Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

Sydney Table - February 2008

Express to Africa

February 29th 2008 01:32
African Express Eatery
150 Enmore Rd,
Enmore NSW
02 9557 4467
www.africanexpresseatery.com

A plain white leaflet arrived in my mail box. "African Express Eatery" it says boldly at the top.

"Interesting" I said to my partner. "Want to have this for dinner?"

We've never had African food before, and it greatly fascinate me as the continent itself has always been on the top of my to travel list. So, we got in the car and drove towards Enmore.


The shop front is just as plain as their brochure. It has the atmosphere of a cafeteria. However, don't under estimate this small, plain shop front with clean floors and budget tables and chairs. Right in the hub of Enmore, close to the Enmore Theatre, this small African Express Eatery is full of flavours commonly unavailable in Sydney.

Each dish on the menu has a description that shouts at you.

"Very succulent!" Says the description for 'Guinar', which is marinated and roasted chicken with African spices.

"Mouth-Watering!" accompanied 'Varenga', which is a beef stew dish from Madagascar, slightly fried and then steamed in its marinate sauce.

After reading more "Aromatic!" and "Very Nice!"s, I decided that I wanted the "Very Succulent!". My partner on the other hand, being a lamb lover, ordered a "Delicious!" 'Mafe', steamed lamb in peanut butter and African spices.

We also decided to have some "Lovely!" 'Fataya', which is a samosa or curry puff equivalent pastry, stuffed with either fish, lamb or beans.

The menu also has a healthy tip for us all: "It is recommneded to have your main courses with a side dish of greens, as the main courses do not contain these and greens are vital for your body and stimulate the digestive system" - Okay, we'll have some broccoli as well please.


It had been a pleasant venture as we both really enjoyed our meals. The friendly staff at the 'cafe' (I still wouldn't call it a restaurant yet, considering its minimum decor) were extremely friendly and helpful, which made it an even better experience. The chicken, I would have to say, beats any BBQ chicken from the corner shops. The spices were aromatic and the meat was indeed 'Succulent' as described. The lamb dish was also satisfying, although a little bit on the heavy side. The spices used where overpowering although, thanks to a side of cous cous, it went down rather well.

And I just absolutely loved the Fatayas.

The prices are also reasonable, with most main dishes averaging $9. When you visit, you should also give the Bissap drink a try. It is extremely refreshing, and helps to wash down the unknown spices a little bit better.

They also do take aways and home deliveries.
63
Vote
   


Malaya Restaurant: King St Wharf

February 26th 2008 04:19
I have been to this restaurant about four times in the past year, for various gathering and business occasions. It is, ultimately the most expensive Malaysian restaurant I have been to, and to be completely honest, not extremely authentic either.

The Malaya logo


Surprisingly, I did find myself enjoying the food. The extensive menu ranges from curries to sambal stir fries to noodle soups. Their spicier choices are not as spicy as what other more authentic restaurant offer, yet there is a distinct style and quality about dining at Malaya, even if their serving, as the rest of King St wharf restaurants, are a little towards the small side.

Although, besides the food, I don't really have urges to wanting to visit again. (Unless of course, it's being paid for again by someone else)

Its location is meant to be superb, as King St wharf is one of the newest Sydney water front dining scenes, but not one that is my favourite. Constantly the sounds from departing ferries and boats overpower your conversation, which at times, can be quite unpleasant. They also try to fit in as many seats as possible so it can get extremely crowded and squished.

The service varies. The waiters and waitresses are generally friendly and helpful, however you do get the odd one that simply will not assist you in anyway. If you have gluten free or other special dietary requirements, don't bother turning up. You will just be told there is nothing they can offer you because "everything has been pre-marinaded in sauces that will have wheat or other possible allergy products". No, they won't make a special dish for you out of anything fresh, even if you are willing to pay the price.

The Malaya
39 Lime Street
King Street Wharf
Sydney NSW
www.themalaya.com.au
58
Vote
   


La Cocina Peruana

February 22nd 2008 09:45
When we returned from Peru and I was experiencing 'reverse culture shock', we visited La Cocina Peruana, a Peruvian restaurant in Randwick.

The interior was welcoming and distinctively South American. The bright red and yellow wall paint and the traditional weaving hanging on the wall immediately brought a smile upon my face.

La Cocina Peruana
The interior of La Cocina Peruana (Image Source: Sydney Morning Herald.com.au)


Upon a glance through the menu, I saw many familiar dish names: Ceviche de Pascado (marinated fish and seafood mix in lemon/chili type dressing); Arroz Con Pollo (Rice and grilled chicken); Aji de Gallina (shredded chicken in a curry style yellow sauce made of Peruvian spices) and Olluquito de Cordero (Lamb stew with Andean potatoes and ingredients).

I ordered Aji de Gallina because it was one of the first home cooked dishes that was served to us from the community. Expecting a flood of memories I must say I was greatly disappointed. My excitement faded as I took my first spoonful. The taste of bland and there was no distinct flavour that I was looking for. It almost just felt like eating floured chicken with no seasoning.

My fiance ordered Arroz Con Pollo and was mildly better. The spices were present and the rice was the same consistency as what we both remembered.

The Arroz con Leche (Rice milk pudding type thing) was good though, unless I was just reminiscing so much that I just don't care anymore.

The cafe, started from Lima, had travelled all the way to New York, London and now in Sydney, claims to have brought authentic Peruvian cuisine magic to Australians, most generally don't know very much about Peruvian food.

Unfortunately, for people who does know about Peruvian food, it may not live up to true Peruvian memories.

