tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71992021980753516752024-03-14T10:00:17.049+11:00Indulging Gluttonous UrgesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-23560507737497939542014-06-30T21:57:00.003+10:002014-06-30T22:01:38.140+10:00Taipei Chef, ArtarmonWork has been pretty hectic lately, which means there's limited time to spend eating food in far away places - not that I go to many far away places anyway :/ We've been spending our lazy Saturdays stuffing our faces in Artarmon, and one of these eateries is Taipei Chef, which is absolutely packed at night but not so busy in the day.
We decided to order a banquet-style lunch and selected 3 Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com41A Broughton Road, Artarmon NSW 2064, Australia-33.8087287 151.1843136-59.330763200000007 109.8757196 -8.286694200000003 -167.50709240000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-2783865571489062382014-06-15T22:50:00.002+10:002014-06-15T23:22:12.050+10:00Subsolo, Sydney CBDThey say that when you make a habit of setting your expectations low, you're bound to be pleasantly surprised. This was definitely the case for Subsolo, since the first sentence I think when the word tapas is tagged on to a restaurant description is "this is going to be a rip-off". In a smaller group, perhaps our wallets would have been feeling much lighter. However, our band of 7 left the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com5161 King Street, Sydney NSW 2042, Australia-33.893947 151.18291499999998-59.4159815 109.87432099999998 -8.371912499999997 -167.50849100000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-53733044203308656522014-05-25T14:23:00.001+10:002014-05-25T14:23:42.831+10:00Joomak, ChatswoodJoomak is a Korean restaurant near the Chatswood branch of Fitness First. It's not far from the train station or the Victoria Avenue shopping strip, but it's still a little out of the way compared to the other restaurants and shops. It was thus surprising that the restaurant was half full on a week night - the food must be pretty authentic because the other diners were Korean.
Considering Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com318/26 Anderson Street, Chatswood NSW 2057, Australia-33.7951445 151.1825235-33.7953305 151.1822085 -33.7949585 151.1828385tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-77114989723411004842014-05-01T22:20:00.001+10:002014-05-01T22:24:12.992+10:00Elbow Room Espresso, ChatswoodAlthough cafes such as Houlihan's have been serving the Chatswood community faithfully all these years, I'm glad that something like Elbow Room has set up shop. It certainly injects freshness to the tired list of breakfast places around the area. Tasty brunch, decent prices and gorgeous plating makes this a new favourite.
I can't say much about the coffee because I've recently developed a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com26 Spring Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia-33.7962884 151.18442270000003-59.3183229 109.87582870000003 -8.2742539000000015 -167.5069833tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-56470571180440770632014-04-30T23:14:00.002+10:002014-04-30T23:14:30.638+10:00Sake Restaurant & Bar, The RocksSake Restaurant & Bar, a modern Japanese restaurant, is lauded by many for its fusion style and trendy atmosphere - not to mention its impressive collection of premium sakes (but I'll leave the analysis of the sake list to the alcohol connoisseurs). My own experience, however, has left me wondering what all the fuss is about.
I came to Sake a bit earlier than my booking for drinks in the barAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com212 Argyle Street, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia-33.858972 151.20763999999997-59.3810065 109.89904599999997 -8.3369375000000012 -167.48376600000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-46541859864297531422014-04-27T12:46:00.002+10:002014-04-27T12:46:08.751+10:00Thainatown, HaymarketThainatown's a really basic Thai eatery which, as its name suggests, is in close proximity to Chinatown (although further east along Goulburn Street than the main strip of pubs and restaurants near World Square). With white tiled flooring and garish lighting, my friends and I felt a prick of dubiousness, but we ruthlessly squelched these misgivings and ventured inside. Please excuse the photo Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com091 Goulburn Street, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia-33.878293 151.2080671-59.4003275 109.8994731 -8.3562585 -167.48333890000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-68917184583243702882014-04-21T19:54:00.002+10:002014-05-16T17:36:11.159+10:00Mr Jin, ChatswoodMr Jin is a shrine to Chinese professional tennis player Li Na, and it is the first tennis restaurant that I've ever come across. According to the Boy, who's been here a couple of times, it seems that Mr Jin Fu Sheng's restaurant originates in the city of Wuhan, Li Na's place of birth. As the food is traditionally Chinese, the theme seems limited to the decor. One wall is covered with photos and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com21-5 Railway Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia-33.7959916 151.1804194-59.3180261 109.8718254 -8.2739571 -167.51098660000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-82249599065466422122014-04-19T17:53:00.001+10:002014-04-19T17:53:35.794+10:00Marukame Udon, ChatswoodMarukame Udon has been in Chatswood for a few months now. I was put off from coming for a while by the long queues and the self-serve system that places like Oiden have. It was thankfully half empty when I visited on a Friday evening, though when we finished eating, almost all seats had been filled.
I tend to prefer ramen to udon because of the egg noodles and richer, thicker soup. The tonkotsu Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com0332 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia-33.796017 151.18489899999997-59.318051499999996 109.87630499999997 -8.2739824999999989 -167.50650700000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-72003963030784303192014-04-19T12:00:00.002+10:002014-04-20T10:39:50.472+10:00Pino's Ristorante Pizzeria, Crows NestPino's Ristorante Pizzeria has been around for over 40 years, so I have no idea what it was like back in the day. Despite the negative comments on Urbanspoon that its standards have slipped (particularly in relation to service and the wait for food), our group of 6 had a pretty good Saturday dinner there.
We were seated upstairs, near a long table of about 16 people who were celebrating aAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com049 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Australia-33.826125 151.20117700000003-59.348159499999994 109.89258300000003 -8.3040904999999974 -167.490229tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-76746492591121463342014-04-18T22:40:00.000+10:002014-04-18T22:40:12.399+10:00Globe Bar @ The Langham , Millers PointBefore the heritage building housing the Sydney branch of The Langham joined the international chain, it used to be a boutique luxury bearing the name of the Observatory Hotel. We'd been to the Observatory for high tea many years ago and had enjoyed the atmosphere, so my family decided to pay a visit post-ownership-change.
On the ground level and next to Galileo the restaurant, the Globe Bar &Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com2111-113 Kent Street, Millers Point NSW 2000, Australia-33.86088 151.203525-33.86088 151.203525 -33.86088 151.203525tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-74833521334789763792014-04-18T11:22:00.001+10:002014-04-18T11:27:26.165+10:00Parlour Burger, Sydney CBDA few Fridays back, I ordered a burger and fries to go from Parlour Burger, an offshoot of the Morrison. The waitress mentioned that they offer a choice between medium and well-done patties. Not wanting to risk contracting salmonella, I opted for the latter. And so we waited. And waited.
20 minutes went by, and the people who had ordered before us were still waiting. They started to check on Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com3225 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia-33.862888 151.20736599999998-59.3849225 109.89877199999998 -8.3408534999999979 -167.48404000000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-91941678451031505612014-04-15T21:53:00.001+10:002014-04-15T21:53:35.385+10:00Mejico, Sydney CBDMejico's received a lot of hype since it first opened its doors a little over a year ago. I'd been avoiding the place because I didn't want to hyper-inflate my expectations - I've long realised that Sydney-based Mexican food has a long way to go to compete with the stuff I tasted in London (and despite sounding like the gourmet travellers on My Kitchen Rules, London has quite a few Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-89281195387856700132014-04-06T14:46:00.002+10:002014-04-07T21:27:43.401+10:00York Trading & Co, Sydney CBDI first noticed York Trading & Co (and the new nearby sushi place) looking out from my bus on weekday mornings. Although it looks like a bar, the fact never quite sunk in because the coffee and breakfast grabbers impressed me with associations of the morning.
Regardless, I've since realised they serve liquor and not-so-breakfasty food. The concept is simple - it's New York themed, fittinglyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com028 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia-33.8685254 151.20597499999997-59.3905599 109.89738099999997 -8.3464909000000027 -167.48543100000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-31678655851939395072014-04-05T00:10:00.001+11:002014-04-06T14:47:40.226+10:00Sushi E, Sydney CBDThe Boy and I intended to pop into the Establishment Bar for quick dins, but because he has his fob moments, we ended up heading to the lift and away to the Hemmesphere level for sushi.
Nigiri whipped up right in front of you!
I've stated a zillion times that I hate sushi with dry rice and tough seaweed. The dragon ash roll we shared was AMAZING. Strong smokey flavour in the salmon Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com0252 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia-33.864046000000009 151.207623-59.386080500000006 109.89902900000001 -8.3420115000000088 -167.48378300000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-83902120043309786002014-04-03T22:42:00.002+11:002014-04-03T22:42:30.542+11:00Opera Bar, Sydney Opera HouseOne Friday evening, I made my way to Opera Bar with a bunch of my girlfriends (hereafter called CC, Spoon, Tea and Shell) for a night of chatter and grazing. Tea was visiting us from HK, so we were keen to sit somewhere comfortable. However, as with all the other watering holes in Sydney, the after-work crowd swarmed around the outdoor tables and created a haze out of cigarettes. Indoors, was Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com0Sydney Opera House 2A Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia-33.8568704 151.2152787-33.8585189 151.2127572 -33.8552219 151.2178002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-84179734264446916882014-03-10T18:40:00.003+11:002014-04-05T00:10:29.044+11:00Le Pub, Sydney CBDWhen I visited Le Pub as part of a group of 5, I was expecting a set-up with more similarities to a Parisian bistro (the menu certainly consists of bistro food), but the DJ with doof-doof music operating under dim lighting reminded me of the Square Bar instead. I guess it's more lucrative to appeal to the drinkers on Friday nights, as evident from the empty tables in the half of Le Pub reserved Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-45701765946226765622014-03-10T12:13:00.004+11:002014-03-10T12:43:36.595+11:00La Latina, ChatswoodExcluding Salsa's in the Chatswood Chase food court, La Latina is probably the only Latin American eatery around the area. It's a welcome change, with its focus on crunchy corn pockets (arepas) and Colombian coffee. It also sells a variety of South American products, including pepper pastes, chilli sauces, grains (e.g. Bolivian quinoa) and frozen pre-mix smoothies in exotic flavours like lulo, a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com282 Archer Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia-33.795342 151.18504800000005-59.317376499999995 109.87645400000005 -8.2733074999999978 -167.50635799999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-28363845187337561082014-02-26T17:55:00.000+11:002014-04-04T22:53:48.009+11:00Rengaya, North Sydney*UPDATE: We did the 2 hour buffet the other day - $69 for unlimited orders off of their buffet menu. The menu items look (mainly) the same as the a la carte dishes, but it's noticeably not as tasty as the equivalents on the a la carte menu. In short - not as well-marinated, lower quality cuts.*
Rengaya is a new favourite of ours, especially when we're craving a post-movie Japanese BBQ feast. YouAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com073 Miller Street, North Sydney NSW 2060, Australia-33.840693000000009 151.20665800000006-59.362727500000005 109.89806400000006 -8.3186585000000086 -167.48474799999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-76195740710963015462014-01-22T20:17:00.004+11:002014-01-22T20:18:25.494+11:00Hunter Valley Summer '14A couple of weeks ago, I and a bunch of high school buddies drove up to the Hunter for a couple of nights. Having heard that dinner is particularly expensive there, we decided to make use of the produce in the area and to assemble meat and cheese platters in the evenings.
Day 1
Lunch: We drove up on a Friday and arrived in the early afternoon, dropped our stuff off at the villa we rented, thenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com2Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia-32.7726356 151.30302989999996-32.9863176 150.98030639999996 -32.5589536 151.62575339999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-69078036641258201042014-01-20T12:18:00.001+11:002014-01-20T13:35:57.782+11:00Xin Jiang Handmade Noodle, ChatswoodXin Jiang Hand Made Noodle is located above Hu's Inn and La Latina. This is also the shop lot that Hinode, the Japanese restaurant, used to occupy. The last time I was in the area, I spotted a steady stream of Chinese people heading up the stairs, so I figured it might be authentic.
It's not too different from the Chinese coffee shops around the area, such as Winsure BBQ Restaurant, except with Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com084 Archer Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia-33.795284 151.185022-59.3173185 109.876428 -8.2732495000000021 -167.50638400000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-24896540956163483732014-01-08T23:49:00.003+11:002014-01-09T10:10:19.479+11:00Hu's Inn, ChatswoodHu's Inn has been around for quite a few months already. Every time we've walked past, its punny name would beckon like a siren to a boat of sailors. We eventually paid a visit when the Boy decided to side with millions in the New Year's battle against fat:
Him: I've put on weight since Christmas, but I can't just stop eating :(
Me: I'll eat half your food!
H: That's not really part of the plan.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com084 Archer Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia-33.795284 151.185022-59.3173185 109.876428 -8.2732495000000021 -167.50638400000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-83545998011469333012014-01-04T01:20:00.001+11:002014-01-08T22:27:20.296+11:00Ocean Room, Circular QuayThe other day we celebrated the Boy's birthday at Ocean Room, which has excellent views of the Opera House. In our case, we were seated around the time a massive cruise ship was meant to be departing. Our waiter apologetically explained that there had been a bit of a delay because one of its passengers had gone walkabout and was being retrieved. In any case, we didn't mind since the view of the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com5Circular Quay West, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia-33.859228 151.2094932-33.865821000000004 151.1994082 -33.852635 151.2195782tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-9490022343391298062014-01-02T23:20:00.001+11:002014-04-05T00:11:03.457+11:00Waterfront, The Rocks
First Impressions/ Service - Poor
We visited Waterfront on a weeknight as walk-ins. It was half-empty at around 7pm, with a massive sign out front advertising a steak special. When we approached the greeter (who was right next to that big sign), she didn't bother to look up from her paperwork. When we managed to get her attention, she looked at us with the expression of Grumpy Cat. She asked Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com027 Circular Quay West The Rocks NSW 200041.3464573 -72.93401619999997441.346410799999994 -72.934095199999973 41.3465038 -72.933937199999974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-45391015136787749672013-12-26T12:45:00.001+11:002014-03-10T18:19:05.193+11:00Thanon Khaosan, HaymarketA few weeks ago, I finally took up one of Spidey's suggestions and dropped into Thanon Khaosan (the place with the tuk tuk and takeaway desserts). Thankfully it had a few free tables even though (because?) it was 7pm on a weeknight.
The wall of Thai number plates and hanging bird cages provided fodder for smalltalk while awaiting the arrival of our food.
For our entree, we had the tod manAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com0413 Pitt Street, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia-33.878432 151.20712300000002-59.400466499999993 109.89852900000002 -8.3563974999999964 -167.484283tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7199202198075351675.post-18359587486670126912013-12-23T00:14:00.005+11:002013-12-23T00:15:49.486+11:00Dukbaegi, ChatswoodDukbaegi is a new Korean restaurant right next door to Makanai (the former site of dessert cafe Zen Q). Its head chef, Danny Hwang, draws on his Korean heritage and influence of his mother's cooking to deliver an admirable range of stone pot dishes - including bibimbap, hot pot and noodles.
I've been here a couple of times already, and it's the Boy's new favourite Korean haunt in Chatswood.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401893004594865040noreply@blogger.com0362 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia-33.7960815 151.18385-33.796133 151.183771 -33.79603 151.183929