Good Food Month: Momofuku Seiobo & Signorelli Gastronomia, Pyrmont

October could possibly be the most exciting month of the year. It's more than a lead up to the holiday season because in Sydney, this is the Good Food Month. A time to embrace all things edible and try something new.

Momofuku Ssam Bar, Momofuku Seiobo

As part of the "Hats Off Dinners" for Good Food Month 2014, Momofuku Seiobo is giving us a blast from the past: Momofuku Ssam Bar 2007 - a la carte, no bookings, best of New York's Ssam Bar menu from 2007.

Queue outside Momofuku at 6:00 PM

Credits go to the Pianoman for discovering this event. It is such a rare opportunity to go to a '3 hatter' with spontaneity and no fixed menu. That was all the excuse we needed, friday night, myself and 4 foodie friends join the queue for Momofuku.

The ambience wasn't what I'd expect from a 'three hat' restaurant. In fact we saw a family of 4 (incl two young children) occupying a table nearby - which sparked a can of worms topic: "Young children at fine dining establishments?" Momofuku had a wonderfully friendly atmosphere, different to other 3 hatter's but very welcoming and refreshing. It was obvious they were exceptionally busy on this night though, as waiters were run off their feet. On several occasions, we were hard pushed to get someone's attention.

Ssam Bar 2007 Menu

Unfortunately we had to split tables, so we sampled a smaller selection than we had hoped. But this was somewhat expected of special event dinners.

Steamed Buns - pork belly, hoisin, cucumber, scallions $18 (for 2 buns)

The signature pork bun. Easily the most highly anticipated dish of the night. We were so eager for this, Pianoman and I made a number of 'back up plans' to feast on imitations of the pork bun if we hadn't gotten into Momofuku. And it was wonderful indeed. I find it perplexing how such simple flavours became such a global phenomenon, but it is that simply amalgamation of the 'bao' and 'peking duck' flavours and the melt-in-you-mouth pork belly that just hits the spot.

Pan-Roasted Asparagus - poached egg, miso butter $19

I just had to order something with egg. A good restaurant, cooks a good egg - that's my golden rule. This asparagus dish is wonderful and light. They were rather generous with the miso base, which got a little salty towards the end. I could happily eat those aparagus with just the egg.

Tello's Chawan Mushi - black truffle, snails, edamame, scallion $28

The egg was so incredibly smooth and delicious. Once again, we felt they were a little generous with the snail and truffle sauce. I guess we just have a subtle palate? But the sauce did get a little overpowering after a couple of spoonfuls.

Marinated Hanger Steak Ssam - ginger scallion, kimchi, bibb lettuce $32

An absolutely perfectly cooked steak! Intended to be eaten with kimchi, scallions, wrapped in lettuce. Sounds familiar? 'What's that? Korean BBQ you say?' Did remind us a little of that. But the quality is unquestionable in this dish.

Rice Cakes - Pork sausage, kale, kimchi $20

Possibly my favourite dish of the night is the ddukbokkie. It tastes like spag bol + kimchi with rice cakes! (David Chang will shake his head at this comment I know). Pianoman and Ms Strawberry both agree, but we loved it!! The flavours really work. Ms Strawberry and I almost fought over the last piece.

Contributions from Will-Eat-Yum*:

Spicy Honeycomb Tripe $18

Pig's Head Torchon - mustard, pickled cherries $21

Squid Salad - ginger scallion $16

Smoked Prosciutto - red eye mayo, baguette $15

These were dishes the boy's table ordered. I can't say too much as I didn't eat all of them myself. I tried some of the squid salad. It was a pity I didn't get to try the tripe, Pianoman and Will-Eat-Yum both agree this was the most outstanding of that night. 

Let's Do Dessert, Signorelli Gastronomia

Previously called 'Sugar Hit'(s), 'Let's Do Dessert' is a signature event every year, when hotel restaurants open their doors and offer dessert plus a glass of wine for $20. And we couldn't think of a better way to end the night

This year, Signorelli Gastronomia offers "Il Giardino Verticale" - the vertical garden.

Il Giardino Verticale - Frozen nougat, rose blossom loukoum,
 lychee jelly, raspberry yolk and pistachio wall $20 (incl wine)

Each one so delicate, so perfect, filled with a creative array of textures and flavours. And it tasted as good as it looked! I wish there was more lychee jelly as this was my favourite part. The green hard candy antennas were good fun too. It gave us something to suck on, long after we'd finished our dessert. 

A most wonderful night, probably not a dinner I would repeat in a hurry, but it was enjoyable fine dining nonetheless. And dear readers, do you have any 'Good Food Month' experiences to share?


*Credits: Photo donations from good friend Will-Eat-Yum. Thank you for your contributions.
All meals independantly paid for.