Sponsored Post: Chatswood Nights Roaming Gnomes, 6–29 May 2022

https://www.culturebites.net.au/Events/Roaming-Gnome

10 eats to try in Chatswood

Chatswood Nights Roaming Gnomes has arrived in Chatswood featuring 12 large scale inflatable Gnomes (some are 10 metres high) and an animated projection each night from 6 pm on The Concourse façade featuring the Gnomes travelling around the world. 

There are 12 international food trails highlighting some of the best dishes from a certain country or region – and Simon Food Favourites reviewed France, Spain, Germany as Raphael the Gnome, and Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia as Hugo the Gnome. 

Every Friday night there is world music from the train station down to Chatswood Place AND there is also a competition to win over $20,000 worth of prizes. Travel the world in Chatswood over the next 23 nights from 6–29 May. 

Chatswood Nights - Roaming Gnomes is funded by the NSW Government's CBDs Revitalisation Program, part of Willoughby City Council's Chatswood Culture Bites Program. 

Spain, France and German Food Trail 

https://www.culturebites.net.au/Events/Spain-France-and-German-Food-Trail

Gourmet Nutella crepe at Crepes Mademoiselle 

Upon arrival at Chatswood Mall Market I discovered a fantastic variety of food stalls on offer. To help kickstart the day I decided to go for a sweet rather than savoury crepe with the tempting Gourmet Nutella crepe with strawberries and cream ($13) from Crepes Mademoiselle. I always love watching the skill and art of a thin crepe being made to order with the batter being poured onto a traditional round hot plate crepe maker and then evenly spread out using the crepe spreader tool. Plenty of Nutella filled the crepe before being folded and topped with fresh strawberries and two good sized piles of cream. The wait is worth it and be sure to eat quickly before the cream melts too much on the warm crepe. 

Chatswood Mall Market, Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Paella Mixta at La Flamenca Paella 

Chatswood Mall Market is home to some authentic Spanish food from La Flamenca, paella in particular. I chose the Paella Mixta ($16) because I love trying a bit of everything. It’s a combination of rice, calamari, mussel, king prawns, chicken, onion, garlic, tomato, green beans, extra virgin olive oil, saffron, paprika and homemade chicken stock. It’s a mellow yet tasty dish served up hot from a huge paella pan which first drew me in from the delightful cooking aroma. Great to see such a well-known dish of Spanish cuisine that originated in Valencia being found in the heart of a very Asian cuisine oriented suburb. 

Chatswood Mall Market, Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Schweineschnitzel at The Bavarian 

My part-European heritage always has a soft spot for a good schnitzel as a comfort food dish. Schweineschnitzel - giant 300g pork schnitzel, cabbage slaw, lemon and fries ($26) at The Bavarian is pretty true to its name and quite a feast for one so be warned. A generous sized crunchy golden crumb around moist meaty pork to please. I love a good cabbage slaw to help cut through the meat-fest and the crispy beer battered fries are on standby to add extra help in lining the stomach, there is also a 500 ml or 1 litre stein beer glass of German beers available to help wash it all down. You’ll certainly be full and satisfied for the rest of the day as you roll out of the restaurant. 

Chatswood Central, Shop 4-6, 1-5 Railway St, Chatswood NSW 2067

Churros and milk chocolate at San Churro 

How can I resist some Churros and milk chocolate dip ($10.95) at San Churro located in Westfield Chatswood. I love donuts and these long corrugated sticks are like the Spanish version of donuts. I have fond memories of eating these in Spain freshly extruded and cooked in oil to a thin crisp shell and soft inner texture. I remember the ones I had in Spain were a bit thicker in size but these ones are still a joy for a simple sugar hit. They go well with a coffee or simply on their own. I even noticed you can get a churro filled with Spanish choc-hazelnut — oh yes please, maybe next time. 

