Posts tagged Restaurant Review

Gyros? Yeeros? The Yeeros Shop, Marrickville

Review
Lamb Gyros, The Yeeros Shop: Sydney Food Blog Review

Lamb Gyros, The Yeeros Shop: Sydney Food Blog Review

“So the other day, Simon and I went for lunch…”

“Do all your stories start out with food?”

Sam got a smack in the arm for that, but you know what? He’s not wrong. All my stories DO start out with food and I’ve got the waistline to show for it. I wear it like a badge of honour, on my…belly.

ANYWAY.

Simon and I DID go out for lunch one rainy afternoon, making a special trip to Marrickville to visit Blackforest Smokehouse for their cured goods, on the same morning we found out that cured meat was bad for you. Like really really bad for you.

Talk about timing, huh?

So packets of bacon and chorizo later, we found ourselves standing outside The Yeeros shop in Marrickville, because it seemed just a little too on-the-nose to just rip into our newly-bought cancer meats like the starving food bloggers that we were.

What’s the difference between Gyros and Yeeros, anyway?

Whatever it is, all I know is that it means for me spiced meat with fresh veggies, rolled in a soft wheat wrap. A thin sheet of baking paper tries its darndest to hold together a straining roll of lamb and sauce, but it really serves little structural purpose, like a woman’s negligee. This meal was designed for you to get messy with it, and messy with it we shall get.

Lamb Gyros, The Yeeros Shop: Sydney Food Blog Review

Chunks of browned lamb and shreds of lettuce spill out between my fingers with every bite, and I had the pleasure to lick it off with garlic-vinegar-dipped chunky chips that smelled intensely of potatoes. No no, this wasn’t just the “deep fried chip” aroma that follows you lovingly like a besotted suitor, no. This was some serious potato black magic, and the chips just tasted intensely of the actual vegetable, with every steaming bite that we took.

And it was many many bites, too, because the serving was so large that neither Simon nor I could actually finish it in its entirety. And that’s on top of us sharing one small order of chips. Great to share, although I’m not sure how it would go down with the ‘authentic’ service – I really don’t know what is it about good, hearty food like this that requires brusque service and people who talk to you like you don’t know anything Jon Snow, but I’m happy to sign up to the experience.

I am Asian, after all.

Definitely drop by for a shared lunch if you’re in the area, or make the trip out with friends and go on a food crawl! I heard that there’s a really good pickle shop in the area…

This meal was independently paid for.
The Yeeros Shop
431 Illawarra Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: +61 2 9559 1167
Website: theyeerosshop.com.au/

The Yeeros Shop Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Grain Bar, Sydney

Review
Grain Bar, Four Seasons, Sydney. Sydney Food Blog Review

Grain Burger, $24: Grain Bar, Sydney, Sydney Food Blog Review

I may not be a drinker, but I’m ashamed to say that I’m a nightmare to any bartender. I see cocktails as food, and I’m very, uh, specific about what and how my drinks are balanced. My usual order is *takes a deep breath* aBloodyMarywithextraTabascoextrasaltlemonnotlimeshakennotstirredchilledbutwithnoice.

You see what I mean?

So it’s nice to finally meet a bartender who shares the same view: cocktails aren’t just there to get drunk on – it’s meant to be absolutely delicious.

Sam-the-boyfriend meets Sammy-the-bartender over whiskey and the beautiful bar at Grain Bar, at The Four Seasons. Let me just take a moment and say that I feel so posh and adult right now.

Look Ma, no hands!

Whisky Tasting: Grain Bar, Sydney, Sydney Food Blog Review

I know that they say that you should never drink on an empty stomach, but it was a lovely day, and we were in a good mood, so what the hey.

If you ever thought that whiskey was just about men with moustaches sitting at bars filled with cigar smoke and dark wood, well…okay there’s an element of that but it’s also so SO much more. Sammy-the-bartender guided us through the smokey peat and liquid gold.

