tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33291009931509089582024-03-05T09:37:01.452-08:00Life is 2 Mu(n)chlifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-66209594693503180672011-06-19T06:30:00.000-07:002011-06-19T06:44:28.277-07:00Le Monde, Surry Hills<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkVRUD9PIGR-MPFh3w62XgZtdmP9P-pNcQJ3cFmErCzk2qON4hDn-PKHL-9XiUEZNkpsHkw572ZeUjEGSRroyMg83sPS4FyNtJDI4Rolhd1kWFsp7EgBqjyJc-avZFVdCQk9BhLvJ7_9x/s400/IMG_2630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619925420194072114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div>Last friday I had brunch with Cleony from i eat sweet. We didn't know where to eat but a Sydney Morning Herald article on the best coffee in town, had Le Monde on it. Since we needed to go to the CBD afterwards, we made our way there. She picked me up and we drove to Surry Hills, little did I know that the cafe is actually so close to my flat that it would have been faster if we were walking there. Oh well, now I know where to go for a quick coffee run. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjO1BwTJjz3prIij-2fmM-C6s2C_2Iq-9ZQxT8iOLMuuFnoKsdgkAiDS-LTqJS04vUKHo4afKBC0tciwZwciRQe9JsrmbDYXWLQg4FCbGf-ctrdShRATjeFFdZgftF__6Wg8izQjDQRJW/s400/IMG_2625.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619925404943646962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">You're not crazy, the letters are the other way around... I took this picture from the reflection in the mirror</span></i></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOs_CIhfh8Aa1Oe7G3WWSD2j2nnmvYHx7nb_swbdT3zHt-ckaQD0r5R5nYSDo92JadwnkOXlIph-1cKshKI1-NFMOjm6R7wCQbUTVBsqktc8CsmWCOoVzkjkjBTduPJxyOL0ZCnZGRxkK/s400/IMG_2626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619925408882029906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2 skim mochas</i></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I really liked the cafe and on Friday morning, not many people were there so we got a table right away. We made it easy for the waitress as we ordered 2 skim mocha and 2 mushrooms sauteed in garlic and lemon with toast and ricotta. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65F6Wm8kn8QGRQMvoAWOupa0i07-aV1CysivLyXNndqCULubTNML_R7zBK4Q_-HuvqqJNmdJgofphAHWv5Szs9uKLMUw_f3WpXHL_PPKrOyUzFPZH-pmgv_dvFClziVxh-_OQCrkJBPPO/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65F6Wm8kn8QGRQMvoAWOupa0i07-aV1CysivLyXNndqCULubTNML_R7zBK4Q_-HuvqqJNmdJgofphAHWv5Szs9uKLMUw_f3WpXHL_PPKrOyUzFPZH-pmgv_dvFClziVxh-_OQCrkJBPPO/s400/IMG_2632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619925427169660050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Close up of the mushrooms and garlic lemon sauce</i></span></span></div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EBtKbLtB8uUjzd_unIakNMVmQZukJ0pJGt8LhqK8S3KdgXb1fVX_T4Hd4-FUMKzMr12ZdICNlb9NLanOpfg_24Lgl7wCuZW0koZKX197gR114W945dZU_QKU4uSkZbMsS5wtIcvz2vMv/s1600/IMG_2631.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EBtKbLtB8uUjzd_unIakNMVmQZukJ0pJGt8LhqK8S3KdgXb1fVX_T4Hd4-FUMKzMr12ZdICNlb9NLanOpfg_24Lgl7wCuZW0koZKX197gR114W945dZU_QKU4uSkZbMsS5wtIcvz2vMv/s400/IMG_2631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619925419772420242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Side view</span></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The mushrooms were perfectly cooked through but it wasn't soggy and it was still firm. Oh and the portion I love the garlic lemon sauce but after a while it tasted a bit too sour. The ricotta was smooth and subtle. I felt healthy... hahaha I don't want to think about the butter there... The coffee was nice too. Its cafes like this that makes me really enjoying Sydney. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Le Monde</b></div><div>83 Foveaux st</div><div>Surry Hills, NSW 2010</div><div>9211 3568</div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-87894841952686658412011-06-14T04:55:00.000-07:002011-06-14T04:55:00.272-07:00Mama Sita, Melbourne<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKZ3SWxymm-XOLJlm7zY_B8LhxLGsmMpAQ1WSYpW3yrwqjjtVjbU0QkaD_vaj498fO2QeXX924dO8twLwbsBKqk7PN7ak38jV7FsyKgJ38y1wq6eTkClg6rDBtHxP2OFbCy8kmBP9VtMx/s1600/IMG_1022.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKZ3SWxymm-XOLJlm7zY_B8LhxLGsmMpAQ1WSYpW3yrwqjjtVjbU0QkaD_vaj498fO2QeXX924dO8twLwbsBKqk7PN7ak38jV7FsyKgJ38y1wq6eTkClg6rDBtHxP2OFbCy8kmBP9VtMx/s400/IMG_1022.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617308473116563922" /></a></div><br />If you know that I'm going to Melbourne and you really need to catch me but can't reach me, chances are you will have a good chance to see me at Mama Sita. I discovered this amazing Mexican restaurant on my 2nd trip to Melbourne, introduced by my high school bestie, nicknamed Babian. She knows her food. That is one of the reason why she is my friend. I don't think I have friends who don't love and know their food... <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWSGkJ4k07F05G2wupdST8e058IMZZNR9OvvfC6GFKXIjfy80qVhONLMGg_O6faP79HUywbzHXhrJG6FBBjRklty0pDjFMaAaFqchrGXham75oLzK4SMiD9LsYeUB3spXTHPmiTykguCa/s400/IMG_1023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617308480239648322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aHH5BWuQL0zZI71CpkTafdx65YNLswwsfEbJsa5AXt0vPZbUCeE9UPT1IkyUQzJSBQvVBXlCIhlFVeIgICdBqPQmXFuSRiU6TxGdA5-MpPlrYVZdQMu2wVSb_pqRBnipuc3EwmZoW_FS/s400/IMG_1028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617308492626606370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZymMnSe6HJllWVq_OJFmmsJQMlyIdEyzrdaFFM0XOT2XltX9Oe85k1Wrds_kg0C5CrU3_2Q4fUIlf_R33h3FOkpwoKklVjf5RMi12SAlGTcnaBFvfteimopOSE-mjcEvF4En3sS52WEQ/s400/IMG_1029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617308495210436770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Their homemade salsa is one of the best things in life. On my second visit, I think we had about 3 or 4 of these... The staff thought we were behaving badly... But they were just TOO good! </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Anyway, three things you MUST order when you are here are: elotes callejeros (street style chargrilled corn with cheese, chipotle mayo and lime), tostaditas de pollo (fried tortilla topped with chargrilled chicken, avocado, fresh cheese and chipotle mayo), and tacos de camarones (soft taco with marinated prawns, habanero chillies and chipotle almond salsa). Ohhh God, I am drooling as I typed those! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1YkNUmll6CnBXbdd7bX1pqHZZYxH9N6SKRPC2GgdoGkeuSAtCROk8CHGJYaceh5qdTLEIh4wRvgFNfGJAOUXBaflRwllCYLsGi5A2EW7ha07IJ9gxEKP3qjGI4DTdWXyFD9hShMQBoNA/s400/IMG_1033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617308504470498978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Nachos dip: red salsa and guacamole</i></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I raised my eyebrows when Babian raved about the grilled corn on the cob that we just have to order - but she said to trust her and despite my doubts I did and was totally blown away. It is simply the best chargrilled corn on the cob ever. I think it has to be the combination of the chipotle mayo and the cheese. Sweet, sour, savory with that crunchy corn.... yummmm</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKrE3Xi_XF_sSPxFI39pvi1y5ZZ12VicfKkBIG3JBIdg5LxCM3S2jHTIDdPWP7Oyv4xDHXcazFE24m-fGaF_8L5PDtppBbaYwHJXZFkboFgovHmiYgtqG0RKWIYn4lSoUVTOYUzm1UZFD/s400/IMG_1039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617309386671885986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">elotes callejeros (street style chargrilled corn with cheese, chipotle mayo and lime)</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Babian ordered me (she did not let me order) tostitadas de carnitas, which was slowly braised pork shoulder, encurtidos and jalapeno. I liked it, it was spicy, but my favorite was tostitadas de pollo. Considering chicken is my least favorite meat ever, it's definitely amazing. On my second visit to Mama Sita, we ordered 2 servings of tostitadas de pollo and a mixture of others as we had new people. I made sure I had 2 of the chicken one tho hahahaha, benefit of hindsight ;)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBsNKtUCYrEonYLr1bcPj-QMO99qSrfncyippJ4VXGCgYfMgheVpoR5YjHQN0Ph8qL6KMNh3MfazJTgWMyayYyRE06JSWdiz_O1-gWXPcaioPKwECXiSsPkKM9QqULjet3dDkE2iOC4Da/s400/IMG_1047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617309392501460066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Tostitadas: pork (left) and chicken (right)</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Here, they only serve soft tacos. So don't go in ordering crispy tacos. Again, I never had prawn tacos. I usually go with beef or pork. And again, I was blown away. The prawn tacos were simply the best kinds of tacos I've ever eaten. Light and fresh, it killed my hunger without making me feel like I just stuffed myself with a whole cow. On my second visit, the boys and Babian ordered a 2nd round of the prawn tacos... I would too if I didn't have such a late lunch that day. It's that good, trust me. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhjXwC5WTytQ2lUB7TLjRyX4aL_q1ekqCk2eLF4fRhn6FqqXOApYMSIVKSkLZRRQL_EGIqZWLqZOWOtnPPrPVQt8iKVSZt9Zl06hF8MKRTEr24Ymhum6uGNmNancYOC3WXySoYPrGdC56/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhjXwC5WTytQ2lUB7TLjRyX4aL_q1ekqCk2eLF4fRhn6FqqXOApYMSIVKSkLZRRQL_EGIqZWLqZOWOtnPPrPVQt8iKVSZt9Zl06hF8MKRTEr24Ymhum6uGNmNancYOC3WXySoYPrGdC56/s400/IMG_1050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617309406966862114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Pulled pork tacos</i></span></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx-pYKAkgEMiCd_1xXLK6sI0CnBN1lQ6q2HFrhmLzVqnHDFg-IjdyT9KMFnMrMw7bU3PSb5CM36AJ6u7qCeMZRPDkmZp9ThSDmpfC9uc7SEKs1SCqDS8Drqq3aaV3Bw05uEIJEd6LWs02/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx-pYKAkgEMiCd_1xXLK6sI0CnBN1lQ6q2HFrhmLzVqnHDFg-IjdyT9KMFnMrMw7bU3PSb5CM36AJ6u7qCeMZRPDkmZp9ThSDmpfC9uc7SEKs1SCqDS8Drqq3aaV3Bw05uEIJEd6LWs02/s400/IMG_1049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617309397751951858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>(i heart) prawn tacos</i></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>On my first visit, I had the sangria which was yum. However, on my 2nd one I had margaritas which was also amazing. I had 3 of those. I can't decide which one is better, I think it will depend on what you feel like having. I didn't bring my camera with me on the 2nd visit, but we tried the helado de maiz (sweet corn ice cream cone and caramelize popcorn) and frituras de manzana (apple fritters and vanilla pear sorbet). Both were yum. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE-ZvrvSA5BurNbBsNzdWP74Nt2ufJhrfcxOrZ9bCLAgu6HeNPaLpT1_go0O2g1CSJCNJJdNYQtu7WT7s9CtbWVy4e9ojyzOgzarQzEyY78ZTG1DaIqPXM-4GhB6Dvvf8S5_gG1ZAq4LD/s400/IMG_1036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617309378428038050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Sangria =)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>All I can say is that I am currently plotting another trip to Mama Sita... that's right, NOT Melbourne, but to Mama Sita. Oooooopa! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mama Sita</b></div><div>Level 1/11 Collins St</div><div>Melbourne, VIC 3000</div><div>+61 3 9650 3821</div><div>Click <a href="http://www.mamasita.com.au/">here</a> for website</div><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1507775/restaurant/Victoria/CBD/Mamasita-Melbourne"><img alt="Mamasita on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1507775/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-43892743573921273012011-06-12T04:19:00.000-07:002011-06-12T04:34:23.287-07:00Pasteur, Haymarket<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiagjNxGD02FDcrYQyeiZbaJebpuvC4HCLljdxq6UmJP72eIbbCNAwQN7J2_M1_ab_d-bJrpEv325XqG8q5HexcvHXn1gmlR0bOHdUVSliyI77O5I1T6BRn-0RHhejeIqUEExLqqDfgwo0/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiagjNxGD02FDcrYQyeiZbaJebpuvC4HCLljdxq6UmJP72eIbbCNAwQN7J2_M1_ab_d-bJrpEv325XqG8q5HexcvHXn1gmlR0bOHdUVSliyI77O5I1T6BRn-0RHhejeIqUEExLqqDfgwo0/s400/IMG_0073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617294455560054050" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our spread at Pasteur</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbzydZ4c3yVUWOw7Zl1BGtux98SLETDG5ekfxdlGsL9Qe4UqZQMKYxiaqlIs8wHvuHxE1OzkLPSIvGz-rO7ibxbGjg6lx8mw9aKrbxdahtk3lVovTgggrLE1IOymkcypsCN2WK_C6za6k/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>What could be more soothing and comforting than a bowl of teeming hot pho on dreary, rainy, cloudy winter days that we have been having lately? Well, curling up in bed with a good book or watching a good movie I suppose.<div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbzydZ4c3yVUWOw7Zl1BGtux98SLETDG5ekfxdlGsL9Qe4UqZQMKYxiaqlIs8wHvuHxE1OzkLPSIvGz-rO7ibxbGjg6lx8mw9aKrbxdahtk3lVovTgggrLE1IOymkcypsCN2WK_C6za6k/s400/IMG_0071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617294439101860450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Veggie for the pho, tea and dipping sauce for the spring rolls</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Pasteur is my go-to Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney because its close proximity and my family recommendation. I need to check out Cabramatta soon though. So anyway, my recommendation for these winter days: meatball and sliced beef pho with a side dish of spring rolls. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQrBGjkleQigVMv9tRoPTOcw5DgeBDzg8eVTmBEzWk7CuTbKasttpzd8y-NOEXNPGK4SIAD-VgUUYnvYWqp21QC8hfr3vBR70OyfHsvn8AiTxJYscDHqgJp2SoGHhUDDo-9JW649o5aWw/s400/IMG_0074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617294460230988930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Sliced beef and beef ball pho</i></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I love the fact that the sliced beef were so tender and just nicely cooked as it was sliced raw and cooked just as the hot soup is poured to the bowl. I love how the broth is fragrant, nicely balanced and not oily nor fatty. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y5M4kx2Dt2jdldkXlghTwG4cPg6gLvllF9GfDl_U2G0Yy_1HBAICeaj6yRnq61vfznhIrTU5gRvQU02T0EvPUyjNWeV910LhylN481-i1CvwJd3Kgplmfr8qnJsSXS9otoIx1qiWn1ji/s400/IMG_0072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617294443355842818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Spring rolls</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div>The spring rolls, in my opinion, are the best in Sydney so far. I love the mix of flavors and texture inside: minced pork and prawn, mushrooms, yummmm... These kinds of food definitely make this wintry days bearable...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pasteur</b></div><div>709 George St</div><div>Haymarket, NSW 2000</div><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/751706/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Chinatown/Pho-Pasteur-Haymarket"><img alt="Pho Pasteur on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/751706/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-83376687569444586872011-06-09T16:25:00.000-07:002011-06-12T05:42:43.149-07:00Brunetti, Carlton (Melbourne)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoz84IfmVfKKCCKzQfQIiY6N5kEc8_V9Efg2rRFl7P4SAjcmpGUCbM9mz9grF8UWLc2NrO3b7JL2snldkKei6VUWcShkH-1Nm7jqzZ4ordfTCGUM3-8N73AYCYAoKSefoiumX6O0y7anS3/s1600/IMG_2440.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoz84IfmVfKKCCKzQfQIiY6N5kEc8_V9Efg2rRFl7P4SAjcmpGUCbM9mz9grF8UWLc2NrO3b7JL2snldkKei6VUWcShkH-1Nm7jqzZ4ordfTCGUM3-8N73AYCYAoKSefoiumX6O0y7anS3/s400/IMG_2440.