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

Mad Mex: Launch party of new store, Ultimo (7 Sept 2011)

815 George Street, Ultimo NSW 2007
http://www.madmex.com.au

Another Mad Mex opens

“Mad Mex offers authentic Mexican cuisine with a Baja Californian-inspired menu of delicious and nutritious burritos, nachos, quesadillas and more all prepared with only the freshest ingredients and served in a fast casual format than can be preapred to dine in or takeaway”

Thanks to Stuart Fyfe from 6dc for inviting me to the store launch of the new Mad Mex on George Street near Railway Central. Director and Founder Clovis Young was on hand to demonstrate a few cooking techniques on how they make a flavoursome salsa. Essentially roasting/burning tomato, onion and peppers over fire will provide a smokey flavour. Blend together then add your favourite chilli for heat and flavour plus salt and lime juice for taste. The freshly made salsa was quite nice with some warmish tortilla chips. He mentioned a good supplier of Mexican ingredients is Fireworks Food which is the same place Barrio Chino use. Some tequila tasting and education was also in order. I learnt that tequila just has to have 51% agave to be classified as tequila. So hence the 51% agave Jose Cuervo Especial didn't smell or taste as good as Hornitos or Tres Generaciones which were 100% agave. As Clovis says, 51% tequila means 49% hangover — I think he may be right.

For my dinner I ordered the Crispy tacos with black beans, cheese, lettuce & sour cream with choice of filling ($9.90 for 3) so I could try the pork, beef and chicken in each of the tacos. The service was very efficient, although perhaps a little too fast and scary for someone who wasn't particularly familiar with the menu. I sort of felt I had to make my mind up quickly on what I did and didn't want on my order as ingredients were quickly thrown on top. In the end I couldn't even see my crispy tacos under the mountain of lettuce, cheese and huge dollop of guacamole (add $2). I guess they don't skimp on the toppings which might make it better value for money. I noticed Churros with melted dipping chocolate ($5.90 for 2 pieces) on the menu which I always thought was Spanish but soon learnt it's also traditional in Mexico. The churros were decently sized and cooked to a nice crisp although coated in a thick amount of cinnamon sugar which might be welcomed by some. The warmish dipping chocolate was good but be careful of any unfortunate drippings — a few seemed to make their way to my shirt and pants. The churros seemed to be pre-cooked into shape and then deep fried to order unlike Chocolateria San Churro which cooked the fresh dough to order making for a slightly less dense texture inside, although they were definitely better than the dry version I had at Cafe Hernandez.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Quick and efficient service, Ingredients seem pretty fresh, Portions are quite generous, Seating available

CONS: Quick service can also be a little scary and overwhelming if you don't know what you want, No public toilet available, Guacamole is $2 extra, Tacos a little messy to eat

WORTH TRYING: Churros with melted dipping chocolate, Tortilla chips with salsa

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Crispy tacos with black beans, cheese, lettuce & sour cream with choice of filling ($9.90 for 3)

Nachos ($10.90) add guacamole ($2)

Churros with melted dipping chocolate ($5.90 for 2 pieces)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Picture menu and spicy beef option

Choose your style menu

Choose your filling and salsa

Sides, drinks and churros menu

Director and Founder Clovis Young in demonstration and relaxing with the crowd

How to burn vegetables to make a salsa

Time to blend the burnt vegetables then add salt, chilli and lime juice

Different types of chilli appreciation

Tortilla chips with salsa of your choice

WOTH TRYING :-)

Jose Cuervo Especial (51% agave, 49% hangover)

Hornitos 100% agave, Tres Generaciones

Taste testing: Jose Cuervo Especial, Hornitos, Tres Generaciones

Seating and decor

How to eat a burrito napkin

Corona bottle chandelair

Wall graphics

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The Spanish Fly: Tapas, The Spot, Randwick (5 June 2010)

35 St Paul Street, Randwick NSW 2031

Tapas hits the spot

When it comes to tapas at The Spot there's only two choices, The Spanish Fly and El Bulli, both of which seem to be just as popular as each other. Starting off the night with a 1 litre bottle of Sangria ($22) will set you in the right mood for some tasty dishes. The Haloumi Cheese grilled with lemon and parsley ($12) comes with a decent layer of roasted capsicum which compliments it well. Paella Balls ($10 for 4 pieces) are filled with prawns, saffron and chorizo although could possibly do with a bit more smokey chorizo inside. It comes with a side dish of herbed aioli which seems quite commonly used with a few other dishes. Crab Cakes with salsa verde ($15 for 3 pieces) are generously sized although I'm not quite sure what the salsa verde is and whether it's the herbed aioli underneath or the watercress on top. John Dory Fillets with parmesan crust ($15 for 3 pieces) are nicely flavoured and reasonable in size. The tender Meat Balls with veal and pork ($12) are cooked in tomato sauce and nicely seasoned — some bread would help to soak up the sauce.

The Affogato double espresso with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream ($5.50) is OK but much prefer Cafe Sopra's version which seems to use a nicer ice cream. For dessert I have high hopes for the Churros with chocolate dipping sauce ($10 for 2 pieces) but sadly it can't compete with the freshly cooked ones from Chocolateria San Churro. The looked promising on appearance but just seemed a bit dry and slightly chewy. For a table arrive early or you'll probably be waiting for at least an hour on a busy night. Service is fairly efficient and friendly, although quite rushed when busy.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Reasonably priced, Nice decor, Good range of dishes, Well presented

CONS: Very popular so arrive early for a table, Limited street parking, Can get noisy inside

MUST TRY: Haloumi Cheese grilled with lemon and parsley, Meat Balls with veal and pork cooked in tomato sauce

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Sangria $22 (1 litre)

Haloumi Cheese grilled with lemon and parsley $12

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Paella Balls with prawns, saffron and chorizo $10 (4 pieces)

Crab Cakes with salsa verde $15 (3 pieces)

John Dory Fillets with parmesan crust $15 (3 pieces)

Meat Balls with veal and pork cooked in tomato sauce $12

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Affogato double espresso with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream $5.50

Churros with chocolate dipping sauce $10 (2 pieces)

Tapas menu

Dessert menu

Coffee menu

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