Gigi's Restaurant & Bar, Wollongong

It's been a while since we've been to Gigi's. It's also been a while since I've blogged. So going through my draft posts, I came across this picture and my tummy started rumbling thinking about the yummy Italian food that this restaurant offers. Hence, over 12 months later, this blog is finally going up!

I like this restaurant for it's simplicity. Although it seems to easily cater for everything from a quick coffee & cake, or pizza & beer, or romantic evening dining, it feels classy and sophisticated and welcoming all at the same time. It can be described as comfortable family friendly atmosphere which is child friendly and affordable, yet casual and unpretentious and perfect for the first date. For my husband and I, the park and beach is a short walking distance away which means that we can go for a stroll and not feel guilty afterwards even after ordering pizza and pasta and our toddler can run free.
    

GIGI'S MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA artichokes, mushrooms, zucchini, tomato & mozzarella cheese (without pancetta)

Libronz Tapas Spanish Restaurant

It was about six months ago that we dined at this restaurant (a girlfriend and I) and I have been wanting to go back again but haven't quite found the right occasion for it. It's a noisy restaurant (so not really suitable for a romantic evening out with hubby, not on the weekends anyway, maybe on a quieter night perhaps?). Also, another time when I went in a large group with my family, I remember waiting ages for my meal. And it's not cheap either. I think we ended up paying something like $45 each. So, why do I want to go back? Because it's yummy! First of all, it's salty (the worst is eating bland tapas). Yes, I like places that don't skimp on the spices! Just the right amount of herbs and lemon. Although a bit expensive for two, I guess it's like going to yum cha so definitely worth your while if you can share with a couple of friends (possibly a table of 3 or 4 would be ideal). And no young children (unless they aren't eating or can still stay in their prams). They don't have high chairs and the meals are not very toddler friendly. It's the kind of place you want to enjoy with a few friends when you need a night off from the kids. And have a designated driver for the group (preferably not yourself).

Rambutan, Darlinghurst

Last night I caught up with some girlfriends (who are also food enthusiasts like myself) and we had a wonderful time at a surprising little restaurant called Rambutan. We had to order their signature dishes, highly recommended by both my friend and the waitress. I was delighted with the explosion of tastes. These were my favourites of the evening.

betel leaf with tea-smoked trout and chilli eggplant relish

Amazing and addictive, this dish definitely had to have kapi (กะปิ) in it. I would be very surprised if it didn't. I absolutely loved it for the saltiness, and pungent aroma. Personally, I would add shredded fresh pineapple as well (although my friend disagrees). 

fried soft shell crab in coconut served with a spicy dipping sauce

OMG! How do I recreate this dipping sauce? The soft shell crab was crispy, moist and light. Although the coconut batter made me think of it more as a sweet dish rather than savoury, I absolutely loved the dipping sauce which I was happy to have on it's own. Just give me a bowl of steamed rice with this sauce any day. That would be a meal right there. 

crispy duck w sweet rambutan, eschallot, garlic and tamarind sauce

I was expecting the crispy duck to come out differently. I would have preferred duck breast or thigh rather than drumsticks. There was very little meat however the sauce was very different and balanced our meal well. The sauce had a smokey flavour which meshed well with the tangy tamarind and sweet rambutan. There was another flavour that I couldn't quite make out, something reminiscent of Chinese 5-spice powder, possibly star anise or cloves. I'd like to try this dish at home with pork belly. 

El Gusto's Ristorante, Campbelltown

  I just had to upload these pictures from our Xmas lunch. So yummy!



Penne Primavera
Penne with cream sauce, spring vegetables and pesto

 





Lamb Shanks
With vegetables, mash & homemade gravy





American Ribs

Full rack of succulent tender pork ribs in a BBQ glaze
served with steamed veges instead of fries



George's on Queen, Campbelltown



Caesar Salad (no chicken)



Grilled Barramundi & Prawns with Bernaise Sauce, Mash & Veges

 

Definitely a treat, I think this is great meeting place when time restraints call for a "working lunch". My colleagues and I like to make an effort to eat at least once a month at this restaurant. Guess which dish is mine?



Gemelle Ristorante Italiano, Liverpool

Our team's christmas luncheon was recently held at this award winning Italian restaurant. I wish I remembered to take more photos. The food was delicious although a bit salty. I really liked the presentation of the dishes, the colours, the smells. I will definitely be coming back again.

To my dear colleague who swapped her creme brulee with me: THANK YOU! I will never forget your sacrifice.


