En Toriciya (Crows Nest, Sydney)

We took our visiting guests (including my in-laws) out for a meal over the weekend and need to settle on a place to impress. So we went to the newly opened En Toriciya at Crows Nest after our excellent experience at its original Cameray restaurant.

The menu at Crows Nest was similar to that of Cameray’s. All the signature dishes were there. The seafood tower, presented in a high tea like setting, certainly impressed our guests with the highest quality of seafood. The “Kinki” fish was a disappointment versus the silky flesh from the real Kinki we had in Japan.

Details:
EN TORICIYA (煙とりしや)
100 Willoughby Road
Crows Nest

Tapestry Dining (Auckland New Zealand)

During my numerous stays at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland, I dined at Tapestry Dining at the lobby level often.

Trying the bluff oysters while in season is a must, the wonder crunch of the flesh was extremely enjoyable. I also liked the angus steak main course accompanied by the wagyu sausage roll.

For breakfast, they offered a NZ special white bait fritter in room service – a must try over the usual omelette and scrambled.

Details:
Tapestry Dining at Pullman Auckland
Corner Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant
Auckland
New Zealand
http://www.pullmanauckland.co.nz/online/tapestry_dining.csn

Sailors Thai (Sydney)

With (very important) overseas visitors in the office, it is time for a team dinner in the tourist-filled The Rocks. Sailors Thai was chosen for the occasion.

The team ordered a mix of entrees to share: Sydney’s reputed oysters were accompanied by a stimulating chilli and galangal dressing, sweet spanner crab served on crispy rice, and smoked trout on betal leaves. My favourite main course was the deep fried snapper where the fins turned into wonderful crisps full of seafood flavour and the meat was cooked well and nicely balanced by a sweet sauce.

Details:
Sailors Thai
Downstairs, 106 George Street
The Rocks, Sydney
http://www.sailorsthai.com.au/

Acme Oyster House (New Orleans)

Our first priority upon arrival in New Orleans was to sample the reputed seafood. The decision to visit the Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter was the right one, as demonstrated by the 20 minute wait.

We ordered a dozen each of the raw oysters and chargrilled oysters. The chargrilled was definitely my favourite with a nice garlic-butter like sauce resembling a nice French escargot dish with added creaminess from the oysters. We also ordered the classic gumbo soup and deep fried soft shell crab – the batter was a bit too salty for us.

Details:
Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville Street
New Orleans
http://www.acmeoyster.com/

Jean Georges (New York)

We arranged our dinner at 3 Michelin star Jean-Georges as a way to wrap up our visit (in my case, reward for a few days of business meetings).

We went for the prix fixe menu of 4 courses. I really enjoyed my foie gras brulee with smooth foie working so well with the candied pistachios. My partner’s trout and oyster tartare was such a smart combination. Our meat courses of duck breast and lamb were beautifully presented and the meat perfectly cooked. Service was impeccable from start to finish and we thank them for a great experience.

Details:
Jean-Georges
1 Central Park West
New York
http://www.jean-georgesrestaurant.com/jean-georges/

Grand Central Oyster Bar (New York City)

Arriving at New York City at night after work on train, the group visited the Oyster Bar at the Grand Central Terminal for dinner. An institution recommended by many food critics around the world, the restaurant was still half full despite being close to 10pm.

With much expectation, the food unfortunately missed the mark. While my deep fried oysters were plumped and soft on the inside, the Maine lobster cocktail was not super fresh. My friends’ lobster salad and crab cakes were not great either.

Details:
The Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant
Lower Level, Grand Central Terminal
89 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017
http://www.oysterbarny.com/

Rhodes Phoenix (Sydney)

Dinner with family on Chinese New Year’s Eve is an important tradition. Rhodes Phoenix was packed with diners looking forward to the Year of the Dragon.

The large tables were enjoying traditional banquets. With only 4 of us, we went for the timeless dried oysters with ‘black hair’ seaweed (homonym to ‘great business profit’), a 1.9kg lobster with ginger and shallots, and the modernised cumin lamb shanks.

I have always loved the dried oyster dish and enjoyed the rare occasion to taste the intense savory fishy, yet subtly sweet flavour. However, lamb shanks were very tough.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Details:
Rhodes Phoenix
Rhodes Shopping Centre
Level 5, 1 Rider Boulevard
Rhodes NSW 2138


See previous blog entry on Manly Phoenix here

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