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616374630372906626" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">People watching and drinking coffee is the best way to catch up with an old friend</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDy6VTIggaSZoAA39G0BN59Y_-h6LptobM2yVZBv1U5U-7iAlZztLUYyK8fNkivrzELpKtYmltZ_kJBeNoBBoIrWFFeqJcVNzDsom64oqn7xd709R-OsCSGvpqhV8VNyu6jTeZNfElao0/s1600/brunetti+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>With 2 weeks away from my first exam, I went on a study break to Melbourne. I thought about this long and hard, pondering if I would have enough time to study, procrastinate and if it's worth the stress. Then I remembered my 2 years stint working where my vacation days were limited to 20 days a year and at the mercy of my boss. That decided it. Hello Melbourne.<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDy6VTIggaSZoAA39G0BN59Y_-h6LptobM2yVZBv1U5U-7iAlZztLUYyK8fNkivrzELpKtYmltZ_kJBeNoBBoIrWFFeqJcVNzDsom64oqn7xd709R-OsCSGvpqhV8VNyu6jTeZNfElao0/s400/brunetti+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616374611267102306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cakes, cakes, cakes and oh, more cakes!</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div>A friend gave me a list of a top 5 must go places for coffee but I only managed to go to this one with a childhood friend. I was blown away when we first enter the shop. Rows of cakes, everywhere my eyes could see! Did I die and go to heaven? Did I go to Wonka's chocolate transformed into cake factory? Thank God I didn't lose my cool and drool. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHM7DoxULlq2zDJEmluYcnwT_5Gs6vL-MX5jI052mrJkrWkdFSVHB0jgwooTDaZFOuba1PHpClBj2PxmT9xwavhxmG3rqwX5L42wsBRmGNLxHb2X4pRao4-_clHweeeYCRnunCjp-QQbQG/s400/IMG_2441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616374640801295394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Our two mochas</i></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I love the expansive space, windows, and choices of cakes in Brunetti. We decided on a couple of mocha while we wait for our lunch to settle and make room for dessert. We sat facing the street to people watch and play a game. The mocha was really nice and balanced. I love it when I don't have to add sugar. I think that is how I judge the baristas' skills - if they can make coffee that is just right where I don't need to add anything. I always take my coffee as is, so if I don't like it, I don't go back. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSejwfo00p7FwM5ummG1x4OlH-jE7Q_TnOvkf-oKg4Gdg42dUZm5ZuR7DmwCGbQ0qQfIW4fvRVEI6nEaljNmqS46z8Y6OU8rM9C4RewhC6H3lZ_5BOV9SgLI6Lja_sMKNg6YZduALdCyN8/s1600/Brunetti+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSejwfo00p7FwM5ummG1x4OlH-jE7Q_TnOvkf-oKg4Gdg42dUZm5ZuR7DmwCGbQ0qQfIW4fvRVEI6nEaljNmqS46z8Y6OU8rM9C4RewhC6H3lZ_5BOV9SgLI6Lja_sMKNg6YZduALdCyN8/s400/Brunetti+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616374624188212658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>A nice sweet stuff that I forgot the name of...</i></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div>An hour and a half later - almost fully caught up with our lives stories and had fun at playing our game, I trawled the cakes display in search for our dessert. Still feeling my lunch up to my neck, but feeling guilty as one of the shop lady already explained every single cake to me, I ordered this canolli like dessert. I apologize I forgot the name! If you show this picture though, I'm sure they can tell you what it is hahaha... It was tiny but good. The custard has some rum in it (love it!), the pastry light, crumbly and savory. And! There was some cherries on it! I love cherries. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5QY67caZkIZuvYzbs254nMhu_dvqbh4EymtuujcqeoDxnrXbzDRtOaURYx8ReuuMTkSdjuo5HE6dujPwfdGuuStnSfDg64WzsM3QDDA-ZP5BcVZiqeFzzqV_NBoU4yr9EsJJJxMRGfdo/s400/brunetti+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616375780656826258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The space inside</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div>I really wish they have this in Sydney. I could soooo see myself having regular coffee with my books and people watch when catching a break. Oh we also saw Chelsea from Masterchef when we were people watching. We saw this girl walk by and we were like, why does she look so familiar? 3 seconds later it dawned on us that she was from Masterchef. A quick phone call to my Masterchef fanatic friend revealed that Chelsea is supposedly working in Lygon st, just a stone's throw away. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Brunetti</b></div><div>194-204 Faraday St</div><div>Carlon, VIC 3053</div><div>Click <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.brunetti.com.au">here</a> for website</div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760271/restaurant/Victoria/Brunetti-Carlton"><img alt="Brunetti on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/760271/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-81563573462865158002011-06-06T07:03:00.000-07:002011-06-06T22:33:17.929-07:00Diving for food<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLLjPoNAExhKNj9VtWM7JPWCHLX_cddeALlEdLHW2gHQmtwlBkWqE5mjzhl-dCAD7L9tLUsPY7rjWwNxAz0xxIP4w4yNuFnM5wsSOiccjDiMtv-UqhM-HhrRxa9IfSu7zJcu1GoWEmd2i/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLLjPoNAExhKNj9VtWM7JPWCHLX_cddeALlEdLHW2gHQmtwlBkWqE5mjzhl-dCAD7L9tLUsPY7rjWwNxAz0xxIP4w4yNuFnM5wsSOiccjDiMtv-UqhM-HhrRxa9IfSu7zJcu1GoWEmd2i/s400/IMG_1834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612887663847745890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Amazing viz, underwater landscape and a cute seal</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I've been MIA for a while. I realize that and I do feel guilty about it. It's a good thing that I went to <a href="http://www.chocolatesuze.com/">Chocolatesuze</a>'s birthday party/food blogger gathering last May 21st as I got to meet new food blogger with whom I could go eat out with and enforce me to actually blog. Fingers crossed this will work. Thanks for the invite btw!!<div><br /></div><div>Lately, I've been into scuba diving and underwater photography (click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/as3qrana">here</a> if you wanna check out my photos). So that has been taking up my spare time. Also, this year thus far I have received 6 or 7 wedding invitations. Hence the pressure to fit on my dresses and keep the calories away are on. Anyway, I'm gonna share with you the food related part of scuba diving. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last Easter, I went on a dive trip with a group of photographer divers, one of them is a food diver or hunter gatherer diver. Whatever the term you prefer, it basically means he dive, he takes food. Good right? Fresh seafood! Mmmm.... Mind you, if you do wanna try this make sure you have proper fishing license and know your catch limit. You don't wanna get in trouble with the department of Fisheries. </div><div><br /></div><div>We wanted some crabs, but there were none. So we ended up with abalone (black lipped) and sea urchins. Yay uni sashimi! It was definitely one of the freshest uni I've ever had. I am so glad that I didn't have to crack it open though haha... </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjo2jQONUxol7NrkT0KP8b8hrHCa4lOu54fhVycMm1MbXXJjUCqr1R1qhrIfe4AYczcZsnxWIVE1ZbWQCxjRlYnMxd9nMAH2vd9I0YyIssEufcP4HQq8pY1DSX_FptCzvd1j7Q3PGGyhT/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjo2jQONUxol7NrkT0KP8b8hrHCa4lOu54fhVycMm1MbXXJjUCqr1R1qhrIfe4AYczcZsnxWIVE1ZbWQCxjRlYnMxd9nMAH2vd9I0YyIssEufcP4HQq8pY1DSX_FptCzvd1j7Q3PGGyhT/s400/IMG_1856.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612885829642991874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Sea urchins in their original form</span></i></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4lJtQNUtzOML_LcwM9rtmZ7xb7ocgvmboJecCW8KrrU_gvKmpclyWOYwLRrHSNMYlrPRVtBS18K_Uun1r_Q4f7idPoeMD7XOZEzoePmeGron475x7PVT3VTzk5v8OqBC8wBuYiU2ZDWy/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4lJtQNUtzOML_LcwM9rtmZ7xb7ocgvmboJecCW8KrrU_gvKmpclyWOYwLRrHSNMYlrPRVtBS18K_Uun1r_Q4f7idPoeMD7XOZEzoePmeGron475x7PVT3VTzk5v8OqBC8wBuYiU2ZDWy/s400/IMG_1850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612885820953709666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Collecting the roes</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EVozwa8dSv3u0sfmbf0VQ_ndgsPqqHpOeiRJefoqe04zmC_1MZGpldn-sQbET4NZDLTEdFYKgGvGqh5o8t0XUzYCiIP8zOc1VfCEuXhEK_ndLukxckaau634GGCw5VbuVdRByS1J_CzK/s400/IMG_1851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612885835520786290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> And the final products!!</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5MjMNlTFRESpnV-MF9Prh6fWDYRtu-hISQH0XgMY41HpgnM62tE9mlAFkljVETxrWbCXWgLxnRyq2Sh_FrK-g1vFp6vMrtTMmI8hhchecms9mviBw3C_IzmXmOS8Z2HaH5yk-sEkLdpi/s400/IMG_1866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612887647666323714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Plated... Not the best, but it's not Masterchef here! We just care about taste, taste and taste!</i></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The abalone was so fresh too. It was boiled for a bit, sliced up then sauteed with butter, salt and pepper. We had some thinly sliced grilled eggplant to eat it with. To say it was really good would be an understatement. Freshly caught and prepared, enjoyed with some good cider and cool people... </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GRuD2fvZAJr-2-QcPGMfKHgSq-wBWz2EhkRXiPwryklyBKcpLFSIlf4FbRWEkLvx4mfVcmx4RRDqVO9M0Fhyphenhyphenj9NRqof69sB6eboCj4-Q2vYJobWK_rB_UfDTtLNuD2J-6Dxh1f0qCvjX/s400/IMG_1860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612885847471989506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Sauteed abalone in butter, salt and pepper</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvya7bYl0feq-eDvlxD5O_9sTGcepzXCafkug0IC7N_MAP3ROlOUv8oPPo3nCeIhscQ2lcoWy0Znh5rAfQGMZhEhWNWIeGkLJBu75m6CQWv2h5QbZ0frQfsF3DDBgk3YyLdyUjRsP4QOx/s1600/IMG_1861.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvya7bYl0feq-eDvlxD5O_9sTGcepzXCafkug0IC7N_MAP3ROlOUv8oPPo3nCeIhscQ2lcoWy0Znh5rAfQGMZhEhWNWIeGkLJBu75m6CQWv2h5QbZ0frQfsF3DDBgk3YyLdyUjRsP4QOx/s400/IMG_1861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612887641377625618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Mmmm... I wish I can turn back the time... </i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCtOtEa-95y5TFJkfWWWbeYACl8BPJ9YaOOlypcJEgCOvHx2ROzjW-to61TG-Y7owRGkjTYGs-J6YUzG4i_BmmbUAQIV7hOSZqFwX09qVbY0d_qHXgIu8-g-dZ4cCqTW9PFGisrMjDwy2/s400/IMG_1872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612887658627619874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Grilled eggplants that we used to wrap the abalone before unceremoniously plonking them in our mouths!</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-42508033221157110892011-06-01T18:54:00.000-07:002011-06-12T04:35:59.114-07:00Tomislav, Darlinghurst<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0G2c5D7NP4GP55oKD2psgHOG0EfZ2xBdqd0ZNFyGNiFCbEHosN1XUliI5ThI0pbdb8Ny_F3-MgLuZeLocrJl-2Jb1U4lLVYbG9Yg8Q0flDa2QziYC2yVRy0bSXs0g7ISXl7mp7qFH6nE/s400/IMG_2421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613442977638620194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My fave</span></i></span></div></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQRq4zLBozWSsnYX20mxQ12yp9FCeO0tV3YHrCw2v3ozQnySmub0LVGMt2vYInj5VbAN6vTv3ljCFshKXcKyWU7wD4nxIwf0o5OXA0utFsSwMG9q2eJL35aM2jeMQn5j6o6iIZFXEa9XT/s1600/Tomislav+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></i><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div>Tomislav is one of my favorite restaurants in Sydney for a few reasons. The two that stand out are: 1. it introduced me to Blackstar Pastry last October's <a href="http://lifeis2munch.blogspot.com/2010/10/just-desserts-at-tomislav.html">Just Dessert</a> and 2. because of it's amazing steak. So when I saw a deal on Spreets a while back for 2 entrees, 2 mains and a bottle of wine for $69 for 2 people - I jumped on it. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9DJhVT1qoKkH7w6-ziwsaLRWHob9e_Xg8bxF4dHnEcg8Wykyygdgf1s626-2D5cyxloeLe0UjWadrGGkS4bm3D7yAZaDi4pgldLsBhDzDIa576QKbRr_Zx1IZWx0QqPW2S4BF1HkIrHM/s400/Tomislav+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613442979990906898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Rice crackers with vinegar spray at the top, and 'roo tartare with basil, mint and crackers</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQRq4zLBozWSsnYX20mxQ12yp9FCeO0tV3YHrCw2v3ozQnySmub0LVGMt2vYInj5VbAN6vTv3ljCFshKXcKyWU7wD4nxIwf0o5OXA0utFsSwMG9q2eJL35aM2jeMQn5j6o6iIZFXEa9XT/s400/Tomislav+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613442984324958786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Sourdough bread with butter sprinkled with brown onion</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>So there I was cashing in my deal. First up we have the rice crackers with sea salt and vinegar. Crispy, light and crunchy - just nice to whet our appetite. Then we had the kangaroo tartare. I had this earlier in the year and was dying to have it again. Fresh, juicy with no smelliness of a gamey meat. It was served with crackers. At 50gr a dish, I could have eaten it all to myself and more. Love it.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9D2I0jRoKKVc3O3jZqObmReEagVMTjAG8UGnCXcBJkpfSQOf5G5ZuY4i4_51JEmRxMSRC6zZNdZOBssJ9MMlgPpt-s9lqVoPpRABzWGQbj2KmHEHAWvPugeYLGynF86wLj0YGuUkW69n/s400/Tomislav+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613442988174499394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 124px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Scotch fillet with bone marrow - goodness</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Then the mains - my favorite Scotch roast fillet with bone marrow, smoked potato cream and beetroot cranberry sauce. FYI: the sauce changes every 2 weeks or so (the nice host told me). Tender, succulent and juicy the steak did not disappoint. Well, maybe the fact that I had to share made me sad a little. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR6nKiyFQbo5X_dzXuZFDcvGsIYNNz_XUcFqEfQE77kunVjmuQtPYjQh6LehTZV6uMCJb3-cszxvdw5PdyldaLbm9kxFILRbmuIiuTQ1wou2twUFH-V5-dFCYKlmXryxKGnZV1e4Yb3-j/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR6nKiyFQbo5X_dzXuZFDcvGsIYNNz_XUcFqEfQE77kunVjmuQtPYjQh6LehTZV6uMCJb3-cszxvdw5PdyldaLbm9kxFILRbmuIiuTQ1wou2twUFH-V5-dFCYKlmXryxKGnZV1e4Yb3-j/s400/IMG_2426.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613442982115702674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Basmatti risotto with grilled Yamba prawns, chives, lemon zest and nori</i></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div>The second main is the basmati rice risotto with grilled Yamba prawns, tons of chives and lemon zest. I noticed some nori (dried seaweed) on it as well. Its different than other risotto as this one used basmati rice - more commonly used for Indian food - but the chef definitely deliver on the taste. I was a happy camper. The downside? I had to share... </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1HtcpV7i6RfDQB9qqL5Ks59ChX7lomjcaA0_75lZsvmgtAw2eB8CzT2t3PfQsHpx8yS0D0G849Rrg1E8B4NFmGyyUSBMqVf7ZdinBnjCK00G3MD3AhiWZc3t8gVAp3AqZi-ymhjybneD/s400/IMG_2433.