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Sydney Food Blog Review of Chur Burger, Domestic Airport

Fly me to the moon: Domestic Airport, Sydney

Review

Sydney Food Blog Review of Chur Burger, Domestic Airport

Airports are usually associated with sterile out-of-the-way buildings filled with surly security people whose sole purpose is to remind you why you need to get away and have a holiday. And airport food? Overpriced and of bad quality, usually.

Well, it looks like the tide is starting to turn, as T2 of the domestic airport opens its arms to a new batch of restaurants usually more associated with the CBD than the airport. Your pre-flight meal will never be the same again.

Chur Burger

Sydney Food Blog Review of Chur Burger, Domestic Airport

Since it first opened its doors in trendy Surry Hills (with a little unfortunate break due to a fire inbetween), Chur Burger has been serving up Instagram’sSydney’s favourite food to countless foodies in the CBD, Brisbane, and now the Domestic Airport. The burger menu is identical to HQ, and with the ingredients all coming from the same supplier (down to the pickle) you would expect a consistent Chur experience from Warren Turnbull and team.

We went for a classic Beef Burger and a more uncommon Lamb Burger, with side Coleslaw, Chips with Chilli Salt, and a Milo shake. I’ve always been a fan of a classic beef burger, but I must say now that I am officially a lamb burger convert. IT’S THE LAMB WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. With a succulent lamb patty, mint sauce, feta, red onion and aioli, this burger was a riot of flavours nestled in a soft, buttery brioche bun.

The Beef Burger in this case had a well-done patty, which made it a bit dry for me, and a departure from the Surry Hills burger that I love so much. Maybe it’s down to teething issues, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t go a second round to find out, now that I’ve met my one true lamb love.

Sides-wise I was missing the Garlic Lime Sweet Potato Chips, and for some reason the Coleslaw here had bits of undissolved salt crystals. Added texture, maybe? Go the Chilli Salt Chips if you want to complete the meal, but really, that burger is the clear Beyonce in this trio of burger/side/drink.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of SSP.
Chur Burger
Food Court
T2 Sydney Domestic Airport
Airport Drive, Sydney Airport, NSW

Chur Burger Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Sydney Food Blog Review of Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills

Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills

Review

Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills. Sydney Food Blog Review

This candy apple business is just so new to me. I never ever had a toffee apple, and I wouldn’t know where to start! I mean, are all toffee apples created equal? Where in the apple are you meant to bite into, so you don’t break your teeth?

I’ve got sensitive teeth, you know.

Well, maybe caramel apples might be the place to start. Love Dem Apples is serving up this healthy unhealthy treat (I believe that “North American style caramel apples” is the official name?) in the trendy Surry Hills, just ripe (teehee) for an after dinner treat.


The Order:

Peanut butter Chocolate Apple

Strawberry Caramel Apple with Pop Rocks


The Food:

I know it’s been a while, but I’m still not quite sure what I think of it. The concept is simple – Soft caramel coats the outside of a crisp Granny Smith apple, with other flavours added to complement. Visually they look very beautiful, and gifting these would look as impressive as gifting a box of donuts, just more novel.

I’m got the peanut butter chocolate apple, because peanut butter + chocolate + apple = AMAZINGGGG.

Peanut butter caramel apple: Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills. Sydney Food Blog ReviewPeanut butter caramel apple

In this case, though, it felt a bit like the ratios were off for me. The tartness of the Granny Smith apple overwhelmed any sweetness, and while it’s healthier to have just a little bit of sweets with your apple, I don’t think any of us are actually expecting a healthy dessert, are we? I’d almost rather have apple pieces with peanut butter chocolate caramel poured over – makes it easier to eat, too.

Strawberry Pop Rock Apple: Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills. Sydney Food Blog ReviewStrawberry Pop Rock Apple

Jen’s Strawberry and Pop rocks combo garnered much the same response – the idea is right, just the ratios were a touch off for us.

There was an option for extra caramel sauce for $1 ($1.50?) I think, but if you got the apples to-go, you might not have known until it was too late. Also, it can get mighty messy trying to eat a whole apple dipped in molten caramel sauce.


The Service:

It’s hard to fault service when the people behind the counter look so happy to be there. I mean, given that it’s owner Joe and his mum (when we went), I’m sure they have a vested interest, but still. Very friendly and chatty, and clearly very happy with their own product.

They also very helpfully cut up my apple for me to make it easier to eat, which I appreciate.

Peanut butter caramel apple: Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills. Sydney Food Blog Review


Value for money:

At about $7 for a basic caramel apple (more for the premium ones) it’s a bit on the pricey side for me. Especially when you can get a really satisfying baller donut for the same price. But it DOES take a lot of work, and I’m sure shop rent in Surry Hills cost heaps, so it’s understandable.

Not ideal, but understandable at least.


The Vibe:

Brightly lit with all types of decorated apples in rows, this shop is part Willy Wonka whimsy, part Julia Childs homely. And with Jo actually making these apples during shop downtime, it really feels like you’re stepping into his kitchen, in his house.

There’s even a little bench space if you’d like to eat in, but these apples are definitely more of a grab’n’go type food.


