Zilver Bondi, Westfield Bondi Junction (17 Sept 2016)

Level 6, Westfield Bondi Junction
500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
http://www.zilverbondi.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/zilverbondi/

Salt & Pepper Lobster Love

When my awesome brother @plus1guest wants to take the family out for a Salt and Pepper Lobster treat it's happy days. But in the true traditional of how my family works it also comes with my dad doing a mini research trip of at least 5 restaurants in advance to check the price of the live lobsters, the state of the tanks and the ease of parking — and I think he sometimes even enquires whether there's a Seniors Discount available just in case. It's also a drawcard if they can do a good crispy shredded beef and we take into account past experiences as well. So after the countless emails, suggestions and change of minds we finally decide on Zilver Bondi.

For our table of five (minus the 2 kids which thankfully are being looked after by a very kind friend) we choose a 2.008 kg Salt and Pepper Lobster ($477.90, $238/kg). We've found 2 kg+ is a good size to provide decent chunks of meat in the tail. They've done us proud here and we're happy. The 2014 Rock Bare The Clare Riesling ($40) seems to have been a good choice to enjoy with the lobster with some nice buttery notes and not being overly sweet. Steamed oysters with soy sauce, ginger, shallots ($8.50 each) are huge. Maybe a little too large as they're bigger than a mouthful to try and eat but flavours were good. We've had the Peking Style Shredded Beef ($24.80) here before and happy again with it. Nice amount of crispy batter without being to thick and a tasty sauce. Stir fried scallops and vegetables with xo sauce ($42.80) have plump scallops in a tasty sauce that goes well with the Zilver special fried rice with crab meat, fried scallop, crab roe and egg ($24.80). We had to get nicely made Steamed BBQ Pork Buns ($8) for the Mrs as this is one of her favourite yum cha dishes. Fruit platter ($18) ended up being served complimentary and we had to get a Deep fried ice cream with caramel sauce ($9.80) for some nostalgic dining.

Wonderbao: Chinese steamed buns and Taiwanese gua bao, CBD Melbourne (30 Apr 2013)

Shop 4/19-37 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

http://www.wonderbaokitchen.com.au

Cheap wonders of Melbourne

“Melbourne's street kitchen featuring authentic Chinese steamed buns and Taiwanese Gua Baos!”

My first question when visiting this place was 'where can I find a place like this in Sydney?' I'm still not sure if such a place exists but I'm pretty sure it would do extremely well around Oxford Street for late night munchies or near any university where students are on the look out for a cheap feed. Service was friendly and efficient and seating is very limited so be prepared to have as take away or try and find a milk crate outside and admire the street art and laneway bins as I did. The Roast pork belly gua bao ($3.80) with cucumber, pickled carrots & daikon & hoison sauce was my favourite of the day. I thought a great price considering it's filled with a decent amount of moist pork. The bun was lovely and soft like pillows. I was hoping for more tasty filling in Char siu bao ($2) but perhaps this one just missed out on a more generous touch. My preference was for the eggy Nai wong bao ($1.70) instead of Taro bao ($1.70). I didn't get to try my friends Da pork bao ($3.20) or Da chicken bao ($3.20) but they were quite generously filled inside. If you're not sure what F.O.B is on the menu I believe it stands for the drinks that are 'Fresh Off the Boat'.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Cheap and tasty options, Down-to-earth and efficient service

CONS: Very limited seating so more suited for takeaway

MUST TRY: Roast pork belly gua bao, Finding a place in Sydney that does the same thing

VERDICT: For a quick and simple lunch bite at a reasonable price this place ticks the box

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Roast pork belly gua bao with cucumber, pickled carrots & daikon & hoison sauce ($3.80) — tasty flavours with tender piece of pork. Add a dash of chilli sauce for extra flavour punch
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Braised pork belly gua bao ($3.80) — quite tasty although a little messy to eat

Fried silky tofu gua bao with pickled mustard, coriander, sweet soy sauce & crushed peanuts ($3.80)

Can't remember if this one was Da pork bao ($3.20) or Da chicken bao ($3.20)

Char siu bao ($2) — nice but a bit slim on the filling

Nai wong bao: egg custard ($1.70) — I preferred this one to the taro

Taro bao ($1.70) — if you like taro then you might like this one but was a bit heavy going for me 

Nai wong bao ($1.70), Fried silky tofu gua bao ($3.80), Braised pork belly gua bao ($3.80), Roast pork belly gua bao ($3.80)

Da pork bao ($3.20), Da chicken bao ($3.20), Char siu bao ($2), Taro bao ($1.70)

Menu — limited at a sweet price

Only a few window seats for dining in

Drinks fridge filled with FOB aka 'Fresh Off the Boat'

Chilli sauce for those who like it hot

Very Melbourne street view

Be sure to look up and check out the awesome building graphic

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