East Ocean Restaurant - Haymarket, NSW 23/07/10

Having been to East Ocean previously it was important that we took others back to enjoy the fantasmic new phenomenon we had discovered and called "Amazing Rice" and convince them that we weren't overplaying it's sensationalisation. And MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. East Ocean was hidden away behind a maze of outdoor eating options the night we attempted to go back - which nearly distracted us from our target. We persisted to fight through the crowds and let the waiter know we were on a tight time frame - we had theatre tickets.
The last time we ventured for our East Ocean delights our menu choices revolved too much around the prawn. We ventured out a little this time - but didn't neglect out friend the prawn.

Amazing Rice - or as they call it East Ocean Fried Rice with Chopped Seafood and Salmon Roe

Crispy skin chicken with vinaigrette

Mushrooms & green vegetables with oyster sauce.

Salt & Pepper Pork Spare Ribs

Prawn Dumplings

Every dish was as good as each other but the "Amazing Rice" lived up to its' name. The delight of it "popping" in your mouth each time you bite down on the Salmon Roe is as exciting for an adult as Magic Gum is to a kid. OK as exciting as Magic Gum still is to me.

*Apologies to Des and the Jay for my tardiness in posting this review. It had nothing to do with my enjoyment levels of the evening or the food and everything to do with new computers/old computers/travel without computers/excessive laziness.

**We also saw "Wicked" again the same night we went to East Ocean so some Oz-ian language may have made it into this post.

The Rocks Teppanyaki - The Rocks, NSW 19/07/10

The Rocks Teppanyaki drew me in on multiple levels. Firstly, it is in a very convenient location - right beside my hotel. Secondly, it earns me Qantas Frequent Flyer points. And thirdly I found $50 on the street tonight so I was prepared to kick in a little more towards my meal than my daily budget. And I LOVE Teppanyaki. I never thought I'd do Teppanyaki on my own - being such a social event normally - but it was really great food and a really friendly restaurant.

I could have ordered from the a la carte menu - but why go to all that trouble when they make a set menu for you?

DEEP SEA ON THE ROCKS
Appetiser
Seasonal salad
King prawn and seasonal seafood
Grilled vegetables
Rice or garlic fried rice
Miso soup
Choice of ice-cream
Japanese tea


Cauliflower soup

Karage Tuna

Prawns, scallops, squid, salmon and barramundi

On top of the superb food (and yes I walked away quite full) the service was great. The staff were friendly and attentive, no sooner had I finished a plate than it was whisked away and while the Teppanyaki chef's accent was hard to understand he was just so sweet you couldn't help but get a bit of a crush on him.

I'll be back Rocks Teppanyaki - just you wait!

Pony Lounge and Dining - The Rocks, NSW 18/07/10

I'd passed Pony while walking the streets of The Rocks on my last visit and remembered it as being one of the buildings we called by on The Rocks Ghost Tour I did with Des and The Jay on my first trip down this year. The location on the Cnr of Argyle St and Kendall Lane allows for a long deck to run up the laneway and the main feature of the restaurant is a large 11 metre communal table (so if you are after a romantic meal maybe book an inside table!!)

We didn't make a reservation so had to endure about a 20 minute wait for a table to become free. The menu allows for "small plates" to be consumed in the bar/lounge area and there is great cocktail menu - my choice of the "Pasionate Affair" falling down due to a lack of passionfruit on the premises (and overheard they'd run out of oranges too!).

I must apologise for the lack of photos to accompany this post - I'm shy at food photography depending on the location and my dinner company. For this post I must claim the latter to be my excuse. My dinner companion finds my love all things Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter, blogs) worthy of ridicule so I decided to spare us both the awkward conversation and just not whip out my iPhone/camera and provide pictures of the meal. Sorry folks. I will do better, I swear.

Entrees:

Pan-seared calamari, green mango, cashews, lime and palm sugar.

