Posts tagged Sydney Food Blog Review

Miyama, Sydney CBD

Review
Sydney Food Blog Re view of Miyama, Sydney CBD

Miyama, Sydney CBD. Sydney Food Blog Review

I think the 28th of December might have just been the worst day of my life. In a dramatic, inconsequential way, of course. It all started with a trek out to Ultimo for burgers. Pub Life Kitchen burgers that I’d heard so much about. Turns out, after a 20 min trek, we found out that GOOGLE LIED TO US.

They were closed for the holidays

So Sam suggests heading to Sunflower Cafe for Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Because that’s always a winner. So we trek out to Broadway, and they were closed too. FML.

Then it was off to Ippudo, because the rest of Central Park (The Living Mall) seemed to be open. WRONG. The Universe didn’t want me to eat for some reason, and it was making it damned hard to get anything decent in the city.

And I was getting hangry.

Defeated, we dragged ourselves off to Central Station, ready to wave the white flag and go home, when a bright red sign from Miyama advertising ramen called to me.

Could this be salvation after all?


The Order:

Gyoza, $6
Eel Don,$13.90
Tan Tan Ramen, $10.50


The Food:

Okay, so maybe expecting one meal to save a bad day is a bit much for any restaurant. But this was one of those places where the food just didn’t stack up. It wasn’t inedible or anything, but it just wasn’t good.

Gyoza, $6: Miyama, Sydney CBD. Sydney Food Blog ReviewGyoza, $6

The Gyoza, $6, were little more than Chinese dumplings repurposed with a Japanese name. How can I tell the difference? Well the flavour and shape are way WAY different and a you can’t fool a lifetime of dumpling eating experience.

Did I also mention that the crispy dumpling bases were irrevocably soggy? Yeah, nah.

Tan Tan Ramen, $10.50: Miyama, Sydney CBD. Sydney Food Blog ReviewTan Tan Ramen, $10.50

The Tan Tan Ramen, $10.50, was meant to be a mix of peanut and chilli flavours, but instead was incredibly salty (and that’s really saying something coming from a salt lover like me), to the point where it overpowered any other notes that could’ve been in there. Otherwise, it was pretty unremarkable, with average noodles and average toppings, which is being nice since the egg was overcooked to the point of a grey ring around the yolk.

Eel Don,$13.90: Miyama, Sydney CBD. Sydney Food Blog ReviewEel Don,$13.90

The Unagi Don, $13.90, was arguably the best thing on the table, which really comprised of cooked rice, pre-packaged eel and pre-packaged pickles. Not really much to be said about their cooking abilities, unfortunately.

Food: 0.5/1


The Service:

You know that stereotype of Asian restaurants were it’s all fairly impersonal and you’d be lucky to get any attention at all? Well in this case it definitely was impersonal, but it was pretty hard to ignore us considering we were just about the only customers in the restaurant. They were nice enough whilst taking our orders, there was nothing much to write home about.

Much like the food.

Service: 0.5/1


Value for money:

What can I say? It’s yet another middle of the road score. It’s not expensive, especially for the CBD, but it’s not so cheap or generous that I want to repeat the experience either.

Half a point for not making me demand my money back. I guess. ?

Value for money: 0.5/1


The Vibe:

Ahh finally something to say. Unless you like the sound of random TV programmes playing in the background whilst you eat (ah, like an Asian childhood), then there is really nothing else to relax you, calm you, or anything, really. Just an empty restaurant, with a TV.

The Vibe: 0/1


And finally,

I finally remember why I waited so long to give Miyama a shot: I’d always seen the little sign on the way to and from Central Station, but there was always a better, more appealing option somewhere else. I really respect, though, that they haven’t gone out of business – I remember seeing the sign since my uni days, and without revealing my age, well, it’s been a while.

Otherwise, I’m sure there are better options around. Can I point you towards Haymarket, just a 10 minute walk away?

