Posts in Review

Behind every good plate of dude food is…Bar Luca, Sydney CBD

Sydney Food Blog Review of Bar Luca, Sydney CBD: The Carnivale

What makes a good burger? I mean, there are so many variables: bun, patty, cheese, toppings, sauces, balance…really it’s in the details. So I guess you could say that a good burger requires a woman’s touch? And at Bar Luca, that touch comes from the super talented Sarah Robbins.

Appropriate, since I was at Bar Luca to try out The Carny, which Sarah will be serving up at this Sunday’s Burgers for Boobs at Harpoon Harry’s (alongside Josh from Danno’s Cafe and Charlie from Chef’s Kitchen and Cafe) to raise money for breast cancer research!

Sydney Food Blog Review of Bar Luca, Sydney CBD: The Biggie SmallsThe Biggie Smalls

But first, HOW CUTE IS THE BIGGIE SMALLS??? This gangsta take on the Big Mac comes with a super cute mini cheese burger topper, and has a wagyu patty, umami ketchup, pickles, bacon, lettuce, grilled hotdogs, and big poppa sauce between two halves of a sweet bun. Savoury, juicy, structually sound without being dry, this burger is an amazing example of the attention to details that Sarah puts into her work. Every move is deliberate, and this burger has been soundly engineered.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Bar Luca, Sydney CBD: The CarnivaleThe Carny

And the Carny, too, shows a similar level of attention to detail. Here, Sarah utilises all the typical elements – toffee apple, corndog, fried pickles – and makes one heck of a burger. The lusciously pink toffee apple aioli simultaneously moistens and adds an addictive edge of sweetness to the burger, and I very willingly chowed down every last bite, even though I was already keeling over from the fullness.

And you know what else kept me going? Her shoestring fries, seasobed with a secret mix of herbs and spices – the colonel ain’t got nuthin’ on this shizzle – and served with a side of Big Mac Big Poppa sauce.

Amazing dude food designed with a woman’s touch and located smack bang in the middle of the city. I think I’ve found my new favourite burger joint.

Sarah from Bar Luca will be serving up The Carnivale with a side of seasoned shoestring fries as part of Burgers for Boobs this Sunday, 12th of July 2015, at Harpoon Harry’s in Surry Hills! Head on over to their Facebook page for more details, and TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Bar Luca.
Bar Luca
52 Phillip Street, CBD
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9247 9700
Website: http://www.barluca.com.au

Click to add a blog post for Bar Luca on Zomato

My anaconda don’t: Danno’s Cafe, Dee Why

Review of Danno's Cafe, Dee Why

Where there is a brioche or milk bun in sight, you can bet that there is a battle of the burger going on. And Chef Josh from Danno’s Cafe certainly is coming with guns blazing, delivering up absolute MONSTERS of burgers for your eating pleasure.

Mister Gee, you’ve got competition.

Best part is? Danno’s is serving up burgers at a pop up to raise funds for breast cancer research! And who in the world would complain about Burgers for Boobs? 😉 But first, the review!

Review of Danno's, Dee Why: The PrimoThe Primo

Mirror Mirror on the wall, who has the biggest burger of them all?

I do! And it’s The Primo. With two wagyu patties topped with melted American cheese, beer battered onion rings, bacon, jalapeño, thousand island sauce sandwiched between two halves of a milk bun, this is less food and more a “bloody work of art” (to quote my friend Jason).

The patties were impressively cooked to a medium rare – too many cafes in Sydney overcook their meat – and it was so juicy I had to take off my coat in order to save it from the glorious mess. The milk buns however, toasted as they were, didn’t seem up to the challenge of providing structural integrity to the burger, and halfway through, I was just dealing with token mush and holding the patties with my bare hands.

Not that it was too bad a thing – I don’t mind a naked burger once every so often.

Review of Danno's, Dee Why: The El GringoThe El Gringo

The El Gringo was another monster of a burger. Sure, its shorter in stature, but as they say, size does not matter. Okay maybe it does, a little.

But we digress.

This one has 8hr slow braised brisket, cos lettuce, American cheese, avoado salsa, pickled jalapeño, lime and chipotle crema, also between milk buns. Also super juicy, and eager to be rid of its milk bun coverings before the end of the performance, like an inexperienced stripper.

But it provides an explosion of flavours (like a piñata!), and even though I can’t pick apart all the individual elements in the eating, I’m sure that should anyone of them go missing, I would notice it in this delicate tightrope of balance that Chef Josh is walking.