And finally,

I’m all for the Sydney food scape getting different foods, and Love Dem Apples is doing just that – presenting something different. I want to love the apples more because the concept is fabulous, but somehow the execution doesn’t quite work for me. Worth a try if you were wondering what they’re like, though, but personally, it’s more the novelty of it than anything else.

This meal was independently paid for.
Love Dem Apples
454 Cleveland Street
Surry Hills, NSW
Phone: 02 8317 4842
Website: https://www.facebook.com/lovedemapplez/

Love Dem Apples Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sydney Food Blog Review of COOH, Alexandria

COOH, Alexandria

Review

Sydney Food Blog Review of COOH, Alexandria

When you say “brunch” and “Alexandria” in the same sentence, you’d probably start thinking about The Grounds of Alexandria and their farmyard pets. But with that, you’d probably also start seeing the bustling crowds and lack of parking, and long queues waiting for a table. Well, COOH has opened up just across the street, and with an expansive dining area and an open kitchen, it looks incredibly promising as a new brunch hotspot.


The Order:

Bruschetta, $16
Heirloom cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, pesto and balsamic on toasted sourdough

Raw ocean trout cured with Beetroot and orange, $22
Golden and mixed baby beets, gets mousse, skin crackling, and crunchy seed bark.

Hand cut sweet potato chips with aioli, $8 (large)


The Food:

Originating in North Curl, COOH has a menu that would fit right in with the organic/vegan/dairy free/gluten free people of the Eastern suburbs. Their menu is certainly very inclusive of special needs, and they certainly don’t pretend to reinvent the wheel.

Raw ocean trout cured with Beetroot and orange, $22: COOH, Alexandria. Sydney Food Blog ReviewRaw ocean trout cured with Beetroot and orange, $22

The Raw ocean trout cured with Beetroot and orange, $22, was quite lovely, with lightly cured salmon dyed a bright fuschia from the Beetroot. The mix of baby beets and leaves kept everything very fresh and light, and the goats cheese mousse brought everything together nicely. The “crunchy seed bark” was neither crunchy nor bark-y for me, holding more the texture of tempeh – slightly firm and tender; not bad, but certainly not the texture I was expecting.

Bruschetta, $16: COOH, Alexandria. Sydney Food Blog ReviewBruschetta, $16: COOH, Alexandria

The Bruschetta, $16, was exactly as advertised : bread, tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic, olive oil, pesto…oh wait, did I mention that it’s a dairy-free pesto? At least, that’s what seems to be the case – the pesto was quite a uniform green and lacked body, and elsewhere on the menu we saw dairy-free pesto advertised.

2+2=5, I guess

Hand cut sweet potato chips with aioli, $8: COOH, Alexandria. Sydney Food Blog ReviewHand cut sweet potato chips with aioli, $8

Ahh the best bit of the meal, though, the Hand cut sweet potato chips with aioli, $8. The aioli was creamy and garlicky, perfect to dip the strips of sweet potato chips. The only thing preventing it from scoring a 10/10 is a slight lack of crispness – I know that sweet potato never quite gets quite that crisp, but if Harry’s can do it, then my dream lives on.


The Service:

When we went, there seemed to be a rather large number of bookings at COOH, but the waitress was nice enough to accomodate our request to be close to the window as best she could.

After we were seated, our orders were taken very quickly and service was readily available whenever we needed it. Very smooth sailing.


Value for money:

I would actually say that COOH sits in the middle with this one. It’s not the cheapest, but the portions were decent and it IS Alexandria, after all. $22 for cured trout? Sounds about right to me.


The Vibe:

With hanging lights suspended from high ceilings, a warm wood decor and cushy benches, COOH exudes a Surry Hills-esque vibe, minus the hipster coolness. It’s definitely the sort of place that you’d bring people who aren’t too particular about the food, but would like to enjoy a leisurely, comfortable brunch.


And finally,

With all the brunch options available in Sydney, I wouldn’t necessarily call this a destination brunch spot. It IS, however, very inclusive of dietary needs, which makes things much easier if you’ve got someone in your brunch group with special requirements.

Or, you know, if the Grounds is particularly busy and you do t want to wait. Either way it works. 🙂

This meal was independently paid for.
COOH
90-96 Bourke Rd
Alexandria NSW 2015
Phone: +61 2 9002 1333
Website: www.cooh.com.au

Cooh Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review of Mama's Buoi, Crows Nest

Mama’s Buoi, Crows Nest 

Review

Mama's Buoi, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review

Sense of humour is a very subjective thing. Some people like intellectual jokes, some people like low brow toilet humour…and some people, like Mama’s Buoi, are like me:

I love a good pun.

With two restaurants located in Surry Hills and Crows Nest, Mama’s Buoi is serving up classic Vietnamese family favourites, with the owner’s mother providing inspiration and recipes. The menu isn’t the shortest, but gives you ample options if you, like me, have a bit of the ol’ food ADD.

