The Rice Den - St Leonards

This place came into my mind when I was planning for a dinner catch up with our long lost friend. Serving modern Cantonese-inspired dishes, The Rice Den was previously located in Chatswood but now they have moved to a larger and more sophisticated place in St Leonards. 

Cavalier Specialty Coffee - Crows Nest

Happy New Year people! First post in 2016 and I'll start with this quite-new cafe at the edge of Crows Nest and St Leonards. Cavalier Specialty Coffee has done a great job during their first month as they're also the People's choice runner up for Sydney's best cafe. 

Paddock - Surry Hills

Talking about Surry Hills means endless food and drink options especially on the buzziest and hippest Crown Street. Just recently opened around 3 weeks ago, Paddock has get you covered if you simply can't decide where to dine among the endless options.

Taste of Shanghai - CBD

I love dumplings, Mr. Nomnom loves dumplings, and I certainly believe everyone loves dumplings! There's no reason not to like this soul-satisfying comfort food and they're easily found anywhere you go around the world. 

Cre Asion - CBD

If you ask me what is my favourite cafe in Sydney? Cre Asion will be my first answer! A once a week visit has become a routine simply because I am a huge fan of matcha. Some people may dislike it for its bitter aftertaste but for me it's the bitter the better

Showbox Coffee Brewers - Manly

Yes, summer is here and there are no reasons not to hit beaches and of course stuff yourself with selections of good food from the well known coastal cafes. Showbox Coffee Brewers is one of them if you are in Manly and need something fresh, healthy but also unique in its own way.

The cafe itself is quite small and packed with retro tables you'd see in a diner. The all-day menu is varied towards wholefoods with unusual touches you can't find it in other places.

Poke Poke (pronounced pok-eh) is described as Hawaiian style salmon tartare or think of it as Hawaiian style sushi. It's basically fresh salmon sashimi cut into cubes, mixed with green onion, chili and other veggies on a bed of wild rice with soft egg and pickled ginger. This dish is light and served cold, but unfortunately they put too much shoyu sauce as it was too salty for my liking and the egg came medium boiled instead.

This newcomer on their seasonal menu is called Southern Debris. The slow-cooked pork is flavourful, tender on the inside and get that sort of caramelized brown on the outside. The sauce gives you the fresh Mexican flavour with its generous use of fresh herbs. Served on a lightly toasted sourdough with fried egg, corn salsa, and southern biscuit crumbs, they make a vibrant and delicious combination of earthy, sweet and savoury tste

There's always room for dessert and this Strawberry and Cream Sourdough Pudding plays its role perfectly as a dessert for breakfast! It has crisp edges with soft textural contrast in the centre. Served with creamy custard sauce and topped with strawberry slices and pistachio, you pretty much can't go wrong choosing this bread pudding!


Showbox Coffee Brewers
Address:
19 Whistler Street, Manly
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday 7am - 4pm and Sunday 8am - 4pm

Brainwave - CBD

Brainwave Cafe is a new addition to Ultimo area tucked down an alley off Harris Street serving modern Australian dishes with some twists from Thai and Vietnamese flavours.

Petal Met Sugar - CBD [ Closed ]

If I told you a flower bloomed in a patisserie cafe, would you believe it? 

Elsa Li (ex The Observatory, Adriano Zumbo, and Merivale) together with Angela Wong have turned their dream into reality with this sleek all white tiny cafe called Petal Met Sugar, combining good pastries and desserts with fresh flowers - a few of my favorite things, on the ground floor of a new apartment in Woolloomooloo.

Stepping inside, the strong buttery fragrance floats in the air invites you to linger a little longer while admiring all colorful and beautiful flowers situated just next to the desserts cabinet.

From pretty finishing touches to lending an additional subtle flavours, this place's certainly proved that flowers aren't just for decoration. Currently they have 5 selections of sweets and will be offering more floral-influenced desserts once they have settled in a bit more.

Terrarium is simply a too pretty to be eaten masterpiece and definitely my favorite! This delicate and delightfully tangy panna cotta has both passion fruit and finger lime complementing each other in such positive harmony that it leaves you wanting for more. The cocoa nib soil, baby lemon balm and edible flowers add extra flavors and textures with the sweetness of the Callebaut 29.5% white chocolate balances out the overall tanginess.

Look at those Peach Oolong's luscious layers! The subtle and fragrant Lupicia Peach Oolong Tea brulee is gradually overtaken by the rich and tangy layers of yoghurt mousse and blood peach compote. It tastes almost like a smooth slice of peach yoghurt with extra sweetness from coconut macaron and coconut glaze. 

I always get excited everytime I see Eclair lies beautifully with its shiny glaze on a display cabinet. Filled with a deep amber coloured sour rhubarb jam and topped with vanilla bean creme patissiere and rhubarb chips, we unfortunately didn't really enjoy it very much as the choux pastry was quite dense for our liking.

Went here on another visit as we just couldn't get over it and ordered this breath-taking Chocolate Candy Bar! The base is a rich and creamy texture chocolate flourless sponge topped with burnt butter ganache and praline feuilletine. I love how the crispy feuilletine flakes adds a textural element to the fudgy ganache and the light and airy milk chocolate mousse makes it look extra luxurious! The addition of creme anglaise (only available if you dine in) gives you some extra fun as a drizzling sauce while enjoying this beauty.

Not just sweets, Petal Met Sugar also excelled in extraordinary croissant! Their light and flaky Vanilla Bean Croissant smells so highly fragrant with intense flavour and visually satisfying for being able to see the little black specks within the layers inside. 


Petal Met Sugar
Address:
Ground Floor, 68 Sir John Young Crescent, Woolloomooloo
Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 7am - 3.30pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Closed on Sunday and Monday 
 

Lotus The Galeries: Lotus Express! - CBD

How do you spend your lunch break? Do you quickly go to the nearby deli or maybe eat a lunch pack at your desk with one hand on your keyboard? 

Since we all have limited time for lunch break, Michael Jiang, the owner of Lotus Dumpling Bar has teamed up with Head Chef Chris Yan (ex-Billy Kwong and China Doll) to create a Lotus Express menu, where in 30 minutes they will serve simple and accessible modern Chinese menu that goes beyond their award-winning dumplings.

Kansas City Shuffle - CBD

Located in the old Cadbury Chocolate factory in a hidden corner of The Rocks, Kansas City Shuffle (KCS) is a new addition brought by Ben Sweeten and Chef Kayne (ex-Proud Mary) serving American diner-style favourites with a twist as well as superfood dishes.

White Taro - Surry Hills

White Taro, a newly opened cafe in Surry Hills, is joining the list of some of the famous dining spots in the neighborhood with its range of Vietnamese-fusion menu. They serve an all day menu and I can say taro is definitely not their signature dish. LOL!

Blaq Piq - CBD

Blaq Piq has just recently opened but it has already been creating a buzz on social media lately. At first I thought they would open as a BBQ place with its name sounds like a black pig (plus their cute pig tail logo), but they turn out serving Asian-fusion brunch!