Our favourite was the 18yo Yamazaki: smooth, nutty, and almost unctuous in the way it slides down the throat. But even more than the amazing booze on offer – any bar can stock that – is the sheer vastness of knowledge and passion that Sammy had for the history and cultures that are behind each bottle. He clearly loved what he was doing, and in return, we had an experience that we would be hard pressed to get anywhere else.

But now and we were nice and sloshed up, we were ready for a big feed, and we were quite sure it was going to be better than a 2am kebab run.

Well, we’d hoped. ?

And because we are so thorough, we ordered the Grain Burger, $24, Smokey Meats Platter, $38, Whiskey Cured Salmon, $14, and Maple Bourbon Stuffed Cronuts, $7. I know it’s a lot of food, but hey, how can you make a fair judgement otherwise?

Whisky Cured Salmon, $14:Grain Bar, Sydney, Sydney Food Blog ReviewWhisky Cured Salmon, $14

My absolute favourite at the table? The Whiskey Cured Salmon. Velvety slices of salmon cured with salt, sugar of course, whiskey, were served with salmon roe (Think of the children!), that left delicious pops of saltiness in every bite. There were little cracker things, too, but who needs ’em when you have it’s so damned beautiful on its own!

Grain Burger, $24: Grain Bar, Sydney, Sydney Food Blog ReviewGrain Burger, $24

The Grain Burger and Smokey Meats Platter were a bit on the ‘meh’ side of things. The burger patty was a bit overcooked for my taste, and it wasn’t quite large enough for the bun encasing it. The Smokey Meats were good enough o their own, but when Sydney has been churning out smokey meats the likes of The Oxford Tavern, Parson’s and Vic’s Meats? You just can’t go back from that.

Smokey Meat Platter, $38: Grain Bar, Sydney, Sydney Food Blog ReviewSmokey Meat Platter, $38

And the Cronuts? Well the cronuts were more like a crispy profiterole than cronut, but it was still had lovely pops of sweet custard piped into a thin shell. Not bad, but also not a cronut.

It is definitely clear to me that Grain Bar is all about the whiskey. Whether you’re a connoisseur or a beginner, it really has the variety and the know-how to introduce you into the craft. The food is designed to be a a supporting act, and well, it’s pretty obvious. The overall experience is great – friendly, professional service, and fabulous ambience – but it’s more bar than restaurant, and I’m okay with that.

Although, I would seriously make a trip for the whiskey salmon. It was that good.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Grain Bar.
Grain Bar
199 George St
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9250 3118
Website: www.grainbar.com.au

Grain Bar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Hedgehogs in the Inner West: Luyu and Yum Yum, Newtown

Review
Manga Hedgehog Dumplings from Luyu and Yum Yum, Newtown. Sydney Food Blog Insatiable Munchies Review

Mr Luyu Snow White Dumpling, $11.80, from Luyu and Yum Yum: Sydney Food Blog Review

It was raining, and I was late. Public transport improves no one’s mood at the best of times, and this was no exception. It was stiflingly humid, and even the vibrancy of a neighbourhood like Newtown couldn’t fight off the absolutely depressing and un-sexy shade of grey that had descended upon Sydney.

Located on King Street with a bright neon sign is Luyu and Yum Yum: the effort of tea master Luyu to pair his tea with food, and the result is a classy east-meets-west restaurant, with a heavy emphasis on dumplings.

Manga Dumpling Manga Dumpling “Hedgehog”, $12.80

I had a job to do (hard life) and as the entrees started rolling out I felt like I was getting a good Asian feed, without the stereotypical Asian service. The Manga Hedgehogs were so gosh darned cute that I almost couldn’t bear to eat them. Almost.

Manga Dumpling Manga Dumpling “Hedgehog”, $12.80

Encased in sweet fluffy dough was a rich mushroom filling that transported me back to Hong Kong in the 90s. Everything melded together whilst keeping its own flavour identity, and I felt like I was watching an award-winning acapella performance.

