Hot & Healthy, Bridge St, Sydney

Hot & Healthy, Bridge St, Sydney

Tuesday 28 August, 2007

This site was recently known as Burger Bar....one of my favourite lunchtime haunts. When we discovered the Burger Bar had closed we waited in anticipation to see what opened in its place. It didn't take long for Hot & Healthy to come on scene.

Using the same furniture but a few new canvases on the walls, the Hot & Healthy display is impressive. The brochures the staff hand out state, "Try our delicious range of healthy gourmet sandwiches, yogurts & juices. Grab a coffee & tasty treat....or some fresh BBQ chicken." With large glass cabinets displaying fresh fruit, sandwich fillings, roast pork & beef and tasty treats the menu is extensive including hot breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps and baguettes, burgers, roasts, soups, BBQ chicken, salad and yogurts. Where do you start?

My lunch buddy & I opted for burgers - each $7.50:

- Chilli chicken - chicken fillet schnitzel, cheese, lettuce, mayonnaise & sweet chilli dressing

- Troppo chicken - chicken fillet, bacon, cheese, pineapple, lettuce and mayonnaise

There were several staff on the counter but the service is slow & steady. Everyone is pleasant and the hosts Sofia & Costa are keen to engage with new clientele in their new location. We ordered and paid at the counter and grabbed a table. Fortunately, we arrived early enough to secure a table with ease - must have had something to do with the perfect weather outside today!

The burgers didn't take long and a staff member appeared from the kitchen holding two large plates. There are no table numbers so he did the rounds asking who had ordered Chilli & Troppo. The burgers looked good and were cut in halves for ease - very kind. We squished them down and dug in. The sweet chilli sauce advertised on the Chilli chicken was actually hot chilli paste - I welcomed this but I'm not sure everyone would. With a fiery taste in my mouth I enjoyed every mouthful.

My lunch buddy also raved about the Troppo burger and we vowed to return within a couple of weeks. As we finished a steady stream of eager diners arrived to check out the offerings - many opting for the roast dinner.

Hot & Healthy - Shop 3A, 2 Bridge St, Sydney - (02) 9247 0555

Via Abercrombie, Abercrombie Lane, Sydney

Via Abercrombie, Abercrombie Lane, Sydney
Monday 27 August, 2007

In my quest to find the best sandwiches in the CBD I returned to Via Abercrombie. The last time I visited this gem I dined in and received my sandwich on a silver platter. Would it travel back to the office? Would the filling fall out at my desk?

In response to my review of Via Abercrombie I received several recommendations for North's Complete Sandwich. So, I put them to the test last week. Whilst I was impressed with the size and taste - it was so difficult to eat. I ended up with half of it on my desk!

When I returned to Via Abercrombie today I was annoyed I had left it till after 12.30pm. The queue was out the door and starting to snake down the lane. I joined and within minutes another foodie buddy arrived by sheer coincidence. We spent about 15 minutes in the queue chatting about what to order.

By the time we reached the counter I had changed my mind several times. Would I stick to what I know - BBQ Chilli chicken on wholemeal or try something new? My foodie buddy suggested a few sandwiches to try as she has sampled them all but indicated that the favourite is Tuna with polish pickle. I decided to go with Ham on wholemeal.

We were warmly greeted at the counter and watched in awe as the thick slices of bread were cut from the loaf and the sandwiches expertly prepared. The Ham sandwich comes with avocado spread, thinly sliced ham, bocconcini, roma tomatoes and fresh basil. It looked sensational. My foodie buddy ordered the Tuna which came with mayo, polish pickle and tuna spread generously across wholemeal bread. For $7.50 each - the sandwiches are less than North's Complete Sandwich but not as large.

We walked out of the small, crowded space and my foodie buddy had a brilliant idea. Why don't we go halves? This was I could try both - yes please! We exchanged halves and re-wrapped them in foil. After a short walk back to the office I unwrapped my sandwich at my desk and was impressed. Which side to try first?

In all honestly I was bowled over by the Tuna. It was so tasty and the polish pickle was a complete standout. The pickle was marinated in vinegar and was well paired with the tuna spread. I was disappointed that I only had one half! That said, the Ham was very good too and the fresh basil was divine.

At this point, I have to say Via Abercrombie is the front runner.......

Via Abercrombie - Abercrombie Lane, Sydney - (02) 9251 0000

Beaches, The Esplanade, Balmoral

Beaches, The Esplanade, Balmoral

Sunday 26 August, 2007

This morning after a welcome sleep in, my Melbourne buddy and I drove down to Balmoral for a late breakfast. Hoping to eat at Bathers, we took one look at the queue and decided to go to Beaches. It's been over 12 months since my last visit here.

We wandered in and asked for a table upstairs that commands views over the park & beach. How lucky were we? Right by the window was a table soaking up the gorgeous weather that was available. After ordering coffees - an essential after a big night - we looked over the menu. A new addition to their menu is the Champagne breakfast - for $27.50 you can have coffee, juice, champagne and anything off the food menu. Yes please!

For me the choice was easy - eggs benedict - I know, how boring to always order the same thing. But, the way I figure it I never cook this at home and it is my favourite! My Melbourne buddy ordered the English breakfast with poached eggs, bacon, tomato and mushrooms. The juice and champagne were delivered at the same time and it felt so decadent to be enjoying champagne over breakfast. I should do this more often!

The staff were pleasant but a little forgetful. Our waiter returned a couple of times to check our orders. Might have helped to write them down????? There were times when we wondered where the staff were but we weren't in a rush so were happy to take our time.

The food arrived and I thoroughly enjoyed my eggs benedict - I'm sure the pairing with champagne made it even more enjoyable. My Melbourne buddy devoured her English breakfast and the thick cut toast that accompanied it. We sat there in the sun looking out over the esplanade for ages - what a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Beaches - 51 The Esplanade, Balmoral - (02) 9969 7704

http://www.beachesrestaurant.com.au/

Post Seafood Brasserie, Martin Place, Sydney

Post Seafood Brasserie, Martin Place, Sydney
Saturday 25 August, 2007

A reunion is defined in Dictionary.com as,

1. the act of uniting again.
2. the state of being united again.
3. a gathering of relatives, friends, or associates at regular intervals or after separation: a family reunion.

