Wednesday, April 4, 2012

China Doll

My date tonight, Juls, who happens to be my best friend of 8 years has great taste in food. So when she called me up to ask me out to dinner, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.
We have made a pack to try different restaurants every fortnightly.
We were going to book dinner at Bloodwood because she's been raving about it non-stop so we were curious. But it was booked out. So we opted for something more oriental and China Doll was the perfect choice.

(Click on picture to enlarge)



Located at the Wooloomooloo Wharf, this place was classy and sophisticated. As we were ushered to our seats, and offered the menu, we suddenly heard loud bangs. As I turned to look behind me, there it was a beautiful displayed of fireworks. As we heard ooohs and aaaahs around the tables, I couldn't help but smile and think what a perfect way to start off this dinner.
So Juls and I stared into each other eyes and said at the same time "oooh.. how romantic.." and proceeded with our ooohs and aaahs.

We flipped the cocktails menu and found a wide range of cute cocktail names. I decided to start with China White and Juls ordered something red-ish (should've noted the name down.. sigh)



I really like how the food here can be ordered in half portions :)

Crispy wonton - Scallop & Prawn & Vegetables with XO

Shu Mai - Pork Prawn Scallop with chilli oil


Kurobuta pork & Peanut San Choy Bau

Steamed dumpling - Prawn & Green bean with Chinese red vinegar

Tea smoked duck with tamarind & plum

Penang curry of slow braised wagyu beef shin

chilli sauce, chopped chilli, oil

Appletini

Aloe Aloe

Small dessert platter

Overall, I would describe it as Fusion Malaysian cuisines. It definitely catered more for the Australian crowds as the chillies were so mild I couldn't even taste any. But this is coming from someone who LOVES chilli!!

xx,
Chicabel

CHINA DOLL
6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
(02) 9380 6744

www.chinadoll.com.au/


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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Pork Roll addict!

I like to post pictures on facebook of what I eat... even during work! Maybe I have a problem! I've become those people.. ooo look what I did/ate/saw/heard today!

So anyways, today's lunch is a spicy pork roll! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE pork rolls! The best I had so far was in Cabramatta.. When I first tried it, I had two! LOL! and ALWAYS with chillies!

(Click on picture to enlarge)

My pork roll sitting nicely on my work desk


The one near my work is not as good as the one in Cabra.. but it'll still do. It also depends who makes it. There are usually 2 ladies behind the counter. Get the taller lady (the one who acts like she owns the joint, that's because she does) and she's very generous with the sauces and the chillies! oh the Chillies... *drool*

The place is called Phuong Special Vietnamese on 25-29 Dixon Street, Haymarket NSW 2000. 


xx, 
Chicabel



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The TETSUYAS experience

So it's my date's (let's call him Mr Panda just cuz he LOVES pandas) birthday tomorrow 04 April and I thought I need to spoil him since he is getting old.. 29 ahahah!! 

In the past Mr Panda has spoiled me for those special occasions: think xmas, valentines day and birthday. And even on those ordinary days. 
Since Mr Panda loves food and did not want me to give him any gifts, I figured what better way to spoil this 'young' panda man and by taking him to one of THE best restaurant in Sydney, Tetsuyas.
I decided to give him this surprise on the night before his actual birthday due to him going away the next day for 15days.

So, a little something about this renowned chef.



Mr Tetsuya Wakuda is a Japanese born Australian chef who owns Tetsuyas, located on Kent Street in Sydney CBD ---click here---> Tetsuyas map
He has won numerous awards, more information about him and his achievements here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsuya_Wakuda


I have heard numerous people claiming it is EXTREMELY hard to get a booking, and that you have to book well in advance.. something as ridiculous as half to a year ahead. I don't know about you, but I have booked at Tetsuyas twice (had to cancelled unfortunately) and had no problem securing a table when I booked ONE day in advance.
So again, this time I booked on Monday for a dinner reservation on Tuesday. The lady in charge for reservation called Stefanie was absolutely helpful and polite. She communicated with me promptly via email.


So I decided to prepay the dinner (Degustation menu with matching wine for 2 guests) since it's easier that way and avoid the awkward "I'm paying. No.. I'm paying" debacle, it is a birthday gift after all. This was easily done by completing a prepay form.


So without further ado... 

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Warm crusty white roll with fluffy innards serve with unsalted butter with Truffles and Ricotta 



Chilled Pea Soup with Mint


Chawanmushi

Sashimi of Tuna

Grilled Scampi with Chicken Liver Parfait 


Signature dish: Confit of Petuna Ocean Trout with Shaved Fennel with Unpasteurised Ocean Trout Caviar 


Mix Salad

Steamed Queensland Spanner Crab with Bean Curd, Foie Gras and Junsai

Matching Pinot Noir

Breast of Quail with Qual Leg Rillettes 

Fillet of grim beef with Wasabi and Mustard Seeds

Desert wine

Pione grapes and grape sorbet
Chocolate Fondant with Hazelnut & Praline

Warm centred Chocolate Fondant with Candied Hazelnut and Cream Fraiche Ice Cream

Strawberry macarons and truffles

Absolutely delicious food! The service was absolutely impeccable. I was in food heaven! Yes it was SOOOOO OVERPRICED but Mr Panda and I both fell in love with the food and want to go back again!


I can finally tick this one off from the bucket list :)


xx,
Chicabel



TETSUYA
529 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9267 2900



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