The good thing about chain restaurants is that you'd always know what to expect and know that u'd always get what you want. This is definitely the case when it comes to Sushi Tei, a Japanese chain restaurant that is available all over Asia and now Sydney.
Labels: Australia, Japanese, Sushi Tei, Sydney
posted on: Friday, August 17, 2012 @ 6:53 AM
veg-spiration
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!
Fratelli Fresh Bridge Street
11 Bridge St, CBD
Monday - Friday 10am - 7pm
ph.02 8298 2700
Cafe:Sopra Bridge Street
Monday - Friday 12pm - 3pm and 6pm - 10pm
ph.02 8298 2701
Breakfast 7:30am - 11am
Aperitivo Bar 3pm - 6pm
Bar, Pizzeria, Mozzarella Bar - 12pm - 10pm
Saturday Dinner - from 6pm
Labels: Australia, Dessert, Modern, Sydney, Western
posted on: Friday, July 20, 2012 @ 6:09 AM
veg-spiration
If you ever crave for Thai food in Sydney, spice I am is where you should be headed. I'm very eager to share this amazing dish with you - BTS, aka better than sex. Conveniently located in darlinghurst, a stone's throw away from kingscross, and a few other locations in Sydney, rest assured that you won't have to travel far to sink your teeth into this very indulging and satisfying dessert.
What exactly is BTS?
BTS is basically a Aoasted brioche served with pandan gelato topped with Thai caramel sauce and roasted black and white sesame seed
Better than sex indeed!
Labels: Australia, Sydney, Thai
posted on: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 @ 8:10 AM
veg-spiration
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.
Labels: Australia, Dessert, Sydney
veg-spiration
What a perfect day for brunch. Not too warm not too cold.
Met up with a friend at cafe xxii. Located right next to the star casino, cafe xxii is one of the many popular places to dine in the most prestigious inner city suburbs. Be sure to arrive early if you don't pre-book beforehand (11am) and you should get a table pretty effortlessly.
Tried the buttermilk pancakes and skim latte and I must say they were quite satisfying. Firstly, they were huge and not to mention thick. One of these babies would be equivalent to 2 of the pancakes you'd get at pancakes on the rocks. Although I must say that it could do with a tad bit more toppings to bring it to the next level of utmost satisfaction.
If you are looking for something that has more of the home-cooked feel but you don't want to wander too far away from the city, cafe xxii is the place to be.
Labels: Australia, Sydney, Western
posted on: Saturday, July 14, 2012 @ 6:34 AM
veg-spiration
Yes, we're back for a 2nd visit, to our delightful find right in the heart of Sydney's bustling CBD. Situated within a comfortable walking distance from Wynyard station or Darling Harbour, Peace Harmony is quite centrally and conveniently located for both tourists and Sydney's worker bees. Only downside is, lunch gets very busy and you would often find that you would have to wait for your table if you did not book ahead. However, fear not, as their take-away service is very efficient and you would get your food within 5-10 minutes, and it's cheaper to take away too. Since Darling Harbour is just a stone's throw away with ample benches by the harbour, why not consider saving a few dollars and taking your takeaway boxes with you to enjoy a little sun and the sea?
Pad Thai - It came sweet, and I do not like sweet. I want mine SPICY!!!!
Jungle Curry -oh boy was this spicy! :)
Dimsum that came with the set lunch
Veggie drumstick (beancurd sheet rolled on stick, deep fried)
Soy Chicken Satay (Veggie Chicken marinated in Satay powder and coconut milk topped with peanut sauce)
Money bag (mixed vegetables, water chestnut and veggie meat wrapped in chinese dumplng pastry)
Curry Puff (Potato, carrot, corn and pea cooked with curry powder)
Beverage that came with the set lunch
Red Curry - the popular thai curry cooked with bamboo shoots, vegetables in red chilli paste, coconut milk, veggie meat and tofu
Labels: Australia, Peace Harmony, Sydney, Thai
posted on: Monday, March 12, 2012 @ 4:31 AM
veg-spiration
Yay to the first authentic Thai eatery outside of Thailand, in fact I have yet to dine at a full vegetarian in Thailand, so do let me know if you know of any good ones!
Peace Harmony is a Thai vegetarian eatery located in the heart of Sydney's CBD. They are open for lunch and dinner, so head on over if you are in town! However, they do get very busy, so reservations are highly recommended!
Green Curry - a bit too coconut milky and a bit too sweet. I think most Malaysians prefer their curry to be more spicy and not sweet.
Soy Fish - this dish is made perfect by the sweet and sour sauce that comes with it.
Pad Prik Khing. We loved this dish. It was spicy and yet not overly creamy / oily. Best companion for a bowl of warm rice!
Peace Harmony
Address: 44 Erskine Street Sydney NSW
Labels: Australia, Peace Harmony, Sydney, Thai
posted on: Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 1:53 AM
veg-spiration
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 $25Pan 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 - $17.50The 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
Labels: Australia, Dessert, Italian, Sydney
posted on: Monday, January 9, 2012 @ 1:03 AM
veg-spiration
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/homeLabels: Australia, Dessert, Sydney
posted on: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 @ 11:26 PM
veg-spiration
Came across this eatery when I was googling for vegetarian food on the Internet, and I must say that it is an awesome find and is a must visit for fellow vegetarians in Sydney. It is actually a vegan Chinese restaurant and offers plenty of healthy and wholesome Chinese food.
On our first visit we had item #38 on the menu, the Lion King claypot comes with heaps of veggies and "fish cakes", not exactly sure what the restaurant calls them, but it tastes like vegetarian fish cakes to me, so don't quote me when you order this dish at the restaurant. We particularly enjoyed this dish a lot and will definitely order this again.
Item 38 on the menu: Lion King Pot - AUD 15.80
The second dish is the Golden Fish which comes in a sweet and spicy sauce. We find it quite tentalizing as this is not the usual type of vegetarian fish we get in Malaysia. It is coated with a layer of yam, which makes it rather special and unique.
Item 40 on the menu: Golden Fish - AUD 15.80
The third dish is recommended by the staff as we requested for a very spicy dish on the menu and he told us that they can make anything in the menu into a spicy dish. So we agreed to order the Spicy Sichuan Eggplant thinking that it would be just eggplant cooked in some Sichuan spicy sauce but regretfully we the dish arrived we were very disappointed as the eggplants were coated with a thick layer of flour and deep fried .... a method which we always disliked. It is our mistake for not enquiring how the dish was to be prepared. We did not like this dish as there was really only a tiny piece of eggplant in the very thickly coated flour. We would rather the chef just cook the plain eggplants in the spicy sauce.
Item 47 on the menu: Spicy Sichuan Eggplant - AUD 15.80
Green Gourmet St. Leonards
Address: 538 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
Tel: 02-9439 6533
Buses that travels on the pacific highway, like M20 will get you to the doorstep of the restaurant :)
Labels: Australia, Chinese, Malaysian, Sydney
posted on: Sunday, January 1, 2012 @ 4:01 AM
veg-spiration
We were simply thrilled to be able to locate a Vietnamese eatery, no, not just a vegetarian-friendly one, but a 100% vegetarian (vegan in fact) one! Located just minutes from the busy Sydney CBD in the bustling and filled with interesting little shops, is a town called 'Newtown', which I can't help but find it very similar to Brunswick in Melbourne. Newtown is a little gem known for all the awesome restaurants, cafes, take-aways, and it is also home to another 100% thai vegan restaurant. I did not get to try the Thai restaurant (Green Palace - 182 King St, Newtown, NSW) on this occasion and will most definitely find time to try it out!
Vina is a family-run business and has the most awesome waitress ever. She was highly efficient in showing us to our table, bringing us a bottle of water without us having to ask and also recommended us the best Vietnamese noodles we have ever had!
I highly recommend that you try this: Vina Pho Bo (Mock Beef Noodle Soup) $12
The soup has a cinnamon kick to the "beef broth". It is not spicy but I would say it's somewhat sweet to the palette - something I have never tasted back home in Malaysia. 5 stars!
Spicy Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup $12
This somehow tastes like the Malaysian "prawn noodle", and is not exactly spicy (well, not to a Malaysian that is used to extremely spicy food). So, naturally, I wouldn't have enjoyed this dish as much as I was told that it is "really spicy". I'd prefer to have the beef noodle anytime.
Fresh Rice Paper Rolls (3 for $6)
These rice paper rolls are filled with rice noodles, mock ham, tofu, lettuce and mint. I felt that it wasn't worth the money, but we liked the sauce a lot. The mock ham added a flavor that you will not get elsewhere, so that must be a plus point for this eatery, though too much of mock stuff is not really healthy.
All in all a very enjoyable visit. I'd definitely go for the Beef Noodle again during my next visit. :D
Contact: 02-9557 0456
Address: 395 King St Newtown, NSW, Australia
Train: Newtown (restaurant is within walking distance :D )
Labels: Australia, Sydney, Vietnamese
posted on: Monday, December 26, 2011 @ 3:23 AM
veg-spiration
Beverage that came with the set lunch
Vegetarian Party
Pot Luck Party