Lotus Pond 芙蓉阁

Revamping the entire bloggie!  It is still under construction with tweaks on the banner, background and...maybe my overly pink fetish :(

I finally figured out how to change the size of images on blogger and now it is much larger than before!  Changed the sidebars and hopefully it is not such an eyesore.

I really hope no one saw the test images I've placed up at 1am in the morning.  That would be terribly embarrassing.

Lotus Pond...again! Seriously my family have a thing for that place.

Steamed Abalone with Ginger and Shallot 清蒸鲍鱼

Shredded Pork Stir Fried with Preserved Vegetables and Bean Sprouts 榨菜肉丝炒芽菜 $28

Compoy with Egg White Fried Rice 瑶柱蛋白炒饭 $32

Baby Spinach Topped with Compoy 瑶柱扒菠菜苗 $32

Sweet and Sour Barramundi 酸甜盲曹

I've never had sweet and sour barramundi before!  I really enjoyed the fried crispy skin and flavoured with the sweet and sour sauce.  The pinenuts added to the fragrant even more and oh dear I ate all the pineapples too!

Sorry for the lack of text...it's been hecktic lately, 2am, work tomorrow and a nagging dad telling me to sleep now or die.  I'll ttyl~

Lotus Pond 芙蓉阁
Location: Level 2, 80 Pyrmont St Pyrmont NSW 2009
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 5:30pm to late
Reservations: 1800 700 700
Website: http://www.starcity.com.au/

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Silk Road Chinese Halal Restaurant 大西北食府

Ate at Silk Road again because I just can't resist their lamb skewers! Ahhhh!!

Northwestern Style Salad 西北老虎菜 $8 (L)

Definately a must have starter.  The refreshing taste of cucmber drizzled with their special sauce wakes your taste buds to the yummy foods to come.

Pepper and Salt Egg Wrapped with Lamb 夹沙 $13.80

Stewed Lamb Backbones 红烧羊歇骨 $17.80

The plate is GIANORMOUS! I wish I have another plate next to it in comparison.  It's like the size of a bowl!  How generous.

Spicy Beef in Salad Sauce 香辣牛肉干 $6.80 (S)

Spring Wrap With Beef 风味春饼 $8 for 2

This spring wrap/pancake is a traditional Chinese food consumed on the first day of Spring thus the name Spring Wrap.  It consists of pretty much any ingredient you like but it typically contains stir fried bean sprouts, stir fried eggs, leek and your favourite meat.

Xinjiang Shish Kebab 新疆羊肉串 $12 for 6

Cumin Fried BBQ Lamb 孜然烧烤肉 $12.80

Silk Road Chinese Halal Restaurant 大西北食府

Location: Shop 2/203-209 Thomas Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9211 5881
Opening Hours: 7 days from 10am to 9pm

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Hilton Hotel

Business Luncheon at the Hilton Hotel.  I felt quite embarrassed to whip out a camera infront of many industry professionals especially that I was so young in comparison.  I tried to resist temptation... until dessert arrived and I couldn't stand myself not taking photos of food. 

I fetched for my camera. 

Everyone stared and I had to explain that I am a food blogger.  Soon conversation started and I suddently became the centre of attention.  I wish I could just dig a hole in the ground and hide there until everyone is gone.

The topic of Julie and Julia arised during the conversation and being a food blogger, I was ashmed to say that I haven't watched it...until recently.

Watched Julie and Julia on Sunday with my Tums hunnie.  The one thing that kept popping up in my mind throughout the movie was...why didn't Julie take any PHOTOS of her creations?  Ok, maybe buying a digital camera in 2002 is a bit on the expensive side but if you know you're going to bring 524 recipes to life surely you would go out and get one...or at least take some crappy mobile pictures!

If she could afford to buy 3 live lobsters then...she's almost half way there, right?

During the end of the movie, it showed Julia opening the envelope revealing her bubble wrapped published book.  Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think bubble wrap was invented yet in the early 60s. 

Overall, the movie was a nice sweet movie and really heart warming.  It also gave me alot of hungry moments and hoped that I was snacking on something more than just cherry tomatoes :/

Now...the dessert served at the Hilton Hotel.

Creme Brulee with White Chocolate Flavour

I'm a sucker for creme brulee.  I would eat even if my stomach's going to explode with the slightest touch.  A decoration of hardened sugar and strawberries doesn't help either .___.  It's just so wonderful to crack open the glass layer and find the soft creamy insides of the creme brulee.  Makes me want to twiddle around everytime.

Belgain Chocolate and Sage Tart with Fresh Berries, Creme Fraiche Ice Cream and Sticky Toffee Sauce

Oh my...the belgain chocolate is sooo rich and creamy, it tastes incredible.  The richness of the chocolate is balanced with a scoop of nice cool ice cream.  The creme fraiche is creamy but light (not sour at all!) and wonderful with fresh berries.

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Soban Korean Cuisine

What other ways to cheer you up after a lame movie than to eat!

I immediately spotted the unique exterior decor and half skipped to the entrance, pointed inside and said "We're eating here tonight!!" while my friends pretended not to know me.

After a doze in the cinema, I was happy to fill my stomach with Korean!

It is the FIRST TIME I ate Korean food with METAL chopsticks! Fun fun~ :3 I've heard that Koreans eat with metal chopsticks but I have only gotten wooden/plastic/throw away ones at other Korean restaurants.

Yuk-Hoe $18.90

Thinly sliced raw beef seasoned with Gochujang and sliced pear.  It's like a Korean version of beef tartare except it is slightly sweet tasting.  I love the soft tender meat and the crunchy and crispy pear combination!

Bulgogi Chap-Chae

Stir fried potato starch noodles with mushroom, vegetables and grilled bulgogi.

I want a rippled plate like that!

Seafood Jeon-Gol

Soban's beef stock with assorted seafood, vegetables and tofu served to boil on table.

When they said 'assorted seafood' I never knew it would come with a whole crab! Wonderful!  Sad that 6 girls couldn't finish all of the food that we ordered and seeing half of the pot going to waste. Y~Y

Teriyaki Chicken Bibimbap $16.90

Bibimbap topped with marinated thigh fillet teriyaki chicken.

A real STONE pot! *Facinates over it* and oh dear~metal is a heat conductor...my chopsticks were burning hot!!! 

Many mini side dishes

I didn't particularly like the side dishes especially two of them being non Korean at all.  Pumpkin soup and miso soup!?  The other side dishes doesn't stand out either with the tastes being bland and the servings minimal.

Kimchi Fried Rice with Seafood Cream Sauce $16.90

I loved the weird crispy and crunchy deep fried vermicelli on the top.  One thing I was impressed with is the generosity of the seafood they give in each dish! See all the scallops and calamari rings in there!  Oh and the cream sauce is superb.

Soban Korean Cuisine

Location: Shop 602, Level 6 Westfield Shopping Centre, 1 Anderson Street, Chatswood NSW 2067

Opening Hours: Open 7 Days for Lunch and Dinner

Phone: 02 9415 2028

Website: http://www.soban.com.au/

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Cafe De Campbell

I previously said I will try out all of the set menu options at Cafe De Campbell >here<.  Well...I did.

Lemon Ice Tea 冻柠檬茶

Hot Milk Tea 热奶茶

Russian Borscht 罗宋汤

 

Bread Roll with Butter 小餐包

Wagyu Steak with Spaghetti and Vegetables 雪花和牛扒 $16.80

Ohhhhhh sizzling wagyu!  The meat was so tender, soft and fatty that it took minimal effort to chew.  This is making me hungry...

Smoked Salmon with Corn 烟三文鱼粟米 $13.80

I just love the plating of this dish.  A thin layer of sizzling egg topped with smoked salmon pieces, corn and a rice hill makes me think of a volcanic island surrounded by corals.  So pretty and magical.

Unagi 鳗鱼饭 $13.80

Lamb Chops with Rice and Mushroom Sauce 羊柳扒 $16.80

Dessert of the Day - Fruit Salad 时日甜点 - 水果萨拉

All of the set menu comes with a drink, soup, bread roll with butter, main dish and dessert.  Bargain!

Have I mentioned that I love their globe of lights suspending down from each table?

Cafe De Campbell
Location: Level 1, 405 Sussex St, Haymarket NSW 2000

Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 7:30am - 11pm, Sunday 8am - 11pm
Phone: 02 9281 0743

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Sushi Rio

Seems like a while since I wrote a proper entry.  Home internet is still down!! It's getting ridiculous and I feel like barging into the Telstra building and chuck a fit.  I even designed their interaction room! What a load of bull crap they are.

Rotating sushi at Sushi Rio.  My brother's big appetite made my poor wallet cry :( In the end I had to limit him to choose $3 and under plates...not being a stingy sister but...yeah...he eats too much.

Mini Sushi Roll $2.50

Squid $2.50

Ah squidy my favourite!

Salmon and Shallot $3.00

I love Japanese mayo on sashimi but...*picks shallot out*.

Fish Roe $3.00

Salmon and Onion $3.50

I'd say they ruined a perfect sushi with onions and shallots! Why does it always have to come with nasty little toppings like that?  I would've happily chow down a combination of salmon, avocado and lots and lots of mayo!

Top Shell $3.00

Salmon $3.00

Scallop $3.50

I love the generous servings of scallops on sushi! Wish I could grab another plate.

King Fish $3.50

Salmon $3.50

Salmon and Avocado Mini Roll $3.00

Octopus Salad $3.00

Grilled Salmon $3.00

Sushi Rio

Location: Shop 7, 339 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: 02 9261 2388

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March Into Merivale Launch Party

Hohoho! I.Love.Free.Food!!

Hosted in The Ivy Room (320 George Street, Sydney), March Into Merivale Launch Party must be the biggest and best food giveaway in Sydney. 

Free food must comes at a price with the line going around 2 blocks....

Along George Street

and around the corner...

The Massive Crowd

Eight of Sydney's best restauants catered for this herd of people~I don't know how they managed but they did it wonderfully.

Please don't mind the blurry images, I did the best I could.

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Est.

Gingerbread, chicken liver parfait and Tasmanian black currants

Grilled scallop tartare, olive oil, lime juice, washed red onion and pork crackle

Skewer of Serrano jamon, compressed rockmelon and nasturtium

Gingerbread, chicken liver parfait and Tasmanian black currants

Grilled scallop tartare, olive oil, lime juice, washed red onion and pork crackle

The scallop was bouncy in texture and pork crackle crispy.  Oh what a wonderful combination when you place those two in your mouth at the same time! 

Skewer of Serrano jamon, compressed rockmelon and nasturtium

I love jamon. *hugs the piggie* oh why are you so tasty? People were grabbing those babies by the doubles, triples and even quardruples! The fatty jamon and the refreshing rockmelon combo is sure a winner!

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Lotus

Pork "Banh Mi" croutons

Skewer of prawn crusted with "Tasty Toobs"

Ocean trout ceviche with Thai flavours

Pork "Banh Mi" croutons

Skewer of prawn crusted with "Tasty Toobs"

Ocean trout ceviche with Thai flavours

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Uccello

Parmesean and prosecco risotto

Beef and porcini lasagne with quattro foraggi *missed out :(

Parmesean and prosecco risotto

Every risotto came with a wooden spork! Talk about environmentally friendly :)

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Teppanyaki

Roasted Kurobuta pork, green apple and ginger soy sauce

Wagyu penny burgers with spicy mayonnaise *missed out :(

Seared Tasmanian salmon, Amazu ponzu and dried miso

Roasted Kurobuta pork, green apple and ginger soy sauce

Seared Tasmanian salmon, Amazu ponzu and dried miso

The salmon and the amazu ponzu sauce worked perfectly together to form a light and tangy salmon canape 

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Sushi e

Roast Duck: shallot with Yuzu Kosho sauce

Establishment Roll *missed out :(

Spicy Salmon Roll *missed out :(

Roast Duck: shallot with Yuzu Kosho sauce

Making the Spicy Salmon Roll

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Mad Cow

Heirloom tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil with perserved lemon

Grilled rangers valley wagyu flank steak with chimichurri sauce *missed out :(

Chicken live pate on crouton

Heirloom tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil with perserved lemon

Chicken liver pate on crouton

How could I miss out on BOTH wagyu canapes Y~Y

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Ash St Cellar

Bouillabaisee" w rouille

Sheeps milk labne, beetroot and mustard fruits in a filo tartlet

Bouillabaisse" w rouille

Sheeps milk labne, beetroot and mustard fruits in a filo tartlet

Omg I loved this canape so much that I stuffed myself with FOUR of them (shhh I know we're only meant to take one!) The rich and smoothness of the labne, the sweet and tangyness of the beetroot and mustard fruits filled in a flaky filo tartlet together is a work of art! 

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Bistro cbd

Goats cheese and fig tartlet, balsamic glace *no piccy :(

Brandade, cured salmon, gribiche, en croute

Chocolate indulgence *no piccy :(

(extra) Freshly shucked Hastings River oysters *no piccy :( 

Brandade, cured salmon, gribiche, en croute

It was complete CHAOS at Bistro cbd and I couldn't get a proper picture at all!  Everyone was grabbing the food before I could even blink. *sigh*

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From the Events Kitchen - Head Chef David O'Brien

Braised Wagyu Beef Shin with crushed pea salsa

One of my favourite canape would be the Fig with ricotta and caramelised almonds however I couldn't get a nice clean shot of it.  I hoped that I had a container with me and carry it with me so I could eat more of it at home.

Slosh all the food down with drinks :)

After stuffing myself for an hour, I left the Ivy Room full and very satisfied. I was so full that walking down Martin Place has never been so difficult for me. 

March Into Merivale is on from 15 Feb - 16 Apr with interesting things going on all throughout the events period.  Lunch/Dinner with wine/beer for $33 from 12-2pm and 6-8pm in every participating restaurant.

http://www.marchintomerivale.com/

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