JENIUS

Two weddings, one day. And Malay-Chinese Takeaway.

2012-02-02T10:11:45Z

How's that for a rhyming blog post title? This blog post takes us back to November 26, the date where for the first time ever, I attended two weddings in one day! Unfortunately, it meant we were only able to attend one reception, but I'm really glad we were able to make it to both ceremonies. It hasn't been much of a Summer in Sydney this year and the lead up to Summer was no different. Sydneysiders were drenched the entire week prior to the weddings. So I guess it was no surprise that for the first time ever, I Continue reading "Two weddings, one day. And Malay-Chinese Takeaway." »

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Jackie M, Concord

2012-01-25T05:52:04Z

Jackie M only opens for dinner 15 hours every week - Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 5-10pm. As if it isn't already effort to drive to Concord, the restaurant's opening hours means Malaysian food lovers only have a small window to dine here. However, the key to Jackie M's success has been her catering, which is actually how the restaurant came about. (So you can in fact indulge in Jackie M's Malaysian foods, any time at home)I'm beginning to hear lots of start-up stories of how people start catering for family and friends, and then through word of mouth, they suddenly Continue reading "Jackie M, Concord" »

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Pizza e Birra re-visited

2012-01-22T00:11:42Z

I've been eating a lot of Italian lately because I've just watched the entire five seasons of Kitchen Nightmares. It's weird that I always feel like I don't have enough time to do things, when somehow, I managed to watch all 60 episodes. Anyway, back to my point - in Kitchen Nightmares, Gordan Ramsay visits more Italian restaurants than any other cuisines... He really got me craving Italian! We're pretty spoilt for choice in Sydney but on this particular night, we decided to revisit Pizza e Birra, which is just a short stroll from home. Working so close to home,]]> Continue reading "Pizza e Birra re-visited" »

BLACK By Ezard at The Star

2012-01-18T10:23:15Z

Aside from the relatively new Westfield, The Star was Sydney's other most anticipated dining precinct opening. Tenants now include David Chang's Momofuku Seiōbo, Teage Ezard's BLACK by ezard, Chase Kojima's Sokyo and Stefano Manfredi's Balla. Plus you'll also find Adriano Zumbo Patissier, Flying Fish & Chips, Messina Gelato and more, in the Food Cafe Court. I had the pleasure of recently dining at BLACK, and it totally blew me away. Considering how closed-in Star City used to be, I certainly did not expect to be dining with a view like this: Nor did I expect to be served the most adorable complimentary]]> Continue reading "BLACK By Ezard at The Star" »

Ms G's, Potts Point

2012-01-15T07:00:51Z

Despite 2011 being a year of astonishing restaurant openings, Ms G's which opened in late 2010, is still crowded as ever. Thankfully you can get around the no bookings policy by turning up a bit earlier when it is still bright (thank you daylight saving). Everything at Ms.G's is a bit quirky - the decor, the food, even the name - which if you haven't realised yet, is a play on monosodium glutamate, MSG. Cocktails are packaged in disposable sealed bubble tea cups, a bottle of Srichacha is available at every table, and the menu is laden with cheeky messages, Continue reading "Ms G's, Potts Point" »

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House Thai

2012-01-12T00:25:38Z

I am the queen of hot foods. You see, I'm from a family where spicy foods are enjoyed from a young age. My dad has been known to bite into chillies at the markets to test their heat, and my brother can down so many chilli giblets (a specialty dish my mum prepares), it'd give Adam Richman (Man V. Food guy) a run for his money. Over the years, I've introduced the family to many of Sydney's spiciest dishes, so when I mentioned that I'd become a regular at House, we quickly knew this would be the location for the next]]> Continue reading "House Thai" »

Tour of Freycinet Marine Oyster Farm and an epic BBQ lunch at Saffire

2011-12-31T08:50:38Z

The time has come for the last blog post of 2011. It has been an exceptional year of tremendous eats but for this last post of the year, there's no better subject to share, than what was for me, the most memorable experience in 2011. You may remember that I was recently invited to attend a media trip to Tassie's East Coast. I haven't been able to stop talking about this experience since my return so for those of you who have already heard my excitement, here are the photos - and for all you others - you won't believe Continue reading "Tour of Freycinet Marine Oyster Farm and an epic BBQ lunch at Saffire" »

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Fei Jai, Potts Point

2011-12-27T03:23:45Z

I was talking to a friend about Fei Jai recently and he too agreed that this restaurant was the type of place ABCs (Australian-born Chinese) would go to, but probably not take their parents. I guess it is knowing how they'd react when they find out how much you paid for such a meal. Well, that's part of the whole appeal to me. Dining at Fei Jai feels like a secret indulgence... in refined home cooking. Yes, note the emphasis on the word 'refined'. I've been fed a lot of traditional Cantonese food over the years, and while there are Continue reading "Fei Jai, Potts Point" »

