Jade Temple, CBD Sydney (3 July 2017)

11 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.jadetemple.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/jadetemplesydney/

Cantonese is the new Rockpool

Always good to see Chef Neil Perry at the kitchen pass on its first day of opening. Loving the decor and friendly professional service as you'd expect from such a fine looking restaurant. Freshly shucked oysters with ginger and black bean dressing ($4.50) from Merimbula had a nice flavour combo and made for a great starter. Prawn har goa ($12, 4 pieces) seemed to be made well but would have preferred more noticeable texture of the prawn. Scallop and prawn siu mai ($12, 4 pieces) had the scallop chopped up inside although I tend to prefer when they sit a whole one on top. Fried chicken wings with sweet sour sauce ($9.50, 2 pieces half serve) was the stand out for me. That crispy egg batter on the chicken so good and meat nice and juicy. Great chilli sauce served on the side without having to ask for it gets a tick of approval. 

Leaving a bit of room for dessert I had to try the Fried vanilla and date ice cream with maple sauce ($14). Pleasant crunch on the coating and pleasing yummy flavours. For those that enjoy their cocktails on the boozy side I'd recommend the Jade Emperor - Vodka, Chartreuse, Amaretto, Dry Vermouth ($20) with well balanced flavours or the Luck Dragon - 1988 Armagnac, Leather Aged Curacao, Apricot Brandy, Lemon, Lime, Dark Cocoa ($22). Apparently the yum cha will be available from 31 July. For a romantic date night be sure to request Table 88 on the balcony, previously named Table 50 and perhaps order that $280 per kg live lobster as a special treat. There's a large screen that hides the kitchen now but I'd rather see glimpses of the chef and kitchen theatre which adds more character to the dining experience.

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.