Review of Danno's, Dee Why: Beer Battered Onion RingsBeer Battered Onion Rings

Review of Danno's, Dee Why: Jalapeño PoppersJalapeno Poppers

And if this is too much burger for you, well, Danno’s does a good sides game too. Their Jalapeño Poppers are rich and cheesy, served up with a creamy chipotle aioli, giving you a delicious reason to clog those arteries!

The Beer Battered Onion Rings were similarly satisfying (and made with real onion!) and actually didn’t need the smoky barbecue sauce that it was served with. Not that I’m complaining though – don’t take it away from me!

I can totally see why Danno’s Cafe is such a favourite amongst the Dee Why locals, and how it totally inspires a life of excess and rock and roll.

Just bring tissues though. Or wet wipes. You’ll need it.

Danno’s Cafe will be serving up the El Gringo with a side of Mexican chips as part of Burgers for Boobs this Sunday, 12th of July 2015, at Harpoon Harry’s in Surry Hills! Head on over to their Facebook page for more details, and TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Danno’s Cafe.
Danno’s Cafe
23 Howard Avenue
Dee Why, NSW
Phone: 02 8094 9677
Website: http://dannoscafe.com

Click to add a blog post for Danno's Cafe on Zomato

When the moon hits your eye: Pizza Design Co., Parramatta

Review of Pizza Design Co., Parramatta | Sydney Food Blog by Tammi Kwok

Subway has copped a LOT of crap, but you know what? They’ve got a good system going. People get to pick what they want for a single price point, and it’s quick and easy. The illusion of choice, without too much going on.

If only life was that easy.

Now what if you can apply a system like that to, say, pizza?

Review of Pizza Design Co, Parramatta

Pizza Design Co. in Parramatta has applied just such a system. The steps are simple: pick your base, sauce, cheese, toppings, and you’re all done! $15, and see you later.

Exactly like Subway, without the cookie at the end.

Review of Pizza Design Co, Parramatta

The pizza was actually surprisingly good. There’s something to be said about things hot from the oven, but even then, the base was a great chewy texture, the toppings light and relatively fresh, and it was a fairly good portion for $15. The service was polite and fast, and by people who generally look happy to be there.

We all know that this isn’t some top notch gourmet experience, but really, you weren’t expecting that were you? I know I wasn’t, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Not bad. Not too bad at all.

This meal was independently paid for.
Pizza Design Co.
279 – 281 Church Street
Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone: 02 9687 6667
Website: http://www.pizzadesignco.com.au

Click to add a blog post for Pizza Design Co. on Zomato

Would you like fries with that? Lord of the Fries, Central Station

Review of the Lord of the Fries, Ultimo

Exercise? More like EXTRA FRIES.
-Anonymous

Who doesn’t love fries? Crispy potato-ey salty goodness. And sauce, because I’m Singaporean and I can’t eat anything without adding sauce to it.

So when Lord of the Fries invited me along to try out their new store in Central Station – along with new menu items! – I very happily went along. Because I couldn’t resist the idea of a poutine burger.

Review of Lord of the Fries, Central: Sweet Potato FriesSweet Potato Fries

Now the last time I reviewed Lord of the Fries, I have to admit that I was less than happy. The store in Chadstone had forgotten some of the sauce in my order, and the chips weren’t that awesome then anyway.

But this time, I’m happy to report that it’s way different. They’ve updated their sauce recipes, and have also taken another step towards becoming fully vegan friendly! Not that it’s that high up on my priority list since I will eat practically anything, but I know that my vegan friends would be happy for the extra option.

Review of Lord of the Fries, Central: Onion RingsOnion Rings

They swapped out the egg and dairy in their sauces, and now offer shakes made with soy milk (remember this, it’s very important), as well as the option for vegan cheese if you ask for it.

Review of Lord of the Fries: Poutine BurgerPoutine Burger

Review of Lord of the Fries, Central: The Chicago HotdogThe Chicago Hotdog

Review of Lord of the Fries, Central: Oreo MilkshakeOreo Milkshake

So, as a non vegan, how does it stack up to burgers, fries and hotdogs everywhere else? Well fries are fries, and good when they’re piping hot out of the fryer. The sweet potato fries can get a touch greasy, but then I’ve never known shoestring sweet potato fries not to be. The revamped sauces were actually surprisingly good, I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between this and “regular” mayo. The Indian sauce was my fav of the lot, and it’s not a lot more minty and a lot less curry.

Sounds like it should be a country music song.

You know what’s surprising though? They also do a really mean cup of coffee. Lightly acidic, without a burnt aftertaste! Who knew coffee and fast food goes together?

