Sunday, May 30, 2010

Adriano Zumbo Patisserie, Balmain

My chef friend organised a gathering at Adriano Zumbo Patisserie. Arriving there nice and early to avoid disappointment (missing out of selections). We were there so early which we can stop by Bertoni for a cup of coffee. :) 
 Adriano Zumbo Patisserie
This tiny patisserie showing off what they offer. Once you walked in you would just want to pick every single one they are available. 
 Variety
Unfortunately, we can only pick a few of what's available for the date... but obviously it is the most I have tried at a time! :)
Our selection for the day!
Just drooling...
Charlotte Full
This is my favourite of the day! Yummy!!
 Dr. Apple
I like the sourness of this piece of cake. It's just refreshing!!
 Sunny Cloud
 Various Macarons
The must try macarons. His variety is definitely different to others!! :)

Just sweet enough to satisfying my taste bud!! :)
 
Side note: Adriano Zumbo has been nominated as Cleo Bachelor 2010 at the age 28. 

Adriano Zumbo Patisserie
296 Darling Street
Balmain NSW 2041
(02) 9810 7318   

Monday, May 24, 2010

Sakana-ya, Crows Nest

This is one of my favourite Japanese restaurant. It has not been westernised. It only serves traditional Japanese food where you can see lot of Japanese will come here to dine. They also serve the freshest sashimi. Since I have a craving for sashimi so I have tagged my friends to go along with me. :)

You will walk past a Japanese garden if you are entering through their back door.
Japanese Garden
 Japanese Pottery
Daily special sashimi... this time I have choosen salmon, king fish, sea urchin and scampi.
Daily Special Sashimi
They will make scampi miso soup with the scampi heads.
Scampi Miso Soup
Another must order is their barrasushi. It is as nice as it looks!
Barrasushi
This is another must have dish (only if they are available)... grilled king fish head (half). You can also have the nimono style which is simmered with salt soy sauce.
Grilled King Fish Head
The deep fried New Zealand flouder which is so crispy that you can eat the fin and bones!
My friend's favourite Japanese chawanmushi. Their version is with lots of chunky seafood. The egg custard is so smooth.
Chawanmushi Combination
Finally this is the only place I have eaten this Japanese rice dumpling. It is one type of mochi. It requires around 20 mins cooking.
Japanese Rice Dumpling
Everytime I go there, it brings back memory of my Japan trips! :)

Sakana-ya
336 Pacific Hwy Crows Nest NSW 2065
02 9438 1468

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Fifteen, Melbourne

Walking around the whole of the Melbourne city... finally we have found a place to eat!! If Miss C hasnt been here before, I wouldn't think or notice a restaurant is here!! We are sitting at the bar table. Since we are rushing to watch a show afterwards, we quickly decide what we will have and place our orders. We spent time taking photos and the pairs came after us already started eating. We started to worry how come our dishes are not yet ready??? We asked the waiter and found that our orders havent placed into their system!!! After sorting out the orders etc, our dishes finally came... after an hour!!
Berkshire pork belly with cotechino sausage, celeriac, apple sauce and salsa verde 
My friend order this pork belly. The pork is quite tender and the skin is quite crisy.
Zucchini wrapped wild barramundi with chickpeas inzimino, chorizo and basil oil
The crisy fish skin is quite interesting. Seldom see the skin is being served. 
Lyndale Park organic lamb with neck bolognese, creamy cannellini beans, broccolini and pea shoots
The cannellini beans is not as creamy as it said... but quite nuty. But overall this dish is nice. :)
Pan roasted duck breast and confit leg with parsnip purée, shallot ‘tortino’ and black cabbage
Unfortunately, this duck is not properly cooked. Since we were in a rush, my friend did not ask them to re-cook it. 
Butternut pumpkin risotto with seared Hervey Bay scallops, crispy sage and scallop bottarga
The risotto is quite bland not as interesting as its name.

Running out of time to try out their dessert. 

Fifteen Melbourne
Basement 115 - 117 Collins Street
(Enter through George Pde)
Phone: 1300 799 415

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

est., Sydney (March into Merivale)

My friend organised a foodies lunch at est. to try their March into Merivale menu. The menu has 3 choices: veal, chicken or fish. We have also ordered the entree and dessert to follow. (Unfortunately, due to short lunch hour, I cannot try the desserts!)
Their interesting cutlery.
We started with entree joselito jamon “iberico de bellota”, chick pea and tomato puree, black olive bread twigs. This is a very interesting dish, never thought chick pea can be so tasty!
The second entree that we shared is nage of lobster claw, scampi, moreton bay bug, cucumber, peas, ginger and lime. It is a very refreshing combination.
Waited not long our main arrives... I had pan roasted fillet of mulloway, eggplant caponata. The fish is cooked in perfection, just right!!
The other main is fillet of veal, mushrooms, garlic, tarragon. The veal is so tender!! Yummy... what a satisfying lunch!! My friends are continuing with their dessert while I have to leave. :( Thanks for inviting me to a wonderful lunch.