VITELLO AI FUNGHI
Veal scallopini with mixed mushrooms and jus



RUCOLA CON PERA
A salad of rocket, pear, toasted walnuts and gorgonzola dressed with a white balsamic dressing
ITALIAN BREAD WITH BALSAMIC AND OIL
ANTIPASTO PLATERS

SALT AND PEPPER CALAMARI
Served on mixed leaf with home made tartare sauce
SPAGHETTI ITALIANO (V)
W. mushrooms, spinach, semi sun dried tomatoes, olives and Napoletana sauce

POLLO CON ASPARAGGI
Chicken breast fillet supreme topped with fresh asparagus served on pumpkin mash served with a creamy mustard sauce
VITELLO AI FUNGHI
Veal scallopini with mixed mushrooms and jus

ITALIAN GELATO
VANILLA CRÈME BRULEE

Antonio's on Crown, Wollongong

This is our new favourite place for breakfast. Although the stairs are were a bit hard to climb with a pram, and  eating out is never easy with a toddler, we find ourselves coming back here again, and again. Maybe it's the friendly service. Maybe it's the awesome coffee. Maybe it's the way I am able to be very specific with my order and they not only oblige, but remember everything without writing it down. "Eggs benedict please, can I have smoked salmon instead of ham? and the spinach slightly wilted (yes, I mean blanched) and a flat white, extra shot, on soy". They get my order right every time. I know it's not hard to remember but you would be surprised how many people have gotten it wrong even when they do write it down. That's what I like about this place, they get it right every time.

Eggs Benedict for me
(with smoked salmon and spinach, blanched) 

Big Breakfast for hubby

Food World Gourmet Cafe, Wollongong

I am a bit biased when it comes to Food World. After all, I have been dining there since 1995 and saw the expansion from a small little takeaway shop with too few tables and the usual long line of customers queuing outside, to the size it is today. I do miss those days when they were open 7 days a week and I could buy a bowl of delicious suy kao or wonton soup for $5. Alas, their prices have increased over the last 15 years (not surprisingly) and their menu expanded considerably.

Spring Rolls (with pork and prawn)

Char Keow Tew (stir fried flat rice noodles)

I still order my old favourites (being a creature of habit) and Char Keow Tew and Spring Rolls being the first on my list even though I eat everything else on their menu. Their spring rolls remind me of the ones my mum makes with pork and prawn and they even look hand-made in that they are not perfectly shaped. That's what gives spring rolls their character! 

Their stir-fried noodles are always a hit. I have found myself asking for "less less oil" when I order though (just a little tip for those healthy conscious) but nothing beats the "char" taste of a stir-fry coming from a very hot wok. You just can't get that taste at home (never mind the sticky-oily feeling on the floor and walls and the smell in your clothes when you do try to cook it yourself).

This is the place to go if you're looking for affordable meals, generous sized servings and an extensive menu to choose from including entrees, soups, rice and noodles as well as a variety of drinks and desserts.

El Gustos Ristorante, Campbelltown

American Ribs: Tender lamb ribs in a BBQ glaze served with veges

I've dined here on a few special occasions and enjoyed the food and atmosphere every time. It has intimate booths for romantic dates. It's also great for parties and functions or family dinners. Child friendly, this is one restaurant that I would feel comfortable eating with kids without worrying that we were too noisy. The lamb ribs were perfectly cooked (they didn't have pork on this occasion). Can't wait to come back to this place again.

Kagaya, Hurstville

After nearly 10 years, this is still one of my favourite restaurants. Although the menu has expanded considerably over the years, I still find myself straying back to the traditional set menu-for-2 simply due to the value-for-money. With five in our group this evening, we ordered a few sides and the highlight was definitely this dish. This cucumber/avocado/fish roe salad was delightful, the oyster/mango combination refreshing. I highly recommend this restaurant (and especially this dish) anytime!

Kelly's Brasserie, Panthers, Penrith

Bruschetta with pesto and rocket

Perfect for sharing, the bruschetta did arrive with three pieces although one was eaten before I remembered to take a picture. My only criticism is the bread was a little soggy (traditionally bruschetta comes on ciabatta bread), but I did enjoy it as the flavours were all there (lemon, spanish onion, fresh tomato, balsamic, basil, olive oil). I cringe if any of those key ingredients are missing. I thought the pesto was a nice addition to this classic Italian appetizer and the portions were quite generous.

Calamari with a twist (lemon, salt, chilli)

This dish looked divine when it arrived and I was excited to try it but unfortunately I found it lacking. The calamari weren't crispy enough and I could see fresh chilli flakes but there was no hint of spicy. The sweet chilli dipping sauce just didn't cut it for me. Also, it was served in a tiny little plastic tub which is what I expect to get when I buy takeaway, not when I eat in a restaurant. (A big no-no for me! That and when they serve my coffee with a plastic teaspoon. Luckily, they didn't). Otherwise, the chips were great and so was the side salad. But then, I could have simply paid for chips and salad if that's what I wanted.

