cool mac (Kirribilli Sydney)

We are fans of green tea beverages and my wife especially likes a good matcha latte. So we were delighted to find out about Cool Mac which is a short walk from home.

For breakfast, I ordered the special eggs benedict with a miso based sauce. The sauce has the right level of savory which lifts the dish beyond normal benedict. The crispy bacon goes perfectly with the soft poached eggs.

We will come back for lunch and try their sandwiches/burgers.

Details:
Cool Mac  
2/34 Burton Street
Kirribilli NSW 2061
https://www.facebook.com/coolmaccafe/

Johnny Lobster (Crows Nest)

We finally decided to visit Johnny Lobster at Crows Nest after reading an article about the best fried chicken burgers in Sydney. And the burger was really good – do get the double stack if you have the appetite. The fish and chips was average – I suppose it is not a signature dish.

I will come back for the lobster roll one day – probably closer to the summer lobster season.

Details:
Johnny Lobster
48 Willoughby Road
Crows Nest
http://johnnylobster.com.au/

Caffe Pendolino (Sydney)

It was nice to have a quick lunch with my wife (plus baby) at Caffe Pendolino during the week. I have always loved the settings of Pendolino: quiet and overlooking The Strand arcade. Service was attentive and accomodating (especially with the baby in tow).

I really enjoyed the truffle lasagne. While on the expensive side (as expected) for a lasagne, it was flavourful and the fragrance of the truffle really came through.

Details:
Caffe Pendolino
Shop 100, Level 2 The Strand Arcade
412-414 George Street
Sydney
https://www.pendolino.com.au/catalog/category/view/id/8

Monte Alto (Crows Nest)

There seems to be an unlimited number of cafes in the lower north shore area. Monte Alto is a recent addition at Crows Nest, which also runs its own roasting house.

There is an additional menu of specialist coffee choices. I had the V60 filtered coffee from Sumatra - really light and fragrant without the bitter note.

Breakfast menu is on the lower end of the price scale in the area. The dishes are beautifully presented (note the flower in my Benedict). The portion maybe smaller than others but certainly enough.

Details:
Monte Alto Roasters
3/300 Pacific Highway
Crows Nest
http://www.montealtoroasters.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/montealtoroasters/

The Greens (North Sydney)

Weekend catchups with the boys are not the same now that we all have families. The need of a casual yet enjoyable setting got us to visit The Greens North Sydney. There are plenty of kids and strollers so the venue is definitely family friendly.

The food is served bistro style and there was a large array of choices. Sirloin steak and roasted kingfish were both fantastic. However, I wish someone told me of the BBQ pit available outdoor - will definitely come back for the rack of lamb ribs in our next catchup.

Details:
The Greens North Sydney
50 Ridge Street
North Sydney
http://thegreensnorthsydney.com.au/ 

Shortstop Donuts & Coffee (Sydney)

A short post for a short visit at Short Stop Donuts in Sydney.

Short Stop has now opened its first store in Sydney's Barangaroo precinct. Among the new high end offices (where my clients are), the queues are rather long during the work week.

I have tried 3 donuts so far: chocolate-mandarin, honey and sea salt, and earl grey and rose. They are all unique and delicious in their own right. I did enjoy the earl grey and rose with my long black the most though.

Much recommended if you eat in with a coffee order and sit outdoors on a fine day.

Details:

Shortstop Coffee & Donuts, Sydney

3/23 Barangaroo Avenue

Barangaroo

Anvil Coffee Co (Artarmon Sydney)

On a day off to take the baby for her health check, wife and I checked in to the nearby Anvil Coffee Co for brunch. It is a place recently listed as one of the top 50 cafes to visit in Sydney.

Coffee was nicely brewed and the food was really good. The rueben sandwich was generous and 'Arabian' style egg was an innovative idea. The setting was industrial and no-frills - probably the reason to attract many tradies customers.

Details:
Anvil Coffee Co.
1/17 Dickson Avenue
Artarmon
http://www.anvilcc.com.au/

The Bentley at Radisson Blu (Sydney)

An impromptu steak and dessert evening led us to a quick dinner at The Bentley inside the Radisson Blu hotel in Sydney.

Even for a 2 course meal we were given an amush which was a delight. The fillet steak was very well cooked. And dessert was nicely balanced with all the right textures.


Details:
Bentley Restaurant + Bar
Corner Pitt and Hunter Streets
Sydney
http://www.thebentley.com.au/

Ser Wong Fun (Hong Kong)

When we visited Hong Kong back in January it was in the middle of winter and a perfect season for eating snakes. It may not sound exciting but snake soup is a true winter delicacy is Southern China.

Along with a few local friends we headed to Ser Wong Fun at Central, it is only around the block from the Lan Kwai Fong district.

The snake soup was … interesting but the shredded meat did only taste like chicken breast. The true surprise was the rice dish cooked in clay pots with Chinese sausages – real comfort food for winter.

Details:
Ser Wong Fun
30 Cochrane Street
Hong Kong

Oratnek (Sydney)

We visited Oratnek for Sunday brunch twice in the past month, which probably demonstrated how much we like the place given it is a 20 minute bus ride away from home.

The queues can get pretty long past midday but it is worthwhile to check in early and enjoy a matcha latte or thick shake. The sandwiches are excellent – highly recommended the thick pork katsu or soft shell crab offerings. If that is still not enough then go for the soft and moist matcha lamingtons to finish.
As you can see matcha is a specialty there – and executed perfectly.

Details:
Cafe Oratnek
4 Pitt Street
Redfern 2016
http://www.oratnek.com.au/

MIC Kitchen (Hong Kong)

I had the opportunity to catch up with my best friend for lunch – the most relaxing moment during my short stay. MIC Kitchen was only a short stroll away from his office in the industrial area in Kwun Tong.

The menu is less ‘molecular gastronomy’ than its sister restaurant Bo Innovation. However, the dishes were solid with a few fusion surprises: the hint of edamame in the corn chowder; the Har Mi floss in the scallop risotto; the kimchi mayo in the burger… All presented with the right balance.

Details:
MIC Kitchen
The Restaurant Space
G/F, AIA Kowloon Tower,
Landmark East,
100 How Ming Street
Kwun Tong, Kowloon
http://mickitchen.com.hk/

Yayoi Garden (Sydney)

After our visit to Yayoi Teishoku , we visited Yayoi Garden for a more elaborate Japanese meal.

I really enjoyed the overall flow of the meal. The fish dishes were cooked very well. The shabu shabu beef was a highlight. I wish the pork kakuni was softer and there was more unagi on the rice.

And thank you to the staff for being attentive to my wife’s dietary needs and provide substitute dishes.

Details:
Yayoi Garden
38 Bridge Street
Sydney
http://www.yayoigarden.com.au/

Rockpool est 1989 (Sydney)

For our annual Christmas celebrations (and last one before the baby arrives), we went to Rockpool Sydney to try their degustation menu. This would be my first visit at their current location, after great experiences from their original restaurant.

We really enjoyed all the dishes and the flow of the whole meal. The Asian ‘fusion’ was executed beautifully – not over the top at all. The highlight for me was the sauces in 3 of the dishes – prawn mousse, partridge, and wagyu beef. Afterwards the vacherin of pandan dessert gave the meal a refreshing finish.

Details:
Rockpool Sydney
11 Bridge Street
Sydney
http://www.rockpool.com/rockpoolsydney/