My fellow adventurers and I are gearing up for our final adventure of the year...Cotton Duck http://www.danksstreetdepot.com.au/page/cotton_duck.html Jared Ingersoll's (of Danks Street Depot fame)Surry Hills project. Watch this space for my review.
In the meantime I am contemplating what to make for our Kris Kringle...food themed of course?
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
What's in a name...November at The Battery
November’s sojourn saw my fellow adventurers and I taking in The Battery, the newish fish and chipper in Burke Street Surry Hills. I must confess, I was not initially a fan of the name, it conjures up all kinds of images. Good thing I have put that behind me.
The Battery is white and minimalist. The menu, a daily changing white board affair setting out a selection of local Aussie fish. Spiced oven baked Tassie salmon, crumbed bream fillets and grilled swordfish were amongst the offerings.
I opted for the salmon. It was fresh, tasty and nicely spiced and accompanied by salads and hand cut chips to share. The homemade tartare and aioli were the perfect accompaniments, as was the New Zealand sav blanc to wash it down.
Now to the agenda…there were announcements to be made…a pregnancy and an engagement!
Immersed in conversation with the bride to be- about the wedding menu of course, I seem to have missed the ordering of desserts. Thankfully my fellow foodies had it in hand. Pineapple and mint granita, churros with chocolate sauce and banana fritters with caramel sauce mmmm!
As we savoured our sweets we engaged in lively debate. Junior Masterchef – foodie kiddie beauty pagent Vs legitimate competition for highly skilled kids?
But alas, November’s adventure was an early one…Rafters was on.
The Battery is white and minimalist. The menu, a daily changing white board affair setting out a selection of local Aussie fish. Spiced oven baked Tassie salmon, crumbed bream fillets and grilled swordfish were amongst the offerings.
I opted for the salmon. It was fresh, tasty and nicely spiced and accompanied by salads and hand cut chips to share. The homemade tartare and aioli were the perfect accompaniments, as was the New Zealand sav blanc to wash it down.
Now to the agenda…there were announcements to be made…a pregnancy and an engagement!
Immersed in conversation with the bride to be- about the wedding menu of course, I seem to have missed the ordering of desserts. Thankfully my fellow foodies had it in hand. Pineapple and mint granita, churros with chocolate sauce and banana fritters with caramel sauce mmmm!
As we savoured our sweets we engaged in lively debate. Junior Masterchef – foodie kiddie beauty pagent Vs legitimate competition for highly skilled kids?
But alas, November’s adventure was an early one…Rafters was on.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Anyone for Pho?
Our August adventure saw the group taking in Pho at Pasteur, a Vietnamese eating house on George Street in Haymarket.
"It's rustic" a fellow adventurer said.
"Well that's one word for it", I thought to myself as I entered the building.
Pasteur is one of those places you would be unlikley to set foot in without some prior knowledge or recommendation. It was basic and unassuming, but as I stepped through the door my memory of travelling Vietnam came flooding back and I exclaimed to my waiting adventurers, "this place smells like Vietnam." Well hello to you to!
The group opted for fresh rice paper rolls to start, followed by a number of beef and chicken phos and a salad of vermicelli noodles.
My beef pho was the perfect antedote to a cool winter night. The broth was both warming and flavoursome and the fresh herbs made it. As I washed it down with a Vietnamese lemon soda, I thought to myself, I could be in Hanoi.
As usual, our agenda was filled with discussions about food. And as our conversation turned to the Good Living section in Tuesday's herald and places that had been recently reviewed we noted that the "three of a kind" section seemed to be mirroring our adventures. Bomb alaska, ragu and cassoulet...hmmmmm, were we also setting their agenda?!?
Of course the standing agenda item of where to go next month was also discussed, and as the group settled on Tapas I declared my apologies for the next meeting. Buenos Aires here I come!
So here, I hand over the blogging reigns to my fellow adventurers. Adios!
"It's rustic" a fellow adventurer said.
"Well that's one word for it", I thought to myself as I entered the building.
Pasteur is one of those places you would be unlikley to set foot in without some prior knowledge or recommendation. It was basic and unassuming, but as I stepped through the door my memory of travelling Vietnam came flooding back and I exclaimed to my waiting adventurers, "this place smells like Vietnam." Well hello to you to!
