Posts tagged Fried Chicken in Sydney

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

Best in Sydney Review December 23, 2015 2 Comments

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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Miss Peaches, Newtown

Review December 14, 2015

Head Chef turnover is really tricky business. They are in charge of making sure that the menu is executed properly, and equally importantly that the restaurant makes money. It IS a business after all. So when I was invited to sample Miss Peaches new menu under the direction of new head chef Adam Cremone, I knew it could really go either way.

After all, customers can taste when the chefs change, and the direction the Head Chef takes can make or break a restaurant, no matter how successful it already is.

The Order:

Snacks and Sides

Cheesy Fries, $7
Mac ‘N’ Cheese, $8
Baked Brie, Rocket and Peach Salad, Toasted Cornbread, $16
Southern Fried Chicken, $4.5 per piece

Burgers and Southern Sandwiches

Fried Oyster and Smoked Duck Po’ Boy, $16

Mains

Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Andouille Sausage, $19
Fried Green Tomatoes with Shrimp, and a Dill and Caper Remoulade, $19

Sweets

Beignets, $4.50

The Food:

I don’t know what mixed reviews Miss Peaches had before – purely anecdotal and I’d always wondered if there was a rivalry between Hartsyard and them – but I can say that I thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed the food at Miss Peaches. There was much cheese lovin’ in the form of the Mac ‘N’ Cheese, Cheese Fries and Baked Brie, and who doesn’t love cheese covered everything*?

Cheesy Fries, $7

Baked Brie, Rocket and Peach Salad, Toasted Cornbread, $16

The Cheese Fries were especially satisfying, since I’ve been missing (I will only say this once and will never say it again) KFC cheese fries ever since I left Singapore. I don’t understand, Australia. You are a LAND OF CHEESE. How is it that cheese fries aren’t more common? Of course, Miss Peaches’ version is way more classy and the cheese is less orange, but you can’t deny that there is something so fundamentally primal when potato and cheese come together.

And let no man put asunder…

Southern Fried Chicken, $4.5 per piece

The Fried Chicken was also a baller order, especially when I didn’t even have to ask if the chicken was brined. No, the only question to ask was, “how long”. This succulent piece of poultry was the very bastion of why chicken should be brined, and with the gravy, it was just ridiculously awesome.

Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Andouille Sausage, $19

But the piece de resistance? The Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Andouille Sausage. If you think that it “sounds a little heavy”, well it is. It’s unapologetically starchy, heavy, meaty, smokey, satisfying and the portion is HUGE. This is probably the reason why salad eaters cop so much crap. There was something just so hedonistic about it all (I must be spending too much time in Bondi) that I squealed like a little girl inside when I dug into it. And when you consider that this is Chef Adam’s break time treat, you know you’re getting some good shiz right here.

Beignets, $4.50

Of course, not everything is a home run, and well, the Beignets weren’t quite on the same level for me. Maybe I’m not as much of a beignet person as I’d like to be, but there was something doughy about the way it was so tender that didn’t make my tastebuds sing. Not to say that it wasn’t a good beignet, though, because until I make the pilgrimage to New Orleans, I’m not sure that I can ever be sure.

Fried Oyster and Smoked Duck Po’ Boy, $16

Also, as far as Po’ boys go, this particular one wasn’t my favourite either. The elements – battered oyster, smoked duck, sauce and salad – were delicious on their own, but together? It was just a bit overwhelmed by the bread for me. It was a fantastic roll, mind you, but just not as a combo, I don’t think.

*No offence to the lactose-intolerant.

The Service:

I found that even though the service was relaxed, the staff were extremely attentive. We chose to sit outside, and our plates were cleared quickly, table wiped, and we weren’t abandoned in balcony never never land. And it wasn’t just our table. Even though people came in drips and drabs, the other groups on the balcony shared the similar treatment. Everyone looked happy to be there, and as a result, service was pretty seamless.

Value for money:

A quick glance at the menu will tell you that it’s not exactly the cheapest place around, but they really do make up for it with the portions. Each side can be eaten as a main, and each main can feed more than one person. You catch my drift? Your value goes up the more people you go with, because it ensures you get the variety for your dollar, rather than being trapped with your one huge choice if you went by yourself.

Although, that also means leftovers. And there ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that.

The Vibe:

Miss Peaches is just SO chill. But not in the antisocial sense of “Netflix and chill” (we’ve all been there) but in the “hang out with a group like they do on Friends” kinda chill. Everyone’s relaxes, and the Southern menu ensures that sooner or later, you WILL fall into a food coma and have to unbuckle your belt. I like that it’s a good mix of trendy and relaxed, and is definitely fitting in with the hip Newtown crowd.

Oh, and I know I just totally showed my age by using the word “hip”. But you know what I mean.

And finally,

I don’t know what Miss Peaches was like before, but I’m glad that this was my first experience. No baggage, only food. And well executed food at that. Working with a small team, Chef Adam is involved in every step of getting the food to you, meaning that you can trust that whatever they put in front of you is of a certain standard. I really enjoy the unabashed joy (read: cheese, because cheese is love) that goes into the food – they’re not pretending to be particularly classy or healthy or authentic. It’s just good food with a Southern theme. And yes, the food without cheese is delicious too.

