RESTAURANT: Faheem’s Fast Food

Type: Indian, Pakistani
Location: 196 Enmore Rd, Enmore
Booking Required: No bookings

God I love Faheem’s. It’s my local Indian take away and it’s one of the best Indian take-aways I’ve ever had. The food is a tad oily but for the price I am yet to see it matched elsewhere. The haleem curry with a kashmiri naan from here is hard to beat. Especially if you follow it up with some chicken tikka.

Yes the food is oily and no it’s nice an attractive place to eat, so get some take away, take it home, get plenty of naan to soak up the oil, crack a bottle and enjoy. And you know it won’t hurt your bank balance as well.

RATING: Will constantly return to

RESTAURANT: Arabella

Type: Lebanese
Location: 489 King St, Newtown
Booking Required: Sometimes
http://www.arabella.com.au/

Arabella is a bit of a so-so place. Nothing about it really grabs you. The food isn’t bad, but the rest is a bit average. The wine list is poor, the service can be a bit patchy, the televisions in the room really detract from the ambiance and they seem to really pack group bookings in. To the point where I don’t know how someone can physically fit in such a small seat.

It’s main strength is that it’s a no fuss place. If you’re in the area and want something that isn’t Thai then you can come here with a couple of friends, get a banquet (around $40) and know you’ll be well fed.

RATING: Okay, may go back

RESTAURANT: Sussex Thai

Type: Thai
Location: 321 Sussex St, Sydney
Booking Required: Sometimes
http://www.sussexthai.com.au/

Thai food has become so common in the Sydney landscape that it’s hard for a restaurant to really stick out and make you want to go back. Sussex Thai manages to do that.

They do it by offering good food, at a good price in a nice location with good service. Nothing is outstanding, but the total package is hard to fault.

The entrees are really quite delicious here and whenever I come I usually get a mix of those. The chicken in banana leaves has a fantastic flavour to it and is one that I’ll always order. The mains can be a little hit and miss though. Their curries are sublime and the garlic soft shell crab an absolute monster of a dish (they must have an entire bulb of garlic on it), but the scampi wasn’t great and the stir fried pork belly is nice but almost prohibitively spicy.

But whatever you do order, it’s never a terrible disappointment, and you know that the next dish will be better.

RATING: Will return to

RESTAURANT: Kura

Type: Japanese
Location: 76 Ultimo Rd, Haymarket
Booking Required: No bookings

There is something about this place that is just awesome. Really. The place is tiny. It only seats about 12 people and there are usually half a dozen chefs cramped into the impossibly small kitchen. I don’t know how they do it. I’ve seen bigger news stands in the city.

But in addition to defying the laws of physics, they also make some really good Japanese food for a great price. Really satisfying raman noodle soups, delicious takoyaki, Moorish fried salmon skin and great sashimi for the price.

Service is lightening quick, so don’t ponder over your choice for long. Just think of something and stick with it. Chances are you’ll like it. I’m yet to be disappointed with anything I’ve gotten there and I have it as one of my few trusted places for food.

Ignore the queue and get in the line if you’re after a quick, cheap bite in Haymarket. There may be places doing things better than Kura, but everything Kura does is consistently good and for a great price.

RATING: Will return to

EVENT: The Sydney Royal Wine Show

February 16, 2008
Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
Cost: $55 at the door ($50 pre-sale)
http://www.sydneyroyalshows.com.au/wdff/wine/index.html

Last year we had so much fun that we decided to go again for some serious tasting. And boy am I happy that we did return, because it was even better. Last year the entry price gave you the chance to try 18 medal winning wines, and as many non-medal winning wines as you wanted. This year you could try whatever you wanted and as much as you wanted. Last year the challenge was to allocate your tasting allowance on your favourite categories and those wines that interested you. This year, the hardest decision was what to try next.

After getting a few Aussies sparkling I’m yet to try out of the way (Houghton’s Pemberton sparkling was a good surprise) and moving through some other categories, I decided that it would be fun to put my effort towards my favourite categories. And so I did. From sweet white wines to muscats to ports to brandies, I tried everything sweet, fortified or late harvested that they had in that room. McWilliam’s took my award of the day for two utterly sublime wines in the Hanwood Tokay 2 and the Hanwood Grand Tawny.