Bonus points: 0/1

This meal was independently paid for.
Miyama
849 George Street
Chinatown, Sydney, NSW
Phone: (02) 9212 5350

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

Doughnut Time, Sydney 

Best in Sydney Review 1 Comment
Sydney Food Blog review of Doughnut Time, Sydney

Sydney Food Blog review of Doughnut Time, Sydney

I remember my first visit to Australia: I had just discovered Krispy Kreme, and I was determined to try every flavour they had in the store. The result? An extra 10kgs in 10 days. Fun times. Well Krispy Kreme isn’t quite what it used to be, but don’t worry, there are many other places rushing in to fill that doughnut shaped hole in our hearts (geddit?). Like Brisbane’s Doughnut Time, for example.

Because it’s always time for doughnuts.

The Order:

The Elvis, $6
Peanut Butter, Banana and Bacon filled with raspberry jam

The George Costanza, $6
Caramel and pink salt glaze, topped with salted pretzels

Veruca Salt, $7
Salted Caramel filled and dusted with Cinnamon Sugar

The Butternut, $6
Burnt butter glaze with crushed pistachios

The Cate Blancett, $6
Topped with Tim Tams

Melon DeGeneres, $6
Sour watermelon glaze

The Food:

On the whole, the base doughnuts were soft and fluffy in texture, perfect for you to sink your teeth into (literally!).

A photo posted by Tammi Kwok (@teafortammi) on

The Melon DeGeneres (have I mentioned that I love a good pun?) was my first and favourite, with a sour watermelon glaze that was instantly recognisable but not overpowering. Utter perfection.

A photo posted by Tammi Kwok (@teafortammi) on

The next round gave me a taste of (clockwise from top left) The George Costanza, The Butternut, The Cate Blancett, and the Veruca Salt. These ones ranked a little lower for me (also because I have an unhealthy obsession with anything watermelon), mostly because the flavours weren’t as uniquely wacky as I wanted them to be. No, the George Costanza didn’t make me thirsty, and the Cate Blancett wasn’t quite Galadriel, but The Butternut, though, was a standout – with a burnt butter glaze and chopped pistachios, it was so simple that every bite just made sense. The Veruca salt also hit up my love for a filled doughnut, but although it’s well made, I feel like there’s only so much you can do with a salted caramel doughnut, no matter how funky the name is.

A photo posted by Tammi Kwok (@teafortammi) on

And on my latest visit, the King: The Elvis. Elvis is an inspiration to many, not just because of his hip-grinding music, but also because of his hip-expanding eating habits. Apparently he’s got a real love of deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and at Doughnut Time, they’ve taken that idea, added bacon and banana, and put it in a doughnut. It did very much feel like a heart attack in a bite that I was expecting, but it wasn’t quite hitting the spot for me to keep going beyond the first bite. Maybe I needed hot bacon, or maybe I just needed more salt? Great concept, needs work on the execution, I think.

Food: 1/1

The Service:

So this is really a review of three places, compiled into one blog post. I’d gone to the popup in Top Shop at QVB first, because I’d seen very well dressed women carrying around teal boxes of doughnuts and I just had to follow. It was near the end of the day, and judging by the paltry number of doughnuts left, it had been busy, and yet the lady behind the counter looked so happy to be there still. She was happy to have a chat about the flavours (though the signs were pretty clear), and told me all about the new stores that we’re opening. She knew her stuff, and I trusted her.

The second visit was to the popup in Chatswood (also in Top Shop), and this time, buying two doughnuts got me two thrown in for free! Perhaps it was slow moving stock, or perhaps they were going to close for the day. Or maybe they were just being nice. Either way, I was grateful for the generous gesture, and again the service with a smile put a smile on my face, too.

The third visit was to the stand-alone store in The Living Mall (Central Park), and again the service was impeccable. Either I’d been having some awesome luck, or they just hired some really perky people to match the perky doughnuts.

I think it might be the latter.

Service: 1/1

Value for money:

In some places in Sydney, $7 could buy you lunch. Not a particularly generous lunch, but a lunch nonetheless. Or at least, a hearty Vietnamese pork roll. So to pay $7 for a doughnut might sound a little steep. But the way I look at it, I would totally pay $7 for a full dessert, and this is exactly that, just in doughnut form. They are quite large by doughnut standards, and there is clearly care put into the making of them. Worth it.

