Sake

30 May 2012

Sake
12 Argyle Street, The Rocks
P: +61 2 9259 5656 
http://www.sakerestaurant.com.au/

I'm just going to put it out there, I could in fact be the WORST blogger in the world. Sometimes when the food comes, I actually get that excited that I forget to take the photos until its too late. Even worse, half the time I forget my camera and I have no choice but to use the crummy camera on my phone. Tonight is no exception.

Whilst waiting for our friend to arrive, Miss Fi and I ordered some chilli edamame ($8) and Ginzu Bellini ($16) with St Germain, sparkling wine and yuzu. A little sweet for Fi but with St Germaine being my liqueur of the moment, I was happy to enjoy every mouthful.

Starting with the steamed prawn dumplings ($17 for 6) with spicy ponzu which actually blew our minds. I was very impressed with myself that I was able to get a photo of this one before I devoured thse tasty little dumplings. Moving onto the Wagyu Dumplings with spicy sour dipping sauce ($17 for 6) which were delish however nothing could beat the prawn dumplings.... until the sashimi taco came along ($17). 2 tuna & a salmon sashimi filled baby tacos with chilled tomato salsa matched with Kozaemon Junmai sake shots, yes they ACTUALLY come with sake! Wow, I am starting to feel light headed. I'm going to put it out there... should you ever decide to go to Sake, you must get the popcorn shrimp! No if's, but's or maybe's, infact, I don't even care if you don't like prawns, GET THE POPCORN SHRIMP! ($29) these bite-sized prawn tempura pieces are tossed with creamy spicy sauce and are to die for! I was at one point considering licking the bowl, however, clearly, I'm way too classy to even consider that... except when I am at Max Brenner. A few nigiris (Salmon, Salmon Belly and Scallop) and a S express roll ($22) scallops, spicy mayo, cucumber, seared salmon, witlof & sweet sauce we were all done and dusted. Ok we did get dessert but how can one seriously go past chocolate fondant? With a bottle of Dr Loosens Reisling and a few bottles of sparkling mineral water between us, the bill came to $338. Sure its pretty expensive for sushi but I have intrigued you with the popcorn shrimp haven't I?




















Prawny Goodness




















Wagyu Dumplings




















Sashimi Taco















Popcorn Shrimp




















Yes - I had had a few drinks by now - S express roll















Chocolate Fondant with sesame tuile and sesame ice cream
















My lovely friends and I had an amazing night! Thanks Sake


Service : 8 Food : 10 Atmosphere : 9 Value : 7

Zushi - Surry Hills

16 May 2012

Zushi
285 Crown Street, Surry Hills
P: +61 2 9380 8830 E : serena@zushi.com.au
www.zushi.com.au

Located next to The Winery in Surry Hills, and with its sister restaurant in Darlinghurst, I was eager to try what I have heard to be great sushi! After reading recent reviews, I was a little nervous to say the least but as a regular sushi and japanese eater, I was so relieved to to experience a truly mouth watering experience.

Starting ofcourse with Edamame Chilli. I would have preferred a little more heat to it but tasty all the same followed by a small assortment of sashimi which included tuna, salmon, snapper and kingfish all of which were fresh and mouth watering. Onto a zushi wagyu (kobe-style tajima wagyu sirloin cubes "medium rare" nashi pear + apple soy sauce) I wouldn't say that the wagyu was cooked medium rare, more medium but the sauce was extraordinary! a few nigiri, seared salmon and seared scallop, nothing overly exciting about the nigiri but watch out for the wasabi hit after biting into the scallop, wow did my nose clear up! I was intrigued by the gyoza rolls, (pork gyoza, cucumber, sesame seeds, shallots, wasabi mayo) which actually tasted sensational but nothing could top the lobster rolls (lobster salad, cucumber, chilli flakes, topped with salad, wasabi mayo, tobiko). Oh my word! It was like a party of flavours in your mouth! To finish up we had tempura strawberries, filled with milk chocolate and served on vanilla ice cream. I was jumping out of my seat with excitement over this dish. Chocolate, strawberries and ice cream with a little bit of batter... where can you possibly go wrong? With 2 glasses of wine, the bill came to $136.50 for 2. I will definitely be heading back to Zushi!
















Chilli Edamame

















Zushi Wagyu

Lobster Roll















Nigiri















Gyoza Roll



















Tempura Strawberries



Service : 8 Food : 9 Atmosphere : 8 Value : 8

Li'l Darlin' - The Spot

2 May 2012

Li'l Darlin'
51 Perouse Rd, Randwick
W: lildarlin.com.au

After being to the original Li'l Darlin' in Darlinghurst for my birthday, I was so excited to cruise past on the bus and see that L'il Darlin had opened at the Spot, AND within walking distance to home! AWESOME! Shame about the second job that I now have otherwise I would no doubt live there.

This sexy little Tapas/Pizza bar is exactly what the Spot needs, don't get me wrong, there are so many Pizza choices and Tapas choices already but a cool little trendy place that you can just go for a drink, besides Elysium, this is it, and I expect it to be a hit!
Decked out with foliage and fairy lights, it sets a relaxed mood, similar to that of the Winery or the Gazebo. Cocktails flow nicely and the amazing aromas coming from the kitchen make my stomach rumble.

With a few drinks to start with, how can you go past a frozen Margarita and $4.50 pizza's between 4-7pm, we opt for the Grilled Chilli Prawns ($11.90) in a Spanish chilli tomato sauce with charred ciabatta and the Grilled Chorizo and Buffalo Mozzarella Pizza (usually $12.90) grilled chorizo, buffalo mozzarella and a smoked chermoula dressing. With our movie about to start we leave but I still have the mexican nacho pizza on my mind.

After the movie and Lil' Darlin' buzzing, I make the executive decision to go back and try the Mexican Nacho pizza ($11.90) spicy beef mince and red bean with diced tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream and sweet chilli sauce and after the waitress reminded me of the fairy floss cocktails, a round of those and a Peking Duck Pizza later ($13.90) crispy Peking Duck, Hoi sin, shallots, cucumber, coriander and orange, star anise, cinnamon glaze, which, by the way, was absolutely sensational and my absolute favourite of the night, I waddle off home.

Lil' Darlin is highly recommended!

Chorizo and Buffalo Mozzarella Pizza

Grilled Chilli Prawns

Frozen Magarita

 

Mexican Nacho Pizza

Fairy Floss Cocktail

Peking Duck Pizza (AMAZEBALLS!)

Service : 8 Food : 9 Atmosphere : 8 Value : 8

Recipe : Aspargus salad with pan fried Gnocchi

2 May 2012

Ingredients (serves 4 chicks)

• 1 x 500g pkt good-quality potato gnocchi
• 4 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 200g asparagus spears
• 4 slices prosciutto
• 2 tbs balsamic vinegar
• 200g mixed salad leaves
• 30g unsalted butter
• 2 tbs shelled hazelnuts, lightly toasted
• 100g shaved parmesan

Method

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add the gnocchi and as they rise to the surface remove with a slotted spoon, draining well. Place in a bowl and gently coat in 1 tablespoon of the oil.
2. Blanch the asparagus in boiling, salted water for 1 minute until bright green and crisp. Refresh under cold water and drain well.
3. Roll up the prosciutto and cut into strips. Whisk 2 tablespoons of oil with the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
4. Divide the salad leaves between the serving bowls.
5. Heat remaining oil in a non-stick frying pan with the butter and pan-fry the gnocchi in batches until crisp and golden.
6. Scatter the gnocchi, asparagus, prosciutto and hazelnuts over the salad and drizzle with the dressing. Add the parmesan and finish with freshly ground black pepper.