Wasabi Bar & Bistro, Darlinghurst

After all the bad reviews, I have to admit I was quite hesitant about going but I already paid for the coupon months ago. Fortunately, it was an enjoyable experience.

We went for lunch on a Saturday and had booked 2 weeks in advance, thinking they would be super busy. They weren't. The decor is "interesting" and definitely a topic for conversation. I wasn't impressed with the plastic cups for water or the plastic shoyu sashi. The waitress had trouble understanding our order and I had to repeat myself several times. I was trying to practice patience and be positive about it (after all, it was the first date my husband and I have had in a long time since our son was born, and it was our wedding anniversary). OK, so maybe we should have chosen a more intimate setting and a spent a few more bucks.

Anyway, they brought the complimentary sake and the food started coming and we found that we enjoyed ourselves!

There was more than enough food and all the staff were pleasant (although it was hard to understand them and they didn't seem to understand us). Although it was a 7-course tasting menu for 2, I counted more than 7 dishes and the portions were quite generous. We had the Fried Gyoza, Agedashi Tofu, Prawn Tempura, Assorted Sushi & Sashimi, Tofu Wakame Salad, Teriyaki Chicken, BBQ Beef (the mains came with rice, side salad & Miso Soup).

Having parked in a one-hour zone, we ran out of time and they let us takeaway the dessert which was Green Tea Ice Cream and a very yummy Black Sesame Ice Cream.

We left happy.

The Little Snail (Au Petit Escargot), Pyrmont

I have been here on an number of occasions and the food always lives up to my expectations. This time I chose cream cheese & antipasta for entree, mushroom crepe for main and sticky date pudding for dessert. The entire meal was delicious! As usual the service was friendly and attentive yet unobtrusive. I thoroughly enjoyed the The Little Snail Shiraz for it's soft taste, perfect compliment to a meatless meal.

Yiu's Asian Gourmet, Beverly Hills

Everyone has been raving on about how great the French Style Crab is that I was afraid I would be disappointed due to my high expectations. However I am a 100% satisfied customer. They definitely exceeded their reputation and the french style sauce and crab combination absolutely melted in my mouth. As we went in a large group, we had the luxury of sampling several dishes and I must say that I was delighted with all them. I think it worked out to be $50 per head (which is quite expensive for Chinese Food) but each dish was worth every cent.

Bamboo Inn, Beverly Hills

Overall it was quite a pleasant experience. Friendly service and the food was good value for money. Tasted like home cooking with a modern touch.

Imperial Peking Restaurant, Blakehurst

This is our Number 1 restaurant for YUM CHA as the staff can actually speak English and the service is friendly (our favourite waiter always says "Hello Hello" in a jolly voice). Although I agree it's a bit over-priced compared to other YUM CHA places, they do have a good variety of tasty dim sims available and I never leave without having a classic Mango Pudding. We went once for dinner and the meals were quite ordinary (maybe it was what we ordered but everything turned out to be greasy). We will always go back for YUM CHA as we don't mind paying extra as the food and service is worth it.

Moda Italiano Ristorante, Bondi Junction

I am definitely coming back! As soon as I walked into the restaurant I was impressed with the decor and couldn't help but admire it throughout the night. Dinner was superb, our group ordered a Banquet ($39pp) and I was very impressed with both the quality and quantity of the feast. The service was exceptional and I must recommend this restaurant for future functions. Definitely value for money, fabulous view and waiters deserve 10/10 for their service and smile.

Costa Do Sol, Petersham

The service was great as the waiters were very attentive throughout the night and even as the restaurant filled up, I hardly noticed and it still felt like we were the only table. The food was wonderful, we ordered seafood, chicken & steak to share between five of us and there was plenty left over. Meals were quite large and price was very reasonable. The sauces on each dish were so tasty, not too salty, not too spicy, just right.

Asahi, Beverly Hills

The Chefs are very friendly and entertaining and the service is very good. I was disappointed in the food as it taste quite ordinary and the portions were small considering the price that we paid. I suppose when you go to Teppanyaki it's more for the fun and you're really paying for the service, not the food. I would recommend it for work functions, or when you don't have to pay.

Vivaz Restaurant & Nightclub, The Rocks

Sangria was the best I have ever tasted. Chorizo Sausage was a bit dry but addictively spicy. I enjoyed the Roast Pork, which in comparison can only be described as not as dry as the sausage and not as rare as the lamb. I had looked forward to the variety of salads that were available, however they tasted quite ordinary. If I ever go back, it will be for the Sangria.