The group opted for fresh rice paper rolls to start, followed by a number of beef and chicken phos and a salad of vermicelli noodles.
My beef pho was the perfect antedote to a cool winter night. The broth was both warming and flavoursome and the fresh herbs made it. As I washed it down with a Vietnamese lemon soda, I thought to myself, I could be in Hanoi.
As usual, our agenda was filled with discussions about food. And as our conversation turned to the Good Living section in Tuesday's herald and places that had been recently reviewed we noted that the "three of a kind" section seemed to be mirroring our adventures. Bomb alaska, ragu and cassoulet...hmmmmm, were we also setting their agenda?!?
Of course the standing agenda item of where to go next month was also discussed, and as the group settled on Tapas I declared my apologies for the next meeting. Buenos Aires here I come!
So here, I hand over the blogging reigns to my fellow adventurers. Adios!
Friday, July 16, 2010
So Frenchie so Chic...
On the eve of Bastille Day, this month's adventure took place at Tabou, Surry Hills.
Greeted by a charming French waiter my fellow adventurers came together and were joined by a special guest- an honorary bloke- as equally into food as we are.
The setting was French bistro and the menu, classic French. Baguette and French butter to nibble on, a soufflé to start followed by a cassoulet, steak frites and other gorgeously prepared bistro style mains. Truffle potatoes- beautifully smooth and creamy- were of some of the accompaniments, and there was even room for dessert. French bread with caramelised pear and a light pear sorbet.
Travel and escapism were on tonight's agenda. With adventurers recently returning from the US and Thailand or planning their next overseas sojourns, including round the world tickets and South American escapes.
Marion's surprise departure from Master Chef was debated along with who might win and why.
We talked vampires (Twilight) and the delightfully girly, Eat Pray Love, as I dreamed of a life on foreign shores with exotic accents filling the air.
As the evening drew to a close and the cab driver stoped at my destination he turned and asked, "do you come from France?"
My night was made!
Greeted by a charming French waiter my fellow adventurers came together and were joined by a special guest- an honorary bloke- as equally into food as we are.
The setting was French bistro and the menu, classic French. Baguette and French butter to nibble on, a soufflé to start followed by a cassoulet, steak frites and other gorgeously prepared bistro style mains. Truffle potatoes- beautifully smooth and creamy- were of some of the accompaniments, and there was even room for dessert. French bread with caramelised pear and a light pear sorbet.
Travel and escapism were on tonight's agenda. With adventurers recently returning from the US and Thailand or planning their next overseas sojourns, including round the world tickets and South American escapes.
Marion's surprise departure from Master Chef was debated along with who might win and why.
We talked vampires (Twilight) and the delightfully girly, Eat Pray Love, as I dreamed of a life on foreign shores with exotic accents filling the air.
As the evening drew to a close and the cab driver stoped at my destination he turned and asked, "do you come from France?"
My night was made!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Viva la France...
Bonjour! In honour of all things French (including the Tour and Bastille Day) my francophile sister has organised our next Adventure...Tabou, Surry Hills. Watch this space for my review.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Buzo, Birthdays, Breaks and Blogging
OK, so this post is not about an adventure with my fellow knife and forkers. So what is it about? Well thank you for asking.
With just under four weeks to our next Knife and Fork Adventure I'm having blogging withdrawals. So, my new found love of blogging combined with a birthday and a pending Italian holiday has led me to share this weeks foodie experience with you. Buzo, Woollahra.
An Italian trattoria set in a delightful 2 story building in Jersey Road was the site of a birthday celebration. Combined with my own little celebration- a pending Italian vacation. Good thing the guest of honour likes Italian food too!
The menu was considered. To start some antipasti. A sublime baked gnocchi with walnuts and gozgonzola stole our hearts. Gorgeously cooked scallops with crushed chickpeas, chilli and lemon also took our fancy.
With a selection of pasta and other dishes for secondi, we settled on a mushroom and pancetta lasagne and a freshly caught fillet of gemfish. To share of course! Washed down nicely with a bottle of chianti.