Westfield Chatswood, Shop 609, 1 Anderson Street, Chatswood NSW 2067

Macarons at Pattison’s Patisserie 

When I visited Paris many years ago I had to see the Eiffel Tower and visit Ladurée for macarons so when in Chatswood if you’re craving those famed French treats you can get a mixed box of macarons ($18.50, 6 pieces) at Pattison’s Patisserie located in Chatswood Chase and Westfield Chatswood. I always find the hardest decision is trying to choose which flavour as there’s so many to choose from. I chose Pistachio, Fairy sprinkles, Passion fruit, Red velvet, Raspberry & Cream and Honeycomb — Honeycomb was the favourite. Other flavours available are Nutella, raspberry, salted caramel and chocolate which would be classic flavour winners I’m sure. If you’ve never had a macaron they generally have a light crisp outer meringue shell with a slight chewy texture and creamy filling. For me the best ones have distinctive flavours and are well made and presented. They make for a great gift idea when nicely boxed as well. 

Chatswood Chase, Shop B/50, 345 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia Food Trail 

https://www.culturebites.net.au/Events/Hugo-travels-to-South-East-Asia

Roti Canai at Mamak 

Chatswood is home to flaky golden roti from the highly popular Mamak for Malaysians looking for some comfort food to remind them of their homeland. Roti canai ($9) — the original roti, is light and wafer crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and served with two curry dips and a spicy sambal sauce. Be sure to try and watch the cook making them to order over the large hot grill, constantly stretching and folding the dough in preparation to achieve the many layers. Finally served steaming hot ready to soak in a spicy dipping curry to excite the tastebuds. Roti is always best made fresh and this place does it justice. 

Chatswood Central, Shop 9, 1-5 Railway St, Chatswood NSW 2067

Hainanese Chicken Rice at Ya Malaysia 

Hainanese Chicken Rice ($15.90) at Ya Malaysia is a classic Malaysian dish to enjoy solo with poached chicken, flavoured rice, fresh cucumber slices, chilli sauce and a small bowl of clear soup. It all works harmoniously together and the chicken thigh is served boneless here. Love the flavour pop of adding some of the ginger spring onion sauce with some chilli sauce on a piece of chicken followed by some rice is the way to go. The soft silky chicken skin adds extra flavour and juiciness to the dish. I’ve enjoyed this dish in Malaysia as well where it was served with some blanched bean sprouts on the side. 

Chatswood Interchange, Shop 78, 436 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Ais Kacang at Amah by Ho Jiak 

For a fun Malaysian dessert that’s big enough to share you can’t go past an Ais Kacang ($12) at Amah by Ho Jiak. Freshly shaved ice covers a sea of kidney beans, palm seeds and grass jelly and then topped with creamed corn, peanuts, Carnation creamy evaporated milk, rose syrup, gula melaka and green melon syrup. What a colourful sight of flavours. Slowly mix the ingredients together and eat it quickly before the ice melts away. I’d say it’s a bit of an acquired taste but it’s grown on me over the years since my dad is Malaysian and always got me to try it when I was growing up. You’ll find many variations of ingredients depending on where you go so finding an ais kacang that suits your taste will be a journey of discovery. 

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

Fried Chicken at Rumah Makan Petok Petok 

Located in the Mandarin Centre I checked out Rumah Makan Petok Petok for some Crispy Fried Chicken ($12.50) served Indonesian style. The chicken skin was thin and crispy and the homemade chilli sambal will knock your tastebuds out of the park. The plentiful supply of kremes crispy batter granules go well with the large bowl size of steamed rice and chilli sambal to help extend the dish as a complete meal. Fresh iceberg lettuce and cucumber slices are on hand to cleanse the palate. Indonesians sure know how to make a yummy fried chicken. 