Tonight old friends came together from all over Sydney and interstate to celebrate over drinks and dinner. My new friend, Andrea, Lobby Bar Manager at the Westin Hotel had organised an exclusive area for us to meet beforehand. This was welcomed as the Lobby Bar was packed with hotel guests and also 700 people attending the Starlight Foundation Ball. With champagne corks popping at regular intervals we enjoyed several hours of stories and laughter in our roped off area.

For dinner we had arranged a special deal with Post Seafood Brasserie. Located down the escalators from the Westin lobby is GPO - a thriving area with restaurants/ cafes and bars including Prime and Crystal Bar. Post is described as, "open in design and offering an amazing light filled view of the interior of the historical building with rich upholstered banquettes, glowing light, crisp linen, friendly service and attention to detail. Post has created a menu that is inspired by classic bistro dining. The extensive menu draws on flavours from around the world using the best locally sourced produce."

The GPO had organised a 2 course = $60pp deal for our group including sourdough bread and three sides including green beans with olive tepanade, large hand cut fries and green salads. We only had to pay for our drinks on top. When our group arrived for dinner the Restaurant Manager indicated they could do 3 courses for $60 pp and we could order off the a la carte menu and not the limited group menu. Once we were seated he returned flustered and indicated it was in fact 2 courses for $60pp but we could still order from the a la carte menu. OK then.

As we were seated down one end of the large dining space away from the other guests it took a while to have our drinks/ food orders taken. Given the near empty restaurant this was frustrating at times but luckily the group did not appear to notice. We ordered wine and then two large slices of sour dough were delivered per person with delightfully creamy butter.

Only a handful of people wanted an entree and main - the majority went for main and dessert. Interestingly, Post and Prime have the same owner and share the same kitchen and even though Post is known for their seafood hardly anyone opted for this. Many of us opted for beef or lamb.

I decided to order a main and dessert - Post prime fillet steak with mash, Café de Paris butter and a full flavoured jus and Bailey's souffle. The steak was perfectly cooked to order with an enormous dollop of the creamiest mash alongside it. Accompanied by all the sides (mentioned above) there was no chance of anyone going hungry. The souffle looked fantastic but was very disappointing - I didn't like the pairing of the Bailey's cooked in a souffle and should have ordered the incredibly decadent chocolate tart that many of my dinner buddies went for. You live and learn.

The service, whilst pleasant, was ad hoc. For a Saturday night with only 25% of the restaurant full we were at times in a service void e.g. the entree plates were left on the table for 20 minutes before anyone cleared them. However, when we were served proactively the service was attentive and considerate e.g. every one was asked before the wine was poured.

Overall, the reunion was a huge success and there was talk of it becoming an annual event.

Post Seafood Brasserie - GPO, Lower Ground Floor, 1 Martin Place, Sydney

http://www.gposydney.com/index.asp

Maitre Karl, High St, Willoughby

Maitre Karl, High St, Willoughby
Friday 24 August, 2007

Tonight was a very special occasion - the coming together of two families to celebrate an engagement - how fun! With spirits high and the anticipation of a wonderful meal we knew this would be a night to remember.

Maitre Karl is one of my favourite local restaurants. It's relaxed, easy to get to & park and is BYO. The promise is, " nestled in the heart of the North Shore, Maitre Karl has created a petite piece of Europe. Upon entering this suburban bistro's inviting chic interior of dark timber and brass you will receive a warm welcome."

The warm welcome is guaranteed. I've never witnessed Karl miss doing this to anyone that walks through the front door. He is a proud host and keen to ensure you have a wonderful experience. With 8 of us dining we had several bottles of wine with us and the most bizarre coincidence was both Dads had purchased the same bottle of red wine - Tyrells Shiraz Rufus Stone- for the occasion.

To kick off the evening we ordered a few of house specialities - tarte flambe. Originating from Alsace, France near the German border, tarte flambée has a thinly rolled yeast free base spread with flavoursome fromage blanc (fresh cheese) and scattered with various ingredients. We selected the following to share:

- Strasbourgeoise - German sausage, onion and sauerkraut

- Gratinee - finely sliced onion, bacon and gruyere cheese

- Al'Italienne - ham and pearl mozzarella on tomato base

The staff served everyone a slice of each off the large wooden serving boards and for several minutes there was silence as we enjoyed each mouthful. One of the specials available was garlic snails (or as the French say - escargot) so as a bit of fun we decided to order half a dozen for the table. The brave few who tried them (myself included) were impressed with the presentation - the serving dish was specially designed for 6 snails and each snail was soaked in a buttery, garlic sauce with a side of bread. The verdict? Not that bad - if can get past the visual of snails in your backyard - a little rubbery but the garlic makes them very edible.

For mains our party of 8 ordered the following dishes:

- Slow braised lamb shanks with gratin dauphinois, ratatouille and red wine jus x 3

- Barramundi oven baked in a paper bag served with salmon mousselini, potato fondant, dill, zucchini and hollandaise sauce x 1

- Veal mignon served with potatoes and a creamy mushroom sauce x 4

The stand out were the lamb shanks. Two massive shanks presented on the plate with tender meat that fell off the bone. It was truly delicious and a dish that I could easily return for again and again. The barramundi arrived at the table in a carefully prepared paper bag - it was a little fiddly to remove but the steamed fish inside was flaky and light. The veal, a special for the evening, was presented in a hearty serving and could have been a little rarer for my liking but the creamy mushroom sauce was sensational. Overall, the quality and size of the servings were wonderful.

It wouldn't have been a celebration without speeches, so with Moet all round, we toasted the engagement and heard some moving words from everyone present. Next up were desserts and coffee. There was one dessert shared - Swiss Alps with toblerone ice cream, mousse and fairy floss however the Mum's weren't up for sharing and each ordered the selection of ice creams and sorbets. The Swiss Alps was a delightful looking dessert with a large white meringue in the centre surrounded by a dollop of ice cream and mousse around the side. The use of fairy floss was fun and we shared this between three of us.

