Posts made in October, 2009

Tortillas

Posted by D on 26 October, 2009 in Mexican, Sydney | 0 comments

A group of us are heading down to Melbourne next month so with that as an excuse, we got together on Saturday night to get organised and to share a meal. ‘A simple meal’ at Jamie and Richie’s place was what we were told so it was a nice surprise when we arrived at their beautiful house and were treated to a home cooked pot of Mexican chili.

The chili topped onto fresh warm tortilla with a dollop of sour cream, a generous serving of fresh salsa, lettuce and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese was most delectable. Add some corn chips on the side, a couple

Thai Eatery by Thai Riffic

Posted by D on 25 October, 2009 in Sydney, Thai | 0 comments

A while ago, on an inner-west suburban street, I happened to walk past an empty shop front  proudly displaying a sign announcing that a new Thai restaurant was ‘coming soon’. Nothing wrong with that of course, except for the fact that there were two established Thai restaurants already existing on that same street. My first thought was this move was madness and that the soon-to-be restaurant owners had not properly researched the area. However, a few months later when the new place finally opened, it turned out that the new eatery was a whole new venture created by the same group who already have Thai joints dotted all over

Bécasse – Let’s Do Lunch

Posted by D on 21 October, 2009 in French, Sydney | 3 comments

When you book a large table for lunch at a nice restaurant on a work day, it’s usually something work related and is probably going to be taken care of by the company coffers. This was the presumption that my friend was met with when she made a booking for ten at Bécasse last week for the SIFF Let’s Do Lunch special. Instead of being asked who the table was for, she was asked what company the booking was for. Little did the maitre d’ realise that the booking was just for a bunch of friends with a penchant for a good meal.

Gallery Tea Lounge – Sugar Hit

Posted by D on 17 October, 2009 in Contemporary, Dessert, Sydney | 0 comments

Making up for missing the Glass Brasserie Sugar Hit the previous week, our friends decided to cash in their raincheck and we hit up the Gallery Tea Lounge for another Sugar Hit.

Best known for their extravagant afternoon tea menus, the  Gallery Tea Lounge is located in the lobby level of the Sheraton on the Park. Coming here is like a little bit of luxury. Entering the hotel, you’re greeted with the cavernous lobby featuring two large marble columns on either side of a grand staircase. This feeling of opulence is continued when you take a quick left from the entrance and into the Gallery Tea Lounge.

Ryo’s Noodles

Posted by D on 15 October, 2009 in Japanese, Sydney | 2 comments

Sure Ryo’s Noodles is in a obscure location but it’s one of those places where the effort to trek out to Crows Nest doesn’t outweigh the satisfaction of chowing down on a bowl of their ramen. The interior is what I would describe as ‘Japanese kitsch’ but it works in this restaurant. Pieces of paper detailing the menu adorns every wall and is matched up with various brightly coloured fans against the vibrant yellow walls. There’s even a ‘wall of fame’ for the record number of bowls of ramen eaten in one sitting! To me it’s exactly how I envision a small ramen joint in Japan would be.

Azuma Kushiyaki – Let’s Do Lunch

Posted by D on 12 October, 2009 in Japanese, Sydney | 1 comment

The little sister to the original Azuma restaurant in Chifley Square, this cosy restaurant in Regent Place (underneath Lumiere Apartments on George Street) specialises in kushiyaki (grilled) skewers and bento sets which are perfect for a luxurious lunch. On the mission to eat a “Let’s Do Lunch” special a week during the Sydney International Food Festival, this was my first one for the month.

In line with its specialities, the offering from Azuma Kushiyaki was a bento with kushiyaki skewers, Azuma’s signature seared tuna salad and a

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Glass Brasserie – Sugar Hit

Posted by D on 9 October, 2009 in Contemporary, Dessert, French, Sydney | 4 comments

You know you’re a true foodie if even the worst weather cannot stop you from going out for the sake of food. This was exactly what happened on Monday when our booking for six at the Glass Brasserie for the Sugar Hit whittled down to a lonely two thanks to a weekend of wind and rain. Instead of being put off, I took it as a opportunity to prolong the long weekend just that little bit longer.

We got there a little wet and a little cold after walking through the streets of Sydney and were quickly ushered to our seats. The restaurant interior

Kazbah on Darling

Posted by D on 6 October, 2009 in Brunch, Cafe, Middle Eastern, North African, Sydney | 2 comments

What could be a better way to spend a long weekend than to meet up with friends for a long brunch? So when a friend suggested a catch-up we all said yes in a heartbeat. Before you knew it, we had nine people on the list which pushed us over the the magical number of eight required to have the Breakfast Banquet at Kazbah. At just $20 per person for this, it’s definitely worth the logistical agony of getting together such a large group.

Bookings are essential and even then, be prepared to wait on the

Ocean Room – Sugar Hit

Posted by D on 5 October, 2009 in Japanese, Sydney | 1 comment

October 1st marked the start of Sydney International Food Festival* previously known as Good Food Month. For the food enthusiast in Sydney, this is the Christmas for foodies. October becomes a month of indulgence with the top restaurants coming together to bring us Sydney-siders a whole month of specials for every palate possible to help jolt us out of the winter blues. There are specials for almost every meal of the day and you’re just about guaranteed to try something new.

A definite crowd favourite is the Sugar Hit which is a dessert only course

Chinese Noodle Restaurant

Posted by D on 5 October, 2009 in Chinese, Sydney | 0 comments

Not the most inventive name for a eatery out there, but the Chinese Noodle Restaurant in Haymarket is best known for its dumplings. Even though we went there on a cold rainy night there was still a 15 minute wait to get a table. The shop decorations will definitely not win any interior design awards with its plastic grape vine covered ceiling and the country-side deco rugs on the walls.  I’ve never understood the logic of this, but apart from this the restaurant has the buzz and feel of a typical busy Chinese restaurant you might find hidden in an alleyway somewhere in China or Hong Kong.

Red Chilli Sichuan Restaurant (Burwood)

Posted by D on 3 October, 2009 in Chinese, Sydney | 2 comments

Went for a quick and simple meal last night at Red Chilli Sichuan in Burwood. I’d been discounting the restaurant as ‘just another Chinese restaurant’ so I only realised the other day that it had the same name as an existing restaurant in Chinatown which is well known for its spicy dishes. Turns out, it’s not the second, but third branch of the restaurant.

I love spicy food, but for me there’s a threshold beyond which the food goes from being enjoyable to pure torture on the senses. So it’s a good