Value for money: 1/1

The Vibe:

When Simon and I went, we were joking about the fact that Doughnut Time pop ups were set up in a fashion store like Top Shop. I mean, it’s something for everyone right? If you can fit into the clothes, good for you. For everyone else, there are doughnuts.

Doughnut Time has clearly put a lot of effort into their retro-chic branding, which just adds to the experience of the quirky doughnuts. This is especially clear in the fun space outside the standalone store – where you can while away the time with building blocks. You might have to fight off a toddler or two, though – and the young, hip vibe of Top Shop only complements that. Makes you feel young and carefree just going there.

Just try to ignore the possibly impending heart disease if you go too often.

Vibe: 1/1

And finally,

It’s nice to see a doughnut shop that clearly takes pride in their work, that is also easily accessible. It means that I can get my doughnut fix whenever I want, and so far it hasn’t failed to brighten my day. Sure not every doughnut is a standout, but there usually is a little something for everyone, and I haven’t felt like I’ve gotten a bad doughnut there yet.

Oh and I finally found the secret to enjoying these without putting on the weight. Eat them with some friends, because the calories don’t count if it’s shared. ?

Bonus points: 0.5/1

This meal was independently paid for.
Doughnut Time
Lower Ground Floor, Central Park
28 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW
Phone: (07) 3251 6555
Website: http://www.doughnuttime.com.au/

Doughnut Time Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Hawker Lane, Chatswood 

Review
Hawker Lane, Chatswood: Sydney Food Blog Review

Food Spread, Hawker Lane: Sydney Food Blog Review

I don’t know if you spend much time in Chatswood, but it feels like Westfield has been in construction for the longest time. Well, it’s finally ready, and what used to be a set of three or so restaurants has now become an entire food court, called Hawker Lane.

I was lucky enough to be invited to sample some of the food stalls, and stack it up to the hawker experience of Asia.

Chachu

Lamb Boti Kathi, Chachu: Sydney Food Blog Review Lamb Boti Kathi

Serving up Indian street food, this father/daughter team (I’m assuming – there didn’t seem a good time to ask, but the dynamics sure looked that way) looked fairly new to the food industry. We were recommended Kathis, which is a kind of wrap filled with egg, filling (this is usually meat or some other protein), salad and sauce. Of what we tried, the Lamb Boti was delicious, with chunks of lamb pieces, a hit of sweet chilli, freshness from spanish onion, and heft from the flatbread. The lamb was a touch too cooked for my taste, but not everyone can serve up pink lamb in a food court situation. Fair enough.

Oh, and the Spicy Fries were great munchy food, too. Couldn’t stop picking at it.

Spicy Fries, Chachu: Sydney Food Blog ReviewSpicy Fries

There seemed to be some confusion amongst the staff, but I’m going to chalk that up to the newness of the restaurant. I’m sure it’ll only get better as they settle in, but in the meantime, they have enough charm and personality to tide them through.

ChaChu
Hawker Lane, Level 2, Westfield Chatswood
1 Anderson Street, Chatswood, Sydney
Phone: (02) 9412 1555

ChaChu's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills

Love Dem Apples, Surry Hills. Sydney Food Blog Review

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

I’ve got sensitive teeth, you know.

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


The Order:

Peanut butter Chocolate Apple

Strawberry Caramel Apple with Pop Rocks


The Food:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


The Service:

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

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

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


Value for money:

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

Not ideal, but understandable at least.


The Vibe:

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

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


And finally,

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

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

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

Chat Thai, Haymarket

Review 1 Comment
Sydney Food Blog Review of Chat Thai, Haymarket

Chat Thai, Haymarket. Sydney Food Blog Review

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

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

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

#FoodBloggerFail

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

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

Padt Thai, $13

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

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

Voon Kathi, $4.50
Young coconut jelly

The Food:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Very refreshing.

The Service:

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

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

Value for money:

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

The Vibe:

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

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

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

And finally,

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

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

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

This meal was independently paid for.

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

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

The Vic on the Park, Marrickville

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

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

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

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

Want to know how it all stacks up?


The Order:

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

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

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

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

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


The Food:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


The Service:

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

Not that I’ve eaten at that many. ☺️


Value for money:

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

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


The Vibe:

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


And finally,

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

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

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

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

Din Tai Fung, Chatswood

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Din Tai Fung, Chatswood

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

Hello Chatswood, how you doin’?