Another improvement on last year was the introduction of the Trophey Room, where you could enter for a limited amount of time and try all of the wines that won trophies at the event. This gave everyone a chance to try everything they wanted and made sure there were no crowds around some areas.

Once again it was good to see what some of my favourite producers were awarded. I was really pleased to see that Banrock Station’s The Reserve sparkling wine picked up a very well deserved silver medal. Blue Pyrenees Estate were also well rewarded for some of their better wines.

Produce from the Royal Food Show was also impressive with a great selection of dips, meats, nougat and bread on offer.

This event is simply a must for anyone who takes their wine seriously and wants the opportunity to try a lot of the better wines coming out of this country all in the one room.

WINE: YARRA BURN Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Meunier 2005

Type: Sparkling
Origin: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Approx Cost: $25
http://www.yarraburn.com.au/

I’ve been neglecting this blog horribly lately, so I suppose a gesture of good will is in order. Yes, I will review a cheap sparkling wine. That will make you all happy. Yes.

It pours with a good mousse and has quite a fine bead.

It’s always a worry to see a cheaper sparkling wine have all three of the traditional grapes included. Almost as if it wasn’t a good wine with pinot noir and chardonnay so they scraped some pinot meuniere together and decided to add that in.

It smells average, with a bit of citrus and yeast fighting for dominance. And that’s pretty much it. Citrus and yeast on the palate with a bit of a toasty edge. But really not that impressive.

It’s not going to disappoint terribly for the price, but it won’t impress.

Welcome back.

82%

RESTAURANT: Chan’s Garden

Type: Chinese, Asian
Location: 78 Burwood Rd, Burwood
Booking Required: Sometimes

I went here months ago. So why not do a review now? Sure, okay.

Not a lot to write home about. It’s a fairly standard suburban Chinese joint. Bigger than the norm and nicely laid out.

The service was a little patchy, with dishes either taking too long to arrive or all arriving at once. But it was friendly throughout.

Most importantly, the food. Quite good, but lacking anything special. We had a pretty wide selection and nothing jumped out at me too much.

If I lived in Burwood I’d get takeaway from this place, but I can’t see myself going there to dine again. Especially with so many other interesting Asian places in Burwood begging to be tried. And I certainly haven't felt any pangs to return in the months since I first visited.

RATING: Will probably not return to

WINE: JACQUESSON Avize Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 1996

Type: Champagne
Origin: France
Approx Cost: $140
http://www.champagnejacquesson.com/eng/index.htm

The NV from Jacquesson impressed me enough to go out and try this. Quite glad I did.

From the moment this is poured you can see it’s going to be creamy and full of honey-like flavours. But there is a lot more than meets the eye with this one. Along with the honey are some delicious fruits like lemon and peach, a bit of nut and a toasty edge.

It’s REALLY foamy at the moment, so it could use a few years to cellar, but then it is going to be a fantastic wine.

Beautiful finish. I was still tasting it for a long time after the last drop had gone.

93%

RECIPE: The 12 Animal Pizza

I'm trying to champion the cause of extreme cooking. We have slow food, where the aim is to cook and savour food slowly, and I think extreme food fills the niche where every item made is an affront to God and every bite consumed is a triumph of human spirit.

This has led to the 12 Cheese Pizza and the 16 Chocolate Cheesecake (can't be bothered linking them, sorry) and now... the 12 Animal Pizza



Ingredients:
- Pizza dough (recipe stolen from Not Quite Nigella)
- 12 animals (cow, pig, chicken, turkey, lamb, buffalo, duck, quail, crocodile, kangaroo, venison and poussin)
- Pizza sauce
- Cheese
- Some herbage (garlic, oregano)

Recipe:
Make a pizza from the above ingredients.

The key to getting a crispy base is to make your pizza on baking paper, then slide it onto a tray that has already been in the oven on a high heat (around 220).

RESTAURANT: Ramen Kan

Type: Japanese
Location: Level 1, 90 Hay St, Haymarket
Booking Required: Rarely.

I very nearly didn’t go here. Someone had recommended it to Calypso and we were totally stumped trying to find it. Surely it’s not accessed by this extremely dodgy looking freight lift?

It is.

But once we got out of the creepy lift and got into the restaurant all was well. It’s actually an extremely handsome restaurant for what is essentially a ramen joint. Nice floors, nice tables, a little rock garden sort of thing running through the restaurant, tiers. Nice.

We got into gyoza and their special ramen. All was very tasty. I wouldn’t say exceptional, but very solid and well priced. In a nice, comfortable, relaxed setting this all adds up to a good meal.

They also have a store in Bondi which is apparently better, and I’ve heard there is another store somewhere. No idea where.

RATING: Okay, may go back

RESTAURANT: India Times

Type: Indian
Location: Morts Road, Mortdale
Booking Required: Sometimes

Ah, the old local Indian joint. Many splendid take-aways and many delicious dine-ins have been had over the last few years here.

Sadly, moved away from there and haven’t had it for many months. Still, the memories live on.

Memories of perfectly spiced onion baji with cooling mint sauce, of one of the best butter chickens around, of the legendary dahl of the day, the sensational lamb saag and of the countless other curries that impressed.

The best Indian restaurant in the region that I’ve had, and definitely up there with some of the best in Sydney I’ve had.

RATING: Will return to

EVENT: The Sydney Food and Wine Fair 2007

October 27, 2007
Hyde Park, Sydney
Website

Once again we find ourselves at the end of another Sydney Good Food Month, finishing up with the Sydney Food and Wine Fair. And this year it's a monster. Top names like Longrain, Spice I Am, Otto, Lucio's, Flying Fish, Salon Blanc, Becasse and many many more rocked up to showcase their stall-ly ways on the day.

And what a fantastic day it turned out to be. The coupon system they used, which involved queueing up to buy coupons which is what the stalls accepted, worked perfectly and meant that there was only a lengthy wait for a couple of the more popular stalls.

Sydney put on a gloriously sunny day too, which provided the perfect backdrop for the food aromas and live music that drifted around and mingled.

While the wine on offer wasn't that great (as expected really), the food certainly was. Becasse offered a delicious chunk of smoked trout with tea vinaigrette and radish salad, Longrain made the long wait at their stall worth it with a perfectly tangy BBQ pork noodle salad, bill's offered a pretty handsome looking berry pavlova. Long lines also made their way out of Lucio's for the roasted quail and Bourke St Bakery who were offering some awesome looking pastries that disappeared after only an hour.

There was temptation all round and the only way to survive the day was to be brutal with how you spent your hard earned money... err... coupons.

Great food, great weather, nice location, not too much hassle, good value and all for a good cause. I don't know what more anyone could possibly want.

WINE:LOUIS ROEDERER Cristal 1999

Type: Champagne
Origin: France
Approx Cost: $320
http://www.champagne-roederer.com/

Cristal has been something I’ve wanted to try for a very long time. So it was good that I finally got the chance with a bottle to accompany a fantastic meal of various foods from the wonderful David Jones Food Hall.

A mid straw colour that shows it’s youth but also hints at the big flavours in the glass. Fine mousse and bead as you’d expect. Big, great nose. An explosion of bread, dough, vanilla, flower, orange and nuts. Wow it’s good. And it follows through to the palate which is really rich on the honey, lemon and baked fruits. Super creamy. It still tastes tight, so I’d love to come back in about 10 years to get this, but it’s still fantastic right now. It’s not perfect, but damn it ticks a lot of boxes.

96%

WINE: BILLECART-SALMON Brut NV

Type: Champagne
Origin: France
Approx Cost: $70
http://www.champagne-billecart.fr/

The NV Rose by Billecart-Salmon is my favourite NV Rose by a long way. It’s a really excellent wine with a great style to it. The Brut NV, however, has always fallen a bit short for me. It has a great style to it but there’s just something lacking with it.

