mvi_UsRWSTyq82E0YC4hrJGQlwEN7lUgbGKkzGzIDlI2IgX-T37U-qzAXOtbzXCNhSfYFDkOgCU8Qzo9BzHkG8cUI9MSxNy28uwPKY/s1600/IMG_5034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28DqCXoF6XjR5bd2mWpKkbFiEgEy9J_w_hmUPp2Mvi_UsRWSTyq82E0YC4hrJGQlwEN7lUgbGKkzGzIDlI2IgX-T37U-qzAXOtbzXCNhSfYFDkOgCU8Qzo9BzHkG8cUI9MSxNy28uwPKY/s640/IMG_5034.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mi ga da don, $12</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Incredibly happy and satisfied, I walked out of Tan Viet knowing that it won't be long until I am reunited once more with the crispy chicken of my dreams. In all seriousness though, the crispy chicken here is a must, the food is excellent value and service is efficient. That's what most great feeds are all about. Oh and to get here early if it's peak time to avoid the queues, that's all.</div><br />
<br />
<i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Tan Viet<br />
100 John Street<br />
Cabramatta NSW 2166<br />
Ph: (02) <span class="st">9727 6853</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/752171/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Tan-Viet-Noodle-House-Cabramatta"><img alt="Tan Viet Noodle House on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/752171/biglogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-23425746427380554572011-10-25T21:46:00.001+11:002011-10-26T11:21:19.680+11:00Chefs Gallery, Sydney<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I haven't been to Chefs Gallery since it first opened, and coming to think of it now, all those visits were made prior to this blog. Although I went a few times initially to try this establishment out, none of those visits actually struck a chord with me, except for those adorable piggy buns. However, a piggy bun can only keep you amuse for so long, until the novelty wears out.<br />
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You may then be wondering what the latest draw card was that bought me back this time, and it all started because Pho Girl and I were craving a yum cha lunch. However, I wanted to go somewhere different to the usual establishments and my thoughts strayed to <a href="http://foodiepop.blogspot.com/2011/09/chefs-gallery-sydney-gallery-of-hope.html">FoodiePop's</a> post on Chefs Gallery's yum cha offerings. Bearing this in mind, I thought it was about time to give Chefs Gallery another go. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnJK90tbRLs/TqK7XyL-K6I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/O-fw8l1tjq8/s1600/IMG_7383.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnJK90tbRLs/TqK7XyL-K6I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/O-fw8l1tjq8/s640/IMG_7383.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JyQ8IJgZTvIGuTnRZ3Unsz2aV5KHGQvbS6BFpSTj5NSV2p0oyjmSu7MswhVUXHJ5S-tiHNb86cDV_VTIWCcJTQ-XePwCn-wNHib8lDBHw1LQftsa501SPrBp42zMpvbXCSnJL5wyzSnA/s1600/IMG_7379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JyQ8IJgZTvIGuTnRZ3Unsz2aV5KHGQvbS6BFpSTj5NSV2p0oyjmSu7MswhVUXHJ5S-tiHNb86cDV_VTIWCcJTQ-XePwCn-wNHib8lDBHw1LQftsa501SPrBp42zMpvbXCSnJL5wyzSnA/s640/IMG_7379.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I actually wanted to try the radish cakes topped with Chinese sausage, shredded mint, shallots and orange peel, but it was only available on the night yum cha menu. Our radish cakes were meant to come with XO sauce. I didn't realise this until I looked back on the menu after we had left However, our serving of radish cakes tasted just like the ones at most yum cha establishments and were pan fried just to my liking, with it being nicely crisp on the outside. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8bgvX1pavr0/TqK7EdT5yoI/AAAAAAAAEn4/WtdYpewCaks/s1600/IMG_7331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8bgvX1pavr0/TqK7EdT5yoI/AAAAAAAAEn4/WtdYpewCaks/s640/IMG_7331.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan fried savoury daikon radish cakes with XO sauce, $5.90</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm all for a good bowl of spicy prawn and pork wontons. These wontons looked wonderfully innocent, and were so silky and succulent, but the spicy sauce really ended on a high, as the chilli really kicked in at full force. Since I like my food spicy, I quite enjoyed the sudden surge of chilli coming through my senses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeWsNsEOGyU/TqK7HMx9sUI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/ehyfp_ZDcCo/s1600/IMG_7341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeWsNsEOGyU/TqK7HMx9sUI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/ehyfp_ZDcCo/s640/IMG_7341.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy prawn and pork wontons, $9.90</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I tend not to order Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce when I am at yum cha, as I can easily cook this myself. However, Pho Girl can't and loves Chinese broccoli and as it's not always about me, so we ordered the vegetables on this occasion. Plus, they're good for us, so why not. I find these to be slightly overcooked, as I like my vegetables on the crisp side, but when you cook them whole like this, the leaves always tend to be overcooked as the stalks require that little bit more time to cook through.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pvtg2vkl3HY/TqK7JLSjkNI/AAAAAAAAEog/N2bgz_SNXvE/s1600/IMG_7345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pvtg2vkl3HY/TqK7JLSjkNI/AAAAAAAAEog/N2bgz_SNXvE/s640/IMG_7345.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce, $8.90 </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The colourful mixed vegetable dumplings in a clear pastry were definitely vibrant. The skin had just the right thickness and a nice smooth texture. The vegetable filling was a mix of mushrooms, carrots, chives, corn and I'm sure there were a few other things in there that I missed. However, I really enjoyed the simple combination of vegetables, and I would happily order them again.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dvxdku60CM/TqK7KKKvDsI/AAAAAAAAEoo/XMCMaasOxKg/s1600/IMG_7355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dvxdku60CM/TqK7KKKvDsI/AAAAAAAAEoo/XMCMaasOxKg/s640/IMG_7355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful mixed vegetable dumplings in a clear pastry, $5.90</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another must eat for me at yum cha is siu mai, and since I love scallops, the chicken siu mai topped with seared scallop was an easy choice for me. The scallops could have been seared for a bit longer, but they were nice, plump and tasty, and so were the chicken siu mai too. I was worried that the chicken siu mai may not be as juicy as the usual pork ones, but there was no such issues here. The scallop and the succulent chicken siu mai was a really lovely combination.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGve8QvTJ_cp_aIKPP-Iqw2Ua1C7NDbwB0OEa2pWHbQhdcg5XULhAjcrmqrZ2NgFCq8sEmHrhhf14Sg0C_aGni9ADnoHuod9gfvFkZpxOpkVgG6E-FIjcYFq896sKhiAyVrkvKp2MeADd/s1600/IMG_7364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGve8QvTJ_cp_aIKPP-Iqw2Ua1C7NDbwB0OEa2pWHbQhdcg5XULhAjcrmqrZ2NgFCq8sEmHrhhf14Sg0C_aGni9ADnoHuod9gfvFkZpxOpkVgG6E-FIjcYFq896sKhiAyVrkvKp2MeADd/s640/IMG_7364.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken siu mai topped with seared scallop, $8.90</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I usually don't order steamed buns at yum cha as I'm not very fond of them due to a few unpleasant soggy ones that I've consumed in the past. However, the ones here are pan fried, so I think this makes for an exception. We settled on the pan fried chicken and Shitake mushroom buns, and they were delicious. The buns were soft and fluffy with crispy shards on the bottom, which I loved. However, the filling was wonderfully flavoursome, as the chicken and Shitake mushrooms really came through against the sweetness of the bun. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gsWwiDzLbk/TqK7QF643zI/AAAAAAAAEpY/20pvUW4aKN8/s1600/IMG_7365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gsWwiDzLbk/TqK7QF643zI/AAAAAAAAEpY/20pvUW4aKN8/s640/IMG_7365.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan fried chicken and Shitake mushroom buns, $6.90</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I couldn't leave without getting a sugar fix. This time round the marshmallow rabbits coated with desiccated coconut caught my eye. These cute as a button bunnies were actually quite delicate to the touch and incredibly soft. Soft to the point that on first bite they practically dissolved in my mouth, leaving behind traces of coconut and the strawberry-like sweetness from their pinky gel eyes. It was a beautifully light and sugary finish to our meal.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Dmq0Tk7iZk/TqK7DcHSlJI/AAAAAAAAEnw/J5TSejGBQAk/s1600/IMG_7326.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Dmq0Tk7iZk/TqK7DcHSlJI/AAAAAAAAEnw/J5TSejGBQAk/s640/IMG_7326.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marshmallow rabbits coated with desiccated coconut, $5.90</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">All in all we had a really enjoyable lunch this time round. The variations to the usual yum cha favourites was refreshingly different, and the standard favourites for the not so adventurous were also nice to have for a standby. I guess it's good to have a mix of the old and the new, and I'm all for it, especially when I need a yum cha fix at night.</div><br />
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<i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Chefs Gallery<br />
Regent Place<br />
501 George Street<br />
Sydney NSW 2000<br />
Ph: (02) 9267 8877<br />
<a href="http://www.chefsgallery.com.au/">http://www.chefsgallery.com.au/ </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1543362/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Chefs-Gallery-Sydney"><img alt="Chefs Gallery on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1543362/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-74020216705723648152011-10-22T08:19:00.002+11:002011-10-27T09:51:45.077+11:00Chophouse, Sydney<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I'm a carnivore, I don't deny that. However, I'm not an overly ardent carnivore. It takes a certain craving for me to want to attack an entire piece of steak or any meal that centres around just a huge piece of meat. You may be able then to imagine Cheesecake Boy's surprise when I suggested that we we go to the Chophouse as I was craving a steak. The poor boy even asked if I was feeling alright. This was how I decided where we would catch up with Dumpling Sister to hear all about her trip to Europe. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcTsVY_a5Bg/TpoKcnRNKPI/AAAAAAAAEnA/rJt36w1X5sU/s1600/IMG_7181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcTsVY_a5Bg/TpoKcnRNKPI/AAAAAAAAEnA/rJt36w1X5sU/s640/IMG_7181.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW0LQ8Zm6NU/TpoJnTILDkI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/0ztkdWwYWH4/s1600/IMG_7094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW0LQ8Zm6NU/TpoJnTILDkI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/0ztkdWwYWH4/s640/IMG_7094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We arrived earlier than our 6pm booking, and to Cheesecake Boy's excitement it's still happy hour. I'm sure if he knew that happy hour starts here Monday to Friday from 4pm to 6pm, he hurried us along here earlier. Happy hour drinks consisted of a couple of boutique beers going for $5 a bottle, a nice range of wines for $5 per glass and a couple of jugs on offer for $15. Cheesecake Boy ordered the Birra Moretti, and it went down pretty quickly, so I guess it was good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birra Moretti, $5</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love Bellini's, and at the Chophouse they have a Sorbet Bellini which consists of a scoop of house made peach sorbet with Prosecco and peach liqueur. I loved this version, as the last drops of liquefied peach sorbet with the remaining Prosecco and peach liqueur turned into a lovely thick golden nectar, it was truly delicious. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjAgl9b6yxc/TpoJz8IRWAI/AAAAAAAAEko/cESkmCQPxkU/s1600/IMG_7127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjAgl9b6yxc/TpoJz8IRWAI/AAAAAAAAEko/cESkmCQPxkU/s640/IMG_7127.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorbet Bellini, $18</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Dumpling Sister ordered the Lychee Blush on the spur of the moment, so I didn't have time to see what her cocktail was made up off. However, the Lychee Blush actually reminded me of my favourite cocktail at Longrain being the Soho La, but the Soho La still wins for me as it's sweeter, whereas with the Lychee Blush there is lot more depth of flavour. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nSL5BA60kw/TpoJ05Srx_I/AAAAAAAAEkw/Zs5IcHc_esM/s1600/IMG_7128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nSL5BA60kw/TpoJ05Srx_I/AAAAAAAAEkw/Zs5IcHc_esM/s640/IMG_7128.jpg" width="406" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lychee Blush, $15</td></tr>
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After Dumpling Sister and I ordered our cocktails, I don't know what got over Cheesecake Boy, but he must of got happy hour fever, as he decided that we needed a jug of sangria as well. The sangria was a refreshing combination of fresh fruit that was predominately crisp apples and spices, Hennessy VS, Cointreau and Chambord. I really enjoyed the addition of Chambord, as I think apples and raspberries are quite a refreshingly sweet combination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQUJ0WzLDbw/TpoJ3Ye9xII/AAAAAAAAElA/ccmL4dcAUog/s1600/IMG_7132.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQUJ0WzLDbw/TpoJ3Ye9xII/AAAAAAAAElA/ccmL4dcAUog/s640/IMG_7132.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sangria, $15</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I had to get a photo of the bread plate, as I thought the logo on it was a thoughtful touch. The bread was Sonoma sourdough, and you really couldn't go wrong here with the accompanying butter. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQUJ0WzLDbw/TpoJ3Ye9xII/AAAAAAAAElA/ccmL4dcAUog/s1600/IMG_7132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYQTL8cQKAnBBrSPANibHJ4U_gbubhvsaN1R_34dC_X2WeqY2XYOwmmwfQEVNsJuZJLjFIVALSVT1C1G9LVklyyIYCoTgh5w9ezczlaZdftfhqPVxf2C8nBzlZL7cMmMKUcruJytN8Osf/s1600/IMG_7108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYQTL8cQKAnBBrSPANibHJ4U_gbubhvsaN1R_34dC_X2WeqY2XYOwmmwfQEVNsJuZJLjFIVALSVT1C1G9LVklyyIYCoTgh5w9ezczlaZdftfhqPVxf2C8nBzlZL7cMmMKUcruJytN8Osf/s640/IMG_7108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_qUNgP2ATIs/TpoJt2slLuI/AAAAAAAAEkA/ug_nBfE-w-Y/s1600/IMG_7112.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_qUNgP2ATIs/TpoJt2slLuI/AAAAAAAAEkA/ug_nBfE-w-Y/s640/IMG_7112.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonoma sourdough</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">After Dumpling Sister's return, she's all for risotto, and easily agreed to a share entree of Tallegio risotto balls. We really enjoyed the strong depth of flavour of the Tallegio and spinach, and the Tallegio provided just the right creaminess to the risotto balls. They were perfectly creamy and fluffy inside, and the crumbed coating was wonderfully crisp.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X84bdHN1_mY/TpoKOnn5_TI/AAAAAAAAElQ/ypo513P8uFo/s1600/IMG_7135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X84bdHN1_mY/TpoKOnn5_TI/AAAAAAAAElQ/ypo513P8uFo/s640/IMG_7135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tallegio risotto balls, $14</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">You can lure Cheesecake Boy practically anywhere if there is the promise of oysters to come. The Pambula Lake oysters were served with lemon oak aged mignonette. The oysters were beautifully shucked and the dressing had just the right amount of acidity and sweetness coming through.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCd-Drc_RzY/TpoJxmAU_7I/AAAAAAAAEkY/OfnnIN4wcNo/s1600/IMG_7120.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCd-Drc_RzY/TpoJxmAU_7I/AAAAAAAAEkY/OfnnIN4wcNo/s640/IMG_7120.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/2 dozen shucked Pambula Lake oysters on ice, $19.90</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Now, on the Monday when I had booked our table I had been dying for a steak, but when Wednesday came around I wasn't so keen as usual. I really am fickle when it comes to meat, so this is how I ended up with the sage and hazelnut crumbed pork chop with apple sauce, instead of the steak I had been dreaming off. The crumbed pork chop was from Esk Pastoral Free Range in Tasmania, and is definitely the largest crumbed pork chop I have seen in a while. However, quantity does not always reflect quality, but in this case it did. My pork chop was so tender, and the sage and hazelnut crumb went well against the sweet and succulent piece of pork. The accompanying apple sauce was not the overly sweet kind either. The pork chop I must stress really was perfectly cooked, and was an absolute joy to eat. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6QtH3f63qw/TpoKPp6-OOI/AAAAAAAAElY/r6Ivd4zb8p8/s1600/IMG_7140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6QtH3f63qw/TpoKPp6-OOI/AAAAAAAAElY/r6Ivd4zb8p8/s640/IMG_7140.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sage and hazelnut crumbed pork chop with apple sauce, $27.50</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy went for one of the specials that night, his choice being the roasted pork belly that sat on a glorious bed of colcannon. The Hunter pork was so beautifully cooked from its juicy moist flesh to the wonderful textbook crackling just sitting on top waiting to be attacked. The colcannon which is an Irish potato dish was truly superb. I think I fell more in love with this simply creamy potato mash with its hint of leek and bacon than the roast pork itself.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lJTwLsCqaDY/TpoKQqhNxAI/AAAAAAAAElg/c74aywRtmFU/s1600/IMG_7142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lJTwLsCqaDY/TpoKQqhNxAI/AAAAAAAAElg/c74aywRtmFU/s640/IMG_7142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast pork belly, $25</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">My side of the family likes to share our food and Cheesecake Boy is now a sharing expert, so in perfect unison we all naturally divided up our meals. Anyway, I'm truly thrilled that we love to share. Otherwise, I would have missed out on the most glorious piece of steak. I realised after my first bite of Dumpling Sister's Wagyu cube roll, which was a 5/6 grade and F2 strain of rib eye that the reason why I am never keen on steak is that I have never had a steak bowl me over. Until that fateful Wednesday that is. I could write a sonnet about this steak, but a haiku would be easier. However, my creative juices are not really flowing right now, so I will spare you the pain. If you ever visit the Chophouse and this Wagyu cube roll is on the special's menu, I really urge you to try this. It was so tender and literally melted in my mouth. There was an accompanying harissa sauce with the steak and although it was nice, it really didn't need it. This piece of steak was exceptional, and worth every penny. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLWth9bT6mc/TpoKRskoybI/AAAAAAAAElo/DiA8vdWSIeA/s1600/IMG_7145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLWth9bT6mc/TpoKRskoybI/AAAAAAAAElo/DiA8vdWSIeA/s640/IMG_7145.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wagyu cube, $56</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We couldn't miss out on a side of fries. The shoe string fries were nice and crunchy and was well received while we munched and chatted over our mains. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwcLcTOCAOY/TpoKTan-FBI/AAAAAAAAElw/CXI9z0Zj36s/s1600/IMG_7148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwcLcTOCAOY/TpoKTan-FBI/AAAAAAAAElw/CXI9z0Zj36s/s640/IMG_7148.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoestring fries, $8</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The food and service up to this point had been faultless, so I was surprised when our mains had been cleared and we still hadn't received the dessert menus after waiting for twenty minutes. We eventually managed to flag someone down, and ordered some desserts. Dumpling Sister went for the warm doughnut Savarin. A Savarin is a French ring shaped cake that was named after Brillat-Savarin, but inspired by the rum baba. This cake is traditionally made with yeast, soaked in a rum syrup and filled in the centre with either cream or pastry cream. Chophouse's version was a doughnut with a cheesecake like cream cheese centre that was topped with speckles of violets and pistachios. There were meant to be Alpine strawberries, but we couldn't taste any. In general we were disappointed, as the alcoholic syrup made the doughnut quite cold and soggy to eat. Also, the cream cheese filling overpowered the doughnut. However, I thought the interpretation was quite creative, even though it left a lot to be desired.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQaclMs6IOI/TpoKW54mBcI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/XNtnEKSY3HQ/s1600/IMG_7165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQaclMs6IOI/TpoKW54mBcI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/XNtnEKSY3HQ/s640/IMG_7165.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm doughnut Savarin with Alpine strawberry, violet cheesecake & pistachios, $9.50</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy chose the amaretto and sour cherry semifreddo with chocolate sorbet and Italian meringue. The amaretto was quite distinct in the semifreddo and it provided a nice contrast against the sour cherries and chocolate sorbet. The Italian meringue added a airy softness to this pleasant dessert.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zdSeGQNMOpE/TpoKYahw2MI/AAAAAAAAEmg/u-WCl665D0M/s1600/IMG_7167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zdSeGQNMOpE/TpoKYahw2MI/AAAAAAAAEmg/u-WCl665D0M/s640/IMG_7167.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amaretto & sour cherry semifreddo with chocolate sorbet & Italian meringue, $8.50</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I had heard so much about the Chophouse's Swiss milk chocolate block, and since I love all things hazelnut, I went for the caramelised hazelnut block. The chocolate block was served on a chopping board with a cleaver. We all enjoyed the novelty of the mini cleaver, especially Cheesecake Boy. The chocolate was not overly sweet and the caramelised hazelnuts added a nice crisp crunch against the silky smooth chocolate. Out of all the desserts, this was my favourite, and it was the perfect way to end the meal.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AfWtatgVfkk/TpoKVGP3F1I/AAAAAAAAEmA/o1XMCL7WMRk/s1600/IMG_7163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AfWtatgVfkk/TpoKVGP3F1I/AAAAAAAAEmA/o1XMCL7WMRk/s640/IMG_7163.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chophouse Swiss milk chocolate block - 100g with caramelised hazelnuts, $7.50</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">By the time we left, the place was buzzing with people left to right, and I can understand why. The Chophouse generally provided wonderful service and although the desserts didn't quite always hit the mark, it's only because the entrees and mains had been so impeccable that our expectations were quite high by the time we reached dessert. I forgot to mention that live music comes on later during the night and it's really a nice touch. We'd all definitely come back for the steak. It's a big deal if a certain piece of steak is now appearing in my usually sweet filled thoughts. </div><br />