What a great night!

Maitre Karl - 197 High Street, Willoughby - (02) 9958 1110

http://www.maitrekarl.com.au/

Omni Blue - Cnr George & Margaret Streets, Sydney

Omni Blue - Cnr George & Margaret Streets, Sydney

Friday 24 August, 2007

Friday lunch time and the city comes alive with anticipation of the weekend. After a long week some old work colleagues organised a catch up lunch at quite possibly the loudest, busiest cafe in the CBD. We had attempted to eat here several months ago and they had lost our booking so we ended up at Bayswiss.

Omni Blue is located in the MetCentre with entrances via Wynyard Station or down the stairs from Margaret St. With its corner location, Omni Blu has a good sized dining space and also a large takeaway area. We arrived and were ushered in a by a frantic staff member who called everyone 'darling'. The dining space was loud, buzzy and manic with only 2-3 staff on the floor.

The menu is a mix of salads, risottos, pastas, burgers and more hearty meals like pork chops and salmon fillets. It took sometime to have our orders taken and the staff looked so flat out racing through the dining space with 3-4 plates of food at a time.

I ordered the Chicken caesar salad as did one of my lunch buddies. Our other lunch buddies ordered the Salt & pepper calamari and Chicken & chick pea salad. We received our drinks orders and watched the enormous plates of food go past. This is the place you will not leave hungry. The plates sizes are impressive and when our food arrived we all let out an audible gasp. Wow - each meal looked like it could feed a family of four.

The Chicken caesar was piled high and had a little too much dressing for my liking. That said, the croutons were served as large slices, the parmesan was in thin slices, the lettuce was fresh and crispy and the bacon was chopped in small squares. It was an impressive spread and I probably got through 75 % of it before admitting defeat. My lunch buddies also enjoyed their meals but none of us managed to clear our plates.

You need to raise you voices here as it's so loud. I wouldn't recommend it for an intimate lunch but for a catch up with friends where time is not an issue and you have a healthy appetite check it out! Bookings highly recommended.

Omni Blue - Cnr George & Margaret Streets, Sydney - (02) 9252 0041

North's Complete Sandwich, Bridge St, Sydney

North's Complete Sandwich, Bridge St, Sydney
Thursday 23 August, 2007

The recommendations came flying in when I posted the review for Via Abercrombie. So, today I decided to check out North's for myself.

Located in a small arcade off Bridge St, North's commands large queues and an impressive phone line that never stops. If you arrive before 12pm you will be served easily however anytime after 12pm the queue starts to grow and before you know it it has snaked up the stairs and onto the Bridge St sidewalk.

North's offer a range of sandwiches, wraps and daily specials. They offer enormous slabs of white & wholemeal bread and have also introduced sourdough. There are a few standard sandwiches to select from e.g. roast beef, grilled chicken, chicken schnitzel, roasted vegetables, tuna etc which they prepare with their own lemon mayonnaise.

I joined the queue just before 12pm and there were about 5 people ahead of me. It's a production line with 6 servers behind the counter. There are a few servers at the rear preparing the phone orders and a few on the front behind the glass cabinet calling out 'next'. I stepped up and called out my order, 'Grilled chicken on wholemeal please'.

Once you have ordered you proceed to the register to pay. The sandwiches are all $8 which is a bargain considering their size. The staff are so focused on churning out the sandwiches that there really is no opportunity for chit chat however they were pleasant enough. I watched my server pull down a slab of bread from the shelf and cut two very thick slices. Within minutes she was waving a gi-normous aluminium foil wrapped package towards me. Oh my goodness!

I lugged it back to the office and provided my work colleagues with a preview. As I unwrapped the enormous package the realisation hit me.....I had buckley's of eating the whole thing. I offered up half to a team member who gladly accepted. The bread was so deliciously fresh, the fillings were packed in - lettuce, tomato, lemon mayo and huge chunks of grilled chicken and the combined taste was really, really good.

The only downside for me was that the fillings all fell out when you attempted to take a bite. It was messy and I was repacking the sandwich after each bite. Maybe it would be easier to have the sandwich cut into 4 manageable sections rather than 2 enormous ones?

I'll be back.

North's Complete Sandwich - Shop 1A, 2 Bridge St, Sydney

Baja Cantina, Glebe Pt Rd, Glebe

Baja Cantina, Glebe Pt Rd, Glebe
Wednesday 22 August, 2007

Tonight my dinner buddy and I went Mexican. I honestly can't recall the last time I ate Mexican - maybe 10+ years ago? So, tonight we arrived at Baja Cantina with an open mind and empty bellies.

deGroots profiled this joint back in June with the following review,

"Don’t you hate it (or love it) when you go to a restaurant and the food is so good and the servings so large that you eat way beyond your stomach capacity? Although this happens far more regularly than I’m prepared to admit, the last occasion was during a visit to Glebe’s Baja Cantina.

The culprit was their massive taco supremo which is way too big for one person and way too good to leave any on the plate. A huge, open, lightly crisped flour tortilla sits on the plate and bears resemblance to a giant clam albeit one that is absolutely packed with tasty portions of refried beans, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, cheese, sour cream and your choice of shredded beef or chicken, chipotle prawns or steak. Luckily the menu has excellent sangria and margheritas to wash it all down.

The airy and spacious interior is reminiscent of a beach side bungalow with whitewashed walls, honey-coloured floorboards, huge windows and high ceilings – an idealised version of a Mexican tacqueria, although the sophisticated atmosphere provides no hint of the stuffing you are about to receive. Uncomfortable wooden chairs will dissuade you from lingering – which is a good thing, because after all that food you’re going to seriously need a walk."

