Hotel Bondi, Bondi Beach

Back in Jun, MSG Cafeteria was approached by Hotel Bondi to drop by and sample some of their new bistro menu. So on the date of our booking, Whitty and I made the trek out to Bondi from the city after a brief stop by Zero Degrees to try their puffer fish. As we arrived at Bondi Beach early, we ended up walking along the promenade so that Whitty could go Pokemon hunting - apparently there were a lot of "rats and pigeons" around, as well as an occasional Psyduck if you're lucky.

Outside of Hotel

Whitty and I met up with the manager of Hotel Bondi, Ralph, who explained how the hotel had been renovated back in Dec 2015 - complete with new floors, paint job, new furniture and lighting. It certainly looked worth it! There were some awesome LED chandeliers at the main entrance for the hotel and more interesting lights spread throughout the bistro and bar area to provide dim lighting for guests. There was ample table seating inside as well as a pool/TV room. Apparently, Hotel Bondi previously leased out their kitchen but took the kitchen back in Mar 2016 so they're now serving their own food, complete with a new bistro menu.

The Foodie's Guide to Kingsford

This post is dedicated to uni days, lone student diners and budget meals around Kingsford. Listed in no particular order are some popular eats around UNSW in Kingsford on ANZAC parade. Uncle G and I spent a semester collecting these reviews so we hope you enjoy. 

Albee's Kitchen (Malaysian)

I've been to Albee's Kitchen in Campsie, so their menu is not unfamiliar to me. At this place you can expect a good variety, good portion size and reasonable pricing. The food is probably not as refined and service is slightly lacking.

I ordered the Hainanese Chicken. As you can see the serving is definitely generous!! But you can also see... Is that sweet chilli sauce?! That was truly disappointing... especially seeing as the staff were too busy cleaning and preparing to close to pay attention to my needs. I later saw they did have the correct chilli sauce on another patron's table. Guess I just got the short straw?

Uncle G ordered the Laksa. Again it was a big serving, very rich and chockablock full of noodles and chicken, egg and other regular laksa essentials. I personally found it too rich for my liking. I preferred my Albee's Kitchen experience in Campsie. 

So Good Kitchen (Chinese)

So Good Kitchen is a bit further down Anzac pde. What drew me to this place was the promise of '鸡公煲 (Chicken Hot Pot). I haven't seen this dish elsewhere in Sydney yet and do hope its available more readily soon!

What is Chicken hot pot? A sizzling pot of chicken stew, intensely aromatic from lots of onions, garlic, chilli and veges in a soy base. Depending on the size you order, the whole or half chicken is chopped into pieces and cooked on the bone to keep the meat tender and extract all those umami flavours into the sauce.

The ordering process is much like hot pot. Pick the size of your chicken dish, level of spice (we went for medium) and extras to cook in the sauce hot pot style after the chicken is finished.

Our chicken stew arrives and does not disappoint! Flavoursome and aromatic, you can smell it from a mile away!

We finish off the chicken, then its time for the extras! Uncle G gets his usual fix of extra meat - but personally I feel the carbs and veges soak up the flavours of the sauce perfectly. Ask the waiter to add stock to your chicken pot once your done with the chicken, then let the extras simmer in the hot pot.

Tasty Eating House (Chinese)

Probably one of the poorer chinese restaurants on the strip. We found the dishes here similar to what its neighbours had to offer but its flavours weren't quite spot on.

We ordered the 'mouth watering chicken'. Though it looked authentic, the sauce and chicken pieces were somewhat flavourless. Maybe because the chicken was cut to big?

Uncle G got the curry beef noodle soup. Again, the curry flavours weren't strong enough for my liking. My own noodles were somewhat bland also.

Everise (Northern Chinese)

Unfortunately I don't have photos of this place. Which doesn't do the restaurant justice as it is probably the single restaurant we frequented the most over the semester. This eatery specialises in Northern Chinese cuisine. Our favourites are the diced beef noodle stir fry and the 大盘鸡 (w added noodles). We've also tried their dumplings, lamb roll, soup noodles, chive cakes, spicy chicken stir fry etc.  

Sinma Laksa House (Singaporean/Malaysian)

So prior to my Singapore trip, I really really wanted to try Singapore chilli crab, so we found this place in Kensington. The kebabs here are quite authentic, with a lovely satay sauce and served with Ketupat (or lontong). These are pressed rice cakes are commonly served with satay sticks in Singapore but rarely seen in Sydney.

We got beer fried chicken, pepper beef and sambal prawns also. But I personally would miss the stir fry dishes next time - especially the prawns which our whole table was disappointed in. There wasn't enough prawns to go around a group of 7.

