Red Chilli Sichuan, Glebe

For a cold and wet weather, it is nice to have something to warm you up! We are heading to Glebe to have Sichuan hotpot. :) Sichuan hotpot is not just spicy but also numb!! We thought we better order a divided hotpot, as experience from the past, we can't handle the spiciness! We ordered a mix of seafood and meat selection. By looking at redness of the hotpot, you can imagine the spiciness. Waiting for the soup to boil and we start to dig it! The meat was thinly sliced to make it cooks more easily. The soup base is not just spicy and numb but also made the meat very tasty. After a few pieces, you will start feeling heat! We are looking for the source of numbness and it came from the Sichuan pepper. We have to check every piece before putting it into our mouth. :) Almost finished and we can see a layer of chili oil on the top! Have we eaten so much fat? Oh well, as long as my tummy is happy, I guess it is fine! :p


Red Chilli Sichuan

Campos Coffee, Newtown

You haven't tried an affogato until you try one at Campos Coffee Newtown. The entrance of this coffee shop can be easily missed. If Missy C didn't suggest to go here for a coffee, I will miss out such a wonderful cup of beverage or dessert or whatever you wanna call it! :)

Affogato

They have their ice-cream frozen in the cup before adding the coffee. The bitterness from the coffee and the sweetness from the vanilla ice-cream balances out. It is really nice and for sure this is not just the only one! :)

Mocha

They also serve other type of coffee. One of my favourite mocha. :) You can also buy their coffee home. However, one bad thing about this place is that their opening hours is a bit short. ;)


Campos Coffee
193 Missenden Road, Newtown NSW 2042
Phone 02 9516 3361
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7am - 4pm and Saturday 8am to 5pm.

Azuma Patisserie, Sydney

After the Sugar Hit last month, Miss J and I would like to try Azuma Patisserie for their other desserts. Today Miss J was craving for cake and I had a tiring week, so we decided to go there for desserts!

Miss J ordered the mix green tea yoghurt ice cream and Azuma blended green tea. I have ordered a green tea mousse cake and also Azuma blended green tea. They have a deal for both cake and hot drink for $9.50.

The green tea yoghurt ice cream has a bit of sour taste, but it is not a strong one. It also comes with diced strawberry and cereal. My green tea mousse cake is a layers cake. It has a layer of red bean and the bottom layer is a strong chocolate base. May be the chocolate is so strong which covered the green tea taste.

The Azuma blended green tea is a genmaicha (brown rice tea). It is a good compliment to my cake. However, at the end, the tea has become bitter.

Forgot to take my camera, no photo available, may be next time! :p

Azuma Patisserie
Ground Floor, Regent Place Shopping, 501 George Street, Sydney NSW

Menya Noodle Bar, Sydney

This is one of my favourite place for a quick and easy meal. I just love their ramen or noodles. Their ramen is always, using Italian expression, al dente! Yum yum!! :) The restaurant at CBD is more relax and causal dining where you have to order and pay first. Your order will bring to you. Where as the restaurant at Circular Quay is more of a full service restaurant. The menu is also slight different between the two. I come to this restaurant too often and never take any photos of the food I ate. Just because today I brought my camera, let me introduce some of food which they have.

Menya Ramen with Tonkotsu soup base

Menya ramen has 4 different choices of soup base: shoyu, miso, natural (salt), tonkotsu. My favourite one is the tonkotsu. The tonkotsu is only available at the CBD branch.

Tsuke men

Tsuke men is good if you don't feel like a bowl of hot soup ramen. The dipping sauce sometimes can be a bit salty.

Kuro-goma Tsuke men

The Circular Quay branch has another version of it kuro-goma tsuke men. The cold dipping sauce is black sesame. However, I felt it is too much at the end of it!

Dragon jya-jya ramen

If you can handle spiciness, they also cater for that. Dragon jya-jya ramen is not a bad option. You can feel the spiciness when you see the red coloured soup!

Left: Menya Ramen; Right: Menya mega ramen

The portion of the ramen might not be big enough for guys. They also have the Menya mega ramen which is double size ramen.

Salmon gohan

If you still not enough, they have 4 choices of gohan, buta mabushi gohan, salmon gohan, chilli beef gohan and Menya curry gohan.

Tori kara age (side)

Or else you can go for gyoza, tori-kara age. Their menu has a wide variety. I cannot put all they offer on this post. I can simply using one word to sum it up, おいしい!!

Menya Noodle Bar
Shop 2, 1 Market Street, Sydney NSW (CBD)
Phone 02 9267 4649

High Tea at The Observatory Hotel

As suggested by one of the bridesmaid, we spent our gift from the groom to treat ourselves with something nice. So we decided to spend it on High Tea. We would love to try the Gunner's Barracks, unfortunately they require at least 3 months in advance booking for a weekend. The second choice is The Observatory Hotel which only needs 3 weeks in advance. :)

On the day, I was late for about half an hour and embarrassingly I didn't have coins for the meter parking!!! Thank you Miss J. :) We were seated at the Galileo Restaurant area. We were told that they have limited supply of tea pots which we have to share our tea among the 2 of us!!! Hence, we can only try 3 different type of teas. They are Ceylon, Sencha and Jasmine. The tea selection is also limited.

3 Tier Stand

Our 3 tier stand arrived and as always we start taking photos. One of the waitress has told us, "These food are to be eaten as well!" :) The bottom level is three different kind of sandwiches. The middle level is all the sweets and the top level is 2 different kind of scones.

Sandwiches: Ham & Cheese; Egg and others

Pastry

I have started off with the sandwiches. These are pretty average sandwiches. There is one particular kind which I dont really like.

Scones: Plain; the other with raisin

Strawberry jam with real fruit

The scones are not as fluffy as I like. However, I really love the real fruit strawberry jam! It's so tasty.

Various desserts

Saving the gooddies to the last! The sweets are so colourful and I dont know where to start!! The sweets are not as tasty as they look. I was hoping the panna cotta will taste good. However, almond flavour panna cotta is not my cup of tea.

Although the food might not be as good as I expected, but having a good time with my friends count!!

Note: High tea is served daily from 2:30pm to 5pm weekdays and from 2pm to 4:30pm weekends. Booking is essential.

The Observatory Hotel
89 - 113 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone 02 9256 2215

Kushiyaki Azuma: East meets West (Sugar Hit)

I have heard a lot of about the Sugar Hit at Kushiyaki Azuma. This is one of the new eatery offers Sugar Hit this year. Japanese sweets is one of my favourite. Remembering when I was travelling in Japan, their sweets are not just satisfying my stomach but also my eyes!! Every time when you walk past their glass cabinet, you will want to order their whole selection!! After dinner at nearby Wagaya, Photo Enthusiast, Gentle J and I took a slow walk to Kushiyaki Azuma. There was a couple in front of us got turned down. Lucky we have booked ahead otherwise we will be disappointed as well. We didn't wait for too long for our table. They have even prepared a Sugar Hit menu!! So far, this is the only one who have one. Similar to other Sugar Hit, they include either the Brown Brothers 2008 Orange Muscat and Flora or Hennessy VS. The dessert wine is easy drinking. It has a refreshing floral taste to it. The Hennessy VS has a smoky taste.

Left: Brown Brothers 2008 Orange Muscat and Flora; Right: Hennessy VS

We have posed for awhile and our dessert still not yet arrived. When the dessert finally arrived, there is two square boxes to each serving. I am always amaze with the presentation of the Japanese food. The waitress carefully explained what each of the dessert is. After a few snaps, we all start munching in.

Left: Belgium chocolate mousse cake; Right: Vanilla cheesecake

I have been so wrong to start off with the Belgium chocolate mousse cake where there is a vanilla cheesecake which is not as strong in favour. The Belgium chocolate mousse cake is so rich in chocolate and it's as smooth as it can be! As I said before, my taste bud still has the chocolate taste, I cannot taste the vanilla cheesecake. Somehow, my vanilla cheesecake was still frozen when I ate toward the centre of the cake.

Clockwise: Mochi with vanilla ice cream; Brown sugar syrup; Green tea with chestnut filling cake roll; Seaweed biscuits

The green tea cake roll with chestnut filling is a very interesting one. Normally Japanese green tea favour will go with the red bean. This time they used chestnut instead. The sponge cake is full of green tea favour and the chestnut is not those creamy type. They mashed the real chestnut to make the fillings. Although I am not a big fan of chestnut but I quite like it! By the time I was ready to try the mochi with vanilla ice cream, the ice cream has melted as if the mochi was soaked with milk! They even let you mix your own sweetness. The brown syrup is served with a setup cup which is a big plus for me!! I don't really syrup very much. So many piece of cake have I gone through... still have two seaweed biscuits to go!!

It's not just taste good but really good value for money! I will definitely go back to their Patisserie to try their cakes again.

Note: Sugar Hit is available only during October month. Booking is essential.


Kushiyaki Azuma
Ground Floor, Regent Place Shopping, 501 George Street, Sydney NSW
Phone (02) 9267 7775

Hilton Sydney: Chocolate Assiette (Sugar Hit)

The long anticipated Sugar Hit at Hilton finally arrived. We were supposed to go there last week but this Sugar Hit is so good that they were fully booked. This time is also coincided with Tigger A & Cheeky B baptism celebration.

Glass Brasserie

Once our group has been settled down, the waiter came and check up whether we want to replace the Hennessy cognac with tea or coffee. Since I enjoy the cognac more than the tea or coffee, I did not want to replace it! :) First the cognac arrived, ohoh... just remembered that I have to drive so I cant drink the cognac. But I can only imagine how good the cognac taste like!! ;)

Hennessy Cognac

It did not take too long for the chocolate assiette to arrive... not sure if this is because I was busy taking photos and checking up the camera setting etc!

Chocolate Assiette

My first bite was the Earl Grey tea ice cream rolled in cookies and cream biscuit with white chocolate and pandan parfait. I don't know what's the word to describe it. The combination is just so brilliant!!!

Left: Earl Grey tea ice cream rolled in cookies and cream biscusit with white chocolate and pandan parfait; Right: Chocolate fondant

Then I was onto the raspberry marshmallow bitter chocolate fondue. I love bitter chocolate. The sourness of the fresh raspberry balances out the bitterness of the chocolate.

Raspberry marshmallow bitter chocolate fondue

Finally the chocolate fondant. This is the heaviest chocolate piece out of the three but it is also very nice. I was so melted in the chocolate. Arr... what a way to finish the night!!Once again, congratulation to Tigger A & Cheeky B on your baptism. Your testimony is really encouraging. Keep up with your good work!!

Side note: our group is more than 10 people and they have a 10% surcharge on the bill. Booking is essential. They serve the Sugar Hit from 9pm to 11pm.


Glass Brasserie
Level 2, Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street, Sydney NSW
Phone 02 9265 6068

Sushi e (Let's Do Lunch)

Meeting Little S for the Let's Do Lunch. We have been to last year Sydney International Food Festival. We come back to try out others. Our first one this year is Sushi e which is located inside the Establishment Complex on George Street. I have been seated at the lounge for the Let's Do Lunch.

Hemmesphere

The Let's Do Lunch at Sushi e menu offers three choices: grilled lobster, wagyu beef and miso cod. However, we have all chosen the grilled lobster. It also included either a glass of wine or beer. Since I just came from a wet windy weather, I think a cup of hot green tea would be just nice! :D

Green Tea

May be we really want to go back to work, the food seems to take a long time to come... Finally the food arrived. After taking a few snaps and we all munching in...

Right balance of the mozzarella on the lobster which didn't cover the lobster tastes. The tomato is refreshing.

Complimentary Raspberry Panna Cotta

It also came with a complimentary raspberry panna cotta. What a nice way to finish the meal! :)


Sushi e
Level 4, 252 George Street, Sydney NSW
Phone (02) 92540 3000

Shangri-La Hotel: Hazelnut Delight (Sugar Hit)

Today I was suppose to go to Bowral for the Tulip Time. Unfortunately, the weather forecast says that there will be thunderstorm. The organiser has cancelled the event... so staying at home relaxing... and preparing myself to work after a long weekend. On the side note, there was no rain at all in the morning but in fact sunny. The thunderstorm came around 4-5pm... which we might already back in Sydney. :(

Miss 1000D called up and says, "let's go to Sugar Hit tonight". How can I resist such an offer? Didn't have a chance to take the flowers in the morning, now another chance to pick up my camera and take photos of dessert... what a substitute!! :p

When we arrived at Shangri-La Hotel, we went to their Lobby Lounge where they serve Sugar Hit. We have the option to choose Brown Brothers dessert wine or Hennessy cognac. Last year I have fall in love with cognac... so I have chosen the cognac and the rest of the group chose the dessert wine.

Brown Brothers Dessert Wine & Hennessy Cognac

Waited not long, the Hazelnut Delight finally came. Since we were still waiting for some other late comers, we, the photographers, took our time to take the best picture out of this dish! :D It s also to make up the disappointment of the cancelled Bowral trip.

Hazelnut Delight

The hazelnut delight is hazelnut torte, lemon curd, sugar coated hazelnuts and lemon jelly. However, when the dish came, the sugar coated hazelnuts went missing. Instead they put the sticky hard popcorn on top of the torte.


The hazelnut torte was missing the nutty favour and the lemon centre which take up most of the favour. Overall the torte is a bit sweet for me. Interestingly the lemon jelly looks and tastes like some soft jelly from the packet. :O It also lack of lemon taste.


This is a disappointing first Sugar Hit this year. But the good old cognac still tastes good! :) I guess I have to wait for more comment from others before I am going to try out more.


Shangri-La Hotel
Sydney Lobby Lounge
176 Cumberland Street
The Rocks NSW
Phone 02 9250 6000

Ramen-kan at Haymarket

For a quick Japanese meal, I will normally choose ramen. This time we have picked Ramen-kan. Their entrance is really hard to find... especially their signage does not show where the entrance is! This time is even worst, their lift was not working!!! We took the staircase to walk a level up... lucky it was just a level!! :( When we were there, there is no queue, hooray!! Normally there is a long queue waiting, not sure if it is because of the lift? Since we have a large group of people, we still have to wait for half an hour for our table!!

Finally our table is ready. I grabbed the menu and check out what to order. Since I love noodles, I have chosen the crab and corn ramen. However, most of others either a rice dish or salad (due to they are on special diet for a special day). At that night, it is under staff, we have to get our own drinking water from the counter. I am also quite disappointed with the cup for the drinking water... the cup is not dry... feel like someone just rinsed it and put them back to the counter!! The food finally arrived... the salmon salad looks as good as it taste. The salmon is so fresh. The greens are so crisp! The only complaint is that it is just too small!!

Salmon Salad

Gyu don & karage cheese rice have also arrived. They did not share the experience with me... as at they sat too far away from me.

Gyu don

Karage Cheese Rice

I have waited and waited for my Ramen. It finally came, but not the one I ordered!!! I was like... huh... waited for so long... and gave me a wrong order? The correct ramen came, but the ramen is not fully cooked!! The ramen is still stuck together as one gluey dough. :(

Crab & Corn Ramen

It was not a very experience for me tonight. No wonder all my friends chose rice dishes over ramen! But then, this place is called "Ramen"-kan... shouldn't they make ramen the best?


Ramen-kan
Level 1, 90 Hay Street, Haymarket NSW
Phone (02) 9211 6677

A Good Way to Start the Day

One of a good way to start my day is to have a nice breakfast at a beachside cafe. I went to a cafe at Coogee Beach to start my great day... walking to and from Coogee to Bondi and back!!! Didn't quene up for long, our table is ready. Strangely I didn't order a coffee but a mixed berry frappe. :p The scramble egg on toast is just too good. The eggs aren't too soft and it's creamy. :) They uses free range eggs and comes with roasted tomatoes.

Scramble Eggs on Sourdough Toast with Roasted Tomato

Sausage and Scramble Eggs with Roasted Tomato and Sourdough Toast

How would you start your day?


Barzura
62 Carr Street, Coogee NSW
Phone (02) 9665 5546
Open 7 days, 7am to 11pm
Note: 10% surcharge applies on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Cafe C'Ya, Sydney

Love the name of this hideaway Korean restaurant. It is a cosy small restaurant hiding behind George Street.

I love their side dishes (banchan)... especially their seaweed marinated in sweet vinegar (miyeok muchim). It's not too sour and it's just right! The chestnut cake... you can just slide them in. :) One good thing when you go to Korean restaurant, these side dishes are free as well as you can refill them! Of course I have second round of these dishes!!

Various Banchan

One of my favourite dish is the seafood pancake (haemul jeon). It is a balance of shallot and seafood in the pancakes. It's also not too good greasy. Their dipping sauce goes really well with it. It has the right balance of soy sauce, vinegar and chili pepper power.

Haemul Jeon

We have also ordered the Dolsot Bibimpap with fried egg (It normally served raw). The rice is served in a stone grilled bowl with sauteed and seasoned vegetables and chili pepper paste. It was just so nice to have it in a cold chilling night!

Dolsot Bibimpap

This grilled beef ribs (galbi) at this restaurant is grilled at the kitchen for you. You wont have the smokey feeling after you have eaten there.

Galbi

Yes I will definitely c'ya again! :D


Cafe C'ya
600-612 George Street, Sydney NSW
Phone 9264 7576

Roti Bom at Mamak

One late night, I was hungry and my friend called and asked "Let's go to Mamak for supper!". Obviously, I wouldn't say no to such an offer. So I quickly got myself ready and went to the restaurant.

As you may read my previous blog, I was indecisive as to which sweet roti should I get. This time I will pick the other one, Roti Bom! I was told that it needs to wait for at least 20 minutes. I was so eager to taste this roti, so of course I said, "It's fine!".

We chatted for awhile and the roti bom came!

Roti Bom

This is the sweet version of roti canai. The roti is like spreaded with syrup to make it sticky and chewy. One bad thing about this is it will stuck to your teeth! :O After trying most of their sweet roti, I prefer roti kaya out of them. :)

Mamak15 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW