Daikoku Double Bay

A recent 21st led us to Daikoku in Double Bay for a Teppanyaki celebration. No stranger to the Japanese style, I talked the Teppanyaki new-comers through the proceedings and after ordering, we sat back to watch show.

For those unaware, the style of cooking is one in which you are seated around a hotplate and the Teppanyaki chef cooks your ordered seafood, meat and rice in front of you, with a bit of a flair.

I'm used to the chef joking around and flicking the salt and pepper shakers all over the place the whole way through. I was somewhat surprised when this chef made very little of the performance aspect.

I'm also accustomed to raw eggs being thrown at each diner, who is given a small bowl to attempt to catch in. No raw eggs this evening.

Most of our party chose from the various banquets on offer; ranging from $30 for the basic meal to $40 for the seafood banquet. There are of course larger meals for a higher price but none were ordered on this occasion.

Each banquet started with small salad of lettuce, carrot and cabbage in a tangy dressing. This was quite a hit!

Starter Salad

We were then given a sushi entree (a slice of salmon sushi roll and blow-torched piece of salmon on rice). Both quite nice, the latter having a slight charcoal taste.

Miso soup followed the sushi and then the show began. To dazzle all diners, the chef splayed oil over the hot plate and lit it, resulting in fast burning but huge flame! (Fortunately all eyebrows stayed in tact)

Prime position in front of the tall flames

First up was chicken, which was cooked on the hot plate with white wine and salt and then sliced into tiny pieces. Meanwhile, vegetables were expertly sliced and fried with oil, white wine, salt and who knows what else from the chef's quickly juggled bottles.

Vegetables and Chicken cooking away

Tossing the vegetables

Diced Chicken on the hotplate

The only remaining whole piece of chicken was sliced up and marinated in a teriyaki flavour before being served onto the plate of the diner whose banquet included it. I must say I tried it and it was fabulous!

Teriyaki Chicken on the plate

My seafood dishes (I splurged on the seafood banquet) were cooked next. Though not a fan of the scallops (I prefer them slightly more cooked as these were a tad mushy in the centre) nor the prawns in cream sauce (whilst the prawns were great the sauce was not to my liking), I greatly enjoyed the king prawns. They had a strong flavour (but not fishy) and were juicy, cooked to perfection. Though I normally eat prawns either on their own or in seafood sauce, I tried these in the two sauces provided (one tasted like peanut or sesame, and the other tasted quite a bit like the tangy salad dressing) the peanut/sesame sauce complimented the prawn whilst the salad dressing like sauce made for a very strange taste sensation!

My serving of scallops

The legs removed from the King Prawns

Dishing out a king prawn for each

Finally the fun of teppanyaki began, we were thrown a small piece of cooked egg, expected to catch it in our mouths. Some succeeded but most failed!

The line of egg (before it was sliced and thrown)

The chef began to play around a little at this point, insisting one diner move all the way back as he flicked the egg in the air (making it substantially harder to catch!) To the last diner he threw chopped up pieces of egg, amusing all but giving her no chance of catching it.

All this throwing food left very little egg in the fried rice! Once the rice was cooked, which really just involved a lot of mixing around (and salt), it was packed into bowls. We were handed a large bowl and tried to catch the bowl of rice in it. We had a higher success rate with this game!

Fried rice

A treat for the birthday girl

The only thing left at this point was the prawn legs, which had been sitting on the hot plate since the prawns were cooked and were well cooked and crunchy. These were passed out to anyone game enough to try them. In fact, they taste a little like chips (and only a bit like prawn legs!)

The chef finished up by showing off his upside writing in salt talent! He wrote a Happy Birthday message and drew a cake, even including the birthday girl's name and how old she was turning!

As with all Teppanyaki, he also wrote 'Thank You' upside down using the salt.

The finale

Overall it was fun night with some great food. The only criticism I had was that the performance could have used some more flair when it came to using the bottles and salt. Oh, and there was a tad too much salt used in each dish!

If you haven't tried Teppanyaki, it's definitely a great style of dining to try!

Din Tai Fung

After my initial encounter with Din Tai Fung over a year ago, I went back today and am glad I did!

My first trip with Jenna resulted in neither of being very impressed. Due to dietary restrictions we were unable to sample anything with pork (which is most of their range) and so missed out on the great things they had to offer and instead sampled the mediocre dishes and couldn't quite understand what all the fuss was about!

Working across the road from World Square enables me to try a large variety of take away foods on my lunch break. For months I've been trying to convince the office to get lunch from Din Tai Fung, their great reviews still appearing all over the place. Today the office (comprising of Chris) gave in!