Caviar Dumpling, $13.80, from Luyu and Yum Yum: Sydney Food Blog ReviewCaviar Dumpling, $13.80

The Caviar Dumpling was also a winner, and not just because I’m a slave to anything caviar. A solid mouthful of prawn dumpling was just lightly annointed with salty caviar, giving me texture and flavour all at once.

7 flavoured tofu, $7.80, from Luyu and Yum Yum: Sydney Food Blog Review7 flavoured tofu, $7.80

Want something fun? Then eat the 7-flavour tofu with the chilli oil. By itself, the cubes of tofu weren’t particularly exciting, but the chilli oil transformed it into BBQ duck. Seriously. If you’re vegan and always wondered why we love BBQ duck so much, this is your chance to find out. There’s some sort of magic voodoo going on here, and all I need to know is that it just works, like Apple products did in the 00’s.

Duck Pancake, $16.80, from Luyu and Yum Yum: Sydney Food Blog ReviewDuck Pancake, $16.80

Speaking of which, the Duck pancakes bring me right back to old Chinese restaurants of the 90s with my family, with generous lashings of sauce to accompany the chunks of duck meat. Nothing new, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Fantastically executed, and kept me eating till the last bite, even if I personally prefer the sweeter plum sauce to the more commonly used hoisin.

Truffle Dumpling Skewer, $12.80, from Luyu and Yum Yum: Sydney Food Blog ReviewTruffle Dumpling Skewer, $12.80

The east-meets-west fusion, of course, doesn’t always produce stunners. Even the most beautiful people in the world have average babies sometimes. Don’t let Angelina and Brad fool you. The Truffle Dumpling Skewers was one example, which confused the excitement right out of me. Let me try to explain it with this Venn diagram.

Dumpling venn diagram. Sydney Food Blog Review of Luyu and Yum Yum, Newtown

It’s really like if you added truffle on a Siu Mai. Prawn dumplings? We know that’s delicious. Truffle prawns? Yes please! Truffled dumplings? Din Tai Fung will show you the way. But Truffled Prawn Dumplings? Eh, not so much. Maybe my palate isn’t pushing the boundaries of dining, but I wasn’t a fan of the combination even though I enjoyed the individual components. And the sweet Jasmine honey sauce didn’t help either. It was cute that it tasted strongly like soda – and I’m all for repurposing flavours in unexpected ways – but it just didn’t go.

If in doubt, just follow the Fonz.

Mama's Chilli Chicken, $12.80, from Luyu and Yum Yum: Sydney Food Blog ReviewMama’s Chilli Chicken, $12.80

And the mains didn’t exactly come out swinging in the same way entrees did.

The Chilli Chicken and Beetroot echoed Kung Pao Chicken, an old school popular Chinese restaurant favourite that involves cashews, dried chillies, and a dark soy sauce that’s so sticky it really should be called a glaze. In this case, fresh serrano chillies replace the dried, and candied walnuts replace the cashews. The glaze wasn’t quite as saucy or dark, and the fresh pieces of beetroot added a fresh crunch. The candied walnuts were the best bit of the dish, with a glassy sugar coating that shattered with every bite. I really wished that there was more of the glaze/sauce – how would you mix it into your rice otherwise? – and while I was initially ambivalent about the beetroot, it really grew on me as I kept picking at it. The part that got me confused was the sprinkle of dried basil over the top. It jarred me out of the Asian illusion of the dish, and felt like that awkward kid at the party who tries to insert themselves into the group and then doesnt know what they want to say. Not a bad dish, but after the dumplings, it had big shoes plates to fill.

Eggplant, $12.80, from Luyu and Yum Yum: Sydney Food Blog ReviewEggplant, $12.80

The Eggplant was another dish that grew on me, but not to desired rash status. Battered eggplant fritters are served in a pyramid of sorts, and drizzled with a caramel sauce. I really
mourn that the eggplant wasn’t more obvious – you could’ve replaced it with zucchini and I’m not sure many would notice – but it was pretty enjoyable in a fritter sorta way. Crunchy-on-the-outside-fluffy-on-the-inside coating, and sauce. Good, but not ‘amazing’, as the waiter recommended it to us.

