We Make Muffins!

After reviewing a bunch of different restaurants and cafes, we decided to have a go at cooking ourselves! Watch the video linked below to see how we attempted to make muffins and the end result. Hope you learn something. Enjoy! :) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2gpdxi_iVo&feature=youtu.be

Rockpool Bar and Grill

Rockpool Bar and Grill

For many, a steak is all they need to enjoy a delicious meal. Rockpool Bar and Grill provides traditional steaks and simple dishes that will satisfy almost any diner. With a number of starters, mains and dessert, this place offers typical grill food and a number of alcoholic beverages at the bar if you just want to catch up with friends over a drink.

At Rockpool Bar and Grill, food is prepared to order and is served fresh and hot. If you are looking to have a function like a birthday, they take bookings for private dinners. But, they are not a turn up and take a seat sort of place like many of the places in our posts, you need to make a reservation, which is in keeping with their professional ways. Prices range from $5.00 to $60.00.

To begin a night dinning at Rockpool Bar and Grill, start with a small appetiser to get your mouth watering and your taste buds hungry for more. Rockpool Bar and Grill serves healthy food and in their appetisers, food with barely any oil. They tend to stick to fresh food rather than fatty oil fried food. 

For many, all you need is a steak served with a glass of wine. Rockpool Bar and Grill is the place to be if you love steak. Although they serve other meals with different meat like chicken, fish or vegetarian meals, Rockpool Bar and Grill specialise in steaks and is what they are known for. They are able to cook it how the customer likes it and do so to perfection.

Rockpool Bar and Grill dinning area is an open space with beautiful architecture inside for they diners. As seen in the picture, customers can enjoy their meals at the same time as enjoying the amazing design of the roof and pillars. Rockpool Bar and Grill also have private sections for events such as birthdays or weddings and guests can enjoy their food in the privacy of themselves. 

At the end of your meal, you can enjoy a hand crafted dessert with is also made to order. There are a number of desserts to choose from and most of them are served in a small size because they are very sweet dishes. 

Overall, Rockpool Bar and Grill is a good place to have dinner is you are willing to spend a lot of money on food. Despite the expensive prices, the food is well made and fresh. To find out more about them visit their site http://www.rockpool.com/rockpoolbarandgrillsydney

Location: 11 Bridge St, Sydney

Ladda Thai

Ladda Thai, located on the Sydney Park end of King Street, is a totally unassuming looking little takeout restaurant, with a few cramped tables to sit at. They specialize in thai style dishes that make your mouth water. I wouldn't recommend eating on site, but trying the food from there is a MUST.

As soon as you see the store, you see the ingredients they use to cook your food with on display so you see exactly what's going into your meal, no hidden surprises~ Their rice noodles with chicken, is so delicious, it's hard to explain, but you just want more! They don't skimp on quantity either, the box you get is packed to the brim with food, it looks like it could almost burst.

Their rice noodle dishes are always bursting with flavour and their seafood ones can be quite spicy (And as a person who does not always do well with spice, I endured the tears streaming down my face because it tasted that good).

The more seasoned staff will always greet you with a smile, as soon as they see you enter. Which is a great thing to experience where ever you go~

http://www.laddas.com.au/

Though their online website is a mess (Requiring you to sign up before you can actually view it, which is a little silly, and also not centered), don't be afraid to swing by and grab a physical copy of the menu, which requires nothing other than walking in and taking one. Ordering online itself isn't necessarily bad, it is just a lot easier to go in and order in person.

Paragon Cafe - Goulburn

The Paragon cafe is located on the main street of Goulburn, a little town along the highway from Sydney to Canberra, that's been there forever. All the locals know about it and most people who have passed thorough the town have eaten there.

The entrance does look like something right out of the 50s, but that just adds to it's charm~ The cafe has been in Goulburn since 1948 according to their website!

The meals are about average in pricing, but huge in size. I can recommend their pasta dishes (Do consider sharing it with a friend~), the creamy taste just melts on your tongue and you just want more. The atmosphere is friendly, and the staff always have smiles on their faces.

Though nothing really stands out as a signature/unique dish, on their menu, what they do offer is exceptional and often brings people back, if you ever stop by Goulburn, be sure to check this little gem out!

http://www.paragoncafe.com.au/

Hurricanes Grill

Hurricanes Grill is one of  the best meat restaurants around Sydney. Enjoy bringing the family to a restaurant like this and try different types of meat on offer.

Open 7 days a week
Lunch Monday to Friday 12:00pm-3:00pm
Dinner Monday-Friday 5:00pm to late
Weekends is all day from 12:00pm till late

Meats on offer include Grilled steaks, Pork, Lamb ribs and Beef ribs. With these dishes special sauces come with it to add flavour.

Pork Ribs          Full Rack $44.90      Half Rack $34.90

Beef Ribs          Full Rack $42.90      Half Rack $31.90

Lamb Ribs        Full Rack $42.90      Half Rack $31.90

The steaks are basted at Hurricanes and are grilled to your specification (raw, medium, cooked). They come with chips or baked Potatoes. 

When ordering these dishes kids receive free desert to come with their meal which is ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Location is below in Sydney

     HURRICANE’S GRILL Bondi Beach

         HURRICANE’S GRILL Darling Harbour

      HURRICANE’S GRILL Top Ryde City

            HURRICANE’S GRILL Brighton Le Sands

Eat Thai

Eat Thai Restaurant

For Authentic Thai cuisine, Eat Thai Restaurant is the place to be. Situated in Paddington, Eat Thai Restaurant provides a range of meals on their menu including small starters, soups, stir fries and much more. Eat Thai Restaurant offers opportunities for functions such as birthdays as well as catering for at home events like weddings. 

The menu of Eat Thai Restaurant has a range of different meals, beginning with starters, then mains and specials, they present ready made hot food, which is served in just 15 to 20 minutes. Prices are costly from around $8.50 to $30.00, but the food is well made and fresh. 

For people who enjoy light meals, Eat Thai Restaurant cooks small bite size meals that can be eaten as either a starter or a main and do not have heavy things in it like oil that is usually used to cook food. With a side of soy sauce, a simple meal can be made exotic.

One of the specialties of Eat Thai Restaurant is the soup the create. They provide vegetarian and gluten free soups that are healthy and include a chill kick for those who like their chilli. You can choose between chicken, fish, beef or pork and a number of different flavours.

If you are a big eater, this place also provides larger meals, with a side of salad. Above in the picture, you can see a whole fish which is served as a traditional meal in a modern fashion.

As mentioned above, Eat Thai Restaurant offers functions for things like engagement parties, birthdays or weddings. As seen in the picture, the theme of the venue for functions is based on traditional thai flowers and bamboo. This section is separate from the rest of the restaurant so you and your family or friends have privacy from everyone else. 

Overall, Eat Thai Restaurant is a very wholesome place where family and friends are always welcome. With reasonable prices, they cook traditional Thai food presented in a modern style. To find out more, visit their site http://eatthai.com.au.

Location: 229 Glenmore Road Paddington, NSW 202

Toko Japanese Restaurant

You may think that all Japanese restaurant in Sydney are the same. But this is different... the atmosphere, servings... and of course the price to pay for. Although the foods here are pricey, the foods will not let you down.

Beautify ambient

Foods here are generally priced around $40-70, so make sure to bring more friends there so you can share cost and try many different dishes rather than paying the same amount to try one dish. The first time I went there with my friends, there was already queue outside the restaurant but we waited patiently as we were told that this is no ordinary Japanese Restaurant, and we were disappointed when we tasted the foods. 

Firstly,  I had their lychee and jasmine mojito. It was so good that i was craving for seconds.

After ordering the drink, we ordered some sushi, grilled scallop, sashimi. The sashimi were very fresh and the sushi were well presented and importantly tasted fantastic.

Fresh and well presented sushi!!!

Another fresh and enjoyable sashimi

After having the shushi and sashimi, we ordered a Desert Platter which the presentation was a spot on, but of course the important part is the tastw which is simply amazing.

After having the meal at the restaurant, I am dying to go there for another meal. Would definitely recommend to the food lovers. 