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613444752183252322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Aerial view</span></i></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAra0LDMpRZ2_w7S3ghhnDVSDQ0pTwy7mLYFzu8wfwu5DAtFiEFSUEBMVAEa2lnll75sDx9mWtMq1SaYkNfW0ZdS47mhWD2O4-YIS35Na3TCWCjrjGtRlo8N0BEEwyXr_9oOb03_hrYBb_/s400/Tomislav+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613444753544954354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Close ups</span></span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>After successfully saving some room for dessert, we ordered milk chocolate cream cake with toasted macadamia and smoked banana ice cream. I don't normally eat milk chocolate, but this one was to die for. The sweetness was just right, the cream so smooth and silky. The highlight? Has to be the smoked banana ice cream. I could have a tub. Oh fyi: the dessert was not included in the deal. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYDoJ9Gw5bRGaN5KF31-xYFp3u1JxV89cNsJUZCMxSBT1tpmC-pmhgFOYSChcXBSxtSWkORw-Unax5c8se_SebLW7C84fyDnqWnIXTSDP31UKnghWUfyviaIegirfewIYfwjZ7CIsiSA1/s400/IMG_2401.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613440438939787730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Happy J with her wine</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>At the end, as the host bid us adieu, he said to me "see you soon" because he found out that I still have another voucher. (Hurrah for another round of these goodness). So I told him I need to find someone to go with. His suggestion was quite cheeky and probably hard to deliver: "find a cute boy on the street and ask him to come with you". So yea, I'll be on the lookout but if one of you knows Cory Monteith, could you ask him if he'd like to fly to Sydney to have dinner with me? </div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Tomislav</b></div><div>2/23 Kirketon Rd</div><div>Darlinghurst, NSW 2010</div><div>+61 2 9356 4535</div></div><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1516144/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Kings-Cross/Tomislav-Darlinghurst"><img alt="Tomislav on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1516144/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-7137441260773657802011-05-31T06:25:00.000-07:002011-05-31T18:39:30.595-07:00Earl grey tea cookies and truffle fries with parmesan<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4ElR3g2q7dXJtxJevZR3NSboFa9GMKi254OV0GqW6-IwlH5AwaZzsyR_8G1FaFD0q0kRVmdcxmR1exYk8ucefCekI6HtwIBMKJetXAMF5Fy6lwsqfEykweMPoYW-fKIIygtWuXeymw_p/s1600/IMG_2388.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4ElR3g2q7dXJtxJevZR3NSboFa9GMKi254OV0GqW6-IwlH5AwaZzsyR_8G1FaFD0q0kRVmdcxmR1exYk8ucefCekI6HtwIBMKJetXAMF5Fy6lwsqfEykweMPoYW-fKIIygtWuXeymw_p/s400/IMG_2388.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612875580004597586" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Earl greys cookies are lined up to report for duty</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGlHOuJQQrtoppLTOzgvcgwKhugQpyrxlo_YersLktNe-XfpCKRgcaSrJcbmgSWD7ML0RZ1iysFsCjyjrBq25a7XXeajVEYkV5FzT6dW_Bj30qN7q83E7jueaESlZNPPX7SfnKd0Cp-R3/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Today was a baking day. My first exam is 15 days from now and so far I have been procrastinating 2 days straight. Not good. Although... today has BEEN quite productive if at all in different ways. These days I really like baking cookies, they're so cute and simple, the process destresses me, and it makes me happy to see people happy when I give them and eat my cookies. Oh, and I don't pile on the calories. 'Happy days' as Jamie Oliver would say.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To explain the truffle fries, it started because a week or so ago <a href="http://ieatsweet.blogspot.com/">ieatsweet</a> and I were at Westfield on Pitt St. Mall where we ended up having Charlie & Co.'s truffle fries and parmesan. It costed us almost $20 and it dawned on us that we could make this our own! Sometime at the end of last week I got this message from ieatsweet that she already gotten the truffle oil and sent an invite for me to come bearing parmesan cheese and fries. Well, it didn't happen last week, but it did today. So to make your own truffle fries and parmesan? Simple, get these ingredients, oven bake the fries or fry depending your preference, drizzle the truffle oil, grate the cheese - and enjoy =D</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tys9f_FEQLwzwclMlVFC4BJCXUSVI-TYcutps1Kj8zytdimE1PjbsBCuws5V1tvPxcaWhqhDLzXzy_ryWRF5sO0FHisQNF_wpfd9w4lGDKr5noRYaQ1qmqbKR8D_xE5GTtLHTqAJFqTv/s400/IMG_2379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612876983509227010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSddQ-_Mszxty8HZ9nsz0ffxWXoYknTpsM0uiEPctVAxvMojIkVyvuilG-SXJQGmBlKs_mGpsn7cyb_Q6oT_-OIupUJMJWgQGo5vTRKoRw5dKqOsYHoxZwCD5nEwvc1sy5P9qYGvdqfcN/s400/IMG_2383.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612876989037984402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here's the recipe for the earl grey tea cookies:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></span></div><div><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2 tablespoons finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves, (from about 8 bags)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2 (8 ounce) sticks unsalted butter, softened</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/2 cup confectioner's sugar</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest</span></span></li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGlHOuJQQrtoppLTOzgvcgwKhugQpyrxlo_YersLktNe-XfpCKRgcaSrJcbmgSWD7ML0RZ1iysFsCjyjrBq25a7XXeajVEYkV5FzT6dW_Bj30qN7q83E7jueaESlZNPPX7SfnKd0Cp-R3/s400/IMG_2384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612875574981962482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDopDvj5s7G8LyQTuo9rcdvOGFpJmcUL-ijX4uipQGlmStI0EGmvi3Gz2P5O0RF9GRny0odXbYzvt56yaxp64p3ujvb-PIhh3aRxe1KXHrfSeBFmo52OtKrcS_rK3jfI7jI-0X40fyzClY/s400/IMG_2385.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612875577705192914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Instruction:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Whisk together flour, tea, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. Put butter, sugar, and zest in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low; slowly mix in flour mixture until just combined.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3. Divide dough in half. Transfer each half to a piece of parchment paper; shape into logs. Roll in parchment to 1 1/4 inches in diameter, pressing a ruler along edge of parchment at each turn to narrow log and force out air. Transfer in parchment to paper-towel tubes; freeze 1 hour.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut logs into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Space 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">5. Bake until edges turn golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This recipe is taken from Martha Stewart's book but is also available </span></span><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/recipe/earl-grey-tea-cookies"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. So far, I really like the earl grey cookies because it's so simple, yet so fragrant both from the tea and the orange zest. It also has a lightness to it that makes me less guilty than eating other cookies such as the <a href="http://lifeis2munch.blogspot.com/2011/04/cooking-lesson-with-i-eat-sweet.html">dark choc sour cherry biscuits I made previously</a>. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiIrIL5C9UMnBH0cXb8XtdNPDsiv73vYaxHkAyj6VjbL6RUD-3BXqTgAUuQ-xxiWxJRJqmztsemKPWHCyMuL2NZHaGTaVynNt2q45HhdJhyD8fWXM20QJ0Av9qyjYxgQUKkO2pzbqlU1w/s400/IMG_2390.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612875592003232146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:16px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTuPvHO-w56Tdg-w76QlcFltlaUAlyGkUDsOJpaI3Pa7A4nERL5_y5DgkKWjvki86NWvvcQkQ_LC7lX8-8U5yXQfb55-jY-Jz-b8hEvup6JicOHmjU8xfVD-fKltVq_Sj_hAmPyKmTw1u/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTuPvHO-w56Tdg-w76QlcFltlaUAlyGkUDsOJpaI3Pa7A4nERL5_y5DgkKWjvki86NWvvcQkQ_LC7lX8-8U5yXQfb55-jY-Jz-b8hEvup6JicOHmjU8xfVD-fKltVq_Sj_hAmPyKmTw1u/s400/IMG_2395.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612876972166681826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCA73EmTcSQCoZroeLOPwLfrTw3XJNMRbPWq49iElpMa_3f8IZ7Cha5ns1tDMcBCczallilQemf02oTmlJOpeVZceCu39DjKauCvvFrdtu2qvLjZipvLHCEBSzzUsV3K4RNeyyrq0EsX3/s400/IMG_2389.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612875584417053698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Awww... broken hearted cookie (for the record: I thought this was cute, despite ieatsweet's initial [or maybe still] disagreement)</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EhE4MvNxJRCISwSPDYkvPPbVmtwMl1seuBUcMVhR4LmUITNz4d-2IReaWlPcuGKNNL5iQ9miRSdwYYjem3bBWfa0t_E7TbD8B4gKWMDlAR3BTaoUzfnzBcYR-3ksYRMKSOVojxIULGNn/s400/IMG_2393.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612876968375764690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">For some lucky people, these little sweet hearts are yours to devour</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-36301401589880850372011-04-19T04:29:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:21:43.305-07:00Shenkin, Erskineville<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtYMc-XL01dGguSqttjWUR-yYcc3BWtuAu9gxWb0afRT1JskSJI9loRDWLSs_txEzL1GEhxWUfXPYt00tl77yoEqOqeIvvzgmpMsdnrC5ad8RjAR5AcNTaywRHl4vpxVvE3ifumDX51V5/s1600/IMG_1651.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtYMc-XL01dGguSqttjWUR-yYcc3BWtuAu9gxWb0afRT1JskSJI9loRDWLSs_txEzL1GEhxWUfXPYt00tl77yoEqOqeIvvzgmpMsdnrC5ad8RjAR5AcNTaywRHl4vpxVvE3ifumDX51V5/s400/IMG_1651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597268578537914882" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shakshuka by Cafe Shenkin</span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This past Sunday, I was completely wiped out. Saturday was exhausting: woke up at 5:45am to send my dad to the airport, got back at 7am ish, went to pilates at 8, groceries at 9, then got picked up to go to the Easter Show at 10:20am ish. If you remember, it rained the whole day. Yet, we ended up staying till 6:30pm. So when I woke up on Sunday at 8:30am despite sleeping at 10pm the night before - a total of 10.5 hours. I was still exhausted and hungry.<div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfVpD2zhZavDBUC_z93tjedkEcL48x8buLKb02-rjiqdS-Hq8COO5h82DJpbvlWJCMZkeBQJHWkYcqS_lHNQd2vLZk6docMLLCkvfYfiCvLsK67u7c3vtCpbkeWysZkuhcR1VZLKwoQpJ/s400/IMG_1647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597268598877100498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Mocha and Soy cap</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A quick message to a friend scored me a breakfast buddy and a ride to Shenkin cafe in Erskineville - her idea, as I didn't even know where Erskineville was.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3htqHVBFJy3dWXMN_BJdxJR1b19uZ4ezJOts2XzjCJHGwpDGscGxlWiVJk0iPIIYXZwPjU-WD4AQodjdSpV0kGMeKEW-NjJohus8qXXmV5f1uTcQnKg_MRAA_rkjPF1-QRJmqe85sFqQ2/s400/IMG_1655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597268588246376050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahlOp9LODff7IAnv7q2jBfJcxq1PhTVDAJw3CfSM-Bo4tBZ76OU8CPeFzQmfVwyxH0U8cghMA29VIlW0fMAOTL0uRmDku3O-PC5CCaeWNyByd6we1QwbmMWzswucqb4Frkuzt5Nbk8iG8/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahlOp9LODff7IAnv7q2jBfJcxq1PhTVDAJw3CfSM-Bo4tBZ76OU8CPeFzQmfVwyxH0U8cghMA29VIlW0fMAOTL0uRmDku3O-PC5CCaeWNyByd6we1QwbmMWzswucqb4Frkuzt5Nbk8iG8/s400/IMG_1650.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597268594161167970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></div><div>I liked the way the cafe was very open, it gave a very welcoming sense. I was also promised great poached eggs - so that held its appeal too. We ended up getting a table at the front. Towards the end, I realized that my chair was actually a pew. That was real cool. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l7XFwZU4l_FIVI3MuD2wHOeL3cFrQ5DbLCLuhuaZDFldfpINh6sxP-6Vf8UK-B0oV3A6nHOS75CDRMA3_gMaRrASeAkWoilw7wkTjbiTDPIEWrZJOYFHR7fq6ySRiWqq8xCV9kVLmzfm/s400/shenkin+2+.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597269849399788162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hot pot of goodness </span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Though at first I was tempted to order egg Benedict with smoked salmon, I ended up ordering shakshuka with eggplant and haloumi. Apparently shakshuka is a traditional Israeli breakfast dish where egg is poached in rich tomato, paprika and onion sauce base. It came with a couple of warm pita bread too. It was so good, perfect for such a lethargic cloudy morning that screamed for comfort food. It reminded me of my mom's goulash, but different. The eggplant was soft and melted in my mouth. The portion was so big, I ended up taking it home and having the leftover for dinner. And I have been thinking about it since....</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OILDkD8Qv9wkCd7WiHicE2gSgfx2GxN-9PqZzUKD4CYIor5nf71ut5StiDbZ2ny6nzQTVqBgrsyRG_zTCsK5CwHQ8lN_J0zV4IThHqMiZgpkHWv-1Hhyphenhyphenf7Wy9WIShwRYMle_NAo9GDdi/s400/shenkin+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597269847084370338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Eggs Benedict</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>My ride who already decided what she wanted the moment she texted me, had the egg Benedicts with bacon. I tried it, it was really good. I love hollandaise sauce' texture and consistency. Next time, I will be having a hard time what to get for sure: shakshuka or egg Benedicts. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjGruk_q2wXnrV4VFsl2znZ1RV7yn21apAv_Cu9nJZvoQw1FIxqjog0g2Q9N6K95Zd7cJxKdUeOb9KKYLsXNZ_SsLFvD8kJjCkP7dcEO8LwCMZbtdkspMnrpFW7U8ByOg6HWQkbS-aeHg/s400/IMG_1656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597268580149593378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Cafe Shenkin</b></div><div>53 Erskineville Rd</div><div>Erskinville, NSW 2043</div><div>+61 2 9550 5511</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1452064/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Shenkin-Erskineville"><img alt="Shenkin on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1452064/biglink.gif" style="border:none;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-11677028430470335562011-04-12T05:15:00.000-07:002011-04-12T05:59:57.046-07:00Cooking lesson with i eat sweet<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4w0igj9qbpf_i8SZXaqSJfn0Z5RJaoJuXtuZcRvrmAWv0sd6MtpllFgQMa31BgoHMYqDzL0ry6MDUtBmKfz6EATg1iLjKkZKXBAZ3u5LDGrK6F9yog9xRkK5e_wGnzXREd3CQ8XnyETSP/s1600/cookies+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4w0igj9qbpf_i8SZXaqSJfn0Z5RJaoJuXtuZcRvrmAWv0sd6MtpllFgQMa31BgoHMYqDzL0ry6MDUtBmKfz6EATg1iLjKkZKXBAZ3u5LDGrK6F9yog9xRkK5e_wGnzXREd3CQ8XnyETSP/s400/cookies+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594679935922933106" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sour Cherries Dark Chocolate Cookies Bourke St Bakery Style</span></i></div><div><br /><div>One morning at the beginning of the semester, I managed to talk <a href="http://ieatsweet.blogspot.com/">Cleony from i eat sweet</a> to have a morning sugar rush at Zumbo. The story of my first ever Zumbo experience after a year living in Sydney would have to wait for another post. Then on the way home, somehow, I got talked into spending the day with her baking.... because I really suck at baking and she wanted to transform me one recipe at a time into a domestic goddess? Whatever the reason, I ended up making 2 recipes that day. Under close supervision of course.