Spice Temple - Sydney, NSW 10/08/10

What Australian isn't familiar with Neil Perry? And if you aren't - I don't want to know you! Forever I have wanted to go to Rockpool (his flagship restaurant) and while I haven't made it yet I made it to one of his other restaurants last night.Spice Temple sit inconspicuously beside Rockpool Bar and Grill and apart from the beautifully computer animated door art showing you the entrance you might miss it. Then down some very steep and narrow stairs you go do a dimly lit hideaway. We had a short wait for our table (partially due to one more in out party than anticipated) but were kept satiated with some spiced popcorn - very tasty.
When we got to our table the adventure began. So much exciting sounding food, some interest over dishes that need to be ordered 24 hours in advance and a little fear of the items that were written in RED - meaning HOT.

Our only entree (just enough to give us a taste): Northern Style Lamb and fennel dumplings.

Hot, sweet and sour numbing Pork

Not as hot as the name (and red print) suggested - very moreish.

Stir fried greens with Garlic
I could eat veges done like this for the rest of my life.


Stir fried cumin lamb with steamed bread pockets.

Ben suggested these were like Asian hot pockets. Tara said they tasted Mexican. I think they were YUM!

Hot and numbing crispy duck

My favourite dish of the night. I might love duck a bit these days.

Banana, chocolate and peanut sesame ball with banana ice cream.

(Much LOL accompanied this one when the waiter was telling me I had to attack the balls with my hand and rip them apart)

Mango pudding with condensed milk chantilly.

The mango pudding was rich and creamy - but the chantilly was probably just a bit too thick on top.


Warm pineapple cake with caramel cream.

Now I swear that when the waiter put this in front of Danny he said "Some kind of a pudding" like he had NO idea what it was. He probably said "some pineapple pudding" but that isn't as funny.


I totally want to go to Spice Temple again. I'd love to do their banquet - or at least try some of the crazier things on the menu that my partners-in-crime weren't so keen for! Any takers??