Sambal..

Well this is a must go place for some authentic Malaysian food in Sydney. I had my best char kuey teow there! Anyway I was introduced to this little jewel hidden at Macquarie Park, called Sambal. It's also one of the restaurants listed in the Good Food Guide 2011. They also have some specials during lunch hours. Since it's at the business park, they tend to get really busy and packed during lunch hours. So I've avoided that and went during weekend. It was so good that I had to bring my sis who came over to visit.

For the first attempt, I went there with Jen on a Sunday lunch. The specials during that time was Mee Rebus. It's boiled egg noodles with sweet creamy curry sauce with fried tofu, boiled egg and bean sprouts. 

We've also ordered the char kuey teow (spicy). It had blown me away, the taste was totally awesome, very similar to the ones we have in Malaysia. Although it didn't have all the same elements like the little clams and chinese sausages, it was still really yummylicious and strong authentic flavour! The best char kuey teow I had so far in Aussie.

Time for some desserts. We tried the ice chendol. Yum! The strong flavour of palm sugar and the coconut milk, heavenly good. The chendol was nice as well.

The sago pudding with coconut milk and palm sugar. Jen absolutely love this alot. It's just so authentic. 

For the second attempt, we went for dinner. We've purposely ordered the chicken rice instead of the normal white rice. It was fragrant and moist. Yum!

Kangkung belachan. It's water spinach cooked with prawn paste. Spicy and totally mouthwatering. It was really appetizing and went well with rice.

Stir fried seafood with tofu. I loved it so much. One of my favourites in Malaysia. It tasted really authentic, the tofu was awesome! It was so soft and fragrant.

We've also tried the signature Sambal prawns, king prawns cooked with salty eggs, eggplant and chilli. The prawns were cooked perfectly and it was tantalizingly delicious. Love the strong flavours!

Of course we wouldn't missed out on desserts as well. We had the ice chendol, sago pudding and also the ice kacang. Sweet, cold and full of ingredients. I had a great time enjoying all the food there and will be back for more when I have my cravings. 

Ratings: 9/10

Address: Shop 7, 285-287 Lane Cove Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113

GoodLife Modern Organic Pizza..

I was away last week. Jen and I went to Adelaide! It was my first time there and I didn't get to do much in the city cause we spent most of our time in Kangaroo Island. Anyway the first night that I arrived in Adelaide, I had dinner with a friend there and we went to try out Good Life Modern Organic Pizza. Thanks for the nice recommendation and I loved it! Very nice and cosy restaurant. We were seated at the backyard area and it felt really homey. Great attentive service from the moment we stepped into the restaurant. 

Well I have to mention that their organic pizza means that they are from a method sustainable farming that works with nature, without the use of fertilisers and pesticides. That means better in taste! According to their information on their menu, all their pizza bases are prepared by SA's own laucke organic flour, filtered water, fresh yeast and aged more than 24 hours.

Well as you can see, they've won quite a few best pizza awards for the past few years. It means that they are really good. I was so excited when I was looking through the menu.

It was really dark in there and we only had the little candle light on the table. This is the best photo I can get. Luckily my friend helped me with this too. Anyway we've ordered two pizzas to share, the swiss brown mushrooms which is on the right and free ranged roasted duck on the left. The swiss brown mushrooms was marinated in organic balsamic vinegar with an organic lemon aioli garnish. Yum! The pizza base was definately awesome, the juicyness of the fresh mushrooms blended together so well with the garnish on top. With the roasted duck pizza, there was also shitake mushrooms and spring onion ginger jam. This pizza had a punch of asian flavours in there and surprisingly it was really good. The duck was roasted until crispy. Can't stop myself from having more.

Ratings: 9/10

Address: 170 Hutt Street, Adelaide, South Australia.

Azuma Patisserie Cafe..

I love desserts and I'm happy that I got introduced to this little cafe. Thanks Mich! Anyway I've been there quite a few times now and also brought my sis there and we had a lovely time there chilling out with some pretty desserts and relaxing environment.

Love the strawberry layered cake. Nice strong fresh strawberries in between the layers and the sponge cake was soft and fluffy.

I've tried the green tea matcha latte. It's basically green tea with milk, just perfect for me cause I don't really drink coffee. It was nice and not too sweet which was great. I would prefer to have a stronger flavour of the green tea powder.

Meanwhile, sis tried the iced green tea matcha latte. The nice thing about it is that you get to pour in  the sugar syrup yourself, so you can decide on the sweetness of it. Brilliant idea.

You can also take some of their japanese fahion magazines to read up while indulging yourself with the lovely desserts. Or perhaps a nice chit chat over an afternoon tea.

The other time I went there and tried their hojicha. I've googled it and it's basically is set apart from other japanese green teas because it was roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal. It had a strong after taste which was really fragrant and subtle.

I've also tried the chocolate mousse cake. I would say it was pretty average on this. 

