one word: AWESOME!!!!
After two failed attempts of going to Lucio Pizzeria, third time was a charm. The Lucio is a perfect half-n-half for a pizza. It's a combination of classic margherita and calzone (which is a folded pizza), amazing!
This is not your typical crispy-thin-based-with-pineapple-toppings pizza. It's Neopolitan style baked briefly in the wood-fired oven, giving you just perfect crust in the outside fluffy and gooey in the inside, yumm!! The dough is so tasty. I normally leave and not eat the last crust (it's a habit), that night I scoffed it all down. The calzone part of the pizza is filled with ricotta, mozzarella and ham. As you take a bite, the filling runs and melted: super delicious!!
First time trying a calzone, first time trying The Lucio, I'm a cult follower now.
Lucio Pizzeria
248 Palmer St
Darlinghurst 2010
Ph: 9332 3766
Opens Wed - Mon from 6pm
Finally I get to taste this delicacy again!
Mamak has ridiculously long queue. all day, all night. Love the food but the queue is a turn-off. Its second hub in Chatswood is catching up fast as well. So imagine my excitement when we didn't have to wait at all. How? It was Christmas Eve, ha! A Malaysian signature dish, Roti Canai is almost like a flat-bread only light, buttery and soft. Here, the dish comes with two dipping sauces (vegetable curry and fish curry) and a chilli paste. The bread is very light that you won't feel guilty eating more. The curries are very tasty. I personally love it with fish curry and chilli paste for extra heat and spice, but the vegetable curry is equally good. Variations of Roti Canai are also available by adding egg (Roti Telur) or onion (Roti Bawang). I brought along friends who were trying Malaysian food for the first time and this dish was clearly a winner. Best of all, it's reasonably priced and much more enjoyable sharing with friends. Other things we tried and highly recommended: Mee Goreng, Kangkung Belacan, Roti Tisu(!) and Ais Kacang for dessert. Mamak Chinatown 15 Goulburn St, Sydney 2000 Ph: 9211 1668 Chatswood Shop P9, 1-5 Railway St, Chatswood 2067 Ph: 9411 4411 Open daily 11.30-2.30 and 5.30-9.30 (Chinatown opens until 2am Fri & Sat)
Sepia, definitely one of the quest I looked forward to. Believe me, just to arrange time with friends was hard enough. Let alone the booking arrangement, it involved a lot of phone calls. So you can imagine my excitement when I finally got to this place.
I'll do another post of the whole dinner in a near future, but this dish was definitely one of my favourites of the entire menu!
It's not exactly the one mentioned in the list (Butter-poached Murray Cod, wakame, Jerusalem artichokes, roasted endive, bone marrow jus and puffed skin). I think it's a modified version using the fresh ingredients available at the time but the fish was still cooked the same way. So it's Butter-poached Murray Cod, baby radish, Japanese daikon, tonburi, crystallised wakame, dill polen butter dashi. I know, such a long name for a dish.
When we arrived the waiter said that the Murray Cod wasn't available at this season and would change it to Kingfish instead. I was so sad that he was taken aback by my disappointment haha. He came back a few minutes later that the chef have saved some Murray Cod for degustation menu that night. So yayee!
As soon as the plate was served, this dish was already amazing. It smelled delicious already and we kept saying "wow, it smells so good!!". The tonburi-coat is crunchy and fish melted together in your mouth. There were so many texture, yet delicate and full of flavour. Perfect combination.
It's so hard to explain with words haha. It's exquisite!
Just go and try it, it's so worth it! :)
Darling Park, 201 Sussex St
Sydney 2000
Ph: 9283 1990
Opens Tue - Fri from 12pm, Sat from 6pm
I was very excited for this quest to Single Origin. Partly so that I can introduce it to my Melbournian friend but mostly to check out the new coffee bar opened recently: Sideshow (thanks Jonno @coffeetrails for the tip!).
Single Origin has been known as one of the best coffee in Sydney. A lot of well-known cafes use their beans including Luxe (Newtown), fouratefive (Surry Hills) & youeni Provides (Darlinghurst) to name a few.
I have to say my highlight for the day is Sideshow! It's so exciting that it provides choices to enjoy your coffee. Melbourne seems ahead with this concept: Market Lane, St.Ali & Sensory Lab provide all these varieties. But Sydney is finally coming around, yaye!
