The Abercrombie - Taco Wednesdays!

If the mid-week grind is getting you down, get a train to Central Station, walk down grimey Broadway st and slip into the Abercrombie for some $3 Tacos and a pint. The place has a funny Scottish/hipster thing going on with some of the weirdest art (Jesus taking heroin with a Mexican guy wtf?) and random crap on the walls. The beer is good, the outdoor area is lax, the music is the raddest, the people are generally cool.

...And then there's the Tacos. Oh, the Tacos. Probably the greatest food related discount I've ever seen, $3 will get you the tastiest treat. I'ts the best taste-to-$ ratio you'll find. There's a Chorizo one, a Chicken one, a Daal one and then there's a Lamb one with marinated cactus!? For desert, deep fried golden gaytime is insanely good.

Overall, a great place to bring a friend or just for a beer and taco after work.

The Lord Nelson Brasserie

This was the first time we've ventured upstairs to the Brasserie in the Nelson and now can't believe we left it so long to try this place.

It's surprisingly light and open upstairs especially when you compare it to the darker old English pub style on the ground level.

The Catch of the Day was John Dorry Fillet on a bed of asparagus and some blend of mustard and cucumber salsa which tasted divine. Other dishes ordered were the Himalayan Spiced Kingfish Curry and the Sirloin Steak with Mash. Not one crumb or drop of sauce was left on either plate.

Having had such a fantastic main we couldn't resist the desert. Dark Chocolate Brownie was a definite winner, the Cardamom Brulee also a hit. The only thing that didn't quite set it off was the overcooked honeycomb crumbles that accompanied the Brulee.

Overall the service and food here was great, highly recommended for a "spoil yourself lunch".  Check out the menu http://www.lordnelsonbrewery.com/restaurant_menu.pdf

Barrio Chino

Dinner at Barrio Chino with the whole team was a definite success.  We arrived early and were able to sit and have cocktails at the front of the restaurant.  From what I hear the cocktails were fantastic, being pregnant I was sadly unable to indulge. 

Once we had all arrived we were shown to our table at the back, there was a nice cosy, relaxed vibe.  Being a large group we were allocated a banquet menu, great idea to avoid delays and hassles.  

The food was fresh, with great flavours and there was a plenty of it with the multiple courses.  The food came with some fabulous condiments, my favourite the chilli, but also accompanied by one very mild Smokey source and a more lime than chilli source.  The pork ribs and chilli corn were definite favourites, however all the Taco’s were demolished pretty too. 

No one left the restaurant hungry, everyone was full and satisfied by the end of the meal.  Great venue for a group, having said that we did go during the week, I imagine this place gets pretty busy at the weekend being in Kings Cross.

http://www.barriochino.com.au/

Curry on the Rocks

My experience at Curry on the Rocks last night left me wanting.

The chicken madras tasted like a stir in sauce, which at $16 i could have made for less, and better at home. The Saag Paneer was tasteless. Literally. I couldn't taste spinach and the cheese had no texture or creaminess. I think that $3 for 3 poppadoms is a bit of a rip off, especially given their size and each accompaniment was $3 too, making poppadoms with 3 sauces $12 in total - and the portions were tiny.

The one re-deeming feature was the wine list. The Pinot Gris from NZ had a fresh, crisp taste and at $26 a bottle its well worth ordering a second. Which i did.

But unfortunately, i don't think i will be going back to Curry on the Rocks in a hurry. Except for their lunch special - $10 for a korma - which is actually very good value and lets be honest, its not hard to cook a korma is it?

Wok Bar Manly

One of my favourite take away places in Manly is Wok bar (not only because it literally is 1 min from my house and I’m lazy, promise ;). I am heavily addicted to dumplings, hmm 2 dumplings a day keep the doctor away, isn’t that how the saying goes...? However wok bar’s tasty steamed dumplings and Yum Cha is only the beginning of what this temple of wok has to offer. The menu consists of exotic flavours of Asian street food from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, China & Japan. Food is cooked fast and fresh from their kitchen which is buzzing with flaming woks and wonderful aromas.
While we at it let’s take a little trip down the lane of Asian food history (oh yes I am full of all sorts of knowledge, surprise, surprise).’Asian Street Foods' aka Hawker street food is a style of Asian cooking originating from the 'open-markets' of Asia selling delicious and inexpensive foods. Foods are cooked in public areas with many stalls specialising in certain specialty dishes. Seating is generally communal with stools and fold up tables. Hawker street foods can usually be found in open public places, near shopping areas or area frequented by many people (thank you google).
So if you’re in Man-Town (Manly) don’t hesitate to immerse yourself in the tastetastic sensation of work bar. Suitable for lunch and dinner (and breakfast ohh yes been there done that and would do it again).

Dumpling Party Time - Din Thai Fung

-not in any way affiliated with din thai fung-

I still remember the first hung-over-yum-cha...

It was early december. It was the start of the christmas season. People had holidays in their minds and a 30°C sun on their skin. Needless to say I had a few too many beers one night and woke up to the roar of a 747 doing its rugular saturday run over my house in Petersham.

Skip a long story short and a few hours later I was down in China twon - Shakilly holding a beer - enjoying what must be the best hangover cure known to man - YUM CHA!

Since those days there has been a new kid on the block - Din Thai Fung.

Whilst it is a huge place filled with hustle and bustle and generally serves a-la-carte rather than with the awesome trolleys I have yet to find a better quality Dumpling in sydney. You tend to miss out on a few things ordering from a menu but it is well worth it!

They claim to serve "the worlds tastiest dumplings" so any lover of dough-covered balls of heaven must give it a try.

Remember to get some gree

Added Bonus:
It now has 3 locations:
-The 'Star' Casino
-Sydney City Westfield
-World Square.

http://www.dintaifungaustralia.com.au/

Marcs Trip to the Sydney Aquarium :)

Sydney Aquarium is lots of fun, especially when it isn't overly crowded.

Highlights include glass atriums where you can stand amongst the Sharks, Giant Turtles and Dew-gongs. Other highlights are the fluro Jelly Fish, Turtles that follow your finger and the Giant glass looking window at the end.

Great fun if you have a tourist that needs some showing around, or if you need a lil inspiration in your life.

I'd recommend going at the end of the day and just sit at the final Giant Glass looking window and relax for a bit! Then Head off to Helm Bar across the Wharf and have a Beer! They've usually got a special on a bucket of Coronas or house tap beers :)

Created with flickr slideshow.

Hectic Hurricane's Grill & Bar

Yo ma peeps!

Feeling a little hungry of late, well I have the lunch option that will keep you from starvation and probably full 2 weeks later or completely addicted.

There is a list of things to eat at this location, but only one worth talking about. That is, the Hurricane's Beef, Lamb or Pork ribs... mmmmmm can you taste it already?

The option's are Half rack or Full rack, which will come down to the question --

How much of a man are you really?

OR

The consideration of just a $10 difference between the two.

OR

Your out with a publisher & cost doesn't really come to mind - what-so-ever.

Another exciting part of this adventure is the opportunity to wear a BIB! yes a BIB! Usually worn by a child. But a completely unique experience which allows you to let your hair down a little :) Here's a photo of my first experience, and a glimpse of my blonde life. Much more intelligent now :P

Enjoy!

Bar 100

Bar100, creatively named after it's address at 100 George street, The Rocks, is a new exciting venue spanning three levels of bars, dining and function spaces.

Previously the Mariners Church, this heritage building has sweeping views over the Overseas Passenger Terminal towards the Harbour.

The Main bar on Level 2 has a "Thursday night Greenwood" feel to it with Cathedral high ceilings, sandstone walls and leather covered booths surrounds, which I'm sure many of you will appreciate ;)

Other attractions to Bar100 may include the VIP '1909' Bar upstairs access via elevator (pimping), the 8 Brothers brasserie specialising in wood-fire pizzas which are really enjoyable. Function areas include the Chapel and outdoor terrace areas.

The atmosphere so far at Bar100 has been building week on week as more people hear about this new local attraction. I feel in the weeks to come it will have a great buzz going on a Friday arvo and go through till the wee hours of Sunday morning!

Mr Chows

Mr Chows officially* serves the best Peking Duck in the Southern Hemisphere.

When you order a whole duck you get the choice of Duck San choy Bow or Duck Noodles as an entree followed by the infamous pancakes with hoisin sauce as a main. A whole duck is best between 3, but can easily stretch to 4 people with another side dish.

For desert they also do an amazing banana in batter concoction which is beautiful!

Don't be put off by the service, which can be bad in busy periods (on a Friday). Its also one of the few BYO restaurants in the area.

If you go, please extend an invite to me, as i am always open to a duck lunch.

*Based on a survey of 3