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<br />
<i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Chophouse<br />
25 Bligh Street<br />
Sydney NSW 2000<br />
Ph: 1300 246 748<br />
<a href="http://www.chophouse.com.au/index.html">http://www.chophouse.com.au/index.html</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1446831/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Chophouse-Sydney"><img alt="Chophouse on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1446831/biglogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-82322771491766158502011-10-17T19:10:00.002+11:002011-10-17T23:40:09.448+11:00Dude Food Deg - Lotus, Potts Point<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
This year has definitely gone by quickly, and I can't believe it's mid October already. Cheesecake Boy knows that when October comes around that he's sure to be taken to some out of the ordinary <a href="http://cravesydney.com/">Crave </a>event that has sparked my interest. This October was no different, and Dan Hong's "Dude Food Deg" was the only event that really caught my eye. What was meant to be a one-off five course degustation has stretched over to three different weekends due to its popularity, and who can blame them when inspiration for this crazy meal comes from Dan Hong's love of junk food and hip hop tunes. This was the perfect lunch for Cheesecake Boy and I as we really do love our junk food, especially Cheesecake Boy who can easily polish off a box of Pizza Shapes in one sitting, if I left him to his own devices. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tuB5rtYpkj4/Tpl8kVo4wrI/AAAAAAAAEjI/7X9qvbWecuQ/s1600/IMG_7288.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tuB5rtYpkj4/Tpl8kVo4wrI/AAAAAAAAEjI/7X9qvbWecuQ/s640/IMG_7288.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_LcqsFRV3no/Tpl8EsNqzBI/AAAAAAAAEfg/HFzcDRX07hA/s1600/IMG_7200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_LcqsFRV3no/Tpl8EsNqzBI/AAAAAAAAEfg/HFzcDRX07hA/s640/IMG_7200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The degustation to cover the five courses was a reasonable $70, and with matching drinks with each course it would be an additional $50 on top. Unfortunately for Cheesecake Boy he was the designated driver so he played it safe with a couple of beers, and as for me... Well, there was no way I could have been able to finish off all five drinks over lunch. After ordering our drinks the ever bubbly <a href="http://www.chocolatesuze.com/">Chocolatesuze</a> arrived, and we ended up enjoying this fun filled lunch together.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHiPrnlGqQc/Tpl8GE7A6sI/AAAAAAAAEfo/4_c3oyQZVv0/s1600/IMG_7201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHiPrnlGqQc/Tpl8GE7A6sI/AAAAAAAAEfo/4_c3oyQZVv0/s640/IMG_7201.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Instead of matching wines I started off with the Gold Member, which was an intense orange and creamy concoction of belvedere pomarancza which is a Polish orange vodka, the amaro montenegro really heighten the sweetness but then gave way to a slightly bitter finish, the addition of yuzu curd gave the cocktails its innate creaminess and an intense piece of flamed orange topped off this creation. Cheesecake Boy on the other hand went for a couple of his much loved Asahi's over our 3 hour lunch. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpJ2eSboqh8/Tpl8IGoHvNI/AAAAAAAAEf4/FxkG0MTM5rE/s1600/IMG_7210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpJ2eSboqh8/Tpl8IGoHvNI/AAAAAAAAEf4/FxkG0MTM5rE/s640/IMG_7210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Member, $18</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asahi, $9</td></tr>
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We started off with what looked like your standard spring roll and empanada. Cheesecake Boy forgot that we were meant to be eating dude food, so was surprised by the cheeseburger spring roll. I thought it tasted exactly like a Big Mac, but Cheesecake Boy who spent his teens working at Maccas thought it tasted like a cross between a Big Mac and a Quarter Pounder. The spring roll for both of us was a highlight, we could have definitely polished off a couple more of these. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Now onto the empanada doner kebab, it definitely reminder me of a doner kebab due to the juicy chucks of tomatoes and hint of tabouleh coming through. However, a doner kebab is not quite a doner kebab for us without the sauce. My sauce of choice would have been barbeque, whilst Cheesecake Boy's would have loved a hint of garlic and chilli to give it his full seal of approval.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6FHvLJ3L5YU/Tpl8LeL9GmI/AAAAAAAAEgM/_ZutTtFB4hQ/s1600/IMG_7222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6FHvLJ3L5YU/Tpl8LeL9GmI/AAAAAAAAEgM/_ZutTtFB4hQ/s640/IMG_7222.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese burger "spring roll" and Empanada "doner kebab"</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next course was Indomie with fried quail egg, deep fired eshays and "pulled buffalo wing" sauce. This was a play on Indomie Mi goreng instant noodles. I was definitely surprised to see this on the menu, as instant noodles do not grace the pantry of our household. Although, as a child my favourite were the Nissan chicken flavour instant noodles. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised with this plate of instant noodles that was dished up to us. It was incredibly packed with flavour, thanks to the punchy pulled buffalo wing sauce, and the fried eschallots added a nice crunch and were wonderfully fragrant. We loved the fried quail egg, as the oozy yolk when mixed into the noddles went swimmingly well with the spiciness of the sauce. I'd reconsider bringing back instant noodles into our pantry, if they always taste as good as this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indomie with fried quail egg, deep fired eshays and "pulled buffalo wing" sauce</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pepperoni pizza wontons with napoletana consomme drew mixed reactions. This was Cheesecake Boy's least favourite dish of the meal. However, I really enjoyed the combination of the rich and sweet napoletana consomme and delicate pepperori pizza wontons, don't get me wrong my brain was like these are wontons, but it tasted subtly like pepperoni pizza, the two things really opposed each other, but I think it really worked. The wontons were beautifully cooked, and the filling was actually textural quite soft like sausage mince, but slightly chunkier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepperoni pizza wontons with napoletana consomme</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">In anticipation of the hot dog tasting plate, I got the matching beer being Coopers Pale Ale, as really is nothing quite like having hot dogs and downing it with a beer at times. This was definitely one of those times.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJIew08hKRA/Tpl8WNmyFxI/AAAAAAAAEhw/Y2uNWHgiMzw/s1600/IMG_7249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJIew08hKRA/Tpl8WNmyFxI/AAAAAAAAEhw/Y2uNWHgiMzw/s640/IMG_7249.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coopers Pale Ale, $8</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We had been waiting patiently for our tasting of hotdogs, this was definitely one of the dishes that we were really looking forward to. We were instructed to eat the foie gras and truffle hotdog first, as it was quite rich. Let me say that the foie gras and truffle hotdog was truly decadent. All that foie gras and creamy truffle sauce was really a force to be reckoned with, and was well complemented against the plain sweet pork sausage. The soft white roll really helped soak up all that delectable creamy richness. This was definitely one of the craziest combinations that I've ate year to date. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Chicago style hotdog of Frankfurt style sausage, tomato, pickle and mustard was a more traditional combination, and actually helped ease you back in after all the foie gras and truffle goodness. In true Chicago style, there was no ketchup on these hot dogs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The corndog was actually my favourite, and it's probably the best corn dog that I've ever ate too. If these ever become a regular addition to the menu, I'd definitely be making my way back here soon. My love for this corndog was probably due to the fact that it immediately reminded me of the first pluto pup that I had ever ate. The ratio of batter and sausage was just right in my books, as the simplicity of the fantastic cornmeal batter with a slightly salty sausage topped with just the right amount of tomato sauce and mustard, was more than enough to put me in a blissful state. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Fld88e92Q4/Tpl8XA6ed6I/AAAAAAAAEh4/FvgQ-E24RRM/s1600/IMG_7259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Fld88e92Q4/Tpl8XA6ed6I/AAAAAAAAEh4/FvgQ-E24RRM/s640/IMG_7259.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasting of hotdogs: foie gras and truffle hotdog, Chicago style hotdog and corndog</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I thought the foie gras and truffle hotdog was crazy, then our dessert was off the charts bonkers. There aren't many people around who could dream up a creation consisting of donut ice cream with candied bacon, banana fritter, pretzel praline, peanut butter and raspberry jam and make it work. I can honestly say that Cheesecake Boy and I were smiling ear to ear whilst we were savouring each mouth full. The banana fritter was wrapped in kunefe, so it made the fritter much lighter, and I enjoyed the texture of the crispy noodles against the divine donut ice cream. The ice cream reminded me of hot cinnamon donuts and it went so well with the raspberry jam and thick smears of peanut butter. Let's not forget the pretzel bits and crunchy pretzel praline tossed in for good measure as well. Last, but not least was the candied bacon, I only wished that the bacon had been crispier, but the sugary syrup simply glistened on each piece and compelled us to keep indulging.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQOYLyYaEXE/Tpl8euVBvsI/AAAAAAAAEio/Aw9U9qjFm-M/s1600/IMG_7268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQOYLyYaEXE/Tpl8euVBvsI/AAAAAAAAEio/Aw9U9qjFm-M/s640/IMG_7268.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donut ice cream with candied bacon, banana fritter, pretzel praline, peanut butter and raspberry jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">There's one more Dude Food Deg scheduled for the 29th of this month. It's currently booked out, but keep your eye open for any cancellations if your interested, as it really was a fun meal that played with my mind and delighted the senses. I noticed that Lotus' sunset menu which is only available 6-7pm is finishing up at the end of this month, so here's your last chance to to get two courses for $30 and three courses for $39. The menu is limited, but "the cheeseburger" is on the menu, which may be enough of an incentive to visit soon. By the way, the service here is fantastic, nothing is ever too much trouble and Cheesecake Boy and I couldn't be happier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lotus<br />
22 Challis Avenue<br />
Potts Point NSW 2011</div>Ph: (02) <span class="phone tel">9326 9000</span><br />
<a href="http://www.merivale.com/#/lotus/lotus"><span class="phone tel">http://www.merivale.com/#/lotus/lotus</span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/751378/restaurant/Sydney/Lotus-Potts-Point"><img alt="Lotus on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/751378/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-54065811226864741472011-10-15T08:55:00.002+11:002011-10-15T09:07:22.168+11:00MasterChef Live - Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Last year, Cheesecake Boy and I missed out on MasterChef Live, and I thought we would miss it again this year. However, that was until we received a call from our dear friend Mrs. G when we were in Perth, who had some complimentary tickets, and so it was decided that the very next day after returning home to Sydney, Cheesecake Boy and I would get ourselves out and about. It was better then our initial intentions of just sleeping the day away.<br />
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We got there quite late as Cheesecake Boy and I had slept in, and it was crowded, but it was not unbearable. However, we were too late to attend some of the classes as they were booked out, but other classes that had a first come, first serve policy seemed to have a minimum 45 minutes waiting period. You see, we are definitely not the patient type so waiting was not going to be an option for us. However, after a small stroll our rumbling tummies decided that it was time for a quick and easy lunch. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkDieeiFspA/TpVsJfNoA2I/AAAAAAAAEbw/F27UfvLFgyA/s1600/IMG_6988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkDieeiFspA/TpVsJfNoA2I/AAAAAAAAEbw/F27UfvLFgyA/s640/IMG_6988.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This led us to the outside eating area, and after reading <a href="http://www.misschu.com.au/">MissChu's</a> menu and being in need of something fresh, we were lured in by the Queen of rice paper rolls and her fresh spring roll empire. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDb4SRFwoWw/TpVsZIUQpiI/AAAAAAAAEdY/O7MnzWng2Lk/s1600/IMG_7027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDb4SRFwoWw/TpVsZIUQpiI/AAAAAAAAEdY/O7MnzWng2Lk/s1600/IMG_7027.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The line may have looked long, but the efficiency of <a href="http://www.misschu.com.au/">MissChu</a> herself prevailed, and not long after we were at the front of the line and waiting for our order.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrL1j03I3F8/TpVsLFGxtBI/AAAAAAAAEb4/rZdP-Bhe838/s1600/IMG_6989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrL1j03I3F8/TpVsLFGxtBI/AAAAAAAAEb4/rZdP-Bhe838/s640/IMG_6989.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cZgmGBCmDg/TpVsMlwWqJI/AAAAAAAAEcA/qmGLx7fHkfY/s1600/IMG_6993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cZgmGBCmDg/TpVsMlwWqJI/AAAAAAAAEcA/qmGLx7fHkfY/s640/IMG_6993.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDb4SRFwoWw/TpVsZIUQpiI/AAAAAAAAEdY/O7MnzWng2Lk/s1600/IMG_7027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were in a playful mood, so no slushee was going to be refused that day. There was a choice between either the young coconut and pineapple or young coconut and lychee. Mrs. G went for the pineapple slushee and Cheesecake Boy chose the lychee slushee. They were basically frozen young coconut juice that had been blended and pieces of chopped up pineapple and lychee had been added to the slushy coconut juice mix. They were both refreshing, but both Cheesecake Boy and Mrs. G thought a spoon would have came in handy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cm76J-MWZdk/TpVsO31-i0I/AAAAAAAAEcQ/lMmnyxRU2as/s1600/IMG_7008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="612" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cm76J-MWZdk/TpVsO31-i0I/AAAAAAAAEcQ/lMmnyxRU2as/s640/IMG_7008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Misschu crush with young coconut & pineapple, $6.50 + 20%</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgUbK4L7lYM/TpVsRISWOxI/AAAAAAAAEcg/Cq9wa4BfkkM/s1600/IMG_7011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgUbK4L7lYM/TpVsRISWOxI/AAAAAAAAEcg/Cq9wa4BfkkM/s640/IMG_7011.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Misschu crush with young coconut & lychee, $6.50 + 20%</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I was beyond starving and pretty easily demolished my half portion of these mini spring rolls, the menu says you get four per serving, but for some reason an extra one was tucked in. They were hot and crispy, and though I did remember tasting pork, I don't remember tasting anything else in these spring rolls, as the salty nuoc cham overpowered the subtle flavours of the spring rolls. However, the squishy texture of the cellophane noodles did complement the fried crunchiness. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXPKHDRlycstDS21IzwN6tFcd_EJITeHNKNcbh63-Ne43bJwULXynNgBtl5SVQbl8SIS4y9wTCjiEdcprnaIRLxODsKGJBmUXzFuLDvuurbU3IbOE8lQjei47jxI0YfnSSQ0WFsWDg_tR/s1600/IMG_7007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXPKHDRlycstDS21IzwN6tFcd_EJITeHNKNcbh63-Ne43bJwULXynNgBtl5SVQbl8SIS4y9wTCjiEdcprnaIRLxODsKGJBmUXzFuLDvuurbU3IbOE8lQjei47jxI0YfnSSQ0WFsWDg_tR/s640/IMG_7007.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional pork Hanoi deep fried spring rolls, $6 + 20%</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><br />
The young coconut and satay chicken fresh spring rolls were nice and refreshing. The chicken is the dry shredded kind, but it needs to be to keep the rice paper from going soggy. Each roll had a nice balance of chicken, salad and vermicelli. The peanut sauce for me was slightly too salty for me, but I guess it didn't help that I smothered the rolls with sauce. However, I really had to admire how tightly each roll was wrapped. If only my own attempts looked as good, I guess practice makes perfect. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrDCtq5j5Gg/TpVsTeKwqyI/AAAAAAAAEcw/2z2uHdiIVOw/s1600/IMG_7014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrDCtq5j5Gg/TpVsTeKwqyI/AAAAAAAAEcw/2z2uHdiIVOw/s640/IMG_7014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young coconut & satay chicken fresh spring roll, $6.50 + 20%</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cheesecake Boy put an order through for the Vietnamese warm vermicelli salad with lemongrass beef eye fillet. I found that the beef was slightly dry and the same for the salad due to a lack of dressing. However, there was a nice kick of chilli and lemongrass coming through. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-141T89jouaU/TpVsX5eVuKI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/5VQfIGA-lsA/s1600/IMG_7024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-141T89jouaU/TpVsX5eVuKI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/5VQfIGA-lsA/s640/IMG_7024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnamese warm vermicelli salad with lemongrass beef eye fillet, $13 + 20%</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Between Cheesecake Boy and I, I'm usually the one who has an endlessly hungry tummy. However, coming back to Sydney has done strange things to Cheesecake Boy, as he seems to be the one now who is constantly on the look out for food now. A few days later, and everything is back to normal again though. Cheesecake Boy has a soft spot for weisswurst, so when he spied that they were available at the <a href="http://brotandwurst.com/">Brot & Wurst</a> stall, he patiently waited his turn, whilst us girls headed for some sparkling. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_1vBuAQ9Ak/TpVsbqJt40I/AAAAAAAAEdo/gFN0AUOupTk/s1600/IMG_7029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_1vBuAQ9Ak/TpVsbqJt40I/AAAAAAAAEdo/gFN0AUOupTk/s640/IMG_7029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNfNEHeCFR4/TpVsaUo0urI/AAAAAAAAEdg/hylRjJs4fg8/s1600/IMG_7028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNfNEHeCFR4/TpVsaUo0urI/AAAAAAAAEdg/hylRjJs4fg8/s640/IMG_7028.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><br />
Cheesecake Boy's weisswurst was served on a soft roll with a slightly tangy without being overbearing sauerkraut and mustard. It was simply delicious, and Cheesecake Boy couldn't get enough of it. Cheesecake Boy was completely satisfied after his weisswurst, even though I may have taken a bite too many.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m94ekSaWZNY/TpVseNQ3S5I/AAAAAAAAEd4/O1zcKeLa82A/s1600/IMG_7031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m94ekSaWZNY/TpVseNQ3S5I/AAAAAAAAEd4/O1zcKeLa82A/s640/IMG_7031.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weisswurst, $7.50</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Tummies all full, we were ready to start looking and shopping for all things food. We stopped by the <a href="http://shocolate.com.au/">Shocolate</a> stand, as we saw a sign that claimed that their chocolate macaron was voted Melbourne's best last year. However, their award winning black and white macaron was not available. I've read that their famous macaron is massive, and will set you back $10, just for one. However, they were generously providing samples of their other macarons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hMGLnyy9Z4/TpVskR3RrkI/AAAAAAAAEeg/ZPHn_rFsaDQ/s1600/IMG_7044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hMGLnyy9Z4/TpVskR3RrkI/AAAAAAAAEeg/ZPHn_rFsaDQ/s1600/IMG_7044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hMGLnyy9Z4/TpVskR3RrkI/AAAAAAAAEeg/ZPHn_rFsaDQ/s640/IMG_7044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We enjoyed them so much that we snapped up their special offer that included three skewers of macarons for $15, so for nine macarons altogether it was a steal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-El4t60LXzuI/TpVsgamZ0PI/AAAAAAAAEeI/b6uliG0wvLY/s1600/IMG_7038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-El4t60LXzuI/TpVsgamZ0PI/AAAAAAAAEeI/b6uliG0wvLY/s640/IMG_7038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
My only gripe with the <a href="http://shocolate.com.au/">Shocolate</a> macarons were that they were all skewered. However, if you like your macaron shells with a lovely crisp exterior and when you bite into them the shell gives way to velvety softness, then these are those macarons. The ganache fillings for all the macarons were superb, and they were very generous with the filling, as each flavour had a very distinct taste that just bursts in your mouth. They were all delicious, and usually chocolate macarons do not make me swoon, but even their standard chocolate macaron was simply sublime. Special mention goes to the particularly lovely bourbon vanilla macaron, only because I'm obsessed with all things vanilla.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7tYiz1nCRg/TpVsfTm7QlI/AAAAAAAAEeA/wF90FklDe4A/s1600/IMG_7035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7tYiz1nCRg/TpVsfTm7QlI/AAAAAAAAEeA/wF90FklDe4A/s640/IMG_7035.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three macaron skewers for $15 (special)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The <a href="http://shocolate.com.au/">Shocolate</a> chocolates are on the pricey side, with some slabs selling at $12 per 100g. However, I bought a mixed sample of chocolate slabs. The quality was definitely there, and the nuts were beautifully roasted. They were all lovely, but the nutty white chocolate pieces were the most fragrant with subtle hints of orange coming through.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-oBwGuydao/TpVshfJONMI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/Sjq_FdmuSzc/s1600/IMG_7039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-oBwGuydao/TpVshfJONMI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/Sjq_FdmuSzc/s640/IMG_7039.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted chocolate slabs, $15</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