Sideshow offers a variety of coffee brewing methods other than espresso i.e. pour-over, syphon, cold drip, clover and aeropress. I won't go into details as they explained it really well in its own blog. It's a nice small garage-like space next door to the cafe. A really neat setup with long line of grinders (a lot of them!) in the background, clover/pour-over/syphon section along the front bar. The tasting glasses are displayed nicely on top shelf, nice decoration.
So I tried clover method of El Cielo Nicaragua. Price point is reasonable and result is very nice and light. It's delicious! The images don't do it justice. I was too excited to try and forgot about all the pretty photos haha. (so pardon the blurriness)
I'll try the cold drip next time, it'll be interesting.
I also grab some lunch before the kitchen closed: SOR's hotdog - double smoked kransky with sauerkraut, onion jam and rocket. It's not as yummy as it used to be. I find the sauerkraut is too little, no cheese and over all it's not very tasteful. I'll venture on something else next time.
Then to finish off I have another cup of latte, which is incredible as usual.
60-64 Reservoir St
Surry Hills 2010
Ph: 9211 0665
Open weekdays:
Cafe 6.30-4pm
Sideshow 7.30-2.30pm
So to begin my adventure I thought let's start with something light, Amedei 70% Dark Chocolate Gelato from Pompei's, Bondi Beach. Perfect after long sunny walk from Sculpture By The Sea. but boy..there's nothing light about this gelato. I normally don't choose chocolate for my gelato, but I love dark chocolate. The bitter the better. So I didn't mind trying this than my usual hazelnut flavour, which turned out to be great! Bitter yet not too rich. I can probably have 2 scoops of this at a time. A must-try for chocolate & ice cream lover! :) I didn't try the other flavours but they have quite enough selection of the basic flavours. Pompei's 126-130 Roscoe St (cnr Gould St) Bondi Beach 2026 Ph: 9365 1233
Open daily from 3pm (11am weekends) till late
Last month, the(sydney)magazine published an article: "50 Things Every Sydney Food Lover Should Try" ...I'm intrigued. Not only am I curious if I try it all but also these are selected by Terry Durack, a well-known food critics. I always like his findings and find a delight in reading his reviews in newspaper.
So now my mission is to tick all listed, even the one I've tasted before (just for the fun of it), and see if they are as well as it's reviewed. Initially I'd like to attempt one per week, but I think it's quite hard. Apart from the high possibility of breaking a bank (c'mon, some of these only offered in high-end degustation menu!) and gaining weight in a flash, some listed is just a little impossible. Take #23, Breakfast on The Bridge occur only once a year. in October. by lottery draw. out of thousands of people. I've missed out this year ...and last year... *sigh* So this maybe awhile.
Anyway here goes the list:
- Large Sourdough Boule - Iggy's Down Under
- Mrs. Jang's Home-Style Fried Eggs - Billy Kwong
- Amedei 70% Dark Chocolate Gelato - Pompei's Gelateria
- Wagyu Burger and Martinez Cocktail - Rockpool Bar & Grill
- Pippies in XO Sauce - Golden Century
- Guava Snow Egg - Quay
- Chocolate Éclair - Black Star Pastry
- Macarons - Adriano Zumbo Patisserie
- Platter of Robert Marchetti's Warm Mortadella - North Bondi Italian Food
- School Prawns - De Costi
- Johnny's Love Bites - Fratelli Fresh
- The Lucio - Lucio Pizzeria
- Sashimi & Sushi - Yoshii
- Sweet-Corn Fritters with Roast Tomatoes, Spinach and Bacon - Bills
- 'Nduja Salami - Pino's Dolce Vita
- Thali of The Day - Nilgiri's
- Fresh Local Truffles - The Sydney Morning Herald Growers' Market
- Eastern Rock Lobster - Christie's Seafoods
- Fish & Chips - Fish Face
- Single Origin Coffee
- Hiramasa Kingfish Jalapeño - Saké
- Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich - Malibu
- Breakfast on The Bridge
- Italian Pork and Fennel Sausages - AC Butchery