I'm certainly not a connoisseur of all things Mexican so we welcomed the assistance of our friendly waiter. She was very accommodating and recommended a few dishes by describing them in some detail. We took her advice and after starting with fresh, authentic guacamole and corn chips ordered the following:

- Chimichangas - deep-fried burrito that originated in Sonora, Mexico. This was served as folded flour tortillas filled with a wide range of ingredients such as refried beans, rice, cheese and shredded chicken. They were then deep-fried and accompanied with salsa, guacamole and sour cream

- Fajitas - is a generic term used in Tex-Mex cuisine, referring to grilled meat served on a flour or corn tortilla. The chicken was cooked with onions and peppers and came with a separate plate of condiments including sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and tomato.

I had great fun making up my fajitas and trying a variety of fillings. Three corn tortillas came wrapped in foil and I was invited to order more as I needed them. I had never heard the term chimichangas before but according to a legend, Monica Flin, who started the restaurant El Charro in 1922, accidentally dropped a burrito into the deep fat fryer. She immediately began to utter a Spanish curse-word, but quickly edited herself to say chimichanga, the Spanish equivalent of thingamajig.

The servings were so large that we barely made a dint in the plates of food in front of us. The variety and quality of the food was really good and the spicy kick of the fresh jalapenos was outstanding. Washed down with a couple of beers I was impressed.



Baja Cantina - 43-45 Glebe Point Road, Glebe - (02) 9571 1199

The Oaks, Military Rd, Neutral Bay

The Oaks, Military Rd, Neutral Bay

Tuesday 21 August, 2007

I read this review back in June and thought I should visit The Oaks more often. I mean, it is my local and if there are single guys hanging out there all the better! So, tonight another single buddy and I decided to plonk ourselves in Nineteenthirtysix bar and have a few wines.

We arrived around 6.30pm and the outdoor beer garden was empty. It was cold, windy and there were scattered showers which drew everyone into the Nineteenthirtysix bar, Steakhouse bistro & bar and Garden Bar.

Nineteenthirtysix bar offers a mix match of brown/ beige colours, lounges, corner chairs and side tables. It's cosy and there are TV's and bench tables down one end. The website blurb states,

"The nineteenthirtysix is The Oaks new bar which is designed to have a comfortable 1936 feel, perfect for casual drinking and chit chat."

There were only two staff on in Nineteenthirtysix bar and one was in training, so it was a slow night. There are approximately 5 red/ white wines available by the glass, bottled wine, plenty of beer and cocktails and you also order food.

After a few wines we realised it was 8.30pm and we were starving. We had been chatting for hours and were completely oblivious to anyone around us. A quick look at the menus sitting on each side table and we decided on a couple of pizzas:

- Tandoori Chicken with mango chutney, herbed yoghurt, cashews and coriander

- Spicy Sausage with baby pearl onions, capsicum marmalata, caramelised onions and oregano

After ordering and paying at the bar we were handed a number to display on our table. Within 15 mins our pizzas were delivered and looked fabulous. Large slices of tandoori chicken and spicy sausage sat on top of each thin crust pizza. Each pizza was topped with plenty fresh ingredients and a mildly spicy sauce. Cut evenly into 4 large pieces we enjoyed every mouthful.

Did we meet anyone? Not tonight but we'll be back.

The Oaks - 181 Military Rd, Neutral Bay - (02) 9953-5515

http://www.oakshotel.com.au/

wagamama, Bridge St, Sydney

wagamama, Bridge St, Sydney

Monday 20 August, 2007

Why do I do this to myself? I've gone on about making poor meal choices at wagamamas before and you would think I'd go prepared today. But no....instead I laboured over the menu trying to remember the one good dish I ordered there in the past. I even asked one of my lunch buddies of she could remember what I had ordered previously......

We arrived on this overcast & windy day and were ushered inside to a table. It's so relaxed at wagamama but I find the staff forced. By that I mean they have to turn it on, be mega friendly and hip, happening individuals. However, it's false. We had several waiters serve us and each had taken their happy pills. One even made a derogatory remark about how he kept such a spotless table and environment that he should have been a women! What the@!#?

I couldn't find the dish I was after so ordered the Chilli chicken ramen -
noodles in a spicy pork and chicken soup topped with a marinated and grilled chicken breast, fresh chillis, sliced red onions, beansprouts, coriander, spring onions and a wedge of lime. Our waiter took the orders and punched the numbers in the electronic ordering pad before writing them upside down effortlessly on our place mats.

The downside at wagamama is that you never receive your orders together. The idea is that the meals come as they are cooked so we took delivery of 2 dishes and had to wait several minutes for the 3rd. This makes a lunch with friends an awkward experience. My ramen arrived and I recognised immediately that I hadn't ordered well.................again! The ramen was average - it was basically a large bowl of clear sour soup with sliced chicken and noodles. It was near impossible to eat with the chopsticks and large spoon but I gave it a red hot go.

The wagamama concept is modelled on the ramen shops popular in Japan for over two hundred years. Although the prices are OK and the dining space is clean and modern - I'd rather hop on a plane and visit Japan than visit wagamama again. I've noticed some Japanese places on York St so will turn my attention there over the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

wagamama's - 38 Bridge Street, Sydney - T: 9252 8696

http://www.wagamama.com.au/

Via Abercrombie, Abercrombie Lane, Sydney

Via Abercrombie, Abercrombie Lane, Sydney

Friday 17 August, 2007

I was introduced to this gem back in July over breakfast and vowed to return for one of their monster sandwiches. Hidden mid way down Abercrombie Lane this sandwich mecca is sensational.

We arrived to find a long queue out the door but most of the tables, inside and out, were free. There's a photocopied menu posted on the window listing all of the sandwiches and other offerings e.g. salads plus a drinks refrigerator just inside the front door.

The wonderful thing about Via Abercrombie is that the staff treat everyone like family. As you near the counter, everyone is referred to as darling, sweetheart and many visitors are invited to take a seat without paying first. There's a lovely, warm feeling at Via Abercrombie.

My lunch buddy and I arrived at the front counter and met the two staff effortlessly making sandwich after sandwich. We both ordered the chilli chicken on brown bread with green salad leaves. As we were eating in house, we were invited to take a seat and pay later. I absolutely love that there is this level of trust at Via Abercrombie.