<div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA6pTm3TtLtiAkqZA3tbF6O-SOHfNURZKoQnYeGGB57RRfDHDXI8pA5GJ3umzDYpD6PwSM8IdeDfE9nYGZsnJYdGJg_Hq0dJbz9XxxutymSmqhyMuaovWb4-CrVfTFebmea4TcBmkayxw/s400/cookies+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594679939313289826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 134px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The ingredients</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So the first batch is Bourke St Bakery's sour cherries dark chocolate cookies, my favorite cookies of all time. I have been meaning to bake this well, August last year... Before you shake your heads, listen: I broke my foot last year in September, remember? </div><div><br /></div><div>Cleony has the book with the recipe, but if you're interested you can access it from<a href="http://almostbourdain.blogspot.com/2010/02/bourke-street-bakerys-chocolate-sour.html"> Almost Bourdain's blog</a>. I was really proud with the results. They were really gooey on the inside. A perfect hybrid of brownies and cookies. I can't wait to bake the next batch. Must wait for the baking mistress to come back from her overseas travel though... </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm4DdUZxC5_Z8nso_b4HvfD5Ve5cPoms9Ly-Rny1DU_B4k0XfZZIXpDgVK45LXYP0No59-FI5CtMlU5gBctMgYgIwlRE-YWBmh7ymIQV2zKU3uk-6Wrszh9h-A0yUAlChRlSjVvS-5zy8/s400/cookies+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594679940883113746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Piglet face muffins</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, we tried out her new muffin pan which I brought back from Hong Kong. We decided to make blueberry muffin. Wrong decision!!! The blueberries burst during the process and deformed some of the piglets' faces. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbZjkAbFP5TqmGunhvyw6XQqJACNszrvikmnXTJjInjbPSE0Jjj3v0uco6pigq17m6q5HcCAwkDz70ShwG0ZK-tWiJNPyEbUApVMt53Vdqx3aG1cyaNCHMqH9r6lujpJ-Z1WsWfq-eqHP/s400/cookies+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594679944755335794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Muffin piglets</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Baking turns out to be fun, provided I have an expert beside me. At the end of it I had so many food I didn't know what to do. So some lucky people got some muffins and cookies. </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks Cleony for the flour, sugar, equipments, your time and patience ;) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-44286614387841643442011-04-07T18:57:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:23:21.465-07:00Matee Turkish Grill, Newtown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCVdfCneBuQB1ytL7AgP0cjkewLNMwO7kMJQNwAguwIsK1Ny-JwzKiZ346eowbpTA_hd-uO6Id5BUXjo9ErjyIX6ZbAy0HPk0xwJgMlsttwliO2QuKZ_MimR2Iu9O2rgKYZ982eyul1Nm/s1600/matee+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCVdfCneBuQB1ytL7AgP0cjkewLNMwO7kMJQNwAguwIsK1Ny-JwzKiZ346eowbpTA_hd-uO6Id5BUXjo9ErjyIX6ZbAy0HPk0xwJgMlsttwliO2QuKZ_MimR2Iu9O2rgKYZ982eyul1Nm/s400/matee+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593205953533321938" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHmLqbs8lv_VE_KDwV_QselzM8ze7gukC4hDzKPbc-oGG4s43Qf5HHNVnx2u_7xewO_Ce8Y9xs0fzJ5R8kAY05bXzbjpLBkB-ivQLH4B7wBL2cj_CE_N7-qW4i1lBQjctFHlQDEV2Sq1b/s1600/IMG_0789.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div><div>You know how people say, don't judge a book by its cover? We totally judged Matee by the way it looked. We just loved it's Turkishness, blue tiles everywhere and cozy looking tables and sofas, just so inviting. Turkish food is one of my favorite food in the world. Not only that Turkey is also on my number one place to visit. I guess I just love the fact that this country straddles both Asia and Europe at the same time. It's like being in two places at once. Cheesy perhaps, but the traveler in me just can't help but loving the idea.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxVok5i_APszEehVqDlS0ROWs0nAI3oeLyPof8JDUTBjL27KWJ2rV41kB5sSjTSjzl7MPXjk3_eXYe8YgOBHThVXFklhQN6KTQRgmS8IXOuNRcpenZx-ofmRCtiUFxvC7P9D5r_ZRVzHs/s400/matee+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593205950483629810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHmLqbs8lv_VE_KDwV_QselzM8ze7gukC4hDzKPbc-oGG4s43Qf5HHNVnx2u_7xewO_Ce8Y9xs0fzJ5R8kAY05bXzbjpLBkB-ivQLH4B7wBL2cj_CE_N7-qW4i1lBQjctFHlQDEV2Sq1b/s400/IMG_0789.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593205937252183330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Meze dips: best on hot sunny days, but I'll take it rain, hail or shine</span></i></span></div></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I haven't had much exposure of Turkish food in Sydney so when I stumbled upon this Su, I had to give it a go. We ordered way too much, I had been deprived of Turkish food for so long. We ended up ordering a platter of dips (hummus, tahini, beetroot, carrots, babaganoush, salsa and tzatziki), kofte (meatballs) and this chicken dish that I can't remember (Sorry!!!).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OqoSvBZ3jJHK-9o04s8r1FyxN1_pjmoSXt1OoRoYPvXUH6NTnw_LcS8t_Xv0GhrNfO5g0BAF32SZYBjOxNWRzKrezt0zOL57HcsA3HUJog5nz_-4515xDIsiwrwh-ojMNGIziZl1pSM_/s400/IMG_0795.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593205940098004754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Izgara Kofte Meatballs</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And the food? Mucuk mucuk! Kisses in Turkish. The only thing I remembered from my Turkish friends' Turkish lesson from my times in the States. It was so great. We loved the dips. Our favorite was the beetroot dip. I've been contemplating a visit back just to have this dip. Kofte? Yummmmsss.... the rice pilafs were so soft, warm and savory. The kofte itself well seasoned and well... perfect. The purple cabbage and salads were fresh and lemon-y that gave the whole dish such a sync. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTfdZ3qvwO64zoUo1iUGBV0IGLsaCe9DBN42pFtPdmZAWA_1KLQHibfv3ooHvbJrYgQ7Vucv9dNSVEPoU49p6w7bivF2l4mQST7T8Y_2AbCfQGGgnonmh50NwkUyA1ReVgiQsaKkaQILu/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593205948466033650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Su's chicken dish</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I didn't really try the chicken dish, because I was too busy with my kofte and saving some room for dessert. Su liked it though. My recommendation, however, to definitely go with the kofte. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Matee Turkish Grill</b></div><div>528 King St</div><div>Newtown, NSW 2042</div><div>+61 2 9565 2815</div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1547505/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Matee-Newtown"><img alt="Matee on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1547505/biglink.gif" style="border:none;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-72545741502589833512011-04-06T18:34:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:23:53.317-07:00Brunch at Toast, Surry Hills<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Kx_ML2_OLeyMWtSJ6Dr5kkMUwPzbszL-OrXk6IrbZsPyl6Is-RHxSHTFQ3gN2egmIU5Eh_HXGsQotl3wuJZiT9Pcjj4h-OoP4tx9nrOgpuNhX1KceWcifhRpL42tZ_WtnGtEp3XPK3ZO/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Kx_ML2_OLeyMWtSJ6Dr5kkMUwPzbszL-OrXk6IrbZsPyl6Is-RHxSHTFQ3gN2egmIU5Eh_HXGsQotl3wuJZiT9Pcjj4h-OoP4tx9nrOgpuNhX1KceWcifhRpL42tZ_WtnGtEp3XPK3ZO/s400/IMG_1214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592652909014583554" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div>It's been a long time, I know. So let me tell you about my latest brunch discovery. I walked passed Toast a when I was having dinner around the area. Finally, I made it a couple of weeks back with my friends from high school. I love how very close by it is from where I live and technically I could have breakfast here everyday if I want to. I also love how the whole street is lined with many different cafes beckoning my name. Sorry guys, there's a list but fear not I shall make it there sometime ;)<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZQyBsJHwdxm0SyJQ_Cl9jgm1RkTYMDv93oqbSqTUnCfmftPhkS7zp6Ok5WaOjMb5iNkeWwKYRJodyIRcYTvPypbmM4K6mkXfPNU9QxgsYPX5jX0Lvu5Y8v5tJCRQvDHovIfPCA2qiN0N/s400/IMG_1215.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592652900557381714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI1h-lkQQ1pHBf69BnsfdA4bGc_ygdEFfmEBRL4slRGpGhHzSuE37LWNPlZo2KckCjtdNzJgiNcxJueM1oIoPUa1sshWCSdZxeK9EZwehGbHk58JELGHGgIMgdHj4CnUUH7ql_H8pnUGz/s400/IMG_1213.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592652891603746546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of the tea pots and my soy cappuccino</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>My friends ordered tea which came in this cute pot which came in different shapes and forms. We have another one that looked like a box, but yeah, I forgot to take a picture (and that includes their meals as well... ugh...). I also love how the tea just never ended. They really wanna make sure that their patrons are hydrated, I suppose. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQos34TrQiyszc8Mq_GWCHl98uPI2IaIz23h9P7xKw-i-drm0PutIzXgj-TQRt73CRYFi9mfDYo7DWGaN7YNnzvO_baTcBE49j5a3rF9_1kH6-itupjb3TEkm10jfh1rzf31nWJdD-f35/s400/IMG_1217.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592652905827197714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sweet corn and kaffir fritters</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I ordered their specialty which is sweet corn and kaffir fritters with poached egg, grilled halloumi, salsa, avocado and chilli jam, which is glutten free. I was torn between ordering this and the risotto, but I did want some eggs so this dish won. It reminds me of Bill's sweet corn fritters, but this one is different. I love the grilled halloumi on it. The poached egg was runny and gave creaminess to the fritters. The chili jam contrasted with the buttery-ness of the avocado. I definitely made the right choice. </div><div><br /></div><div>....bidding my time to come back to try their other stuff and just hang out.... </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Toast Cafe</b></div><div>45 Reservoir St</div><div>Surry Hills, NSW 2010</div><div>Sydney</div><div>+61 2 9280 2615</div><div>Click <a href="http://www.toastcafe.com.au/">here</a> for website and opening hours </div></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1456634/restaurant/Surry-Hills/Toast-Cafe-Sydney"><img alt="Toast Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1456634/biglink.gif" style="border:none;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-49947892157930229872011-02-28T17:43:00.000-08:002011-02-28T18:04:11.846-08:00Back in Sydney Baby!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWNYtBgPdANP_cTFZwWPkfs0BpK-X1Ic1VMvdaWiuUAX-ZE5yW_1IXJWf4PeTRD7Dn-6CoxmCDWvrMQvyxt3J_kxbhbhUW7iCuFRxT5Ft64UVgchAzWCl2vFoxnIoHiWIXw2OoFq90733/s1600/IMG00169-20110123-1529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWNYtBgPdANP_cTFZwWPkfs0BpK-X1Ic1VMvdaWiuUAX-ZE5yW_1IXJWf4PeTRD7Dn-6CoxmCDWvrMQvyxt3J_kxbhbhUW7iCuFRxT5Ft64UVgchAzWCl2vFoxnIoHiWIXw2OoFq90733/s400/IMG00169-20110123-1529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578926435406588786" /></a><br />Dear Foodies, <div><br /></div><div>How have you been?! I know I have been missing in action in 2011, but I am back in Sydney now, for the long haul this time. So far 2011 has been filled with great promises and potentials to be a good year. My best blackberry messenger friend forever who lives in London and I believe that the Chinese Rabbit will be smiling down on us this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a recap on what I have been doing while MIA and I will work on my backlog asap too. You know about my Hong Kong trip... well I also went to Macau. Then I was back in Jakarta though I didn't really eat out that much, but I will check my camera and see if there are any home cooked meals that would be interesting to be posted. I came back to Sydney in late Jan so that I can head to Melbourne to check out the competition. Nah, just kidding, I went there in the hopes of seeing my tennis idol, Rafael Nadal on Australia Open. Unfortunately he got injured so instead I got to see Murray vs. Ferrer on the semi final. Amazing times! Melbourne, expect me to be back next year. So I will have a couple of post on Melbourne. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I was back in Sydney for one night and off to Perth I went for my 2 weeks backpackers roadtrip tour from Perth to Broome. Yes, it was hot and humid and the flies were madness. I survived the insect bite attacks, the sunburnt and got home with some bruises, new friends, and tons of awesome memories - will post some pictures up. </div><div><br /></div><div>So now school is starting again, and by school I meant my master course... It's been great being back in Sydney: <a href="http://lovemyfoodsandsugar.blogspot.com/">Monica from Love my food and sugar</a> and <a href="http://ieatsweet.blogspot.com/">Oni from i eat sweet</a> treated me for a birthday dinner at Tomislav - one of my favorite restaurants in Sydney now! Got some baking lessons from Oni too who is determine to domesticate me somehow hahaha... She also accompanied me to my first and ever pilgrimage to Zumbo's after a year of living here! Oh and I also made it to Blackstar Pastry! </div><div><br /></div><div>And I just got an email from my high school bestie who is now based in Melbourne with an excel spreadsheet detailing our gastronomic plan for my visit to Melbourne next week! </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope that you share my enthusiasm for 2011! It hasn't been glass half full for me all along as well, but right now at this moment, it is what it is. Here's to 2011! (even if it's 2 months into it already)</div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-61664375046778816292010-12-27T21:37:00.000-08:002010-12-28T07:17:35.451-08:00A taste of Hong Kong part 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdW8n1m0a6bvIQyuDmPBO4lFv0O8kQ6ENOJ4L-L6_PwN2rgXlu2ro907SCgW2JYsuiBQPCjVTZzcB7D7BLlFdm-y6pjnUsxohcVxdMLWAW-lhVQKVdKLvysiIoKCD8T-2-wyOMEy8Cw2m/s1600/hing+fat+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdW8n1m0a6bvIQyuDmPBO4lFv0O8kQ6ENOJ4L-L6_PwN2rgXlu2ro907SCgW2JYsuiBQPCjVTZzcB7D7BLlFdm-y6pjnUsxohcVxdMLWAW-lhVQKVdKLvysiIoKCD8T-2-wyOMEy8Cw2m/s400/hing+fat+7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555745889056340514" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div>After we ticked off dim sum from our list, we were on a quest for the infamous Hong Kong wonton noodles. We were looking for a local cafe that serves wonton noodles whose patrons are locals. That's also what I told the concierge who promptly pointed out Hing Fat on the map, a mere 7 minutes walk from our hotel. Provided you don't get lost of course.