My love for chips is the equivalent to Cheesecake Boy's love of ice cream, and the more chocolaty goodness in and with his scoops the better. It was going to be hard to say no to a <a href="http://www.maggiebeer.com.au/home/">Maggie Beer's</a> ice cream, so we didn't bother resisting. My quince and bitter almond ice cream was an almond flavoured ice cream with a generous sprinkle of almonds bits dispersed throughout. The quince in my ice cream came in the form of a swirl, I just wished there were more swirls. I wasn't surprised that Cheesecake Boy's flavour of choice was the dark chocolate and orange. I don't usually go for chocolate ice cream, but in this case I would. I loved the bittersweet chocolate against the intense orange in this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eK1nqEzqRpU/TpVsl1SkuDI/AAAAAAAAEeo/h_cFnZBC_Z8/s1600/IMG_7045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eK1nqEzqRpU/TpVsl1SkuDI/AAAAAAAAEeo/h_cFnZBC_Z8/s640/IMG_7045.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie Beer ice creams, two for $5 or $3 each</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
When it comes to chocolate, Cheesecake Boy and I are weak. You could imagine that heading into the <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/08/patisse-waterloo.html">Patisse</a> stall was not the brightest idea we'd had all day, especially after all the non-stop munching we had been doing. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMuXPtesKiU/TpVsuDCNEcI/AAAAAAAAEfY/ggst81EsoKQ/s1600/IMG_7058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMuXPtesKiU/TpVsuDCNEcI/AAAAAAAAEfY/ggst81EsoKQ/s640/IMG_7058.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB1ofj19V0E4TQOL6RbXjJlButV9yV6ntff8uTnLfITctNYReJK5oguRc6ZTn2skN0JN75lJOBjUBdsz_5RagvzxvcI9ktBGwRVnrJZ5sOruiTVFUeIXu6VZgwI7srHDLsp5B5_ORB5r7/s1600/IMG_7048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB1ofj19V0E4TQOL6RbXjJlButV9yV6ntff8uTnLfITctNYReJK5oguRc6ZTn2skN0JN75lJOBjUBdsz_5RagvzxvcI9ktBGwRVnrJZ5sOruiTVFUeIXu6VZgwI7srHDLsp5B5_ORB5r7/s640/IMG_7048.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
As expected we did not walk out empty handed. I was trying to be good, but I justified that I would be saving Cheesecake Boy a drive out to their Waterloo premises if I bought our much loved block of Valrhona then and there. Just as I made up my mine, a fellow chocolate lover next to us egged me on and told me that I would have no regrets. It's great how fellow chocoholics encourage each others addictions. Cheesecake Boy settled for the chocolate honeycomb slab, and this honeycomb really shatters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4vbV4JIsGE/TpVsrO8B4UI/AAAAAAAAEfI/FAaqeC1-BIg/s1600/IMG_7054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4vbV4JIsGE/TpVsrO8B4UI/AAAAAAAAEfI/FAaqeC1-BIg/s640/IMG_7054.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valrhona block, $21 and chocolate honeycomb slab, $8.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
MasterChef Live really is a fun event for people who appreciate food in all it's forms or just people like Cheesecake Boy and I, who want to sticky beak around and discover something different. I just wished I'd remembered to head back to <a href="http://www.2ducktrading.com.au/">2 duck trading co's</a> stall to grab a jar of their glorious duck pate. Oh well, we scored ourselves a heap of sweet treats, and I'll be sure to check our <a href="http://shocolate.com.au/">Shocolate</a> next time I head down to Melbourne. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQcUvTlzTO8/TpVssiPmF3I/AAAAAAAAEfQ/d7Mvia_1XyA/s1600/IMG_7056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQcUvTlzTO8/TpVssiPmF3I/AAAAAAAAEfQ/d7Mvia_1XyA/s640/IMG_7056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
MasterChef Live 2011<br />
<span class="st">7-9th October 2011</span><br />
<span class="st">Hordern Pavilion</span><br />
<span class="st">Moore Park NSW 2021</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mastercheflive.com.au/">http://www.mastercheflive.com.au/</a><br />
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</div></div>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-67513919442228675022011-10-12T23:25:00.006+11:002011-10-14T11:30:44.873+11:00Kenji @ Opera Kitchen, Sydney<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I know that I have been very slack on the blog side of things lately, but Cheesecake Boy and I have just come back from Perth, and we are finding it hard to adjust to the measly three hours time difference. I was meant to get this post out a while ago, but I became uninspired. I guess you'll understand when you get into this. I was reluctant to post this experience, but I guess at the end of it all, it was how the dinner panned out, and it really was out of our control.<br />
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Spring fever definitely hit Cheesecake Boy and I in early September, when the weather was just stunning. This led to us roaming the CBD after work a lot more frequently and enjoying the sometimes lovely warmer nights that we have been irregularly blessed with earlier last month. One of these strolls led us to Kenji at the Opera House. I had been meaning to make our way to Kenji for ages, as I truly loved Kenji Nishinakagawa's sushi when he was at Koi in Woolwich. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc-9JsW2bvE/Tnz7PCvMy5I/AAAAAAAAEUc/Vxa53G22i4Y/s1600/IMG_8369.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc-9JsW2bvE/Tnz7PCvMy5I/AAAAAAAAEUc/Vxa53G22i4Y/s640/IMG_8369.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Perfect weather, check, gorgeous view of the Harbour Bridge to my left, check... Now, if only I could give my seal of approval for the service. As soon as we were seated we were asked if we wanted to try the special being the "obento tower" and what we wanted to drink, without even been given a chance to look at the menus, so the waitress might be a bit too eager, so we asked for some time. Unfortunately, I had to make a quick phone call, and when I was in the middle of my call, the same waitress asked us if we were ready to order drinks. I'm baffled as I was on the phone still and she just stands there. Thankfully, Cheesecake Boy asked for five more minutes.<br />
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I feel the eyes watching me, and as soon as I hang up she makes a beeline to us again. I easily made up my mind that the Mount Horrocks Riesling is the way I want to go that night, and Cheesecake Boy decided on his usual order of Corona. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLsWWB0NVnk/Tnz7KfGVxVI/AAAAAAAAEUU/pCAhzvuL_nU/s1600/IMG_8367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLsWWB0NVnk/Tnz7KfGVxVI/AAAAAAAAEUU/pCAhzvuL_nU/s640/IMG_8367.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Horrocks Reisling '10 Clare Valley, $12 and Corona, $9</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cheesecake Boy and I are the type to take a while to decide with an unfamiliar menu. I know we were taking our time, but it's only because we love our food too much, and like to get it right. However, we were not given much room to breathe again, and we have again been suggested to take up the "obento tower". We finally relented, and caved in.<br />
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The "obento tower" came with two bowls of miso soup, and there's nothing out of the ordinary here. The miso soup was the standard kind, but it kept me warm from the the cool breeze that was developing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FeF6zjl52lg/Tnz7RpVgBAI/AAAAAAAAEUg/lPsPdIeiZP0/s1600/IMG_8382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FeF6zjl52lg/Tnz7RpVgBAI/AAAAAAAAEUg/lPsPdIeiZP0/s640/IMG_8382.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miso soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The "obento tower" emerged shortly after and was presented on three tiers, that automatically made me think of high tea. The bottom tier consisted of assorted fresh sashimi and two oysters, followed by the middle tier that was a mixed sushi plate and finally the top tier was a selection of fried seafood and vegetable tempura with tartare sauce. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwTMBkR4yXA/Tnz7Tg3EfpI/AAAAAAAAEUk/K_eoVueK2Jw/s1600/IMG_8389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwTMBkR4yXA/Tnz7Tg3EfpI/AAAAAAAAEUk/K_eoVueK2Jw/s640/IMG_8389.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obento tower, $78.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Cheesecake Boy and I love sashimi, so we attacked the assorted sashimi tier first. The oysters were refreshingly nice and the sashimi was fresh and plump pieces. However, the sashimi here does not blow us away like our favourite sashimi combo at <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/07/sake-restaurant-bar-rocks-sydney.html">Sake Restaurant & Bar</a>, but we still enjoyed the selection of salmon, tuna, kingfish and bonito.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted sashimi and oysters</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The middle tier was an array of sushi. I really enjoyed the freshness and quality of the tuna and avocado rolls, but Cheesecake Boy was much harder to impress as he thought they were quite standard. However, our meal took another turn for the worse when I was consuming a piece of the kingfish sushi, as not only did one fish bone turn to two, but before I was about to swallow I managed to dislodge one last fish bone from my mouth. I've had plenty of sushi before, and I can honestly say I have never ever had a bone in any of my sushi or sashimi for that matter, and to find three bones in one piece, left me flabbergasted. Unfortunately, I also found our pieces of raw fish to be not as fresh on our pieces of sushi compared to our previous plate of sashimi. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed sushi plate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_wi2dX4CPg/Tnz7ks-xNYI/AAAAAAAAEVE/Is4H0HBDsyg/s1600/IMG_8405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="520" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_wi2dX4CPg/Tnz7ks-xNYI/AAAAAAAAEVE/Is4H0HBDsyg/s640/IMG_8405.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bones in my kingfish sushi</td></tr>
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Our last tier consisted of a combination of crumbed fish pieces, calamari and prawns with vegetable tempura. The seafood was perfectly crispy, but they didn't do anything for us. The tartare was nice and creamy. However, I was after something a bit more inspired, after some major set backs that night. I found the vegetable tempura batter, much too thick to my disappointment, as I had thoroughly enjoyed a wonderfully light tempura at <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/09/ju-ge-mu-shimbashi-neutral-bay.html">Ju Gu Mu & Shimbashi</a> the previous week. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZaqQp00koA/Tnz7ijbHdmI/AAAAAAAAEVA/MeUJLDTWfTM/s1600/IMG_8397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZaqQp00koA/Tnz7ijbHdmI/AAAAAAAAEVA/MeUJLDTWfTM/s640/IMG_8397.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selection of fried seafood and vegetable tempura</td></tr>
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I can't tell you how devastated I was with our experience at Kenji @ Opera Kitchen, as I'd been really looking forward to this based on my fantastic experience at Koi previously. I've never not tipped a restaurant, and this was the first time when I didn't leave a cent extra. We all have unlucky experiences, and unfortunately it was our turn this time. However, I guess at the end of the day nothing brightens things up again like having an ice cream cone in one hand and ending the day with a ferry ride home with your other half on such a gorgeous day, even if we had to work earlier. To make things even better though, there was a lovely couple on the ferry who gave overheard that we needed tissues, and they offered some to Cheesecake Boy for his dripping ice cream cone. It's really nice to experience an act of kindness, especially from a random that you don't know.<br />
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<i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl. </i><br />
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<br />
Kenji @ Opera Kitchen<br />
<span class="adr"><span class="street-address">Sydney Opera House</span></span><br />
<span class="adr"><span class="street-address">Lower Concourse </span><br />
<span class="locality">Sydney NSW 2000</span></span><br />
<span class="adr"><span class="locality">Ph: </span></span><span class="phone tel">(02) 9247 0480</span><br />
<a href="http://www.operakitchen.com.au/menus/kenji-japanese/"><span class="phone tel">http://www.operakitchen.com.au/menus/kenji-japanese/ </span></a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1563888/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Kenji-Japanese-Opera-Kitchen-Sydney"><img alt="Kenji Japanese @ Opera Kitchen on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1563888/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-67820774602381907162011-10-06T20:59:00.002+11:002011-10-07T11:01:34.697+11:00Singapore Kitchen, West Ryde<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Cheesecake Boy started this blog in January and I eventually took over with the writing, and the photos are a share job at times. However, at other times one of us becomes the designated photo taker of the meal. Bringing me to the point that we have actually made it to our 100th post, so I guess time goes fast when you're having fun or I just love rambling non-stop, it's probably the latter. Also, many thanks to all our readers and the lovely comments that have come through, as it really does encourage me to keep blogging. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being the 100th post, I thought that it would be best to go back to how Cheesecake Boy and I started our food journey together, and that was by us having dinner dates in restaurants around our local area. Singapore Kitchen was recommended to us by Robert Kennard when he was interviewing us for the local paper being the Northern District Times, and although I was very reluctant to do this, Robert made the experience seem like one long conversation, so the silly rambling me took over and Cheesecake Boy and I had a lot of fun talking over dumplings, and a <a href="http://northern-district-times.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/cant-say-no-to-foodr-sink-your-teeth-into-all-things-edible-online/">story</a> did come out of this. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, a recommendation from another lover of food is never taken lightly, so that's how one night Cheesecake Boy and I ended up at Singapore Kitchen. I was actually not expecting to be let in to dine, as they close usually at the early time of 8.30pm. However, Cheesecake Boy still wanted to rock up at 8.15pm, much my dismay and I know my restaurateur family members would not be thinking of me in a good light right now. Fortunately, our host Sam was more than obliging and very gracious about the matter, even though the sole cook being his wife through the kitchen doors did not sound too impressed. Believe me, I wanted to leave you in peace and come back another night.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nUnjz7DaaeQ/ToxonYfKFrI/AAAAAAAAEbs/eQYwgduAPGE/s1600/IMG_8132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nUnjz7DaaeQ/ToxonYfKFrI/AAAAAAAAEbs/eQYwgduAPGE/s640/IMG_8132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5iP5g3gvC8VxWKs4W5_KFWCx3bMuN_SaLgRqwcsxOBSAp4U3WSMZQ7_9R1R66R88zFGXuMb7oPXciS7qZG9XlZ9UHD9DR54BKkQgAmNs9pdRFIaEWqFd-gZAfHVAruu94znkrGuh-UpY/s1600/IMG_8097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5iP5g3gvC8VxWKs4W5_KFWCx3bMuN_SaLgRqwcsxOBSAp4U3WSMZQ7_9R1R66R88zFGXuMb7oPXciS7qZG9XlZ9UHD9DR54BKkQgAmNs9pdRFIaEWqFd-gZAfHVAruu94znkrGuh-UpY/s640/IMG_8097.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our host Sam is a very proud restaurateur, and tells us that he guarantees that they offer the best Malaysian/Singaporean meals around the area, as well as being the best value for money. Otherwise, he would happily refund our meal. He names some very reputable Malaysian/Singaporean restaurants in not just the area, but Sydney as well that he thinks they do better than and it's not just a big call, but a huge one. However, his enthusiasm was infectious, as is his love for the establishment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As usual, Cheesecake Boy and I order some drinks. I ordered the grass jelly drink, which I am told that they make the concoction themselves, even grass jelly bits. I really enjoyed the refreshing qualities of this drink. However, if you've never tried grass jelly, it's definitely an acquired taste, and as I child I really detested this drink. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5YfdjeMVxs/Toxnm4I1oDI/AAAAAAAAEao/vMfyGhHPgvg/s1600/IMG_8099.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5YfdjeMVxs/Toxnm4I1oDI/AAAAAAAAEao/vMfyGhHPgvg/s640/IMG_8099.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass jelly (ching chow), $3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy went for the coconut juice. It arrived as pictured and I don't know about you, but to me, I think the coconut juice is only slightly more than a half full glass. However, it does taste nice and sweet to me.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-9wpXIiiGo/Toxnq9Ji_XI/AAAAAAAAEas/oWCb9vc3r74/s1600/IMG_8102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-9wpXIiiGo/Toxnq9Ji_XI/AAAAAAAAEas/oWCb9vc3r74/s640/IMG_8102.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut juice, $3.50</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I see curry puffs on a Malaysian/Singaporean inspired menu, I am sure to order them. As Malaysian/Singaporean curry puffs are definitely my favourite kind. The filling was a potato and onion curry, and I find this a bit dry, as I tend to like mine slightly richer in flavour. However, the pastry that they make themselves, was wonderfully buttery, flaky and simply melted in my mouth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pS1N1ZmylIY/ToxnzEx6mRI/AAAAAAAAEa0/5d_MFcjuP40/s1600/IMG_8106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pS1N1ZmylIY/ToxnzEx6mRI/AAAAAAAAEa0/5d_MFcjuP40/s640/IMG_8106.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curry puffs, $5</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, Cheesecake Boy and I eat a lot of Asian food, but we really aren't familiar with Malaysian/Singaporean cuisine, so Sam our host made some recommendations, the first being the nasi chicken biryani. We were told that this dish is very common and popular at Malaysian and Singaporean weddings.<br />
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The nasi chciken biryani had the same basmati rice as an Indian biryani, and it was fragrantly spiced especially with their own grown saffron, as apparently Sam believes that that the saffron in the shops won't quite do the dish justice. This dish also consisted of lovely moist chicken drumsticks that really bought out the richness of the rendang curry, and a side of achar that is a mixture of pickled vegetables and some peanuts. The achar was a nice contrast against the rich spiciness of this dish. I really enjoyed this dish, and I guess it helps that I love Indian food as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCat6v7FgFA/Toxn761daCI/AAAAAAAAEa8/STcRTO2LpgI/s1600/IMG_8109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCat6v7FgFA/Toxn761daCI/AAAAAAAAEa8/STcRTO2LpgI/s640/IMG_8109.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasi chicken biryani, $13.90</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second dish that was recommended was the hor fun with seafood. This rice noodle dish came with prawns, squid, fish cakes, vegetables and egg that were smothered in a gravy sauce. This is a dish that I have tried a few times, and while the version here is not bad, I prefer my gravy sauce to be slightly thicker. However, for the price, you can't complain as the vegetables are nicely crisp and seafood was perfectly cooked.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jOFWdBADp8/ToxoF6rBKZI/AAAAAAAAEbE/lE-L0w-Fx-o/s1600/IMG_8113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jOFWdBADp8/ToxoF6rBKZI/AAAAAAAAEbE/lE-L0w-Fx-o/s640/IMG_8113.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hor fun with seafood, $11.90</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our last savoury was a vegetable dish of fried okra with chilli and belachan. The okra belachan was my favourite dish of the night. When I usually eat okra, it can be on the slimey side, but not in this instance. There was just enough give when you bit into these, and the okra really was beautifully cooked. I usually find that at some places that they can be a bit heavy handed with belachan or shrimp paste, but they balanced the balachan and chilli just right here, so that you could still appreciate the flavour of the okra coming through. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqhg-_ik6s0/ToxoQs6JS3I/AAAAAAAAEbQ/ejwmIINRyEU/s1600/IMG_8118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqhg-_ik6s0/ToxoQs6JS3I/AAAAAAAAEbQ/ejwmIINRyEU/s640/IMG_8118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okra belachan, $10.90</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, I took a huge gamble with dessert, especially since I made a beeline for the durian puffs and I had never tried durian before. I've smelt durian, but never actually consume the fruit before, and what better way to try something that you're a bit apprehensive about, then in a glorified sweeten dessert version, just to ease you in. The choux puffs were the spongy soft version. Now, our verdicts on the actual creamy and thick durian custard was divided. Cheesecake Boy was definitely not won over, but I actually did not mind it, and I know you have probably heard this a hundred times, but there really is nothing you can seem to compare the taste of durian to. All, I can say is that it has a really deep and intense taste, and I know that does not help. Durian the so called king of fruit really is one of a kind, and not as unpleasant as I was anticipating it to be.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQerFDRj1uuz9NWoDgUSfbWbWlfvqsAWGuOVLsYr7oUs2MT2d5XI8VYlu14euxNN9hck0G-mrrGg9Otsupah9aT4GI7eTtFUakrGzPMhY231F4AFpPR_cth9RDOPMjtVX9K3fQBdA2oFSn/s1600/IMG_8128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQerFDRj1uuz9NWoDgUSfbWbWlfvqsAWGuOVLsYr7oUs2MT2d5XI8VYlu14euxNN9hck0G-mrrGg9Otsupah9aT4GI7eTtFUakrGzPMhY231F4AFpPR_cth9RDOPMjtVX9K3fQBdA2oFSn/s640/IMG_8128.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durian puffs, $6.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Singapore Kitchen is the perfect local feed, where the meals are hearty and good value for money and the host just loves to nourish his customers with their food. It really was a lovely and refreshing dining experience, where the owners are genuinely so proud of what they put on the table. We'll be back, especially to try their specialties that you have to order twenty four hours in advance, being the Singapore chilli crab and the teochew braised duck. </div><br />
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</div><i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
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Singapore Kitchen<br />
Shop 1<br />
991 Victoria Road<br />
West Ryde NSW 2114<br />
Ph: (02) <span class="phone tel">9807 3088</span><br />
<span class="phone tel">CASH ONLY </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/752035/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Northern-Suburbs/Singapore-Kitchen-West-Ryde"><img alt="Singapore Kitchen on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/752035/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-57992504576064822512011-10-04T17:50:00.007+11:002011-10-06T00:30:01.074+11:00Brunch at Wild Food Cafe and our Southern Highlands day trip<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Cheesecake Boy and I are in Perth at the moment, so it's been hard to update the blog as wifi is not always readily available and that it's been a busy holiday well for me anyway so far. Unfortunately, the holiday is over for Cheesecake Boy and he has been put to work here, but I am definitely enjoying my time off in Perth as the weather has been fantastic, and I'll be coming back to Sydney with a slight tan. Thankfully Maccas everywhere are easy to find and a great source of free wifi, even if I haven't had a chocolate thick shake for at least 10 years, and they have really skimped on the ice cream, not as thick as I remember them to be and you don't have to work hard now to slurp it down, so there goes half the fun. <br />