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Lord of the Fries.
Lord of the Fries
10A Henry Deane Plaza
18 Lee St
Haymarket, Sydney
Website: http://www.lordofthefries.com.au

Click to add a blog post for Lord of the Fries on Zomato

D’oh nut: The Whisk and Crumb, Lover’s Markets

Review of The Whisk and Crumb, Lover's Markets

Never since the renaissance has there been a revival so rampant like that of the humble doughnut. Mostly made with yeast leavened dough that’s been deep fried and coated in sugar, the humble treat with a hole has now been refined and expanded to gastronomical proportions, with every filling, frosting, and topping you can get.

In other words – in this day and age – there’s no reason to produce a bad doughnut.

Review of The Whisk and Crumb: Pretzel and Peanut Butter DoughnutPretzel and Peanut Butter Doughnut

So when I saw The Whisk and Crumb at the Parramatta Lovers Markets, I instantly caved to my sugar cravings. After all, who can resist chocolate topped doughnuts with popcorn, peanut butter, milky ways, and other delicious things designed to trigger an insulin spike to end all insulin spikes?

Review of The Whisk and Crumb: Milky way and chocolate doughnutMilky way and chocolate doughnut

Unfortunately, these doughnuts are better conceptually than in execution. And expensive, to boot. Two tiny doughnuts cost $10 (or $5.50) for one, and while the toppings were inventive, the texture of the actual doughnuts were cakey, and dry. And if I wanted to just buy candy, I would’ve just gone into the confectionary aisle and bought candy.

So much promise, so much disappointment. D’oh!

This meal was independently paid for.
The Whisk and Crumb
Lovers Markets
Centenary Square, Parrmatta NSW 2150
Phone: +61 2 4782 3975
Website: https://instagram.com/thewhiskncrumb/

Fill my bowl: Oiden, Sydney CBD

Review of Oiden, Sydney CBD

You know that stereotype about Asians never being full on rice? Well, I’ve eaten upwards of 15 plates of sushi without signs of being full, and well, whenever I’m not feeling 100%, rice is always the answer.

…or noodles. You know, carbs.

And you know what’s better than carbs? Cheap carbs! Yes. I give you permission to lick the screen. LICK IT.

Review of Oiden, Sydney: BBQ Beef DonburiOntama BBQ Beef Don

Oiden in the CBD is basically the rice version of udon bar Mappen, conveniently located, well, right next door. It has the same system: pick a rice bowl (donburi) off the menu, then choose from a variety of sides – mostly deep fried – and they tally it all up at the counter!

Review of Oiden, Sydney CBDSelection of Fried Sides

And if you have analysis paralysis (like me!) with too many choices, well, you can also choose the $9.90 combination of three mini rice bowls, because we have a need. A need for speed variety.

Review of Oiden, Sydney CBDCurry Don

Review of Oiden, Sydney CBDHash Beef Don

The thing about Oiden is that it’s the very epitome of cheap and cheerful, and fast, too. It’s such a basic idea, and is a favourite with the students in the area for its value for money! I really especially like the set meals – like the mini donburi sets – that give you lots of variety, and it’s actually really decent food.

If you’re going to spend $10 at a fast food joint, you really might as well spend it here, IMO. I highly recommend the hash beef bowls if you like your sweet/savoury type flavours, or the Japanese curry for something more hearty! If you also happen to have your Washoku Lover’s Card, you also get a free refreshing honey lemon drink – and you know how I love freebies!! =)

Don’t say I’m not saving you money!

Washoku Lovers is a free membership programme that gives you perks to many Japanese restaurants in Sydney! We also have visited other restaurants participating in the Washoku Lovers programme, Suminoya like and Izakaya Yebisu! To find out more about the programme and sign up, visit www.washokulovers.com.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Washoku Lovers and Suminoya.
Oiden
Shop 12, SkyView Shopping Plaza
537-551 George Street, CBD, Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9267 1368
Website: http://oiden.com.au

Click to add a blog post for Oiden on Zomato

Varying degrees of…Celsius Dessert Bar, Chatswood

Review of Celsius Dessert Bar, Chatswood

Nitrogen frozen treats seem to be all the rage right now, doesn’t it? And with good reason: the low freezing point of liquid nitrogen makes the ice cream super smooth, and the clouds of vapour provides a dramatic way to watch your ice cream getting made!

Located near the new Chatswood transport interchange, Celsius Dessert Bar has a small range of nitrogen-frozen gelato to choose from, coupled with thoughtful toppings to create a full-fledged dessert.

