Posts tagged Sydney CBD

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

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Sydney Food Blog Review of 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

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

Review
Review of the Lord of the Fries, Ultimo

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

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Fill my bowl: Oiden, Sydney CBD

Review
Review of 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

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As the crow flies: The Tall Lemongrass, Crows Nest

Review
Review of 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/

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

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

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

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The Malaysian Equation: Mamak, Haymarket

Review
Mamak, Haymarket, Sydney Food Blog Review by Tammi Kwok

Mamak, Haymarket, Sydney Food Blog Review by Tammi Kwok

Growing up, I was just 15 minutes from a famous late night eating district in Singapore – Jalan Kayu. It was basically a whole restaurant strip worth of roti pratas – flat breads that are chewy, crispy and flaky all at once, in the most delicious way. The Malaysians call it roti canai, and Mamak has a long standing repuation of making some of the fluffiest ones in Sydney!

Review of Mamak, Haymarket: Sambal SotongSambal Sotong

Part of the deliciousness to roti is the variety things to have it with. This time we ordered Sambal Sotong, because seafood and chilli are probably the two biggest loves in my life.

Well, non-human loves.

Review of Mamak, Haymarket: Roti ChanaiRoti Canai

The Roti Canai was fluffy and crispy, and the Sambal Sotong satisfied my craving…even if the serving was quite a bit on the small side. In fact, the considering cost to food standard ratio, the lack of value for money is only made up for with the fact that there wasn’t a queue on the night we went.

I normally wouldn’t drop by Mamak because there are other delicious options in Chinatown, but when you have a craving, well, what else can you do?

This meal was independently paid for
Mamak
15 Goulburn Street
Haymarket, Sydney NSW
Phone: 02 9211 1668
Website: http://www.mamak.com.au

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Smoking without smoke? Suminoya, Sydney CBD

Review
Review of Suminoya, Sydney CBD

Review of Suminoya, Sydney CBD

I love barbecue in all its forms. American, Brazillian, Chinese…and that’s just the beginning of the alphabet! But I hate actually being outside, so the solution? Tabletop barbecue – like the Korean varieties with the amazing array of side dishes- where the food comes to you.

Now there IS just one very fundamental flaw in an otherwise delicious plan: at the end of dinner, you smell like you’ve been barbecued, yourself. All that delicious smoke lingers and clings, and gets every where. It’s worse than glitter.

Enter the Japanese solution (and there’s ALWAYS a Japanese solution): smokeless charcoal.

Review of Suminoya Japanese BBQ, Sydney CBD

Sumi in Japanese, refers to all charcoal, and binchotan is a white charcoal that is sold as “smokeless”. Which, is not entirely accurate, since the fat dripping off the pieces of meat still create flareups and smoke, but by itself, the light grey pieces of glowing charcoal really doesn’t seem to emit any visible trails of smoke that lovers of tabletop barbecue, like myself, are so used to seeing. So magical!

So then, what does Suminoya mean? Well, quite literally translated: barbecue house.

Review of Suminoya, Sydney: Barbecue selectionBarbecue Selection

Of course, we can’t be in a barbecue house without food to barbecue, and Suminoya is very conveniently offering set options that allow you to choose 2 or 3 options for lunch, with rice, miso soup, and a side salad. We chose the duck, prawn, beef ribs and skirt steak, for two people.

But wait, you might be wondering why there was a magical fourth option. Well, as part of the Washoku Lovers membership programme – did I ever mention that I’ve got loyalty cards coming out of my ears? – you get an extra option thrown in for your lunch order, for the same price! And like anyone else, I love me some freebies.

Anyhoo, the meat was deliciously tender and very lightly seasoned, which was quite surprising considering skirt steak and beef ribs aren’t known for being tender cuts of meat. There was a certain delicateness about it all, and I’m not sure how I feel about it all. The food, though cooked over charcoal, was only lightly smoky, which kind of defeats the purpose of barbecue, to an extent. The smoke really is what separates this dining option from well, having my meal cooked for me in a pan by the cook, and the lack of a more butt-kicking smoke flavour makes me wonder whether there is really more effort than reward.

Mind you, it’s still a very nice Japanese barbecue. Just a little light on the smoke scale.

Review of Suminoya, Sydney: Entree Sashimi PlatterMixed Sashimi (Entree)

We also ordered the sashimi entree, because uh, I love fish. No two ways around it. The fish was fresh and well handled – what you’d expect from a decent plate of sashimi.

This little barbecue house – hidden down Hoskings Place – actually packs quite a crowd, and all my concerns about smoke aside, still allowed me to walk out with a heavy coat without smelling like a barbecue myself, and for that, I am grateful.