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Anyway, after postponing our day trip to the Southern Highlands quite a few times. Cheesecake Boy and I have finally gone with our friends Noodle Boy and Rice Girl, and we loved our time there. Our trip was the weekend of "It's Tulip Time" and by the time the four of us arrived at Bowral we were breakfast deprived and starving. Especially, since I got side tracked and decided that there was a cake stand that I really needed, and that's when one of the shop assistants suggested that we drop into Wild Food Cafe for brunch. When we got there we realised that Wild Food Cafe was an organic health food store with a cafe at the back.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlXJKP00BA0/Tom-vLM9X6I/AAAAAAAAEXY/JwxYZuTGiCE/s1600/IMG_4738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlXJKP00BA0/Tom-vLM9X6I/AAAAAAAAEXY/JwxYZuTGiCE/s640/IMG_4738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NA7oVsf1H2M/Tom9ea2IrwI/AAAAAAAAEW4/-h1iZ-clDpU/s1600/IMG_4716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NA7oVsf1H2M/Tom9ea2IrwI/AAAAAAAAEW4/-h1iZ-clDpU/s640/IMG_4716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As soon as we were seated, Cheesecake Boy became fascinated with the beaded monkey on our table, and started taking photos of it none stop. Apparently they were bought back from San Francisco. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eoJ1nwFNO04/Tom9AHxqheI/AAAAAAAAEWw/pxG6q30ouOo/s1600/IMG_4692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eoJ1nwFNO04/Tom9AHxqheI/AAAAAAAAEWw/pxG6q30ouOo/s640/IMG_4692.jpg" width="622" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were told by a local that the coffee here is good. However, I don't drink coffee so I can't say, but Cheesecake Boy did order his usual large cappuccino and thought they did quite a good job.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MuhIqp5mfXw/Tom98d8PlfI/AAAAAAAAEXA/dR6qbBESBmY/s1600/IMG_4721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MuhIqp5mfXw/Tom98d8PlfI/AAAAAAAAEXA/dR6qbBESBmY/s640/IMG_4721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy had his wild breakfast with two poached eggs that also came with bacon, organic sausage, slow roasted organic tomato and saute mushrooms with toasted organic sourdough. Now, I've never been huge on the big breakfast, but it definitely made for a hearty meal. I tried the poached eggs, and they were some of the better poached eggs I've had for a while, just full of flavour. The sausages were nice and lean, and I enjoyed the sourdough toast as well. Cheesecake Boy was utterly stuffed by the time he was done. Noodle Boy and Rice Girl were smart and shared one between the two of them, the staff were lovely and really thoughtful, as they actually served Noodle Boy and Rice Girl their half share on separate plates without needing to be asked. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriuoW_b5OOFVAX4ZIKbaYF29uYSh0Lux9PkTM6Hu7ornicLZeIKW2fbg3iR2KHlDQ8ceaV5iXMk82bSTC6rS6q1Mhkc419Nq4yX_w9ANJ9MxeFdWaoOHwLREDwBd1Z3QqPNRd2HipAwbs/s1600/IMG_4728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriuoW_b5OOFVAX4ZIKbaYF29uYSh0Lux9PkTM6Hu7ornicLZeIKW2fbg3iR2KHlDQ8ceaV5iXMk82bSTC6rS6q1Mhkc419Nq4yX_w9ANJ9MxeFdWaoOHwLREDwBd1Z3QqPNRd2HipAwbs/s640/IMG_4728.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild breakfast, $20</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My maple infused French toast came with organic Canadian maple syrup and seasonal organic fruit, the fruit of choice that day was bananas, much to my delight. I had been suffering from banana withdrawals back then, I use to and only recently again eat a banana for breakfast every morning, and it's making me feel like a normal functional person once more. The French toast was not overly rich, and I liked that it was just eggy enough and not drowning in syrup so that the bread still had some bite to it. The powdered cinnamon and sugar liberally sprinkled on top, gave this a lovely lift. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-Lqh1tpRHc/Tom-oezIzjI/AAAAAAAAEXU/oyG6HsQ6Jng/s1600/IMG_4736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-Lqh1tpRHc/Tom-oezIzjI/AAAAAAAAEXU/oyG6HsQ6Jng/s640/IMG_4736.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maple infused French toast, $14</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Happily full, we continued our day by visiting "It's Tulip Time", which was the predominant reason why we finally made the trip. Tulips are my favourite flower, I think it's their innately beautiful round shape and the colourful variations that they come in that make me love them so much. As Cheesecake Boy and I took plenty of shots and we wanted to share some on this blog. Cheesecake Boy will begrudgingly admit that he actually enjoyed this, even though it's not the manliest of activities. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AsJhtQjcxYM/Tom_oi0RMlI/AAAAAAAAEXw/fKwv1PMgwfE/s1600/IMG_4758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AsJhtQjcxYM/Tom_oi0RMlI/AAAAAAAAEXw/fKwv1PMgwfE/s640/IMG_4758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8cM-9IK8Hg/TonEN5B9t_I/AAAAAAAAEYs/jlRZqfgzbS8/s1600/IMG_4836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8cM-9IK8Hg/TonEN5B9t_I/AAAAAAAAEYs/jlRZqfgzbS8/s640/IMG_4836.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3XU-US0sLo/Tom_Vt5-YfI/AAAAAAAAEXo/SUcj9xVJgxk/s1600/IMG_4754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3XU-US0sLo/Tom_Vt5-YfI/AAAAAAAAEXo/SUcj9xVJgxk/s640/IMG_4754.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMFjcfD9mT4/Tom_b5GrSHI/AAAAAAAAEXs/pTeuvHWZHeI/s1600/IMG_4756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMFjcfD9mT4/Tom_b5GrSHI/AAAAAAAAEXs/pTeuvHWZHeI/s640/IMG_4756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEXtu_wMWqrc_CzKrBYZnx4po-PPzH9Z9VP-fzvtkB-SvDRMpzHqrtQvTxB6s2vcpzopNbqZ0acaDljZk9yQHxjs1CNnYNsf3iAQEZEkiMaX4KAOu8GI8fUBANG3QNZyL4lX4r1q4B8BM/s1600/IMG_4764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEXtu_wMWqrc_CzKrBYZnx4po-PPzH9Z9VP-fzvtkB-SvDRMpzHqrtQvTxB6s2vcpzopNbqZ0acaDljZk9yQHxjs1CNnYNsf3iAQEZEkiMaX4KAOu8GI8fUBANG3QNZyL4lX4r1q4B8BM/s640/IMG_4764.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXJzFRiryUA/TonAAMAny-I/AAAAAAAAEX8/JEbQNFB6UUM/s1600/IMG_4769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXJzFRiryUA/TonAAMAny-I/AAAAAAAAEX8/JEbQNFB6UUM/s640/IMG_4769.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPveCu7SwrE/TonCw8OGD1I/AAAAAAAAEYI/ZyKKoyGLWwY/s1600/IMG_4772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPveCu7SwrE/TonCw8OGD1I/AAAAAAAAEYI/ZyKKoyGLWwY/s640/IMG_4772.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ivqGh9gWFAw/TonDCH-WkJI/AAAAAAAAEYU/W77pZ1U4cvY/s1600/IMG_4778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ivqGh9gWFAw/TonDCH-WkJI/AAAAAAAAEYU/W77pZ1U4cvY/s640/IMG_4778.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I know this is not a tulip, but I saw this in one of the stalls wanted to take the mushroom home with us. However, that was until I discovered that they were not solid, but completely hollow.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUd51zgq7Vc/TonDG0tCU8I/AAAAAAAAEYY/Pl-wXF-idz8/s1600/IMG_4801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUd51zgq7Vc/TonDG0tCU8I/AAAAAAAAEYY/Pl-wXF-idz8/s640/IMG_4801.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Initially I was too distracted by the tulips to notice the tulip engraved brick edgings. I thought the tulip bricks were rather sweet though.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRSpApYdOFc/TonDPwGtnoI/AAAAAAAAEYc/WiA-5TdeCVY/s1600/IMG_4815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRSpApYdOFc/TonDPwGtnoI/AAAAAAAAEYc/WiA-5TdeCVY/s640/IMG_4815.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-055jk_QM5o4/TonEfoELSKI/AAAAAAAAEYw/pAxwav6uzRg/s1600/IMG_4837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-055jk_QM5o4/TonEfoELSKI/AAAAAAAAEYw/pAxwav6uzRg/s640/IMG_4837.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--I3MtkrOUhY/TonFEwwRDEI/AAAAAAAAEZA/UG73dnwTCXs/s1600/IMG_4848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--I3MtkrOUhY/TonFEwwRDEI/AAAAAAAAEZA/UG73dnwTCXs/s640/IMG_4848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNZsOK6uoMk/TonE150IjhI/AAAAAAAAEY0/R4GoBxjDHhQ/s1600/IMG_4842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNZsOK6uoMk/TonE150IjhI/AAAAAAAAEY0/R4GoBxjDHhQ/s640/IMG_4842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since, the guys went to the tulip festival with us girls, we decided that we should visit some vineyards to make it a fair day. I guess I am becoming the queen of getting side tracked, as I insisted on a detour to Berrima first. I'm glad I was so insistent, as Berrima is awfully quaint.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZCejzCMa70/TonGAihTb4I/AAAAAAAAEZY/of64UwaT4N0/s1600/IMG_4899.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZCejzCMa70/TonGAihTb4I/AAAAAAAAEZY/of64UwaT4N0/s640/IMG_4899.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, Cheesecake Boy was cracking down on me about the time, so we decided to quickly duck into the first jam shop that I could find. The Little Hand Stirred Jam Store is also an ice creamery and besides jams they also sell an impressive array of honeys, jellies and other condiments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFzPxu-ZZjsJwLntf6s0cBoLsBEAicn8CRuss11bk6Ei9sC6-dj8SvCoCOPBJaLxguiWP0SaK8HkEjqJ1kpZaPpRicbqUy-FwzZXWyDYmcgWhlFQePHuweN6wm9vpO-JEBMMmUwmRg_e8/s1600/IMG_4898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFzPxu-ZZjsJwLntf6s0cBoLsBEAicn8CRuss11bk6Ei9sC6-dj8SvCoCOPBJaLxguiWP0SaK8HkEjqJ1kpZaPpRicbqUy-FwzZXWyDYmcgWhlFQePHuweN6wm9vpO-JEBMMmUwmRg_e8/s640/IMG_4898.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7lmTxS0WMI/TonGHOMAATI/AAAAAAAAEZg/R7qtybiQWI4/s1600/IMG_4908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7lmTxS0WMI/TonGHOMAATI/AAAAAAAAEZg/R7qtybiQWI4/s640/IMG_4908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxW_BgFaqeo/TonGYHhWesI/AAAAAAAAEZo/TqZxNU6nCnA/s1600/IMG_4913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxW_BgFaqeo/TonGYHhWesI/AAAAAAAAEZo/TqZxNU6nCnA/s640/IMG_4913.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMCPShAe36Q/TonGdHjq4gI/AAAAAAAAEZs/6zXFkbmPm8w/s1600/IMG_4914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMCPShAe36Q/TonGdHjq4gI/AAAAAAAAEZs/6zXFkbmPm8w/s640/IMG_4914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">When my sister and I were kids, as a special treat we would get a tin of these fruit drops on occasion. Back then the tins were very special to us, and we would give them a wash after we polished off the lollies, and we would then keep the tins to store what was special to us. I got one of these for memories sake, as I hardly see these in Sydney anymore. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipxwHfGoVpA/TonGi02Xv_I/AAAAAAAAEZw/8_kTAD7qC8E/s640/IMG_4916.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ice creamery side, stocks Cheesecake Boy's favourite range of Serendipity ice creams. Unfortunately, we were still too full from brunch to think about ice cream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWNFNV6xkB4/TonGoE3VxkI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/JSABr42kpVM/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWNFNV6xkB4/TonGoE3VxkI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/JSABr42kpVM/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWNFNV6xkB4/TonGoE3VxkI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/JSABr42kpVM/s640/IMG_4918.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">After our purchases of some blueberry jam, quince jelly, fruit drops and a quick chat to the shop owners about which vineyards to visit, Cheesecake Boy hurried me back into the car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUEyPpwHvrY/TonG4d2a7CI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/95hGKInpg08/s1600/IMG_4921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUEyPpwHvrY/TonG4d2a7CI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/95hGKInpg08/s640/IMG_4921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The drive to visit the grounds of Centennial Vineyards was highly recommended. Both the cellar door and the restaurant were stunning. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9X-5CtoQFGw/TonG-PuQxYI/AAAAAAAAEaA/9PshbACWXmU/s1600/IMG_4931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9X-5CtoQFGw/TonG-PuQxYI/AAAAAAAAEaA/9PshbACWXmU/s640/IMG_4931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8Zq0tySvxY/TonHRDaP83I/AAAAAAAAEaI/7p2_h7cHBbM/s1600/IMG_4937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8Zq0tySvxY/TonHRDaP83I/AAAAAAAAEaI/7p2_h7cHBbM/s640/IMG_4937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nj8Q7MsYL_mye-c7aJse-NN_Ac8qVZnaY7CRJY2F7uvK1irCaZz4dPK-P-1VggsuhAeUTzaXznbgJaTdMTx2XYvcSI7RacGPbhvYQM_fcdel7iAhF9mQEotc-nSzQMG9ufsEtZTrAuPw/s1600/IMG_4938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nj8Q7MsYL_mye-c7aJse-NN_Ac8qVZnaY7CRJY2F7uvK1irCaZz4dPK-P-1VggsuhAeUTzaXznbgJaTdMTx2XYvcSI7RacGPbhvYQM_fcdel7iAhF9mQEotc-nSzQMG9ufsEtZTrAuPw/s640/IMG_4938.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jcipRiCKMfw/TonHqveCQlI/AAAAAAAAEaU/4fsRV4M4-6g/s1600/IMG_4941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jcipRiCKMfw/TonHqveCQlI/AAAAAAAAEaU/4fsRV4M4-6g/s640/IMG_4941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After purchasing a few bottles of wine, Cheesecake Boy had us all out the door and off to our next and last stop which was Joadja Vineyards. The decision to stop here was that Joadja Vineyards is actually the oldest winery in Southern Highlands. I have to say this has to be the friendliest cellar door, I have ever been too. Before, I knew it I was getting a special roast chicken and risotto recipe and the time past by quickly as Cheesecake Boy was too distracted with playing with the dog on the rug to take any photos of the cellar door, and I was too busy making the executive decisions on which drops we were taking home with us that night. Unfortunately, they had just sold out of apple cider and as it was the end of apple season there would be no more stock until the new season, but we did manage to pick up some other wines and a bottle of applecello.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElPSsEhCsiE/TonIBxsqswI/AAAAAAAAEac/MVOllj76veU/s1600/IMG_4962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElPSsEhCsiE/TonIBxsqswI/AAAAAAAAEac/MVOllj76veU/s640/IMG_4962.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I'd wish that we discovered the Southern Highlands earlier, but better late then never I guess. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to The Bradman Museum and Biota Dining, but there is always next time. It was a magical day with the tulips, misty rain and beautifully vast countryside. We'll definitely come back and visit the wonderfully picturesque Southern Highland sooner than later, I hope. </div><i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Holidaying away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Wild Food Cafe <br />
<i> </i>250 Bong Bong Street<br />
Bowral NSW 2576<br />
Ph: (02) 4861 5559<br />
<br />
Centennial Vineyards<br />
Centennial Road<br />
Bowral NSW 2576<br />
Ph: (02) 4861 8700<br />
<a href="http://www.centennial.net.au/index.html">http://www.centennial.net.au/index.html </a><br />
<br />
The Little Hand Stirred Jam Store<br />
9 Old Hume Highway <br />
Berrima NSW 2577<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;">Joadja Vineyards</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Cnr Greenhills and Joadja Roads<br />
Berrima NSW 2577</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Ph: (02) 4878 5236</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://joadjawinery.com.au/">http://joadjawinery.com.au/</a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></div>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-88531251188551862142011-09-27T09:25:00.005+10:002011-09-27T19:17:46.021+10:00Marque, Surry Hills<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I've been busy planning a last minute trip to Perth, so the blog has been a bit neglected. However, I'm feeling inspired by my visit to Marque and thought a post was in order. Last Friday, my friend and I decided on the Friday Prix Fixe lunch that consisted of an amuse bouche, entree, main served with bread, pre-dessert, dessert and finally ending with some petit fours. The lunch menu changes weekly, and all for a sensational $45 per person. I cannot believe that after all this time of walking up and down Crown Street, that I never realised that Marque was just right next to <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/05/billy-kwong-surry-hills.html">Billy Kwong</a>. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Si451uxEhTo/Tn21ISHUB3I/AAAAAAAAEWo/fwhDvT9vLFs/s1600/IMG_4690.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Si451uxEhTo/Tn21ISHUB3I/AAAAAAAAEWo/fwhDvT9vLFs/s640/IMG_4690.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcjBWDe7BLs/Tn20Ga-tkuI/AAAAAAAAEVY/UpJIAwtHVRM/s1600/IMG_4653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcjBWDe7BLs/Tn20Ga-tkuI/AAAAAAAAEVY/UpJIAwtHVRM/s640/IMG_4653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The unassuming and minimalistic presence of the restaurant front seem to continued on inside the restaurant, and was warmly welcomed by us. As we both had to head back to work afterwards in an alert state, we stuck to glasses of water and for those unaware, Marque charges $5 per person for their water. The reason being is that bottled water is no longer an option available in their effort to help the environment, and instead a water filtration system now provides chilled still or carbonated water.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3dTuTJSxTI/Tn20DVUoLMI/AAAAAAAAEVM/A0p7WuoIQQ0/s1600/IMG_4648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3dTuTJSxTI/Tn20DVUoLMI/AAAAAAAAEVM/A0p7WuoIQQ0/s640/IMG_4648.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water, $5 per person</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">An amuse bouche of marron with potato and pork floss started our lunch off, and really set the tone for the rest of the food to follow. The amuse bouche was a wonderfully subtle balance of soft potato puree and luxurious sprinkling of heady pork floss that never overshadowed the beautifully delicate piece of marron. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwR95mpHJOo/Tn20EkKTbnI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/OSPztad6hDM/s1600/IMG_4649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwR95mpHJOo/Tn20EkKTbnI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/OSPztad6hDM/s640/IMG_4649.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marron with potato and pork floss </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the amuse bouche, the entree of Hiramasa Kingfish, green strawberries, liquorice, salt and vinegar was served. The Hiramasa Kingfish just melted in my mouth and slightly acidic notes of the green strawberries provided a nice contrast to the subtle fennel and salt and vinegar soil. Again another dish where the flavours never opposed each other and delicately blended into one.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeG0orWRWSM_VvfbSCg0-dk0Tk5fTTar443wh1LAZJnBsysFeW0WoNiCKcRrJbtFdRTc8sMvmYPxyfrOcZYpFPWyo2hYcbrpum666ZzWS6TqOk5MQcRwCxVv6c6YlFyvAe02sDSOGYKxX/s1600/IMG_4660_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeG0orWRWSM_VvfbSCg0-dk0Tk5fTTar443wh1LAZJnBsysFeW0WoNiCKcRrJbtFdRTc8sMvmYPxyfrOcZYpFPWyo2hYcbrpum666ZzWS6TqOk5MQcRwCxVv6c6YlFyvAe02sDSOGYKxX/s640/IMG_4660_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiramasa Kingfish, green strawberries, liquorice, salt and vinegar</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">When our mains came along, we had the option of either a slice of sourdough or rye with caraway accompanied by some housemade butter. The bread had a wonderfully moist and dense crumb, and a lovely depth of flavour.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpzGAEyfe6Q/Tn2061uiKwI/AAAAAAAAEV0/hd8bLAW_Gno/s1600/IMG_4668_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpzGAEyfe6Q/Tn2061uiKwI/AAAAAAAAEV0/hd8bLAW_Gno/s640/IMG_4668_1.jpg" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rye with caraway</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main of roasted lamb rump, hazelnut praline, leek, garlic and mint was another winner for us. The lamb was a delight to eat, and was beautifully cooked. I was taken by surprised with how the hazelnut praline and lamb went so well together, and also loved the addition of the edible turnip flower. I actually don't like mint jelly, but the mint sauce with the garlic puree was ever so subtle. The mint sauce just tasted of the essences of a few mint leaves, and was a refreshing touch.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDLggI8WwIM/Tn205Lb5dgI/AAAAAAAAEVs/AkOs0ZM9x5A/s1600/IMG_4665_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDLggI8WwIM/Tn205Lb5dgI/AAAAAAAAEVs/AkOs0ZM9x5A/s640/IMG_4665_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasted lamb rump, hazelnut praline, leek, garlic and mint</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our pre-dessert was the sublime Sauternes custard with bitter caramel served in an egg shell. The egg shell cloaked our pre-dessert in darkness, so I had no idea what to expect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1774A6IsDqs/Tn20_PaxB-I/AAAAAAAAEWE/ZgUFxKo0Lic/s1600/IMG_4673_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1774A6IsDqs/Tn20_PaxB-I/AAAAAAAAEWE/ZgUFxKo0Lic/s640/IMG_4673_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sauternes custard</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">However, that was until I pierced the top of my pre-dessert with the spoon, and found a wonderfully light custard beneath that perfectly bittersweet caramel. The addition of Sauternes, which is a French dessert wine, really added a lovely depth of sweetness to the gloriously smooth custard. The bitter caramel was fantastically rich, but was the perfect complement for the creamy Sauternes custard. This is definitely a pre-dessert that I won't be forgetting for a while.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPR5Sm_K20M/Tn20_0ngYOI/AAAAAAAAEWI/uAhjXpobT88/s1600/IMG_4677_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPR5Sm_K20M/Tn20_0ngYOI/AAAAAAAAEWI/uAhjXpobT88/s640/IMG_4677_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Soon after our desserts of coconut milk cake, mango sorbet and jackfruit came. Like the rest of our dishes this creation was also a beautiful sight to behold. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this dessert. The ever so moist and texturally crumbly coconut milk cake sat beneath a delicate dome of meringue. The mango sorbet just evaporated once it touched my tongue and to finish, slivers of lovely jackfruit danced around our plates.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DI2cl6v90Y/Tn21CPl3X-I/AAAAAAAAEWU/DqPYAFSJXlQ/s1600/IMG_4682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DI2cl6v90Y/Tn21CPl3X-I/AAAAAAAAEWU/DqPYAFSJXlQ/s640/IMG_4682.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut milk cake, mango sorbet and jackfruit</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I could of easily had a nap after all of that wonderful food, so I think some coffee and tea was needed to give us a bit of a pick me up. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5qAvNJufA1A/Tn21F3uZZ7I/AAAAAAAAEWk/4Dwiz-jJJMg/s1600/IMG_4689_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5qAvNJufA1A/Tn21F3uZZ7I/AAAAAAAAEWk/4Dwiz-jJJMg/s640/IMG_4689_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea, $6</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The final touch to our great lunch were the petit fours of salted caramel chocolates and bitter bon bons. We started off with the Campari bon bons and were instructed to be very gentle with them as they are incredibly delicate and must be popped into the mouth all at one go. You have no idea how gingerly I was picking it up, as I was worried that it was going to explode. However, my Campari bon bon got to my mouth unscathed, and it really was bitter as you would expect a shot of Campari to be. This bon bon for me was the most texturally interesting, as when you bite into it shards of sugar break up, and you are left with an intense explosion of Campari.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next we decided to try the jube or jelly and it tasted really strongly of mandarin, in a good way though. We followed this with the lemon drop, which we thought was nice and subtle, and lastly we tried the salted caramel chocolates. Don't do what I did and bite half of it. Otherwise, you may have a salted caramel spillage crisis like I would have, had I not acted fast enough. At first bite the dark chocolate shell just shattered, and a lovely gush of salted caramel then oozed into my mouth. Definitely best to consume all these petit fours whole in my opinion. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHFNC44JisU/Tn21DKDtueI/AAAAAAAAEWY/2CIFgn7GEJc/s1600/IMG_4683_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHFNC44JisU/Tn21DKDtueI/AAAAAAAAEWY/2CIFgn7GEJc/s640/IMG_4683_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jubes, lemon drops, salted caramel chocolates and Campari bon bons</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm really glad that I tried the Friday Prix Fixe lunch. To be honest, I have always been undecided if I wanted to dine at Marque, as I had heard a lot of mixed opinions from others. However, if you're looking for a beautifully restrained dining experience with friendly staff in an unpretenious and relaxed setting, then Marque may just be the place you are looking for. Cheesecake Boy is so envious, that I'll be sure to take him for dinner at Marque very soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
