Getting bubble tea fix

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.

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....

Cha Time

World Square Shopping Centre

George st/Liverpool st/Goulburn st/ Pitt St block

Revisiting Chairman Mao

Celery in chili oil to start

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!

Prune drink to put out the fire in your mouth

Eggplant with green chillies

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.

White baits Hunanese style

A closer look

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.

The lamb and celery came in a big bowl...

Closer look, check out how the lamb is bacon-like!

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....

Steamed baby taro

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.

Chairman Mao

189 Anzac Parade

Kensington, NSW 2033

+61 2 9697 9189

Open for dinner only

(Booking is highly recommended as the place is always packed)

Marie Antoinette High Tea

Lime curd meringue tart with Marie's portrait, macaroon with fresh blueberries, beetroot and cherry cupcake and the upside down portrait of Marie.

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.

Mask for the theme, water and the chandon rose with J on the background

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...

The whole shebang: quite overwhelming!

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 love my food and sugar's blog and checking it out on google, but still that was a lot of sweets on the top plate!

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

Avocado and shrimp tartar and deviled egg on heart toasted brioche

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.

Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam: a high tea isn't one without some scones...

I chalk this up as a successful Sydney International Food Festival 2010 =)

The Westin Sydney Hotel

No. 1 Martin Place

Sydney, NSW 2000

Click here for the complete menu

100 Mile dinner at Bistrode CBD

Bistrode CBD Menu

Last week's Wednesday (Oct 27), I went with love my food and sugar to Bistrode CBD's 100 mile dinner. The idea is to have a meal where the ingredients involved were gathered from within 100 mile radius of the restaurant. Sounds like an interestingly green and support your local economy concept. I was quite curious as to what the food would be like as well since it has changed its chef. I also wondered if the charming Irish host, Howard would be there. Turned out, he is still there. He stopped by to say hello after noticing love my food and sugar's big ass dslr.

My slice of sourdough

I was famished when we got there and was quite happy that they started serving. The sourdough was perfect to stifle my stomach from rebelling. I truly enjoyed the Diamond Creek Olive oil as it tasted so fresh and delicious with a pinch of salt that I added, I was so tempted to request for another slice of bread but refrained from fear of over eating later.

Salted blue eye croquette and tomato ketchup

Twenty minutes later we got our first dish: salted blue eye croquette and tomato ketchup with rockets on the side. My first thought was, OMG it's so tiny! What it lacked in size it made up in taste, it was delish. However, the croquette was a bit too salty so after I cut out mine into smaller pieces I smothered them with the ketchup on the side :)

Sand whiting , Sydney rock oysters, young leeks and peas

Thirty minutes later, we got our third dish: sand whiting , Sydney rock oysters, young leeks and peas. This is what quintessential English food is in my head. I took a bite of the oysters first and was surprised that again it was a tad too salty... The fish was nice though and the best part of it all was the peas. I am not a big fan of peas, but on this dish they were bursting with sweetness and crunchyness. I am a convert pea fans now.

Warm Thirlmere duck salad

It took us less than 10 minutes to devoured this and thirty minutes later, our duck salad arrived. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that: 1. the duck was smoked and 2. there were different parts of duck being used including liver or maybe it was gizzard. The greens were fresh, sweet and crunchy, balancing the saltiness of the duck. So far this was my favorite dish.

Three ways pork with black pudding

Then the much awaited main dish: three ways pork. There were shoulder, loin, and crispy thinly sliced ears. Yes, ears! I was so surprised! I would expect that from a Chinese restaurant but not from a bistro. I couldn't wait to taste them. The shoulder and loin were tender and the ears? Crispy and savory. It wasn't enough... When Howard came along to take our plates, he noticed that I hadn't eaten my black pudding and he threatened not to give me dessert if I didn't try. I didn't, but he showed mercy and gave me my dessert hehe...

Mulberry soup and Paesanella Mascarpone Sorbet

The dessert was the best of it all. That saying "less is more" is so true. The mulberry soup was soft and understated but surprisingly leaving you wanting more. The mascarpone sorbet was plain enough but not so plain that sweeten the whole dish. I would love to have more of that.

It was a nice English meal experience and hopefully the mulberry soup is here to stay on the menu as a regular.

Bistrode CBD

Level 1 Corner of York and Kent St

Sydney, NSW 2000

+61 2 9240 3000

Open Mon-Fri for lunch and dinner

Guylian Cafe's Sugar Hit

Grand Forest by Guylian

If you remember from my post last week, the way I've been approaching life these days is to "expect less" so that when things don't turn out the way you wanted it you're not too disappointed and if they turn out better than you expected it, you are nicely surprised. What I forgot to mention is that this is one of those things that are easier said than done.

A closer look

I finally went to Guylian Cafe last night for Sugar Hit. I was really looking forward for the Grand Forest, the specially designed cake for this year's Sydney International Food Festival (SIFF). That was my first mistake, "looking forward" means expectation. Although I have to admit there were many other factors at play that might have distracted me from the actual taste. Long story short, I was rather disappointed as the cake was too sweet for my taste and the whole thing rather fell short of my expectation. The inside was better especially with the grand marnier strawberries and kirsch cherry, as the sourness cuts the sweetness therefore balancing the taste. I am sad to admit that I wasn't able to finish the cake!

The Brown Brothers' "cienna" wine was nice, a little bubbly on the sweet side but not too sweet. It softened my disappointment. I suppose that's what I get from letting my expectation get ahead of me. Although, it could also be the fact that prior to this, I had a dinner thing with my group from a uni course where I had pizza from Pancakes at the Rocks... and I think I ate way too much. If only I could have a do over...

Chicken Tandoori Pizza from Pancakes at the Rocks

I'd still recommend the Guylian Cafe's sugar hit as the cake was quite nice. If you don't have an overly sweet tooth, just try not to eat the chocolates on the plates. Oh before you go, don't eat a heavy meal, get a salad or something light.

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe

91 George St, The Rocks, Sydney

'Sugar Hit' (1-31 October 2010, 9pm-11pm daily, $20)

+61 2 8274 7500