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Izakaya Fujiyama, Surry Hills

2011-12-21T11:00:51Z

52 Waterloo Street is quickly becoming one of the hottest eating and drinking destinations in Sydney. In the same complex as Orto Trading Co and El Capo, Kenji Maeneka (ex-Bodega) has created Izakaya Fujiyama, a fabulous spot for any night out - there's Japanese beers, plum wines and sake, and lots of great share plates.We chose to dine here on our very first night as Surry Hills locals :)I love the handwritten specials menu! We start with Kingfish nuta with tortilla ($15). It's a small mountain of lime and miso marinated diced kingfish, served with fried tortilla chips. Earthy, salty, Continue reading "Izakaya Fujiyama, Surry Hills" »

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Wineglass To Wine Glass tour, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

2011-12-13T04:25:25Z

Tassie has to be the most under-rated holiday destination in Australia. I've spent some time in Hobart before but I had no idea what the East Coast of Tasmania had to offer when I was invited to attend a media trip with a small group of travel and food journalists recently.One of the highlights of the trip was an experience called Wineglass to Wine Glass. I'm so fortunate to have experienced this at the time I did because just last week, I received an update from the Federal Group informing me that this experience has ceased to operate.Don't worry, you Continue reading "Wineglass To Wine Glass tour, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania" »

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Kem Chuoi (Vietnamese banana ice-cream)

2011-12-11T04:34:46Z

I had the most unusual craving the other night for my mother's homemade banana ice-cream. Reminiscing about my childhood, my mouth started salivating when I came across a particular flashback. It must've been at least 15 years ago, where hot and sticky afternoons went hand in hand with homemade chilled snacks such as shaved ice bowls dressed with rose syrup, store-bought vanilla ice-cream topped with condensed milk, or almond agar agar jelly with canned fruit salad. I remember running past the kitchen, the heart of the family home. Used to seeing my mother cook up various delicacies in her spare Continue reading "Kem Chuoi (Vietnamese banana ice-cream)" »

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Trinity Bar - Monday $10 sirloin steaks

2011-12-09T12:17:34Z

Monday isn't usually a day anyone looks forward to, so I thought I'd tease you with Monday night's dinner. This is what I had on Monday night this week, and it's what you could be eating in just three days: Sirloin steak with chips, salad and mushroom sauce You see, Trinity Bar's Monday special is their chargrilled sirloin steak. Priced at $25 on the normal bistro menu, it is only $10 with chips and salad or $12.50 with mash and vegetables on Mondays. Sauce options are gravy, mushroom & rosemary or peppercorn. The rules are simple - no alterations, no variations]]> Continue reading "Trinity Bar - Monday $10 sirloin steaks" »

100 Mile Degustation at Cibo e Vino

2011-12-08T12:30:43Z

One of the greatest joys of working with restaurants is definitely the part that involves eating. Thankfully, there are many opportunities for that - after food photo-shoots, concept tastings, and at special events such as this, where months of planning all come together. In October, Cibo e Vino, one of the Hills District's hidden gems, ran their annual 100 mile degustation. The concept of a 100 mile meal is an initiative of the Crave Food Festival where restaurants are challenged to serve food from within a 100 mile radius. Having done a lot of behind the scenes work with marketing the]]> Continue reading "100 Mile Degustation at Cibo e Vino" »

Jamie's Italian, Sydney

2011-12-07T12:06:01Z

Not much of a celebrity chef groupie (not that Jamie Oliver is ever physically at this restaurant), I thought I was going to wait this out one. I mean, who really has the time to wait an hour and a half for a table? Well, I was wrong. The queues to Jamie's Italian in Sydney, which by the way, already has over 25 replicas overseas, has been CRAZY. And so I got roped into waiting. My sister was adamant we dine there.It turns out that if you go on a Monday night, it's not too bad afterall. We were seated Continue reading "Jamie's Italian, Sydney" »

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Chips Club

2011-12-06T01:30:47Z

Quirky gifts, I can't get enough of them! Giftclubs is a new concept that allows you to send the perfect gift either once-off, or once a month for 2, 3, 6 or 12 months. Types of clubs available include baking, hot sauce, pasta, tea, nuts, cookie, chocolate, vinegars & dressings and more! This is like gifting a magazine subscription - but better! I was intrigued by the chips club so just had to try it for research purposes ;) Yes, that's right. A chips club exists. If you know someone who constantly gets the munchies or simply really appreciates the]]> Continue reading "Chips Club" »