Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Trip to Melbourne (July 16-19th 2013)

So I went on a trip with my 3 best girl friends to Melbourne between July 16-19th.

When we arrived at Melbourne airport, we were approached by a man with an accent wearing a suit who asked us whether we were looking for a taxi (which we were). However, he was not working for any taxi company provided by the airport so we denied his services. After checking-in into our apartment, we caught the free tram (number 35) which circles around CBD every 13 minutes (and you don't need to purchase a myki card). We were heading to DFO South Wharf where we spent the rest of our afternoon shopping. It is a lot larger in size in comparison to DFO Homebush in Sydney. There are 3 levels of stores with the top level reserved for furniture and bedding. There are way better sales and a greater variety of stores (Of course because of the larger size). For a quick bite to eat, we stopped by Dumpling Dynasty and got some dumplings. I think they were selling 5 pcs for $5.90.




The skin is thick and tough but it's reasonable considering it is not actually a dumpling specialty store.

We spent about 2 hours at DFO before we had to head off to buy groceries to make dinner.

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On the following day we enjoyed our first breakfast in Melbourne at The Hardware Societe. I started off my meal with an Iced Mocha which I found to be sweet but there is a big scoop of ice cream!

Iced Mocha ($5)
Baked eggs with chorizo sausage ($17)
For my main, I ordered Baked eggs with chorizo sausage, paprika spiced tomato concasse and idiazabal ewes milk cheese. I really enjoyed eating this. Good flavours and is quite filling. I think I had like 3 eggs in mine, of which 2 were poached!

THE HARDWARE SOCIETE
Address: 120 Hardware Street, Melbourne

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The following day we planned to have a full day of shopping. We went along Bourke street then somehow ended up at Australia on collins and then headed to QV. As we were walking towards QV, we were approached by staff from a hair salon called Millenium. They offered us a package to help promote awareness of their salon which included getting our hair coloured followed by treatment which was for $45 and then a style cut worth $60 ($80 for long hair). It was quite an enjoyable experience. The senior hair dresser who took care of me was very friendly and gave me suggestions on what hairstyle and colour would look good on me, keeping in mind the choice of hair colour I wanted. I was quite pleased with hair cut! I wish I remembered his name (I think it was Daniel) but I was told he had won awards while working in the industry.

Some pictures of performers were bumped into whilst shopping:





Couldn't resist showing this! Soo many cakes!!

For lunch, we visited Roll'd which was on the same level as Millenium. I went for the Roll'd soldiers (rice paper rolls). I ordered tofu and lemongrass pork and prawns and opted for hoisin sauce (you can choose from others available such as nuoc mam and chilli mayonnaise). 

Roll'd Soldiers
AUSTRALIA ON COLLINS
Address: 260 Collins Street

QV RETAIL
Address: 221 Little Lonsdale Street










Monday, July 8, 2013

La Grilla, Canley Heights

La Grilla is a modern Korean restaurant at Canley Heights. It is located right next to Loving Hut and Noggi. To me it is just like any other Korean restaurant already out there. Prices are similar to any restaurant. I would say the main difference with La Grilla and other Korean restaurants is that they offer Tacos - Korean style. They offer Bulgogi Taco, which I did try and it is so yummy!

Rather than being given water, you are given tea in a glass bottle which is cold and has the tea bag floating inside. Tasted like diluted tea.

Fried Glass Noodle & Pork (Complimentary)
Fried Glass Noodle
Seoul Bulgogi Hot Pot

Meeeattt! (Bulgogi)
Salad
This wasn't ordered but I assumed it was just part of what was ordered. Didn't pay extra for it :)
Bulgogi Tacos (2 for $10)
Absolutely YUM! There was bulgogi, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo on a small tortilla.


La Grilla @ Canley Heights
Address: 237 Canley Vale Rd, Canley Heights NSW 2166

Tam x

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Pasticceria Cavallaro, Westfields Liverpool

Got home from work and found a box of cake sitting on the kitchen table! Best end to a tiring day of work! Anyways, unfortunately I don't know the names of these cakes but I have taken pictures. All 3 cakes had chocolate mousse and were pretty sweet but still a good pick-me-up dessert.










For more details, please visit their website: http://www.cavallaros.com.au/cakes.html.

Tam x

Monday, July 1, 2013

Super Bowl Chinese Restaurant, Haymarket

On a cold winter's morning, I decided to have brunch with a mate. We both had the munchies for congee so we settled for SuperBowl considering it was close to uni and highly recommended by my mate. It is located in the heart of Chinatown. There is a restaurant in Cabramatta with the exact same name but I'm not sure if both have the same owners. Anyways, it was my first time eating here and I enjoyed it. Pretty much I enjoy eating at new places haha! Feel like a fatty.

I lost my iPhone 5 so I'm using an iPhone 4 now to take pictures. So I apologise for poor quality photos!

