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. 

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

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!

The Rabbit Hole Organic Tea Bar - Redfern

Redfern once again surprises me with its new addition on Abercrombie St and this recently opened place comes with the focus and promise of quality tea. Yes! You read it right! They are dedicated to only serve tea and its variations here. 

From the same people behind The Sydney Tea Festival as well as The Rabbit Hole Organic Tea business, Corrine Smith and Amara Jarratt, thought that this is the time to fulfill their original dream to open a tea bar and redefine people's thought about tea. 

Speedo's Cafe - Bondi Beach

With its prime location on the north side of the beach plus their social media sensation's colorful-yet-cute donuts and cronuts, it's not surprising to see Speedo's as a favourite meeting place for both locals and visitors. 

Dessert Feast at Passion Tree - Chatswood

Passion Tree is the answer to my wish as we always think Chatswood is lacking of dessert options. Located above the station, this dessert house gives us a cozy feeling upon entering with its modern and white elements interior.

Khao Pla - Chatswood

Khao Pla has won people's heart as one of the best Thai eateries in Chatswood area since the day they opened back in 2013. Coming from Bangkok, Chef Pla Rojratanavichai, having worked with Spice I am, Ms. G's and Mr Wong brings his idea of authentic flavour and classic Thai dishes into an innovative menu for his first Thai restaurant.

(Read more about his second Thai restaurant, Chum Tang here)

Ramen Zundo - CBD

As the weather finally warms up and just about the right time to answer Mr. Nomnom's ramen craving, I start paying attention to Ramen Zundo after hearing some recommendations to try their Tsukemen.

Little Hutong - Little Bay

"What does Hutong mean?" - That's the first question Mr. Nomnom asked when I told him there's a relatively new place in Eastern suburb called Little Hutong.

I started googling and found it actually means a type of narrow lane or alleyway in a traditional residential area in China where many of the Chinese cooking styles and tastes we know now emerged from those small back lanes. Little Hutong hold this concept close as they combine the authentic flavours from Penang, Japanese, Chinese and Peranakan food with high quality of raw ingredients and thus create a high standard for their own authentic taste!

Boscage - Surry Hills

It is no longer a surprise to hear there's a new cafe recently opened at the heart of Sydney's brunch scene, Surry Hills. Serving modern Australian cuisine, Boscage makes everything in-house from scratch which means they bake all the breads and pastries and even smoking the salmon themselves!

The Pig and Pastry - Petersham

I have always wanted to visit this place having heard some good reviews about their delicious food and baked goods. As I was planning to catch up with Ms. GO, we finally decided to visit this cute vintage cafe and tried their lunch menu (it's served from midday).

Cafe Oratnek - Redfern

I would see Redfern in different way now with the addition of Cafe Oratnek opened by Chef Kentaro "Kenny" Takayama, ex-Bills head chef, located just behind the Prince Alfred Park and surrounded by the retail space and residential area.

Named after the chef's first name in reverse (Kentaro - Oratnek), this place offers some fresh Asian influence to its menu and produce everything mostly in-house (with the exception of Brickfields bread and Mecca coffee).

Roastville Coffee - Marrickville

I love waffles! Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, sweet or savoury version.. They basically go along with everything in this world! Waffles FTW.. LOL! So when I hear there's a relatively new cafe in Marrickville and I see that glorious word, WAFFLE, on the menu.. There's nothing in this world can really stop me from going there ;D

XS Espresso - Wetherill Park

Sydney seems to be going through a mind-blowing milkshake phase with all the extreme crazy flavours everywhere.. Before I know it, the inner child inside me is awaken and now has that strong urge to get a hold (at least one) of those!

Hungry Wolf - Wollongong

 

Located opposite Wollongong's best and popular Howlin' Wolf Bar is the new established little brother, Hungry Wolf.. Serving American style dishes with some Asian twist, this new cafe brings an exciting mix to the big brother's relaxed and casual atmosphere with its fresh and hearty food..

Best Tofu Soup at BCD Tofu House - Epping

There's nothing better than a bowl (or bowls) of piping hot soup to warm and fill me up on a cold winter's day! As I can't handle cold weather, it definitely leaves me feeling chilled to the bone, constantly hungry and longing for a good Soondubu (Tofu Soup) all the time!

BCD Tofu House is truly a hidden gem (it's quite hidden from the main road) in Epping and as the name says, you're going to be here for their Korean Soondubu! 

Gratia: Sydney's First Profit-for-Purpose Cafe - Surry Hills

Sydney's first profit for a purpose cafe has recently opened in Surry Hills.. A little bit of chat with the staff, she explained that 100% of its profits (after paying all the expenses and running costs) will be split 50% for their own foundation, Pure Foundation and the other 50% will be for the diners' nominated charities.. For every $5 spent on food and drinks, diners will be given a coloured ball and can choose which charity they want their donation is made to..