Nick's Seafood Restaurant

 Nick's Seafood

Nick's Seafood is open 7 days a week. Fresh seafood is served with ocean view of Sydney's Darling Habour.

 

Nick's seafood restaurant is located in places around Sydney's CBD including Cockle Bay Wharf, King Street Wharf, Habourside and Darling Quarter.

On offer on weekends is three dishes for the price of two. This deal is worth the deal with the food coming straight fresh from the fish markets in Sydney to the restaurant. Oysters, Lobster and Prawns are the three dishes on offer for the price of two on weekends and this starts from just $60.

You also have the choice of buying these lobster package at just $49. Part of the the lobster package includes Calamari, Oysters, seafood sticks, chips, fish. This package is great to share amongst 2 adults.
 

Nick's seafood comes fresh from Sydney's fish market on a regular basis. These two pictures show how fresh his seafood really is.

Bavarian Bier Café

Bavarian Bier Café

If you enjoy a loud dinner with friends and family, Bavarian Bier Café is a great place to visit. Located in Parramatta, Bavarian Bier Café offers traditional Bavarian food with drinks and music for everyone. Good for a late night, Bavarian Bier Café includes a bar section for adults who want to catch up over drinks, as well as a restored historical church that serves as a restaurant. 

With an all day menu, Bavarian Bier Café has food with prices ranging from $4.00 to $30.00.  They have fast service so food is ready quickly so that everyone can enjoy their meals at the same time.

During dinner time, what Bavarian Bier Café is known for is their alcoholic shots that are made to order and passed around the table once the waiter has brought them over, ringing a cow bell. Another specialty at this place is the accordion musician who plays throughout the night around the restaurant providing entertainments while everyone eats. 

Bavarian Bier Café makes many different meals using different types of meat, but the meat they specialise in is pork. They cook all their food to perfection and serve it in different and unique ways as seen in the image above. 

For those who do not eat meat, Bavarian Bier Café provides vegetarian dishes and gluten free dishes which are included in the main meals and their appetisers. With a combination of sun dried tomatoes and fresh salads, Bavarian Bier Café created meals appealing to everyone.

As always, to finish off a delicious meal, you need a mouth watering dessert. Above is an image of one of the more popular desserts - sugar icing and chocolate coated pretzels. This is a traditional Barvarian dessert and is loved by heaps who try it.

To summarise Bavarian Bier Café, it is a loud place with lots of entertainment where family and friends can catch up and enjoy a filling meal. Although during dinner, it is an 18 and over only. To find out more about Bavarian Bier Café visit their site http://www.bavarianbiercafe.com/home/

Location: 2-8 Phillip Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150

Best Gelato in the World- Cow and Moon

Looking for the best gelato in the world? Thinking that the best ones will be Italy? Well you are wrong. Cow and Moon has recently been named the best gelato makers in the world.


People queueing for irristable gelato

When I heard that it has been named the best gelato maker in the world, I asked my friends along to get some of their gelato and see how good they really are. No surprise, they are actually AMAZING!!!



We first tried some of the samples given by their friendly staffs. And ended up with some gelato purchases. The best flavour tasted was the Strawberry Sorbet & Mango Sorbet and Hazelnut & Pistachio. But overall they are fantastic.

Brazilian BBQ

Like BBQ style of meal? BahBQ Brazilian Grill is the place for you. BahBQ Brazilian Grill specialised in roasting whether its meat or seafood. Not only that, BahBQ Brazilian Grill utilised charcoal and iron skewers for grilling to maintain the intense aroma of the roasted meat.

First up, Bah Bq offers churrasco (aka all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ) at $49 per person. This is a wow-factor as you can eat all you want.

Remember I mention roast on a skewer? here it is



The roasted dish will the brought up to your table by a waiter to offer you the roasted meat, if you want to have some the waiter will saw out some meat for you on the spot. My favourite was the rump and slow cooked lamb. Not to mention, the grilled pineapple was irresistible.


rump


grilled pineapple

BahBQ is located in Crows Nest. 35 Albany Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065. Reservations can be made at reservations@bahbq.com.au.

Thats it for today, hope you enjoy.