Pale straw in colour. That great mousse and bead which is fine but doesn’t persist for too long this time. This tasting was from a half bottle so that may have been responsible. Aromas of honey and citrus. Nice flavours of apple, citrus and honey. Creamy texture. Looking great so far, but then the finish lets it down a little.

Don’t get me wrong, this is still a really good non-vintage champagne. It’s just not great.

89%

WINE: WITHER HILLS Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Type: White, Sauvignon Blanc
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Approx Cost: $25
http://www.witherhills.co.nz

Another Malrborough Sav Blanc. Let’s roll with it.

Pale straw in colour. The palate is pretty full on. Spicy oak, buckets of limey citrus, a bit of foliage and a lot of tartness.

This was a bit too tart and vibrant for my liking.

84%

WINE: BIMBADGEN RIDGE Sparkling Semillon NV

Type: Sparkling white
Origin: Hunter Valley, NSW
Approx Cost: $15
http://www.bimbadgen.com.au/

The only sparkling white that Bimbadgen make across all of their ranges, if I’m not mistaken. But whatever, I’m always keen to try a new sparkling wine that I haven’t had before. And a sparkling semillon. Awesome.

Surprisingly medium-fine mousse and bead. The bead dies out pretty quickly which isn’t a great sign. Pale straw in colour, but it looks a little weak. Palate is a bit boring. Heavy with the lime and a background of lemon. Some floral notes in there. Toasty. But a really weak, unrefined finish.

It’s good for the price, but it certainly doesn’t compete with many things above that price range.

83%

WINE: SEPPELT DP63 Muscat NV

Type: Fortified, Muscat
Origin: Rutherglen, Victoria
Approx Cost: $30
http://www.seppelt.com.au/

The muscat ride continues with one of Australia’s best known wineries.

Brown amber with green edges and gold flecks. Very tasty. Brown sugar, sultana, fruit pudding, caramel. Nice, lingering finish.

It’s not exceptional, but it’s very nice and fantastic value.

89%

WINE: MORRIS Liqueur Muscat NV

Type: Fortified, Muscat
Origin: Rutherglen, Victoria
Approx Cost: $20 (500 ml)
http://www.morriswines.com

Finally stop on the Morris fortified train and we’re left standing at muscat station. I quite like muscats so I was looking forward to this.

Reddy-gold amber. Nice flavours of orange, marmalade and raisin. Nice finish, but it’s a little hollow.

Really good for an entry level muscat, but lacking anything exceptional to take it up. Still, I know I’d get it again when on the lookout for a cheap muscat.

88%

WINE: BROKENWOOD Semillon 2005

Type: White, Semillon
Origin: Hunter Valley, NSW
Approx Cost: $25
http://www.brokenwood.com.au/

Very clear gold. Almost transparent. Inviting nose. Crisp citrus flavours and some creamy oak in the background and a little grass.

It’s refreshing, no fuss and good value. I like it.

88%

WINE: BEELGARA ESTATE “Bianca” Sun Dried Botrytis Semillon 2004

Type: Dessert, Sweet, White
Origin: Riverina, NSW
Approx Cost: $20 (375ml)
http://www.beelgaraestate.com.au/

My purchase of this wine has somehow entered the folklore of this house and my housemates will not let up about it. “Apparently” the chick (who looked like an elf) that sold it to me was trying to crack on to me (running game pretty hard), but I was taking no notice as I was too consumed with the case of port under the counter or, as one housemate thought, I was staring at the floor.

But what I do recall of that evening was her saying that this was a very nice drop. And I’d tend to agree. I have no idea if it was actually “sun dried” more than a normal sweet Semillon, but it did look and taste a lot more concentrated than normal. Nice nose. Palate was a good mix of apple, citrus, orange, marmalade and sultana. All flavours were very intense. And I think that’s what let it down. It was a very tasty wine, but the flavours were a little out of balance. I wouldn’t regret buying it, but at the price there is a lot of strong(er) competition.

Like my chance at love, my rating for this wine was misplaced that night. But from memory it was around...

88%