North Bondi Italian Food: Italian, Bondi Beach (12 June 2011)

120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi NSW 2026
http://www.idrb.com/northbondi

Location comes at a price

If you love Bondi and aren’t shy of spending a fair bit of money then you’ll probably love North Bondi Italian Food. With apparently a no booking policy you’ll need to be prepared to wait in the crowded noisy bar area during summer, or even winter for that matter, before putting your name down for the restaurant. I didn’t find the service particularly welcoming and friendly which bordered on elitist and unhelpful while enquiring about having a table. Service didn’t seem to take any table bookings until 6 pm so hovering around the chaotic bar area until then was the only way to obtain a table. Once seated the service seemed a bit more friendly and relaxed, perhaps too relaxed at times when our table water wasn’t refilled for most of meal. The Arancini ($19.80) were flavoursome although expensive, if you can afford them then worth trying. The Penne 'rigate' slow cooked lamb neck, shoulder ragu, pecorino sardo ($28.60) was quite nice. The smallish sized Fried Calamari, Mint, Zucchini ($33) was good although also at a premium price that’s probably hard to justify again.

I really enjoyed the Crispy Potatoes, Garlic, Rosemary ($11) with whole roasted cloves of garlic and would happily order again although a bit more crisp would make them even better for me. The Steamed broccoli, garlic, chilli ($13.20) was nicely done although pricey for a single vegetable. My Spaghetti 'Arrabbiata', crab, tomato, a hint of chilli, cooked in a paper bag ($33) was probably the most unpresentable way you can have a dish but that's what you get with bag cooking. There were bits of crab to be found but I think most people would hope to find more. More of a chilli kick would have been appreciated. For dessert you’ll pay a premium price for a sugary hit, especially on Sunday with the 10% surcharge. Eric's Warm 'Americano' apple pie ($19.80) comes with a self pouring vanilla sauce. I preferred the Fresh blueberry, vanilla mascarpone tart ($19.80) with its nice thin pastry and simple yet decadent flavour. The Baked chocolate pot, chocolate pearls ($18.70) was smooth and rich in flavour although quite small in size.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Quite nice décor and lighting, Some nicely cooked dishes to be had, Beach views during daylight near the window and on balcony although at night you won’t really see much

CONS: Service not particularly welcoming upon arrival, Quite expensive and 10% surcharge on Sundays, Can get quite noisy, Waiting area at bar can get very crowded, No free parking nearby

MUST TRY: Fresh blueberry with vanilla mascarpone tart

WORTH TRYING: Crispy Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary, Arancini if you can afford them

THE DAMAGE: $213.40 for three people

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Complimentary bread and olive oil

Arancini - Crumbed spinach risotto balls ($19.80) — Flavoursome although very expensive

Penne 'rigate' slow cooked lamb neck, shoulder ragu, pecorino sardo ($28.60)

Fried Calamari, Mint, Zucchini ($33)

Crispy Potatoes, Garlic, Rosemary ($11)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Steamed broccoli, garlic, chilli ($13.20)

Spaghetti 'Arrabbiata', crab, tomato, a hint of chilli, cooked in a paper bag ($33)

Eric's Warm 'Americano' apple pie, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla sauce ($19.80)

Fresh blueberry, vanilla mascarpone tart ($19.80)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Baked chocolate pot, chocolate pearls, chilled ($18.70)

Cappuccino ($3.85) — pretty decent

Bill $213.40 for three people

Decor and bar

Table setting and cutlery

View from outside the restaurant

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Etch: Fast Festival Feast, CBD Sydney (12 Jan 2011)

62 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.etchdining.com

Nice decor for a quick meal

Throughout the Festival, between 12 noon and 1 pm and/or 6 pm and 7 pm, visit any of the Fast Festival Feasts restaurants listed and receive a main course with a glass of Stoneleigh wine, a Kronenbourg 1664 beer or a bottle of Tasmanian Rain water for just $30 (inc GST).

Thanks to Madam Wu for my birthday gift at the 1 hatted Etch restaurant— one of my favourite presents is being taken out to dine. Arriving at 6 pm we theoretically had 1 hour on the clock to take advantage of the Fast Festival Feast but there didn't seem to be any rush to leave after 7 pm, perhaps because they weren't overly busy. Starting with a nicely presented entree special of the day of Kingfish prepared three ways ($20) it was a little challenging to share the small portions but we did our best interpretation of MasterChef judge George in dividing it up. The Kingfish sashimi had the most flavour but I was more a fan of the deep fried croquette along with the silky smooth avocado mousse — a dozen of these would have gone down well.

The Festival promoted main of Ballottine of chicken, sauteed baby gem and asparagus, lemon thyme veloute ($30 with glass of wine) was fairly substantial in size with nice flavours although for some reason I was expecting a more elegant smooth sausage like form rather than the large rustic chicken pieces. It seemed nicely matched with the quaffable Stoneleigh Pinot Grigio. A reasonably priced side of Provencal potatoes, aged prosciutto, smoked garlic mayonnaise ($9) was full of flavour and helped make the whole meal quite filling. Peppermint tea ($5) is made from real leaves and the nicely made roasty flavoured Cappuccino ($5) had thankfully little bitterness. Service was friendly, efficient and surprisingly quite down-to-earth. The comfortable dining area had a nice ambient feel with its mood lighting and chic decorative elements.

Other food blog reviews:

• Music Munchies Review

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly and professional service, Nice decor, Well presented dishes, Interesting menu

CONS: $30 main and drink deal only available during January

MUST TRY: Provencal potatoes with aged prosciutto and smoked garlic mayonnaise

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Kingfish prepared three ways ($20 special of the day)

Kingfish tartare with creme fraiche sorbet

Kingfish sashimi served with avocado and wasabi cream

Kingfish croquette

Avocado mousse

Ballottine of chicken, sauteed baby gem and asparagus, lemon thyme veloute ($30 with glass of wine)

Stoneleigh Pinot Grigio

Provencal potatoes, aged prosciutto, smoked garlic mayonnaise ($9)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Cappuccino ($5)

Peppermint tea ($5)

Lounge area

Private dining room

Pretty cool lamp shades

Nice feature clock

Rooster salt holder and table candle

Welcoming rooster

Outside street entrance


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Home Cooking: Cold Oil French Fries (28 June 2010)

Cooking with cold oil

This is one of the most simplest and safest ways I've come across in cooking hot chips at home. I've always thought that it had to be hot oil when you cook potato chips but apparently not after first reading about this cooking method on The Stone Soup. A further Google search revealed a couple of other blog links of Domestic Agenda and RV Goddess that have used the Cold Oil method as well. Simply cut your potato chips, place in a pot, cover with cold cooking oil, then turn on the heat and watch them cook until golden brown. Drain on paper towel and serve with your favourite sea salt or seasoning. You can sift the oil after it's cooled, store in a glass bottle and reuse later.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: No nasty oil splattering, Simple recipe which seems to work

CONS: Chips can stick to the bottom of the pot, Not as crispy and crunchy as perhaps other methods, Can make your home smell like oil and chips if you don't have a kitchen exhaust

MUST TRY: Remembering to get some Peanut Oil to try

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Cut your chips and place in a pot

Cover your chips with cold oil. I used vegetable oil but I think I should try it with peanut oil as I believe it has a higher burning point which might be a lot healthier.

Turn the heat on full and watch your chips cook

Be sure to turn your chips. They started sticking to the bottom of the pot so you have to possibly loosen then a bit.

Watch them brown up and take them out when cooked to your liking

Drain your chips on paper towel and sprinkle with sea salt