There are many things that I look for in a restaurant. Although I would think that taste of the food should be my first priority, but ambiance and company follows pretty closely after.
Located in the basement of a building on Bridge Street, Fratelli Fresh reminds me of the cafes in New York. One thing to note is that Fratelli Fresh does not take in bookings and you'd have to arrive early to get in line. Fortunately, the place is pretty big and the line does move pretty quickly, otherwise you'd also have the option of sitting at the bar while you wait for a table.
Crispy polenta with mushroom and cheesy broth. This dish was a little salty but it sure was tasty.
Left: Baked rhubarb, raspberries and pear topped with a cinnamon crumble and a scoop of lemon ice-cream
Right: Banoffee Pie - shortcrust base (tastes like digestive biscuits) with a chocolate ganache layer topped with layers of cream with bananas layered in between the cream
Need I say more? Life is unexpected, the next time I'm going to Fratelli Fresh I'm going to eat my dessert first!
I'm a sucker for desserts, especially tiramisu. So, when a friend was in town, being chocoholics and big fans of tiramisu, we decided to try out guylian's version of it.
Presentation of the cake was simple mouth-watering but the texture of the cake was a bit dry and we didn't enjoy it all that much. However, we did like the hot hazelnut chocolate. There is no doubt that a mug of that would cheer up anyone who is having a down day.
Baia THE ITALIAN, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney, Australia
Sydney used to be more known for its beaches while Melbourne is more known for its food, cafes and culture. However, Sydney is fast catching up and in recent years, more and more restaurants and cafes have sprouted around the city, making it a city that has everything under the sun. Well, nestled somewhere in the heart of the CBD, we visited Baia, THE ITALIAN on Cockle Bay Wharf. Having the impression that nothing could beat the restaurant standards of the famous Lygon Street in Melbourne, we were not expecting a lot when we decided to dine there. However, we were thrilled to be proven wrong. Read on and I bet that you'll be drooling before reaching the end of this post.
Risotto ai funghi - mushroom risotto $25 Pan roasted porcini mushroom risotto with chives, black truffles and cream fraiche This was a real gem. I normally dislike risottos as I normally find them a little overwhelming in terms of the cream that is used in the dish, however, I am pleased to say that this is one of the best risottos I have had so far. Will have to go to Italy to try out the more traditional and authentic ones before I comment any further :D
Pappardelle alla vegeteriana - $25 Homemade pappardelle with pan-roasted cherry tomatoes soft goats feta, baby spinach and cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Pappardelles are extra large fettuccine and this is actually our first time trying it. Until today, I think italian pastas only vary in shapes not that much in taste, unlike chinese noodles which is very varied in all color, shape, taste and texture. Apart from the noodles being a little fatter than the usual fettuccine, I did not find this dish to be anything special.
Traditional Tiramisu - $17.50 The famous Italian Tiramisu is really just layers of homemade mascarporne and lady fingers soaked in coffee liquor and served on a lattice of vanilla bean anglaise and dark chocolate. Tiramisus are one of the most easy DIY cakes but I always would like to explore new and different versions to see if there are any rooms for improvements when I next make them. This is a little drier than my tiramisu recipe and is more of a cake than my serve-in-a-dessert-cup-and-eat-with-a-spoon version. So, I guess the art of dining really depends on the individual which version a diner prefers and there isn't really a perfect recipe that would satisfy everyone. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this version of the tiramisu, though I really do prefer like my own version where the cake drowns in coffee liquor as then the aroma of the coffee is so much stronger which then makes it more indulging than the drier version.
Passionfruit Souffle - served with lemon sorbet and fresh passionfruit - $17.50 OMG! This was definitely a dreamy dessert. The souffle arrived at our table feather light and airy. The crispy outer made it almost something to crave for every single day. Served with a dollop of icy lemon sorbet, this dessert is something to die for. Only downside is that I might not want to pay $17.50 for another one in the near future.
Address: Baia THE ITALIAN, 114 Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, 2000 Sydney, Australia Tel No: 9283 3434
No visit to Sydney is complete without dining at the famous Pancakes on the Rocks
No visit to Sydney is complete without savoring the famous pancakes at Pancakes on the Rocks. Conveniently located at the famous "Rocks" of Sydney, about 10 minutes walk from Circular Quay, and open for 24 hours a day, you have no excuse for not being able to make time for the sinful pancakes, but be sure to make a reservation especially if you are planning to dine on a Friday night.
For all the chocoholics out there, this chocolate pancake is definitely a must-try. Two thick pancakes are topped with generous amount of walnuts and drizzled with a sinful amount of chocolate sauce and chocolate ice-cream. This will most certainly complete a chocoholic's visit to Sydney. For those that do not have a sweet tooth for dessert pancakes, fear not, Pancake on the Rocks also serves savory pancakes and I must say this Fresh Mushroom Crepe has got to be one of the best savory pancakes I have ever tasted. The crepes are packed full of fresh mushrooms and goes tremendously well with the fresh cream and spinach sauce. If you are ordering the savory pancakes, make sure you ask for some wedges too. However, you should be aware that having sour cream and sweet chilli on the sides cost an extra $1 each.
White and Red wine that goes perfectly with the pancakes :)
Address: 4 Hickson Rd, The Rocks, Sydney Trading Hours: 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK Phone: 02 9247 6371 | Fax: 02 9252 2900 Email: therocks@pancakesontherocks.com.au Website: http://pancakesontherocks.com.au/home
I have developed an immense love for France. The culture, the food, the breathtaking sights, the people, and the list goes on.
And of course, the french dessert that tops my favorite list is the French Macaroon. They now come in a variety of flavors, pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, blueberry, etc. I opted for the traditional flavor, chocolate. Macaroons are all about their texture. The crispy outer and soft inside instantly combined and melted in my mouth and coated my tongue with a layer of delicious chocolate liquid. This macaroon is not overly sweet, unlike many of the macaroons I have tried back home and makes one craving for another almost instantly. Unfortunately, I was still full from lunch and can only make room for one macaroon this time.
Look at how big it is!
The perfect macaroon
Look at all the delicious French Pastries! I wonder how the French can stay so slim!
Address: 85 Rue Saint Domnique 75007 Paris, France Telephone: 01 45 51 88 77
Deliciously sinful chocolate French Crepes at Au Petit Creux,
Paris - the land of delicious but sinful desserts. If you choose to visit Paris, forget about your dieting plans, it can wait.
The French are so known for their desserts that many actually flock to Paris just to savor all the well known desserts at their native land.
Located at Sacre Coeur, is a little cafe that serves the famous French Crepes. You can choose from a variety of crepes, from crepes that are oozing with melted chocolate to crepes that are packed full of fresh fruits to savory crepes. All crepes are available for takeaway so that you can continue your tourist adventure while savoring the delicious crepes in the busy tourist streets of Montmartre. :D
Look at the chocolate oozing out at the bottom!
This is the famous and breathtakingly beautiful Sacre Coeur and the streets of Montmartre- a free attraction, but make sure you go early to avoid large crowds
Delicious (1 Utama) + Paddington House of Pancakes
1 Utama has been our regular hangout coz of the manageable crowds on weekends. Apart from Yishensu, I must say that 1 Utama does not really have a lot of choices for vegetarians. However, I am thankful that delicious has a branch in 1 Utama as it has a very vegetarian friendly menu. Never again I have to decide whether to trust the waiter when he nods his head when I ask if the item on the menu is indeed vegetarian.
One of my favourite item on delicious' menu - the trio of dips
The lebanese bread was baked to perfection and went really well with the three dips. I particularly like the green dip as it has a very tangy herb kick to it.
I totally love the pinenuts on this grilled mushroom salad. However, priced at over RM20 (excluding service tax of 10% and government tax of 6%), it is a little pricey.
The good thing about dining in malls is because of the possibility of going on a "restaurant crawl" right after a meal.
So, we left Delicious to hunt for some dessert after our main meal and finally decided to go with Paddington House of Pancakes.
Paddington House of Pancakes have revised the prices on the menu but I am pleased to say that they have maintained the portion and goodies that come with their pancakes :)
Oh my god, this has got to be the most sinful but most satisfying dessert ever!
Presenting to you the chocolate peanut butter roll, which looks very "innocent" on the outside...
but look what is hidden in the inside! Check out the oozing melted chocolate mixed with very tasty and chunky peanut butter! You have so got to try this!!!!! However, not all pancakes served at Paddington's is as satisfying as the one mentioned above as we did not find the option below (pancakes topped with mango puree) to be overly sweet. It would have been much better if they replaced the cream with vanilla ice-cream instead.
Info for Delicious: G316, Ground Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre (New Wing), Bandar Utama Damansara 47800 Petaling Jaya Operating Hours: 10.00am - 11.00pm everyday
Info for Paddington House of Pancakes: G363, Ground Floor Rainforest, 1 Utama Shopping Centre (New Wing), Bandar Utama Damansara 47800 Petaling Jaya Tel / Fax : 03 7722 3206 Operating Hours : 10.00am – 11.00pm everyday
Guinness Ice Cream -- The Gruesome Truth Revealed --
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness (1725–1803) at St. James's Gate, Dublin.
Made from water, barley, hops and brewer's yeast, the famous drink is then treated with isinglass finings (fishes' air bladders) before the finished product ends up before the consumer. I am truly shocked as I DID NOT know the gruesome truth before I tried what I am about to post below. I REALLY CANNOT BELIEVE researching about the background and history of Guinness for this post actually made me aware that there are fish organs used in the production of Guinness Stout!
Looks like this post won't be vegetarian, but hopefully by reading this, vegetarians, vegans and those that never knew can be warned and made aware before they choose to order a glass of Guinness Stout or food that contains Guinness like the ice-cream at 'The Bee' in Jaya One.
By now, apart from feeling disgusted and cheated, I do not know what else to say about my experience. I guess the moral of the story is, never take for granted, especially when it comes to processed food, since you never know what is actually used to produce the product that ends up before you. According to wikipedia, "In the absence of "animal products used here" labels, vegetarians may be unaware that the processing of a commercially produced beverage may have utilized animal based finings: either gelatin, casein, albumen, or isinglass." Anyone else out there knows of some hidden secret that vegetarians and vegans should know about?
Afternoon tea @ Alexis in Bangsar (Bangsar Village)
When it comes to cakes, Alexis would be one my favorite places for exquisite cakes. After a delicious meal at Delicious, we headed to Alexis for their signature cakes. We ordered 4 slices of cakes in total and also a pot of tea each. It was indeed a relaxing and fulfilling afternoon.
The wide selection of cakes available at Alexis!
Interior Deco :) Mayb it's good to have on at the main door of the house, where visitors can write down blessings for the inhabitants. :p
Cafe Latte - perfect combination with the cakes!
English Breakfast
Chamomile tea
Cheesecake - look at the dense layer of cream cheese!!!!
Raspberry cheesecake I think i prefer the original cheesecake as the sweet raspberry jam stole some of the cream cheese's limelight. As you can see, I am a die hard pure cheesecake fan (with the exception for blueberry cheesecakes, I'm a sucker for anything that's got to do with blueberries)
Tiramisu. Oh this is pure bliss, though if given the choice I would prefer the alcoholic one (served in a cup) where it comes dripping with Tia Maria/Kahlua/whatever.
Chocolate - for the ultimate chocolate lovers Check out the thick chocolate sponge layer!
Name: Alexis Location: Opposite Bangsar Village 2 (near Madam Kwan's)
It is the simple but thoughtful gifts that truly touches my heart. The gift need not cost a bomb, even if it costs nothing, as long as it is useful, it would be a thing to treasure.
As I pull back the wrappings of one of my christmas presents, it unveiled a packet of brown rice puffs. It seemed unappealing at first, and I thought it would taste like Weet-Bix, which was extremely dry and unpleasant to the palette.
Free from artificial pesticides and fertilizers, this brown rice puff was delicious! A distinct and unique taste emanated from the puff. It was caramel-like, minus the sticky-teeth feeling. Bliss, a perfect teatime snack that is healthy and tasty! After some googling, I found the ingredients of this snack: Organic Brown Rice, Corn, Salad Oil, Miso, Soy Sauce Powder, Grain Sorghum, Salt. Weird how Miso and Soy Sauce can make it taste like caramel!
I'm back to try more goodies at MG Cafe, Sri Hartamas
I'm back for the usual feast at MG Cafe. Luckily my friends were not as "loyal" as me, so I do have a few new items to share with all of you, and of course, to highlight my usual favorites!
Assam Laksa
Faithful followers of this blog would know that this is what I ordered. I don't know, but I never had the urge to try anything else at this eatery as I am still extremely obsessed with this bowl of delicious assam laksa.
Rendang Donburi Here's another Malaysianized Japanese dish where the accompaniments are 'Mutton' Rendang. I guess it's somewhat similar to Nasi Rendang except the rice used is not cooked in coconut milk.
Sambal Onigiri This is a Malaysianized Onigiri as the filling is made from a sambal flavored mushroom stalk. Extremely tasty and definitely worth a try.
Chocolate Brownie Indulging in this after enjoying my usual favorites has got to be the best way to cap off a great meal. It was not too dry, nor was it too wet. I actually think this is better than the Brownies served at Secret Recipe!
It is always a pleasure to dine at Chef Low as we always expect sumptuous food and efficient service. I was told that the management is looking into introducing a new menu soon. I was torn with the decision as I do have a few favorites on the old menu that I wouldn't want to be taken off, however, I must admit, I am running out of new things to try and the management has chosen a right time to initiate the change. Meanwhile, do check out this eatery before the new menu is rolled out!
Fruit Tea RM9.90 for a whole potful of fruit tea. I particularly like the refreshing and soothing feeling after each sip. This is a very good and healthy option for family with kids as they will definitely love this!
Curry Vegetables A great dish if you are in for all natural veggies to go with a bowl of warm rice.
Black Pepper Udon Yum, I cannot describe how fantastic the combination of black pepper and udon is! The person that thought of the combination is a pure genius in culinary arts!
A very satisfying bowl of almond jelly with mango puree. The freshly cut apples added a crunchy edge to this delicious dessert.
Two avid vegetarians are here to share some insights to the world of vegetarianism.
Hopefully, through this site, the lives of some animals can be spared. Always remember, animals have feelings too, they are our friends not our meal.
Assam Laksa
Rendang Donburi
Sambal Onigiri
Chocolate Brownie
Fruit Tea
Curry Vegetables
Black Pepper Udon
A very satisfying bowl of almond jelly with mango puree. The freshly cut apples added a crunchy edge to this delicious dessert.
Vegetarian Party
Pot Luck Party