Blue Eye Dragon

Now I owe The Jet-setter an apology. She wanted to go to this restaurant before I had tried it, and in my indecisive flimsyness I suggested somewhere else. Stupid past-self. Now I have been; come close dear readers, for I am about to share with you a gem of a restaurant. Sure Australia has some rockin' Asian food, some cheap and cheerful, others ritzy, but this place has an intangible magic about it that makes it one of my absolute favourites.

Blue eye dragon is located behind The Star casino on Pyrmont St. nestled in an old school hall next to a quaint little church. A huge iron dragon guards the entrance to a very sparse looking concrete courtyard that has pieces of naturally formed, expensive looking furniture that give the place a very Zen feel. A door to the left opens up into the cavernous dining room that still contains the 'stage' from the buildings days as a school. Diners up here are subtly screened so they need not worry about their eating habits being on display, so feast away!

The tables are white-clothed topped with large sheets of paper, and the delicate light provides intimacy without making the menu difficult to read. Now a note about the staff; they are brilliant! The restaurant owner greets every new table at the door with a huge grin. He warmly seats you and explains how the menu works. There is the straight up a la carte delio, or of there are four of you in your party you can order the banquet. If you are lucky enough to be in the latter situation, DO IT! At $50 per person you get to choose 6 entrees and 4 mains. Yep, ten courses! While these dishes are designed for sharing they certainly aren't tapas sized. My family, the one full of chefs, had to take the last dish home. We simply couldn't fit anything more! And we are well trained in the multi-course marathon. For shame!

You could choose dishes like the fried chicken with five spice salt, or the pork mince filled tofu. You must get the beef shin; don't argue with me! Queensland scallops in house XO sauce, slightly spicy with the right balance of sour and salty without overpowering the delicate meat of the shellfish. You all know I am a huge fan of belly pork, so the slow cooked version in an awesome salty broth is always on my 'must order' list. The beef fillet is also on there. Now I realise this isn't Taiwanese cuisine in the authentic sense, it has most definately been re-styled for the western clienelle but they have done a nice job of it. Kept the flavours we love but ditched the blood jellies and chicken feet. Go, you know you can't stay away now you have read about it.

http://www.blueeyedragon.com.au/pc.php

Graze

It’s Friday night after a very long week at work. I have tickets to go see ‘The Beards’ at the Manning Bar, but they won’t be taking the stage till about 10 pm. My date, being the workaholic he is won’t be out of work until 8 pm so I have a few hours to kills. Hey Mum fancy dinner out? My treat? Deal.

I have wanted to try this share-plate restaurant in Pyrmont since it first opened its doors to reveal a funky, mod interior that is all light wood furnishings and dark walls with large French windows that open out onto Harris Street on a hot night.  My thinking was ‘why not give it a try for lovely lady-night-out’? Surprisingly Graze has space to squeeze a last minute booking for two on a Friday, only if we come straight away though. So come we do.

Mum and I are escorted upstairs to a nicely spaced dining room decorated in the same style as downstairs. There is a balcony that faces onto Harris street with counter-space and seating for four diners, an ideal people-watching spot I’ll be sure to nab next time (especially on a Saturday; the crowds that go to the Casino are hilarious! Ladies the world is not your gynaecologist). Despite the emptiness of the restaurant at this early dinner hour the atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, none of that awkward whispering-until-the-room-fills required. The staff, are among the best I have encountered, they are ever-present, never intrusive, have perfect timing and are happy to chat and have a laugh. Furthermore they are not ‘gimicky’ (as much fun as that is at times), they are just really good at what they do. 

So what to eat? Well the jamon and cheese toasty with cauliflower milkshake just sounds too good to pass up. The toasties are mini, buttery and crispy, with the warm cauliflower milkshake served in a mini Perspex milk carton. How fun! We also get truffled duck egg on toast with parmesan and grilled asparagus. These little soft-poached gems are stunning. The earthy truffle combined with the bite of parmesan, crunchy toast and asparagus make for a dish that should be on every cafes lunch menu. Simple, not fussy, ever so perfect. The soft shell crab with native finger lime dressing is also lovely, but my heart belongs to the duck eggs.