The Order:

Banh Cuon, $13: Mama's Buoi, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant ReviewBanh Cuon, $13

Small share plates

Chicken ribs, $10
Seasoned with 5 spice and a chilli lime glaze
Banh Cuon, $13
Rice noodle stuffed with pork, mushroom and fried shallots

Salad

Mama’s Boy’s Buoi
Crispy soft shell crab, served on a papaya and pomelo salad (House special, seasonal), $20

Stir Fry

Rau Muong
Morning glory with garlic and chilli, $16

Bo Kho, $16: Mama's Buoi, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant ReviewBo Kho, $16

Hot pot

Bo Kho
Stew of beef spare ribs, $16

Dessert

Che Chuoi
Banana and sago in a warm coconut cream, $9

The Food:

I think that I can confidently say that everything that I ordered that afternoon, I’d order again in a heartbeat.

Mama's Boy's Buoi, $20: Mama's Buoi, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Mama’s Boy’s Buoi, $20

Some things were more memorable than others: the Mama’s Boy Buoi (the pun is strong with this one) was a refreshing papaya and pomelo salad, accented with crispy soft shell crab. If you’re more familiar with the Thai Som Dtum, this would the a milder, sweeter, fresher Vietnamese counterpart. Very moreish, and very summery.

Chicken ribs, $10: Mama's Buoi, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Chicken ribs, $10

The Chicken Ribs and Banh Cuon are also excellent light options. Chicken ribs are like the new wings to me – crispy little morsels that you eat off teeny bones with your hands are glazed with a sweet and spicy glaze that will have you licking your fingers at the end. Here, they aren’t quite as good as the amazing ones I had at Thai Culinary in Melbourne, but they’re pretty darned close.

The Banh Cuon is Vietnamese version of my childhood favourite rice noodle rolls – filled with pork and mushroom and dressed in a sweet tangy nuoc Cham dressing, these bring a certain lightness to what could be an otherwise stodgy comfort food.

Rau Muong, $16: Mama's Buoi, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant ReviewRau Muong, $16

If you prefer your veggies cooked, try the Rau Muong. Morning glory leaves are wilted, much like spinach, and stir fried with a chilli paste. Homely, and a perfect accompaniment to rice. And authentic, too. I distinctly remember similar dishes to this growing up in the region, just with various different greens, like sweet potato leaves and water spinach. A very scrumptious way to get your 5-a-day. ?

The Bo Kho is a rich stew of tender beef ribs that, while comforting and delicious, doesn’t hit as many high notes as the lighter options on the menu, probably because of the warm weather. Perhaps I’ll revisit this in winter, but until then, I’m sticking to the fresher dishes.

Che Chuoi, $9: Mama's Buoi, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant ReviewChe Chuoi, $9

On the sweet side, the Che Chuoi also toes the line between being heavy and stodgy, and being incredibly comforting. It was sweet, thick, creamy, and rich with stewed bananas. Eats like an angel, weighs like a bag of coins in your stomach.

You have been warned.


The Service:

I’m not sure I can comment much about the service because we were invited guests, but from what I could observe from the other tables, they were incredibly accommodating and knowledgeable: having first hand experience with all the dishes on the menu.

Definitely a team that I would trust to ask, “what would you recommend?”


Value for money:

This restaurant definitely falls into ‘Asian Restaurant pricing’ for me, where the menu is meant to be enjoyed in groups. If you went by yourself, you’d probably be looking at about $30 a visit, assuming that you order a meat, a veg and rice to create a balanced meal. Sure, you’d have some leftover to take home, but it’s still a commitment that you’d have to make.

But, if you were to, say, share that with just one other person, the commitment drops to just $15 a visit. The spend per head drops significantly with a larger group, and of course, value for money goes up.

Need more convincing to go in a group? Then you get to try a little bit of everything across the board!

That’s always a winner ?

The Vibe:

I don’t know about the one in Surry Hills, but the Crows Nest restaurant has a really nice, relaxed vibe, with plenty of covered outdoor seating for you to enjoy the long summer days. The tables and chairs are organically – but artfully! – worn, adding to the homely feeling, without losing the professional edge.

I especially like how this carries on to the decoration of the menu – old family photos accent a few pages, like a mother showing off her brag book to a few guests. Coupled with the occasional pun, and classily plated food, Mama’s Buoi certainly has a deliberate vibe that they’re aiming for, and I really like the level of commitment!

Points for sticking to the schtick. ??

And finally,

If you were looking for something nice to have in a group in Crows Nest, then Mama’s Buoi is for you. I’m not sure that I would necessarily make a dedicated trip there for just myself, but with the variety and relaxed environment, it’s a great group option, especially since the value for money goes up the more people you dine with.

Just make sure that you get people who also love sharing food. No Joey Tribbianis allowed! ?

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Mama’s Buoi.
Mama’s Buoi
77 Willoughby Rd
Crows Nest NSW 2065
Phone: +61 2 9438 5005
Website: www.mamasbuoi.com.au/

Mama's Buoi Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sydney Food Blog Review of Chat Thai, Haymarket

Chat Thai, Haymarket

Review 1 Comment

Chat Thai, Haymarket. Sydney Food Blog Review

Ever had that feeling after a meal when you know what you ate, but you don’t know know. Don’t know the name of the dish, don’t know the price, and don’t know how to order it again.

GUYS, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T TAKE A PHOTO OF THE MENU. FML.

Asian restaurants are quite notorious about not putting up information on their extensive menus online, and it turns out that even a chain like Chat Thai – with fairly modern sensibilities like having an online presence – is not immune. Which means that the result of an impromptu dinner at Chat Thai in Haymarket is me scrambling for information because I am not even sure what each dish costs indivually because we split the bill.

#FoodBloggerFail

The Order (as best as I can remember/Google):

Mhu Grob Pad Prik King, $15
Stir fried crispy pork belly and Wild ginger in red curry paste.

Padt Thai, $13

Dtum Tardt (specials menu), $13.90 for small
Papaya salad platter with prawn cracker, Thai sausage, pickled crab, egg and rice noodle.

Sticky Rice Durian, $8
Sticky a rice steamed with sweet coconut cream and palm sugar accompanied durian custard and fresh durian.

Voon Kathi, $4.50
Young coconut jelly

The Food:

What can I say, really. To this date Chat Thai has never let me down in terms of food quality (prices are another issue entirely) and no matter which outlet you visit, you know that you’re getting an authentic plate of food. After all, the many MANY Thai people who work at all the outlets simply cannot be wrong, right?

Dtum Tardt (specials menu), $13.90 for small, Chat Thai, Haymarket. Sydney Food Blog ReviewDtum Tardt (specials menu), $13.90 for small

The Som Dtum (papaya salad) and all its incarnations remain my favourite, especially with its heavy aromas of dried shrimp and other preserved seafood. Yeah, you know the smell I’m talking about. If it’s available, go for the share platter on the specials menu (Dtum Tardt) – it elevates the humble salad to a full meal, with rice noodle sticks, Thai sausages, and prawn crackers thrown in.

Mhu Grob Pad Prik King, $15, Chat Thai, Haymarket. Sydney Food Blog Review Mhu Grob Pad Prik King, $15

The Mhu Grob Pad Prik King, $15 was a very pleasant surprise, given that I had no idea what to expect. Firm cubes of pork belly is coated in the fiery red paste – peppery and savoury and perfect on a bed of steamed Jasmine rice. No frills, just the good stuff.

Padt Thai, $13, Chat Thai, Haymarket. Sydney Food Blog Review

The Padt Thai, too, really hit the spot. Sweet, nutty, and fresh (from the raw bean sprouts), this classic plate of thin rice noodles bring me right back to uni days, where it was both staple and indulgence at once. (Read: I ate a lot of it, but felt guilty every time).

Voon Kathi, $4.50, Chat Thai, Haymarket. Sydney Food Blog ReviewVoon Kathi, $4.50

Sticky Rice Durian, $8, Chat Thai, Haymarket. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSticky Rice Durian, $8

Dessert-wise, the Sticky Rice Durian wasn’t quite the “slap some fresh durian on sticky rice and cover it on coconut cream” plate that I was looking for, but I guess they were classing it up a bit. The Voon Kathi, though, was a pleasant surprise. Made with rich coconut cream, I found myself thoroughly enjoying biting into fresh chunks of coconut dotted through the jelly.

Very refreshing.

The Service:

The thing about Asian restaurants with a high turnover: the service is, well, unpretentious. They are super efficient on their end – bringing out food at lightning speed, and refilling water with ninja stealth – but they expect you to be, too. Make up your mind, eat, pay, and let them turnover the table. If you’re a dawdler, I would expect to feel slightly rushed, like the world is playing at 2x speed and you’re stuck trying to catch up.

Mind you, they were NEVER impolite either. Towards the end, we were asked firmly if we had finished ordering and whether the bill could be brought, but never was an explicit word said about needing us to leave. Very tactful, and clear about getting the message across.

Value for money:

Every time I have Asian food in Sydney, a small part of me weeps about how cheap it all is in the home country. But you know what, we are in Sydney and not Thailand, and I’m just going to have to suck it up. As far as the CBD goes, it’s actually really decent food for a fairly decent price, and for the fact that I know it’s a brand I can rely on, I’m willing to pay that price, and possibly more, every single time.

The Vibe:

Let me start this bit by saying that we went on a 32C day, not realising that the restaurant IS NOT AIR CONDITIONED. However did I miss this before?!

Well, I’ve no idea, but part of me swears that it’s a convenient ruse to bring the element of Asia into Sydney, where we’re entirely too comfortable.

Lack of air conditioning aside, there is an easy status quo in Chat Thai though – the waitstaff clearly aren’t here be your next BFF, which takes the pressure off making small talk with them while they’re just trying to do their jobs.

And finally,

Chat Thai is like an institution for Thai food in Sydney – the brand is everywhere, and we have come to trust that they’ll serve up good food consistently, no matter which branch you visit.

Haymarket remains my favourite, though. There’s just something about being in Sydney’s little ThaiTown that heightens the experience.

And besides, any excuse to buy Thai groceries, emirate?

This meal was independently paid for.

Chat Thai
20 Campbell St
Haymarket NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9211 1808
Website: www.chatthai.com.au

Chat Thai Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sydney Food Blog Review of The Vic on the Park, Marrickville

The Vic on the Park, Marrickville

Review

Crumbed Eggplant Burger with rocket, haloumi, homemade relish, mint and garlic yoghurt with a side of chips, $18: The Vic on the Park, Marrickville. Sydney Food Blog Review

I never knew Marrickville was such a foodie’s paradise. From smokey meats and amazing Yeeros, to endless rows of Vietnamese restaurants, Marrickville is my new go-to suburb when I’m feeling like trying something new.