Mandarin Centre, Shop 202, 65 Albert Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

Penang Char Kway Teow at Kreta Ayer 

If there’s one Singaporean and Malaysian dish I’ve had more often than not, it’s the traditional hawker style CKT. You’ll find the Penang Char Kway Teow ($17.90) at Kreta Ayer located in Chatswood Chase. I’m always keen for a good wok hei in this dish to help create some smoky flavours. This flat rice noodle dish came with prawns, Chinese lap cheong (sausage), sliced fishcake, egg, bean sprouts and had a mild curry spice flavour. If you’re lucky you might find some golden crisp croutons of pork lard in a CKT and traditionally it comes with blood cockles as I’ve had in Malaysia but that seems very hard if not impossible to find in Sydney, although they do tend to use clams instead. For some extra flavour I’d suggest chilli sauce on the side to enjoy with the dish. 

Chatswood Chase, 345 Victoria Ave, Chatswood

Gnome illustrations and maps by Chatswood Culture Bites

Jackie M Malaysian Cuisine: Malaysian, Concord (24 Mar 2011)

85 Majors Bay Road, Concord NSW 2137
http://www.jackiem.com.au

Serving up all the classics

Years ago I previously noticed the Jackie M food stall at a weekend food market in King Cross but Malaysia Kitchen Food Market inspired me to seek out more of her dishes at her new restaurant in Concord. The seating is nice and simple yet limited and the service was friendly. Dishes took a little bit of time to come out once ordered but this made them think they were carefully prepared to order and not being rushed out. Jasmine Tea ($2) comes by the glass complete with a tea bag and the Roti Canai ($7.50) was nicely puffed up and came with Dhall curry. The Popiah ($11, 2 pieces) is quite a rare sight to find in Sydney and this version is well liked my the family — I'd happily order again. The Chicken Satay ($10, 4 pieces) is fairly decent in size and charred nicely with plenty of taste but doesn't come with the traditional compressed rice which is usually rare to find anyway. It costs extra to have the side of Coconut rice, cucumber and onion pieces ($4) but in hindsight I'd probably order without and just stick to the satay. The Hainanese Chicken Rice ($17) is served boneless which gets a tick. It's quite moist and a decent rendition that's well received. There was a delay in the side soup coming out which was probably due to being forgotten.

The Beef Rendang ($16) is flavoursome and tender as hoped. Jackie M is known for her Char Kway Teow ($12) and even though it could have done with a bit more charring for my liking it was pretty good and I'd have again. No blood cockles or clams to be found which seems to be the case for all Sydney versions of this dish — Melbourne seem to be more open to including clams. The bowl of Har Mee ($16) comes with decent sized prawns which are properly deveined. The broth is quite nice but not as full of flavour and depth as Singapore Shiok and Malay-Chinese. The Ais Campur ($6) had a decent variety of ingredients including red bean and was easily mixed up within the bowl — not like the monstrous one at Kaki Lima which required a larger bowl, but was cheaper. A compulsory visit to check the toilet, past a corridor of stored boxes which perhaps should be kept more clear, finds a sign saying 'We take pride in the condition of our restroom'. Firstly I'd probably straighten the mirror and secondly the overflowing open waste bin and old desk chair complete with crinkly newspapers on top is not the best look and needs to be reassessed I think.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Good sized prawns in har mee, Lots of classic dishes, Tender beef rendang, Simple and functional seating, Friendly service

CONS: Only open for dinner Thursday to Saturday, Limited seating, No air con, Toilet could be cleaner including storing away corridor boxes, Compressed rice not used with chicken satay

MUST TRY: Popiah, Revisiting to try other dishes

WORTH TRYING: Chicken satay, Char Kway Teow

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Jasmine Tea ($2)

Roti Canai with Dhall curry ($7.50)

Popiah ($11, 2 pieces)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Chicken Satay ($10, 4 pieces) with Coconut rice, cucumber and onion pieces ($4)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Hainanese Chicken Rice ($17)

Beef Rendang ($16)

Char Kway Teow ($12)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Har Mee ($16)

Rice ($3)

Ais Campur ($6)

Seating designed for perhaps short stays

Sign says 'We take pride in the condition of our restroom. Please inform our staff if it needs cleaning. Thanks' — umm I think it definitely needs a bit of cleaning and perhaps the mirror on the wall needs to be set straight for a start. And what's a chair with magazines doing in there?

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Kaki Lima Restaurant: Malaysian, Kensington (13 Mar 2011)

Shop 3, 228-230 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW 2033
Phone: (02) 9662 6868

Home of the ice mountain

My first introduction to Kaki Lima was at the highly popular Malaysia Kitchen Food Market where I was impressed with their beef rendang. So a visit to the restaurant located on the busy Anzac Parade was in order with the family to sample more of the menu. The Beef Rendang ($15) this time didn’t seem to be as tender as hoped but still had nice flavours. The Ayam Masak Merah ($15) was a dish of fried chicken in tangy red sweet and spicy sauce which was quite tasty. I was impressed with the Chicken satay ($12, 6 pieces) which came with the rarely seen compressed rice which even Mamak don’t provide. The chicken was flavoursome and tender and I preferred it to the smaller ones Mamak serve. The Beef satay ($12, 6 pieces) was also good and nicely tender which was also served with compressed rice and the traditional pieces of cucumber and raw onion.

The Kam Heong Prawn ($19) had a bit of a heat kick provided by the chopped garlic and shallot with curry leaves and chilli used. It was a tasty dish with prawns decently sized but the shells unfortunately were still intact which made it messy to peel and eat. I don’t mind eating the shell when crispy but thought it needed to be fried up more to achieve this option. The deveining of the prawns could have been better as well. A plate of mixed Kangkong, Okra, Long bean Sambal Belacan ($14) was maybe a bit on the oily side but tasted good although giving a Chinese soup spoon to serve it up proved a challenging task. For those into their Malaysian sweets you’ll find a display counter of some of the offerings. The Kuih Lopez ($2) with subtle pandan flavouring provided a nice sugar hit and the equally simple Sago Pudding ($4) was as expected. A reasonably priced Air Batu Campur ($4) was served in a bowl about a third of it’s mountain-size status which made it impossible to mix so we had to ask for a larger bowl to pour it all into. We had to do the same with the Chendol ($4) which I’m used to being served in a glass milkshake tumbler rather than a bowl so it can also be mixed and drunk with a straw.

The service was friendly and the décor simple but the acoustics was very noisy even with just a few people dining. With my obsession with toilets this single unisex one was cleanly kept but unfortunately was located right next to the street entrance and if the door was left open it was the first thing you see as you enter the restaurant — perhaps it needs to be on an automatic spring to close it. There’s probably a few other dishes I’d like to try which might have me returning one day.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly service, Chicken satay was good and served with compressed rice, Interesting dishes

CONS: Unisex toilet which if left open is visible from the front entrance, Very noisy acoustics, Prawns have shell so messy to eat, Beef rendang could have been more tender

MUST TRY: Chicken satay, Air Batu Campur

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Beef Rendang ($15)

Rice ($2 per person)

Ayam Masak Merah: Fried chicken in tangy red sweet and spicy sauce ($15)

Beef satay ($12, 6 pieces)

Chicken satay ($12, 6 pieces)

Kam Heong Prawn-Sauteed dried prawns, chopped garlic and shallot with curry leaves, chilli and seasoning ($19)

Large sized prawns but still retaining the shell so messy to eat if you don't eat the shell and could be deveined better

Kangkong, Okra, Long bean Sambal Belacan ($14) spoon hard to serve with

Kuih Lopez ($2)

Sago Pudding ($4)

Air Batu Campur ABC ($4)

Air Batu Campur ABC ($4) placed in large bowl to mix up

Chendol ($4)

Chendol ($4) placed in larger bowl to mix up

Seating and outlook to Anzac Parade

Bird cage decor for light fittings

Clean and orderly unisex toilet

Sweets display counter

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