My only issue with this was that they didn't mention that in addition to the calamari there was baby octopus mixed in as well (perhaps running short on calamari as well as passionfruit/oranges). I'm fine with eating miniature creatures (baby animal you say? bring it on!!) but others might cower at the sight.

Seared sirloin - soy, lime, chilli and ginger dressing.

Thanks to the bountiful serving of pan seared cephalopods I received piled on my plate I was prepared to trade some of these for the delicious sirloin. I almost had food envy over this one - it was light and zesty and totally delectable.

Mains:

Tasmanian Salmon with King Prawns on a spiced harissa cous cous.

It's rare that I am not prepared to share my meal but this was fantastic. Just spicy enough to give it a kick without being so spicy that it ruined the natural flavours of the immaculately cooked salmon and prawns.

Slow cooked NZ venison, potato and sage gnocchi, grana padano

It's possible I'm feeling a little remorseful over the consumption of Bambi's cousins a few weeks back but more likely I just wasn't prepared to offer some of my salmon/prawn extravagance in exchange for some o the venison. It looked fantastic and from all reports tasted equally good ( I heard no grumblings from it's contented devourer) so I cannot comment.

Dessert:

Passionfruit brulee, macadamia nut biscotti.

Clearly the pick of the menu because we both ordered it. And I am a little ashamed to admit it defeated me. The combination of the super sweet passionfruit, the bitter burnt sugar and the creamy texture made me think twice about finishing it when I contemplated that I had stairs to walk up to get back to my hotel. Sure, the stairs would have allowed me to work some of it off but not being able to physically move having eaten so much might have stopped me. That is my excuse - and I'm sticking to it.

A common trend in the Sydney dining files seems to be customer service. I'm not sure whether I'm noticing it more because it's something I focus on in my work environment but there seems to be something lacking everywhere I go. Long delays in getting glasses of wine (or even the bill) seem to be common and frustrating. Thankfully I had excellent company to keep me entertained throughout the night.

The Winery by Gazebo - Surry Hills, NSW 18/07/10

After the amazing roast I had last time dining with Lu and Richele it seemed like the best place to suggest a Sunday afternoon gathering of another group of friends this time around in Sydney. The ambiance was just as great and the Sangria (rose only this time) was also good but it pains me to say the service and the roast were not up to snuff. And yes it was Roast Pork again!!

Don't get me wrong - it still beats the Carina Leagues Tuesday night roast by a mile but the crackle wasn't crispy enough and the meat was a little dry in places. When asked what it was served with the waiter told us that it only came with wilted green vegetables so we ordered some mash on the side which the mumbling waiter told us wasn't potato but couldn't commit to what it was. It was beans/peas - I don't know - something green, but it was tasty. Oh and roast vegetables came with the roast - of course!

The wait staff were a little lacking today (no sign of Noodles) and their knowledge of the dishes wasn't what it should be. When a side of fries was ordered to go with a burger that was ordered at our table - they didn't mention that fries came with the order and a drink never made it's way to the table.

I'd go back - one awesome experience, one average one - but I'm fairly forgiving. See you soon Winery!!

Restaurants I Want To Try in Sydney

Bistro Lilly - DONE!
ARIA Sydney
Bilson's
Glass Brasserie and Wine Bar
Guillame at Bennelong - DONE!
Sake
Tetsuya's
Rockpool
Rockpool Bar and Grill - DONE!
Quay
Restaurant Arras
Billy Kwong

Bill's - DONE!

Baroque Bistro - The Rocks, NSW - 28/06/10

Damn Masterchef Australia for having a French themed episode - it made me CRAVE French food. Luckily Sydney has some amazing French cuisine and a restaurant I had been dying to try Baroque Bistro. With the help of a plea for company on Facebook my lovely friends Kyle and Michael agreed to suffer the torture with me!

Due to my excitement I beat the boys to the restaurant and found their service a little lacking to begin with - eventually someone came and took my order for a cocktail.

Savoie Blanc - From the heart of France this savory goblet has a beautiful blend of Ciroc French Vodka, fresh white grapes, elderflower and citrus notes then crowned with white wine and served over ice.