So The Vic on the Park faces some stiff competition, especially since they’ve just launched a new menu with a brand new head chef.

Want to know how it all stacks up?


The Order:

Share Board of warm olives, pickled house veg, vintage cheddar, garlic and Parmesan brushed baguette, $20

Crumbed Eggplant Burger with rocket, haloumi, homemade relish, mint and garlic yoghurt with a side of chips, $18

Premium Pork Roast Share Board for two with Brussel sprouts, purple conga potatoes, roast pumpkin, yellow heirloom carrots, apple brandy jus and fresh apple purée, $55

Warm Duck Salad with cherry tomatoes, coriander, mint, sweet potato chips, green bean, julienned chilli and a fried egg, $25

Berry Tart with berry Compote and cinnamon ice cream, $12


The Food:

The menu is split into two sections: the regular menu which has all the old school pub favourites like steak and salt and pepper squid, and the more experimental Specials Menu that changes weekly, which we ordered from.

As always, it’s very hard to get everything bang on, but their strength seems to lie more in their concepts more than their execution.

Share Board of warm olives, pickled house veg, vintage cheddar, garlic and Parmesan brushed baguette, $20: The Vic on the Park, Marrickville. Sydney Food Blog ReviewShare Board of warm olives, pickled house veg, vintage cheddar, garlic and Parmesan brushed baguette, $20

The Share Board, $20, made a good impression. I’m told by the chef that the olives were pickled in house, and that, with the fragrantly soft baguette, made for a very appetising starter to our meal.

Crumbed Eggplant Burger with rocket, haloumi, homemade relish, mint and garlic yoghurt with a side of chips, $18: The Vic on the Park, Marrickville. Sydney Food Blog ReviewCrumbed Eggplant Burger with rocket, haloumi, homemade relish, mint and garlic yoghurt with a side of chips, $18

We then moved on to the Crumbed Eggplant Burger, $18. It was one of the better vegetarian dishes I’ve had – I think Vegetarians would automatically give it points for not being a risotto! The homemade relish added a sweetness, which I liked, but Simon did not. The burger had a clear middle-eastern influence, though the flavours were somewhat muted through the burger. Not a good idea especially in a suburb like Marrickville where you can get amazingly robust Middle Eastern food.

Premium Pork Roast Share Board for two with Brussel sprouts, purple conga potatoes, roast pumpkin, yellow heirloom carrots, apple brandy jus and fresh apple purée, $55: The Vic on the Park, Marrickville. Sydney Food Blog ReviewPremium Pork Roast Share Board for two with Brussel sprouts, purple conga potatoes, roast pumpkin, yellow heirloom carrots, apple brandy jus and fresh apple purée, $55

The Premium Pork Roast Share Board for two, $55, sounded like fancy pub food, but was executed like, well, regular pub food. The pork, which was meant to be slow roasted, was on the dry side for me. Kinda says something when I enjoyed the veggies over the meat, doesn’t it? But the best part of the platter had to be the apple brandy jus. Dark and rich and gloopy – it went perfectly with the roasted veg.

Oh, and for bonus points: even though the pork was a bit dry for us, we found that it worked with the share platter. We just cut it up and sandwiched it between two slices of baguettes, with the house made pickles. Just like a Banh Mi, only…not.

Warm Duck Salad with cherry tomatoes, coriander, mint, sweet potato chips, green bean, julienned chilli and a fried egg, $25: The Vic on the Park, Marrickville. Sydney Food Blog ReviewWarm Duck Salad with cherry tomatoes, coriander, mint, sweet potato chips, green bean, julienned chilli and a fried egg, $25

For a more summery dish, we ordered the Warm Duck Salad, $25. The veggies, while crunchy and fresh, could definitely use a whole heap more flavour, and the sweet dressing was not really bringing any sort of punchiness. And with many vibrant salads that make their appearances all over Sydney, this one just doesn’t quite make the cut.

Berry Tart with berry Compote and cinnamon ice cream, $12: The Vic on the Park, Marrickville. Sydney Food Blog Review

And finally, the Berry Tart, $12. The tart came out looking more like a tea cake to me, which was quite perplexing, but after awhile we figured out that it was cut from a much larger, rectangular piece. Fair enough, except that the frangipane filling was quite heavy for my taste, and there wasn’t much discernible different between filling and pastry, which really means it might as well have been a tea cake for me. The berry compote, though, was a saving grace, and I ended up really enjoying the softened berries with the ice cream by itself.


The Service:

I’m not sure how much I can say about the service since we were invited guests, but from what I can see, they are quite friendly and helpful, efficiently clearing all the tables in the area and greeting the diners (not just us!) with a smile on their face. Everyone seemed to have a basic knowledge of the menu – which can be quite challenging with something that changes weekly – and that’s more than what I can say for most pubs that I’ve eaten at.

Not that I’ve eaten at that many. ☺️


Value for money:

It costs a pretty penny to dine at The Vic on the Park. In my experience, Sydney burgers cost mostly anywhere from $10-$20 on average, and for an eggplant burger to cost $18, well…the price rivals even the most popular burgers in the CBD.

It works out roughly about $30 a head to dine off the specials menu, and I’m not sure that it works for me, considering the amount of affordable and satisfying eateries that are dotted all through Marrickville.


The Vibe:

Filled with locals, The Vic on the Park has a very relaxed vibe to it, with sports playing in the background and a lovely outdoor area shaded by trees. The mix of distressed wooden tables and laminate-topped ones give off a trendy but not hipster feel, which is reflected in the mixed clientele of tradies and families. I can totally see it as an after-work hangout for locals, although I’m not sure that you would make a trip out if you weren’t already in the area.


And finally,

It’s always hard for a new head chef to come in and change things up, especially with something that has been there as long as The Vic on the Park. So kudos for that. I’m not sure whether her specials menu is there to feel out what the diners want, but I do know that it’s going to be hard to train cooks up to raise the standard when a 15-dish menu gets changed out every week.

Not quite my idea of destination dining, but I guess if you’re in that side of Marrickville and don’t want to travel too far, it’s not a bad place to go to.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of The Vic on the Park.
The Vic on the Park
2 Addison Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: +61 2 9557 1448
Website: http://viconthepark.com.au/

The Vic Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sydney Food Blog Review of Din Tai Fung, Chatswood

Din Tai Fung, Chatswood

Review

Rainbow Dumplings, Din Tai Fung, Chatswood: Sydney Food Blog Review

Hello Chatswood, how you doin’?

I swear, I turn my back for one second, and Chatswood suddenly becomes a massive foodie hub, with specialty gelato, dessert cafes, Michelin Star restaurant, and Chinese hotpot, just to name a few. I mean, I knew that there was more to it than night markets and Daiso, but it really didn’t hit me till we were looking for a satisfying dinner after treating ourselves to a movie.

Enter Din Tai Fung.

I already have a bias to loving Din Tai Fung. I mean, it’s really hard to fault a restaurant chain that not only has Anthony Bourdain’s stamp of approval, but that also takes the time and effort to make sure that their signature dish – their soup dumplings – tastes and feels exactly the same, every. single. place. in. the .world.

That, my friend, is some serious brand commitment.

Rainbow Dumplings , Din Tai Fung, Chatswood: Sydney Food Blog Review

The Rainbow Dumplings are every ADD foodie’s wet dream, in that every single one has a different flavour. Is it in-your-face-obvious different? No, but it’s just different enough to keep you on your toes. At its core, these dumplings use the same signature recipe that words for them, and it’s like betting on the safe horse:

It just never disappoints.

Tofu with Century Egg and Pork Floss , Din Tai Fung, Chatswood: Sydney Food Blog ReviewTofu with Century Egg and Pork Floss

To fill my craving, I also ordered the Tofu with Century Egg and Pork Floss. It must be me getting older, but I’m really acquiring a taste for the black jelly-like century egg. Coupled with silky tofu and sweet/savoury pork floss (which is pork cooked in a soy based sauce till it’s dried out completely and pulled into floss), it’s an absolute heaven in both taste and texture.

Well, if you’ve acquired the taste, of course.

Pork Cutlet, Din Tai Fung, Chatswood: Sydney Food Blog ReviewPork Cutlet

There was also the pork cutlet that I got because the Taiwanese are somewhat famous for fusion street food, like pork cutlet, and Din Tai Fung is founded in Taiwan. This one, however, um.

No. Just no.

Nothing really going for it, and we really could’ve ordered something way more worthwhile.

But other than that, going to one of Din Tai Fung’s many outlets has started to feel like coming home. You know exactly what to expect, and you know that that they’re not going to suddenly turn the tables on you. Sure, it’s nothing particularly new and exciting, but hey, not everyone has to be a Heston.

The Chatswood outlet is somewhat more worn than say, the one in The Living Mall, or the one at World Square, but the locals don’t seem to mind at all. I’m not so sure that they would keep up with Chatswood’s burgeoning food scene – even the service has that old-world quality of ignoring you, slightly 😉 – but I’m sure such a large brand like that has no problems holding their own.

If you can, though, go to the ones in the city. The ambience is much MUCH better.

This meal was independently paid for.
Din Tai Fung
1 Anderson St
Chatswood NSW 2067
Phone:+61 2 9415 3155
Website: https://www.dintaifung.com.au

Din Tai Fung Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review of La Puerta, Neutral Bay

La Puerta, Neutral Bay

Review

La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review

Tell me something: when you walk into a restaurant, are you looking for something “authentic”? What’s does it mean, anyway? Can Steak and Chips at the pub be considered “authentic” to any cuisine?

Those are the kind of questions I wonder about when I get invited to La Puerta, serving up a mix of influences from the South American region, to the high level of critique of my South American friends.

And you know how passionate they get.

