Tokonoma, Surry Hills

Nestled on busy Crown St within Surry Hills, Tokonoma could easily have been missed if it wasn’t for its sister restaurant Toko next door.  As you enter through the dark doorway, you are greeted by curtains that separate the entry from the bar and dining area.  The restaurant hostess greets you immediately, and if you think you can come here without a reservation, you’d better think twice!  Dinner seating on a Saturday is served at two times – early seating from 6pm to ~9pm, and then later seating from ~9pm onwards.  If you are late to your reservation, you have 15mins to run there before they give up your seat!

The ambiance of the restaurant is swanky, dark, and romantic.  Kind of like a mixture of Hollywood glam combined with East Coast Uptown snobby-ness.  Restaurant tables are simple, similar to those that you get at a lounge/bar.  This makes it a little difficult to get close(r) to your date, without making it entirely obvious J

Tokonoma serves Japanese Izakaya (small, tapas-style) cuisine.  We had the following items:

·         Japanese Green Salad (crisp mizuna, asparagus, cucumber, avocado, light-wafu dressing) $13.20

·         Toko Signature Sushi

o   Aburi truffle to umeboshi no unagi nigiri (unagi, torched foie gras, umeboshi) $15.80

o   Hotate no ponzu to wasabi ae gunkan (chopped scallop, ponzu, wasabi, cucumber) $12.80

·         Robato Grill

o   Shiitake no hachimitsu fuumi (japanese mushroom skewers, soy honey butter) $13.80

·         Sake no aburi yaki (smoked miso king salmon, fresh lime) $20.80

By far the best two dishes were the Unagi and Foie Gras Signature sushi, and also the Miso smoked King salmon.  The blend of the Unagi and Foie Gras was smoky and rich…so decadent!  The Smoked king salmon was perfectly cooked, so soft and melted in your month.  Combined with the miso sauce, it was light yet fulfilling. 

Unfortunately I did not take food pictures of the night – the restaurant was so darkly lit that camera flashes would have likely disturbed other diners.  However, presentation of each dishes were quite beautifully set.

Tokonoma is gem in Surry Hills that I will surely return to.  It’s one of my top 5 restaurants in Sydney and I would come back just for the Unagi & Foie Gras sushi J

Petaling Street, Sydney CBD

I always crave Malaysian foods, here I am to try it out.  Petaling Street serves Malaysian Hawker food, according to their restaurant menu.  Standing at the front entrance, you think it's a long, narrow restaurant that seats only a small number of patrons.  Little do you know, there is a second floor that expands out into a much bigger dining hall. 

We had the Chicken Curry Laksa, which came out fairly quickly once ordered.  Filled to the brim with piping hot broth, the bowl had substantial amount of chicken, fish cakes, bean curd and bean sprouts, and included both thick egg noodles and vermicelli noodles.  Curry broth was spicy and very flavourful - a pleasant surprise to other bland broths I've had in the past.

#56.  Chicken Curry Laksa ($10.80)

We also had #40. Fried Koay Teow ($10.80).  A huge plate of flat rice noodles, mixed with seafood, bean sprouts and Chinese sausage.  Again, very good flavours which hits the spot.  Didn't notice any MSG afterwards either, which is a plus!

All in all, Petaling Street could be my new "to-go" dining place for a quick and cheap eat.  Satisfies all the cravings and doesn't blow the bank!  I'm hungry for their food just thinking about it... Highly recommended!

 

Chicken Gourmet, Canberra

If you have ever stayed out in Civic till wee hours of the morning, you'll more than likely know Chicken Gourmet!  Known for great hangover/after drinking food, this place is packed late on a Friday and Saturday with those wanting just that.

Tonight was the first time I had been back there in many years. Most people order a combination of chicken pieces, chips, or burgers.  We ordered the first two items and food was collected and paid for within 10 secs.  For me, the Crinkle-Cut Chips were the highlights...I semi-wished I had not eaten dinner previously just so I can indulge in this goodness!

Crinkle Cut Chips - Courtesy of Chicken Gourmet

 

Chicken Salt - must add!

We order them with gravy which was poured on top, and once we opened up the bag, we also added a scoop of chicken salt on the side, available free as a condiment.  Chips were not overcooked nor saturated with oil.  Rather, they were crispy, non-greasy and stayed that way until we finished the whole bag! 

Its been a long time since I've had such great chips  :)  Thank you Chicken Gourmet reminding me of your existance - don't ever change!

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Chicken Gourmet
Shop 132, City Walk, Civic (next to King O'Malleys)
www.chickengourmet.com.au/
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Landmark Cafe, Double Bay

Ventured out to Double Bay for the first time.  Was pleasantly surprised by the strip mall of shops aligning the quaint streets.  Arrived at Landmark Cafe at around 9.30pm and restaurant was open with both indoor and outside seating. 

Came with the full intention of having ice-cream, but once I read the dessert menu, decided to go with a cake instead - Was thankful I did!  Had this amazing Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart – w/ vanilla ice cream......probably the best tart since coming to Sydney!

A generous portion, drizzled with white chocolate, large whole macadamia nuts surrounded by gooey caramel, all encased in a Shortbread crust.  Beautifully presented too with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream on the side!  Can be shared..but this one was all mine after the first bite :)



Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart – w/ vanilla ice cream -$13.50

Ordered a hot chocolate as well.  Service was quick and the waitress was polite - super accommodating when we wanted to move tables from outside to inside.

Hot Chocolate

Great little cafe, I would definitely come back to try their other desserts, for a drink and chat with friends.

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Landmark Cafe, Double Bay

27 Knox Street, Double Bay, NSW, 2028   

http://www.landmarkdoublebay.com.au/

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