Because ice cream can always use some topping. 😉

Review of Celsius Dessert Bar - Watermelon SplashWatermelon Splash

Review of Celsius Dessert Bar - Monkey MagicMonkey Magic

Simon and I shared a Watermelon Splash and Monkey Magic, and we were about to go for a third, but…well, we really shouldn’t. Haha. The Monkey Magic really reminded me of Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey, except a little lighter. The chocolate cookies and the bruleed bananas were a very nice touch, and made for a fantastic dessert.

The Watermelon Splash on the other hand, would have been much better off without the topping – the honeycomb had a very slight burnt flavour to it, and made the whole thing taste…savoury. The gelato itself was really refreshing, and light, and tasted of fresh watermelons, which is, well, a good thing.

I really wanted to go back and try the other flavours, but I don’t know if I can go past the Monkey Magic!

Banana flavoured anything is my kryptonite. Go figure.

This was independently paid for
Celsius Dessert Bar
Kiosk 4 Chatswood Bus Interchange
436 Victoria Ave
Chatswood, NSW
Phone: (02) 8068 6895
Website: http://www.celsiusdessertbar.com.au

Click to add a blog post for Celsius Dessert Bar on Zomato

As the crow flies: The Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest

Review of The Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest

I must say that I’ve been very lucky: growing up in Singapore, I’ve been able to consider Thailand as a “weekend holiday” destination, and enjoy all the culinary delights that come with it! Since moving to Sydney, I’ve clearly had less easy access to Thailand, but I must say, Thai food in Sydney is actually quite good.

And with that knowledge, I was super excited to be invited to Tall Lemongrass, in Crow’s Nest!

Review of the Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest: Mieng KumMieng Khumm, $12

Owner Wendy greeted us at the door, and then proceeded to completely spoil us with her extensive menu – this was a whole book and a few laminated sheets worth of menu – of Thai classics with a modern slant.

We start with 2 entrees, because…well, do we actually need a reason?

Review of the Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest: Duck BitesDuck Salad Mouthfuls, $14

The Mieng Khum, $12, and the Duck Salad Mouthfuls, $14 show a strong emphasis on presentation, and sets the mood for a bit of theatre. Mieng Khum is a traditional Thai snack of ginger, chilli, onion, peanuts, and various other toppings, wrapped in a betel leaf. In Australia, with our abundance of beautiful produce, poached prawn is often added, making a delicious mouthful. Here at Tall Lemongrass, it’s served with an additional egg net and a delicious sweet/savoury dressing, in stunning glasses.

Told you that there was an emphasis on presentation!

Review of the Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest: Caramelised Pork BellyCrispy Pork with Caramel Dressing , $20

Of the mains, we chose the Crispy Pork Belly with Caramel Dressing, $20, the Som Tum with Deep Fried Barramundi Fillet, $25, the Pad Thai with Squid, $16, and Green Tea Rice, $3.50, just to mop up all the deliciousness!

Review of the Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest: Green Tea RiceGreen Tea Rice, $3.50

Review of the Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest: Som Tum with Fried BarramundiSom Tum with Deep Fried Barramundi Fillet, $25

Review of the Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest: Pad Thai with SquidPad Thai with Squid, $16

The Crispy Pork Belly came out with an absolute flourish, as all crispy pork belly is wont to do, and the caramel sauce coated the tender-on-the-inside-crispy-on-the-outside pork belly chunks with an addictive sweet glaze. The Green Tea Rice was another delicious surprise – they fry the rice off with matcha powder, giving a very subtle and light green tea flavour that actually works very well with the traditional Thai mix of flavours of sweet, salty, spicy and salty.

Heck, I’d even eat the rice on its own. But we all know that I’d do that anyway.

Review of the Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest: Deep Fried Ice Cream in Filo PastryDeep fried ice cream with filo sheets, $12.50

But the piece de resistance – DEEP FRIED ICE CREAM!!! Cold ice cream, hot crispy filo pastry, a delight for the senses. And check this: It’s better than Holy Basil. BOOM. There, I said it. And even though we were full AF, it was still the best part of the evening. Look, the other dishes were decent, but this dessert was absolutely excellent.

I really like how The Tall Lemongrass is trying to do something new, with very old culinary traditions. They’re trying to do something different with something so familiar to us, and I commend them for that. Unfortunately, not everything works – the Pad Thai, for example, while very cute in their little egg net parcels, was not actually what I’d classify as a main. And I’m not sure how comfortable I’d be if I thought I was ordering a stock standard full plate of pad thai, and 2 small parcels came out to the table.

BUT, I’m an avid supporter of creativity, and as with any restaurant menu – especially one so extensive – is bound to have some executional problems. And realistically, Crows Nest is an expensive neighbourhood, so I guess…well I’m not entirely surprised about the price tags of the dishes.