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

Enter Din Tai Fung.

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

That, my friend, is some serious brand commitment.

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

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

It just never disappoints.

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

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

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

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

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

No. Just no.

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

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

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

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

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

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

La Puerta, Neutral Bay

Review
Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review of La Puerta, Neutral Bay

La Puerta, Neutral Bay. Sydney Food Blog Restaurant Review

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

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

And you know how passionate they get.

The Order:

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

Small bites

Pan Latino
Arepitas
Tiraditos

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

Larger Plates

Coastal prawn cocktail
Chicharron
Gaucho steak

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

Sweets

Pastelitos
Tres leches cake

The Food:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Service:

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

Value for money:

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

The Vibe:

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

And finally,

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

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

Mission accomplished.

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

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

Instagram Eats: Harry’s, Bondi

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Harry's, Bondi.

Harry's, Bondi: Sydney Food Blog Review.

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

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

The Order:

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

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

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

Green Tea, $4 per serve

The Food:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Service:

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

Value for money:

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

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

The Vibe:

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

Very chill, and very relaxed.

And finally,

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

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

Now that is a must-try.

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

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

Good Food Month 2015: Art Meets French: Ananas, The Rocks

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Good Food Month dinner at Ananas, The Rocks

Salad of Baby Beetroot, Goat Cheese Crumble, Beetroot Vinaigrette: Ananas, The Rocks. Sydney Food Blog Review

As a foodie who was once a stingy Uni student, Ananas has always been just out of my reach. It falls into the fine dining category for me, with their champagne brunches and classy locale, and I never found the right occasion to justify splurging, even though I’m no longer at Uni.

But when Good Food Month calls, you answer, and this was the perfect excuse: an invite to an Art Meets French set dinner, where large artworks get exhibited on huge easels, for you to enjoy right next to the artwork on the plate in front of you.


The Order:

Carpaccio of Freemantle Octopus, Chorizo

Salad of Baby Beetroot, Goat Cheese Crumble, Beetroot Vinaigrette

Pan-seared Salmon, Fresh Pea and Spec Ragout

Long Vale Duck Breast, Confit Rhubarb, Pastille

Pan Seared Loin of Lamb, with Herb Crust and Cauliflower Purée

Classic Apple Tart Tartin, Cinnamon Ice Cream


The Food:

I wasn’t joking when I said that its artwork on a plate – Ananas served up a beautiful array of dishes full of vibrancy and colour, carefully arranged to convey a certain aesthetic.

Carpaccio of Freemantle Octopus, Chorizo: Ananas, The Rocks. Sydney Food Blog ReviewCarpaccio of Freemantle Octopus, Chorizo

The Carpaccio of Freemantle Octopus with Chorizo started off the evening: octopus tentacles of varying thickness gets rolled into a log and sliced thinly to create a bubble-like motif, and dressed lightly with a lightly tangy salsa to show you just how far off the mark your average supermarket tub of marinated octopus is. The circle falls apart into tender pieces, and really whets your appetite for more.

Salad of Baby Beetroot, Goat Cheese Crumble, Beetroot Vinaigrette: Ananas, The Rocks. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSalad of Baby Beetroot, Goat Cheese Crumble, Beetroot Vinaigrette

The Salad of Baby Beetroot, Goat Cheese Crumble, Beetroot Vinaigrette arrives next; the elements deliberately placed to resemble a sprouting garden (maybe intentionally, maybe not, but artwork is all about the appreciation, right?). The more subtle golden beets mingle with the heartier purple beets, and the goats cheese gives a light creaminess that act as a base for the salad.

Pan-seared Salmon, Fresh Pea and Spec Ragout: Ananas, The Rocks. Sydney Food Blog ReviewPan-seared Salmon, Fresh Pea and Spec Ragout

We then move on to the Pan-seared Salmon, Fresh Pea and Spec Ragout. My favourite of the lot – with silky salmon paired with a very light broth, keeping in with the airy and light theme so far. Not quite sure about any pan-searing, though.