And time for the main event - the Chilli Crab!! The crab was plump and saucy - at the time of dining - it did not disappoint! (Although after having it in Singapore - the Sydney version doesn't quite measure up). The sauce itself is much sweeter than spicy, with distinct ginger tones. Perfect when mopped up with deep fried sweet asian buns. These were so good we had to order seconds! 

Passionflower (Dessert)

On the same night, we wrapped up dinner with dessert at Passionflower. Check out the crazy stash of ice cream!!!! Assorted flavours including green tea matcha, black sesame, thai milk tea, sticky rice, lychee and rose, cookies and cream, taro etc.

Pedalling Street (Malaysian)

Yumm... sometimes there's nothing better than a Char kuew teow. I prefer the Kuew Teow in Sydney to that in Singapore and Pedalling Street lives up to expectations. A good serving size, plenty of prawns, egg and flavoursome toppings. 

The beef rendang was good too. I didn't have too much but Uncle G vouches for the quantity of meat and rich flavours.

Manpuku (Ramen)

I've done a number of posts about Manpuku now. Everyone probably knows by now - ok so Aunt T loves Manpuku. So enough said about this place.

Miss Yu's (Taiwanese)

Business at 'Little Food Republic' has steady slipped down hill over the last 3 years. Most of the restaurants within are not even open anymore? (Not sure if this is 100% correct as they haven't been pulled down but they're not open at dinner time either?)

The exception to this is the relatively new Miss Yu's stand at the very front of the row of eateries. They specialise in in food on a stick and Taiwanese cuisine. I personally haven't tried many of their options.

Everytime I come here I always get the same braised beef noodle soup, because I'm in love with it! Sure its not top notch in most people's books but I love the flavours! There's often nothing I feel like more! It's a little bit spicy, lots of umami, got a good texture in the noodles and cheap cheap cheap!

Taiwanese Express (Taiwanese)

I was excited when I first saw this place and its bento boxes and traditional taiwanese of menu choices. It has snacks, rice and noodle dishes  - just like how I remember Taiwan!

I ordered the 鲁肉饭 with crispy chicken and a green tea. The 鲁肉饭 was just ok - it doesn't quite measure up to expectations, not even compared to some of place around Sydney. I recently visited Hu's Inn in Chatswood which does a much better rendition. I prefer when they use chopped pork belly rather than pork mince - the pork just isn't fatty and melty enough.

Mamak Village (Malaysian)

This is where you go when you've got a fraction of an hour before class and want a quick snack. I do warn you though, this isn't Mamak as you know it - I wouldn't go expecting the same quality of food as in Chinatown.

 Roti with 2 curry dips for only $5!!!! That's a student deal perfect for winter snacking!

Catalina, Rose Bay

 A few weeks ago we were fortunate enough to attend a gorgeous wedding at the Catalina, Rose Bay.
The venue was stunning! A terrific function setting especially in summer, to take full advantage of the long daylight hours and the bay views before the sun sets.

The stylish room itself fits around 140, without view obstructing pillars (which wins a point in my books) so all the guests feel part of the action. You can find more details about this venue on the Catalina website.

Upon trying the canapes, it is apparent why this restaurant has won numerous awards. Waiters greeted guests with fresh plump seared scallops and smoked salmon bites. I couldn't help but get an extra scallop! They were divine.

The followings are the dishes we were served.

Salad of poached tiger prawns, avocado, fennel and harissa dressing; lime aioli

Vitello tonnato – poached veal fillet, potato gratin, tuna mayonnaise and rocket

I was anticipating alternate service but was most impressed when we were told all guests could choose which entree and main they were served. I went with the prawn and Uncle G chose the veal . We were divided on which we thought was our favourite because they were both SOOO good!

Crispy skin salmon with a salad of blood orange, shaved fennel, toasted walnuts;
 orange reduction sauce

Caramelised pork belly with endives and apple sauce

Cheesy porcini and king mushroom risotto with parmesan crisps

 This was during my odd "unwell" phase, so instead of the salmon and pork belly, I opted for the vegetarian option. I have to say, it was giant serving of risotto, but it was cooked to perfection.

The desserts were served alternately. I was glad I got the raspberry semifreddo! It had just the sour zing I enjoy ending a meal with. Then just as I was halfway through dessert, we saw fireworks! Woohooo!

Catalina Rose Bay definitely impressed me as a wedding venue. Great views, food, service and the added bonus of easy parking for the guests. I'm keen to visit again for a nice late lunch one day.