Marque<br />
355 Crown Street <br />
Surry Hills NSW 2010<br />
Ph: (02) <span class="phone tel">9332 2225</span><br />
<a href="http://www.marquerestaurant.com.au/">http://www.marquerestaurant.com.au/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/751455/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Marque-Surry-Hills"><img alt="Marque on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/751455/biglogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-38582674178912381572011-09-19T19:42:00.004+10:002011-09-19T20:25:05.032+10:00Another Blue Mountains post: Logan Brae Orchard and brunch at Megalong Valley Tea Rooms<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Just continuing on from our <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/09/hello-blue-mountains-and-dinner-at.html">last Blue Mountains post</a>. After our lovely dinner at <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/09/hello-blue-mountains-and-dinner-at.html">Ashcrofts</a>, Cheesecake Boy and I woke up the next day in search of the breakfast or the brunch of champions. After quite some deliberation, we decided that we would head to Megalong Tea Rooms for a big feed before getting into some trekking and sightseeing. However, on our way to breakfast Cheesecake Boy and I got side tracked by a sign that apples and freshly crushed apple juice were ahead. You see, Cheesecake Boy loves juice, and I don't mind it as long as it's the fresh and not the sugary artificial kind. This is how we ended up making a short detour to Logan Brae Orchard first.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN51eWDbFzjBEx4-G1ovjkHpqOTrh6C2yBLi8OwaodEB-kW_tH7RFXpqG9GGfprXPb0EQMObV1Pmu-mG_Iw8p8N2jiVjxV-Xc5daZS2tFHWwe5X2iWI00F4cN2ysWix1AXeUVe5iKFV32V/s1600/IMG_3482.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN51eWDbFzjBEx4-G1ovjkHpqOTrh6C2yBLi8OwaodEB-kW_tH7RFXpqG9GGfprXPb0EQMObV1Pmu-mG_Iw8p8N2jiVjxV-Xc5daZS2tFHWwe5X2iWI00F4cN2ysWix1AXeUVe5iKFV32V/s640/IMG_3482.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We arrived and found a rustic little packing shed. Upon closer inspection an arrow showed us the way in, and after a little chat with the owner, before you knew it we came out with a few goodies.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVmrEMpgsHw/Tmv8x-SyIoI/AAAAAAAAESA/Pm1rzMYgudg/s1600/IMG_3481.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVmrEMpgsHw/Tmv8x-SyIoI/AAAAAAAAESA/Pm1rzMYgudg/s640/IMG_3481.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uM8A9hbd8Sc/Tmv8t1ERYeI/AAAAAAAAER0/x1K5otlk9_E/s1600/IMG_3475.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uM8A9hbd8Sc/Tmv8t1ERYeI/AAAAAAAAER0/x1K5otlk9_E/s640/IMG_3475.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We bought a gorgeous box of unwaxed apples, and they were only $12 for a whole box. These were purchased on the condition, that I would bake Cheesecake Boy's favourite apple pie. However, they are mostly gone and no pie has been baked yet, but one apple tart has been baked from the apples in this box so that must count for something.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38frWhuXCBw/Tmv8psAtFdI/AAAAAAAAERo/0B87DveOyR0/s1600/IMG_3469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38frWhuXCBw/Tmv8psAtFdI/AAAAAAAAERo/0B87DveOyR0/s640/IMG_3469.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We also purchased the wonderfully pure crushed apple juice, some really glorious apple jelly which we have been endlessly smoothering on buttered crumpets for breakfast and a jar of pure honey. I'm really glad we popped in, as it was the end of apple season and they are now only open on weekend until the last of the apple juice stock has sold out. However, it's nice to support local producers as well, as we were told that when they initially set up Logan Brae Orchard, there were many other apple orchards in the area, but now they are the only ones left.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V4fGvJq8BOM/Tmv8wWL1yhI/AAAAAAAAER8/xZkeA6JPgsA/s1600/IMG_3478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V4fGvJq8BOM/Tmv8wWL1yhI/AAAAAAAAER8/xZkeA6JPgsA/s640/IMG_3478.jpg" width="633" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">A bit of shopping out of the way, put us back on track towards Megalong Valley Tea Rooms. The drive down to Megalong Valley Tea Rooms was Cheesecake Boy's highlight of our whole Blue Mountains trip. The smooth long and windy drive down into the valley, made Cheesecake Boy think he was a rally car driver, but he did keep to the speed limit, even though at that moment he wished for a Ferrari more than ever, as we drove under a dark canopy of trees. Finally, Cheesecake Boy's drive came to end as we arrived at Megalong Valley Tea Rooms. However, he couldn't stop raving about the drive here, and even the lovely owner humoured his exuberance. Boys will be boys.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0EeDLy5MgLc/Tmv80ig5f8I/AAAAAAAAESI/tPK4v_9CFWU/s1600/IMG_3487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0EeDLy5MgLc/Tmv80ig5f8I/AAAAAAAAESI/tPK4v_9CFWU/s640/IMG_3487.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84CSI76rPww/Tmv835TQzPI/AAAAAAAAESQ/2efpGzOv-fQ/s1600/IMG_3490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84CSI76rPww/Tmv835TQzPI/AAAAAAAAESQ/2efpGzOv-fQ/s640/IMG_3490.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As it was such a beautiful day, we decided to sit outside with the elements rather than inside the pink and green dining area. A lot of other people had the same idea as us, and they bought their friendly dogs out to enjoy the lovely sunshine too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2NmbspUapk/Tmv89Y1gfVI/AAAAAAAAESg/IGQ-umCAKOg/s1600/IMG_3503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2NmbspUapk/Tmv89Y1gfVI/AAAAAAAAESg/IGQ-umCAKOg/s640/IMG_3503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy and I both love a good scone, so there was no way that we were not going to order the freshly baked scones. The modest sized scones were nice and warm, but what we loved more was the wonderful homemade berry jam and the lovely and freshly whipped cream. Both had a lovely consistency and just the right amount of sweetness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0gCKuyeE5U/Tmv9D6eL6ZI/AAAAAAAAESw/wc3pH1f4Lkw/s1600/IMG_3561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0gCKuyeE5U/Tmv9D6eL6ZI/AAAAAAAAESw/wc3pH1f4Lkw/s640/IMG_3561.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly baked scones, $9</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqM5j6ai8LxMGtIcUw91bs41En51xJJA3INL0SWvRaDiJbRFus4w82hegnbOZZ79s3vMQ_mR4CLOg6h6xQWdxnY51R8YXo0I1sB3x424c7tE9ZOU9qf0ENiELE5SUqn5ynR6TbZBWow1c/s1600/IMG_3578.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqM5j6ai8LxMGtIcUw91bs41En51xJJA3INL0SWvRaDiJbRFus4w82hegnbOZZ79s3vMQ_mR4CLOg6h6xQWdxnY51R8YXo0I1sB3x424c7tE9ZOU9qf0ENiELE5SUqn5ynR6TbZBWow1c/s640/IMG_3578.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I had heard people rave about the apple pie here, so I knew that I the apple pie was on the must try list too. With the filling they use locally grown apples, but I found that the filling was quite unremarkable. It was a simple sweet crushed apple filling. However, it was the pastry that really set this pie apart. The shortcrust pastry was really thin and delicate, but at the same time perfectly crisp. I've never had pastry on an apple pie quite like it. As much as I adored the freshly whipped cream it, it was overly generous and I really couldn't finish the cream or the pie.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8cVodht4Tw/Tmv9K7p9hFI/AAAAAAAAES4/ABoovz4H7P8/s1600/IMG_3564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8cVodht4Tw/Tmv9K7p9hFI/AAAAAAAAES4/ABoovz4H7P8/s640/IMG_3564.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple pie, $10.50</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we had ordered two sweet items we really needed to balance out the morning with some savoury. Now, I wanted one of the savoury pies, but since we had already ordered an apple pie, we decided that the big country breakfast was the way to go. Cheesecake Boy loves a big breakfast and this one came with two sunny side up eggs, rashers of bacon, a couple of gluten free "Megalong Beef" sausages, a grilled tomato and some sauted mushrooms with home made tomato sauce and some thick wholemeal toast. It was a typical hearty breakfast and Cheesecake Boy easily devoured it. However, the homemade tomato sauce was icy and slightly on the watery side, but I did like the lean beef sausages and the addition of thick wholemeal toast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujgjvhRMEBI/Tmv9QPZTZMI/AAAAAAAAETM/6wR-XniKVVM/s1600/IMG_3570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujgjvhRMEBI/Tmv9QPZTZMI/AAAAAAAAETM/6wR-XniKVVM/s640/IMG_3570.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big country breakfast, $16.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TppIt3-M5hY/Tmv9WD3Eu5I/AAAAAAAAETk/dNgA2mP8GPg/s1600/IMG_3583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TppIt3-M5hY/Tmv9WD3Eu5I/AAAAAAAAETk/dNgA2mP8GPg/s640/IMG_3583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Contently stuffed, as soon as we left the table we watched the birds dive right for the butter. No wonder they were a bit on the pudgy side. Megalong Valley Tearooms was really a lovely spot and with some quaint options, and I will admit that the scenic drive was quite spectacular. Cheesecake Boy wanted me to film the drive on the way back up for the post, but I'm a bit on the weak side and got a bit nauseous, so you'll just have to experience it for yourself.<br />
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<br />
<i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Logan Brae Orchard<br />
139 Shipley Road<br />
Blackheath NSW 2785<br />
Ph: (02) 4787 8440<br />
<br />
Megalong Valley Tea Rooms <br />
Megalong Road<br />
Megalong Valley NSW 2785<br />
Ph: (02) 4787 9181<br />
<a href="http://www.megalongtearooms.com/index.php">http://www.megalongtearooms.com/index.php </a></div>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-76957052905310638822011-09-15T11:36:00.000+10:002011-09-15T11:36:19.231+10:00The Dip @ Goodgod Small Bar, Sydney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Ever go through phases, where all you want to eat is some good comfort food, and you can't seem to get enough of it? Of course, comfort food comes in many different forms, but I'm talking about the type that's just fun and simply tasty. Well, Cheesecake Boy and I for the past few weeks have been going through this phase at The Dip @ Goodgod Small Bar. It all started off innocently, an after work roam through the CBD one night a few weeks ago, and since then we have been back many times and not always just the two of us either. This post will actually feature several nights of dining just for good measure.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zTYYyLxWPPs/Tmdwx6HXz6I/AAAAAAAAEQM/q7xprRc1McM/s1600/IMG_4414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zTYYyLxWPPs/Tmdwx6HXz6I/AAAAAAAAEQM/q7xprRc1McM/s640/IMG_4414.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Long days at work lately have Cheesecake Boy and I dashing off to the bar first thing. There's a range of punch jugs and the usual beers are also available.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rQZgBO6a8UuS5ApqjNRCj9UPg7wh8UcKrkLlL3X-w0cT3-cK_M-7gf4F1CB_PTJZwUaS4GKYzkYUGP364jm-VJSMm9pzeJnwzl_Aacwu-ugHuNONOORh-IhWsHLPOStDKbQqSz_f9Mu7/s1600/IMG_8167.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rQZgBO6a8UuS5ApqjNRCj9UPg7wh8UcKrkLlL3X-w0cT3-cK_M-7gf4F1CB_PTJZwUaS4GKYzkYUGP364jm-VJSMm9pzeJnwzl_Aacwu-ugHuNONOORh-IhWsHLPOStDKbQqSz_f9Mu7/s640/IMG_8167.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_9b62bxaWI/TmdwpplTrAI/AAAAAAAAEPw/3fYbiv71uvQ/s1600/IMG_4403.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_9b62bxaWI/TmdwpplTrAI/AAAAAAAAEPw/3fYbiv71uvQ/s640/IMG_4403.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bar</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy and I prefer the flavours of the white sangria over the black sangria. The white sangria punch jug is probably our favourite of the ones we have tried with its playful concoction of white ginger wine and Mount Gay Rum with brandied apples and strawberries. We think it's the fizz that sets this one apart from the rest.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6peN3jEBya0/Tmdw1ejsYKI/AAAAAAAAEQY/1vTpYfU8OcA/s1600/IMG_8201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6peN3jEBya0/Tmdw1ejsYKI/AAAAAAAAEQY/1vTpYfU8OcA/s640/IMG_8201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White sangria, $30</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">On another ocassion we tried the wild combination punch jug that was a mixture of sake, black raspberry Chambord and apple juice. It reminded us of Ribena.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R-YXiCzU28/TmdwVrhcOXI/AAAAAAAAEOs/QMTjtgry3Sw/s1600/IMG_4361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R-YXiCzU28/TmdwVrhcOXI/AAAAAAAAEOs/QMTjtgry3Sw/s640/IMG_4361.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild combination, $32</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Menus are always on the table. To order, you have to make your way to the counter where you will receive a number in return. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7v8HF1rugE/Tmdw0OL7G8I/AAAAAAAAEQU/DUGknCBDVl8/s1600/IMG_8184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7v8HF1rugE/Tmdw0OL7G8I/AAAAAAAAEQU/DUGknCBDVl8/s640/IMG_8184.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAb-7lEmd44/TmdxAxMFrgI/AAAAAAAAERA/VKdjrRaK8MM/s1600/IMG_8272.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAb-7lEmd44/TmdxAxMFrgI/AAAAAAAAERA/VKdjrRaK8MM/s640/IMG_8272.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food counter</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I think I may have found my new favourite fries. The fries are hand cut steak fries and there never seems to be a soggy one in the bowl yet. Out of the two options available, Cheesecake Boy and I favour the salsa fries where the perfectly crunchy fries are topped with a refreshing tomato salsa and a touch of cheese. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbQtIfewEtg/TmdwY6r17vI/AAAAAAAAEO4/9pYh2kCqEWc/s1600/IMG_4371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbQtIfewEtg/TmdwY6r17vI/AAAAAAAAEO4/9pYh2kCqEWc/s640/IMG_4371.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salsa fries, $6</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, don't get us wrong the standard fries with the wonderfully smoky and slightly spicy chipotle mayonnaise are also good. We would just like more of that creamy mayonnaise, we always run out before the chips are finish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr70ZV2XZoIcf2wd5LDPzPb_18pboCrvGks7XxpLF230uMih3CpANPpCIj4DbAZ4frSRapgkMaWJ6NSLXbKK-KQgKzTCbs7GqA_1ly-GEyHYwMSWwJMtoW8SA2xqnGKIJAbOGFLNKQMKar/s1600/IMG_4394.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr70ZV2XZoIcf2wd5LDPzPb_18pboCrvGks7XxpLF230uMih3CpANPpCIj4DbAZ4frSRapgkMaWJ6NSLXbKK-KQgKzTCbs7GqA_1ly-GEyHYwMSWwJMtoW8SA2xqnGKIJAbOGFLNKQMKar/s640/IMG_4394.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fries, $6</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Now the buffalo wings are only available on Wednesday's, and each bowl comes with six crispy skinned chicken wings basted in slightly spicy and sweet sauce on a bed of celery sticks and some lovely ranch dressing to serve. The buffalo wings were sweet and gave a harmless spicy kick of tabasco against the succulent chicken meat. The accompanying celery sticks provided a cleansingly fresh contrast between wings and we loved the thick and sour ranch sauce, this bowl of buffalo wings was so addictive. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmz1wb_4RbA/TmdwcLAS4PI/AAAAAAAAEPE/sp7XYgpT3uw/s1600/IMG_4376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmz1wb_4RbA/TmdwcLAS4PI/AAAAAAAAEPE/sp7XYgpT3uw/s640/IMG_4376.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffalo wings, $10</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The slaw is not a typical creamy slaw that you'd expect, but was a mixture of more apple than cabbage. However, the juiciness and slight tartness of the grated apples was very refreshing. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBCqsrT9ZVA/Tmdwg1FP9CI/AAAAAAAAEPU/2S7yAvSDSAg/s1600/IMG_4385.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBCqsrT9ZVA/Tmdwg1FP9CI/AAAAAAAAEPU/2S7yAvSDSAg/s640/IMG_4385.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slaw, $6</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The grilled corn was charred just perfectly for me. I tried the lime mayonnaise and it was lovely and nicely tangy. However, I did not try the accompanying chipotle salt, as I try not to add extra seasoning to my food. I really would have been happy with just the grilled cob without all the extras.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80VhrXlSJLU/Tmdwem8Zn_I/AAAAAAAAEPM/YgLNH5A24xw/s1600/IMG_4379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80VhrXlSJLU/Tmdwem8Zn_I/AAAAAAAAEPM/YgLNH5A24xw/s640/IMG_4379.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled corn, $8</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Another favourite of Cheesecake Boy and mine was definitely the pulled pork nachos. The nachos were a fantastic combination of crunchy and not soggy corn chips mind you, with generous shreds of smoked pulled pork, a sprinkle of nicely mushy pinto beans, tomato salsa for freshness, a lovely addition of tangy bbq sauce, enough melty cheese without being too overbearing and to finish it all off a light drizzle of lime cream that is much better than any heavy sour cream in my books. Typing all this right now is definitely making me want those nachos all over again.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gQOn3fLOI8/Tmdwf5ZAdRI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/oXz8mm-qGqM/s1600/IMG_4381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gQOn3fLOI8/Tmdwf5ZAdRI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/oXz8mm-qGqM/s640/IMG_4381.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulled pork nachos, $15</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy and I were divided over the southern smoke burger, as I didn't mind the soft mushiness of the soft bun, pulled pork, bbq beans, juicy apple and cabbage slaw and spicy bbq sauce. However, Cheesecake Boy just found the combination of ingredients too soft in texture, and prefers a bit more bite to his burgers. It was definitely not an easy burger to eat, so prepare to get more than just your fingers dirty with this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JN_tBpNxcd8/Tmdw8VMxIUI/AAAAAAAAEQw/qPSRYEy7yU4/s1600/IMG_8233.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JN_tBpNxcd8/Tmdw8VMxIUI/AAAAAAAAEQw/qPSRYEy7yU4/s640/IMG_8233.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern smoke, $12</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EJvKCP4gGk/TmdwibXCZZI/AAAAAAAAEPY/atw1F5_3Shc/s1600/IMG_4389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy loves hot dogs, so it was only a matter of time before we tried Lev's Dawg. This hot dog ticked all of Cheesecake Boy's boxes starting with a nice slightly salty and smoked sausage, a generous squeeze of American mustard, sweet and sour grilled yellow peppers and zingy tomato salsa on a soft hot dog bun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYMecTOta54/TmdwoEOdeRI/AAAAAAAAEPs/9PNtec9x3vQ/s1600/IMG_4398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYMecTOta54/TmdwoEOdeRI/AAAAAAAAEPs/9PNtec9x3vQ/s640/IMG_4398.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lev's Dawg, $12</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On Friday's the special available is "The Dip Box", that consists of four wonderfully crunchy pieces of fried buttermilk chicken, fries and a serving of chipotle mayonnaise.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJHVMiP12IU/TmdxCOmFz7I/AAAAAAAAERE/xmMZ8QPK7CQ/s1600/IMG_8290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJHVMiP12IU/TmdxCOmFz7I/AAAAAAAAERE/xmMZ8QPK7CQ/s640/IMG_8290.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dip Box, $15</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will admit that I did a huge no, no by using flash for this next shot, but I swear it's the first time that I've done that, as The Dip is quite dark. Otherwise, this special would not have made it on this post with my little point and shoot. Anyway, back to the contents of the fried chicken box. The fried buttermilk chicken was gloriously crunchy and tender. However, the chicken was a bit plain tasting, but the lovely chipotle mayonnaise gave it some kick. Another confession is that I am pretty prissy and like to eat my food with cutlery when it's provided, and I got caught by Andrew Levins eating my fried chicken with a fork. He playfully teased me about eating my chicken with a fork, and after some frustration, I dismantled my piece of chicken off the fork, and can say that the chicken really does taste better when you eat it with your fingers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68Kbyi2dgoc/TmdxEgSrF2I/AAAAAAAAERM/k7E-2fHDVaw/s1600/IMG_8298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68Kbyi2dgoc/TmdxEgSrF2I/AAAAAAAAERM/k7E-2fHDVaw/s640/IMG_8298.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are two standard desserts on the menu and our favourite hands down is the cookies n cream. I mean who wouldn't love two soft and slightly doughy chocolate molasses cookies with a scoop of smooth and slightly icy salted caramel ice cream in between, and to make it all come together some luscious hot chocolate fudge sauce to finish it off. We both found it hard to share one of these ice cream cookies, and after our first experience it was definitely one each, and no more sharing.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlvqT45qnmY/Tmdww6Zgc-I/AAAAAAAAEQI/woOfFhVLh_I/s1600/IMG_4411.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlvqT45qnmY/Tmdww6Zgc-I/AAAAAAAAEQI/woOfFhVLh_I/s640/IMG_4411.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies n cream, $10</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The other dessert on offer was the ice cold guac which came with a creamy scoop of avocado ice cream, a sweet strawberry salsa and a couple of shards of waffles pieces on top. The avocado ice cream was reminiscent of frozen ice cream with it's slightly sour and tart notes, but had a creamier texture due to the avocado. It's a refreshing dessert and doesn't make you feel too guilty.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie7IX6ZKNuo/TmdxITUd1GI/AAAAAAAAERY/Sh9ZslGypQQ/s1600/IMG_8306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie7IX6ZKNuo/TmdxITUd1GI/AAAAAAAAERY/Sh9ZslGypQQ/s640/IMG_8306.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cold guac, $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EJvKCP4gGk/TmdwibXCZZI/AAAAAAAAEPY/atw1F5_3Shc/s1600/IMG_4389.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EJvKCP4gGk/TmdwibXCZZI/AAAAAAAAEPY/atw1F5_3Shc/s640/IMG_4389.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As you can see we have been carried away the last few weeks, but we have definitely gotten our fix for now. Cheesecake Boy and I love the fun and friendly environment at The Dip, and if you can get me eating with my fingers then Cheesecake Boy knows they're onto something here. </div><br />
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<i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
The Dip @ Goodgod Small Bar<br />
55 Liverpool Street<br />
Sydney NSW 2000<br />
Ph: <span class="phone tel">(02) 9283 8792</span><br />
<span class="phone tel"><a href="http://thedip.com.au/">http://thedip.com.au/ </a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1595179/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/The-Dip-Goodgod-Small-Club-Sydney"><img alt="The Dip @ Goodgod Small Club on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1595179/biglogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-74167038243244539112011-09-10T13:06:00.000+10:002011-09-10T13:06:18.257+10:00Ju Ge Mu & Shimbashi, Neutral Bay<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Dumpling Sister is off gallivanting around Europe, and I can't tell you just how incredibly envious I am. Since, she's away for sometime, envious or not we decided to have an official bon voyage dinner for her. Dining out seems to be my responsibility on my side of the family, which is great as it gave Cheesecake Boy and I a chance to dine at one of our old favourites being Ju Ge Mu & Shimbashi. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now bookings here are a must. Otherwise, make sure all your fingers are crossed before you enter one of the two entrances of this establishment. If you enter through Ju Ge Mu you are walking into their teppanyaki domain, but last Saturday we had other ideas as we entered through Shimbashi, where they specialise in soba. However, it doesn't matter where you sit as you can order from both menus, I just didn't want to smell like barbeque after dinner, so that's why I booked to dine at Shimbashi, but one of these days I'd love to sit at the teppanyaki bar at Ju Ge Mu.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfnajnnHdNPIP1yb-14gMz2aP1X3T848jZFSYVLk0XUWikGamWAgBpnDqAxoqhvLNKUJ9DSpwT-UbxA3z4c56uRxWePsAECy8DpEa8NCJv42s2zerGWgk3MsPvKv6cb_YlZcXiF0sNKdw/s1600/IMG_4203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfnajnnHdNPIP1yb-14gMz2aP1X3T848jZFSYVLk0XUWikGamWAgBpnDqAxoqhvLNKUJ9DSpwT-UbxA3z4c56uRxWePsAECy8DpEa8NCJv42s2zerGWgk3MsPvKv6cb_YlZcXiF0sNKdw/s640/IMG_4203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XV08dUfhHgc/TmYfKKkVYfI/AAAAAAAAEOg/5_7rW6aaEDs/s1600/IMG_8330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XV08dUfhHgc/TmYfKKkVYfI/AAAAAAAAEOg/5_7rW6aaEDs/s640/IMG_8330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I was going to be good and not drink that night, but I got intrigued when I saw the words 'frozen sake' on the drinks menu. I chose the plum wine sake, and a small vessel of very frosty umeshu mizore was served to me. It's incredibly refreshing and the icy bits makes you chew it down as well. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAOYy4dQO6c/TmI9FGjvCXI/AAAAAAAAELI/BS_fNJYR3X0/s1600/IMG_4123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAOYy4dQO6c/TmI9FGjvCXI/AAAAAAAAELI/BS_fNJYR3X0/s640/IMG_4123.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen sake of umeshu mizore (180mls), $10</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy went for a beer as he never says no to a drink and if he does, well you know he must be ill. He went for his Japanese beer of choice being an Asahi. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OiX4foKuEM/TmI9GhPX90I/AAAAAAAAELM/6gzcKYdTOis/s1600/IMG_4124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OiX4foKuEM/TmI9GhPX90I/AAAAAAAAELM/6gzcKYdTOis/s640/IMG_4124.jpg" width="344" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asahi, $8.50</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes this is a Japanese establishment and you are looking at a bowl of what they refer to here as kimuchi, but Cheesecake Boy is obsessed with kimchi and we have to order this every time he sees this on the menu. A dainty portion of kimuchi was served to us in a love heart bowl, and I usually avoid kimchi in fear of burning my tongue off. However, this was more sour than spicy, and was actually quite nice. Cheesecake Boy gave his seal of approval.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFVqyoBQ1FvOlGUANejr2lL3jJzGUmLS_mvw7BiyHiYPkoWWeLxMbjrEQv1B34WMP-9GvFoIrjKeFJCLuM6ZeaK4-ArQCOgMs7-ne3yVtI80S1_Op8BAhn6-_mGCe0p1SR-07gNm69Flx/s1600/IMG_4147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFVqyoBQ1FvOlGUANejr2lL3jJzGUmLS_mvw7BiyHiYPkoWWeLxMbjrEQv1B34WMP-9GvFoIrjKeFJCLuM6ZeaK4-ArQCOgMs7-ne3yVtI80S1_Op8BAhn6-_mGCe0p1SR-07gNm69Flx/s640/IMG_4147.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimuchi, $5</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My sister Pumpkin Girl loves onigiri, and when she saw that the grilled crispy rice balls with spicy soy served with special miso, she was very keen to try it. Not overly crunchy, but enough for the soy and spicy chilli powder glaze to provide a good crisp surface over the rice. This was nice and simple, as we all took chunks of the rice balls and mopped them up before consumption with the smoky miso sauce. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZnLl0XWUxg/TmI9RP-d2LI/AAAAAAAAELk/2pZpOn2zpt0/s1600/IMG_4151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZnLl0XWUxg/TmI9RP-d2LI/AAAAAAAAELk/2pZpOn2zpt0/s640/IMG_4151.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy rice balls, $7</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We ordered a serving of the housemade teppanyaki gyoza. Our waitress was so accommodating, as this usually comes in a serving of six for $12, but as there are five of us dining today so she offered us the option of ten for our table which we immediately took up. They have two types of gyoza available, one being the pork and vegetable and the other option was the chicken and prawn, they allow half and half servings so you don't have to make any sacrifices. Both the pork and the chicken were lovely with their crisp bottoms and juicy meaty filling, but I'm a pork dumpling girl so they won out by an inch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ky-cnuQjTH8/TmI9VYfS5jI/AAAAAAAAELs/kcvV-jQDt2g/s1600/IMG_4153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ky-cnuQjTH8/TmI9VYfS5jI/AAAAAAAAELs/kcvV-jQDt2g/s640/IMG_4153.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gyoza, $20</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From the special menu we ordered the thick inside-out sushi roll of cured salmon and edamame. It was a combination I had never seen before, and I am so glad we ordered this, it was divine. The cured salmon melted in your mouth and the sushi rice was the perfect balance of sticky vinegar rice fluffiness. The crispy savoury whisps were the perfect topping for these rolls. The edamame gave each piece a slight bite and buttery texture. The sushi was definitely one of my highlights that night, if not the highlight as I'd love to go back for some more soon. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfMiEyVT-II/TmI9Y9s3IiI/AAAAAAAAEL0/JAgqxryoB5Q/s1600/IMG_4166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfMiEyVT-II/TmI9Y9s3IiI/AAAAAAAAEL0/JAgqxryoB5Q/s640/IMG_4166.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double salmon sushi roll, $18</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I truly fell in love with the these wonderful housemade Japanese style croquettes with minced beef on my first visit many years ago. It got to the point that I couldn't get them out of my head, and I had to find a similar <a href="http://dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy.blogspot.com/2011/04/japanese-croquettes.html">recipe</a> to curb my cravings. It's hard to resist a lovely potato croquette with some beef mince for extra flavour and wonderfully crunchy panko breadcrumbs to finish.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IRjDYgmLAA8/TmI9hJic_qI/AAAAAAAAEME/Ye1eYTuNJ2o/s1600/IMG_4170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IRjDYgmLAA8/TmI9hJic_qI/AAAAAAAAEME/Ye1eYTuNJ2o/s640/IMG_4170.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korokke, $4 each</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of my favourite Japanese dishes has to be okonomiyaki, and a good one is very hard to find in Sydney. The selection available here always brings an excited smiled on my face, when we actually get to choose which one we are going to try this time. We settled on the Jugemu special this time of pork belly, prawn, calamari and scallops topped with a sprinkling of shallots. I love the okonomiyaki here because even though it's got a soft pancake consistency, it still maintains it's moisture with the lovely fillings and lashings of oknomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise. However, Cheesecake Boy begs to differ and says it's too doughy for him, and he'd rather it be cooked through completely, but I think that would make it way too dry. Okonomiyaki is one of those things that Cheesecake Boy and I have decided to agree to disagree on. <br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3t43IWqZAo/TmI9lIkEMXI/AAAAAAAAEMM/SnTkjjvaLes/s1600/IMG_4172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3t43IWqZAo/TmI9lIkEMXI/AAAAAAAAEMM/SnTkjjvaLes/s640/IMG_4172.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jugemu special, $22</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy and I are always in a rapturous state when we eat the wonderful handmade soba noodles here. The nabe yaki soba was a hot pot of chicken, egg, vegetables, seaweed, broth and soba with side of one tempura prawn. It was a lovely dish that didn't need any fussing over, and was very comforting that chilly night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPfV6iGO3hE/TmI9sqHukpI/AAAAAAAAEMc/slF3rzq6VXw/s1600/IMG_4180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPfV6iGO3hE/TmI9sqHukpI/AAAAAAAAEMc/slF3rzq6VXw/s640/IMG_4180.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nabe yaki soba, $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I actually wanted the soba chips, but the words 'bird nest' of the bird nest sugomori soba intrigued me, and won me over. It consisted of crispy bird nest net of deep fried soba noodles with prawns, chicken and Japanese mushrooms in a thick gravy like sauce. The delicately flavoured sauce had lovely thickness to it that clung to the fried soba, this play of textures of both soft and crispy soba was additively moreish.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVkamlhWK9I/TmI9uFkV7HI/AAAAAAAAEMg/iHyl8XIaYKw/s1600/IMG_4182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVkamlhWK9I/TmI9uFkV7HI/AAAAAAAAEMg/iHyl8XIaYKw/s640/IMG_4182.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird nest sugomori soba, $18</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Now, I would of loved to have taken a proper photo of the tori and kinoko seiro soba that was presented to us on a wooden tray, but with all the food coming all at once we had to ditch the tray and place the plate of cold soba, the bowl of warm chicken and Japanese mushroom dipping broth and the side of radish clumsily on our very overcrowded table. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9C7Ci0HXxU/TmI9xBHJExI/AAAAAAAAEMo/xAh-7fDzMNI/s1600/IMG_4186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9C7Ci0HXxU/TmI9xBHJExI/AAAAAAAAEMo/xAh-7fDzMNI/s640/IMG_4186.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tori & kinoko seiro soba, $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This dish really is all about the beautiful grainy handmade quality of the cold soba noodles. The lovely warm tender chicken and Japanese mushroom dipping broth that was so rich in shitake mushrooms in particular, almost outshines the glorious soba noodles. The side of ground radish, allows you to adjust the depth of the dipping broth. Consumed by itself the dipping broth was slightly too rich and salty, but by merely coating the soba noodles in the broth, it was a perfectly harmonious combination.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojkmAZL7k_A/TmI92w6cw7I/AAAAAAAAEMw/6E5r-Acm5tY/s1600/IMG_4188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojkmAZL7k_A/TmI92w6cw7I/AAAAAAAAEMw/6E5r-Acm5tY/s640/IMG_4188.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of warm chicken and Japanese mushroom dipping broth</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I don't usually order assorted tempura, but my brother DS Boy wanted some and I was pleasantly surprised. I generally find a lot of tempura dishes can be quite heavy, but this is how tempura should be, delicately crispy and light and you don't feel like it's sitting in your stomach. The assorted tempura had three prawns and the seasonal vegetables consisted of lotus root, pumpkin, mushrooms, eggplant and zucchini.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax4lAl5gPEA/TmI94s4gUyI/AAAAAAAAEM0/KwhTBlsbEXg/s1600/IMG_4189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax4lAl5gPEA/TmI94s4gUyI/AAAAAAAAEM0/KwhTBlsbEXg/s640/IMG_4189.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted tempura, $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Now I know it is very unlike Cheesecake Boy and I not to indulge in a dessert when we dine out. However, when we heard that little Cupcake Sister had baked an incredible lemon cake, so we just had to dash off to try a piece. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLAuZsVXa5M/TmI9KKjctEI/AAAAAAAAELU/FVh72iu6RVA/s1600/IMG_4128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLAuZsVXa5M/TmI9KKjctEI/AAAAAAAAELU/FVh72iu6RVA/s640/IMG_4128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, our final words on Ju Ge Mu & Shimbashi is that it hasn't disappointed us yet. I can definitely say that my first soba experience here converted me to a soba kind of girl, and after this visit my love for soba is stronger than ever. However, it's the unique dishes that are so hard to find in Sydney all in one spot that keeps us coming back for more, and why not when it's always consistently this blissfully good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
Ju Ge Mu & Shimbashi<br />
<span class="adr"><span class="street-address">246 Military Road</span><br />
<span class="locality">Neutral Bay</span> NSW 2089</span><br />
<span class="adr">Ph: (02) </span>9904 3011</div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/751191/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Lower-North-Shore/Ju-Ge-Mu-Shimbashi-Neutral-Bay"><img alt="Ju Ge Mu & Shimbashi on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/751191/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-67842075926480518262011-09-04T18:48:00.004+10:002011-09-04T19:12:11.779+10:00Hemingway's, Manly<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Happy Father's Day to all Dad's and we hope everyone enjoyed the family festivities. However, if you're in the same boat as Cheesecake Boy and I, where we don't celebrate Father's Day, we hope you made the best of the gorgeous weather and had a lovely day. Being the lame couple that we are, instead of celebrating Father's Day, Cheesecake Boy and I celebrate a made up day which we call "Other Half Day", so to make the most of this occasion of spending time together, we decided to head down to Manly Beach and do the walk to Shelly Beach. We woke up a lot later than expected this morning, so first things first, we had to settle the hungry tummies before our stroll. The quest to feed ourselves led us to Hemingway's for lunch. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRyRpK1J1iE/TmMV2if3qJI/AAAAAAAAEOA/3Tz3Pfeikxg/s1600/IMG_4293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRyRpK1J1iE/TmMV2if3qJI/AAAAAAAAEOA/3Tz3Pfeikxg/s640/IMG_4293.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKaDlf5e_hI/TmMVmpuszJI/AAAAAAAAENI/-FQgt19Enpg/s1600/IMG_4247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKaDlf5e_hI/TmMVmpuszJI/AAAAAAAAENI/-FQgt19Enpg/s640/IMG_4247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Once we were seated, a bottle of water in a Hendrick Gin bottle was presented to us. I loved the dark manliness of this bottle, I'm sure Hemingway would of approved.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_t-yKQhC7Fg/TmMVnkKSMwI/AAAAAAAAENM/LQC6gg1hlFw/s1600/IMG_4253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_t-yKQhC7Fg/TmMVnkKSMwI/AAAAAAAAENM/LQC6gg1hlFw/s640/IMG_4253.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The menu was presented in old story books, and between 12pm to 4pm the menu consisted of a small selection of sandwiches and sides. However, we still have to mull about which sandwiches to pick between the two of us, as they all looked good. The pondering was not an issue at all, as I was feeling right at home with all my ipod favourites being played on the sound system, much to Cheesecake Boy's amusement, as our musical taste tends to differ considerably at times.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeZrYoS-deF7zgXWvKpgRf-1Q49z7y1GmPvVY-xdSpzG9JThQaGZTtSnkSl_ZbmaV8NybTLXlDegfRL_5jReWQuEtQPLz0_MGX5lNQEt2f0_uFnSTjfRQ70uC114CCswf5VSDelCMA8SL/s1600/IMG_4262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeZrYoS-deF7zgXWvKpgRf-1Q49z7y1GmPvVY-xdSpzG9JThQaGZTtSnkSl_ZbmaV8NybTLXlDegfRL_5jReWQuEtQPLz0_MGX5lNQEt2f0_uFnSTjfRQ70uC114CCswf5VSDelCMA8SL/s640/IMG_4262.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we're waiting for our meals, the drinks arrived and Cheesecake Boy's cappuccino came out first. When Cheesecake Boy first ordered his drink the waiter nicely inquired if he wanted a double shot, which we thought was a nice touch. Cheesecake Boy thought this was definitely one of the better coffees he's had from a lot of averages cups lately, but not the best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYGZjWS8MXM/TmMVuj9qEnI/AAAAAAAAENk/KLpSQHFKYUM/s1600/IMG_4268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYGZjWS8MXM/TmMVuj9qEnI/AAAAAAAAENk/KLpSQHFKYUM/s640/IMG_4268.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cappuccino </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">My usual order of English breakfast tea with a slice of lemon, came in an adorable red teapot. Don't worry it wasn't filled up to the brim, so pouring was still very manageable with one hand. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7e2e6J5BZE/TmMV1UIa9cI/AAAAAAAAEN8/lLMbMo3vW78/s1600/IMG_4289.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7e2e6J5BZE/TmMV1UIa9cI/AAAAAAAAEN8/lLMbMo3vW78/s640/IMG_4289.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English breakfast tea with lemon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">My 'pork' sandwich came first and was served on sourdough with pulled pork, apple chutney, and coleslaw, with a side of salt and vinegar crisps. This was one of the better pulled pork sandwiches I have tried, as it had the perfect ratio of tender pulled pork, beautifully sweet apple chutney and wonderfully creamy but crunchy coleslaw. All the flavours of the sandwich nicely complemented each other, and I liked the how the pickle on the side balanced out the sweetness of my sandwich.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzcQzC_FH2i2hPDPXMbQ2FkuI6r85mD1H_kb0ya5gBZ_EExWcnJ1iMm7rbOGpjJuvaA1TLzRxsIl66FkHOs6bLZCTcXqdsbKWS6A_r7CaeHqMsKWtVJmNWOwTjApcdvuaJvKQ_wPAqy7_/s1600/IMG_4272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzcQzC_FH2i2hPDPXMbQ2FkuI6r85mD1H_kb0ya5gBZ_EExWcnJ1iMm7rbOGpjJuvaA1TLzRxsIl66FkHOs6bLZCTcXqdsbKWS6A_r7CaeHqMsKWtVJmNWOwTjApcdvuaJvKQ_wPAqy7_/s640/IMG_4272.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork, $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy 'beef' sandwich was made up of roasted beef, rocket, horseradish and caramelised onion on pumpkin sourdough. It's a classic combination, with an unusual addition of tasty pumpkin sourdough, but it works. This sandwich was right up Cheesecake Boy's alley, as he enjoyed his generous hit of horseradish, and they didn't skimp on the roasted beef either. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmLEHGNHs8Q/TmMVx5TKbhI/AAAAAAAAENw/OHizPHSHFT0/s1600/IMG_4275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmLEHGNHs8Q/TmMVx5TKbhI/AAAAAAAAENw/OHizPHSHFT0/s640/IMG_4275.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef, $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We ordered a side of hand cut chips with tomato and date sauce, as we had no idea the sandwiches came with crisps. Disappointment set in, as we realised that the chips were not crunchy at all, and were rather limp. It was a shame, as I really liked the rich depth of flavour of the tomato and date sauce.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IIp3gvKXYU/TmMVzBwnMmI/AAAAAAAAEN0/e2q87kmO1pk/s1600/IMG_4282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IIp3gvKXYU/TmMVzBwnMmI/AAAAAAAAEN0/e2q87kmO1pk/s640/IMG_4282.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chips, $8</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy and I both love a good sandwich and Hemingway's definitely hit the spot. We found the sandwiches excellent value for the quality in these quirky, but relaxed settings opposite the beach. We'd happily return for another sandwich lunch, but we'd rather go back and try the playful dinner menu of chip degustations, chicken nuggets and ice cream sundaes. One of these days, we'll get around to it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leBLnHkkqME/TmMV7k3UPcI/AAAAAAAAEOM/DPA6cbHZ6LA/s1600/IMG_4301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leBLnHkkqME/TmMV7k3UPcI/AAAAAAAAEOM/DPA6cbHZ6LA/s640/IMG_4301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Just to prove that we didn't get lazy after our lunch, we really did walk over to Shelly Beach. I haven't been to Shelly Beach since my primary school years. Some memories definitely sprang to mind as we walked passed the first rock pool that I ever swam in on the way.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q6TrVM9VSs/TmMV9BEjY3I/AAAAAAAAEOQ/eS2dFVpbJ20/s1600/IMG_4305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q6TrVM9VSs/TmMV9BEjY3I/AAAAAAAAEOQ/eS2dFVpbJ20/s640/IMG_4305.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelly Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">On the way back to Manly Beach, Cheesecake Boy found this lizard that ended up posing for us and then everyone wanted to take a photo of this smiling lizard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mk-HZA6pcZc/TmMWA5HRKjI/AAAAAAAAEOY/HqXj_mcqpyI/s1600/IMG_4320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mk-HZA6pcZc/TmMWA5HRKjI/AAAAAAAAEOY/HqXj_mcqpyI/s640/IMG_4320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, regardless of how you spent your day. Cheesecake Boy and I hope you enjoyed your day and the glorious weather as much as we did. </div><br />