Not that I can see or taste anyway.

Long Vale Duck Breast, Confit Rhubarb, Pastille, Ananas, The Rocks. Sydney Food Blog ReviewLong Vale Duck Breast, Confit Rhubarb, Pastille

The next course gets heavier with the Long Vale Duck Breast, Confit Rhubarb, Pastille. I must admit, I had to do a bit of a google on what a Pastille actually is – thank goodness for modern technology. Apparently it refers to that cigar of herbs and pastry that accompanied the sliver of medium rare duck breast. The tender rhubarb added a touch of fruitiness to cut through the richness, and while it wasn’t as lovely to me as the salmon (if food types were children, salmon would be the golden child), the plate was executed very sophisticatedly, maintaining a delicate balance of decadence and restraint.

Pan Seared Loin of Lamb, with Herb Crust and Cauliflower Purée: Ananas, The Rocks. Sydney Food Blog ReviewPan Seared Loin of Lamb, with Herb Crust and Cauliflower Purée

For me, this is where it started going downhill. The Pan Seared Loin of Lamb, with Herb Crust and Cauliflower Purée sat in a bit of a meh category to me – the lamb ,personally, was under seasoned and on the lean side of things (clearly I’ve been spoilt by years of chomping down on unctuous lamb ribs and shoulders), and while I thoroughly enjoyed the cauliflower purée, there wasn’t enough of it to tip the scales when the lamb wasn’t performing as I wanted it to.

Classic Apple Tart Tartin, Cinnamon Ice Cream : Ananas, The Rocks. Sydney Food Blog ReviewClassic Apple Tart Tartin, Cinnamon Ice Cream

And so we come to dessert: a Classic Apple Tart Tartin, Cinnamon Ice Cream. The pastry, while flaky, didn’t have the luscious soaked-in-caramel indulgence that I’ve come to love, and the cinnamon ice cream tasted more like plain vanilla when paired with the tart. It was very exquisitely presented, though, but for me this tart just wasn’t as hedonistically enjoyable as one that I had from La Grande Bouffe.


The Service:

As with all fine dining establishments that I’ve been to (save for one, but you always need an exception), the service was absolutely impeccable. Invisible waiters made sure that our drinks were topped up all night, and miraculously appeared right when I lifted my gaze for a little assistance.

They’re magicians, I swear.

There was also a hiccup with the booking, but they handled it all very graciously, and even though they didn’t actually have a table set for me, a space appeared and was set with a pristine white tablecloth and all the cutlery I would be needing that evening. They treated me with respect every step of the way, and I felt extremely accommodated.

Value for money:

Sure, the some of the food may not have been to my taste, but all of it was clearly laboured over. Couple that with the service and location, I think that it’s worth the above-average price tag for a special occasion.

Go ahead, treat yo self.

The Vibe:

I think the most appropriate word to describe Ananas (besides pineapple, teehee!) is ‘grace’. They are lovely, polite people, and the only times I felt a bit out of place and (dare I say) looked down upon was from the other guests. And they can’t help that.

The decor is elegant without being stiff, and the little dining alcoves that they’ve carved out make the whole experience very intimate. Great for a first date, or a second, or the 459th! Dining at Ananas feels like a treat in more ways than one, and it’s definitely much more than your spontaneous weeknight too-lazy-to-cook eatery. No, dining at Ananas requires planning, dreaming, and possibly some saving.

And finally,

The thing about fine dining is that you’re paying for a cohesive dining experience. Each element alone can only take you so far of the rest are not quite in the same league. In this case, the amazing service outshone the food, but – and I can’t believe I’m actually saying this – the food was good enough to pull through. Every part of your experience is planned and deliberate, and for that, I think it’s worth the price tag. Go there to celebrate, go there to impress, whatever it is, find a reason to experience it just once. It’s definitely more affordable than the super high end dining in Sydney, and way more relaxed and enjoyable, in my opinion.

Oh and while you’re there, please do get the deliciously fresh pineapple juice. You are in Ananas, after all.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Month.
Ananas Bar and Brasserie
18 Argyle St
The Rocks NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9259 5668
Website: www.ananas.com.au/

Ananas Bar & Brasserie Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato