BILLY KWONG

I'd heard so much about Billy Kwong and read up on my reviews and even asked friends who had been before about their food. They all matched up ! Billy Kwong is a really fantastic restuarant to dine in. However I do suggest if you intend to go that you should not have a group of more than 4 to be eating comfortably or 6 if you intend to drop your food alot. It is a small chinese restaurant and they have a no booking policy. So first come best dressed. Billy Kwong is not a pretentous place to dine and it really has a very cosy and warm aura about it.

Billy Kwong in chinese calligraphy.

The lighting sets the atmosphere

Full house on a Sunday evening

You can just see Kylie Kwong cooking in the backgroud. ^_^

Since it was my first time here, a friend who had been previously recommended the Biodynamic egg...and omg what a sensation to the palate ! WOW was all I could say when I ate this dish. It has a complex texture, looks simple and amazing, and taste's fabulous. I've never ever had egg cooked in this fashion and I'd highly recommend this dish. Its the simplicity of the dish, but the complexitiy of the cooking and ingredients that really made this dish so wonderful.

Biodynamic Egg with Soy Sauce and XO sauce

Caramalised Red Braised Quail with Sze Quan salt.

We chose this dish since I needed some meat and we'd thought that we should keep the meals "simple". The quail was genuinely braised and had lots of flavour. But I thought what made this dish was actually the Sze Quan salt. You wouldn't think it, but the salt itself was very tasty. It taste like a blend of lemon grass, citrus with the salt and pepper you would get with quail only that the grains were finer. I enjoyed this dish because its simple, but yet extremely welcoming for the tastebuds.

Eggplant Salad (Sorry I forgot the actual name of this dish cause I was really really enjoying my meal) hehehe.

We thought that we needed a salad or vegetable dish to "balance" our meals so this was chosen. I'm not really a huge fan of eggplant, however after eating this, I think I might change my perspective of this vegetable. The eggplant isn't "squishy" like they cook them in Chinatown. It was quite firm but soft enough that it melted in your mouth. I ate most of the eggplants, which was a surprise even to myself. The sauce was a great combination to the soft and natural flavours of the eggplant.

I must admit that the food at Billy Kwong's exceeded even my expectations. Everything I'd heard and read was exactly what I expected and a little bit more. I'm sure to be back there again very soon and in the mean time, I'll tell all my "food" friends about how good this restaurant is.

Billy Kwong
Shop 3/355 Crown Street
SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
PH: +61 (02) 9332 3300
Hours:
Sun - Thur 6pm to 10pm
Fri - Sat 6pm to 11pm

The restaurant is BYO (unlicensed) so corkage is $5 per bottle.
No bookings so make sure you get there early for a table.

BOKKEMON

I first dined at Bokkemon about 3-4 months back when a friend invited (I crashed =P) me to join her friends for dinner. She had told me that the spicy soft shell crab was her favourtie dish here...after I had one taste, I understood why ! ^_^ I'd like to thank YOU (yes you) for letting me crash your dinner so I could experience this wonderful dish at such an affordable price !

A friend from overseas was in town to party for a couple of weeks. I promised her that I would take her to some places I liked in Sydney while she was here. So I decided to make a booking for Bokkemon. I was here for only 1 reason...the spicy soft shell crab !






Miso Soup

Agedashi Tofu on a Pappadum

Beef Tongue

Spicy Soft Shell Crab !!!!!! YUM !!!!

Another one hehehe. We had 3 servings of the spicy soft shell crab and it went in less than 5 minutes !

Fried Chicken in Rice Cracker

The dishes at Bokkemon are standard and you can pretty much get most of the dishes on the menu at any other Japanese/Sushi Restaurant. THE only reason I come here is for the Spicy Soft Shell Crab ! If you want service, don't expect too much here either as there was only 2 staff who serve a full house when we were there.

Bokkemon Sushi Bar

316 Pacific Highway

Crows Nest NSW 2065

Ph: +61 (02) 9966 5811

Bravo's

After a satisfying meal at Bokkemon, I suggested to go for dessert (since I'm always hungry and never stop eating). I said we can either go to Bravo's or New Orleans Cafe. We eventually staggered into Bravo's because New Orleans Cafe didn't have the seating for our group.

The last time I came to Bravo's my friend said that this use to be one of her favourtie hang out place back in the day's when the world was square and she went to Uni. hehehe :-P

A scoup of Almond (left) and Hazlenut (right) gelato

Part of my New York Baked Cheese Cake ( it looked too good and I took a couple of bites before I realise I should have taken a shot, bad habits die hard I guess). My philosophy has always been if it looks good, eat first ask questions later ! muahahaha

Tandoori Palace

After an exhausting month of studying in June, its finally over ! I'm able to go back to the object of my affections again.....food ! My destination........Tandoori Palace .




Tandoori Palace is not what it seems. It is located in the heart of Oxford Street along with many fine restaurants that I would like to try like Pink Peppercorn and Raquels.

As we entered the restuarant, we were warmly greeted and escorted to our table (right by the window). What i noticed most as I entered was the warmth of the place and it actually looks bigger than it really is. The decor was very modern with spot lights and some wall lights to convey a sense of friendliness. There is also an open bar which looks stylish and the restuarant looks very well maintained.

My friends and I were so hungry that we devoured the entree before I remembered that I had my camera with me !

Mains




Mixed Vegetables

Nothing fancy, just snow peas, beans, capsicum, baby corn stir fried added to a tangy sauce.

Beef Vindaloo

mm....the Beef Vindaloo must have been my favourite dish. Don't be decieved by how small the dishes are, it packs a punch with the spices. The meat wasn't over cooked, the sauce wasn't runny (like some I have been to) and the spicy sauce just tickled my taste buds enough for them to demand more ! *shivers at the thought of the sauce* mmmmmm......yum.

Tandoori Salmon

The Tandoori salmon went off without a hitch. I had 3 servings of the salmon (lucky me) since my friends were starting to feel full. I've been told I eat like a horse, but yet seem to not gain any weight. *Feels the penetrating eyes staring from all angles* >.<

The couscous and vegetables on side complimented the dish in texture and taste. The couscous melted in my mouth and before I knew it, I'd already eaten half the serving !

Assorted Naan Breads. Top - Peswari Naan, Middle - Plain Naan, Bottom - Garlic Naan

I enjoyed the Peswari Naan the most. If your familiar with the chinese "cocktail bun" it tastes almost like that, except it's not as sweet and doesn't have any coconut slices. The Naan was great to dip with the Beef Vindaloo sauce. Needless to say we all polished off the dishes.

I have to rate this restuarant as one of the the best service I've received to date. The staff here are very very polite and its thank you this and can I take that. Never once was our glass of water or drinks empty ! That says alot about the attention they are able to provide. What made my meal even more delicious was the fact that before they served our mains, we were given new plates. The plates were hot (not too hot to burn your hand), but hot enough so that the food does not go cold when you start eating it ! I've only been to a few places which can provide this service and it makes my night extremely memorable and enjoyable. The ambience is very cosy and you would not want to come here with a group of more than 8 (which is the maximum number of people they will cater for per table). This way you are able to enjoy good food and good company without having to shout over the top of anyone else. ^_^

I am definitely coming back here again with another group and this time, I'm trying all the other dishes I missed out on !

Make sure you print out this voucher for a free glass of wine for la carte dining.

Tandoor Palace

86 Oxford Street, DARLINGHURST NSW 2010

(Corner of Crown St and Oxford St, right outside the set of lights)

Website: http://www.tandooripalace.com.au/

Ph: +61 2 9331 7072

Max Brenner

After such a delicious meal, we decided to spoil ourselves (not that we didn't already) and ventured down to Paddington and enjoy some delightful Max Brenner chocolate.

Hot Chocolate in a Hug Mug

I almost didn't want to drink it because it looked so mesmerising ! But nonetheless, my taste buds could not hold out long for the luscious taste of hot chocolate melting in my mouth.

Ronnie & Kelly's Wedding - 3rd June, 2006

Congratulations Ronnie & Kelly !

WOW! What a fantastic wedding ! It must be one of the best wedding I have had the honor of attending. Ronnie is a very genuine, loving, caring and considerate person. This was demonstrated by the warm and kind greeting we received by his loving family up in Newcastle. The hospitality, generosity and humbleness of his family was overwhelming. The memories of the day are etched into my heart, no pictures can ever replicate those feelings.

The Volleyball Crew with the Newly Weds

The Food

Steamed Dumplings "Xiao Long Bao"

Green Olives, Sundried Tomatoes, Preserved Chilli with herbs, Mushrooms and Cheese Platter

Stir fried beef, snow peas in rice noodles

Sydney Rock Oysters

Fresh Prawns

Fresh Lobster !

Fresh Fruit Platter with some baby tomatoes.

THE WEDDING CAKE

The wedding cake comprised of three layers. The first and third layers were filled with milk chocolate. In the centre was a strip of chocolate mousse with some thinly sliced almonds and a hint of alcohol. The second layer was a marble chocolate cake with white chocolate swirls. My taste buds didn't get a chance to try the marble cake due to its popularity. I still enjoyed my chocolate centered cake with the strips of almonds and chocolate mousse.

Looking forward to my first food post as I'll be venturing to The Apprentice in Ultimo Tafe. For those who enjoy some surprises in their food then this might be a nice place to try. The menu basically changes every week if not every day ! But where in Sydney can you get a 4 course dinner meal and 2 glasses of wine for just $35.

I'm so excited that I'm literally jumping up and down in my chair checking my watch every 2 minutes so that the day would go faster just so that 7 o'clock arrives sooner.........

The Apprentice - 19th May 2006

So there we were, in the lift at Building E in Ultimo Tafe, not know what to expect. We all look anxious to see how the restuarant would turn out without anyone having been here before. As we exited the lift, we looked left and right (just like school kids at a pedestrian crossing) and realised that the entrance was to our right.

We were escourted to our seats by Alison Trapnell along with a student named Tony (who was our waiter for the evening). The night began with a bang, when we were offered either a Margarita or a glass of bubbly...almost everyone had chosen the former ! ^_^

Everyone agreed that the Margarita looked intoxicating and for some it did the trick!

The Menu

I looked at the menu and didn't realise that it was this extensive. It felt like a degustation menu ! The menu was designed by May Panlap Ruktharat, which was Thai inspired.

The Appetiser

The Appetiser's came out once all my friends arrived and for a while we thought that we were suppose to order. Then I realised that we could only choose from the Entree, Main Course and Desserts.

Everyone who was lucky enough to eat the Steamed Scallop with nam jhim could not stop raving how good it tasted. The nam jhim sauce complemented the stringy texture of the scallop enough not to overpower the natural taste of the scallop and at the same time enticed the taste buds to have more ! "Yum!" A friend liked the nam hjim sauce so much he dipped the vegatable spring rolls in the sauce !

Steamed Scallop with nam jhim sauce

Lets not forget the vegatable spring rolls ! They had texture and flavour and combined with the dipping sauce (its not soy sauce) melted in your mouth....one of the more tasty spring rolls I have had for a very long time. If only my collegue who loves spring rolls was able to appreciate it. Oh well, more for me !

Vegetable Spring Rolls with dipping sauce

Entree

I chose the Spicy and Sour Prawn Soup.

The Spicy and Sour Prawn Soup was a little off an original Tom Yum Goog in Thai restuarants. I felt that it didn't have enough lemon grass and spicies to capture the true aroma and essence of the soup. However, it still tasted great because the tanginess of the soup was pleasing enough to ensure that we all finished it to the last drop !

Spicy and Sour Prawn Soup

Mango Salad with Thai Herbs

Grilled Calamari with Steamed Vegetables

Main Courses

I had the Sauteed Strips of Chicken. The presentation was excellent and I couldn't wait to dive into it when it was served! After a few bites, it left me disappointed as the chicken was too dry and the sweet potato was too squishy. I didn't manage to finish my meal, however I did squeeze in some Marinated Pork which was cooked well.

Sauteed Strip of Chicken on Sweet Potato

Marinated Pork with Green Pea Mash and Baby Corn

Red Duck Curry

Dessert

We were told early in the evening that they didn't have any Frosty Lemon Cake left. Which meant that we could only choose from the Honey and Ginger Parfait with cinnamon biscuit and Strawberry and Blueberry Muffin with anglaise sauce.

I didn't get a picture of dessert, because I was too busy chatting away with some friends that when my Honey and Ginger Parfait arrived, someone had already started on it and after devouring half the parfait, said that it was delicous ! I tried the Strawberry and Blueberry Muffin with anglaise sauce, there wasnt much to rave about. Thankfully my lovely sister had also ordered the Honey and Ginger Parfait. I'm not a big fan of ginger at all, but the parfait was FAB-U-LOUS ! The ginger wasn't overpowering, but enough to still taste the honey in the parfait. It melted in my mouth and before long, I was finishing off my sister's portions ! Thank you again sis. ^_^

All in all, it was what I expected. Nothing more, nothing less. It was a great night out with my friends and I'll be back with another group soon. The ambience at The Apprentice is nice because it gives you a feeling of warmth, almost like eating over at a friends place.

The Apprentice

Level 7, Building E, Ultimo College TAFE

695-731 Harris Street, Ultimo

SydneyTel: +61 (02) 9217 5527