Luckily we had a 'buy one basket receive a complimentary basket' voucher and so two baskets of dumplings cost us only $10.80.

We chose the pork dumplings and the pork and shrimp dumplings.
The latter was unusual as most Asian cuisines use prawn as opposed to shrimp but this truly was shrimp (bait like). Nevertheless, they were fantastic!

The case was smooth and light, not too chewy or sticky and inside the casing was a small amount of soup with the pork/pork and shrimp.

With a tad of soya sauce, the taste was incredible and the dumpling melted in the mouth.

I preferred the pork and shrimp whilst 'the office' preferred the pork.

Successful lunch!

Phoning and placing the order, I was able to avoid the often lengthy queue outside the restaurant and instead waiting 10 minutes, walked in, paid and picked up the order.

Without the voucher Din Tai Fung is quite pricey as there are only 6-8 dumplings in the box for $10.80 but with a voucher...excellent!

Taste Festival Sydney

Couldn't resist a shot with Matt Moran :)

In the year since the last Taste Festival, I've become a much bigger foodie - much harder to impress and much more into the textures, aromas and delicate nature of food!


This year we got our tickets nice and early and started our research into what dishes we would sample on the day.

Perusing the menu, I found the easiest way to do it was to eliminate dishes based on ingredients I did not eat or did not like (namely lamb, veal and coriander). Of course I was still left with many more dishes than cash (or crowns) in my wallet.

The offerings were superb with 16 of Sydney's finest restaurants showcasing three fantastic dishes (bare in mind there were many other stalls of bakeries, cheese makers and the like offering free samples and things to buy as well). Each dish was priced at $8, $10 or $12 and could be purchased using crowns (1 crown = $1). Crowns were bought in booklets of $10 or $30 (which of course never worked out to correctly cover what you wanted to spend)!

So, what did we eat?

My first dish was from Pilu at Freshwater - the suckling pig panino with apple, mustard and rocket served on Sonoma sourdough. The breadroll was great. The meat was tender but the apple, mustard and rocket were not plentiful/strong enough and so the sandwich lacked flavour (though this is really nit picking as really, it's pilu...it's good).




Jenna's first dish was a real scorer - the organic chicken liver parfait with sweet vinegar raisins and dressed baby herbs. Though tossing up between this and the crab sandwiches from Guillaume, Jenna was swayed by a very enthusiastic lady eating the liver and raving about it. She was not disappointed. The parfait was smooth and the serving was plentiful, with Jenna enjoying every bite.




Secondly, I tried the Quail Breast and truffled Risotto Croustillant from Berowra Waters Inn. It looked and sounded great but for a second dish the serving was on the small side. Again nit picking I would say that the risotto could have used a stronger flavour. By the crunchiness of the outside and the moist meat along with the pea puree it was served with made the dish delightful.





Jenna's second sampling was of El Toro Loco's Paella a la Maestre. Not only did this provide us with a good perv on their chef (much to Jenna's delight), but she said it was very yummy and the portion size was quite generous. The chefs looked like they were enjoying the afternoon cheering each time a paella was ordered.


Onto dessert! The desserts looked amazing and we couldn't decide on one dish alone and so we each got a dessert we were both considering a sampled them both (a fantastic way to do the whole day in my opinion)!

We tried Becasse's Chocolate Souffle with a vanilla bean cream first. The souffle held together well and was moist, dark and very rich. The vanilla bean was smooth and provided the softer touch the souffle needed as accompaniment. Together they were fantastic and Jenna easily could have done another one afterward!




Our second dessert was the "saucy tart" with chocolate mousse and liquid raspberry centre from Danks Street Depot. Easily my favourite dish of the day. The tart case was properly crunchy, the mouse was cool and smooth and not too rich; and the hard chocolate on top was darker providing a nice balance. The raspberry centre balanced the dish, providing a relief from the chocolate and really making the whole thing superb. I could have eaten another of these!

The other success of the day was City Tattersalls Club. They held a stall giving away a selection of food and free entries into a draw to win dinner for two at the club. At their stall we sampled soft shell crab tempura, dolce de lece and chocolate panacotta and donuts with a white chocolate filling you inject yourself. They also had wagyu cheese burgers we always just seemed to miss and a selection of cocktails. Not only was the food all free but it was really really yummy!

The weather held out for us as we got a lot of sun and a few cool breezes. Good food, nice drinks, great company. Another lovely afternoon at taste festival. I'll be back next year!