The Order:

Pan Latino: La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant ReviewPan Latino

Small bites

Pan Latino
Arepitas
Tiraditos

Gaucho steak: La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Gaucho steak

Larger Plates

Coastal prawn cocktail
Chicharron
Gaucho steak

Pastelistos: La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Pastelitos

Sweets

Pastelitos
Tres leches cake

The Food:

The thing about serving up food from a region with such a different climate to Australia? The authenticity will always be an issue because produce will always be an issue. Not to mention the different cultural expectation when it comes to food.

The result? My South American friend wasn’t a fan of most things, while I quite liked that it was something different on the Sydney dining landscape.

Arepitas: La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Arepitas

The Arepitas, for example, polarised the discussion. Smaller versions of Arepas (corn bread sandwiches filled with meat and are usually pretty heavy), the Arepitas presented textural issues for him, while I was just happy that it did sit as heavy in my belly like the others that I’ve tried. Was it my favourite at the table? No, but I didn’t actively dislike it like he did.

Tiraditos: La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Tiraditos

What we could all agree on, though, was that the Tiraditos (think a white fish carpaccio with hit of tangy citrus and chilli) was absolutely lovely. It was fresh and colourful, and everything that you could hope for on a balmy summer evening.

Coastal prawn cocktail: La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Coastal prawn cocktail

Also on the hit list for me? The Coastal Prawn Cocktail. Kinda like a ceviche but not, the citrus cured prawn was served with plantains and a tomato based sauce, and the combination just made all my taste sensors go off at once. In a good way. Very moreish, and definitely whets the appetite.

Chicharron: La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Chicharron

The Chicharron was also lovely, because it takes an especially sad person to mess up crispy pork belly served with chorizo crumbs. COME ON! Does that not just speak of piggy genius? Seriously though, it was a really nice dish, save for the one critique that the chorizo crumbs weren’t especially…chorizo-y. I was expecting more paprika and smoke flavours to come through on that count, but it didn’t. Not that it took much away from the dish I don’t think.

Tres leeches cake: La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review Tres leeches cake

On the dessert front, the Tres Leches cake was particularly moreish for me. I have my doubts about its authenticity, but there was just something about it that triggered childhood memories of me soaking my sponge cake in milk to make a pudding of sorts. Heck, I still do it. Because it’s delicious. That’s why.

The Service:

La Puerta had a very family feel to it, especially when co-owner Catherine runs the front of house while her husband Oscar runs the kitchen. They were friendly, and Catherine easily chatted to groups of diners throughout the evening. I’m not sure whether this would change with hired guns (we didn’t see any other waitstaff in the small restaurant assisting Catherine) but so far, the small team just means that it’s all personal and cozy.

Value for money:

You’re probably looking at a $30 per diner range, not counting the drinks, and I think that’s fairly reasonable for a night out in Neutral Bay. I can’t say that it’s the most value for money dining given that there are more choices in the city for a lower price tag, but I do think that the South American cuisine is underrepresented in Sydney, which makes La Puerta worth a try.

The Vibe:

Located just off a busy street, La Puerta gave me a sense of a little hidden corner where you can have dinner and conversation, and unwind after a long day’s work. The sense of family makes everything really comfortable, and Catherine’s easy charm makes for a very relaxing evening.

And finally,

The criticisms of my South American friend made this review a hard one to write. For me, the experience was more about the warmth of the service than the food, but I didn’t think that there was much to complain about either. It was nice, but not stellar, and to be honest I don’t have enough experience to give a good critique on its authenticity.

I guess that’s the thing with cultural foods: whether or not it’s “authentic”, as long as it speaks to you, it works. Sure, it won’t work for everyone, but I like that La Puerta wasn’t trying to sell a particularly authentic take anyway. They want it to be an accessible version of their home favourites, and I walked away wanting to try more South American cusine.

Mission accomplished.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of La Puerta.
La Puerta
5/2A Waters Rd
Neutral Bay NSW 2089
Phone: +61 2 9953 8367
Website: www.lapuertarestaurant.com.au/

La Puerta Latino Flavours Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

17 Late night food spots to treat yourself to after The Sound of Music!

Best in Sydney Review 2 Comments

13 Late night food spots to treat yourself to after The Sound of Music!

I LOVE MUSICALS. I love them in all their forms – movie, TV, stage, flashmob – and I’m exactly the sorta girl who welcomes a big ol’ sing-a-long, especially if it’s spontaneous. And you know what started it all?

The Sound of Music.

17 late night spots to treat yourself to after the Sound of Music!

It was one of the first musicals I’ve ever seen – my parents taped it on VHS (carefully cutting out the commercials, of course) and I’d played it so many times that it got worn in parts. There was even a road trip somewhere where my mother (who enjoys a sing-a-long herself) got so sick of “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria” that I was banned from singing it on the way home!

17 late night spots to treat yourself to after the Sound of Music!

So you can guess my excitement when I was invited to go see this rousing musical live at the Capitol Theatre! This Rodger and Hammerstein classic has just finished a record breaking run at the London Palladium, and stars the multi-talented Cameron Daddo as Captain Von Trapp, and award-winning Amy Lehpamer as Maria Reiner.

The only problem? When an evening showing finishes past 8pm, I’m always hard pressed to find a restaurant that’s open late enough to feed my hungry belly! So I’ve compiled this list of late night places so that you can make a night of it when you go to see The Sound of Music!