Coral Trout Congee
 We started off with the Coral Trout Congee. It was lovely! You only get this thick texture with congee at these Chinese restaurants. The trout is still moist and you get large chunks of it!

Coral Trout Congee
You Tiao (Deep Fried Chinese Doughnuts)
Congee would not be complete with these bad boys! They are super crunchy and it is VERY golden.

Har Mai Cheong (Not sure of the correct spelling)
My mate had told me this was called "Har Mai Cheong". I believe I didn't spell it correctly but they were referred to as "Plain Rice Paper Rolls" (I think!). It's similar to the ones you would see at Yum Cha restaurants. These don't have the prawn inside but have dried shrimp and what makes it really tasty is the addition of peanut sauce! It is absolutely yummy! I would definitely come back to this restaurant again just for these!

Super Bowl Chinese Restaurant @ Chinatown
Address: 41 Dixon Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Opening Hours:
Sunday 8:00 am - 2:00 am
Monday 8:00 am - 2:00 am
Tuesday 8:00 am - 2:00 am
Wednesday 8:00 am - 2:00 am
Thursday 8:00 am - 2:00 am
Friday 8:00 am - 2:00 am
Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 am

Tam x





Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Kura, Haymarket

This post will be relatively short. I will make up for it hopefully in the next few posts!

Kura is located across from Paddy's market which means I'll be visiting here often since it is close-ish to Sydney Uni. I went on a Monday for lunch KJ. Downstairs seating area had already been filled so we went upstairs to find that there were still heaps of seats still available considering it was around 12:30PM. Ordering was done through a touch screen menu on an  iPad, similar to many restaurants already utilising the same system.

Oyako Don 
I ordered the Oyako Don which is chicken and egg over rice. I found it to be quite nice but the sauce was a bit sweet and overpowering. We also had ordered pork gyoza which was also good but unfortunately I was too hungry and ate it all before I remembered to take a picture haha. KJ ordered udon (forgot which one specifically) but I had a try and the flavour was awesome. I'm not an udon fan myself but I enjoyed it. Sorry again for not taking pictures!


Kura @ Haymarket
Address: 3/76 Ultimo Rd, Haymarket NSW 2000
Phone:(02) 9212 5661

Sunday10:30 am - 10:30 pm
Monday10:30 am - 11:30 pm
Tuesday10:30 am - 11:30 pm
Wednesday10:30 am - 11:30 pm
Thursday10:30 am - 11:30 pm
Friday10:30 am - 12:00 am
Saturday10:30 am - 12:00 am


 Tam x 

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

DaDam, Strathfield

DaDam is located within the centre of Korean restaurants in Strathfield. The restaurant states that it is a Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant. There are lunch menus which allow you to enjoy a bit of both (half/half) for example, bibimbap and sushi and miso soup. However there are limited options for fusions for dinner.


Sweet Potato Ban Chan

This side dish was amazing! And it was the first time that I've ever seen it as a ban chan at any restaurant that I've been to. You won't get enough of it! The side dishes do change seasonly so don't expect to see this if you do visit! But you do get unlimited refills on side dishes so feel free to ask for more :)


Wagyu Tataki

This was a-mazing! First time trying Wagyu Tataki so I really can't compare it to anything, but it was soo good!


Chicken Katsu Donburi
This dish was okay. Nothing special. Definitely something to order if you want something quick and filling.

Deluxe Assorted Sushi


Deluxe Assorted Sushi (Close ups)




Deluxe Assorted Sushi (close up)


Deluxe Assorted Sushi (close ups)



Deluxe Assorted Sushi (close ups)

DaDam @ Strathfield
The Boulevarde, Strathfield NSW
(Near Hello Happy Cafe)






Monday, June 3, 2013

Yebisu Izakaya, Sydney

I went to visit this restaurant after reading a post from Grab Your Fork. The decor of the restaurant really does make you feel like you are in Japan! Sorry I didn't take any photos, but you definitely won't miss it when you're heading to Yebisu Izakaya.

You can see a part of Totoro!

I opted to order the Yebisu lunch box to share between 2 (and to see how big the servings were before we ordered more).

As you can see, despite the low quality photos (my humblest apologies!), that we had quite a variety to eat from :D Each dish were equally good. Slightly Pricey but the food tastes goooood :) I think the atmosphere does play a part of it.



Yebisu Lunch Box - $29.80

Grilled beef (Part of lunch box)

Teriyaki Salmon (Part of lunch box)

Tempura (Part of Lunch Box)



Chirashi Sushi (Part of Lunch box)


Dessert

Pan fried gyoza with ponzu sauce (Don't remember price)
Yebisu Izakaya @ Regent Place
Shop 7-10, Regent Place
501 George Street, Sydney

Opening hours
Lunch 7 days 12pm-3pm 
Dinner Sunday to Thursday 5pm-11pm
Friday to Saturday 5pm-12am