Now I hear that they also do an all-you-can-eat…

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, like 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.
Suminoya
1 Hosking Place
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9231 2177
Website: http://www.yakiniku.com.au/suminoya/

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In Soviet Russia…Izba Russian Treats, Newtown

Review
Review of Izba Russian Treats, Newtown

Review of Izba Russian Treats, Newtown

When I think about Russia, I always think snow, potatoes, and well, the mob. Men with scarred faces, the very image of toughness. The whole Eastern European thing. Which, you know, can be very intimidating, when you know nothing about the culture and want to find out more.

So imagine my surprise and delight when I was invited by Olga to sample the delights at her cafe, Izba Russian Treats, in Newtown!

Review of Izba Russian Treats, NewtownBeef Blini

The Beef Blini is very much like a savoury crepe, made from a traditional yeast leavened batter to create a soft spongy wrap that surrounds seasoned beef mince.

Review of Izba Russian Treats, Newtown

Made with caramelised onion, the beef mince was very lightly sweet, and together with the blini and rich sour cream, made for a very addictive dish. Light but satisfying, this is actually a great option for a quick lunch, and isn’t as stodgy as I would have assumed Russian food to be.

Review of Izba Russian Treats, NewtownSmoked Salmon and Buckwheat Pie

If you’d like something a bit richer, the Salmon and Buckwheat Pie consists of puff pastry, filled with tender buckwheat, smoked salmon, and eggs baked right into it. The smoked salmon lends quite a heavy hit of salt to the pie, which balances out the “blandness” of the buckwheat. Be sure to get a bit of everything in each bite!

And then, what we really came here for: the cakes. Olga has learnt how to bake at the knee of her grandmother – who’s recently turned 90! – and her mother, and has inherited recipes passed down from generation to generation.

Review of Izba Russian Treats, NewtownHoney Cake

Review of Izba Russian Treats, NewtownBird’s Milk Cake

Review of Izba Russian Treats, NewtownIzba Cake

Although the savoury dishes were surprisingly light, the desserts ticked ALL the boxes for luxury and richness. The signature Izba – so named for the wooden hut that it’s shaped after – is made of sponge cake, cream, kirsch-soaked cherries and rich chocolate over the top. So good, so rich. Even as large a glutton as I am, I needed to eat share this cake with friends, especially after the first heady hit, as the delicious DELICIOUS sugar, cream and cherries continue their welcomed assault on my senses.

On the “opposite” end of the spectrum was the Bird’s Milk, which is meant to be as light as bird’s milk. Having never tasted bird’s milk I can’t comment on the name, but this was a considerably lighter cake of cream, sponge and a light layer of chocolate ganache. There was something so simple and straightforward about it that created an aura of charm around it, but the Izba, with all its old world pomp and circumstance, still remained my favourite.

Olga really opened my eyes to the world of Russian hospitality. Could she have been extra nice to me because I was a guest? Maybe. But the interactions with her other customers that I eavesdropped on carried a warmth of an owner who is passionate about the product, and down in the trenches working long shifts alongside her staff.

Oh, and that stereotype about Russians not smiling? Well, Olga says that it just takes a while for them to open up, but once they do, it’s a genuine invitation to their hearts and their homes.

And their dining tables.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Izba Russian Treats.

Izba Russian Treats
579 King St
Newtown, NSW 2042
Phone: 02 9557 9437
Website: http://www.izba.com.au/

Izba Russian Treats on Urbanspoon

Move aside, Mrs Jones: Mr Wong, Sydney

Review
Review of Merivale's Mr Wong, in Sydney's CBD

Review of Merivale's Mr Wong, in Sydney's CBD

I first heard about Mr Wong when I attended a talk by Brendan Fong at the Sydney Living Museum. He said cool stuff, and there were fish tasters.

I was sold.

Roasted Angus beef shortrib “Shandong style”, soy, chilli and shallot dressing $38Roasted Angus beef shortrib “Shandong style”, soy, chilli and shallot dressing $38

I love the whole “you think it’s something but it’s not” experience, and the menu at Mr Wong is fantastic, creative representation of that.

“Char-Siu” roasted Australian toothfish $38“Char-Siu” roasted Australian toothfish $38

The Roasted Angus Beef Shortrib had an amazing sweet/sour sauce to be had on rice, but the Char Siu Roasted Toothfish was a clear favourite of the night. It was pretty much all the char siu flavours, but on amazingly soft and flaky tooth fish, which was reminiscent of cod. They even had the signature red ring around the white meat that char siu usually has!! Very well executed.

Sweetcorn, English spinach and woodear mushrooms stirfried with garlic butter, $19Sweetcorn, English spinach and woodear mushrooms stirfried with garlic butter, $19

And of course, veggies, because EAT YOUR VEGGIES! This simple dish of Sweetcorn, English spinach and woodear mushrooms stirfried with garlic butter was light and delicious, and was light enough touch to balance out the richness of the other dishes. It did feel a touch out of place in a mostly Asian-influenced menu, but it was still a delicious fit to the meal.

Strawberry ice, sheep’s milk yoghurt sorbet, strawberries, shiso and honeycomb $15Strawberry ice, sheep’s milk yoghurt sorbet, strawberries, shiso and honeycomb $15

And what do you do on a lady date? Order two desserts, of course! The Strawberry ice, sheep’s milk yoghurt sorbet, strawberries, shiso and honeycomb reminded me of the Taiwanese milk ices, and was just so refreshing! Strange thing to say because a dessert is meant to signal the end of the meal, but for some reason the strawberry ice acted as a palette cleanser and I was just ready to eat more food.

Huh. Maybe it’s just really good strategy.

The food was absolutely excellent, and the service was pretty good too. Not in a “they clearly love food” sorta way, but a “they’re really trained so well” sorta way. AND we weren’t charged for rice, which is a nice surprise since, well, it IS Sydney, after all.

Amazing experience, and actually worth the Sydney price tag. Yum.

This meal was independently paid for.
Mr Wong
3 Bridge Lane
Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9240 3000
Website: http://www.merivale.com.au/mrwong/

Mr Wong on Urbanspoon

More chatting: Assamm, QVB

Review
Restaurant Review of Assamm, Sydney CBD. Sukhothai Noodle Soup

Restaurant Review of Assamm, Sydney CBD. Sukhothai Noodle Soup

When I was a kid, I decided that I didn’t like noodle soups. After all, they were milder in flavour than their ‘dry’ counterparts (usually tossed in a myriad of sauces and condiments), and you had to wait so darn long for the bowl to cool off. That just stood in my way of inhaling my noodles, and you never want to stand in my way when I’m hangry.

But like I always say, there’s nothing like a good offer to change someone’s mind, and when it’s a $6 lunch in the city, you know that the cheapskate in me just can’t resist.

A child of the omnipresent Chat Thai group of restaurants, Assamm offers authentic Thai food in the heart of Sydney CBD. Located in the basement of QVB, this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant plays host to snaking queues of hungry officeworkers over the peak lunch periods. But if you’re just willing to wait a little longer, they offer $6 mini-portions between 2-5pm, and let me just say? the portions are actually not so mini.

Restaurant Review of Assamm, Sydney CBD. Sukhothai Noodle SoupSukhothai Noodle Soup, lunch special

Well, unless you eat like a linebaker in the middle of training season, that is. This ‘mini’ portion more than fed me when I was in a my-stomach-is-trying-to-eat-itself state, and I would actually compare it to a regular serving size in Asia.

Restaurant Review of Assamm, Sydney CBD. Grilled Chicken on rice, lunch specialGrilled Chicken on rice, lunch special

The food always adheres to a certain basic standard and authenticity, to me, Assamm really brings it on their broth. There waa none of the watered down cost cutting crap that you usually find in the city. No, this is legit. The Sukhothai Noodles were my favourite, with bold flavours augmented by dried shrimp, tamarind, and a good lashing of chilli. The thin rice noodles were the perfect conduit to slurp up the broth with, and I would have been happy with just the noodles and broth, sans toppings.

Restaurant Review of Assamm, Sydney CBD. Boat Noodles

In fact, I enjoyed myself so much so that I went back again the next day, and decided to brave the queues during the peak lunch hours. This, unfortunately was the downfall of the whole Assamm experience for me.

My dining partner was in the bathroom, so they wouldn’t give me a table until she got back. Fair enough, it’s a busy time. Then she came by and I thought we’d be off to our tables, but we were forced to place our order at the counter first, even though my dining partner hadn’t had a chance to look at the menu. Then we sat down, and her order came first, and mine only arrived pretty much as she was finishing her lunch. I can understand a bit of staggering when its busy, but I do think that it’s bad form that two noodle soups arrive so far apart.

Needless to say, that kinda put a damper on my Assamm dining streak. Great for the off peak dining, but maybe not quite worth the peak hour lunch. Good broth though. Good broth.

This meal was independently paid for.
Assamm
Lower Ground QVB
455 George St
Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9261 0204
Website: http://assamm.com/

Assámm on Urbanspoon