If the dumplings were the pinnacle of what Luyu and Yum Yum had to offer, then I’m really sorry to say that Osmanthus Oasis, for me, was base camp at the foot of the mountain.

Osmanthus Oasis, $13.80, from Luyu and Yum Yum: Sydney Food Blog ReviewOsmanthus Oasis, $13.80

My personal doubts about the flavour aside, the Osamanthus Oasis was just plain hard to eat. Served on a long, thin plate, the jelly kept slipping and sliding off and was fairly difficult to pick up. What made matters worse was the chocolate syrup, that added a faint chemical taste to the dessert. Why they would add something like that to what could’ve been an otherwise an interesting dessert, I will never understand. Especially not when the waiter strongly seconded our decision to order it.

I think Luyu and Yum Yum is perfect for a group outing: the serving sizes of dumplings allow you to sample and try a little bit of everything without getting too full, and it’s a nice change to the ubiquitous tapas houses in Sydney. If I could do it all over again, and I wouldn’t mind going back with more friends, I’d just stick to the dumpling and entree menu. It’s got more than enough variety to keep anyone’s attention, and most of it is really well executed.

Just don’t order the dessert. Trust me.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Luyu and Yum Yum.
Luyu and Yum Yum
Level 1, 196 King Street
Newtown, Sydney
Phone: 02 8317 6337
Website: http://luyu.com.au

Luyu and Yum Yum Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

A chicken walks into a bar..Rocks Brewing Co., Alexandria

Review
Drunken Chicken - Sydney Food Blog Review of Rocks Brewing Co. Alexandria

Sydney Food Blog Review of Rocks Brewing Co, Alexandria: Beer Can Chicken

 

It was a grey, GREY day. Even the rain didn’t know whether it was coming or going, falling in drips and drabs as I made my way to Rocks Brewing Co. in Alexandria, where I was invited to have lunch. And if there was anything that could make a dreary day worthwhile, it was the promise of hot food.

After 15 minutes of navigation over puddles like I was a tightrope walker with no safety net, I finally located the brewery inside an industrial looking collection of office buildings. My heart started to fall into the pit of my empty stomach as I wondered if this was going to be just another grey office lunch to match the weather.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Rocks Brewing Co, Alexandria: Wild Mushroom, Quinoa & Rocket Salad, $21Wild Mushroom, Quinoa & Rocket Salad, $21

We left it up to the kitchen to feed us, and what came out was surprisingly vibrant. Traditionally, food made to match beers are heavy and stodgy – probably to match Mother England’s weather – but the Wild Mushroom, Quinoa and Rocket Salad was surprisingly light and tasted like it was nutritionally well-rounded. Not a very sexy description, I know, but between the scattered grains of quinoa, meaty mushrooms, fresh rocket and tart dressing, I really felt like I was eating my quota of vegetables in a very delightful way.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Rocks Brewing Co, Alexandria: Mac and Cheese, $13Mac and Cheese, $13

Both the Mac and Cheese and Louisiana Hot Wings also packed a punch – the mac and cheese with a satisfyingly creamy sauce laced with the sharp kick of blue cheese, and the hot wings covered in a finger licking hot and sour sauce. This is one of the first hot wings that didn’t actually need the dipping sauce – I’d actually recommend eating them without it since the combination seems to cancel out any flavour that the components have by themselves.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Rocks Brewing Co, Alexandria: Louisiana Hot Wings, $13.50/$22Louisiana Hot Wings, $13.50/$22

At this point, we knew that more was to come, but we kept picking at the food like fidgeting children. I mean, the last two mouthfuls of mac and cheese were just staring forlornly at me, looking like it had been abandoned. And just as I was about to put it out of its misery, along came the piece de resistance.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Rocks Brewing Co, Alexandria: Beer Can ChickenDrunken Chicken, $49

The Drunken Chicken involved a whole chicken, roasted upright, with a bed of vegetables and bread to soak up all the errant juices. Nothing was to go to waste here. The chicken, covered in skin that was such a gleaming golden brown that it looked like it just came back from a relaxing holiday in the tropics, was so piping hot that steam escaped from every cut I made. By itself, the meat was a touch dry, but that’s where the pan juices came in.