Go ahead. You know you wanna treat yo’self.

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Sydney Food Blog Review of Harry's, Bondi.

Instagram Eats: Harry’s, Bondi

Review

Harry's, Bondi: Sydney Food Blog Review.

“Where shall we go to eat?” Such a small question, such huge responsibility. After all, what’s the criteria for picking a place where you exchange your hard-earned money for sustenance, and hopefully an experience to go with it.

Well, in the case of Harry’s, the criteria was: Instagram. Yes, we’ve come to that. I’d seen my Instagram feed flooded with pictures from this bustling Bondi cafe, and I thought it was high time to see what all the fuss was about.

The Order:

Pulled pork roll, fried egg with coffee bacon jam with added sweet potato fries with kasoundi, $20

Quinoa and feta fritters, fattoush, avocado, labna and hazelnut dukkah with added poached egg, $22.5

Apple cider cured trout, soft egg, avocado, fennel, zucchini and grapefruit, $20.50

Green Tea, $4 per serve

The Food:

Well, Instagram got one thing right: Harry’s sure does serve up a pretty plate of food. Colours were vibrant, and the entire plate just screamed “fresh” and “seasonal”.

Apple cider cured trout, soft egg, avocado, fennel, zucchini and grapefruit, $20.50. Harry's, Bondi: Sydney Food Blog Review.Apple cider cured trout, soft egg, avocado, fennel, zucchini and grapefruit, $20.50

Flavour-wise, they got it mostly right. The Apple Cider Cured Trout was a work of art by itself, and the fennel, avocado and grapefruit combination gave the dish a lot of dimension. Depending on how much grapefruit you chose to have in any bite, it could get a touch overpowering, but otherwise, it was spot on.

Pulled pork roll, fried egg with coffee bacon jam with added sweet potato fries with kasoundi, $20. Harry's, Bondi: Sydney Food Blog Review.Pulled pork roll, fried egg with coffee bacon jam with added sweet potato fries with kasoundi, $20

The Pulled Pork Roll with fried egg and coffee bacon jam was a breakfast burger of my dreams, if my dreams were made of pulled pork and soft buttery buns. Which you know they are. The pork was unctuous and succulent – avoiding all the squeakiness that can come with choosing too lean a cut of pork. The egg added richness, and the coffee bacon jam added depth. Together, they sang in perfect harmony, and I was just the lucky person drinking eating it all in.

The sweet potato fries were the icing on the cake, with a small dish of Kasoundi, an Indian tomato relish that just kept me coming back for more. And that’s not even considering that the sweet potato fries were one of the crispiest I’ve ever had. ??

Quinoa and feta fritters, fattoush, avocado, labna and hazelnut dukkah with added poached egg, $22.5. Harry's, Bondi: Sydney Food Blog Review.Quinoa and feta fritters, fattoush, avocado, labna and hazelnut dukkah with added poached egg, $22.5

But with the ups come the downs, and the Quinoa and Feta Fritters didn’t quite work for me. A large part of it, I’m sure, comes from the fact that I quite dislike raw capsicum, but the fritters themselves ate fairly dry, and the other elements (crispy pita, pomegranate seeds, labna, avocado) didn’t come together to create a cohesive masterpiece like the other dishes. All the bits and bobs stood aloofly apart, kind of like if strangers come together for the first time and try to form a band. Potential is there, but it requires a bit of work to hit it.

The Service:

Our waitress was friendly and perky, and had an easy charm that made small mistakes – forgetting share plates that we asked for, mixing up our order and needing to come back to confirm – easy to overlook. Being a pleasant human being does go a long way: everyone makes mistakes once in a while, and being nice just inspires a lot of patience and, well, chill.

Value for money:

I went in with the assumption that I was going to over order – I always do – by choosing three dishes to share between two females. Turns out, while the portions were certainly not measly, we polished off all three plates fairly easily. And at about $35 a head, I kinda expected to be absolutely stuffed.

I guess it still falls in the realm of reasonable, though. It IS Bondi, after all.

The Vibe:

It’s hard to fault outdoor seating with the sound of waves crashing in the not-too-far distance. The music was boppy, and played at a volume where it filled the silence, but still allowed us to easily chat over our food. Stained wood and hexagonal tiles gave it a trendy feel, and the regular clientele simply exuded “cool” in their beachwear and towels.

Very chill, and very relaxed.

And finally,

I’m not sure that I would make the trek out just to go to Harry’s (I’m really not a beach person at the best of times), but I wouldn’t mind stopping by if I was in the area. Their sweet menu items (ricotta pancakes? Yaaaasss) look very promising, and there’s a selection of cake/tart things that’s simply calling my name. I like how relaxing it is, and perhaps it was the fact that I went on a weekday, but it spared me the claustrophobic crowds of similar cafes in Surry Hills.

Go if you fancy a lazy afternoon in a cafe by the beach, or if you’re after a satisfying breakfast. Or pulled pork burger.

Now that is a must-try.

This meal was independently paid for.
Harry’s
Shop 2, 136 Wairoa Avenue
Bondi Beach, NSW
Phone: +61 2 9130 2180
Website: www.harrysbondi.com.au/

Harry's Bondi Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato