Sponsored post: Chaya Green Tea

Chaya Green Tea 

https://chaya.co/ 

Japan made. Single origin. Small batch. 

Japanese for 'tea shop', Chaya Green Tea is a family run, certified-organic green tea maker, passionate about sustainable production from soil to sip. 

Their organic Matcha and green teas are from a 7th generation, certified-organic, single tea farm in Kyoto Japan, where they have been growing tea since 1858. This is single origin tea. (Who says that term only applies to coffee beans?) Chaya is set up by two Japan born, Aussie tea drinkers Tony & Yuri Fry, and they’re passionate about leveling-up the quality of Japanese green tea here in Australia.  

Chaya’s organic tea range include: 

Ceremonial Grade Matcha 50g. 

Premium Sencha (loose leaf) 50g. 

Green Tea Powder 50g. 

Hojicha (roasted) Tea Powder 50g. 

Chaya chooses to import their teas into Australia in small monthly batches, making its way from the farm only when it is ready and at the intended pace of the farmers. 

All of Chaya's teas come in fully recyclable (and reusable) tins, wrapped in sustainably produced paper labels, that leave a much smaller production footprint than commonly used pouches. 

Find out more about Chaya: https://chaya.co 

Instagram @chayagreentea #OrganicMatchaAustralia #JapaneseGreenTea #ChayaGreenTea 

[Text and images supplied by Chaya Green Tea #sponsored]

Artistry Garden: French & Japanese, CBD Sydney (18 Feb 2020)

Raphael Place, One Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000
https://artistrygarden.com/
https://www.instagram.com/artistry.garden/

Michelin Star dining in CBD

Taking up residence in a nice leafy courtyard, Artistry Garden is well positioned to attract the corporate crowd from the Governor Philip & Macquarie Tower above. Caffeine fixes are led by head barista @adengillelandbarista (ex-Four Ate Five, Surry Hills and ex-Soma, Ultimo) equipped with Modbar espresso machines. He's a passionate soul when it comes to coffee and interesting to note their dine in ceramic cups match the volume of their takeaway cups for consistency. Cappuccino ($3.80) using Single O 'Killerbee' blend is made well to my liking with the right ratio of milk served in the smallish cup to allow for a decent flavour hit. Pastries are from Sonoma Bakery so look out for the guilty pleasure Morning Bun temptation.

In the kitchen Michelin Star Executive Chef Masahiko Yomoda aka @indomitable_chef brings his love of French and Japanese cuisine to the menu. Sydney rock oyster from Merimbula with shiso ponzu, nigori sake jelly ($29, half doz) are presented well and I'm told shucked to order. The nigori sake jelly is something quite different but my preference is still the natural with a slice of lemon and the well balanced shiso ponzu mignonette. An affordable quick lunch menu toastie of top-side roast beef, dijon mustard, manchego, onion, pickled red cabbage ($16.50) is a tasty combo. Buttered for that extra flavour and crunch with each bite. The side of pickled vegetables helps contrast to the richness of the toastie. Josper grilled marinated pineapple, coconut ice cream, Valrhona chocolate ($18) is set to win a few dessert hearts. Sophisticated flavours and textures working well. If the pineapple was sliced before serving would help negate the need for a knife to eat the dish.

For an after work wind down treat I'd recommend the Negroni, Barrel Aged with House Blend of Gin and Vermouths, Campari, Aged in a Cinnamon Smoked Cask ($22) by bartender @timdae. Thnx @kesgram for the drink. So far one of my favourite well balanced negronis of the year, and the single ice cube is always a good start. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner it's still early days for the venue and hopefully the weather will remain kind to take advantage of the al fresco vibes but there's always the cosy air con restaurant inside to retreat to for dining supported by the friendly and professional service.

Tontaro Ramen Honten, Sydney (30 Nov 2018)

Shop 10-11, 339 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.instagram.com/tontaro.honten/

Ramen rising in CBD Sydney

My first impressions here are good. Friendly welcoming service, clean and functional seating, and a tempting menu where I want to order all the side dishes. Tonkotsu Ramen ($15) has just enough richness in flavour for me without being too crazy collagen lip smacking. Good al dente noodles and excellent soft egg. Slices of pork pretty good too. Red ginger goes well from the self serve container. There's a chilli oil you can add which works well for extra hit of spice. Would have loved some Shichimi Togarashi as well but there didn't seem to be any available unless it was in one of the containers at the self service condiments. I think next time the sides of pork gyoza and chicken katsu are calling my name.