Great space for a group setting, and the waitresses are extremely friendly and helpful. If nothing else, go for that fried ice cream. It’s freaking amazeballs.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of The Tall Lemongrass.
The Tall Lemongrass
136 Willoughby Road
Crows Nest, Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9966 0350
Website: www.thetalllemongrass.com.au/

Click to add a blog post for The Tall Lemongrass on Zomato

Like a Pizza, But Not: Just Man’oushe, Sydney CBD

Review of Just Man'oushe by Sydney Food Blog Insatiable Munchies

I have something to admit: I’m not much of a pizza person. I mean, I like it as much as the next person, but I don’t live for it, like some people do. Heresy, I know.

The thing is, I enjoy a good flatbread more than the pizza as a whole, and it needs to have the right amount of chewiness, the right amount of pull, and the right amount of crisp. And this is where Just Man’oushe comes in.

IMG_9290Raw beef and cheese man’oushe

Man’oushe really refers to the flatbread, and is usually served with some melted cheese with a smattering of dried herbs like oregano and thyme. But like all delicious things, there are always variations, and it has evolved to pizza-like proportions, with a huge variety of options to choose from!

I know, #firstworldproblems right?

03Beef sujuk and cheese man’oushe

The biggest difference to me between man’oushe and pizza, is that there isn’t a sauce requirement to go over the base. But really, with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of chilli flakes, it does not need it! We tried the Minced Beef and Cheese, which involves seasoned raw beef mince warmed on flatbread, and it was super addictive. The mince was laid on thinly, and wasn’t as chunky as the beef mince that you’d get from the store, making it more saucy than mincy, if you’ll excuse my uh, scientific terminology here.

If you’re not as adventurous, the sujuk and cheese – a spicy beef sausage and a light covering of cheese – also works as a delicious variation on the classic pepperoni pizza. But really, try the beef mince. It’s amazing.

The service has also been delightful, all owing to the young pizza chef. He clearly loves his food, and is always at the ready with helpful suggestions and explanations to create the best experience! We went there after a rainy afternoon one day, and he was the only one to notice that the seats were wet, and came out of the kitchen to get us dry chairs. Very thoughtful.

I’m looking forward to working my way through the menu at Just Man’oushe, and if what I’ve had so far is any indication, it’s going to be awesome.

This meal was independently paid for.
Just Man’oushe
4-6 York Street
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 7901 2403
Website: http://www.justmanoushe.com.au

Click to add a blog post for Just Man'oushe on Zomato

The perfect pair? Chur Burger and Mudhouse Wines

Review of Chur Burger and Mudhouse Wines

Burgers to me have always naturally been classed as “beer food”. You know, sport on tv, greasy burger, hot chips, cold beer? But the burgers ain’t greasy at Chur Burger, and well, the beer ain’t beer either.

No, the alcohol in this case comes courtesy of Mudhouse Wines, and Chef Warren has created four new burgers at Chur Burger to pair with the wines, in a limited edition menu, only available for the next month.

Review of Chur Burger and Mudhouse Wines: Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder Burger, with sweet potato, pickled beetroot, and minted slawSlow Roasted Lamb Shoulder Burger, with sweet potato, pickled beetroot, and minted slaw

I was very lucky to try all four burgers in a slider size with all of the available wines – goat’s curd burger with a pinot gris, saffron prawn burger with a sauvignon blanc, and a slow roasted lamb burger, and a crispy pork belly burger, both paired with a pinot noir.

I know, hard life, right? 😉

Review of Chur Burger and Mudhouse Wines: Crispy Pork Belly Burger, with cherry gastrique, baby gem and fennel mayoCrispy Pork Belly Burger, with cherry gastrique, baby gem and fennel mayo

My experience with wines has been pretty limited, but the pinot gris with the goat’s curd burger was nice. And this is where you imagine me holding up the “ok” symbol and having a very impressed look on my face. Very nice. The 2014 Pinot Gris had a very clean finish, and cleansed the palette between bites very nicely. It held up very well to the burger, and we all know that Warren does good burgers.

The pork and lamb burger was similarly delicious, though not quite as delicious as the goat’s curd, but the prawn, for me, didn’t quite work as a burger. Each component was delicious, but the filling to bun ratio didn’t quite work with each bite.

Still. Super delicious stuff from two kiwis who really know what they’re doing. And only $20 in Sydney CBD!! A steal any way you choose to look at it. Two thumbs up.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Chur Burger and Mudhouse Wines.
Chur Burger
48 Albion Street
Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9212 3602
Website: http://churburger.com.au/sydney.html

Click to add a blog post for Chur Burger on Zomato