My lunch buddy and I decided to sit outside which was great for people watching. After a short time our enormous sandwiches were delivered on silver plates. The first bite confirmed everything we suspected - the freshest bread and ingredients were used in creating these sandwiches and the taste? Delicious.

The chilli chicken was mild and served with chunks of chicken lightly coated in soy tasting sauce with large green salad leaves. The combination was perfect. The size of the sandwiches were enough to attract the passing glances/ double takes of other lunch goers.

Unless I'm proven otherwise this is the best sandwich shop in the Sydney CBD for my money.

Via Abercrombie - Abercrombie Lane, Sydney - (02) 9251 0000

Roxanne, Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Roxanne, Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Thursday 16 August, 2007

The first time I visited Roxanne was on its opening night. This was always going to be a tough night to review. So, what's happening almost 18 months on? The decor has remained unchanged and still embodies the burlesque, Moulin Rouge theme that has since become more popular with the rise of clubs such as Crystal Bar at GPO.

I've since learnt that the name has nothing whatsoever to do The Police song Roxanne - this was what our waiter had eluded to. It is actually intended to evoke a girl of mystery a la Cyrano de Bergerac or Steve Martin. Who would have thought?

We arrived without a reservation after attending a book launch at Gleebooks. We were welcomed inside and offered a table for four near the entrance. Having occupied a prime location in Glebe for almost 18 months, the partners who started Roxanne (Vietnamese-born chef Johnny Nguyen and Nepalese-born owner and some-time cook Raj Shakya) are the same however the staff appear to have changed significantly.

We were starving so ordered some garlic & herb bread to start before checking out the menus. One of my pet peeves is to be presented with a menu and it is riddled with spelling errors and punctuation mistakes. Some words were separated on the menu, for example seafood was listed Sea Food. What the#!@?

Our garlic bread arrived and we polished this off with ease. We are all fans of garlic bread - which is a good thing as you don't want to reek of garlic around dinner buddies that haven't indulged. After reviewing the main offerings we all decided to order something different. I ordered the BBQ plate and my dinner buddies ordered the chicken katsu curry, scallop & prawn risotto and cajun seafood hotpot.

The service was slow considering the restaurant was 50% full but when our meals arrived we were all very impressed. That said, they served up two meals and left us waiting for a minute or two for the third to arrive. Almost five minutes later the fourth meal arrived. No explanation just a quick dash from the kitchen to our table and plate dropped in front of you.

The food was great - my BBQ plate offered a diverse mix including chicken skewers, sausages, steak and pork belly. Accompanying the BBQ smorgasbord was a vibrant salad and a side of balsamic dressing. The other meals were equally impressive - the hotpot contained lots of fresh seafood, the chicken katsu looked rich and decadent and the risotto disappeared so quickly that our dinner buddy had polished off her meal before the rest of us were half way!

There's a lot to like about Roxanne, the food is reasonably priced, the decor is fascinating and doesn't match the food but that's OK and if the service improved it would be a very special place.

Roxanne restaurant & bar - 39 Glebe Point Road, Glebe - (02) 9552 6087

Burger Bun, George St, Sydney

Burger Bun, George St, Sydney

Monday 13 August, 2007

My lunch buddy had recently returned to work from maternity leave. So, when she suggested we go to our favourite burger joint for lunch I had to break the news that it had left the CBD. I have craved a good burger since its departure. However, there may be a viable alternative close by.

Last week I mentioned a new food court called Food @ 259 and wrote about Thai Tree. We approached the food court and were amazed that there are still only two shop fronts open - what's going on people??? There's a huge lunch crowd waiting for you. Located a hop, skip & a jump from Thai Tree is the Burger Bun. With its fluorescent lights, bright coloured menu, catchy burger names and opening specials the Burger Bun is an attractive option.

We stood a while taking in the catchy burger names and making a touch decision. As part of their opening specials they are offering any burger, drink and chips or salad for $6.90. Yes, you read correctly.....$6.90 for a burger, drink and chips or salad. Bargain!

Without hesitation my lunch buddy and I ordered the Archibald - beef burger with bacon, avocado, cheese, lettuce and tomato. We ordered and paid at the counter before receiving a docket with our order number printed on it. A steady lunch crowd followed to take advantage of the cheap & cheerful deal. A short time later we heard our number called and walked over to collect our brown paper bag full of goodies.

The burgers were delicious - the buns were seriously good and not the sesame version but the light, gourmet bread roll version that is easier to eat as a traditional burger i.e squashed together and eaten with your hands. Is there any other way??? We also received a side of chips that were sprinkled with chicken salt.

My lunch buddy and I thoroughly enjoyed our burgers. I think we've found our new burger bar.

Burger Bun - 259 George St, Sydney

International Food Market, Telstra Stadium, Homebush

International Food Market, Telstra Stadium, Homebush

Saturday 11 August, 2007

The Breast Cancer Network Australia called on 13,000 people - representing the number of Australians diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 - to stand together and create the first ever Sydney Field of Women LIVE before the Sydney Swans v St Kilda match.

As Swans supporters we arrived early to participate in the Field of Women event. This was incredibly moving and a important reminder about the high incidence of breast cancer. Standing on the field in our pink ponchos we had a minute's silence for women who had died from breast cancer, and breast cancer survivors were asked to put up their hands. Up There, Cazaly composer Mike Brady, who lost his mother to breast cancer, sung a special rendition of his famous song, called Up There, Pink Lady.

The atmosphere was electric and there were several moments that I will never forget:

1) Walking out onto the lush green grass of Telstra Stadium under the bright lights

2) Watching women raise their hands to indicate they were survivors of breast cancer

After the event we walked off the field to take our seats for the game. However we needed to eat first so popped outside to the International Food Market. There was a hive of activity with queues of 20 - 30 people lined up against each stall representing a variety of cultures i.e. Turkish, Portuguese, Indian, Greek etc.

To be honest our selection was made not on the food but the length of the queue. Tonight, the Portuguese won out. We ordered Portuguese dogs (or hot dogs) and Pasteis de Nata (or Portuguese tarts). The dogs were spicy and topped with kim chee, onion, cheese and mustard. The sesame buns were large and packed full with toppings. They had a kick and were a challenge to eat but we enjoyed every mouthful.