For mains we have chicken wings with sweet potato puree and corn that has a lovely balance of sweet and salty. The wings have been nicely de-boned so you can eagerly stuff your face with the juicy, tender meat. The second main of filo wrapped lamb doesn’t quite hit the right notes though. The pastry isn’t as light and fluffy as we would have liked, and it isn’t ample enough to absorb the juices from the lamb mince. While the pastry has remained crisp, there isn’t a flavour that comes through strongly enough to be the centrepiece of the meal. It is a bit flat. All this food is washed down with a lovely Italian wine that I randomly select (I am really flying blind here, Australian wine is the only type I know anything about) and it turns out to be lovely (but naturally too much led me to forget the name of it). Reminds me a lot of a granache, mourvedre blended with something else. Smooth.  

Desert consists of Eaton mess, strawberries, meringue and cream has all the right components, but not enough meringue and a bit too much cream. The balance of flavours needs work. The espresso crème brulee with rhubarb has lovely texture and the interesting combination of espresso and rhubarb is nice. I could go another one to myself (we had to share didn’t we?).

Overall this place is warm and welcoming, a lovely option if you want to linger of nice wine and food to catch up with friends, family or the other half you keep neglecting for episodes of revenge.   

http://grazepyrmont.com.au/

Wok Station

Everyone has a favourite local restaurant. The cheap, easy one you go to when it is raining, there is nothing in the fridge or you are having a really lazy night and just damn well don't feel like cooking, OK? Wok station is mine.

It is a Thai restaurant on Harris st and Union square, perfectly located to snare locals and professionals on their way home who realise their stomach is eating itself. Most of the seating is inside, but in summer the folding windows and doors open out allowing the people, curry and BYO booze to be flung (yup, flung) onto the footpath covering the neighbourhood with the hum of eating, drinking and general merriment (@ Jet-setter; that one is for you).

 It is a Monday. It is 8:30 pm. I have been at run-club and subsequently could eat the crutch out of a low flying duck. So when Cueball suggests Thai for dinner I get pretty excited. We nab our favourite table, the one with the throne-like chairs near the window, and settle in for some people-watching. Wok station has recently had a makeover. Previously the set-up was basic with metal chairs and tables, it did not invite the diner to linger over their meal. Now however under their new 'romantic event' slogan (yeah, so Asian) there is warm lighting, comfy chairs and a bit more of a go-slow atmosphere (in the dining room, not the kitchen).

This place has your standard pad Thai and chilli basil stirfry, but the dish I always get is this green curry pork called 'Gang keaw waan moo yang'. It is green curry overflowing with greenbeans and young eggplant, with a sprinkling of fresh peppercorns, packing the right amount of heat to get the nose running. The thick cuts of pork are cooked on a grill so it is tender and juicy, and gives the dish a slightly smoky flavour. Another favourite is the simmering seafood. This is a sweeter, soy based dish with generous serves of calamari, fish, and prawns. We generally get satay skewers, which can be a little dry sometimes but that is easily remedied with helpings of the fantastic peanut sauce. Otherwise we go for the diamond bags, little parcels of wonton pastry filled with nuts, spices and seafood.

Other fabulous dishes include Thunder Chicken; minced chicken and spring onion in tamarind sauce, and massaman lamb curry; one of the best versions of this curry I have had. So while this is my local, if you happen to walk past with an empty stomach, the food is nice, the staff are nice and it is conviently located next to one of the nicest watering holes in Sydney (Gallon, review is on its way!).

The Fish Shop

Being from ye olde merry England I really appreciate how much more awesome my life here in Oz is. But there is one thing that Australia just can't get right; fish and chips! Who would have thought this country with all the blue stuff around it and an apparent love affair with seafood would struggle with such a simple dish? The fish must be freshly battered and crisp. The chips must be fresh, not frozen and certainly not processed! Yet time and again I get soggy batter, overcooked fish, and chips that don't even deserve to be called chips. 'Geriatric mash' might be a better name.So when I heard that Merivale's own Brit Jeremy Strode was opening up The Fish Shop in Potts Point I got a little excited. I grabbed me a Brit and a Scot and went for a gander.

The Fish Shop is set up 'canteen' style with high tables and bar stools scattered throughout the decent space. Small touches like mismatched furniture, stained glass inserts and wooden panelling give this place the aura of your favourite summer holiday fish shop down the south coast. The kitchen is open, with four bar stools a little invasively placed along one counter overlooking the kitchen. The bar is nestled up the back. Menus come as mini newspapers with fun factoids. For example did you know that a scallop has hundreds of eyes, all of which are blue? Might have to google that one.

We start with potato scallops and some natural oysters. The oyster are fresh and the potato scallop isn't processed! Generous slatherings of salt and Satchwell's vinegar make this the best potato scallop I have had in years. This bodes well. Now for the mains. Specials are scrawled on the blackboard. I decide grilled kingfish is just the thing, while the odd couple go for classic battered fish.The fish and chips are divine. The right amount of crisp, golden batter encapsulates lovely delicate whitehead fillets. The tartare is homemade, the chunks are identifiable. Oohh gherkin, capers. And the chips, bless me the chips. Fresh!

My kingfish arrives with crispy skin and a lemony rocket salad. It is a simple composition that highlights what an awesome fish that kingfish is. Oh thankyou humble kingfish for being so very delicious. Given the prices I'm very happy with the portion sizes. No main is over $30 (though I'm sure adding lobster or crab to the specials menu would change that!).

I have a gin and rhubarb cocktail for desert (alco) though I am tempted by the ice cream sandwich on offer. I'll save that one for next time I reckon. Though Time Out just did a write up so heaven knows if ill be able get a seat there anytime soon. Can we get a poms seated first policy happening? I'm hooked!

http://merivale.com.au/thefishshop/

Concrete blonde

I have been lured to The Cross on a Sunday for one very good reason; Sunday Roast and I have it on good authority that Concrete Blonde is the place to go.

This place is located on Bayswater road in the same complex as Hugo’s. There is a lovely canopied outdoor seating area, and lounge seats on which to enjoy a pre-dinner (or lunch) drink in the afternoon sun. I assume this place is named after the U.S. rock group of the same name, though the name has been interpreted literally in the interesting glass door to the toilet, which contains patterns and text made of concrete set in the glass. The fit-out feels expensive, but the tone of the restaurant is quite casual.

After the parents, Cueball and I settle into our seats, I spy the kitchen. It is open, and you can see the chefs flitting back and forth, that bit is pretty standard. But the wood-fire spit and free-standing circular grills sure aren’t! Unfortunately there isn’t anything on the spit today, but our waitress informs us that last night there was a special of spit-roasted suckling pig. If that isn’t the best combination of food related words I have heard in a while. Given that the pig understandably sold out last night I go for the grass-fed Tasmanian roast beef with all the traditional trimmings. Think buttery beans and carrots, Yorkshire pudding, potatoes and jus served alongside a thick cut of just-medium beef. Oh it is heaven, absolute heaven. Of course I managed to squeeze in an entrée first; ham hock terrine with sourdough toast, perfectly accompanied by a large glass of chardonnay (Canobolas-Smith, Orange 2006). Pinot noir (Explorer by Surveyor Thomson) with the beef, from Central Otago duh (seriously who isn’t on the Otago bandwagon yet?).

Though the beef leaves me absolutely stuffed I am completely suckered in by the warm lemon pudding with vanilla bean ice-cream. It is spongy on top, and gooey inside. Others on the table go for honeycomb parfait and a valrhona chocolate terrine with raspberries and chocolate soil. Parfait, well everybody loves parfait, and for those chocaholics out there the valrhona is everything you need and want.