<br />
<i>Munching and walking away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Hemingway's<br />
48 North Steyne<br />
Manly NSW 2095<br />
<span class="phone tel">Ph: (02) 9976 3030</span><br />
<a href="http://www.hemingwaysmanly.com.au/_.html">http://www.hemingwaysmanly.com.au/_.html</a><span class="phone tel"> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1596178/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Hemingways-Manly-Manly"><img alt="Hemingwayâs Manly on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1596178/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-51294447922720141952011-09-02T22:43:00.005+10:002011-09-03T22:49:57.197+10:00Hello Blue Mountains and dinner at Ashcrofts, Blackheath<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
If you've been following Cheesecake Boy and I on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/DGirlandCBoy">twitter</a>, than you may have realised that Cheesecake Boy and I went to the Blue Mountains for a couple of days last week. I promise that we will get to the dining experience eventually, so please bear with me. Now, this is the first time that Cheesecake Boy and I have been to the Blue Mountains together, and we had intended to get to there earlier, but with certain things that needed to be done, we didn't get to our B&B in Leura until around 3pm. However, that did not deter Cheesecake Boy from making a beeline towards Sublime Point lookout, as soon as we had checked in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9SN1fEQwZU/Tl4qQzesVSI/AAAAAAAAEJA/XOeSDYWCdGk/s1600/IMG_3264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9SN1fEQwZU/Tl4qQzesVSI/AAAAAAAAEJA/XOeSDYWCdGk/s640/IMG_3264.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sublime Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I thought that because we got there so late in the afternoon, that we would only be going for a leisurely stroll, so although I had packed a pair of sneakers I left them in our overnight bag, and kept my ballet flats on. It made for a bumpy walk, but at least the path to the lookout was pretty straightforward. The view was worth the ten minutes of self-inflicted discomfort on my end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNEsyxd09Hw/Tl4qX1YG5qI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/cPNXWwPrNrk/s1600/IMG_3268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNEsyxd09Hw/Tl4qX1YG5qI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/cPNXWwPrNrk/s640/IMG_3268.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sublime Point</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We decided that since we had a big dinner to look forward to later, that we should probably do some more walking to burn off some extra calories in advance. We were meant to head over to beautiful Everglades Gardens, as it was highly recommended by our host at the B&B, but we got lost and ended up at some local park. After chatting to the locals, Cheesecake Boy found out there was a trek that headed to a waterfall, so an excited Cheesecake Boy decided that a change of plans was in order.<br />
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Now, Cheesecake Boy is quite a patient person, especially to put up with me and what he calls my city girl ways. However, it got to a point that Cheesecake Boy got fed up with slow and clumsy me and my ballet flats. In my defence, it had rained a couple of days prior, so the track was very muddy. The type of muddy where you're shoes sink into the soft ground. Our next hurdle was this mini step stone bridge, where at this point Cheescake Boy turned around and asked if I still wanted to proceed, and because I could hear the waterfall in the distance, I stubbornly insisted on soldiering on. Looking back on it now, it probably wasn't my wisest moment, but I had a point to prove. Although, Cheesecake Boy willingly kept trekking along, it wasn't enough to stop Cheesecake Boy from blaming me in advance, in the event that police rescue had to be called to get us out of there because of my stubborn insistence.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCMDJyhzkxo/Tl4qcj3I4AI/AAAAAAAAEJc/_leXkiPgFyw/s1600/IMG_3321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCMDJyhzkxo/Tl4qcj3I4AI/AAAAAAAAEJc/_leXkiPgFyw/s640/IMG_3321.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step stone bridge</td></tr>
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While I was walking along the step stone bridge, I got my first ever waterfall trickle which was really exciting for me, but then we had to cross a rickety wooden bridge that had been warped by who knows what, but there was broken yellow tape around it. However, getting to the waterfall made it all worth it, I tell you. It was enough to stop Cheesecake Boy and I bickering about the suitability of my shoes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwyVuwWcVe0/Tl4qkog0JsI/AAAAAAAAEJs/FE89_Ybdoh0/s1600/IMG_3333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwyVuwWcVe0/Tl4qkog0JsI/AAAAAAAAEJs/FE89_Ybdoh0/s640/IMG_3333.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, we could not stay down there forever and it was getting dark. Let me say that the trek back up was so hard. By the time we made it back up and looked at the view from the top one last time, I was more then ready for a little nap.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIi3X_1UTus/Tl4qmVK3eiI/AAAAAAAAEJw/96jXdok__QE/s1600/IMG_3338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIi3X_1UTus/Tl4qmVK3eiI/AAAAAAAAEJw/96jXdok__QE/s640/IMG_3338.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Refreshed from a nice rest, a hungry Cheesecake Boy and I zipped towards Blackheath for dinner. Ashcrofts had been highly recommended to us by a friend, and it was a short and easy drive. There's no need to wander back and forth trying to find this place, as it's easily located just off the main road.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olYrYO038m4/Tl4qnqAelHI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/AKBhZoHabh4/s1600/IMG_3347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olYrYO038m4/Tl4qnqAelHI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/AKBhZoHabh4/s640/IMG_3347.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The decor of Ashcrofts was wonderfully cosy, and we were greeted by a super friendly host, who made us feel right at home. This establishment also had a lovely gallery upstairs. Perfect, if you get bored easily and need to walk away from the cosy dining area. The meals were set at two courses for $75 and three courses at $88. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7xB_FAY1eg/Tl4qowp27yI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/jzHGpf7f9es/s1600/IMG_3357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7xB_FAY1eg/Tl4qowp27yI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/jzHGpf7f9es/s640/IMG_3357.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As per usual, but especially on holidays drinks are the way we like to start our dinner. Cheesecake Boy makes a point of telling me that this is the most expensive Corona he has ever had at $11.50 a pop.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUVLcSAuYyw/Tl4qwITpRAI/AAAAAAAAEKU/p3fDSFHCkdk/s1600/IMG_3373.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUVLcSAuYyw/Tl4qwITpRAI/AAAAAAAAEKU/p3fDSFHCkdk/s640/IMG_3373.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corona, $11.50</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Bellini offered here has a French twist of Grandin Sparkling Brut added to the pure peach liqueur. Unfortunately, there was more bubbly than peach liqueur. However, it was still refreshing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5y-KPAj0dT86msKp-BhDN4x7IVrHV7FLvnwEsNXgebQcEkodFjwbIUfMB6wtngvnlka0F65N39QZ3uxP7hy8PbbIQFZDsaises2CDrS1hfDC5osYT1S2zED46XShoKGQ76a7di-d-5a5j/s1600/IMG_3367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5y-KPAj0dT86msKp-BhDN4x7IVrHV7FLvnwEsNXgebQcEkodFjwbIUfMB6wtngvnlka0F65N39QZ3uxP7hy8PbbIQFZDsaises2CDrS1hfDC5osYT1S2zED46XShoKGQ76a7di-d-5a5j/s640/IMG_3367.jpg" width="374" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bellini, $16</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">As soon as we were seated Cheesecake Boy announced that he was starving, so the house made white bread roll with balsamic treacle and extra virgin olive oil was recommended to us. Now, for me this was love at first bite, but I'm sure the super chilly night and cosy surroundings heighten the experience. Who would of thought that an unassuming hot and crusty white roll dipped simply in olive oil and sweet thick treacle would be so delightful. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2JGV_cGqUw/Tl4qt4AuusI/AAAAAAAAEKM/hd3t9isfAgI/s1600/IMG_3369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2JGV_cGqUw/Tl4qt4AuusI/AAAAAAAAEKM/hd3t9isfAgI/s640/IMG_3369.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashcrofts house made white bread roll with balsamic treacle and extra virgin olive oil, $3</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I had heard many good things about the chilled goose liver and cognac mousse with prune and tamarind chutney on house made crostini, and since I love a good pate, I decided to order this. Although, I did hesitate as Cheesecake Boy and I usually like to share our meals, but he really is not fond of pate at all.<br />
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The chilled goose liver and cognac mousse with prune and tamarind chutney was an elegant dish. I don't know if I would call this a mousse, as it would shatter my crostini when I tried to spread the pate on. However, the pate was wonderfully rich and you got a good of dash cognac coming through. The pate really came to life, when accompanied by the sensational sweet and blissfully caramelised prune and tamarind chutney. The pairing of the pate and chutney for me, was truly a match made in heaven. The serving was quite generous, and our host without asking served me some more crostini, so that I was able to finish my entree. I thought that was rather lovely of her.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVoaRPdHIls/Tl4qw4fNPdI/AAAAAAAAEKY/ZX1bfeiVPmQ/s1600/IMG_3398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVoaRPdHIls/Tl4qw4fNPdI/AAAAAAAAEKY/ZX1bfeiVPmQ/s640/IMG_3398.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilled goose liver and cognac mousse with prune and tamarind chutney on house made crostini</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy's entree of soft shell crab tempura with mirin, coriander root and sweet chilli dipping sauce that was just hiding behind the crab was superb. For both us this was easily the best soft shell crab tempura we have had the pleasure of eating to date. It was just so fresh and there was no lingering fishy aftertaste, that I find usually associated with eating soft shell crab. The texture of the tempura melted in your mouth and was as light as a feather. It was amazingly good with the mirin, coriander root and sweet chilli dipping sauce. I could of ate the sauce on its own, with its lovely combination of sweet, slighty tangy and just a hint of spice. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxVVV7QyB4gBLZ9DGgHIg2zMgaN27KOhUhYMPUFnY3s0mAm7sQ2F0v_53T8kyEPoTSCNWRSPGUekJVV3ZUgOQFc9tKk-h5jfyqmJ0LyUgMCEZ-Dr-nShHAkE2FfannADrVpT116BUgXwr/s1600/IMG_3400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxVVV7QyB4gBLZ9DGgHIg2zMgaN27KOhUhYMPUFnY3s0mAm7sQ2F0v_53T8kyEPoTSCNWRSPGUekJVV3ZUgOQFc9tKk-h5jfyqmJ0LyUgMCEZ-Dr-nShHAkE2FfannADrVpT116BUgXwr/s640/IMG_3400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft shell crab tempura with mirin, coriander root and sweet chilli dipping sauce</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy ordered the chorizo, caraway and parsley crusted lamb rack baked medium, on a rustic romesco sauce for his main. He found the lamb slightly overcooked, but enjoyed the subtle and smoky flavours of the crust with the slightly tangy and spicy romesco sauce. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNh-1INu-1sWRg6VkRj6CPnShOecsba3pnG0kFCJw4Yn_5wvndlk0uxGOoE8pAU2bRRO9n4cf-eHfGg11KVBIbikbXHyOO22XtP6FtxtXRxRgZ1O29BQfsWQ856SXFsHSoEGaTLcOa7EX/s1600/IMG_3422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNh-1INu-1sWRg6VkRj6CPnShOecsba3pnG0kFCJw4Yn_5wvndlk0uxGOoE8pAU2bRRO9n4cf-eHfGg11KVBIbikbXHyOO22XtP6FtxtXRxRgZ1O29BQfsWQ856SXFsHSoEGaTLcOa7EX/s640/IMG_3422.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chorizo, caraway and parsley crusted lamb rack baked medium, on a rustic romesco sauce</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The twice roasted crispy skin duck with Arabian aromatics and citrus flavours was my main of choice, and it was deliciously rich. The sweet spices and lovely citrus notes of the cumquats worked so well with the fantastic crispy skin, and beautifully succulent flesh of the duck.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dAVJ5j2TMx0/Tl4q1K7eVMI/AAAAAAAAEKs/xNA8KcFZTmI/s1600/IMG_3428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dAVJ5j2TMx0/Tl4q1K7eVMI/AAAAAAAAEKs/xNA8KcFZTmI/s640/IMG_3428.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twice roasted crispy skin duck with Arabian aromatics and citrus flavours</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All main courses were accompanied with a side of layered potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The side of the potato gratin underneath the lovely assorted seasonal beans and juicy tomatoes, was definitely one of the more memorable potato dishes that I have ate in a while. I tend to avoid gratins, as I think they are usually too creamy. However, it was all about the potatoes and not the cream. It was only creamy enough to bring out the lovely starchy goodness of the spuds. The assorted beans were wonderfully crunchy and the tomatoes were so beautifully robust. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pD0qn4vndw/Tl4q3kIoRPI/AAAAAAAAEK4/1dnQnMOx7r8/s1600/IMG_3432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pD0qn4vndw/Tl4q3kIoRPI/AAAAAAAAEK4/1dnQnMOx7r8/s640/IMG_3432.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side of layered potatoes and seasonal vegetables</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We couldn't leave without trying dessert, but with all the rich food consumed that night, only one dessert would be able to grace our table. Cheesecake Boy's choice of the house made profiteroles with grand marnier laced creme patissiere and dark chocolate fudge sauce served with a vanilla bean infused creme fraiche made the cut, as opposed to the pecan praline and lemon curd meringue that I had wanted so badly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since, Cheesecake Boy usually gives in to me, it's only fair that I let him choose the dessert every now and then too. The profiteroles were lovely. The choux pastry was piping hot with a subtly crunchy exterior that was a joy to eat against the lusciously creamy creme patissiere that was very light in Grand Marnier. Let's not forget the dark chocolate fudgy sauce, which was perfectly rich without going overboard, and to top this all off the vanilla bean infused creme fraiche was truly the right finishing touch. As it truly helped separate all the sweetness, but at the same time brought all the elements nicely together.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZSQO7U50vw/Tl4q4s7kXhI/AAAAAAAAEK8/kxxPu-Hy6zk/s1600/IMG_3439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZSQO7U50vw/Tl4q4s7kXhI/AAAAAAAAEK8/kxxPu-Hy6zk/s640/IMG_3439.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House made profiteroles with Grand Marnier laced creme patissiere and dark chocolate fudge sauce</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We loved the good old fashioned warm hospitality and beautiful simplicity of the dishes at Ashcrofts. Where old favourites become new favourites. It just goes to show that more often than not, that simple things are often the best. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
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Ashcrofts<br />
<span class="adr"><span class="street-address">18 Govetts Leap Road</span><br />
<span class="locality">Blackheath</span> NSW 2785 </span><br />
<span class="adr">Ph : </span><span class="phone tel">(02) 4787 8297</span><br />
<a href="http://www.ashcrofts.com/">http://www.ashcrofts.com</a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1611308/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Katoomba/Ashcrofts-Blackheath"><img alt="Ashcrofts on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1611308/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-40153286223782957392011-08-30T23:48:00.004+10:002011-11-17T09:14:10.246+11:00Patisse, Waterloo<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
You know your other half loves you when he doesn't hesitate to go to high tea with you, and readily invites his mates and their partners to come along too. At the end of the day, Cheesecake Boy knows he's going to get some good food and a certain Dumpling Girl will be very happy. I'd been wanting to go to Patisse for a while, and when I realised a themed high tea was offered once a month, I knew that there would be no better introduction. Now, Cheesecake Boy does have his limits being a guy's guy after all, and refused to go to last month's floral themed high tea. However, when I suggested last Sunday's theme being the "Last Day's of Winter: Apple, Pear and Rhubarb", well he easily agreed to that. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5BRdsipGns/TlpBV-N2_bI/AAAAAAAAEGw/IJpDh45hcT0/s1600/IMG_3792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="569" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5BRdsipGns/TlpBV-N2_bI/AAAAAAAAEGw/IJpDh45hcT0/s640/IMG_3792.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptaKex3J_nI/TlpBYgxLAoI/AAAAAAAAEG4/9eg-aMub9_s/s1600/IMG_3802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="531" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptaKex3J_nI/TlpBYgxLAoI/AAAAAAAAEG4/9eg-aMub9_s/s640/IMG_3802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Located inside the PYD Building, Patisse was a lot more spacious than I had expected. It's quite an open space, that encourages you to roam around the store. Cheesecake Boy and I arrived early, so we decided to do some sticky beaking before the crowd came in. Well I did anyway, much to Cheesecake Boy's dismay. He's always reluctant to leave me to my own devices in any shop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGVorJYE_jo/TlpBcx2GmxI/AAAAAAAAEHE/IGXoLhLq2L8/s1600/IMG_3840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGVorJYE_jo/TlpBcx2GmxI/AAAAAAAAEHE/IGXoLhLq2L8/s640/IMG_3840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Good thing I managed to do my little wander without Cheesecake Boy. Otherwise, I may very well had missed out on this precious find...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zEkG0OIMOCU/TlpBeVfRPvI/AAAAAAAAEHI/pFeC_gV_cvw/s1600/IMG_3841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zEkG0OIMOCU/TlpBeVfRPvI/AAAAAAAAEHI/pFeC_gV_cvw/s640/IMG_3841.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It was the last copy left on table, and I knew I had to have it, as I love collecting recipe books like just like this. Cheesecake Boy warmed up to the idea, after I told him I'd make some of these desserts for him from the collection of recipes. However, as the box is too pretty, I still have not been able to tear off the plastic packaging just yet. My curiosity will get the better of me eventually, and I'll forget how much I want to preserve the book right now. After purchasing my book, a block of Valrhona chocolates and some desserts for my dinner party later that night, I was ready to give our impending high tea my undivided attention.<br />
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We were asked what drinks we wanted with our high tea, and apart from two of the guys going for coffees, the rest of us went with the standard teas on offer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2LWhpHnGQ8/TlpBv_z_uDI/AAAAAAAAEIA/m62O1xgF9ak/s1600/IMG_3881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2LWhpHnGQ8/TlpBv_z_uDI/AAAAAAAAEIA/m62O1xgF9ak/s640/IMG_3881.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">A lovely wooden board of mini spinach and feta quiches and Wagyu beef pies came out first. They were both really well received by all seven of us on the table. Starting with the Wagyu beef pies, the boys all wished there were more to go around. The pastry of the Wagyu pies, just melt in your mouth and you can definitely feel the buttery goodness, with any lingering heaviness. The filling of the pies were sensational, for me the perfect ratio of meat and gravy. There was also some diced carrots and other vegetables inside the filling. This was definitely one pie that you don't need to add any tomato sauce to.<br />