- Spit-Roasted Chicken - Victor Churchill
- Sydney Rock Oysters - Catalina
- Twelve-hour Lamb Shoulder - Four In Hand Dining Room
- Pho dac Biet - Pho Pasteur
- Gaytime Goes Nuts - Universal
- The "Tiger" - Harry's Cafe de Wheels
- A Cold Beer at Sunset
- Miang Kum - Sailors Thai
- Date Tart - Rockpool
- Xiao Long Bao Dumplings - Din Tai Fung
- Tonkotsu Ramen - Gumshara
- Hainanese Chicken Rice - Temasek
- Sweet Belem Tarts - Sweet Belem
- Single-Origin Chocolate - Zokoko
- Soya Chicken - Emperor's Garden BBQ & Noodles
- Roti Canai - Mamak
- Shaved Cabbage Salad - Cafe Sopra
- Confit of Ocean Trout with Fennel Salad - Tetsuya's
- Caramel Sauternes Custard - Marque
- Eggnet with Pork, Prawn, Peanuts, Bean Sprouts and Sweet Vinegar - Longrain
- Blue Swimmer Crab Sandwiches - Guillaume at Bennelong
- Speck, Gorgonzola and Radicchio Piadina - La Piadina
- Pork Belly and Kingfish Skewer with Tarragon SAlsa - Neutral Bay Bar & Dining
- Baklava - Greek Cakes by Eleni
- Butter-poached Murray Cod, Wakame, Jerusalem Artichokes, Roasted Endive, Bone Marrow Jus and Puffed Skin - Sepia
- Suckling Pig Panino - Pilu Kiosk
Let me know what you think and if you have tried any of these. :)
I haven't posted for awhile, but got this interesting article from work daily mail. Which really makes me think: are we paying enough for our food, yet we still think the price that we pay for that delicious meal is still more than we should. I certainly don't want to pay more, yet this article makes me see it from the other angle. Let me know what you think...
An excerpt from a conversation with restaurant critic A.A. Gill, by Carol Dixon:
Are food prices out of control?
I think they are in parts of Africa. ... But the point is not the intrinsic value, whether you can afford it, if the question implies there is a level above which no hamburger is worth. Or … that to ever pay more than X dollars for a dinner would be implicitly immoral or wrong or a rip-off. I actually think one of the huge problems with food in the West is that it is far, far too cheap.
You can buy a ready-cooked half a chicken in Britain for under a pound —about $2. You have to consider everything that went into making that chicken. It had to be born, it had to be an egg, it had to be hatched, it had to grow up, then had to be sorted, gutted, plucked. It had to be killed, it had to be refrigerated, it had to be driven somewhere in a truck, it had to be cooked, and then it has to be presented, wrapped up, and stored in a shop, which has to pay rent and employ a server to take our money and all those other things. Out of all that, what intrinsically is that bird worth?
Food is no longer in the West an indicator of poverty. It’s taken for granted that nobody will starve to death. Poverty is now measured on things like whether we have a washing machine. I would like to see an awful lot more food costing an awful lot more.
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With the recent quick trip to Melbourne, I got to experience 'the-hole-in-the-wall' atmosphere that this city is known for. I couldn't go and explore but was fortunate enough to be around Fitzroy, considered to be one of the 'hip' area in the city.
So based on a colleague recommendation, I headed to Enoteca for a quick caffeine fix. Enoteca is probably more known as a wine cafe/bar. However, this does not detract from its coffee quality: superb. The staffs are friendly too and the service is excellent. It was so good that I came back for dinner. Highly recommended.
My Ratings:
Latte: 4.5/5
I love the intensity of it from the first sip. And richness of its color. And it's made by a female barista! Yay!
Price: $3.50
The Gertrude Street Enoteca
229 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 3065
'ngel
Found this list online, so awesome!
100 good reasons to be still for even one second! (okay, maybe a little longer than that)
The Word of God Says in Jesus Christ...