There is a reason to visit though, to just satisfy your curiosity as well as buy the Peruvian groceries that you can't get anywhere else. La Cocina Peruana import South American groceries to sell in their shop, which makes a trip worth while if you can cook your own Peruvian food!

La Cocina Peruana

103 Avoca St
Randwick NSW 2031
(02) 9326 4344

Open Wednesday to Friday only. Call to check hours.
60
Vote
   


Sushi Bar Rashai
Japanese Restaurant
241 Parramatta Road, Annandale NSW
(02) 9560 3007
www.sushirashai.com

Sushi Bar Rashai


Japanese cuisine will have to be one of my favourites, and possibly the fastest growing trends in Sydney. Sushi Trains are popping up all over the place and a cheap sushi roll is now one of the most popular fast lunches in the business population.

However, good sushi is hard to come by. Traditional training for sushi chefs generally lasts around 5 years in Japan. They start from preparing the rice, to preparing some of the cooked ingredients. One of the hardest skills to earn is cutting the fish, where each piece have to be the same thickness as the other, and no 'denting' of the fish surface is allowed. And a properly rolled sushi requires that the fish does not come off the rice padding when turned upside down.

This is where I was impressed with Sushi Bar Rashai. This small restaurant is located in the heart of the inner west, and is extremely popular. With the quality of the sushi and their extensive a la carte dishes, ranging from noodles to rice to hot pots, it's no wonder there is never a table without a reservation.

Their resident chef Kazu Takahashi started his career when he was 18, and was offered a 3 years contract to work as a sushi chef in 1984 in Australia. Since then, he has been one of the respected sushi chefs in Sydney. His co-chefs in the restaurant all have extensive sushi experience, with a surprising star chef Zaman, a Bangladeshi born chef who trained for ten years in Japan to accomplish his dream of becoming a sushi chef. The wait staff all claim he even speaks better Japanese than any of them.

My favourites, besides their freshly hand rolled sushi, is the Teriyaki Don. Unlike the take away teriyaki dishes from other establishments, the teriyaki sauce here is cooked all the way through the meat, the chicken tender, and the homemade sauce not overpowering.

Sushi Bar Rashai caters for vegetarians and gluten free as well.

Opens Tuesday to Sundays for dinner only.
Books essential. Bookings can be made online, or by phone.
Free street parking close to the venue.
89
Vote
   


Thai Pothong - Newtown

February 17th 2008 12:02
Thai Pothong
Thai Pothong, Newtown


“Winner Best Thai Restaurant in Sydney 4 years in a row” says a boldly painted slogan on its glass window, Thai Pothong positions itself as one of the more prestige Thai restaurants in Newtown, a suburb where Thai places are plenty and there is no shortage of curry. However, what is impressive about this restaurant is its determination to be creative with its dishes and despite being in the district of Thai restaurants, it does not lack business, even if they do cost twice as much as a smaller place just two doors down.

The menu is extensive, from traditional curries to stir fries with a different flavour. Start with a Stuffed Chicken Wing for entree, order a Penang duck curry and stir fried pumpkin with chicken. You'll not be disappointed. Their monthly specials keeps even the most regular customers seeking for refreshing flavours and the excellent customer service the staff provides.

Well, one would assume by paying twice the money, you'd expect the service to be inclusive.

Unique to the restaurant is an attached gift shop, where little cultural artifacts from umbrellas to golden elephants can be purchased.

Perhaps not in everyone's price budget, it's a place to be tried once. Highly recommended.

www.thaipothong.com.au
61
Vote
   


Welcome to a brand new Sydney Table

February 15th 2008 08:16
I am no cook, but with an appetite for different cuisines and flavours, I do consider myself a bit of a foodie whom roams around Sydney looking for some unique styles and inspirations from different restaurants and cafes.

Jordons Seafood Restaurant
Jordons Seafood Restaurant at Darling Harbour


Therefore, my decision to take over the ownership of this blog, Sydney Table is so I can share some of my observations and recommendations of the many places around Sydney.

Although, still new with food review, I do welcome your comments and feedback on my posts so that I can get better at it each time!

Actually, with this first post I'd just like to share something one of the members of Toastmasters International shared in one of his speeches. His speech title was "Who needs multiculturalism anyway?" and begins with... "The curry was great yesterday, and my Sushi roll was extremely satisfying at lunch. I am really looking forward to the stir fry tonight, and on Saturday mates and I will be going along to a Brazilian restaurant to try out some exotic tastes..."

Steamed Oysters
Steamed oysters is one perfect fushion dish, using great Australian seafood with Asian sauces and steaming techniques (Image Source: KingStWharf.net.au)


And his conclusion? "It's because of multiculturalism that we are able to sample the cuisines of the world in just one country. It's multiculturalism that brought us together and learn to tolerate the flavours of different corners of the world. Who needs multiculturalism? We all do."

I reflect on how lucky we all are being able to access to many authentic traditional foods from different ethnic backgrounds, being able to have areas in our city dedicated to being 'Chinatown' or 'Little Italy'. Did you know the Japanese students whom I took around Sydney reckon the sushi in Sydney tastes better than they are in Tokyo? It's because we have great seafood, and many of the great chefs have migrated to provide us their skills.

Otherwise we'd really be still eating chops one day and roast every second day.

So hopefully through this blog I can share with you the many different restaurants and ethnic cuisines. Even with a budget it doesn't hurt eating out once a month (as I had planned to do, not being able to afford to eat out everyday) and try some of the great flavours of the world.

(I think I am repeating 'flavour' a bit too much...)
61
Vote
   


More Posts
1 Posts
5 Posts
8 Posts
136 Posts dating from March 2006
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:
Moderated by AmyHuang
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]