We made it to our seats as the whistle blew - perfect timing. It wasn't until the end of the first quarter that we remembered we had the Pasteis de Nata. Bonus!

International Food Market, Telstra Stadium, Homebush

http://fieldofwomen.org.au/index.php?menuID=1

Top Choice, Sussex St, Haymarket

Top Choice, Sussex St, Haymarket
Friday 10 August, 2007

Tonight we were off to see The Cure at the Entertainment Centre. What an amazing show! I loved every minute of the 3 hour extravaganza.

Beforehand we met inside the Sussex Centre to grab a bite to eat along with all the goths and emos. The outfits were fantastic!

Up the escalators to the Sussex Centre food court you are met with an array of choices. The food court is enormous and the offerings are extensive. Last time I visited, we ate at Happy Chef the shop front lauded by Luke Mangan etc.

So, tonight we watched where the crowds went and viewed all the menus to try and make our selection. I have been to Top Choice inside Market City but never inside the Sussex Centre. After looking over the menu we decided to start with an entree of sizzling honey prawns followed by a main course of Grandmother's beancurd.

The idea is simple - you order and pay at the counter then hover close by. The staff yell out the order into the kitchen and within minutes your dish is up! It's quick, simple and very reasonable. The only downside is that there is only one shop front to purchase your drinks - not sure why this is the case - it's annoying - or maybe I'm just lazy. How many places these days expect you to buy food from one place and drinks from another????

The honey prawns came up first and were sizzling - served on a hot plate they looked and tasted amazing. The prawns were plump, coated with a light golden batter and drizzled with honey. The main course was very spicy with large cubed chunks of beancurd. The sauce was thick and there were peas and thin slices of beef (not mince) throughout. As a massive fan of Grandmother's beancurd I was a little disappointed.

The great thing about the Sussex Centre is that the staff move around clearing plates and cleaning tables regularly so you can always find a table even on a busy Friday night. It's not a place you hang around in - the food is fast and fresh and the idea is to move on quickly. It's ideal for a quick meal on the way somewhere.

In our case this was to Cold Rock. I have a confession to make - I've never been to Cold Rock so had absolutely no idea what it was all about. Pick an ice cream flavour then select some lollies e.g. cherry ripe, smarties etc and watch the staff mash them together. Yum!

Top Choice - Shop F10a/Sussex Centre, 401-403 Sussex Haymarket - (02) 9212 1580

Thai Tree, George St, Sydney

Thai Tree, George St, Sydney

Wednesday 8 & Thursday 9 August, 2007

There is a brand spanking new food court underneath the NAB building called Food @ 259 on Grosvenor St. Bizarrely it is advertised as open even though only 2 of the 10 or so offerings are actually open for business. The dining space is huge with indoor and outdoor seating and a white/ orange colour scheme. It's bright, fresh, clean and inviting and will be even better once all the food outlets are open.

Thai Tree is located in the rear of the food court and is a buzzy place. There are about 7 staff behind the counter & in the kitchen. They cook all the noodles and soups to order so be prepared to take a number and wait. There are also dishes available on display in the heated bain maries.

On Wednesday I ended up here by accident. My lunch buddy & I were going to eat in the cafe in the foyer of the NAB Building but there were no seats available so we decided to walk around to Food @ 259. There was a reasonable queue of about 10 eager lunch goers which allowed us to review the large menu hung above the serving area before we reached the counter.

I decided to order the Pad Sen Mee with chicken. The Thai noodles used for this dish were rice vermicelli noodles also known as sen-mee in Thai, may-fun in Chinese, or mee hoon in Malay. These rice flour noodles should not be confused with glass noodles (vermicelli) which are made with mung bean flour. After ordering and paying at the counter we were handed a numbered ticket. Mine was 94 and my lunch buddies was 95.

We stood back with the patient crowd waiting for our numbers to be called out. To our dismay the next number called was 13. What the?@*! Turns out each staff member had a different series of tickets so we wouldn't be standing around for 80 more orders......

The turn around was relatively painless given the eager lunch goers and we collected our meals and stocked up on chilli sauce. We grabbed seats in the centre of the large open dining space and tucked in. Pad Sen Mee is fried rice vermicelli noodles cooked in oyster sauce stir fried with chicken & vegetables. The noodles were a little on the greasy side but the chicken & vegetables were fresh and well cooked. I had packed on the chilli sauce so my mouth was on fire but in a good way.

The following day, I ended up here by accident.......again. My lunch buddy and I walked to Jimmy's only to discover a queue out the door. Not prepared to wait, we walked over to Food @ 259. So, it was back to Thai Tree. Today, I decided to order the Pad Siew. Siew means soy sauce in Thai and the noodles used were long & flat.

We had a little wait before our numbers were called. Having experienced the Pad Sen Mee yesterday I was looking forward to trying something new. The Pad Siew was delicious - the falt noodles were light and coated in soy & chilli sauce tossed with chicken & vegetables. I absolutely loved this dish and will definitely return for more.

Note: thanks to Tea & Cookies for the fab photo.

Thai Tree - 259 George St, Sydney

Paddy Maguires, Cnr George & Hay Sts, Haymarket

Paddy Maguires, Cnr George & Hay Sts, Haymarket

Monday 6 August, 2007

Tonight the who's who of Australian performing arts came out to celebrate the 7th Annual Helpmann Awards. Hosted by the hilarious Jonathon Biggins we knew we would be in for a treat - especially as there were live performances from the cast of Miss Saigon, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, Billy Elliott, Australian ballet and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Beforehand, we decided to grab a quick bite at Paddy Maguires inside Capitol Square. This site is largely occupied by Asian food outlets however we opted for only non Asian offering tonight. The description on the website states,

Paddy Maguires Pub occupies a jewel of a restored early Australian Pub complete with a huge range of International Beers. Indoor, sidewalk and atrium dining areas and Gaming facilities.