- I am faithful (Ephesians 1:1)
- I am God's child (John 1:12)
- I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
- I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
- I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)
- I am a member of Christ's Body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
- I am assured all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)
- I have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
- I am confident that God will perfect the work He has begun in me (Philippians 1:6)
- I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
- I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
- I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
- I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
- I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
- I am chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11)
- I am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)
- I am adopted as his child (Ephesians 1:5)
- I am given God's glorious grace lavishly and without restriction (Ephesians 1:5,8)
- I am in Him (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30)
- I have redemption (Ephesians 1:8)
- I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 1:14)
- I have purpose (Ephesians 1:9 & 3:11)
- I have hope (Ephesians 1:12)
- I am included (Ephesians 1:13)
- I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
- I am a saint (Ephesians 1:18)
- I am salt and light of the earth (Matfthew 5:13-14)
- I have been chosen and God desires me to bear fruit (John 15:1,5)
- I am a personal witness of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)
- I am God's coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
- I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
- I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)
- I am raised up with Christ (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12)
- I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)
- I have been shown the incomparable riches of God's grace (Ephesians 2:7)
- God has expressed His kindness to me (Ephesians 2:7)
- I am God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
- I have been brought near to God through Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:13)
- I have peace (Ephesians 2:14)
- I have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18)
- I am a member of God's household (Ephesians 2:19)
- I am secure (Ephesians 2:20)
- I am a holy temple (Ephesians 2:21; 1 Corinthians 6:19)
- I am a dwelling for the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22)
- I share in the promise of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6)
- God's power works through me (Ephesians 3:7)
- I can approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
- I know there is a purpose for my sufferings (Ephesians 3:13)
- I can grasp how wide, long, high and deep Christ's love is (Ephesians 3:18)
- I am completed by God (Ephesians 3:19)
- I can bring glory to God (Ephesians 3:21)
- I have been called (Ephesians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:9)
- I can be humble, gentle, patient and lovingly tolerant of others (Ephesians 4:2)
- I can mature spiritually (Ephesians 4:15)
- I can be certain of God's truths and the lifestyle which He has called me to (Ephesians 4:17)
- I can have a new attitude and a new lifestyle (Ephesians 4:21-32)
- I can be kind and compassionate to others (Ephesians 4:32)
- I can forgive others (Ephesians 4:32)
- I am a light to others, and can exhibit goodness, righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:8-9)
- I can understand what God's will is (Ephesians 5:17)
- I can give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:20)
- I don't have to always have my own agenda (Ephesians 5:21)
- I can honor God through marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33)
- I can parent my children with composure (Ephesians 6:4)
- I can be strong (Ephesians 6:10)
- I have God's power (Ephesians 6:10)
- I can stand firm in the day of evil (Ephesians 6:13)
- I am dead to sin (Romans 1:12)
- I am not alone (Hebrews 13:5)
- I am growing (Colossians 2:7)
- I am His disciple (John 13:15)
- I am prayed for by Jesus Christ (John 17:20-23)
- I am united with other believers (John 17:20-23)
- I am not in want (Philippians 4:19)
- I possess the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16)
- I am promised eternal life (John 6:47)
- I am promised a full life (John 10:10)
- I am victorious (I John 5:4)
- My heart and mind is protected with God's peace (Philippians 4:7)
- I am chosen and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)
- I am blameless (I Corinthians 1:8)
- I am set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)
- I am crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)
- I am a light in the world (Matthew 5:14)
- I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
- I am the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- I am safe (I John 5:18)
- I am part of God's kingdom (Revelation 1:6)
- I am healed from sin (I Peter 2:24)
- I am no longer condemned (Romans 8:1, 2)
- I am not helpless (Philippians 4:13)
- I am overcoming (I John 4:4)
- I am persevering (Philippians 3:14)
- I am protected (John 10:28)
- I am born again (I Peter 1:23)
- I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- I am delivered (Colossians 1:13)
- I am redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13)
- I am qualified to share in His inheritance (Colossians 1:12)
- I am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Shenkin is one of my favourite cafe of Sydney so I think a proper review of its coffee is due!
I visit this cafe in Erskineville regularly, I often crave for its coffee and I shamelessly admit that I often dream about its food. Yeap, it is that memorable in my heart. I have mentioned about its ricotta pancake, so I'm not going to rave about it more. Do try everything there including the wraps (they're huge!), eggs benedict, shashuka and I can guarantee they will not fail you.
As for its coffee, all I can say is that since I tasted their latte everything else seems weak, sweet or mundane. Another note is this recent trip is the first time ever for me to try piccolo latte. It's the right choice to step-up-from-the-latte-but-not-ready-for-long-black-yet option. I have to say it's very nice and intense, yet not that huge of a leap than I expected.
My Ratings:
Latte: 4.5/5
I love it. The intensity, texture, taste, presentation, all of it.
Piccolo Latte: 4.5/5. Perfect for a quick strong coffee. Esp. mixed with chocolate dessert. Although this rating can be biased as it's the first piccolo I've tasted.
Mocha: 4/5
A nice strong mocha. It has a distinct taste of the chocolate that is different to other mochas yet it enhances the coffee.
Price: $3-3.50 Shenkin
53 Erskineville Road, Erskineville, NSW 2043 'ngel
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