The earl grey chiffon cake. It had a really strong after taste which was so good and the cake soft and fluffy.

Another afternoon tea with more gossips.

They also have macarons. It was just normal. 

I've also tried the panna cotta which was yummy! It was soft and creamy. I was looking at recipes for panna cottas and I shall attempt to make that sometime soon.

Chestnut tarlet. It was way too sweet for me. 

The green tea yogurt ice cream. It seems that the combination of green tea and yogurt doesn't fit quite well. The soury taste of the yogurt was overpowering the flavour of the green tea. Or maybe it's just me. Anyway I still love going this relaxing patisserie cafe. And also thumbs up for the nice presentation of their desserts.

Ratings: 6.5/10

Address: 501 George Street, Regent Place Shopping, NSW 2000

Housewarming party..

Here's just to share a lovely housewarming party by my dearest friend, Winnie in Sydney which had a theme of Malaysian hawker's food. It was totally brilliant and all the guests were full and satisfied, from main course to desserts. I've made bubur chacha for the party too.

Fried vermicelli which was totally delicious!

Ta da! The homemade satays made by her fiance.

Yes he was cooking right on the spot at the balcony. Fresh and juicy tender meat.. yum!

I have to mention about the peanut sauce that he made from scratch. Absolutely mouth watering! Can we have more please? 

Yummy fried chicken wings. Somehow I seldom have homemade chicken wings, cause I normally make grilled chicken wings instead. So of course I was enjoying it lots! 

Beef curry.. Thick creamy and spicy curry.

Fried won tons. Her signature dish and it was damn good! 

Can you imagine they prepare all these themselves? Thanks for the awesome hawkers food. They were totally superb! Maybe I should ask for the recipes to share with you. Anyway have great weekend guys!

Bar Sirocco..

I love going out for breakfast during weekends. It's a time for gathering for some girly gossips or just simply to absorb some great sunshine. Anyway Jen and I headed to Bar Sirocco for brekkie. They have some specials on menu and be sure to check them out. It's a really cosy and friendly restaurant. I was happy with the friendly and attentive service as well.

Fresh juices to start out. Love it!

Jen ordered one of the specials, thick pork sausages with homemade baked beans, potato cake and fried egg on top. Thumbs up for the homemade baked beans. It was rich and hearty with generous portion. The pork sausages were thick and fragrant. $16

I've tried the light and healthy breakfast, with smoked salmon, avocado and tomato on balsamic vinegar with ricotta cheese. Simple yet nice combination in flavours. So there you go! A way to enjoy the weekend with your loved ones and to soak up some sunshine. Have a great weekend ahead and hopefully with some nice weather.

Ratings: 8/10

Address: 38-62 Booth Street, Annandale NSW 2038

Baroque..

Remember that I've shared about La Renaissance before that? This is actually a unique french restaurant opened by the same owner, the Charkos family. It's called Baroque at the Rocks. Anyway I went there with Jen and two other friends for a joint birthday celebration without knowing where we were heading to. Thanks for the little surprise.

 Some fresh homemade bread to start out the meal. It saved me from having gastric problem cause we actually waited for ages before the food was served.

Finally our entree arrived. To be honest I don't remember what was this dish called. Something like foie gras. Sorry but I didn't really know how to enjoy this.

Confit duck legs with grilled leeks and cucumber for Jen. Great presentation and some great flavours there. The portion was not enough for him. $29

I had the barramundi with eggplant caviar and piperrada. The barramundi was cooked nicely and kept the moisture of the meat, with the crsipy skin on top. The sides just added on more flavours into it. $29

Confit shoulder of Bangalow sweet pork. Great presentation and the pork was cooked just right. $29

Dessert time! I've ordered the Voltaire. It's vanilla cheesecake with mixed berries wrapped in white chocolate. How pretty is that. It did taste as good as the look. $13

Jen had the Zulu, it's 72% chocolate mousse, ganache with salted caramel and chocolate biscuit base, finished with a mini chocolate macaron on top. Rich and creamy chocolate mousse. Yum! $13

Blood orange souffle with Valrhona chocolate sorbet and macaron. It was awesome! Soft and fluffy and my friend enjoyed that. $16 

Ratings: 7/10

Address: 88 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney 2000

Pepper Lunch..

I've passed by this shop, Pepper Lunch, all the time along George Street and decided that I should give it a try, for the second time together with my sis. I think they have a really interesting concept. You can taste the spicy pepper flavour and butter along with your rice.

I had the beef pepper rice, $8.30 and added on extra $2.50 for a bowl of miso soup to come along with the meal. When the meal was served, it was sizzling hot and you just have to mix it around to let it cook.

Sis had the cut steak with chicken combo, $16.50 with miso soup and rice. It was a really huge meal.

The first attempt I had the kimuchi beef pepper rice. Yum! Love it. The strong kimchi flavour added  some spice into the rice. Cheap and satisfying meal.

Ratings: 7/10

Address: 537-551 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000