Thanks to Simon Food Favourites (http://simonfoodfavourites.blogspot.com/) for the three images I didn't manage to take

book review: Meals Men Love – Lana Vidler

“It’s official...the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”; or so says Lana Vidler, author of Meals Men Love, the light blue cook book that takes us back to the 1950s and right back into the kitchen.

Now, I love to cook and I love to cook for my boyfriend. Yes, it is tough deciding what to make as I’m never sure if he’ll be fond of the recipes that often appeal to me. Enter Meals Men Love. Vidler’s recipe book is divided into Breakfast (which according to Lana many men don’t seem to like or have the time for); Light Meals, Finger Food and Entrees; Soups; Salads & Sides; Sauces & Marinades; Main Dishes; and Desserts & Biscuits.

Whilst the recipes are basic enough to follow and produce rather tasty food, it’s the book’s little extras that sets Meals Men Love apart from other recipe books on the shelf. Vidler has catered for the clueless chef, recommending which sides and desserts best complement each main and for the utterly confused cook, she has set out a basic guide to catching a man in three courses; giving twelve different dinner options of either three-course-meals or mains, sides and desserts. Using her recommendations, along with her simple directions to cooking steaks, using butter and understanding serving sizes; cooking has never been easier.

Based on the success and hype of her book, Vidler’s soufflé star is rising perfectly but on sidelines, the feminist argument that the book’s marketing is sexist and that it’s not the responsibility of the woman to cook for her man is rising too. What’s important to keep in mind though is that simple to follow cook books as such are getting us all back into the kitchen for a home cooked meal, as opposed to the take-out and freezer meals that some have become so accustomed to.

I tried out a few recipes for the boyfriend’s birthday and they went swimmingly (see pics below)

Overall, I’d say Vidler did a great job creating a book of quick, simple recipes that are suitable for couples both young and old (as well as families).

My culinary challenge was sampled by not only the boyfriend but my parents and sixteen year old sister. Whilst unsure if they liked the sausages or not, everything set before them (for each course) was devoured!

Our dinner went like this:

Bruschetta Because I Love You p.30 (The favourite)

Spinach Salad p.52 (Refreshing with the surprise of bacon bits, meant to be served hot but I served it cold)

Saucy Sausages p.100 (The combined flavour of curry powder and tomato sauce was very interesting and a tad confusing to the palate)

First Dinner Lemon Tart p.158 (Delicious served with vanilla ice-cream but the base was a bit soft)

To Try Next Time:

Strawberry Surprise p.170 (the surprise is they’re hollowed out with nutella inside! shh)

GIARDINETTO RESTAURANT

Despite the pouring rain, Tracy and I ventured out (by bus) to Darlinghurst, navigating our way to Giardinetto Restaurant. We had called ahead for a booking only to be told by the fast speaking Italian gentleman that answered the phone that he could be full but didn't have the book so we should call back in five minutes. We called back and though we were able to get a booking, were told that our table would be held for five minutes past our booking and then given away!

Of course we arrived on time and walking in as two girls in their twenties, we felt out of place amongst the much older couples and groups of friends sitting in the dimly lit, florally wallpapered restaurant. The room was small, seating around 50 and angels hung from the light fittings. The restaurant had a cosy feel to it and suited a romantic date.

The waitress was very polite presenting us with menus but neglected to ask if we wanted any drinks. The menu is extensive and very tempting but we had come in order to taste their $35.00 3 course set menu with options.

Online there were many options for each course, yet the printed menu offered very limited choice (dessert was limited to vanilla ice cream, vanilla brulee or a fruit plate; whereas online chocolate mousse and tiramisu were also on offer).

All three courses were ordered at once and not enthralled by any of the desserts I told the waitress I had an allergy to vanilla and asked if there was a different ice cream or something she could supplement for the brulee. She was kind enough to offer me tiramisu and Tracy, not keen on any of the desserts either, was offered chocolate mousse. We were quite impressed by the waitress.

Throughout the night she remained attentive to our table, filling up the water glasses regularly, as she helped out another waitress who was quite obviously new.

For entrees we ordered the risotto and grilled vegetable salad. The salad's presentation was terrible; the grilled vegetables on the bottom of the plate with oiled rocked thrown over the top. It looked upside down actually. The taste was not much better. It lacked any flavour and the grilled vegetables did not accompany the crisp rocket well at all. The risotto was much better. The consistency was slightly less gluggy than either of us was used to but the flavour was there and it was very enjoyable.