The boys and I decided to try different things (and get a chance to sample each others) which is what I love to do.

For entrees:

Slow cooked egg, roasted wild and cultivated mushrooms, shaved beaufort, watercress

Plate of charcuterie

Braised snails, garlic cassonade, orange, clove and sherry emulsion, textured onions











The Charcuterie was great but the snails were probably the hit. My 2nd attempt ever at eating that friendly garden slug but this time was much better (the 1at time was the home made tinned version I once made my brother eat unexpectedly!! haha) Good choice Mick.

Our Mains:

Stuffed leg of organic chicken, coq au vin garnish










Berkshire pork belly, butternut pumpkin , tarragon, silverbeet






Duck breast, parsnip, duck leg pastilla, prune armagnac compote, turnip







Pork belly is normally my first pick on any menu but I decided to live a little - and the chicken was the winner. And winner it was! The pork belly was superb though - crackling hmmmm. Again the correct choice for meals was Michael - with the Duck Done 2 ways (or as we renamed it "The Lucky Duck"). We tried to explain to the unsuspecting waitress why we had dissolved into giggles when she came over to the table to take our orders but she didn't get the joke.

We are hoping it wasn't intentional but Michael was the lucky recipient of a "gift with purchase" a tiny piece of steel wool on his beetroot. It didn't ruin his meal in any way but the waitress was so apologetic she bought us a magic plate of macarons to enjoy!! The caramel ones were the bomb! Your loss Michael for not liking caramel - Kyle's and my gain!!



Macarons are everything thing they are cracked up to be - crunchy but soft and tasty and amazing!!!


One would think (again) that we were in no shape to even consider dessert - but we like a challenge. And what better challenge than French desserts.

Vanilla crème brulée, pistachio ice cream
Passionfruit soufflé, passionfruit sorbet
Sorbet plate

The service was a little lacking at first but by the end of the night the French had warmed to us (to be truthful I don't think there was anyone French in the place but the food made up for it). Reasonably priced and a great view of the Harbour Bridge from outside - I'm lining up to go back again - and I think Michael and Kyle would be keen to go too! Thanks go to my 2 lovely dates - for great dinner company and for escorting me back safely to my hotel (via the Argyle Steps).

The Winery by Gazebo - Surry Hills, NSW 27/06/10

In the continuation of an overindulgent weekend with my high school friends we tottered off to The Winery by Gazebo for their Sunday roast lunch. The constant topic of conversation on the way there (and something that kept me motivated on a walk up the giant - and uninformed of - hill that is Foveaux St) was what would the roast be. Lu and Richele were both hopeful of Beef. I favoured Pork. Always pork. Glorious crackling covered pork and I was not to be disappointed. Hurrah!

The girls has also been telling me of the joyous jugs of Pimms and Sangrias (in 3 varying flavours) that we could partake of. Much was their horror that I had never tried Pimms that we no sooner had ourselves seated as we ordered the first (of 6 inevitable jugs) through our waiter "Noodles".



Pimms & Lemonade - Pimms No.1, Gordon's gin, rosso sweet Italian vermouth & strawberries, mint, cucumber topped with lemonade & dry ginger ale



White Wine Sangria - Lychees, lemon wedges & mint, cointreau & bianco sweet Italian vermouth, topped with lemonade





The jugs of Pimms and Sangria were far too easy to consume and reasonably priced. And the wait for our roasts was short - but we enjoyed the eclectic surroundings. Cowhide covered chaise lounges, antique mismatched furniture, deer heads mounted on the walls with party lights hanging from them, a range of portraits of bird in ties and hats.






And then.... the roasts arrived.... and I declare I will never eat roast pork at the local leagues club again. This may be the single best roast lunch I have ever eaten.


And as the jugs continued to miraculously turn up at the table, excited conversation built further appetites and we managed to find room to fit in a little dessert. This is where the meal became a little ironic. For some reason which I won't elaborate on much of our discussions throughout the morning had centred on the topic of merkins - including googling to find out what they were originally made of. So when our dessert arrived at the table - the merkin jokes continued. No appetites were harmed in the process of that conversation.


Double chocolate brownie, fairy floss & vanilla ice cream


So we were 2 from 2 of restaurants I would definitely return to in Sydney - and certainly back for a Sunday afternoon of Pimms and roast. Staff were fantastic, meals and drinks were promptly delivered, enjoy the bathrooms - who doesn't love a 70s styled man in fly open denim shorts greeting you as you head to the bathroom. But beware ladies - you need to head to the door of the bare breasted woman to his right - also circa 1970. Careful where you place your hands to open the door!

The Victoria Room, Darlinghurst, NSW 26/06/10

My latest trip to Sydney led to a "Grown up Girls" dinner where some friends from high school and I dressed up to the 7s (there is always room for improvement) and headed out for a night of good food, good cocktails and good laughs.

I'd perused the website for The Victoria Room and was impressed by the menu but the ambiance of the place is amazing too. Antique furniture, lamps, beaded curtains, dimmed lights - even with a crowded bar it seemed intimate and private for our girls night out. They don't take reservations - so get in early but when we arrived after 7pm we had no troubles getting a table. Our first task - trolling through the mammoth cocktail list to settle on our first beverage of the evening.

I settled on The Sugar Daddy ".... This is for those who prefer to take their alcohol masked with fruit and juice. Refreshing and light, who wouldn’t want a sugar daddy? Russian Standard Original Vodka shaken with Peach Liqueur, fresh mint, sugar cane and lime juices..."
With the added bonus it was fun to order.



Meals at The Victoria Room are Mediterranean inspired and designed to share. While enjoying our cocktails and perusing the menu we started with a Mezze plate "...Roast capsicum & white anchovie salad, labneh, marinated eggplant,grilled artichoke, kalamata olives, prosciutto & warm pide

The mains were harder to decide on but we settled on the following (to share as prescribed by the menu)

Cypriot style lamb cutlets with gremolata served on oven roasted polenta
Spicy Moroccan style meatballs
Fried haloumi, oven-roasted tomato, asparagus & basil salad
Roast baby chat potato crush with a rosemary & parsley butter

and one of the specials of the evening

Angus Beef on a bed of crushed cannelini beans and a red wine reduction




You'd think we three delicate young ladies would have been full to the brim by the time we'd consumed those treats - but the allure of the dessert menu drew us back in fast.

Lu went for her favourite all time dessert and it proved to be a great choice.

Rich Apple Tarte tatin with double cream





Richele chose a chocolaty treat in

Chocolate & Hazelnut Mousse


I went for something off the specials menu and a twist on an old favourite

Sticky Date and walnut pudding with creme fraiche




Needless to say we walked away from the table - full and happy. The food was sensational, the setting enjoyable, the only let down was the lacklustre service - but I'd still go back again... and again....

In the beginning....

With my job I sometimes get to spend my time in hotels and on planes and eating alone in restaurants - and to enjoy the perks of that I choose to eat in style. Sure I could live on McDonald's but why would you do so when visiting cities like Sydney with such fantastic and varied cuisines? Hell no. For years I have been torturing my friends with pictures on Facebook of the food I've been enjoying. Many have suggested I write a blog. Some have said they are sick of the pictures. So here is my outlet for both - my love of amazing food and the joy of posting pictures of it. From here I will also review the restaurants I've been to and (hopefully) enjoyed!

The title of the blog comes from a confusing conversation between a friend of mine and his wife. Said friend and I had been referring to the opportunity for me to travel to Sydney for a "junket" with this meaning: "a trip, as by an official or legislative committee, paid out of public funds and ostensibly to obtain information". When revealing to his wife that I was coming to Sydney for a "junket" she thought this meaning: "a sweet, custardlike food of flavored milk curdled with rennet" and couldn't work out why I was travelling over 1000kms for a dessert.

And so the name has stuck.