So, what's the attraction I hear you ask??? Well, that's a really good question. However, I just didn't feel like Asian food tonight and this was really the only option next to the Capitol Theatre. We sat out in the arcade and not inside the pub. Even though you can no longer smoke inside pubs in NSW my dinner buddy pointed out that the pubs would never really be able to get the long term smell of cigarettes out of the carpet. Using Paddy Maguires as an example I would have to agree.....

The menu is standard of a pub bistro with burgers, calamari, steaks and schnitzels. You order and pay at the counter or bar but this was a challenge as the staff seemed more concerned with chatting amongst themselves. After standing there for several minutes we asked one staff member if we could order and she just looked at us like we were a massive inconvenience. The other staff member was busy serving other guests and made a point of explaining that she would get to us shortly. What the@?!

We ordered our meals and were provided with a buzzer. I ordered the sirloin steak with chips & salad and my dinner buddy opted for the chicken schnitzel with chips & salad. After a short while the buzzer went wild and we popped inside to retrieve our meals. The plates were seriously large and we heaved them back out into the arcade.

Overall, the food was OK. For a pub bistro meal it was pretty good. The meals weren't cheap with each main around $20 but the servings were large and the sides were ideal. My steak was cooked to order and I was pleasantly surprised - it was tender but the quality was average.

We didn't stick around after we finished our meals. The Helpmann's were about to start.

Paddy Maguires - Cnr George & Hay Sts, Haymarket - (02) 9212 2111

Observatory Hotel, Kent St, Sydney

Observatory Hotel, Kent St, Sydney
Sunday 5 August, 2007

Another day another High Tea - I'm on roll with these lately and today the aptly named Divas of Cuisine came together for an afternoon of indulgence.


The Observatory Hotel is widely considered Sydney's best hotel so it was a pleasant surprise to discover that their High Tea would not break the bank. From 2.30pm daily you can experience a relaxing afternoon in The Globe Bar. The description states,


"Celebrate the art of afternoon tea in classic style at The Globe Bar which embodies all the romance of a bygone era. Sink into leather armchairs, or lush velvet sofas and savour a selection of cucumber sandwiches, scones with freshly prepared jam and clotted cream, mini crème brulees, and other treats, including your choice of 20 unique tea blends. $39.00 per person or $49.00 per person including a glass of Moet & Chandon Rosé."

We had a prime table in the middle of the Globe Bar and we literally sunk into the leather chairs for the afternoon. The decor is conservative with a library of books and antiques on display - there's dark panelled wood, fresh flowers and glass cabinets. It's not everyones cup of tea however to me it is the epitome of High Tea.

We ordered the traditional high tea and waited. The lack of service was quite extraordinary - we literally had to flag down a passing staff member to get anything and not once did a staff member approach our table to ask if we needed anything. I was floored that a hotel of this standing would have such poor service.

The tiered silver tray arrived and we admired the array of food:

- variety of sandwiches (e.g. egg, salmon, cucumber) with the crusts cut off

- mini creme brulee, chocolate mousse, almond slice, fruit cups

- variety of scones with clotted cream and jam (a rhubarb & strawberry combo)

We sat there for hours soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the food. My favourites were the mini creme brulee and chocolate mousse - they were rich however the portion was just right to savour the sweetness. The coffee was so good we ordered another round and sunk even further into the leather chairs.

When we were ready to leave it took us about 10 minutes to get the attention of a staff member. We flagged down one of the passing staff and he promptly forgot us so we spent the next 5 minutes in the service void. If you take the lack of service out of the equation, the Observatory Hotel is a lovely high experience in the perfect setting.

Observatory Hotel - 89-113 Kent St, Sydney - (02) 9256 2222

http://www.observatoryhotel.com.au/web/osyd/osyd_afternoon_tea.jsp

Bird Cow Fish, Crown St, Surry Hills

Bird Cow Fish, Crown St, Surry Hills
Saturday 4 August, 2007

I'd received several recommendations to dine at Bird Cow Fish located in the hive of activity that is Crown St, Surry Hills. Bird Cow Fish used to call Balmain home and chef Alex Herbert has acquired a loyal following from her days at Berowra Waters Inn, Sailors Thai, Paramount and Longrain. Bird Cow Fish does not accept bookings (a pet peeve of mine) but we figured that an early dinner wouldn't keep us waiting on the pavement.

Their simple, minimalist website states,

"Bird Cow Fish is the culmination of the owners' passion for sharing good, simple, delicious food and wine that has been grown and prepared with love. Alex and Howard bring an impressive career history, having worked alongside some of Australia 's finest chefs and restaurateurs and in establishing their own businesses over the last 17 years. “We have a shared sense of what each partner brings to the business and respect each other's roles,” says Howard.

Bird Cow Fish offers a relaxed meeting and dining destination made up of three distinctive identities – bistro, espresso and cheese."

Upon entry we were greeted and welcomed inside to a table for 4. The Bistro section is open for lunch and dinner and there's a small menu that changes regularly to offer the best produce of the season. I particularly like their logo and the simplicity of it - feathers for bird, cow and fish symbol. It's very effective.

The decor is minimal with uncomfortable wooden chairs and tables designed to move you on quickly. There's a bookshelf at one end of the dining space filled with jars of goodies & fresh bread. The staff were flying around and our waitress was engaging and friendly. She organised drinks before delivering the specials. The atmosphere was buzzy and one of our dinner buddies commented that it felt like we were on the set of Sydney Weekender - you know when the crowd is a mix of young and old and everyone is having a great time?

Our party of 4 could not go past the twice baked goats cheese souffle for entree. This arrived steaming hot and served in oval shaped dish. It was creamy, soft and melted in your mouth. I enjoyed it as did my dinner buddies however one commented that they whip up one at home that would leave this for dead. The next dinner party perhaps?

For mains we all opted for something different:

- Pork & fennel sausages
- Potato gnocchi
- Tasmanian salmon
- Roast duck

The simplicity of the food is to be commended and there is definitely a trend here with more restaurants/ bistros opening that serve good, simple using fresh produce i.e Glebe Point Diner. Our mains were lovely - the pork and fennel sausages were flavoursome and served short and fat. They were placed on bed of buttermilk mash that was sooooooooo good with thin slices of mushroom on top. For a cold-ish evening this is the ideal meal.