Unfortunately it was also quite filling so our appetites were not quite there when the main course arrived seconds after our entree plates were cleared. We had ordered the salmon and a roast vegetable and pancetta spaghetti. Tracy commented that the salmon was not hot enough and my pasta was very dried out on the outside, yet moist underneath - leading me to think that these dishes had been ready and sitting for some time. Neither dish was spectacular flavour wise but no real complaints.



Upon clearing our plates our attentive waitress inquired as to whether I did not like my dish, as I had left some behind, I explained that I was full and she was happy with this.

Even though we had ordered all three courses at the beginning, another waitress soon came over to offer dessert menus. She seemed embarrassed when we had told her that we were having the set menu and rushed off!

We were thankfully allowed a long break between courses this time so when they arrived we were keen to taste them. Unfortunately we weren't overly impressed with either one. Tracy initially quite liked the mousse, saying it had a good consistency but I found that it lacked in flavour. Neither of us liked the flavour of the tiramisu, finding the cream layers to be too thick. Presentation was average for both dishes.



I would be interested to sample some of the dishes on the regular menu such as the duck risotto and pumpkin ravioli but all together found the restaurant nothing special so won't be back.

Giardinetto is suited to dates or small groups of friends but is too small to be suitable for kids or large parties.

Cosmopolitan Cafe - Double Bay

Tonight's meal was more than disappointing.

The cosmopolitan has been a double bay icon for decades, home to the older frequenters of the bay as well as chicken soup and late night coffees.

It's recent refurbishment and reopening last Friday sparked interest among young and old once more. Last Saturday evening we ventured down to see what it had to offer in the way of late night snacks.

As far as coffees were concerned, the prices were average for Double Bay but the tiny glasses left much to be desired. The prospect of ordering a tower of gelato (fit for 8) excited our party of seven but when it came down to it, no one was up for the feat and so a simple chocolate sundae was ordered to share between two.

After a considerable wait for five coffees and one ice cream (at 10:30pm) the coffees arrived and the ice cream made its way to the table only to be worn by the waitress a couple of feet away.
When the very small, very over-priced gelato finally made it all the way over, it was more of a soup cross ice cream than a frozen treat.

Though i did not personally taste it, I was told it was not at all good and its presentation was definitely lacking. At around $12 for two scoops of chocolate ice cream - you'd expect it to at least be well presented.

Just under a week later I ventured back to the Cosmo to sample dinner. My party this time were considerably older. One diner had eaten lunch here earlier in the week and said she would not be back but was still willing to sample dinner before passing a verdict. I believe the verdict has now been passed - and not in Cosmo's favour.

I ordered the duck which was very fatty and very tough in a thin, oily, tasteless sauce. It was accompanied by crunchy broccoli, cauliflower, carrot and two boiled potatoes.
The fish was also ordered and was a very small portion for $32.00. I was told that the Cabbage Rolls were fine in taste but appeared quite messy in presentation.

Once more the waitress was bumbling about and the manager was persistent that we try the home made gelato (a mistake I would not be making this evening).

The all day menu is not sufficient for dinner, the portion sizes are small and the flavours just aren't there.

Lastly, complimentary bread was served (not offered but served) with the main meal, as opposed to before the meal, which is very strange and quite useless. Had we known there was bread we would not have ordered french fries before the food arrived.

Will not be going back.

Counter - Crows Nest

Last week, as per Shadi's insistence that these burgers were fantastic and we must all try them, my party of seven trekked out to Crows Nest to sample 'Counter'.

The American chain is really not much more than a burger place with a small twist.
You're given a clip board and asked to select from 150g, 300g or 450g of beef, chicken, turkey or veg pattie. This determines the starting price of your burger ($13.50, $16.50, $19.50).
You'll then go on to select 4 items from the salads section (any more incur a surcharge and any 'premium salads' too incur a surcharge) a sauce (which is served on the side anyway) and a choice of bun: hamburger, english muffin or wholemeal.

Along with this there's a small menu of american sides including beef and cheese fries, onion rings etc and, for the more health conscious individual, the salad in a bowl (no bread).

After a moderate wait our burgers arrived and silence befell our table as we attempted to cram these massive burgers into our comparatively small mouths.
Mission accomplished though and everyone got through them (some ignoring the sauce entirely whilst others lapped it up).

Probably not worth $13.50 for a burger (with no side salad/chips) but nice for a change (nicer if Crows Nest isn't a 30min drive)

I'd recommend the sun dried tomato vinaigrette as the sauce and chips to share for the table.
I have it on good word that the milkshakes/malts are fantastic but as we were all on a budget that night, none of our party sampled them. Apparently 'peanut butter' is the way to go!

*Image sourced from
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