It was also fantastic hanging out with Chef Adam. It really gave me insight to the man behind the menu, and when someone loves food as much as he does, you know he won’t steer you wrong. I’m definitely going back to try more of that menu…and for more cheese love.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Miss Peaches.

Miss Peaches
201 Missenden Road
Newtown, NSW
Phone: 02 95577280
Website: www.misspeaches.com.au/

Kansas City Shuffle, The Rocks

Review November 23, 2015

What is breakfast food? Personally, I’m of the camp that any food can be breakfast food if you’re happy eating it first thing in the morning (fried chicken fans, rejoice!), but Sam has very specific categories that he likes to put his food into. For example, to him, rice is not a breakfast food, even though me and most of the Asian population of the world would disagree.

So what about, say, beef brisket?

eef Brisket with Waffles, Smoked Chilli Butter

Well, at Kansas City Shuffle, breakfast does indeed include beef brisket with (gasp! Horror!) smoked chilli butter, on a crispy waffle. The secret to making it breakfast? Slapping an egg on it.

Beef Brisket with Waffles, Smoked Chilli Butter

True story.

My favourite dish that morning, the beef brisket was oh-so-unctuous, and the waffle just soaked up all that butter. Because clearly ~~my waistline~~ I need more butter in my life. The poached egg I could take it or leave it, but if that’s the one thing allowing me to have this dish first thing in the morning, then I’ll take it.

Fried Chicken Burger

We also ordered the Fried Chicken Burger, which was meant to come inbetween donuts, but we had brioche today because they were having issues with their donut recipe.

Because brioche is such a downgrade, amirite?

The burger itself was nice enough, but strangely enough I didn't actually get anything from the fried chicken. It could’ve been any other patty in there for all the texture and flavour it was giving me. The slaw and the pickle was pulling all the weight, and perhaps it was the lack of donut, but it just made this dish fall short of my expectations a little.

So really, I’ve just been stood up by a doughnut and starfished by fried chicken.

FML.

Pancake with Lemon Curd

And because we’re greedy, pancakes with lemon curd, fresh berries and smoked almond to finish off. As far as the pancake itself, it was a bit doughy for me – you know when it keeps rolling around in your mouth too long? Yeah, like that – but I really liked the sharp tang of the lemon curd. Made me feel like I could’ve eaten more, and that’s always welcome.

Kansas City Shuffle has a great Surry-Hills-vibe to it, with none of the manic frenzy. The chefs seem genuinely happy to be there, and there’s a warmth in all the interactions – I should know, I was right next to the door watching everyone come in. The coffee was excellent, which makes sense since the owner has completed in multiple national coffee competitions, and placed in the top 5!

Sure, the food could have used a little finessing (not the beef though, that was hectic), But they did mention that they were still working out some kinks in the recipes.

So maybe I’d wait a couple weeks for them to find their feet before trying more of the menu. But in the meantime, I think we can agree that anything can be breakfast, as long as there’s an egg on it.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Kansas City Shuffle.

Kansas City Shuffle
195 Gloucester St
The Rocks NSW 2000
Phone:+61 415 362 038
Website: https://www.facebook.com/kansascityshufflesyd/

Dopey, Grumpy, Happy…Surly’s, Surry Hills

Review July 17, 2015

Sydney Food Blog Review of Surly's, Surry Hills

I’ve long watched reality TV shows about Americans and their obsession with barbecue. Where bigger is better, and people fueled by smoke and meats.

Come to think of it, its a pretty ideal existence!

So when an old Uni friend suggested Surly’s for dinner, I was SO THERE.

Barbecued Beef Ribs, $25 with two sides

I can’t go past beef ribs on a menu without ordering it, and this time, it’s accompanied by fried chicken, fries, mac and cheese, green beans, and slaw. Because you can’t have a barbecue without slaw.

3 pc Fried Chicken, $14 with one side

Surly’s Spicy Fries, $10

Their Spicy Fries were, unfortunately, like a date from Tinder – not as advertised. They distinctly lacked spiciness, and about half the basket was left sad and alone at the end of out meal.. just like Tinder too.

The Fried Chicken was juicy and crispy all at once – a good sign that the chicken has been brined – but the flavour was just a touch underwhelming. Maybe it’s my Korean Fried Chicken spoiled tastebuds, but I was expecting a much punchier taste.

The Beef Ribs was again, good but underwhelming. I didnt taste much smokiness from the meat, as juicy and texturally satisfying as it was. And it ain’t barbecue without the smoke.

So sadly, I don’t think I will be returning to Surly’s any time soon. Not that they did anything wrong, but more so that they didn’t do more right than the other barbecue joints around Sydney. And there are A LOT.

I think a visit to my butcher is in order…

Posts tagged Fried Chicken in Sydney

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