The use of beer gave it body like a Victoria’s Secret Model – sexy without being too in-your-face – and if I could I would just drink it all up in a glass. But their method was good too, with pieces of crusty bread soaking up the juices and turning into the most addictive type of savoury bread pudding, accented by creamy chunks of roasted pumpkin.

*insert Homer Simpson’s drool face here*

Of course, we can’t forget the beer at a brewery, and if you prefer to drink your beer rather than eat it, then they also have a selection of specialty beers for your drinking pleasure. The House Alerkolsch was an instant hit, with a sweet, clean finish that reminded me of a dry white wine. Very refreshing, and a perfect accompaniment to the roast chicken.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Rocks Brewing Co, Alexandria: Beer Tasting PlatterBeer Tasting Platter

To finish, we had the Baked Oreo Cheesecake which, while executed nicely, didn’t make as big a splash as the lineup that came before it. The salted peanuts on the caramel sauce was my favourite bit of the whole thing, but the cheesecake itself was a touch common, considering all the creativity that I’ve come to expect in my short time here.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Rocks Brewing Co, Alexandria: Baked Oreo Cheesecake, $15Baked Oreo Cheesecake, $15

The rest of the menu is a great mix of creativity and old favourites – crunchy waffle fries sit right next to a pulled pork burger, and nothing looks to be terribly out of place. I’m looking forward to working my way through the menu on my subsequent visits – I think there’s a Cape Byron Tomahawk that’s calling my name.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Rocks Brewing Co.
Rocks Brewing Co.
160 Bourke Road
Alexandria, NSW
Phone: 02 9669 3600
Website: http://rocksbrewing.com/rocksbrewing/welcome

Rocks Brewing Company Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The Asian Equation: Pappa Rich, Parramatta

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Pappa Rich, Parramatta

Sydney Food Blog Review of Pappa Rich, Parramatta: Char Kway Teow

Chain restaurants are really a double edged sword. If they’re good, you know that you’ll get it consistently good no matter where you go. But if they’re bad, then well, there’s no saving that relationship.

At least you know that you can always trust them one way or the other. So at least there’s that.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Pappa Rich, Parramatta: Satay

I’ve been to Pappa Rich a few times before, and well, they are consistent. Bad news is that they seem to be consistently average – childhood favourites get the slightly-more-authentic-than-western-but-less-consistent-than-asian treatment – but at least you know what you’re getting going in.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Pappa Rich, Parramatta: Char Kway Teow

Which doesn’t exaplin my temporary amnesia everytime I choose to walk in when I’m feeling nostaligic. I mean, I know that I’m not getting the hit of home that I want, but for some reason I can’t help myself. The Char Kway Teow didn’t have the wok hei that I wanted, but the satay was tender and properly spiced.

You win some you lose some I guess. Maybe I should stick to ordering fried chicken skin.

Mmmmm. Chicken skin.

This meal was independently paid for.
Pappa Rich, Parramatta
Shop 220, Westfield Parramatta
159-175 Church Street
Parramatta, Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9633 3387
Website: http://www.papparich.net.au

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

Cheesecake of legends: Pasticceria Papa, Haberfield

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Pasticceria Papa, Haberfield

Sydney Food Blog Review of Pasticceria Papa, Haberfield: Nutella Baked Ricotta Cheesecake

For someone who loves cheese to the point of a gallbladder removal (true story), I’ve always been a bit touch and go on cheesecakes. Light, airy, lemony cheesecakes are good, dense, dry, baked cheesecakes, not so much.

