LuMi Bar & Dining, Pyrmont

“If the Indians can eat masala and spicy curries with yoghurt,
why can’t Italians eat this lamb rib with remnants of soybean?”

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Bishop Sessa, Surry Hills

This dessert is refreshingly light where passionfruit infused kiwifruit cheesecake
is paired with biscuit crumb, lightened with a fresh herbaceous basil ice cream.

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Subcontinental, Surry Hills

Subcontinental

Pani puri can be a lot thinner and crisp though a tangy appetizer.

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UPDATE December 2015: This restaurant has permanently closed for business.

First, he co-founded Longrain that showcased why Thai food is so much more than just green curry and kana moo krob.

Then, his hellenic vibe of Apollo brought us taramasalata white cod roe dip and flatbread while paying homage to good old Greek style smoky charred octopus. And Cho Cho San introduced seductive modern Japanese izakaya so sensual on those breezy summer nights in Sydney.

Now, Sam Christie‘s latest foray into modern Indian is adding even more spice to the melting pot of restaurants in trendy Surry Hills.

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Opera Bar, Sydney Opera House

Opera Bar, Sydney Opera House

It’s difficult to find a more quintessential Sydney dining experience than 
fish and chips on a glorious day at the Sydney Opera House.

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Hartsyard, Newtown

Hartsyard, Newtown

 This fried chicken brings America’s deep south to Sydney’s Newtown among
its eclectic mix of graffiti, pink hair, gothic eyes, nose rings and tongue studs.

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Cottage Point Inn, Cottage Point

Cottage Point Inn, Cottage Point

The pairing of pork and scallop has been done to death by Sydney restaurants.
But Chef Zika’s take on this dish is a game changer.

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Caysorn, Haymarket

Caysorn Thai, Haymarket

The smoky aromas of this grilled baby octopus combines beautifully
with a sweet and spicy seafood sauce.

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Hugos Bar Pizza, Kings Cross

Hugos Bar Pizza, Kings Cross
Like the diners around us, these prawns are pretty
though missing charred flavours of the grill.

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After so many years, images of that pork belly pizza at Hugos Bar Pizza one late Saturday evening with the Monk are still deliciously etched in my mind.

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Food Safari Kuala Lumpur 2015

Food Safari Kuala Lumpur

You have limited time and calories during a food safari.
Make it count by eating the right stuff.

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Restoran New Imbi Garden, Kuala Lumpur

Restoran New Imbi Garden

 This famous sang har meen turns out a little disappointing.
Instead, the consolation is discovering one of the best hokkien mee in Kuala Lumpur.

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“I need to go back there …” my long-time friend tells me.

I detect a sense of urgency in his voice though David is a confident and towering figure for as long as I have known him since our high school days at St. John’s Institution in Kuala Lumpur.

He was a judo champion, a prefect and a tennis sparring buddy from school. These days, he’s more a dear friend for being an enthusiastic home cook just like I am. We often exchange ideas and cooking tips across the Australian continent where he lives in Perth with his family.

But tonight, his voice is wavering though I sense his intentions totally focused. It’s similar to the voice I heard so many years ago when we were chasing teenage girls in high school.

“You mean that place in Bukit Bintang where we had fantastic Thai massage?”  I ask.

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Restoran Perlama Seafood, Port Klang

Restoran Perlama Seafood

These mud crabs are fresh and its meat firm and sweet.
I scrap tasty egg yolk off the shells with my teeth for orgasmic end to our dinner.

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Tim Ho Wan, Kuala Lumpur

Tim Ho Wan, Kuala Lumpur

I’ve finally lost my Tim Ho Wan virginity at their Kuala Lumpur branch.
But I’m not sure about all the hype because I didn’t get an orgasm. 

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Restoran Eight Treasure, Kuala Lumpur

Restoran Eight Treasure, Kuala Lumpur

These deep fried baby whitings are delightfully crisp with a tangy chilli and onion salsa.
But the best part is the crunchy head so full of flavour. 

Dear readers,

I am back in this wonderful food haven that is Malaysia. Stay tuned as the next few blog posts will take you on my gastronomical Food Safari Kuala Lumpur 2015.

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From City Slickers To Tree Huggers

From City Slickers To Tree Huggers

“There can only be one captain on the ship”, my sister-in-law tells me wisely.
“And that captain is your brother. He makes all the key decisions for our family.”

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Busshari Authentic Japanese Restaurant, Potts Point

Busshari, Potts Point
Slices of king fish carpaccio is fresh with the umami of dark seaweed,
a tangy tickle of dill vinaigrette and ponzu jelly.

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The Potting Mix, Alexandria

The Potting Mix

 This slow-cooked Wagyu beef rib is succulent and yielding.
But the notoriously long wait might quash your appetite before you even get to it.

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A Frank Canvas ~ Drawing flavours from the heart

Sydney is blessed with some of the freshest seafood money can buy.
But a beautiful ingredient we can always add to our cooking pot is a good dose of love.

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Easter Weekend at Callala Beach, Jervis Bay

Callala Beach

 It was gloomy Good Friday but the sun came out to play on Easter Sunday.
And so did we. 

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“You mean I’m finally getting to spend a long weekend with Penny and Margaret?” I ask Mysaucepan with bated breath.

“Yup, they can fit us in coz it’s a five bedroom beach house and there’s nine of us” she replies.

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Cottage Point Inn, Cottage Point

Chef Guillaume Zika

The natural beauty of Sydney harbour is breathtaking to say the least.
But this city is truly world class through its excellence in food, wine and hospitality.

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A Weekend in Central Coast, New South Wales

 It’s a glorious day in the Central Coast.
But what makes this weekend special is the company of good friends.

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Do you need an excuse for a nice weekend away from your usual routine?

I don’t need one but it seems that some friends have found a reason to celebrate milestone birthdays for The Monk and I.

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He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

The road is long with many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where, who knows where
But I’m strong, strong enough to carry him
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother 

~ US songwriters Bobby Scott & Bob Russell, 1969

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The Old Civic, Frenchs Forest

The Old Civic, Frenchs Forest

 Sydney has seen an explosion of burger joints.
Some are good, some not so good. 
This burger is one of the better ones. 

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Edition Coffee Roasters, Darlinghurst

Edition Coffee Roasters, Darlinghurst

Edition Coffee Roasters, Darlinghurst

As I tuck into smørrebrød and skagen at this cafe touted so unique and different,
I am thinking, “Where’s my bacon and eggs?”

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Indonesian Oxtail Soup

Indonesian Oxtail Soup - Sup Buntut - Sup Ekor

This rich oxtail soup is peppery with spicy aromas of
ginger, star anise, cinnamon and cloves.
It’s one of my all time favourites
and especially heart-warming in the cold winter months.

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Cipri Italian, Paddington

Cipri Italian, Paddington

I feel ambivalent with each bite of this suckling pig….
there’s melting fat and crisp skin that are so decadently beautiful.
But there’s also chewy skin and strands of lean meat that felt dry like the Sahara.

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