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfgw1F3aiwmjAgSI7fiMQZencdr4Iy5o_SHE7M0QTUdS6fGRkUIMGycEYMDuJaI-ZrlhmTdwO4Ha-PYpwfrbzr30OlYtjJ70Fkj6jKL1j0pCFCb9m2YMavbcNrSKsSLaOfNd3NKJZ1I9m/s1600/hing+fat+3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfgw1F3aiwmjAgSI7fiMQZencdr4Iy5o_SHE7M0QTUdS6fGRkUIMGycEYMDuJaI-ZrlhmTdwO4Ha-PYpwfrbzr30OlYtjJ70Fkj6jKL1j0pCFCb9m2YMavbcNrSKsSLaOfNd3NKJZ1I9m/s400/hing+fat+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555740789685964130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Assorted roast meat</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrv8p0ysdwsK8IQSU-oAdtU5RAOrIUqMOUpdG7ynyVEr1sbE6N9gVyDirOnNXKgrVFjPubR3pFIfp5Tk9Pos-NdUDEdt08FUIHRtS-yTsX8K7UkOfSVUe_aEYuAgZcnGYP5DItABplRtw/s400/hing+fat+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555742547088982706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The menu shows that there's more than just noodles and roast meat, such as seafood and other Cantonese dishes. It took me a while to find where the utensils are! </span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We were greeted by the assorted roasted meat hanging on the open kitchen glass window. Mouth-watering huh? Well, for some definitely. I can't help but remembering this random guy's comment one day when I was waiting for a friend back in Sydney. I was standing in the corner of Goulburn and Sussex street, opposite BBQ King, when all of a sudden this guy who was standing there walked up to me and said "gosh, look at that (pointing to BBQ King assorted meat)... doesn't it look like house of the dead? Carcasses hanging like that". His comment, however random it was, made me realized that cultures are so different and if you don't grow up with these kinds of food, it must look kinda weird... Anyway, I liked his different point of view and appreciate his directness in approaching a stranger and said that. Hahaha, ok maybe it was a little overshare, but still it was kinda funny. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaI3vbvWPTzUquwitot7mFE8VenVo9DetTBfrQRGmikMqqBTG4vozj6m0lCeGmn5JsaqgnSWEDQ3ex9PJId_zKU3Wi3x4Wcdu-cZH1KFWlE_86Fir14mW7NoOXeBJklZ82Tg27wLJQVfK/s400/hing+fat+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555740797912701314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hot and sour pork noodle</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPS0NSg0-pG8v_-dv74jefvXAU86qUA-kgAI3KzNBmu3TqctHTl1pNpRQNUX-DcuhZBKhFy3Z2cN5GdJeHbqO8o2w3Sj1RZmRWhWhMJVMFdlA2mBufs2QGBqrmGJNXQNy0BMXqialGveQ/s400/hing+fat+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555745883583974882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shrimp wonton noodle</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Back to Hing Fat, soon we were seated inside and given menu to peruse. Cg decided on the wonton noodles and while I was tempted, I don't really like soup on my noodle - unless they are ramen. So I decided to have the diced pork in hot and sour sauce noodle where the soup is separated. The egg noodle was super thin but flavorful. I quite like the hot and sour sauce as the topping. I think what would make the dish better is if wontons were included. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm14pdFTCe1V5ndufxv-n1BccsFpxgbqMP_jYVJix7F9SqYuo64stlf1MVZYY3J1m9z1qft5PIIfHqW4VGlePYzPh-ZZ5clEz16hfE2pTqd3o4e_djqVNrgiAEutWZcrdrIjTeb7KHdSo/s1600/hing+fat+2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm14pdFTCe1V5ndufxv-n1BccsFpxgbqMP_jYVJix7F9SqYuo64stlf1MVZYY3J1m9z1qft5PIIfHqW4VGlePYzPh-ZZ5clEz16hfE2pTqd3o4e_djqVNrgiAEutWZcrdrIjTeb7KHdSo/s400/hing+fat+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555740798004425314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 134px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Suckling pig and crispy roasted pork</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Since we're already at a roasted meat restaurant, we also ordered a combination plate of suckling pig and crispy roasted pork. I confirm that they are as delicious as the look on the picture above. Crispy, juicy, and tender. Oh and value for money too. We spent less than AU$20 for everything including drinks.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hing Fat</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b> </b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">1</span>0 Ashley Road</div><div>Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon</div><div>Hong Kong, China</div></div></div></div></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-44206745328144460442010-12-25T02:25:00.000-08:002010-12-25T07:45:20.100-08:00A Taste of Hong Kong Part 2<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpkyf_raCpo2kYtHePaJvXS2VgnXVOhghw51AgNKBGMXSfv4tM1lEvdvg-eFXigMJ60Or7RMcB47mP1dZEwxGNdtprUknWHer3LhjnGR1w4JwXbj7_4K1hZrahgWNSUTJVM500eDqKqU-/s1600/Serenade+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpkyf_raCpo2kYtHePaJvXS2VgnXVOhghw51AgNKBGMXSfv4tM1lEvdvg-eFXigMJ60Or7RMcB47mP1dZEwxGNdtprUknWHer3LhjnGR1w4JwXbj7_4K1hZrahgWNSUTJVM500eDqKqU-/s400/Serenade+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554607250852842802" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Characterized echina dim sum HKD 30</span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>On our first day in Hong Kong, we decided that we were going to have some dim sum for brunch. After all, it would be a cardinal sin to go to Hong Kong and not have some dim sum! The concierge recommended us to cross over to the Hong Kong Cultural Center to have dim sum at Serenade. Once we were inside, we discovered such opulent decor that bespoke of Hong Kong style. The restaurant is overlooking the Star Ferry terminal, over the Victoria Harbor, still on the Tsim Sha Tsui side. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtDJm90-B-fygV0Pr50tjDm75LQ_d6Au0WSusgVEjX4NNGrtJPp3dyWPivcotiateOGu4mkX3Gj_HIAJ-Uhv108tu4CBB76QaqUxHOpUZFRTWRLhgbw3vzBPrujszRC7OBURdWVjnBkUM/s400/serenade+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554607255571661490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sorry about redness here, I forgot to change the white balance till later... </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Unfortunately we didn't get seated near the windows, but soon after we saw the menu we got uber excited nonetheless. Why? Because Serenade offers characterized dim sums that are shaped in cute little animals! The animals are: goose (baked pastry stuffed with mushrooms & goose meat), goldfish (shrimp & bamboo pith dumplings), garoupa crystal dumplings, jumpie bunny marshmellow, echidna (deep fried creamy yolk buns) and cuttlefish (baked pastry with mashed red beans). They had "Dim Sum in the cage" for HKD 188 (approx. AUD 24 with 1AUD:7.8HKD) which includes cuttlefish, goose, echidna, goldfish, steamed abalone and pork dumplings and steamed shrimp dumplings (all 3 pieces each). No, we did not order this as we wouldn't be able to finish and we wanted to pick and choose. However, if <a href="http://lovemyfoodsandsugar.blogspot.com/">M from Love my foods and sugar</a> and <a href="http://ieatsweet.blogspot.com/">O from ieatsweet</a> were my travel buddies at the time, I would not have a say this decision-making process and we would have dim sum in the cage on the table pronto. If there's enough interest, I will scan the menu once I'm back in Sydney, so let me know if you want to see the menu. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxq823qJY0jgPc9kmCaDKSfp0GlROdTb0_bxXmwKO-eUnPYoUkmi3FSU4g36sttAPF1dS_JLPeShVxx8_jklu4QHHeJj2AafPDU94nazjg5NF7VghXEmoSqYL0aruSEI7nfHpwxDZrkE0/s400/serenade+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554607259646308770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Staging #1: Echidnas in the garden </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk3nxuGBNrcI_8GYY1sNozKqfUu15q-QUreWkS2V3QN7QU0XDkyThXRRQkRYB42QtICnGOTJvi_UmWtHoFCYHyAofkF6NOkQVqfXCFSSlaGACyyD1webSpWlTZzEvYeYhJxXPKzZl4lRU/s400/serenade+7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554614347279204354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Staging #2: fish pond and the creative director herself</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So what did Cg and I ordered? We got the echidna (on my insistence as they look way too cute!), goldfish, garoupa, BBQ pork buns, and conpoy (dried scallop) with chives dumplings. The echidna was the first to arrive and we almost squealed with delight. To have the scenes replayed in my mind right now we must have looked like lunatics as we busted our cameras and shot these echidnas paparazzi style. Cg being her creative self got the idea to rearrange them so that they are kissing each other, then making an echidna garden on a separate plate. Yeshhh, we did the same with the goldfish and the garoupa. No, not so much with the other two non characterized dim sums. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVTYXfV4BAFesFDkIzxOdGUOE8pzdT1GaBkhyphenhyphenYpaNhrp3cg-5px7tSSEX4ooBVpjpzFn69SJxbGckMboJcyP4krTLTrvpOIXut0S6-doRVM9KIkNcQhC9Z17s824EndH3lMfhGIefJI3g/s400/serenade+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554614331398510722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Garoupa crystal dumplings HKD 35</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eq90x2EE61uhVQonkq3bGXSCXGts5pxPZLIZEErTJkKka-79d2DfD3-kRt5EEGee6SMOaL1u7RXf8BazrIruMneuEhCn807OF6I90KiB2-XaMAf_qQcLvQat-V4WwW-NAZThUHW5uU-j/s400/serenade+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554614336710737266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Goldfish HKD 35</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpD5JwQiypFDK5W-NfvfFBuJfWt7bGumMHhkJUEfn0JsT37InDVPfPf8m6elPgxOgxaAnpzY7WSb_jKxVQkIvzNgHIOolXuKNJo6TpNCxpNRo564BGXDFJOadkpvm_ZR4oVkiZfRmHslP7/s400/serenade+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554614340063641090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Conpoy and chive dumplings HKD 18</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, taste wise, I know you are curious. I have to say that for the characterized dim sums, as expected they looked better than the taste, especially with the goldfish and the garoupa. I liked the echidna though, the buns were sweet and the egg yolk inside was quite nice. The BBQ pork buns were standard and so were the conpoy but since conpoy are not readily available in Sydney, I was a happy camper. We drank a lot of tea then, they kept on refilling our pot and Cg really loved the taste of the tea. I appreciate the service and the waitresses restraint in not laughing over us when we were staging the characterized dim sums. I think they are used to the patrons uber excitements by now. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnWxxxvnFMKbX-PZAI9LfV3G3RhFLQJmNftHeFiqCcYY6Low4VMYetnzBxMI-AlhUvx1s6_qGoHf-XDvIozfcGXs8D9XbgiqUWft3KwXJ6JgCNUNRCtvdOx1IOokH2cnnkI_5W2Db7ur5/s400/serenade+8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554629511944869026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">View of the harbor from Tsim Sha Tsui promenade</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVr1zbXXBxX2FcWGXVFQ9ypFnVq8NHeV_6Zz27l1D331Uk_1mxfrcRjxVQEx6toKWiAD44KKjG3SwHfQtZZj3jN_49QD_fmiSQ_FX8iWtXkB2c6hCXY8Wd7cxAIb2YYIC7lt4zMJfiHZq/s400/serenade+9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554629517689421346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">View from the Peak</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Lonely Boy, my friend who works in Hong Kong, recommended us to go to <a href="http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/home.asp">the Peak</a>, the highest point in Hong Kong - a scenic point. As we were pleased with his earlier suggestions so far with <a href="http://lifeis2munch.blogspot.com/2010/12/taste-of-hong-kong-part-1.html">Sevva and Wagyu</a>, we decided why not take up this advice. So we took the MTR to Admiralty and head to the tram station. I love the old school-ness of the tram. Riding the tram to the Peak felt like riding the roller coaster slo-mo. The steepness gradient was between 4 and 27 degree. It was really cool and I felt like I was transformed back in time as the tram was very colonial-esque. Usually I'm always a bit skeptical about going to touristy places, but I had to commend Lonely Boy again on his choice, the view from the Peak was spectacular! We were lucky that the weather holds up that day as well. The sky was blue, the air crisp with early winter chills and breezy without being too cold. Vertigo people beware! I'm not afraid of height, but standing too close to the railings definitely gave me the chills. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJkS18CEqzQbWXVHsrCxpDmFcoO3qSTRHTqDmFLpJK7-QOK4VXMpKLuaybwmcvQB2fOabR1hIbi9PEorOoa3NcEx1pGiRt6AMfq7uF1tOyy3JnIG2HVrQZhc5TBGW2pm00o-pAS3kRvxg/s1600/serenade+10.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJkS18CEqzQbWXVHsrCxpDmFcoO3qSTRHTqDmFLpJK7-QOK4VXMpKLuaybwmcvQB2fOabR1hIbi9PEorOoa3NcEx1pGiRt6AMfq7uF1tOyy3JnIG2HVrQZhc5TBGW2pm00o-pAS3kRvxg/s400/serenade+10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554639803017294082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div>After taking enough pictures Cg and I wandered back down to the mall and to the back where we found ourselves at New York Fries. I had to laugh at Cg when we ended up here as she originally said she wanted ice cream and the choices I laid out to her were hagen dazs, some gelato shop or movenpick. Long story short, we ordered one small "The Work" to share. The fries were awesome, it tasted like a combination of wedges and fries, tasty on the outside and soft on the inside. What impressed me the most was the condiment bar where you could get all sorts of toppings to add to your meal. I was happy to see cajun seasonings there and decided to get some despite all the toppings that were already in our fries. Cg is a convert of cajun seasoning now. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqBFjIyRQy2PIvVPIwoJv3DHQ2VYQBmde1qooWEGbrZTR9WLg3NgO9M8KFuel-4OGAc_xHJNbGHscG23GaB7xMfsPFiBmtLbTTcCoARUqPTrBKuzLGyrGo9c2MeqJQ5BVrMOP0u8d2erD/s400/serenade+11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554645780809565362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The condiment bar</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9-BWyYzjTQjZVSfiPGYm7bsVuN5ZBdNsS6VjFJPKSmMlgmf6wJZb8TrtQWhgxoFoJbiA_r5Tvz5Hbx5p3xKKzGhfMWwXov45iigiXoGmzmR-ccaW47F5QCWuZMEKcxWLctZbP6yoOJDU/s400/serenade+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554645784960479490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Works: fries with green onions, real bacons, sour cream, cheese sauce and chili</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Around 4pm, we made our way back to our hotel as Cg was to meet her relatives and I could use some rest before meeting a friend for dinner that night. After much debate, I decided to left my camera for dinner as my shoulder were aching from carrying my dslr all day. Dinner was amazing and I was sorry I left my compact digicam at home. If you find yourself in Hong Kong, you might want to try this little tapas restaurant called Enoteca on Elgin street in SoHo area. The best way to find it is to find the mid level escalators and take it all the way up to Elgin road and turn right, walk 15 steps and the restaurant should be on your left. My recommendation would be the chicken pesto risotto balls and the beef sauteed with garlic and chili. The food was amazing, but service was a different story. If you are looking for a place to relax and talk for a while, the host won't be happy. She let us ordered dessert then after we had a bite, she came to tell us that we need to finish up as the next seating party has arrived. Well, lady... if that was the case perhaps you should have told us before we ordered dessert - no? Anyways, that was my rant.