But there has been so much hoo ha about the baked ricotta cheesecakes from Pasticceria Papa that I had to give it a go. Maybe I’d been eating it wrong this whole time.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Pasticceria Papa, Haberfield: Nutella Baked Ricotta Cheesecake

But then again maybe I just wasn’t built for cheesecakes. I mean, I may look like I’m made of cheesecakes, but I assure you that it’s not the case. The original ricotta cheese cake had the effect of drying my mouth out, and the nutella version just added a sticky rich feeling on top of everything.

Such a shame, since it’s one less delicious thing in the world to appreciate. My tastebuds mourn, and my waistline rejoices. Or at least that’s how I’m explaining the jiggling.

This meal was independently paid for.
Pasticceria Papa
145 Ramsay Street
Haberfield, Sydney, NSW
Phone: (02) 9799 9531
Website: http://ppapa.com.au

Pasticceria Papa Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Most important meal of the day: Sokyo, Pyrmont

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Sokyo, Pyrmont

Sydney Food Blog Review of Sokyo, Pyrmont: Eggs Benedict

I am not a breakfast person. Far from it. And whether not it’s contributed to my ever burgeoning waistline – although I do think it’s more to do with all the delicious food that I’m inclined to consume – I still maintain that I will only eat breakfast if there’s something delicious that’s worth the effort it takes to wake up in the morning.

Can you tell that I’m not a morning person?

But you know which culture does breakfast really well? The Japanese, that’s who. With rice, fish, pickles and soup, they really give meaning to “feasting like a king”. And if there’s any day where I get to have breakfast like royalty, it’s my birthday, dammit!

Sydney Food Blog Review of Sokyo, Pyrmont

So Sam brings me to Sokyo, where they offer up dishes like an Eggs Benedict, complete with crispy bacon, brioche and miso hollandaise, and the more traditional Choushoku breakfast, with grilled fish (pictured above), pickles, rice, miso soup, chawanmushi and edamame beans.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Sokyo, Pyrmont

Sydney Food Blog Review of Sokyo, Pyrmont

The Choushoku Breakfast was, well, it was a bit lacking, especially with my high HIGH hopes. There was a ton of rice with not quite enough to go with it, throwing the whole tray off balance. What was there, though, was insanely delicious. The grilled tooth fish was silky smooth and buttery, and the chawanmushi was cooked just rice to showcase the sweet egg custard. It just didn’t have…enough of it to truly hit the spot. Not for a glutton guts like me, anyway.

The Eggs Benedict ticked most of the boxes for what you want from an eggs benedict – buttery hollandaise, unctuous brioche, crispy bacon etc – but I was kinda missing the fusion elements of it. Sure, the hollandaise has miso in it, but it wasn’t particularly salient when had together with the poached eggs and brioche.

That’ll teach me to have high expectations. DAMN YOU BREAKFAST.

Although, I hear the dinner is extremely good…

This meal was independently paid for.
Sokyo
Level G, The Darling at the Star
80 Pyrmont Street
Pyrmont, Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9657 9161
Website: www.star.com.au/Sokyo

A little street in…Little Hutong, Little Bay

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Little Hutong, Little Bay

Sydney Food Blog Review of Little Hutong, Little Bay: Roti Cina with Slow Roast Crispy Pork Belly, $15.50

You know the story of Gulliver’s Travels? Where he stumbles upon (literally) a little town full of little people – not a euphemism. They were about the size of his little finger – that saw him as a dangerous giant to be restrained? Well that’s how I felt most of the time as I was growing up, which then led me to be very afraid of the word “Little”.

So Little Hutong in Little Bay? Well, the irrational part of me half expected to arrive and find myself in a Gulliver-type situation. We were going to be very close to the water, after all.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Little Hutong, Little Bay: Penang Cheh Hoo, $14Penang Cheh Hoo, $14

Thankfully no such thing happened. In fact, Little Hutong was a fairly roomy restaurant, situated in a large, sprawling suburb. An airy dining room looked straight into an open kitchen, and a long bench ran along the length, dotted with tables along the way.