As I pondered my Italian vacation, where to go, what to do, what cooking school to discover, I felt most at home. Buzo- thank you for sharing.
With just under four weeks to our next Knife and Fork Adventure I'm having blogging withdrawals. So, my new found love of blogging combined with a birthday and a pending Italian holiday has led me to share this weeks foodie experience with you. Buzo, Woollahra.
An Italian trattoria set in a delightful 2 story building in Jersey Road was the site of a birthday celebration. Combined with my own little celebration- a pending Italian vacation. Good thing the guest of honour likes Italian food too!
The menu was considered. To start some antipasti. A sublime baked gnocchi with walnuts and gozgonzola stole our hearts. Gorgeously cooked scallops with crushed chickpeas, chilli and lemon also took our fancy.
With a selection of pasta and other dishes for secondi, we settled on a mushroom and pancetta lasagne and a freshly caught fillet of gemfish. To share of course! Washed down nicely with a bottle of chianti.
As I pondered my Italian vacation, where to go, what to do, what cooking school to discover, I felt most at home. Buzo- thank you for sharing.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Spice Temple, A World Away.
In the depths of a building on Bligh Street, Sydney, our second adventure took place. Spice Temple, Neil Perry's take on modern Chinese. Reminiscent of an opium den (actually, I'm really not sure that it was reminiscent of an opium den, given I've never been to one, but work with me, I'm trying to set a scene here!) I felt like I was a world away.
The smell of spice filled the dimly lit air as we welcomed two new adventurers to the fold.
The menu was delightful. Spice combined with fresh herbs and flavours.
"Three shot chicken. I'm sure he cooked that on Poh's cooking show," said adventurer L.
"I think that's the one they make at your table?"
"Like restaurant theatre?" my sister proposed.
After our waiter explained that those items on the menu in red were the hottest, we settled on our order.
An entree of eggplant, garlic, coriander and sweet pork mince arrived in a beautifully hand crafted bowl. As the waiter tossed it before our eyes our anticipation rose. The combination of flavours was amazing, and this, most definitely, was my dish of the night.
As we filled steamed bread pockets with cumin spiced lamb I was one happy adventurer.
The three shot chicken arrived. Shots of Chinese larger, soy sauce and chilli oil were added at the table, as the dish was left to simmer before our eyes. The flavours were divine.
We shared our favourite Sydney foodie finds, from markets to hole in the wall noodle houses while enjoying other treats. Dumplings; roast pork belly with coriander, red onion, peanuts and sesame seeds; and a dish of braised duck with tofu, dried chestnuts and baby leeks.
We dared to glace at the desert menu. The "cheeky palate cleanser" and warm pineapple cake with caramel cream appealed. But alas, we were beaten.
As I glanced around the busy space a buzz of contentment filled the room. I really did feel a million miles away.
The smell of spice filled the dimly lit air as we welcomed two new adventurers to the fold.
The menu was delightful. Spice combined with fresh herbs and flavours.
"Three shot chicken. I'm sure he cooked that on Poh's cooking show," said adventurer L.
"I think that's the one they make at your table?"
"Like restaurant theatre?" my sister proposed.
After our waiter explained that those items on the menu in red were the hottest, we settled on our order.
An entree of eggplant, garlic, coriander and sweet pork mince arrived in a beautifully hand crafted bowl. As the waiter tossed it before our eyes our anticipation rose. The combination of flavours was amazing, and this, most definitely, was my dish of the night.
As we filled steamed bread pockets with cumin spiced lamb I was one happy adventurer.
The three shot chicken arrived. Shots of Chinese larger, soy sauce and chilli oil were added at the table, as the dish was left to simmer before our eyes. The flavours were divine.
We shared our favourite Sydney foodie finds, from markets to hole in the wall noodle houses while enjoying other treats. Dumplings; roast pork belly with coriander, red onion, peanuts and sesame seeds; and a dish of braised duck with tofu, dried chestnuts and baby leeks.
We dared to glace at the desert menu. The "cheeky palate cleanser" and warm pineapple cake with caramel cream appealed. But alas, we were beaten.
As I glanced around the busy space a buzz of contentment filled the room. I really did feel a million miles away.
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