Eat Me!

Kintaro Japanese Country Style Bistro - Neutral Bay Sydney

2012-10-21T17:30:00.000+11:00

Sydney has A LOT of Japanese eateries these days, A LOT. Many of them are great and some of them are not so great. Think of the many "sushi" takeaway stalls littered throughout Sydney that seem to have no idea on what sushi is or the understanding of the word "freshness".

There is a place in Sydney known as Neutral Bay with its surrounding areas on the lower North shore, that has been home to many delicious Japanese restaurants for quite some time now, with each eatery offering a different take on their national cuisine. This particular one, Kintaro in Neutral Bay, offers a country style approach to Japanese cooking or as one friend put it, a "Homey feel".

The food is delicious, and having been here a number of times over the last year or so, I was quite surprised to read some bad reviews on this restaurant recently. The food is quite light, tasty on the palette and relatively oil free, something that is super important to me. My favourite dish here is a Japanese classic, Karaage Chicken, their version is straight off the bone and requires hands. I have also read about the wait time for this restaurant, some people complaining about a 10-20 minute wait. I myself would expect to wait for 10-20 minutes, given that some dishes may require more effort than simply deep frying in MSG or throwing pre cut ingredients into a wok for five minutes.

As I always say, I will let the pictures do the talking so to speak, but I do highly recommend this restaurant for its delicious food, great service and with a simple and inoffensive "country" feel.

Avocado & Salmon Sushi

Vegetarian Tempura Sushi

Teriyaki Chicken (Entree Size)

Taro Soup

Karaage Chicken (Entree Size)

For more information on Kintaro restaurant:

Shop 1, 24 Young Street, Neutral Bay.
Phone: (02) 9904 5188

Na Bangkok - The Best Thai In Town!

2012-07-29T18:00:00.000+10:00

Na Bangkok - Maroubra, Sydney

I have not been contributing to this blog for that long now and an overwhelming amount of entries seem to be related to Thai food. Either I am obsessed with Thai cuisine or it shows the amazing abundance of brilliant Thai food that Sydney can now lay claim too. Both are true, but it is the latter statement that is really ringing true for Sydney these days, so much so that a recent newspaper article claimed that "Sydney is now recognised as having better Thai food than Thailand", a big statement to make, yet given the amount of Thai eateries we now have, maybe not that far from the truth.

In light of all this, I discovered a few months ago a lovely little eatery, Na Bangkok, in Maroubra. It's motto is "street food" and the dishes (I still have a few to discover) are nothing short of mouth watering. The prices whilst not Thai, are very reasonable for Sydney standards and the service is fast and friendly. I have many favourite Thai restaurants in Sydney, but I will definitely say that this is my favourite one by far at the moment. Like I always say, I will let the pictures do the talking. Enjoy!

Chicken Satay

Crispy Chilli Chicken & Morning Glory

Egg & Onion Roti

Crying Tiger (Beef)

Suki Haeng

For more information on Na Bangkok:

Maroubra, Sydney. Phone: (02) 9315 5400

Tonkichi Japanese Restaurant, Singapore 2012

2012-03-14T19:00:00.000+11:00

Singapore is in my blood. I have been in and out this second "home" ever since I was a little boy. One thing that Singapore is famous for other than shopping, is it's diverse love of cuisine.

Tonkichi Japanese Restaurant may not be the best (or cheapest) Japanese in Singapore, but it's somewhere that I have been frequenting for a number of years now and is consistently delicious. Please enjoy my photographic dinner below:

For more information on Tonkichi:

http://www.pokkafood.com.sg/tonkichi/

Blue Elephant Restaurant Bangkok

2012-03-11T19:30:00.000+11:00

Blue Elephant Restaurant, Bangkok

I can't believe that I have only just created this blog and most of the entries are devoted to Thai cuisine. Oh well, I guess you can never truly hide what you love and desire, and in my case, it usually doesn't get much better than Thai Food. This Thai institution in Bangkok, came with very high praise so I knew that I had to try it.

Walking into Blue Elephant is like walking into a piece of history, and boy is there quite a story to this building, from being the Bombay Department store, to the Thai Chinese Chamber of Commerce, to being occupied by the Japanese, to its current reincarnation as Blue Elephant. The colonial styled mansion is over 100 years old (built in 1903) and you can instantly feel the warmth and atmosphere of the place along with its long and illustrious history, much like the Raffles building in Singapore.

The service is absolutely divine, the food is impeccable and like I have made mention already, the environment is second to none. I will again, let the pictures do the talking and when in Bangkok next, please vista this eatery, you can even do the famed Thai cooking class if you dare!

Fresh Spring Rolls and Soup

Mixed BBQ Platter of Chicken & Beef Skewers

Khang Khao Phuak

BBQ Chicken wrapped in Banana Leaves

Royal Omlette

Mango, Sticky Rice & Coconut Icecream

For more information on Blue Elephant:

http://blueelephant.com/bangkok/

Zilver Yum Cha, China Town, Sydney

2012-02-19T11:00:00.000+11:00

Who doesn't love Yum Cha? Although this cuisine is quintessentially Cantonese, it is now somewhat of an Australian staple. Zilver Yum Cha near Central in Sydney, is nothing short of delicious.

For more information on Zilver:

http://www.zilver.com.au/flash/main.html

House - North Eastern Thai Cuisine

2012-02-18T12:00:00.000+11:00

House - North Eastern "Issan" Thai Cuisine

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Thai food and the connection that I have to Thailand and its cuisine. In saying that, Sydney has A LOT of Thai restaurants and when I say A LOT, I really mean it. Walk down any main street in Sydney and you will come across at least one to five (if not more) Thai eateries all varying in their tastes and origins of provincial cuisine.

So when I was recently asked to try a "new" Thai eatery, I eagerly agreed. House Thai is not new, it has been around for a while, it has just taken me a couple of years to get there! The cuisine here is from the North Eastern part of Thailand known as "Issan" which has a strong blend of Thai and Laos influences, but ultimately remaining quintessentially Thai (think of the amazing street food in Bangkok, many of these vendors are from Issan). The spice level is usually high (raw chilli, both red and green are commonly used) and also the use of fermented anchovies which is unique to this part of Thailand.

I think the pictures always do more justice than anything I could write in favour of something I love, but I strongly suggest that everyone visit this eatery, especially as its not the usual Thai fodder you find around town. Be warned, the food is spicy and make sure you have water on hand if you can't handle the chilli :)

The below pictures are what we ate and are by no means the "House specialities".

Moo Ping - BBQ Pork Skewers

Tum Mua Pla Krob - Green Papaya Salad with anchovies

Khao Nar Ped - Roast duck with Cucumber, ginger & steamed rice

Sticky Rice - the perfect accompaniment for Moo Ping and Som Tum

For more information on House Thai:

http://www.housethai.com.au/

Lynn Shanghai Cuisine

2012-02-04T22:42:00.000+11:00

Lynn Shanghai

I often wonder what the dining experience must have been like in the 50's and 60's, where it was not uncommon for the owner to swan around to each table, having a brief chat about the food whilst topping up your drink, almost like a host or hostess schmoozing you, leaving an impression that you (and your party) were the only people dining at that particular time. I am pleased to say that I have found just the place that embodies all this whilst serving the most delicious Shanghainese food I have ever eaten, Lynn Shanghai Cuisine in Sydney.

I remember when I first visited Lynn Shanghai back in November 2011 and thought that it was quite unusual to have a Chinese restaurant in what used to be the old Catholic club on Castlereagh Street, but never the less I was still open to something new. Thank god that my stomach seems to always override any logic that I may have, as I would have missed out on something quite special.

I would like to say that I could honestly remember what the first thing I ate there was, but I would be a liar. So I will now go through some of the dishes that I have eaten there over the last four or so months, kind of like my "signature dish picks". These are them:

Shallot Pancakes

Cucumber Rolls with Garlic & Chili

Famous Shanghai Steamed Pork Buns

Shredded Chicken with Bean Jelly in Peanut Sauce

Baked Sesame Pockets with sautéed Chicken Mince, Preserved Vegetables with Pine Nuts

Steamed Pumpkin Pastry Dumpling filled with Lotus Paste

Owners, Theresa Tea & Dennis Chair have created something unique in Sydney with their restaurant, and its not necessarily the dishes, decor or even service which mind you, are all fantastic. Rather, she has brought back the "personal touch" to the restaurant game which in this era of "fast food" is a long overdue welcomed change. I have personally encountered her warmth and genuine ability to make everyone feel like "they are the only one dining" on a number of occasions and have also witnessed this special touch being given to many other customers. This is a must for all lovers of fine Chinese cuisine, brilliant service and a fabulous "hostess with the mostest", Ms. Theresa Tea.

For more information on Lynn Shanghai:

http://www.lynnshanghaicuisine.com.au/lynn_shanghai_cuisine.html

Azuma Kushiyaki Japanese Restaurant, Sydney

2011-12-29T19:19:00.000+11:00

Go anywhere South of the Queen Victoria Building down George Street and your bound to find some delicious Asian cuisine, no matter what your preference is. Near the George Street cinemas, inside the new Regent Place Shopping Centre, is a beautiful Japanese restaurant, Azuma Kushiyaki which specialises in Kushiyaki (grilled skewers).

There was no better night than a birthday (mine) to go and try the food on offer at this eatery. We opted for a selection of different Kushiyaki, Gyoza (deep fried dumplings) and some delicious duck served with greens. The service was lovely and the food was served in a timely fashion, and all with the quintessential Japanese way of displaying food, understated perfection.

For more information on Azuma Kushiyaki:

http://www.azuma.com.au/kushiyaki/home.php

The Rice Den, Chatswood, Sydney

2011-12-17T17:00:00.000+11:00

The Rice Den in Chatswood is anything but a "den". The restaurant is a "uberchic" eatery tucked away on a side street in between Westfield Chatswood and Chatswood Chase. The food is "Asian fusion", which from my interpretation is a bit of every Asian cuisine rolled into one. Well, the recipe certainly works. The main chefs are Thai, so there is a slightly heavier influence of Thai styled cooking, but seeing as pretty much everyone loves Thai, it works.

The service is fast and friendly and atmosphere is upbeat and contemporary. Definitely somewhere that everyone should try, just book ahead as they fill up fast.

For more information on The Rice Den:

http://www.thericeden.com.au/

The French House, Waterloo, Sydney

2011-12-10T12:00:00.000+11:00

Dank Street in Sydney's Waterloo has a slew of Cafes all offering varying versions of toasted sandwiches and delicious, yet over priced coffee. The French House, whilst not excessively expensive, does offer beautiful sandwiches, French and European inspired pastries and delicious coffee all in the beautiful setting of a French theme inspired cafe.

For more information on The French House:

Visit them @ 1 Dank Street, Waterloo or Phone: (02) 8399 2770

Bi Bim To Mix Korean Restaurant, Sydney

2011-12-03T19:00:00.000+11:00

The reviews for this little Korean eatery on William Street are all unanimous, it is well worth the visit. So, like any other person who loves a good feed, Korean feed in this case, I made my way to see what all the fuss is about.

The Restaurant itself is small, maybe seating up to 30 people, but the atmosphere is calm and the service is friendly and efficient. The food is great and the specialty is Bibimbap, a bowl of meat, assorted vegetables, rice, egg and chili paste that requires you to mix everything together giving you one hell of a meal. I am told that the "Dolsot bibimbap" is even more delectable and one of these days I will get around to trying it.

I will let the pictures below speak for themselves...

For more information on Bi Bim To Mix:

http://www.facebook.com/bibim.to.mix

Tanpopo Japanese Restaurant, Neutral Bay, Sydney

2011-06-29T19:30:00.000+10:00

There is this divine little Japanese eatery in Neutral Bay that I have been frequenting for some time now, Tanpopo. It is now time that I share this with the rest of the world as I am being far to selfish in keeping this to myself, especially as this is some of the finest Japanese cuisine that I have EVER eaten.

I even have the pictures to prove it...

For more information on Tanpopo:

Contact them on: (02) 9908 4280.