For $48, the Sunday lunch menu on offer at Concrete Blonde is more than a bargain, I am so stuffed I actually walk home to avoid my stomach bursting. That roast beef is the best I have had at any restaurant, and if they have the suckling pig on again God help anyone who prevents me from getting a reservation!

 http://www.concreteblonderestaurant.com.au/

Hemmingway’s

Why must summer end? I have only been to the beach, erm…three times this summer. That is practically un-Australian! The Jet-Setter states that a visit to the beach for a dip followed by cocktails is in order, and I couldn’t agree more. The day selected turns out to be a real scorcher, perfect for a swim. However post 6 pm it turns cool very fast. After delicately inserting a toe into the surf and retracting it with a scream of ‘it’s cold!’ we skip the dip and go straight for the drinks.

Hemmingway’s has been our coffee and drinks haunt in Manly all summer; the Jet-Setter is a massive fan of the bearded wonder’s short stories. So an opportunity to try their dinner menu is an exciting prospect to both of us. The menus theme in the downstairs bar is presented as ‘school meals made adult and fun’ so there are things like chicken nuggets and chips and fish fingers. So what awaits us in the restaurant upstairs? Awkward staff members for one thing.

After being assured downstairs that there is space for two in the restaurant, we reach the top of the stairs to find two bemused floor staff without a spare table. After a really weird conversation in which I felt like we were speaking a different language to the waiters we decide to wait downstairs until there is a table available. Once we get a table upstairs and pursue the menu we opt for:

‘Peppers’; padron peppers, bacon, feta, currants

‘Gin and tonic’; poached salmon, gin jelly, cucumber puree, salmon roe

‘Kiev’; black garlic, sweet corn, chicken

‘Leaves’; rocket, parmesan, balsamic

The ‘peppers’ is not much special, essentially peppers covered in cheese. The portion is decent enough, though you do get the odd really hot one so choose carefully. ‘Gin and tonic’ is beautifully presented, the jelly is lovely and fragrant and the salmon is beautifully cooked. The one thing this dish really needs is salt to lift the flavours to the next level. By far the best dish is ‘Kiev’, the chicken is served in a lovely crispy, salty ball with smears of smoky black garlic and sweet corn that I end up wiping off the plate with my fingers.

In the end the meal was nice, but I have been to nicer restaurants for less. The restaurant feels a little grungy, when I was expecting a bit more of a colonial, manly (oooooh fun with puns) opulence. Having my meal presided over by a portrait of a shirtless Hemmingway is a tad odd, though not unpleasant. I’ll be back for the coffee and snacks downstairs.   

http://www.hemingwaysmanly.com.au/_.html

Menya Noodle Bar

Right; I love ramen. As in I have been to Japan twice mainly just to eat Ramen. When the weather in Australia turns cold I can’t help but get a little excited; it is ramen season!

I have been a loyal customer of Ramen Kan (Bondi and China Town http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/751830/restaurant/Sydney/Chinatown/Ramen-Kan-Haymarket) even since I stumbled across it on the way to a Prodigy concert in 2005. The train of thought went: concert, lots of dancing, need energy, ooooh carbs, mmmmm ramen. But tonight I feel like a change. The internet informs me that Menya Noodle Bar in China Town does a good noodle soup.  

The Socialite joins me in trying to find Menya. According to my phone it is just around the corner from the UTS library, but we loop around the block once without spotting it. Finally we realise it is on the ground floor of a tall, skinny complex full of restaurants. We push past all the hawkers for the scattering of Chinese restaurants surrounding Menya and gawk at the large menu of the wall for a while. All the different Ramen, noodles and rice dishes look and sound divine. I am tempted by the ramen with extra pork (ton-toro ramen) but I finally settle for teriyaki beef soba noodles. The socialite goes for the Ramen with Karage chicken (Tori kara-age ramen).

We find ourselves a spot at the long communal table running down the centre of the restaurant and watch the staff chat with two police officers. Looks like something ‘went down’ during the day. So dinner and show, brilliant. When the noodle soups arrive they are everything we want. The stocks are rich and meaty and all meat is cooked to perfection. Needless to say both are soon devoured. Looks like I now have two Ramen restaurants in which to practice my proper Japanese noodle slurping etiquette  

http://menya.com.au/