As the servings were large we all decided to skip dessert and try one of the organic teas and a selection of chocolates. This was a great way to finish off the night.

Bird Cow Fish - 500 Crown St, Surry Hills - (02) 9380 4090

http://www.birdcowfish.com.au/index.html

bills, Queen St, Woollahra

bills, Queen St, Woollahra

Saturday 4 August

I don't like over done hype and by that I mean the celebrity chef thing, coupled with a gazillion cook books, TV shows, gourmet produce etc. So, it's for that very reason I have resisted going to bills. Call me crazy but I don't want to go to a place that tries to cross sell (unless it's really fabulous XO sauce by Neil Perry or truffle butter by Tetsuya). What a snob!

Anyway, this morning I sucked it up and drove to Woollahra. I was expecting pretentious and I was pleasantly surprised. bills is located through an archway behind a bookstore on the Queen St entrance and behind Sotherby's on the Moncur St entrance. There's a sun drenched courtyard, known as Queens Court, in the middle and bills spills out into this.

Everyone had suggested I have the ricotta hotcakes. However, this morning I felt like eggs and at least two coffees. So, eggs it was. The great thing about bills menu is there are options, so when ordering eggs you have a selection of accompaniments to pick from e.g. avocado, mushrooms, bacon, roast tomato, gravlax salmon, chicken chipolatas, aged cheddar etc. After ordering our first coffees I ordered scrambled organic eggs with sourdough toast with a side of mushrooms and bacon. My breakfast buddy ordered the sweet corn fritters with spinach, bacon and roast tomato.

Once we had ordered the place started to fill - inside and outside were very busy and we noticed the staff were stretched trying to accommodate everyone. However, the food didn't take too long and the plates were enormous. The eggs looked so delicious and were creamy and very, very good and the bread was just too big. I'm annoyed at places that serve bread that is too hard to eat. This sourdough was so large that I couldn't fit it in my mouth - seriously! I had to cut it through the middle to at least try it and left most of it on my plate. The bacon came served in rolls - I thought this was really cool and they had cooked our bacon to order - which was perfect.

Thanks to the resources available on the net it was pretty easy to locate the recipe for bill's eggs. (Special thanks to Bill Granger for sharing the love).

Scrambled eggs (per person)
2 eggs
1/3 cup (2 fl oz) cream
a pinch of salt
10 g (1/4 oz) butter

Place eggs, cream and salt in a bowl and whisk together.
Melt butter in a non-stick frying pan over high heat, taking care not to burn the butter. Pour in egg mixture and cook for 20 seconds, or until gently set around the edge. Stir the eggs with a wooden spoon, gently bringing the egg mixture on the outside of the pan to the centre. The idea is to fold the eggs rather than to scramble them. Leave to cook for 20 seconds longer and repeat the folding process. When the eggs are just set (remembering that they will continue cooking as they rest), turn out onto a plate and serve with hot toast.

Note: If you are making more than two serves of scrambled eggs, make sure you cook separate batches so as not to crowd the frying pan.

I enjoyed the food (except the bread) but the tables were packed a little too close inside. We could hear (and participate) in the conversations on either side of us. There was a buzzy atmosphere but too tight inside. The other thing I particularly liked was that there was no bill shrine - I was expecting this (unless I missed it altogether?). I could be persuaded to try another bills location.

bills - 118 Queen St, Woollahra - (02) 9328 7997

http://www.bills.com.au/restaurants/woollahra.htm

Ventuno, Hickson Rd, Millers Point

Ventuno, Hickson Rd, Millers Point
Wednesday 1 August, 2007


Ventuno means '21' in Italian so it's not surprising to learn that the location is 21 Hickson Road. Located just beyond the Sydney Dance Company, Wharf Theatre and Sydney Theatre, Ventuno sits on Pier 7/8 just opposite one of my favourite places - Firefly.

The space is very industrial with exposed walls, beams and wooden floorboards throughout. There's also an historic piece of machinery in the front entrance that is intriguing. We never actually worked out what it was but enjoyed coming up with possible solutions.

In a recent review, owner Lido Russo said "he wanted to recreate the welcoming warmth of the pizzerias and birrerias of Rome, his home town." I'm afraid to say, having been to Italy, that it doesn't achieve this. That said, there is a definite buzz about the place. For a Wednesday night it was pumping - the outdoor dining area was full and inside there was a huge communal table and about 12 or so tables - all full.

The fare is Italian and the menu largely made up of antipasto, pasta and pizzas. We decided to start with a garlic pizza and it was delicious - a large thin pizza coated in fresh crushed garlic. Luckily we all ate it as it was incredibly strong! We followed this with a variety of antipasto dishes:

- Calamari (crispy outer and served in coils)
- Crumbed veal (a little undercooked)
- Marinated octopus (served in a thick, red wine sauce that was far too heavy)

For mains we ordered:

- Crumbed veal (not bad this time)
- Osso Bucco paparadelle (an Italian dish that means bone with a hole in it - the pasta is large fettuccine)
- Orecchiette with bolognaise sauce (a Southern Italian dish with a thick meaty sauce)

The mains were actually very good and we started to feel very full. Although we didn't need it we all ordered dessert - 2 x Tiramisu and 1 x Pannacotta. This is where Ventuno excelled. The desserts were truly fabulous and if I had known how good I would have skipped entree and main and gone straight to dessert! The tiramisu was enormous and served in a large glass. The flavours of espresso coffee & mascarpone came out in spades. Just delicious.

The staff were well meaning if a little green - our waitress was friendly but lacked the polish of a seasoned professional and she deferred any questions we had to the management. Overall, I feel indifferent. The strip along Hickson Road is crying out for some great food options due to the amount of businesses and theatres in the vicinity. If Ventuno can improve their service and enhance their meals it could be a solid offering.

Ventuna - 21 Hickson Rd, Millers Point - (02) 9247 4444

http://www.ventuno.com.au/