Danny & Company (Taipei)

On my first night in Taipei, I was taken to Danny & Company for dinner. Prior to the visit, I didn’t realise such restaurants exist – a full French menu served in Japanese teppanyaki style.

The food was awesome with taste and presentation rivalling Michelin-starred restaurants. It was high quality from start to finish – crusty warm bread, porcini soup, seared foie gras… and the dual beef of Australian 9+ wagyu and USDA prime cap certainly lived up to the ‘king of steak’ reputation by head chef Danny Teng.

Mr Teng’s generosity in sharing his knowledge of food was a bonus. Thanks!

Details:
Danny & Company
台灣台北市四維路52巷33號
No. 33, Ln. 52, Siwei Rd
Da'an District
Taipei City, 106
http://www.dannyandcompany.com

Old and New of Singapore

In my brief visit to Singapore, I had the chance to sample the new and the old.

We went to db Bistro Moderne, owned by Daniel Boulud, at the brand new Marina Bay Sands complex for a late supper. At S$55, the home made pasta with 3g of white truffle was on the expensive side. However the fragrance of the dish was obvious and quality of service was excellent.

Upon leaving I visited Yet Con Restaurant, an institution serving Hainan chicken rice for 70 years. The traditional dining room didn’t offer much room. But the chicken rice was top notch.

Details: 
db Bistro Moderne 
B1-48, Galleria Level 
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 
2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 
http://danielnyc.com/dbbistroSingapore.html 
http://www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Restaurants/Fine-Dining/DB-Bistro-Moderne/ 


Yet Con Chicken Rice Restaurant 
25 Purvis Street, Singapore
(Opposite national library, next to Raffles Hotel)

Tony Roma's (Sydney)

We were craving for some tangy barbeque sauce after a long day at work. So off we went to Tony Roma’s near the Sydney CBD, hoping for a nice rack of ribs.

The dining room was very quiet on a Tuesday night. We ordered the big onion loaf which was ok. The lamb ribs were nice and juicy but the supposedly signature pork ribs were rather dry. The portion size was rather big so we left the place rather satisfied.

(just saved from 1 star by the friendly service)

Details:
Tony Roma's Ribs, Seafood & Steaks
121-123 Sussex St 
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.tonyromas.com/

Quarter Twenty One (Sydney)

I went to Becasse for last year’s Let’s Do Lunch at its old Clarence Street site. Since then it has moved to the new Westfield shopping mall with a more casual Quarter Twenty One spin off. So that’s where we went to for this year’s Let’s Do Lunch.

The slow-cooked short rib of beef was extremely tender; almost melt in your mouth. It was complimented well by the spring vegetable ragout and fondant potato. We shared a raspberry soufflé for dessert which, along with the light humoured service staff, made a satisfying lunch.

Details:
Quarter Twenty One
Westfield Sydney
Level 5, Shop 5018, Cnr Pitt St Mall and Market St 
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.quartertwentyone.com.au/

Home Thai Restaurant (Sydney)

We craved for some spicy food on a rainy night last week. So we headed to Home Thai restaurant at Haymarket after work which is within walking distance from the CBD.

Seating in the restaurant was very tight and not very comfortable. And the pace of service was very quick in order to accommodate the long queue of diners outside.

The food was certainly excellent. Pad Thai and Duck Curry were very spicy but flavourful. Do go for the fried donut dipped in a sweet condensed milk and pandan sauce if you have extra room at the end.

Details:
Home Thai Restaurant
Shop 1-2, 299 Sussex St 
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.homethai.com.au

Fix St James (Sydney)

October is my favourite time of the year due to the Sydney International Food Festival. I already had a couple of Let’s Do Lunch booked. To kick off the month we went to Fix St James wine bar & restaurant for its Esk Valley free-range suckling pig.

The meat was tender and was perfectly balanced by the salad and tangy juices. Portion size was decent. My friends enjoyed the light Brown Brothers red wine which came with the meal. Service was friendly which was perfect for a working lunch.

Will definitely come back for a full meal next time!

Details:
Fix St James Wine Bar & Restaurant
St James Centre
111 Elizabeth St 
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.fixstjames.com.au

Berowra Waters Inn (Sydney)

An early birthday surprise brought me to Berowra Waters Inn in the north of Sydney for a lazy Sunday lunch. The windy roads away from the city, slow boat ride towards the restaurant, the view of the river in a light drizzle – it was the perfect setting.

The food was served at the perfect pace and excited our palates. The signature dish of chilled vichyssoise and beignets of oysters was the highlight. The oysters remained soft and flavourful despite being fried. Pasta with crab meat and razor clam was also my favourite with the balance of spice and seafood flavours.

Details:
Berowra Waters Inn
Pick up by private ferry
Public Wharves (East & West) 
Berowra Waters NSW 2082
http://www.berowrawatersinn.com

Bistrode CBD (Sydney)

We started our Friday night early at Bistrode CBD, the restaurant upstairs of the popular Hotel CBD bar. A favourite among the business diners, the modern dining room wasn’t full for the night.

The $39 Spring feast menu available for September was great value. Portion size was decent and the quality was consistently good. The zucchini flower tart was light and flavourful, and the pork & veal sausage had real chucks of meat within. We ordered the special pate as an addition entrée – rich, smooth and again generous. It was a satisfying meal.

Details:
Bistrode CBD
Level 1, 52 King St 
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.merivale.com/#/cbd/bistrodecbd