Quite pretty, and charming.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Little Hutong, Little Bay: Beef Rendang Roti, $14Beef Rendang Roti, $14

The food had an equally pretty and charming quality about it. Hawker-style dishes were plated in a restaurant-style fashion, which worked for some items more than others.

The Penang Cheh Hoo, $14, for example – a turnip/fritter/tofu/peanut salad topped with a sweet potato gravy/sauce – and was plated in a wide rimmed slate black plate. Quite a step up from the slap-it-on-a-plate style that most hawkers employ.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Little Hutong, Little Bay: Roti Cina with Slow Roast Crispy Pork Belly, $15.50Roti Cina with Slow Roast Crispy Pork Belly, $15.50

The Roti Cina with Slow Roast Crispy Pork Belly, $15.50, was a bao by any other name, Pretty good mix of flavours, but after I’ve had the wonderfully fluffy, light-as-air bao of Belly Bao, nothing else can compare.

#sorrynotsorry

Sydney Food Blog Review of Little Hutong, Little Bay: Hainanese Chicken Rice, $14Hainanese Chicken Rice, $14

Of course, when there’s Hainanese Chicken Rice on the menu, I’ve just gotta order it. I know that it’s never going to be as good as the $5-a-meal chicken rice I can get from Singapore, but really, it’s like a challenge that I must accept. I just HAVE TO. #FirstWorldProblems

The verdict? I’m actually quite impressed by the peripheral condiments that are often overlooked. Sure, the chicken wasn’t quite as silky and the rice wasn’t as punchy, but the chilli and ginger sauce was fresh, and the CHICKEN HAD DRESSING!! Woo!!

You don’t know how important that seemingly invisible soy/stock/chicken fat dressing is. It adds an extra layer of unctuousness to a juicy chicken, and soaks through the rice for maximum enjoyment. And Little Hutong is the first place in Sydney that I’ve seen that didn’t leave the chicken naked, and me wanting. Teehee.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Little Hutong, Little Bay: Sakura in the air, $21Sakura in the air, $21

But the piece de resistance of the whole lunch? This. Sakura in the air, $21, is a very posh plate of silky salmon, poached egg yolk, eel arancini, pickle salad, and Japanese mayo. Very sophisticated, but somewhat out of place on the humble menu.

Very expertly executed and balanced though, and should be the first thing that you order at Little Hutong. Kinda like a better version of a certain Breakfast at the Sakuma’s. But shhhh, don’t tell anyone that I said such a sacrilegious thing.

Little Hutong is a lovely local in a lovely neighbourhood, with really decent options on the menu. Sure, it’s not quite the truly gritty feel that I would want to accompany my true hawker experience, but not everyone wants to be sweating and crying into their food all at once. I’m just sad like that.

Shame that it’s all the way out in Little Bay, though. I would very much like to make another trip for the dinner menu.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Little Hutong.
Little Hutong
Shop 4, 2-8 Pine Avenue
Little Bay, Sydney NSW
Phone: 02 8020 0779
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thelittlehutong

Little Hutong Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Big Foot? Big Food! La Grande Bouffe, Rozelle

Review 1 Comment
Sydney Food Blog Review of Le Grande Bouffe, Rozelle

Sydney Food Blog Review of Le Grande Bouffe, Rozelle: Croque Madam, $17

When I was a kid, I wanted to be one of those people who were randomly fluent in French. I imagined myself sitting in a quaint little cafe, surrounding by picturesque surroundings…and effortlessly ordering everything on the menu.

What can I say? I dream big.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Le Grande Bouffe, Rozelle: Chicken Liver Parfait, spiced port and fig chutney, and sliced baguette, $16Chicken Liver Parfait, spiced port and fig chutney, and sliced baguette, $16

Well, I’ve learnt now that Spanish is really the language that I need to learn now for the cutting edge of food advancement, but in the meantime, French food still needs eating. And eating, and eating, and eating.