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>From there, Cg joined K and I. Then, still on Elgin street, we hop in to a Greek restaurant and got a half jug of sangria while we waited for D to join us. Too bad K was leaving for her vacation the day after, but luckily D promised to take us out for the weekend to this private club called Prive. Didn't I tell you how I didn't know that Hong Kong could be THAT much fun? </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Serenade Chinese Restaurant </b></div><div>Hong Kong Cultural Center (1st Floor)</div><div>Restaurant Block</div><div>Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, China</div><div>+852 2722 0932</div><div><br /></div><div><b>New York Fries</b></div><div>Shop 1B, Ground Floor</div><div>The Peak Galleria, Hong Kong, China</div><div>+852 2849 7968</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Enoteca</b></div><div>47 Elgin street</div><div>Hong Kong, China</div><div>+852 2525 9944</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-4242798898528250322010-12-24T07:03:00.000-08:002010-12-24T08:21:35.982-08:00A taste of Hong Kong part 1<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugHD3P6rmNhhzU6NF0K80Nlm7sKE03cjt7gwC-pj3CKNMY5meWu0FjnKaeqH2XFsrxcW6AMmtrVYS1gUAJnHxtzlrYzlrRXYQLCCIIy15XXtZbmXR8v6xrcRaFnWZIDx5elZ2IYARk02v/s1600/HK+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugHD3P6rmNhhzU6NF0K80Nlm7sKE03cjt7gwC-pj3CKNMY5meWu0FjnKaeqH2XFsrxcW6AMmtrVYS1gUAJnHxtzlrYzlrRXYQLCCIIy15XXtZbmXR8v6xrcRaFnWZIDx5elZ2IYARk02v/s400/HK+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554272797727597474" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Harbor view from our room; view from Sevva</span></i></div><div><br /><div>I have a confession to make, I am a chronic traveller. I can't seem to stop traveling, even if I was already on vacation. This trip to Hong Kong, was one of those trip within a trip. I got sick once on this trip and I was so tired as this was my second mini trip on my overall summer (Australian summer) vacation, but I did not regret it one bit. I didn't know that Hong Kong could be THAT much fun. <div><br /></div><div>We arrived in Hong Kong pretty late, the dusk was settling already but it was perfect as we discovered that our room was facing the harbor overlooking Hong Kong island from Tsim Sha Tsui. At 8pm sharp, we were entertained by the symphony of light with synchronized song from a radio. I was happy to have brought my tripod! </div><div><br /></div><div>A quick phone call to a friend who lives locally gave us a couple of destinations for the night: a drink at Sevva, a rooftop bar at Prince's Building and Wagyu where we will get some food for supper. Off we went to the Star Ferry terminal to catch a ferry to Central, where we only paid HK$ 2!!! So cheap! I can't help but reveling how pretty Hong Kong is at night and how I was hopping from one harbor city (Sydney) to here. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXVGBjv3YySF00sqqjP_0nf9t3KJw8Bob_j-LCT7L4VG4tyKWma_78evWBOtKVnFscNxauHAQy9S1i3ggAxqr4op7Yyh4eZKbjLs0opedKLHHPji3PbBiYtVEm5feB-KCIIw-sOemxSK-/s400/HK+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554272792662104050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 339px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cg's mojito like drink and my dark chocolate martini - check out those shredded chocs! </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The walk to Prince's Building from Central ferry station took a good 15 minutes, but we didn't mind, we needed to burn the calories anyway. Once we were at Sevva, we were surrounded by bankers and financiers locals and expats alike whom you can tell from their full suit. We sat by the bar first to absorb the atmosphere and read the menu. Cg decided on a mojito like mixed and I couldn't resist their dark chocolate martini. If you love chocolate, you MUST order the dark chocolate martini if you're at Sevva, it was totally loaded with not only liquid chocolate but also shredded chocolate. From the balcony we could see the view of Central at night and it was very cosmopolitan. What struck me the most was the fact that we were on the top of a 25th floor building and yet, it didn't seem that tall because we were surrounded by other higher buildings with 50, 60 or even 70 floors! I don't think we have those in Sydney! To describe Hong Kong in a few of words would be, Asia's New York City. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4rGh3hspB0dRKELtfJSZEolTuJPKbPglCb6lqYRg3-gRxgQ80Sx1-0o_9LmHSfb_CNZ90AKXFMrkOTnyWCxDbVeudVsn-b2CPNB4Oi5mSmIVZQKB4ZpC6Aoyhl1IlxW4M_2FjeE9boZv/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4rGh3hspB0dRKELtfJSZEolTuJPKbPglCb6lqYRg3-gRxgQ80Sx1-0o_9LmHSfb_CNZ90AKXFMrkOTnyWCxDbVeudVsn-b2CPNB4Oi5mSmIVZQKB4ZpC6Aoyhl1IlxW4M_2FjeE9boZv/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554277610699940626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHQYLb2UJIvFduKlSt2bfdmvEMQlSqqMjLGsdPScGnpq8pkZDE_j8a_uELV19XxPBFNjkr7cbdrIKZ2tAnZp9Fvz7wuarEmpD3tGHaEl7sSfWQPnPIBgz8laj4eRTEbmFvIMqAd2xX-S8/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHQYLb2UJIvFduKlSt2bfdmvEMQlSqqMjLGsdPScGnpq8pkZDE_j8a_uELV19XxPBFNjkr7cbdrIKZ2tAnZp9Fvz7wuarEmpD3tGHaEl7sSfWQPnPIBgz8laj4eRTEbmFvIMqAd2xX-S8/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554277607860777442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7UwvZWwQ1XnJ5raLXwvD7e0knDgmQ375HVUc3HEKq_DpHcQvOKjfZ0h62xgYq8IqwEldJdDqznzqWaMj5t3gof_apUxrHxzTUek3PYwz76u_zJMQqEs2NUyJu2tFPjmsi5VEj0KEND2l/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7UwvZWwQ1XnJ5raLXwvD7e0knDgmQ375HVUc3HEKq_DpHcQvOKjfZ0h62xgYq8IqwEldJdDqznzqWaMj5t3gof_apUxrHxzTUek3PYwz76u_zJMQqEs2NUyJu2tFPjmsi5VEj0KEND2l/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554277603968744242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Scenes from Sevva's balcony - you can see other buildings towering us on the 25th floor!!! The last one is the view of Tsim Sha Tsui harbor from Hong Kong island</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After we finished our drinks we made our way to Lan Kwai Fong, the fun/expat district for dinner at Wagyu. We got lost for a bit but managed to find our way there. As we waited for our table then our food, we were amazed at how crowded it get as the night goes on even though it was a Wednesday night! Anyway, by this time we weren't that hungry so we ordered a salad and appetizer - which unfortunately I cannot remember what! Sorry! I loved the appetizers, the shredded beef were cooked with some almonds and dark sweet sauce, and you eat it wrapped in lettuce. I could still taste the juiciness of the beef even though it was coated in the sauce. The salad was good, but we would have been happier to have more meat in it. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqVXi_BZyX33LpJRB78m6NV9nQ-d-6HwOPOnXSqf8piYWxm1pa-sGS5VJmBr6al9d3LL6LQ1KzdsJGvU7itqwpPIALIeHB9NSs6h_-PQUheOxtUt50niqR-cHYRvOiMrlwCed0WxvgpJI/s400/HK+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554284026359060946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUxEC4kzVrlwKF63GXcrFHzB4DBhOBvtYAF0Q75Nmah3X76OMQRf3bpeJFHJQ_pOcrfNbjTNcDwEO5SSyitNAe13jG8gd1svxa904xuEIo2pMGXJd313gCbJ0hBwLC91E9fW0fmE1uC5v/s400/HK+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554284018822824018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>Here we also ordered some drinks, Cg got the watermelon martini which was absolutely delicious! I tried the pimms mix which was good, but if I could do it all over again I'd go for what Cg was having. </div><div><br /></div><div>To "Lonely Boy" in Hong Kong, thanks for the insider tips! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sevva</b></div></div></div><div>25 Floor</div><div>Prince's Building</div><div>Central, Hong Kong - China</div><div>+852 2537 1388</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wagyu</b></div><div>60 Wyndham St </div><div>Hong Kong - China</div><div>+852 2525 8805</div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-64285853823799303962010-12-17T06:52:00.000-08:002011-05-31T20:28:50.336-07:00Dinner at Nippon Club, Sydney CBD<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBaHtwbl3TioByZYPCnPIYZwGR5XQGZEoCQLIGA6AU2nZXrhs6oJ1zVV7O2SA6uiQkw9CiWlBC8ZnKu3emFJIZH9DObAzKHifvhfqADHlgBp4tj3mTwbCnsdHlePUSQp99Kp8FuaUPQsj/s1600/IMG_8534.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBaHtwbl3TioByZYPCnPIYZwGR5XQGZEoCQLIGA6AU2nZXrhs6oJ1zVV7O2SA6uiQkw9CiWlBC8ZnKu3emFJIZH9DObAzKHifvhfqADHlgBp4tj3mTwbCnsdHlePUSQp99Kp8FuaUPQsj/s400/IMG_8534.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551299437209113346" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chirashi Sushi</span></i></span></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I first came across Nippon Club when I was walking along Macquarie St to meet my tea ceremony sensei and I was reminded of this again when I received the Urasenke Tea Ceremony Association end of the year party (which I unfortunately was unable to attend). When I walked in that night, I noticed that there are two parts of the establishment: the bar at the front and the restaurant at the back. As it is still an RSL like club, I had to fill out a temporary membership form. Don't worry though, it took me only 5 seconds. <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O_IAZrmTc2UZ-iss8IxCRuzwDHcQJiGc83I0HENoANXZuN_XTxCFOLf6ZnKTU0pEtZvUqfdhLphyphenhyphenYI-7GmTQUBteE_zC34WboaRmgleZZmrhy76iJyQDpipkSz4s2OJ7todslAuP3DcH/s400/IMG_8546.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551299454707238226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jo5iuJ3i9r8piJKEDc229rvQi6grJ-HNQdAO8y4-QLa1k1yVuAVVh6iL-4B2cnju2lupkPB2PRpoHODFxWp1jBpE9gR507eQJ_dMpAAQnVe4oz3MsTCEkj8sBgz0GlHnOlpHtj7Q3F7x/s400/IMG_8538.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551299443880443554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>The place has that cozy kind of feel with a sushi bar which reminded me of an izakaya (Japanese tapas bar). The menu though told me that it wasn't really an izakaya. L and I settled on the chirashi sushi plate and mentaiko pasta to share. I was really impressed with the chirashi sushi, it really looked appetizing and was filled to the brimmed! The pieces of raw fish were fresh and succulent. If I was hungrier I would have been sad that I had to share that. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYmm9eGqGVomZ_OW4bgtJth24Zm5pDs4YGRdf8O6X9aD_0EOl_JwT0KL7ZTJfIsAs4mq8GP7BEJNajkAfX5DvI5H7wybb3uq1IX2B9AGDMkq734jdVs7PkqmPAMr5VV-IX34wHuNydEeT/s1600/IMG_8540.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYmm9eGqGVomZ_OW4bgtJth24Zm5pDs4YGRdf8O6X9aD_0EOl_JwT0KL7ZTJfIsAs4mq8GP7BEJNajkAfX5DvI5H7wybb3uq1IX2B9AGDMkq734jdVs7PkqmPAMr5VV-IX34wHuNydEeT/s400/IMG_8540.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551299452415421490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtpMLReDn1RVYgFhbR8M0JgZ470dv37iyVqbFAHo2vMF7MR-yGU08HA1iJd-ABnNgpBjDP4uYSZ69CB1F2EzYhum-ckEy1lVdQHD1EQC61jPNg5nYpMGDceXH5AqXwgmmcip_1_YJ8MDp/s1600/IMG_8545.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtpMLReDn1RVYgFhbR8M0JgZ470dv37iyVqbFAHo2vMF7MR-yGU08HA1iJd-ABnNgpBjDP4uYSZ69CB1F2EzYhum-ckEy1lVdQHD1EQC61jPNg5nYpMGDceXH5AqXwgmmcip_1_YJ8MDp/s400/IMG_8545.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551299445784827570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Super yummy mentaiko pasta</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>At first we were told that the mentaiko pasta was small, but when it came, we were surprised at how big it was. Unless you are really hungry, do not order this to eat by yourself! The pasta was firm! I was happy. The sauce were creamy, salty and spicy from the mentaiko. I was really really happy. It was the best mentaiko pasta I've had in Sydney so far! I long to return there already...</div><div>Oh and the price was quite reasonable too, between the two of us I think we paid around $30 each. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Nippon Club</b></div><div>229 Macquarie St</div><div>Sydney, NSW 2000</div><div>+61 2 9232 2688</div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1455149/restaurant/CBD/International-Nippon-Australia-New-Zealand-Club-Sydney"><img alt="International Nippon Australia New Zealand Club on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1455149/biglink.gif" style="border:none;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-31231115318443778332010-12-03T19:36:00.000-08:002010-12-16T07:07:49.991-08:00Max Brenner at Paddington<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNNFJk0erxrs928eAH6H_WkID1LxRyve9MkjyN-rYGJqLgVryor_3zi5UQZUmVGXhr5opY7OiOCTv6R3r8s7dUKDNv9ifV2laIV0BQU7Mt_iisz83JXgMhQ7YNo1yIW2m0D8UJQSz36U3/s1600/max+brenner+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNNFJk0erxrs928eAH6H_WkID1LxRyve9MkjyN-rYGJqLgVryor_3zi5UQZUmVGXhr5opY7OiOCTv6R3r8s7dUKDNv9ifV2laIV0BQU7Mt_iisz83JXgMhQ7YNo1yIW2m0D8UJQSz36U3/s400/max+brenner+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546670543127172274" /></a></div><br />Ever since I watched that final episode of the Australian Junior Master Chef where the two finalist kids had to recreate <a href="http://www.masterchef.com.au/pear-perfection.htm">Adriano Zumbo's pear perfection</a>, I had been planning to stop by Zumbo's patisserie in Balmain. So I dragged a friend who was visiting Sydney to Balmain and everything was so easy, I didn't get lost, got a parking space near the shop and even got in the parallel parking spot on 3 turns! I should have been suspicious! It was TOO easy, when we got to the shop... there were no more cakes! We were too late. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPVYdjlb5ebS7eSfII0v0VwvkQV0fFVn6tIwSC3nSUhyoeB7_KB78bkViUl8HPoa6gCcQi5DrMaKYMV5A0JdwBBrKybKOHl6WxxvxQl7Eq4ygva6BPXnhSnS70EZW2kFqjJychxB4K9zY/s400/max+brenner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546670546532718690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>So E wanted her sweets and as such we decided to drive to Paddington for Max Brenner. Chocolate could never go wrong could it?! So I order what I always order, fresh strawberries with melted chocolate and E got the waffles. Going to the Paddington shop and ordering what I ordered reminded me of the first time I've ever been to Max Brenner in 2003. Back then there were only 2 shops: Paddington's and at David Jones' basement. Now, there are gazillions of them spread all over the world, which is kinda good when you are craving them from other countries, but I can't help but feeling a bit sad that it's getting more and more like a chain shop. Anyway, the strawberries were still finger lickin' good and from the way E was devouring her waffle, hers were too. It's good to visit a familiar place once in a while and I hope it stays good. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Max Brenner </b></div><div>Shop 437 Oxford St</div><div>Paddington, NSW 2021</div><div>+61 2 9357 5055</div><div>for opening hours and other locations click <a href="http://www.maxbrenner.com.au/locations/">here</a></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-19061418844511603542010-11-29T19:15:00.000-08:002011-05-31T20:31:25.699-07:00Chicken karaage lunch at Hoya<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bob-OesIHcQERjedsWN4eYEpgoS_MHIchYnipE4XJgMp_za4YEhtrA4EHXAVbAxU9UwN04zOAMa_P2pq29SdWPYCTAytdRMUsEB1RvbFXemRAoqi4kUnlfaXZ5Kn8X1eQRN-xmo1pkrw/s1600/hoya.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bob-OesIHcQERjedsWN4eYEpgoS_MHIchYnipE4XJgMp_za4YEhtrA4EHXAVbAxU9UwN04zOAMa_P2pq29SdWPYCTAytdRMUsEB1RvbFXemRAoqi4kUnlfaXZ5Kn8X1eQRN-xmo1pkrw/s400/hoya.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546664932678319458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chicken karaage set at Hoya</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Remember my post on Nazimi's chicken karaage not too long ago? If you haven't tried it, you should and then you should compare it to Hoya's chicken karaage - just a few shops away from Nazimi on the same side of the street. To be honest with you, I can't pick which one is my favorite out of the two as they are both different. What I love at Hoya is that the salad dressing, it's home made and I can't really tell what it's made out of. What I do know is that it is very refreshing.<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzwTGJV4mqBe5Ew_YE3kBT2Ttd17h4eBJbLBQuW0EPTHo3ct_H7kwzn1h4qNaUgI1e9rILaQEr7BDmgDdtxDEQzhrFGwpJKd-jcfLlWXi10jdtj1AP_UFPhXaSWjau4PnFlyZY1FKLcxn/s400/hoya+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546664918741074946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The lunch set for $12</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The set at Hoya is more basic than at Nazimi's bento style. In Hoya you get the chicken karaage set, with rice and salad. So if you like variety you might want to try Nazimi's but if you want plenty of chicken karaage, I'd say hit Hoya. For me though, I divide my time equally between the two, and at $12 for the lunch set, it's definitely value for money. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hoya Japanese Restaurant</b></div><div>119 York St</div><div>Sydney, NSW 2000</div><div>+62 2 9267 0822</div></div></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1542959/restaurant/CBD/Hoya-Sydney"><img alt="Hoya on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1542959/biglink.gif" style="border:none;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-48560083369309963232010-11-27T08:12:00.000-08:002010-11-28T02:30:38.429-08:00Did I hear "$10 steak?" - pub grub at The Fringe, Paddington<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8EZBQL6MHzJErxJ2ukKvKZq-TONAd_LOJqeMyGj-uxd5h1YN7KXOCEv9lfFUAzOlJc-drQt3AsR3Hr21vmdlMQPDDQjzq0xHlPTLZnDYl57njQddd4VYC1jc3QNYZTmTeqBERkuiKbRY/s1600/IMG_8397.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8EZBQL6MHzJErxJ2ukKvKZq-TONAd_LOJqeMyGj-uxd5h1YN7KXOCEv9lfFUAzOlJc-drQt3AsR3Hr21vmdlMQPDDQjzq0xHlPTLZnDYl57njQddd4VYC1jc3QNYZTmTeqBERkuiKbRY/s400/IMG_8397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543349024985668530" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtETz9bKMuxPdcspwyO7E1Vvd30esGOfogwQr2IT7dtf6rWFRyx6n8pYWyhThGd8U9SBVjm3WzLFnZYekmu94ddPo-RZebjvFmYfGthTwoOeTkRP3OVQanrIDKbB6n3ADib42yFUU-5m3/s1600/IMG_8394.jpg"></a>You know that feeling right? The one you felt after you have been stuck at work for weeks for projects, or gotta stay out of your social life to study for exams, or worse because you broke your foot... Well, I had one of those moments last week. Social life had been put on hold due to school projects, exams and a recuperating broken foot. So I tried to sweet talked ieatsweet into going to Absynthe Salon with me and I guess my suave didn't work. Anyway, we ended up at The Fringe at Paddington.<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtETz9bKMuxPdcspwyO7E1Vvd30esGOfogwQr2IT7dtf6rWFRyx6n8pYWyhThGd8U9SBVjm3WzLFnZYekmu94ddPo-RZebjvFmYfGthTwoOeTkRP3OVQanrIDKbB6n3ADib42yFUU-5m3/s400/IMG_8394.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543346066697503906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I eat sweet and her liquid of happiness of choice</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I've heard of this place before from my brother who raved about how good their $10 steak was. So in the name of a little celebration, taking back my social life, and saving money, we both had the steak which generously include chips and rocket salad, all for $10. It kinda made me wonder if I had been paying way too much money for my other steak? Hmmm... We even got to choose the sauce! Mushroom, pepper or red wine. I was totally impressed, cheap doesn't make it awful for sure! ieatsweet had a glass of stella and I opted for a bulmer's apple cider. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j1z-cdt1ezaEdTKls7Vtl5Sxbz5Lu-YG-LnNqG1BWmjCXEo1EGl0151QaMrEOIgjtorQByQXvVTDHOQFDLJ944NuT70zhj3a6kCp7jYoQqUtqyhexHACPnhrtrqxurjwL8w4tqPeWspq/s400/IMG_8401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543346098243049682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">300grm 100 day grain fed rump with fries and rocket salads in pepper sauce</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNuPePmWSNJF72NmBlwmaSlxuS3U78wPMJmMgWrdjGJjTneOGLb_s6GwP5WMypSbEriCY8qEaWAAw2vHYStmvqBI8nrfRfH7ylDa7tVqR46lZWAqPFspDJguv_JZIodrJV1wK_tJRxBga/s400/paddington.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543346114202865282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Up close and personal</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The steak wasn't bad at all. It was quite good, though don't expect Morton's or the sort. They were also very filling, I couldn't finish mine. I totally love the atmosphere of the Fringe, eclectic chandeliers gave the red brick walls a city feel. Then, the bathroom's waiting room? A total funk with a 70s feel. The staff were also very friendly and hospitable. I can envision many more of these 10 bucks pub grub sessions in the future</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBNzTMKYIM-GFOtqeIYfWRlp2pRu-lENTxIjoO3qYUFZ07ZO6c-31vEni75xWi7bjlNv_TjTd_Zi8qhB6EqEtip1rY86K4ve8TduDVCAysvC7kvAu93vjjiYpXL0U9BKf02vvFallhoug/s400/paddington+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543346105290892802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Fringe decor and atmo</span></i></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4528kYs-EtIGk0-kjMDEDx5OHfe3StNEjEzh3XLtW_-wbTK-ZMxO5ikScb_XtcP7TUrYayRLuyZcEZ-EYoKMmpJtcXJNAKwaFDVo91hHJul9FZDfLVigb4J1XdShCOPEwRKehalRh5BL/s400/IMG_8415.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543346103979735746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The waiting room outside the bathroom, downstairs, totally 70 ish</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Fringe Bar</b></div><div>106 Oxford St</div><div>Paddington, NSW 2021</div><div>+61 2 9360 5443</div><div>Open daily Sun-Tues till 12am, Wed-Sat till 3am</div></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-60553593312276083132010-11-25T12:59:00.000-08:002010-11-25T15:56:52.348-08:00Sydney's best udon thus far.... Mappen!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE9f3L4X2BZkmv0rgJcd1_eJfjEs7phHTI2qkAiCi2ZkhtwDpCAH3S8d1cOA7hM6SHnHI2QfFdDYVKmqxJTteFc0yn9rQIYwl_x4WEJPLeCkUEQWqIgKaKBx9k9qafxKU8JmdGNPTYh6E/s1600/IMG_8358.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HyNwD0ZC2jtQBXh2iH8S4-jsXxhDsmiMc9QMuqksuyUMtFY2YJrf0oVy1sfmYfD53cZG5bnXPPcU2i_6IvXaCOKwPzLlAVSJsThv5LlkVgr1mgV3sKORegmAgU0WrSoUs307qSrhyphenhyphengoO/s1600/IMG_8357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HyNwD0ZC2jtQBXh2iH8S4-jsXxhDsmiMc9QMuqksuyUMtFY2YJrf0oVy1sfmYfD53cZG5bnXPPcU2i_6IvXaCOKwPzLlAVSJsThv5LlkVgr1mgV3sKORegmAgU0WrSoUs307qSrhyphenhyphengoO/s400/IMG_8357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543333710853323378" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">On-tama bukkake udon (small)</span></i></div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Allright, hands up if you haven't been to or heard of Mappen? Yes, I suppose many of you haven't but if this place has created quite a buzz in the Sydney food blogosphere around September. I have been there numerous of times and in its early stage as much as 3 times in one week, with 2 of them in a row. Hahahaha, I should go to Mappen anonymous huh? Well, I haven't had time to write about this earlier since I was dealing with my broken foot, school works and exams. </span><div style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></div><div style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Anyway, I was there last week and I ordered my favorite thing: on-tama bukkake udon: udon with par-boiled egg and concentrated sauce. Then as I walked along the line to the cashier, my faith is not strong enough to resist those tempura temptations... Not that I want to anyway! I ended up getting mixed vegetable kakiage tempura and the shrimp as they stopped serving chikuwa for a while now. Mappen management if you are reading this, please bring back the chikuwa tempura! </div><div style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></div><div face="Helvetica" size="medium" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE9f3L4X2BZkmv0rgJcd1_eJfjEs7phHTI2qkAiCi2ZkhtwDpCAH3S8d1cOA7hM6SHnHI2QfFdDYVKmqxJTteFc0yn9rQIYwl_x4WEJPLeCkUEQWqIgKaKBx9k9qafxKU8JmdGNPTYh6E/s400/IMG_8358.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543333718296192146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vegetable kakiage and shrimp tempura</span></i></span></div></i></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div face="Helvetica" size="medium" style=" ">What I love about Mappen is, not only the interesting concept: noodle and tempura bar, but also the cheap (relatively) price and it's quality. It's a rare feat for any shop to serve cheap and good quality food, but Mappen definitely achieved that. For udon, the most important thing is its texture, what is it's chewiness factor? Mappen's udon is definitely good, the only better ones I've had was sanuki udon from Koya san in Japan. The onsen tamago (par boiled egg)? I've been there many times and it's always on the right consistency. </div><div face="Helvetica" size="medium" style=" "><br /></div><div face="Helvetica" size="medium" style=" ">My only foe here is the tempura bar... it is way too tempting! I can never resist. Beware though, don't eat too much, you'll hate yourself for the amount of food you forced yourself to eat. Or hey, maybe you don't have that problem hehehhe... I like the way they always keep just enough tempura on display so that it never stays there for too long, keeping it fresh so to speak. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Menya Mappen</div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Shop 11, 537-551 George St</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Sydney, NSW 2000</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">+61 2 9283 5525 </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, verdana, 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-83076702947279183632010-11-24T19:41:00.000-08:002011-05-31T20:33:17.702-07:00Tacos and Nachos from Guzman y Gomez<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EPgCNZHzyn2iw8D1kJfrIpwNBhWgDIdbw8eqDcrcIwjVGsVKLGHxiG1hTxbJ2AAk4sv8AatXMphYB_fSQ0hWay9TUjWdjzKefMd_HhVX8Cm3UxUJ7yR9egOxLdbEKjzpvIpi3GfAY6Id/s1600/nachos+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EPgCNZHzyn2iw8D1kJfrIpwNBhWgDIdbw8eqDcrcIwjVGsVKLGHxiG1hTxbJ2AAk4sv8AatXMphYB_fSQ0hWay9TUjWdjzKefMd_HhVX8Cm3UxUJ7yR9egOxLdbEKjzpvIpi3GfAY6Id/s400/nachos+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543331347221757506" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWBj8VrwRw45lJWboZbu9d6ec0srqxJbnJjjp5PMNw-Pu_NCZbcwA_jgFYLBstFaCuKmIsegTiGZemW7dfZK1qIGkeIW7NVN5PlKwWtRL5oX-vjiKByDvr-pfoBIisJnfzhbtsJolA_Tl/s1600/nachos.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GJStFddcy_sBk4cidm6QlwmfjEPrzCIW3BmANk9mB-QmS6Bt8X7zBKYDROR7XI1QTNeEv1wwFVS-eM8Xg03qRuf3Kmv9AH9A1pgY9_jX4LjEjldx7T5-xiOX2j4Ca5hQuwyY6uSJOCfQ/s1600/IMG_8529.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The other day I had to go to Martin Place to run some errands around lunchtime and I got so hungry after it finished. So as I was thinking of what to eat, I remember that there's a Guzman y Gomez at MLC Place. Keen to skipped yet another Asian meal, I made my way to MLC Place food court.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GJStFddcy_sBk4cidm6QlwmfjEPrzCIW3BmANk9mB-QmS6Bt8X7zBKYDROR7XI1QTNeEv1wwFVS-eM8Xg03qRuf3Kmv9AH9A1pgY9_jX4LjEjldx7T5-xiOX2j4Ca5hQuwyY6uSJOCfQ/s400/IMG_8529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543331326955189026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Triple tacos</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There I ordered 3 tacos for $10: one barramundi, pork chipotle and the spicy steak; 2 on crispy tacos and one on soft taco, and nachos filled with beef, salsa, re-fried beans, cheese and guacamole. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">These were to share guys.... the portion there is quite big so careful what you order especially since Mexican food can be filling too. It's so easy to over order but just be careful not to. </span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWBj8VrwRw45lJWboZbu9d6ec0srqxJbnJjjp5PMNw-Pu_NCZbcwA_jgFYLBstFaCuKmIsegTiGZemW7dfZK1qIGkeIW7NVN5PlKwWtRL5oX-vjiKByDvr-pfoBIisJnfzhbtsJolA_Tl/s1600/nachos.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWBj8VrwRw45lJWboZbu9d6ec0srqxJbnJjjp5PMNw-Pu_NCZbcwA_jgFYLBstFaCuKmIsegTiGZemW7dfZK1qIGkeIW7NVN5PlKwWtRL5oX-vjiKByDvr-pfoBIisJnfzhbtsJolA_Tl/s400/nachos.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543331337770956386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nachos topped with lovely green guacamole, the only thing missing is sour cream... totally forgot to ask for extra</span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I loved my steak on soft taco. I didn't try the pork chipotle or the barramundi, but my mom seemed to enjoy them. The nachos, well beans and cheese? Yummm... The only thing that I would like better would be ground beef rather than chunks on the nachos. I love the fact that the guacamole on this nachos meal is included in the price as opposed to other place where you have to add it as an extra. </span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">To be honest, I think I still miss the Mexican places in NYC, but it's good knowing that there's Guzman y Gomez here to turn to. Oh and I do really like that steak taco. </span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>Guzman y Gomez</b></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">MLC Centre - Level 6, Shop 14 at MLC Centre Food Court</span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Martin Place (corner of Castlereagh st)</span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Sydney, NSW 2000</span></div><div style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">+61 2 9221 1777</span></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1580462/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Guzman-y-Gomez-Mexican-Taqueria-Sydney"><img alt="Guzman y Gomez Mexican Taqueria on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1580462/biglink.gif" style="border:none;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-2579628299985336312010-11-07T03:55:00.000-08:002010-11-07T15:54:22.679-08:00Chicken karaage lunch set at Nazimi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqXpm56sgsfrNCcWZkJsqAuefgilXidWpyAjxQwV5H5jK-rD2Bn8erOuYrmCK5M4iPa3sAR140J-uIpvL_i3dhNfpGuE8jLoZAlSAcre1sIAFLg2jWMexHcBEsdLk8s1YH6cTU3lGsEpd/s1600/nazimi+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqXpm56sgsfrNCcWZkJsqAuefgilXidWpyAjxQwV5H5jK-rD2Bn8erOuYrmCK5M4iPa3sAR140J-uIpvL_i3dhNfpGuE8jLoZAlSAcre1sIAFLg2jWMexHcBEsdLk8s1YH6cTU3lGsEpd/s400/nazimi+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536398928135340338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Nazimi's chicken karaage lunch set</span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Nazimi is one of Sydney CBD best kept secret restaurants that serves good quality Japanese food with good value for money. So far I've only gone for dinner and today was the first time I went for lunch. I was meeting a friend of a friend of a friend. Yes, 3rd degree of separation, who just moved to Sydney from New York, one of my favorite cities in the world. Originally we planned on going to Cafecito, a Brazillian cafe in Town Hall that got good raving from the Sydney Time Out magazine. After getting lost somewhere in Kent St, with both of us entering the address as 473 Kent St into google maps, we found it inside Town Hall Square, CLOSED! *Gasp* I quickly opened my Time Out mag that I brought and it said "open Mon-Fri 7am-5pm". Well, mistakes happen I suppose... So we were hungry and had no idea where to eat... so we walked to QVB and decided to go check out the two Japanese restaurants on York St and settled on Nazimi as Hoya was closed. <div><br /></div><div>We had to wait a few minutes before they opened at 11.30am and we were definitely their first customers. After looking at their menu, both of us decided to go for the Chicken karaage lunch set for $15 which included; miso soup, sushi, entree of the day, rice, salad and of course chicken karaage. A good deal. We were famished and luckily we got served the miso soup right away which helped me from having to deal with a riot in my stomach! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Mo-J9nMy7LvXmebF2MoqPAnsOjcb1sCiDGQMQQVTDZBuilVMe1fNA8yXEpo7K6ng9_29IXYCWxEidrrdFNwdyzR8yZDUwe5mG958RWdFtF5j9ywppyVIJFBy0vkusnJcf_-TD09ry_-F/s400/Nazimi+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536398922669575170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wasabi, sushi, fruit and veggie salad, and entree of the day</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It came in this cute bento box, not unexpected since it's a Japanese food characteristics anyway but it's always nice when your food is presented nicely. I love how the wasabi was piped into a flower shape. The karaage was bite size, crispy and tasty. There were a house karaage sauce that you get with it where I could taste a bit of wasabi in it... or maybe I accidentally mixed some in there.. Oh well I truly enjoyed the karaage. I found some eggplant on the entree of the day corner as well as shrimp salsa and tiny agedashi tofu. The vegetable and fruit salad was in sesame dressing and we both got one piece each of unagi roll and tuna mayo roll. I love it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Good food, good company... what else could you possibly want for a Saturday lunch? </div><div><br /></div><div>If you come here for dinner or want to order other things from the normal menu, I'd say go for it. I don't think you can ever go wrong. I've tried many other things and always find myself wanting togo back for more. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Nazimi </b></div><div>141 York St</div><div>Sydney, NSW 2000</div><div>+61 2 9283 2990 </div></div></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-39253897763620253432010-11-06T03:37:00.000-07:002010-11-06T03:53:43.674-07:00Getting bubble tea fix<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcssmJTjYLDFq8bPb2W5RThpvy9D8HNthiWJ8FfMx_lQXey0PbbAUEqvx8ZE-QeQyab-gkPd51heMfEE54aKjbhyphenhyphen5PylYoapQpmwKf3NviADo3iSgjgi5O2rpETQi4ggVSHbZl1e8kOQLU/s1600/cha+time+.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcssmJTjYLDFq8bPb2W5RThpvy9D8HNthiWJ8FfMx_lQXey0PbbAUEqvx8ZE-QeQyab-gkPd51heMfEE54aKjbhyphenhyphen5PylYoapQpmwKf3NviADo3iSgjgi5O2rpETQi4ggVSHbZl1e8kOQLU/s400/cha+time+.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536385723819705426" /></a><br />On Thursday, I found out from my cousin that apparently Cha Time has opened a new branch in World Square, just in front of Coles. Good news as this shop is really my favorite bubble tea place as they have good selection of tea and nice tapiocas that have just the right chewiness. If you want the tapioca pearl, remember to ask for it at the register as the tea doesn't automatically come with the bubble (despite the pictures that makes you think so!). Anyway, topping is $0.50, so it's not that bad. <div><br /></div><div>To make the news even sweeter, they are having a buy one get one deal till Nov 7, which is tomorrow. So this is why, I am sharing the news with you guys. Get your bubble tea fix for a good deal by tomorrow. If you do decide to go, remember to bring your patience! The line will be long.... <div><br /></div><div><b>Cha Time</b></div></div><div>World Square Shopping Centre</div><div>George st/Liverpool st/Goulburn st/ Pitt St block</div><div><br /></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-75716574650623667522010-11-03T20:51:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:32:01.709-07:00Revisiting Chairman Mao<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwYNPzLsU_C0Gy6SKsSYxuKatWVD_6m2OTaiw-bBTrM8L2FgIQGPlfnKkSmZDFC5u7HaGdfLHPXMDizHrcqk2Y2yHOBR4gG31apL4EHRYu9_wAujkhDoaLJMBRvn-TM3iiNsBgXJg4cPD/s1600/IMG_8353.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsTQZ7P3yr93oIZ6Cn0dvKOO8WgpRgglCt3DI8rNZFZnlnnlUZHBs_-bBPn9xw64j0XCd7TEQotIH3qGN75G87-Ccz4uFQqDCKIdgqDKzhKgmDqUPtN8kCzCXurK1gRa5C3mEZGWOKOx-/s1600/IMG_8332.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsTQZ7P3yr93oIZ6Cn0dvKOO8WgpRgglCt3DI8rNZFZnlnnlUZHBs_-bBPn9xw64j0XCd7TEQotIH3qGN75G87-Ccz4uFQqDCKIdgqDKzhKgmDqUPtN8kCzCXurK1gRa5C3mEZGWOKOx-/s400/IMG_8332.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536082284727803058" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Celery in chili oil to start </span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Back to Chairman Mao again! After I introduced my mom to this spicy restaurant, it has became one of her favorite. So here we are again. I attempted to ordered different dishes than last time but of course I cannot pass out on the eggplant. Without the eggplant dish, it would be like we never went to Chairman Mao in the first place!<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhi6GyaV8LXCYIKLrxdj6GJ00NXMPtmejPjkFa_RUsVCuZN3Gc-hzUo4Jhawpqu__NVUjwRe4z50EjtQ7SLgsOX27LVaiZjhEkdagqTsER7N4-UbzgF1k0rP3H_kIA3VZ7EHJ08l2QPmD/s400/IMG_8336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536082286604134034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Prune drink to put out the fire in your mouth</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0NLp-nc2YcTYfZXnNkE4pme3yg-ZDtuDCxsR_G98k2jYcBYYNP_Gz9n52FxtxCUHN9qgzJzqlsbmWoP4pl5Couw7Nsr7YphBJFhUsRlTFV9z4pQf7rWuGrOjn89yLrHiD9NhjaXdk7ba/s400/IMG_8344.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536082298380972866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Eggplant with green chillies</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div>We decided on the white baits, eggplant with green chillies, lamb and celery soup, and steamed baby taro. At first we were going to order something entirely different which I cannot remember now, but then we saw the table next to us having the baby taro which looked very interesting, you'll see. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeK32xB-Gp3EJtakB-vkMBnKxEvPYGTT9yfcN_3WlpP_6YXVJ6xVKvIxxLBbzN6wrZRkNzK9FHs0PboMi-YF-qleqoBHeyff5efY3aN39IArc5IHIghBvAuY-3YD2o9ejkoPR843_EKfP/s400/IMG_8337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536082290471613954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">White baits Hunanese style</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT2C1Dfca3wfByWXJF2wKAeGEpi2U-y7ekivJKQ8fS9bMm1o6gCFDupI7hszc8q8YXroNn0lPt7IV1B5zNoadl48zfjNbDjQGjpN0Ov_JG9Jwkscb6t8zLEp-nP683P3uNRxb959rdHw7/s1600/IMG_8342.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT2C1Dfca3wfByWXJF2wKAeGEpi2U-y7ekivJKQ8fS9bMm1o6gCFDupI7hszc8q8YXroNn0lPt7IV1B5zNoadl48zfjNbDjQGjpN0Ov_JG9Jwkscb6t8zLEp-nP683P3uNRxb959rdHw7/s400/IMG_8342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536082290950959954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A closer look </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If I am incoherent, please bear with me as it is 2am and I couldn't sleep! Insomnia attack... ugh, not my favorite at all, so I decided why not blog? Anyway, back to Chairman Mao, the eggplant - do I need to say it again? Love love love this dish. Love the texture, black bean saltiness and the chillies. So comforting when eaten with steamed rice and yet full of flavor at the same time. The white baits were nice and I was so thankful that they took out the heads! I wouldn't be able to eat in peace with those eyes staring at me... I thought that the fish were a bit tough, but then again, do take into account that I am not really a fish fan overall. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjXJMBJWP8il2KQyjA2B0UHF4d2eFgSPMj1Z8bmrK6bfP0aaFGwpMarleBVaBZ45rQjcKU2ASz6KuQazjUgYAUkzOG5uMrk1nHiiEgQsjYcDQtyRkndbLPUolgtWmZr4RyoWaFn4ClerM/s400/IMG_8346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536083813195912450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The lamb and celery came in a big bowl... </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom7xXS786KWZbrHHOJScGbYydSLd6q5-Ag_U_1Dsdz2Zg6W9ErYin6d6EoXzcC_JVHYAtrq-qrJS8vYaLEwQ9FZmmVLoPqHsy3-C5Of2bBNAfeArP9IDdZr-Wjqtqj87z0OkO7eRrHzGJ/s400/IMG_8352.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536083816667230658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Closer look, check out how the lamb is bacon-like!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The lamb and celery soup really made my night. I fell in love. The lamb were shaved thinly, bacon-like, which made it so tender. The soup reminded me of Japanese shabu shabu and conjured wintry image. The celery, a simple vegetable was appropriate to complement and balance the richness of the lamb. The soup itself, rich with lamb and celery stock. Delicious! I could see myself ordering this dish next winter, or even earlier! Maybe on these rainy Sydney nights....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwYNPzLsU_C0Gy6SKsSYxuKatWVD_6m2OTaiw-bBTrM8L2FgIQGPlfnKkSmZDFC5u7HaGdfLHPXMDizHrcqk2Y2yHOBR4gG31apL4EHRYu9_wAujkhDoaLJMBRvn-TM3iiNsBgXJg4cPD/s1600/IMG_8353.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwYNPzLsU_C0Gy6SKsSYxuKatWVD_6m2OTaiw-bBTrM8L2FgIQGPlfnKkSmZDFC5u7HaGdfLHPXMDizHrcqk2Y2yHOBR4gG31apL4EHRYu9_wAujkhDoaLJMBRvn-TM3iiNsBgXJg4cPD/s400/IMG_8353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536083822316389314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Steamed baby taro </span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>If you decide to order the baby taro, take note that this dish takes longer than the others. We were warned that it would take 20 minutes to prepare. It didn't come till we almost finish the other dishes over 40 minutes later. My advice? Remind them ;) The baby taro were so soft and buttery. Dip it to the chili oil it came with for best effect. As always, a trip to this restaurant never disappoint.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Chairman Mao</b><div>189 Anzac Parade</div><div>Kensington, NSW 2033</div><div>+61 2 9697 9189</div><div>Open for dinner only </div><div>(Booking is highly recommended as the place is always packed) </div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1452177/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Eastern-Suburbs/Chairman-Mao-Chinese-Restaurant-Kensington"><img alt="Chairman Mao Chinese Restaurant on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1452177/biglink.gif" style="border:none;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3329100993150908958.post-34753133771027501062010-10-31T23:31:00.000-07:002010-11-03T20:48:53.314-07:00Marie Antoinette High Tea<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbsaUllgbvBPHV_XI7RRWJNk7cp5VM3Rlykvu-FZpmP47-_wz2IFt0RWMj2gSFRVYg-Vg5GxJQ1bkh2bmJMd611r9z_jgPYWCVr9aqOqyXLhUjJFMjUddU-PT-BLlcOiWV3iiSRGOy8N4/s1600/high+tea+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbsaUllgbvBPHV_XI7RRWJNk7cp5VM3Rlykvu-FZpmP47-_wz2IFt0RWMj2gSFRVYg-Vg5GxJQ1bkh2bmJMd611r9z_jgPYWCVr9aqOqyXLhUjJFMjUddU-PT-BLlcOiWV3iiSRGOy8N4/s400/high+tea+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535533368263987010" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lime curd meringue tart with Marie's portrait, macaroon with fresh blueberries, beetroot and cherry cupcake and the upside down portrait of Marie. </span></i></div><div><br /><div>It's exams period at the uni(versity not uni as in the sea urchin... I wish!!!) and I am getting stressed out. So, if this entry sounds kinda choppy and short, I apologize in advance. If you remember the Guylian episode, I learnt from it by not expecting too much from the Marie Antoinette high tea. The result? I was happy with the outcome.<div><br /> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLKJ_SZBCDjjFH9JW000iEYhnjmPkFBz1DkCUrVViDe4lqtBRcf9bFPq1Ai5R1xjToewziCIRvEDbus17OOf3dd4VsFlzHVK4jls0Owua9BJE8dowu-m3JjCPRXEgGOXu9hIHPuXmR-0o/s400/high+tea+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535533362416214322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mask for the theme, water and the chandon rose with J on the background</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>J was already waiting for me when I got there and right away the waiter gave us both water without being asked. The same when my other friend arrived. That... is good service. Then we got our chandon rose. I love a good bubble, especially after not having any alcohol for since I broke my foot... </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xvzBQs2m86x_Ami2-eDuizoUMV1tW_srzfwet1v_TuxIfU1-CajEwcE4u0nWt4ZCQR8SfFimavTgzRhwWZUHuzfiwPeYjoH2ye4PrGIhf-H9pPo3gNeF5D7ZV936nPgf8RwEWop1mGuw/s400/IMG_8318.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535533392495884370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The whole shebang: quite overwhelming! </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The two tiered plates came next and we were speechless at how many food there were. I was pre-warned after I saw it on l<a href="http://lovemyfoodsandsugar.blogspot.com/2010/10/siff-2010-high-tea-marie-antoinette.html">ove my food and sugar</a>'s blog and checking it out on google, but still that was a lot of sweets on the top plate! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2w8eLqnS7jN3-r8qWQ-hJw3Y8dGGojsyg0xfV1JErH4yA5u5mDZBXnJfn2thK1f6TcqtnP8wUIlMK-UEilFoOt41pRINhPwVhpWs_Snukru_r1_bo7P7KzhMdKxZOMxHgyRBscP4oA14V/s400/high+tea+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535533365989718770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Slow roast beef with cream cheese stuffed baby belle pepper, the savory platter, deviled egg on heart toasted brioche and kiwi and orange croissant with mascarpone</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz7hnjfGhBkCnwbbMROFy6rggs7-xr8jN1T2WZ4ODY1c4wzYqHA5A8ytPJXchcp_3Q0Ny2H1hRRVz6jE5hfVu-JCQoTzBr2e0T-XrXyVSk5vuEMldR9hD0ELEku6J51leyorIlH18fQYH/s400/high+tea+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535533377291230722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Avocado and shrimp tartar and deviled egg on heart toasted brioche </span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>I ate all of the savories and my favorite was the kiwi and orange croissant with mascarpone. The sweets though, I truly struggled! I liked the lime curd merengue tart, and cheated with the blueberry macaroon and chocolate cream with exotic fruit caramel and candied walnuts. I only ate a bite each... I managed to eat the scones which were warm and savory, served with their version of clotted cream and strawberry jam. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfB7zMZe7zMQD4XH0Wc1NoN_g2X4tjzVD9h9H_j3a0GU_zOqsCkFC5PxvEFvFWwVvfWoLj9slSbqya8pdcZJraqkg3qrWa11i2J_K1HmEdT6qoMYfp9K_wRqwqd8dcm9eL8bBRBydZ-rS/s400/IMG_8330.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535535141238529186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam: a high tea isn't one without some scones...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I chalk this up as a successful Sydney International Food Festival 2010 =)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Westin Sydney Hotel</div><div>No. 1 Martin Place</div><div>Sydney, NSW 2000</div><div>Click <a href="http://www.westin.com.au/sydney/pdf/westin_sydney-marie_antoinettes_high_tea.pdf">here</a> for the complete menu</div></div></div></div>lifeis2munchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486211941774614120noreply@blogger.com0