Simon Food Favourites

31 May 2023

Chiptastic eats in Chatswood

One of the most common bar snacks you’ll find in any Aussie pub is the humble bowl of hot chips that’s perfect for sharing the carbs. Joined with my family we discover 5 different styles of chips to be found in Chatswood. I’ve definitely had my fair share of this guilty pleasure as you’ll see on Simon Food Favourites so please let me know if you have any of your own favourite recommendations for me to try.

Chelsea Hotel

14 Railway St, Chatswood NSW 2067

Chelsea Hotel provides a tucked away escape in their upstairs bar oasis where you’ll find the quintessential Chips & gravy ($12). A generous serve of hot and crispy chips that will always go well with a drink. For those wanting something a bit more adventurous but equally delicious, you must try the Waffle chips, chilli & sour cream ($12). A lattice work of crisp and tasty addictiveness. These are a personal favourite temptation whenever I spot them on a menu.

465 The Avenue

465 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067

465 The Avenue décor is reminiscent of a 1920’s cabaret and theatre, complete with lofty ceilings and an enormous crystal chandelier in the centre of the restaurant space. For those keen for a more cheesy salty chip be sure to order the Beer Battered Chips, sea salt, aioli ($11) with the option of truffle oil & parmesan cheese ($3).

The Orchard Hotel

455 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Newly renovated and centrally located next to the train station, The Orchard Hotel features plenty of dining areas to suit everyone including a beer garden. A classic style Super Crunch Chips with aioli ($11) is served hot and crispy. The aioli is noticeably soft and creamy in texture and a step up from the usual.

The Great Northern Hotel

522 Pacific Hwy, Chatswood NSW 2067

A local institution on the North Shore for over 100 years, The Great Northern Hotel includes a cosy indoor fireplace area and outdoor beer gardens. Sweet Potato Fries with beetroot aioli ($13) were definitely a crowd pleaser and something a bit different to the usual white potato chip.

30 May 2022

Sponsored Post: Prawntastic eats to try in Chatswood (May 2022)

Discover the best of ... @ Visit Chatswood

Prawntastic Eats to Try @ Visit Chatswood

Prawntastic eats in Chatswood

I’ve been a long time lover of prawns, as you’ll see on Simon Food Favourites and I’m a big fan of just the simple and classic fresh cooked prawns with some lemon and seafood sauce. But they’re also a versatile ingredient for dishes and tend to be a good carrier of flavour so I searched for a few noteworthy prawn dishes in Chatswood to tempt other prawn enthusiasts.

Chat Thai @chatthai_official

Shop 12, Chatswood Place, 260 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Goong mar kham - Tempura King Prawns, tamarind sauce, fried shallots and smoked chillies ($26, 4 pieces) is a great tasting dish with thin and crispy batter and a good amount of tamarind sauce. Serves well as an entrée to share or just enjoy all to yourself with perhaps a green papaya salad.

Amah by Ho Jiak @amah.hojiak

Chatswood Interchange Level 3 K1 & K2, 436 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Wok fried king prawns with dried sarawak black pepper curry ($37) is served with ten large sized prawns that capture all the flavour from the sauce with a good char and aren’t too spicy. I’d definitely be happy to order this again and it goes well with a bowl of steamed rice. The dish is part of the Amah Tasting Menu so it must be a dish the restaurant is proud to serve as one of their signature dishes. Another dish I spotted worth keeping note of is the Salted Duck Egg King Prawns which I’m sure will be a crowd pleaser for any Malaysian.

Mama Mulan @mamamulanrestaurant

Level 1, The Concourse, Chatswood NSW 2067

Salt & Pepper XL King Prawns ($36, 4 pieces) is quite the sight when served at the table. The prawn is encased in a crisp batter and looks massive. Once you peel away the prawn head and batter you’re left with the juicy meat ready to dip in the crispy flavoured crumbs. Be sure not to burn your fingers while peeling away the hot batter. Plastic gloves and tongs provided but it’s a finger-licking dish so I recommend enjoying it how nature intended — with your fingers. It’s definitely a dish to share and go easy on the batter to save room for other dishes.

Lilong by Taste of Shanghai @lilongrestaurant

Shop 68, Chatswood Interchange Level 3/436 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

For a bit of table theatre of sight, smell and sound the Garlic King Prawns served on a sizzling plate ($30.80) hits the spot. Ten prawns mixed with snow peas, carrot, onion and wood ear mushroom are smothered with garlic. If garlic isn’t quite your thing I was also tempted by the King prawns flash fried in XO sauce served with vermicelli and Prawn and rice crackers in sweet and sour sauce which both sounded pretty good as well — maybe for next time.

Sushi Kaido @sushikaido

7/376 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

I must say Sushi Kaido is such a highly popular Japanese restaurant with queues always outside so plan your visit well to avoid the crowd or grab a number from service and prepare to wait. Once you’re seated in the inner sanctum you’ll soon understand why it’s so popular with every dish freshly made to order by the meticulous chefs. There’s plenty of prawn options like Pink Prawn Aburi ($7) and Cheese Aburi Prawn ($8) which are great but I’d also recommend the Prawn Tempura ($4.30) if you love a bit of deep fried panko crumbing. I also tried the Ebi fry ($6), Prawn salad ship ($4.80) and Prawn nigiri ($4.80) that were also good additions to the prawntastic eating feast for one. I look forward to revisiting to try more of the menu.

Sponsored Post: Babyccinos to please the little one in Chatswood (May 2022)

Discover the best of ... @ Visit Chatswood

Babyccinos to please the little one @ Visit Chatswood

Babyccinos in Chatswood

As a dad of two girls I’m no stranger to ordering a few babyccinos in my time. Actually you’ll find over 130 of them reviewed on Simon Food Favourites from all over Sydney. It’s definitely helped to entertain them while I grab a few quick moments to enjoy a coffee but I’ve also learnt not all babyccinos are made equal. Here’s some of the ones I’ve discovered in Chatswood worth keeping in mind.

DOKI DOKI @dokidoki.chatswood

Shop 4/409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

DOKI DOKI are doing a great Babyccino ($1.80) and tick many of the boxes you’d want to see. Paper cup — so there’s nothing to break — some cute smiley art with chocolate sauce, colourful sprinkles, and a marshmallow on the side. It’s about one third froth so you’ll still need to keep an eye on your little one if their motor skills are still in their infancy. Lovely polite service and has a nice quiet outlook towards The Concourse.

Sugar ’n Spice @sugarnspicecc

Shop G56, Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre 345 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Another creative Babyccino ($3) with plenty of colour, and sugar, is from Sugar ’n Spice. You’ll find it’s mostly froth which will always help minimise spillage if the paper cup is accidentally knocked over. The colour sprinkles, mini marshmallows, chocolate dusting and chocolate sauce is bound to please the fussiest of babyccino connoisseurs. Service is friendly and the pleasant comfy seating provides a nice oasis away from the busy shopping centre.

Apothecary Coffee @apothecarycoffee

6 Mcintosh St, Chatswood NSW 2067

For a chocolate lovers Babyccino ($2.50) with all money raised going to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation (so far $2027.45 to date), check out Apothecary Coffee. The Belgian chocolate dipped straw and chocolate surprise down the bottom of the cup makes this one a gateway version to a hot chocolate. About a third froth and in a real cup is probably better suited for the older child. Two marshmallows and chocolate dusting complete the sugar hit while parents can enjoy their house roasted blend coffee.

Gram Café @gram_pancakes_australia

Shop 67, Level 3/436 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Mostly known for their soft three-tiered Japanese soufflé pancakes, Gram Cafe still do a nice Babyccino ($1.90) that’s about half froth in a real cup complete with marshmallow, sprinkles and chocolate dusting. If the kids are being well behaved it’s a good opportunity to share one of their pancakes in the comfy seating and quiet space.

Salt & Light Café @saltandlight.cafe

Shop 23/455 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

The Babyccino ($1.50) at Salt & Light Café with marshmallow capped straw is milkier than frothy and suited for the clumsy-handed baby on the go with lid and straw securely intact — or for the older kid that’s no longer interested in airy froth. Prams can be easily parked around the outside courtyard seating on Chatswood Mall which can be a blessing for mothers groups, and screaming babies can make as much noise as they want without disturbing any of the café diners inside.

Amie coffee @amie.coffee

Shop 6/409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

For the slightly more health conscious Babyccino ($1) that doesn’t come with a marshmallow you might consider Amie. Paper cup with about a quarter froth and chocolate dusting resembles more a cappuccino without the coffee. The benefit of this upstairs hidden retreat with nice atmosphere, and pleasant background music is they also make a great coffee using Market Lane Coffee from Melbourne. It’s a peaceful spot so best to visit when the kids are in a good mood to keep it that way for other customers.