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</div>The spinach and feta quiches were lovely too. The feta was quite subtle, so it allowed the delicate flavours of the spinach and buttery notes of the quiche to come through. The quiche filling had a nice and light consistency, that really complemented the buttery pastry shell well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOkaLZskFbw/TlpBixxNHsI/AAAAAAAAEHY/vzPaZ5XXU8M/s1600/IMG_3858.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOkaLZskFbw/TlpBixxNHsI/AAAAAAAAEHY/vzPaZ5XXU8M/s640/IMG_3858.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinach and feta quiches and Wagyu beef pies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Next came the sandwiches, and the choice was between roasted vegetables that seemed to be dotted through with feta or chicken that seemed to be slightly too underhanded with the mayonnaise. I adored the roasted vegetable sandwich fingers for it's rich and robust filling. However, in my opinion the chicken finger sandwiches were quite bland, and the chicken breast was too dry. I think if they were more generous with the sauce, then it may have salvaged these chicken morsels. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLys3srBI3w/TlpBoWvG2xI/AAAAAAAAEHo/Cxi2dpdMADk/s1600/IMG_3864.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLys3srBI3w/TlpBoWvG2xI/AAAAAAAAEHo/Cxi2dpdMADk/s640/IMG_3864.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasted vegetable and chicken finger sandwiches</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The plate of desserts were the last to hit our table, and for a good reason too. As Vincent Gadan himself, came out to explain each of his creations and what techniques he applied to them.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMijOZF9E40/TlpBs5YX5EI/AAAAAAAAEH4/SY04pnqObsw/s1600/IMG_3876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMijOZF9E40/TlpBs5YX5EI/AAAAAAAAEH4/SY04pnqObsw/s640/IMG_3876.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selections of desserts</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I got very excited to see the lady finger banana clafoutis. You see, I use to be a banana a day girl, that was until bananas got very ugly and small. I find that sometimes clafoutis can be too dense, but this was not the case here. The batter was buttery as expected and was also wonderfully moist. However, I really felt like I was just eating a miniature banana cupcake. If you love the intensity of lady finger bananas, then you would have been in heaven with this little clafoutis.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2LWhpHnGQ8/TlpBv_z_uDI/AAAAAAAAEIA/m62O1xgF9ak/s1600/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0bGjcBWAVE/TlpByKXAUWI/AAAAAAAAEII/pXd29S0A48A/s1600/IMG_3888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="630" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0bGjcBWAVE/TlpByKXAUWI/AAAAAAAAEII/pXd29S0A48A/s640/IMG_3888.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Finger clafoutis</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I realised when we got home, of all the mandarin chocolate mousse's for me to pick to photograph, I chose the only one that was missing the incredible mandarin tuile. You can spot the tuile on the dessert plate above, it looked like a piece of paper with its orange strips.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The silky mousse had a nice balance of chocolate and mandarin. However, I found that the tuile was the most interesting element of this dessert. You could really taste the lovely sweet intensity of a mandarin in this tuile. It was like Vincent Gadan had extract the inner essence of a mandarin, and injected it into this innocuous, but pretty piece of tuile.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faV9hOYaLps/TlpBzBvREAI/AAAAAAAAEIM/jwZCV0m6iRg/s1600/IMG_3896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="537" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faV9hOYaLps/TlpBzBvREAI/AAAAAAAAEIM/jwZCV0m6iRg/s640/IMG_3896.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandarin chocolate mousse</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My favourite of all the offerings was the verrine of pear, pistachio dacquoise and rhubarb. Starting at the bottom was a layer of lovely stewed rhubarb, followed by a fantastic layer of pistachio dacquoise that had been blended with cream, the dacquoise layer was topped with some cured pears that was dusted with beetroot powder and was lastly finished off with pieces of dried rhubarb. There really was a harmonious balance between all the layers in taste and texture in this light as air creation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtc38-UuSfM/TlpB04hh9II/AAAAAAAAEIU/CEmjXRD5Kn0/s1600/IMG_3899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtc38-UuSfM/TlpB04hh9II/AAAAAAAAEIU/CEmjXRD5Kn0/s640/IMG_3899.jpg" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verrine of pear, pistachio dacquoise and rhubarb</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Vincent made a joke that he couldn't have a "Last Days of Winter" theme and not include apples, and rightly so. The apple inspired creation consisted of a caramelised apple filling and crisp shell. The Normandy apple tart may have been simple, but it was divine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU96rRuSU0ceCzs-VP74znfMVInuj2an3ArbxKRM47UWciab5z_K9HKIpDgNe6W1rVnfrn04xPiJUSlHP9FZAF-YxBwkMq2UYJ-0bybIaVCQkslPgf07bpe87eBhnPfUS083z3fxpPDuJ/s1600/IMG_3903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU96rRuSU0ceCzs-VP74znfMVInuj2an3ArbxKRM47UWciab5z_K9HKIpDgNe6W1rVnfrn04xPiJUSlHP9FZAF-YxBwkMq2UYJ-0bybIaVCQkslPgf07bpe87eBhnPfUS083z3fxpPDuJ/s640/IMG_3903.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normandy apple tart</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Although, there were no scones offered. There was no need worry that there wasn't enough food, as we definitely had left overs. Considering we all didn't have breakfast, I was surprised that we including the three boys were all stuffed, but contently so.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KofpInVLf3s/TlpB88FuyCI/AAAAAAAAEIw/fQnzn7sEIlI/s1600/IMG_3945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KofpInVLf3s/TlpB88FuyCI/AAAAAAAAEIw/fQnzn7sEIlI/s640/IMG_3945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I may of had to book at least a month in advance at $45 per head, but the high tea offerings at Patisse has been one of the best that Cheesecake Boy and I have experienced in quite a while. It really was a matter of quality over quantity, and we didn't feel like we were being presented with generic choices for consumption, that we find is very common amongst high tea destinations nowadays. There was definitely more than just some thought and care going on here. Those little differences in consideration really made for a lovely high tea experience.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
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<br />
Patisse<br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;">Shop G01, PYD Building<br />
197 Young Street<br />
Waterloo NSW 2017</div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ph: (02) 9690 0665</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.patisse.com.au/index.html">http://www.patisse.com.au/index.html</a> </span> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1459014/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Waterloo/Patisse-Sydney"><img alt="Patisse on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1459014/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a></div>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-46583407780971530402011-08-28T00:58:00.000+10:002011-08-28T00:58:28.569+10:00Bar H, Surry Hills<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I had been mulling about whether I should give Bar H, and it's current Asian inspired offerings a try or not for a while, so when a <a href="http://spreets.com.au/deal/Sydney/restaurants-and-bars/7098/four-course-banquet-for-two-plus-wine-only-69-at-awardwinning-bar-h-surry-hills-normally-160">Spreets</a> offer for Bar H came along, I guess I took that as an encouraging sign. A couple of Friday night's ago, Cheesecake Boy and I were huddled up together on a window seat, looking out at the terribly rainy and windy conditions outside, having drinks and enjoying our food in the cosy and intimate surroundings of Bar H. Our deal consisted of four courses, that came with a choice of any two beers or glasses of wine for $69. Due to the horrid weather, we dashed off to Bar H extra early, and made it to happy hour. Where a selection of beers were $4.50 each, the house wine was $5 and certain cocktails were $10 each. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sA8xth863gU/Tk5QolLNVLI/AAAAAAAAEE0/GOAlV7eBiQ4/s1600/IMG_2701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sA8xth863gU/Tk5QolLNVLI/AAAAAAAAEE0/GOAlV7eBiQ4/s640/IMG_2701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Cheesecake Boy went for a Tiger beer to start the night. Usually this would be $7 a glass, but at $4.50 during happy hour, I thought this was a bargain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKF2C04W_aXZGcRcCXOWDPpuXFr8IBpumTtR7lf506pU9AOhy3FnKBWDlRqlehIli-eBNsd7iHCYMs0g022Cb2qs02RJdLegdF9Njb5fgnr5YCA81kiqSHBFKeKcHSwmXjPOGJ89GqXOYu/s1600/IMG_2724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKF2C04W_aXZGcRcCXOWDPpuXFr8IBpumTtR7lf506pU9AOhy3FnKBWDlRqlehIli-eBNsd7iHCYMs0g022Cb2qs02RJdLegdF9Njb5fgnr5YCA81kiqSHBFKeKcHSwmXjPOGJ89GqXOYu/s640/IMG_2724.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger on tap, $4.50 (happy hour special)</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Now if you've been reading this blog for a while, you may realise that I do like things on the gimmicky side at times, but I can be a practical too. However, Friday nights are about fun, so when I saw the Blue Chaser cocktail on the non-happy hour menu. I knew that this warm cocktail concoction of apple cider, Appleton Estate VX Rum, mixed sweet spices and citrus oils served in a teapot was going to be perfect to keep me warm that chilly night. The teacups also had a piece of star anise at the bottom, and as the teacups were small, it felt like a never-ending cocktail. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz4mSP9xf1g/Tk5Qr3ZRkfI/AAAAAAAAEFA/JbcZa-a_fwM/s1600/IMG_2728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz4mSP9xf1g/Tk5Qr3ZRkfI/AAAAAAAAEFA/JbcZa-a_fwM/s640/IMG_2728.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blues chaser, $15.50 </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Our first course of crispy pork wontons with sweet chilli sauce were to share. I've ate plenty of crispy wontons in the past, and can easily say that these were some of the best that I've had. Perfectly crispy pastry, and a juicy and sweet pork and shitake mushroom filling that really packed a punch. The sweet chilli sauce, was sweeter than expected and very sticky, we didn't think that the chillies added any spiciness whatsoever. However, it did not stop Cheesecake Boy from continually taste testing the sauce after the wontons were gone.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfEphK_RlnA/Tk5QtHb78NI/AAAAAAAAEFE/grd47Lroz4M/s1600/IMG_2746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfEphK_RlnA/Tk5QtHb78NI/AAAAAAAAEFE/grd47Lroz4M/s640/IMG_2746.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy pork wontons with sweet chilli sauce, $3 each</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The pickled cucumber and shiso salad was our second course. If I saw this salad on the menu, I would never have ordered it, but this dish was really lovely. The cucumber and black fungus salad was very sweet, slightly tangy, but refreshing all at the same time. The black fungus provided a nice crunch against the soft pickled cucumber. This salad really whetted our appetites and got the juices flowing.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-usdIqUfnyCU/Tk5Qukj-EhI/AAAAAAAAEFI/NxhJuGPqu4U/s1600/IMG_2750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-usdIqUfnyCU/Tk5Qukj-EhI/AAAAAAAAEFI/NxhJuGPqu4U/s640/IMG_2750.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickled cucumber and shiso salad, $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">For the third course there was an option between a grilled calamari salad or the deep fried tofu with caramelised tomato. I'm crazy about tofu, so it was an easy choice. My only gripe with this dish was that the tofu was not quite crunchy enough, but the tofu was luxuriously smooth and creamy inside. Cheesecake Boy loved the depth of sweetness of the caramelised tomatoes, and the lovely juices of the tomatoes just popped in our mouths.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZUlAeO16DA/Tk5Qv7G0v9I/AAAAAAAAEFM/UpJvSTRBts8/s1600/IMG_2754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZUlAeO16DA/Tk5Qv7G0v9I/AAAAAAAAEFM/UpJvSTRBts8/s640/IMG_2754.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep fried tofu with caramelised tomato, $15</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last course we chose was the red braised beef short rib with black bean and chilli over the ginger and shallot spatchcock. This course was accompanied with a side of roast pumpkin with cumin, lemon and sage and a serving of rice. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back to the red braised beef short rib with black bean and chilli though. This was really the dish of the night for both of us, and it's unfortunate that this dish is not available on the standard menu, as I would definitely come back for these tender beef short ribs. I am usually very hesitant to try black bean dishes, as I find black bean sauce has a tendency to be very salty and can be quite overpowering at times. However, the black bean and chilli sauce was glorious, slightly salty, but perfectly heighten by the addition of the right amount of sugar. It was the right mix of salty and sweet and against the short ribs, the natural flavours of the beef still shone through. I wish all black bean sauces were like this one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xTUgu6OHA8/Tk5QyEadjtI/AAAAAAAAEFU/gl0k2ll5A1k/s1600/IMG_2770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xTUgu6OHA8/Tk5QyEadjtI/AAAAAAAAEFU/gl0k2ll5A1k/s640/IMG_2770.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red braised beef short rib with black bean and chilli</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The side of roast pumpkin with cumin, lemon and sage tasted different to what I had expected. The cumin was very subtle, but the combination of the lemon and sage gave the pumpkin a taste that reminded me of fish sauce against the soft and fleshy pumpkin. I loved the addition of roasted pine nuts. However, with the skin still intact, it was not the easiest dish to eat. Especially, when you are in a super lazy mood.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hmm5MUslpCA/Tk5Q0y36sRI/AAAAAAAAEFc/i83mtc0QWik/s1600/IMG_2774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hmm5MUslpCA/Tk5Q0y36sRI/AAAAAAAAEFc/i83mtc0QWik/s640/IMG_2774.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast pumpkin with cumin, lemon & sage</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Desserts were not part of our deal and had to be ordered separately. There were a selection of sorbets on offer, but when Cheesecake Boy heard the combination of orange and passionfruit he knew that was his calling. The sorbet here is housemade, and it was divine. It was the perfect balance of sweet and tangy orange and passionfruit goodness. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gq53ocjSgkE/Tk5Q2AyVWqI/AAAAAAAAEFg/BuTy_pOL8rc/s1600/IMG_2776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gq53ocjSgkE/Tk5Q2AyVWqI/AAAAAAAAEFg/BuTy_pOL8rc/s640/IMG_2776.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange and passionfruit sorbet, $4.50 per scoop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Apparently the sticky rice and red bean donuts are new to the dessert menu. I love sticky rice, red bean and donuts, so even though Cheesecake Boy did not seem overly keen, I was going to get them anyway. For me these flat donut discs are a perfect way to end any meal. They were wonderfully covered in coat of sugar, and the filling of sticky rice and red bean was very subtle, and not at all overly sweet. The sticky rice gave the donuts a lovely bite against all that yeasty softness. The accompanying ice cream was a combination of vanilla and star anise. Now I loved the plain, but sharp flavour of vanilla coming through, but the delicate notes of star anise did not work for me. This dislike for the star anise, was more of a personal rejection, as the texture and creaminess of the ice cream was just right.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJR-lQI-O3o/Tk5Q4acjbDI/AAAAAAAAEFo/WGn6b_KRdFw/s1600/IMG_2787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJR-lQI-O3o/Tk5Q4acjbDI/AAAAAAAAEFo/WGn6b_KRdFw/s640/IMG_2787.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticky rice and red bean donuts, $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Bar H may very well be my new after work drinks and nibbles spot. It is the perfect little after work haven, when you don't want to go home, and need a drink or two to wind down with some sensational morsels to choose from. However, Bar H is really just a great place for any casual eat. The quirky hot teapot cocktails and sugary donuts are just an additional plus. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><i>Dining away, Dumpling Girl.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Bar H<br />
80 Campbell Street<br />
Surry Hills NSW 2010<br />
Ph: <span class="phone tel">(02) 9280 1980</span><br />
<span class="phone tel"><a href="http://www.barhsurryhills.com/">http://www.barhsurryhills.com/ </a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1548661/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Bar-H-Surry-Hills"><img alt="Bar H on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1548661/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256175729305789814.post-8157219843205192202011-08-23T20:53:00.002+10:002011-08-23T22:31:24.451+10:00Chat Thai - Westfield CBD, Sydney<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
On the blustery Friday that just came to pass, a crazy Cheesecake Boy, Dumpling Cousin and I had organised to meet up for lunch at Chat Thai in Westfield. Had I known the weather was going to be that bad, trust me I would have preferred to stay at the office, but I hate cancelling last minute, so with my safety dangling in the air, I braved the weather and headed out for lunch. This lunch was a big deal for me, as I tried Chat Thai at Campbell Street during its opening week, years ago now. The impression that it left on my companions Sushi Girl and KFC Girl back then, well they never wanted to give it a second chance after that, so I arranged for Cheesecake Boy and Dumpling Cousin to join me this time, and I had all my fingers crossed, that this time round the food was going to be good. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C_DyvJEESSQ/TlIRTkMfzlI/AAAAAAAAEGY/MvmIVa_0u5Y/s1600/IMG_8018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C_DyvJEESSQ/TlIRTkMfzlI/AAAAAAAAEGY/MvmIVa_0u5Y/s640/IMG_8018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOStZ_AUfyE/TlIRGW_Ak5I/AAAAAAAAEFs/niS6Cv6D6CY/s1600/IMG_8001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOStZ_AUfyE/TlIRGW_Ak5I/AAAAAAAAEFs/niS6Cv6D6CY/s640/IMG_8001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The weather made me late. Honestly, I am having a terrible tendency lately of being late, but I swear it's because of the erratic weather. Luckily, I was not too late and still managed to get a table. The menu was quite extensive, and there was not enough time to contemplate the entire menu during my hour lunch, so we let the pictures in the menu do the talking for us this time. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As usual drinks are first, and Cheesecake Boy ordered a blended juice, and chose the lychee blend. It was basically an icy lychee slushee, and it was actually quite nice, I stole a few extra sips. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfvwRzl-q18/TlIRIv6QdBI/AAAAAAAAEF0/OYkTPQWKqtA/s1600/IMG_8005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfvwRzl-q18/TlIRIv6QdBI/AAAAAAAAEF0/OYkTPQWKqtA/s640/IMG_8005.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lychee blend juice, $5</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I blame Cheesecake Boy for getting me addicted to coconut juice. However, I still get a bit wary trying it at a new places, as the taste of coconut juice always seems to differ at every place we dine at. The coconut juice here was not too sweet, but just sweet enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9XYUut00Rqg/TlIRKU0kShI/AAAAAAAAEF8/DDsqSsvMlLg/s1600/IMG_8007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9XYUut00Rqg/TlIRKU0kShI/AAAAAAAAEF8/DDsqSsvMlLg/s640/IMG_8007.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nahm ma plao, $4.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We decided on three dishes to share. Cheesecake Boy's choice was the spicy poached snapper larb salad. The snapper was beautifully poached, very succulent and no lingering fishy taste at all. The spicy larb dressing was not too spicy, and had a nice balance of sweet, sour and a nice slight kick of chilli to round it all off. This salad was really lovely, and just what you want a salad to be light, fresh and tasty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KG167Ji_OE/TlIROMvGfRI/AAAAAAAAEGI/rts33BTVTV4/s1600/IMG_8010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KG167Ji_OE/TlIROMvGfRI/AAAAAAAAEGI/rts33BTVTV4/s640/IMG_8010.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larpb bpla, $18</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Dumpling Cousin's raadt naa was one of our other dishes. Raadt naa for those not familiar with it consists of stir fried rice noodles with chicken and gai lan in soy sauce and a yellow bean gravy. Raadt naa is actually one of my favourite Thai noodle dishes. However, it was Cheesecake Boy's and Dumpling Cousin's first try of this dish, and they did not take a shining to it. I do believe that the heavy soy and yellow bean gravy sauce that coats these noodles is both an acquired taste and texture for some, but if you like raadt naa like me, then I think this is one of the better versions I have tried. The gravy sauce was subtle, and not too overbearing and had a nice consistency.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qH3faA-XOVM/TlIRPWQfLeI/AAAAAAAAEGM/6R2iM7_gbtI/s1600/IMG_8011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qH3faA-XOVM/TlIRPWQfLeI/AAAAAAAAEGM/6R2iM7_gbtI/s640/IMG_8011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raadt naa, $12.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The photo of the khao na gai yaan in the menu caught my eye, but when the dish was placed on our table, it was a case where the picture was more attractive than the dish in reality. At the end of the day, it's the taste that counts, and the grilled turmeric and lemongrass marinated chicken with smoked chilli and tamarind relish was simply delicious. The pieces of chicken were juicy, tender and beautifully fragrant due to the nice balance of turmeric and lemongrass. The accompanying smoked chilli and tamarind sauce was an unusually lovely combination of sweet and sour with slightly smoky overtones.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS0JpfX2Kg7BH03NAfejW_RFbJarf5fhN1rNUIyntalETTPNhmAYxDLka1lu2pStEM_CNCr2CsyCvFiK2O-wq5saefsh0IQzZsTyFRZizFH6rujIpAjHHcjVk-s9pHnb75lZ35AFFlOMv/s1600/IMG_8017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS0JpfX2Kg7BH03NAfejW_RFbJarf5fhN1rNUIyntalETTPNhmAYxDLka1lu2pStEM_CNCr2CsyCvFiK2O-wq5saefsh0IQzZsTyFRZizFH6rujIpAjHHcjVk-s9pHnb75lZ35AFFlOMv/s640/IMG_8017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khao na gai yaang, $12.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Usually, we would go for a dessert, but due to my tardiness, well we really needed to head back to work. The dessert kitchen is huge, and I guess they're foreseeing the busy times ahead.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdqnX_SG4mA/TlIRWCce4WI/AAAAAAAAEGg/JX5JbcnwNTQ/s1600/IMG_8020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdqnX_SG4mA/TlIRWCce4WI/AAAAAAAAEGg/JX5JbcnwNTQ/s640/IMG_8020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Now if you ask a girl like me, if it was worth being blown off the street and having to resort to finding shelter in a TAB afterwards, just to avoid being hit by UFOs and being soaked to the bone, then I would say no. However, I am glad that I've given Chat Thai another go, as I thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. I just wished that we had more time to have the full experience of working our way from entrees to desserts, but there is always next time. This is definitely a place where you have to get there early at peak times. Otherwise, you really will have to queue. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<i>Munching away, Dumpling Girl. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="adr"><span class="street-address">Chat Thai </span></span><br />
<span class="adr"><span class="street-address">Westfield</span></span><span class="adr"><span class="street-address">, Level 6</span></span><span class="adr"><span class="street-address"> </span></span><br />
<span class="adr"><span class="street-address">Pitt Street </span></span><br />
<span class="adr"><span class="locality">Sydney</span> NSW 2000</span><br />
<span class="phone tel">Ph: (02) 9221 0600</span><br />
<a href="http://www.chatthai.com.au/">http://www.chatthai.com.au/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1602246/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Chat-Thai-Westfield-Sydney-Sydney"><img alt="Chat Thai Westfield Sydney on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1602246/biglogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 34px; width: 104px;" /></a>Dumpling Girl and Cheesecake Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15495152192843190045noreply@blogger.com13