Light & Healthy Salad
This salad is definitely something new I haven't tried before with the much polarised Brussels sprouts. Raw Brussels sprouts shredded finely with a little olive oil, lemon juice, grated pecorino romano cheese, salt & pepper as per recipe inspiration spotted on @geoffreyzakarian. I'd do this again. So simple and I think tastes much better than boiling the little buggers. I don't mind a well roasted Brussels sprout as well but it's not as time and energy efficient. Personally being a coleslaw fan I think this could be combined with come carrot, cabbage and onion as a variation.
MCA, 149 George Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000
http://grazemca.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/grazemca.com.au
https://instagram.com/graze_mca/
Bouillabaisse Lovers Club
I've enjoyed this bouillabaisse a few times now since 2015 and its continued to be my favourite one in Sydney, especially when combined with the lovely view of the Sydney Opera House when no cruise ships are in dock. This time around is a lovely meetup with @suzziethefoodie @see.taste.do @nora.geee @itd_be_rude_not_to and visiting @hungryempire. Chef Simon Fox of Culinary Edge has kindly surprise gifted our lunch. GRAZE Bouillabaisse for two, served Provencal Style-Market fish, blue swimmer crab, black mussels, vongole, split king prawn, split “Moreton Bay” bug, roasted chili aioli & chargrilled garlic bread ($90) has a generous amount of seafood and when combined with the chargrilled garlic bread to mop up the sauce is enough to be a feast for 2 people or when enjoyed with some entrees and dessert I think would quite easily suit 3-4 people to share.
A glass of Andrew Thomas 2017 Semillon, Hunter Valley ($17) goes done well with the seafood. My happy place has been always oysters and the Sydney Rock Oysters from Merimbula with cucumber, eschallots, alto merlot vinegar ($4.5 each) have a nice amount of flavoursome brine retained which I suspect are shucked to order. The micro herbs look nice but I always prefer without and vary the natural with just a light squeeze of lemon. Chilli & Salt Fried Baby Calamari, Pickled melon, baby cucs & chipotle aioli ($22) is tasty and tender with a nice smokey flavour in the chipotle aioli. Great addition of pickled melon and cucumber on the side to refresh the palate and becomes a new Simon Favourite. For the salad lover in me I enjoyed the Ice Berg, Dill & Chardonnay Vinaigrette, Pear & walnut ($12) with a good amount of yummy flavoured dressing and highlights of dill working well. Love a good wedge salad and this one helps to cleanse the palate from the richly flavoured bouillabaisse. A blue cheese ranch dressing option would be great as well but wouldn't be so innocent. Looking forward to the next meetup of the Bouillabaisse Lovers Club.
4/51 Arthur Street, Forestville NSW 2087
https://www.facebook.com/previewcafe/
https://www.instagram.com/preview_cafe/
Long standing local gem
Great to see a cafe menu with everything under $20. Have visited this place a few times and it's always been a good experience with friendly service, nice coffee and tasty food. It also makes for a good pitstop when visiting the Davidson Park picnic area down the road. Piccolo ($4) and Cappuccino ($4) using Gabriel Coffee were enjoyable. Cereal of the sugar gods aka Froot Loops ($5 kids menu) was a first for the kids but best I keep that one away from them even though I used to have it as a kid. Scrambled Eggs on Toast ($8 kids menu) was nice on a good sourdough. Chicken Salad - seared chicken with sweet potato, quinoa, beetroot, cherry tomato, hummous, roasted cashew, herbs, chili and a poached egg ($18) was a great salad with a good amount of tasty dressing, a perfectly poached gooey egg and plenty of lovely fresh rocket with crunch and bite which I think probably should also be listed on the menu ingredients. On a previous visit the Roasted mushrooms on sourdough with goats cheese, two soft boiled eggs, parmesan & toasted almond crumb ($16) was very tasty and the Granola Bombe with fresh summer fruits, toasted granola, yogurt whip & mango compote ($14) add Acai gelato ($4) was also yummy. The locals certainly are blessed to have this local gem and I'm still not quite sure what it's called The Preview.
Lower Level, 66 King St, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.lepub.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/lepubcbd
https://www.instagram.com/lepubcbd/
Steak out in the CBD
Checking out the $6.99 steak life here. Steak ($7, menu $6.99) is portion control at 180g and opted for a side of Chips ($5, menu $4.99) and Salad ($5, menu $4.99). Cooked medium rare as ordered with nice crispy chips and well-dressed salad well-dressed which was also heavy handed on the sliced onions. Ends up being $17 for the meal which is comparable to some pubs around town although I've noticed some steak, chips and salad pub meals will be less than this price and include a sauce. Quite a nice underground space with friendly service and heaps of seating that would be very suitable for large groups.