Sydney Food Blog Review of Le Grande Bouffe, Rozelle: Classic Steak Tartare, $18Classic Steak Tartare, $18

Sydney Food Blog Review of Le Grande Bouffe, Rozelle: Classic Steak Tartare, $18Classic Steak Tartare, $18

Sydney Food Blog Review of Le Grande Bouffe, Rozelle: Croque Madam, $17Croque Madam, $17

Sydney Food Blog Review of Le Grande Bouffe, Rozelle: Roasted duck, lardon, cos lettuce, shaved parmesan, anchovy vinaigrette, sliced avocado, $18Roasted duck, lardon, cos lettuce, shaved parmesan, anchovy vinaigrette, sliced avocado, $18

You know what? La Grande Bouffe is serving up classic French dishes that still feel relevant. The Salad Nicoise – commonly made with rather overcooked tuna – is made with confit salmon, which they didn’t have the day I went (BOOOOOO).

The Croque Madame – a fancy name for a ham and cheese sandwich – is made with truffled gruyere and sourdough, and is the most monster ham and cheese sandwich this side of the city. I especially enjoyed the Classic Steak Tartare – minced raw beef with pickles, mustard and a raw egg yolk to bind it all – and Beef Bourguignon was a dark, hearty stew with cubes of super tender beef, and a buttery mash that I could’ve bathed in, it was so good.

With food like that, I don’t understand how the French stay so skinny. TELL ME. TELL ME YOUR SECRETS!!

Until I find out the answer, I’ll just retreat into my corner with the potato mash. Mange mange mange mange.

This meal was independently paid for.
La Grande Bouffe
758 Darling Street
Rozelle, NSW
Phone: 02 9818 4333
Website: http://www.lagrandebouffe.com.au

La Grande Bouffe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

West meets…East Ocean, Haymarket

Review 1 Comment
Sydney Food Blog Review of East Ocean, Haymarket

Sydney Food Blog Review of East Ocean, Haymarket: Rice Noodle Rolls with Chinese Dough Sticks

What happens when you give a glutton two hundred dollars to spend at a restaurant? So much food that you’d have to roll me home, that’s what. And it didn’t even involve crab, the most magnificent of food creatures.

That’s just a regret that I’m gonna have to live with for the rest of my life. :'(

Sydney Food Blog Review of East Ocean, Haymarket: Beef Tripe

It all started with a surprise gift of an East Ocean voucher from Zomato coinciding with my birthday. It was like the Universe was telling me that I was long overdue for some dumplings, and what’s good eating without some good people to eat it with?

Sydney Food Blog Review of East Ocean, Haymarket: Seasoned Jellyfish Salad

5 people can smash $200, right? Surely, with prices of food what they are in Sydney’s CBD. Well, no. We only hit $176, and you could hear my cries of asian-stingy-anguish from the next street over, as I waived away my right to finish off that voucher. URRRRGGGHHHH. How did we not hit target??

Although I guess, it speaks to the value for money. I personally ate till I couldn’t eat anymore, and we didn’t hold back in the ordering either: suckling pig, jellyfish, soup dumplings, scallop dumplings, chicken feet, rice noodle rolls and more, all made multiple appearances around the table. In front of me. Mostly.

As for the quality of the food, it was actually pretty decent. There were a few items that weren’t as up-to-scratch: the rice noodle rolls needed a thinner sauce in larger quantities, the soup dumplings were dryer than an Australian dessert…but you know what, I really enjoyed the sheer variety that they had, and all printed in a pictorial menu, no less.

And the service? Well, it isn’t a good Chinese restaurant unless the service is…questionable. Some good, some bad, so that evens it out I guess. Although there were times I just wanted to hold them by the collar and yell, “JUST FEED ME!!! FEED ME GODDAMMIT”

I’m not me when I’m hangry.

Oh and one last thing: the good stuff – like the aforementioned suckling pig – only comes in at 11am. Don’t bother rocking up before then if that’s what you’re after. Trust me.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Zomato.
East Ocean
421-429 Sussex Street
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 8318 2200
Website: http://www.eastocean.com.au

East Ocean Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato