Spice Temple (Sydney)

This is my third visit to Spice Temple in Sydney and my first sitting at the bar for lunch. My colleague suggested us to share a pork burger which is available at the bar only. Succulent pork with perfect crackling balanced by pickled radish and a sauce – all inside a warm brioche. What more can you ask for?

On top of the burger, we had the dumplings and the stir fried cumin lamb with steamed bread pockets. Both dishes were excellent and compliments well with the special beverages. The rhubarb lassi was particularly nice.

Details: 
Spice Temple Sydney
Basement, 10 Bligh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.rockpool.com/sydney/spice-temple/

Yoshii (Sydney)

We went to Yoshii on Valentine’s Day for their special menu. While expecting the usual drop in standards for this ‘special’ occasion, we still had high expectations due to its reputation.

The food is best described as a clash of east and west, rather than a perfect balance between the two. Dishes such as trio of snapper, venison carpaccio with chocolate sauce, and poached lamb with soy sauce had beautiful presentation. However the flavour fell short.

The sushi plate rescued the meal – simple, authentic and very fresh. So we would recommend you to dine at the sushi bar.

Details:
Yoshii
115 Harrington St 
The Rocks NSW 2000
http://www.yoshii.com.au/

Crazy Wings (Sydney)

4 of us decided to wind down the working week over a few skewers at Crazy Wings in Chinatown. The restaurant is reputed for, well, chicken wings but also offers a variety of meat and vegetable skewers. Meat skewers are grilled to order and served on a central platter on the table.

There were 6 types of chicken wings to choose from, with honey soy my favourite. Overall the skewers were overly spiced and intensely savory. I supposed that helped the beverage sales, but certainly not our palates by the end of the night.

Details: 
Crazy Wings 
Shop 41, 1 Dixon St 
Haymarket NSW 2000 
http://www.crazywings.com.au/ 

Encasa Deli (Sydney)

I have walked past the new Encasa Deli on the way to work many times and have finally popped in for lunch with a colleague earlier this week. Inside the shop there were all kinds of ham, sausages, cheese, and olives on offer. For lunch I had a bocadillo, sandwich made from fresh baguette and a combination of the meats available. My Argentino contains generous amount of South American sausages with Chimmichurri sauce.

Perfect place for a lunch on the run.

Details: 
Encasa Deli 
135 Bathurst St 
Sydney NSW 2000 
http://www.encasadeli.com.au/

Nishiki Wagyu Yakiniku (Crows Nest)

To continue the feasting during the Chinese New Year period, we headed to Nishiki Wagyu Yakiniku for their mid-week buffet. The family got to sample a large range of wagyu beef and Japanese dishes at $55 per head.

For an all-you-can-eat venue, the quality of wagyu beef offered was very high – tender and wonderfully marbled. The buffet had a time limit of 100 minutes which did not seem enough, given the fun I was having at the grill. However, we all left the restaurant completely satisfied.

Details: 
Nishiki Wagyu Yakiniku
270 Pacific Highway
Crows Nest NSW 2065
Note: buffet is only available Monday to Thursday

Hotplate Steak House (Sydney)

$20 seldom gives one a full serviced meal these days. However we found a gem in the middle of Chinatown, Hotplate Steak House, which offers a complete set menu for just $20. Its dining room upstairs is clean and simple, coupled by friendly service.

The set menu includes an entree salad, soup, garlic bread, a main course served on a hotplate, dessert, and a palate cleansing sorbet! It is certainly great value. The sight of meat sizzling on the hotplate always generates an excitement. However the meat will be slightly overcooked towards the end of the meal.

Details:
Hotplate Steak House 
13 Goulburn St 
Sydney NSW 2000 
http://www.facebook.com/HotplateSteakHouse