Max Brenner

Max Brenner

Experience Max Brenner's new savour thick hot chocolate in a HugMug. This starts at $4.50 and is only around for a limited of time only. Experience coziness, warmth and fragrance with the new HugMug!

Create your own personal waffle only at Max Brenner with the new Belgian dessert waffles. This waffle is toppled with fruit and vanilla Ice cream. This starts at just $7.50.

The decadent Crepe is also a new product that will get your tummy's rumbling for more. Vanilla ice cream drizzled with pure melted chocolate filled with bananas and strawberries surely has you keen to try. Starting at $8.50.

Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse

For an eventful, family evening, Outback Steakhouse is the place to be. With a number of restaurants located around Sydney, you will be sure to find one near you, offering anything from vegetarian to gluten free dishes and from steak to chicken where you can enjoy a delicious meal, that is, if you get there in time - the restaurant often becomes full because it is so popular.

Outback Steakhouse offers delicious and filling food in generous amounts for reasonable prices. The prices of the appetisers provided range from $5.00 to $15.00 and the main meals, $17.00 to $44.00. As one of my favourite restaurants, Outback Steakhouse has great service where meals re ready and served within 10 minutes.

Dinner is served from 6.00pm with a menu for kids, adults and a wine list that contains all the favourite beverages and a few cocktails.

One of the most popular appetisers is the Cheese Chips. A plate of deep fried, crispy chips, topped with melted cheese and bacon with a creamy side sauce, proves a mouth watering feast that definitely makes you more hungry for the main course. This is behind doubt my favourite appetiser, although I do become a fit full in my stomach after eating one of these. It's probably best to share it with someone.

Even though is is called a steakhouse, this place provides many different and diverse meals including chicken, steak and vegetarian which also can come as gluten free if required. 

To finish off a good meal, Outback Steakhouse has available a number of desserts. Despite the number of desserts, some may find them a little too sweet for their taste. Personally, I have a sweet tooth and would prefer chocolate and ice cream over fruit, but for others, a piece of fresh fruit with some simple ice cream is what they love.

In light of that, Outback Steakhouse is a lovely, family restaurant where you can enjoy a decent meal at reasonable price. To view their full menu and find out more about them, visit their site http://outbacksteakhouse.com.au/index.php/home

Locations: 

• 2A Hollylea Road, Leumeah, NSW 2560 Australia
• 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith AU06 Panthers Complex, NSW 2750, Australia
• Lot 3, 228 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, NSW 2519 Australia
• 323 Great Western Highway, Southwest Wentworthville, NSW 2145, Australia

Takumi Sushi Train~

Takumi is a pretty awesome sushi train, located on the top floor of the Market City building in Sydney's city. 

All dishes on the train are the same price, so you don't have to worry about what colour plate corresponds to what price! And the atmosphere, is very uplifting, with the staff constantly chatting with each other and the conversations of the other diners, making the place seem lively yet not to crowded and overpowering.

The food itself really makes you want to come back for more, the right balance of ingredients and flavours make sure none of the dishes seem too heavy, a balance that can be hard to find. The crab especially was so light and fluffy, I was actually surprised.

The best part, students get $2.50 dishes instead of the usual $3. Cheaper for students, tasty sushi and a great spot to socialise with your friends. This little place has it down~ 

Cafe Lattéude on York

Cafe Lattéude on York

Feel like a peaceful and relaxing day with amazing food? Cafe Lattétude on York offers you just that. Located on the corner of York Rd in Jamison, Cafe Lattétude provides a menu with a range of foods including brunch, salads, pastas and of course desserts with a quiet atmosphere.

The prices are steady, ranging from around $4.90 for starters to $28.90 for mains but is a small amount for the delicious food and service available. Waiting time on food is very short. Having eaten there recently, I can tell you that I only waited about 10 minutes for my freshly cooked meals, which is very impressive as I have previously waited up to 30 minutes for food.

With lunch from 12.00pm to 3.00pm and dinner from 5.30pm, Cafe Lattétude menu consists of a kids menu, which is convenient for those parents whose children eat limited foods and little amounts. 

The beverages that Cafe Lattétude have available include the usuals like cappuccinos, flat whites and lattés but they also offer alcoholic beverages for lunch and dinner dining.

Cafe Lattétude caters for vegetarians and gluten free people. Unlike many restaurants that only contain a couple of gluten free and vegetarian foods, around 50% of Cafe Lattétude's entire menu is gluten free or vegetarian.

To end a delicious meal, you need a delicious dessert. Simple is the way I like it, with a scoop of vanilla gelato, topped with strawberries. There are a number of different flavours to choose from. This dessert is just one of many served by Cafe Lattétude.

Overall, Cafe Lattétude on York is a really nice place to eat, with tasty food and great service. To view their full menu and find out more about them visit their site http://www.cafelattetude.com.au/site_flash.html

Location: 69 York Rd, Penrith NSW 2750

• Italian Restaurant Criniti's

If you love food, especially Italian, check out Italian Restaurant Criniti's. Pizza's and Pasta's are amazing.

Woodfire pizza's are like no other. Which start from $19.

Like no other pizza restaurant in Sydney. Pizza's can be 1 metre long for the whole family to enjoy with your own toppings. 

CHECK THEM OUT IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS BELOW

Locations: Parramatta, Castle Hill, Woolloomooloo, Manly, Melbourne and Darling Habour

Mamak- Great Malaysian Restaurant in Australia

Mamak- Great Malaysian Restaurant in Australia

When you see que!!! First thing you know that you are not going to be disappointed with the foods that you are about to discover. This Malaysian restaurant will definitely amaze you.

Dat que!!

Mamak is specialised in making Roti's and satays which is a must try no matter what.  It is their most authentic dish in the restaurant. Look at the skill of the roti flipper, surely he is entertaining while you are waiting patiently to be seated.

The "mamak" in Malaysia are Indian by ethnicity and often Muslim by religion, their forebears having been brought to Malaysia from southern Indian by the British (who colonised both India and modern-day Malaysia).  Now, mamak street stalls are popular across Malaysia and Singapore, specialising in roti, satay, mi goreng noodles and more. Well another meaning for "mamak" is the concept of opening 24 hours a day 365 days a week in Malaysia which of course is not 24 hours here!!

So if you are looking for foods like laksa, char kuay teo, or malaysian chicken rice, you have come to the wrong place. 

Chicken/beef satay, one dozen for $16

Fantastic satays!  Bite sized morsels of tender chicken and beef, threaded onto long, dainty skewers and with the most delicious satay sauce for dipping. All I can say is that this is a real stunning dish that makes you crave more, but i would recommend chicken which I think is really good. Awesome.

Roti canai, $5.50

If some roti is like puff pastry, this was like filo - almost impossibly thin, elastic dough cooked on a hot grill and gently curled on a silver tray.  I could happily eat it on its own, but it comes with a traditionally thin lentil dal speckled with nigella seeds, a creamy curry gravy, and a dot of dried anchovy-rich, full-flavoured chilli sambal.

Teh tarik, $3.50

Of course, when eating mamak, Tea Tarik, "Malaysian's Favourite drink"  is not to be forgotten. This is tea sweetened with condensed milk and "aerated" by pouring in long streams between two mugs.

Roti telur bawang, $7

Kari ayam, $16

Next up were curries - first a fantastic, full-flavoured chicken curry with whole cloves bobbing in the rich, thick sauce and big, tender taters. 

Kangkung belacan, $14

This is kangkung belacan, also known as water spinach. It is stir-fried with shrimp paste, yummmm.

Sambal sotong, $17

"It's very hot," warned the edible young waiter.  "Yes, we love hot," we replied.  Sambal is a chilli-based sauce that can be anything from just pounded fresh chillies with a little lime to an intense blend of shrimp paste, sugar and citrus.  While at first bite the sotong tasted sweet and tangy, the addictive chilli rush crept up slowly afterwards.  Delicious.

Much rice for soaking up all the sauces...

Rojak

Rojak is also one of the best dish which consist of cucumber, prawn fritters, egg, and yam beans. Worth a try!

Final comment, this is a really must-try. Oh and don't for get to end your sentence with "la" (If you know the humour of Malaysian English :P )

Location: Chinatown, chatswood, Melbourne