Tuesday 24 April 2012

More than the standard Chinese

Sun Wah Restaurant is located in a strange place, easily missed by traffic passing by on Beach rd Mordialoc. Often stopping at the Round about on the corner I have looked out the window and thought, I wonder what that restaurant is like.

Prawn stuffed duck w/ mandarin sauce
The exterior is plain and simple with it's neon signs just like a lot of Chinese restaurants, and it does not venture to far away from the standard design on the interior. But it is still well presented and the service is welcoming, which makes it a beginning of a pleasurable evening.

It's extensive menu exceeds your expectations both far and beyond to the usual which is always exciting. Starting with Ginger pear scollops on crispy pork belly and served with golden pearl sago and chilli jam is something well away from the usual dumplings and spring rolls, but don't be disheartened they have plenty of dumplings and spring rolls too. Being adventurous we also dive into the entree platter of the chefs selection containing dumplings, spring rolls, dim sum and salt and pepper squid. All served with an accompaniment of sauces. A great way to start the evening.

Main course is just as hard to choose from, but a perfect choice of Duck stuffed with prawn served with a mandarin jus and Sun Wah's special combinations in a birds nest went down just as good as the entrees. 

Sun Wah's Combination
The duck was pleasant, combining something similar to the prawn toast and placing it on top of the duck was unusual, but the flavours were well balanced and the sauce accompanied it well, still sweet like a sweet and sour but milder.

The combination was over loaded and looked fantastic and fresh. Nestled in it's birds nest it was great to see the prawns and assortment of meats and a good quantity of vegies. With this dish you don't feel stooped with the price you pay.

Of course lashing out dessert was always going to be a clear factor although feeling utterly full, you can't say no and when your enjoying yourselves so much in a restaurant, you may as well enjoy it more with dessert.

A banana fritter on order and an indulgence plate of decadent cakes and ice cream was something that caught our eye too. This dessert platter contained a milk chocolate pudding sided with a tonka bean sticky date cake (Sticky date pudding) all served with a Belgium chocolate ice cream with violet crumble. A decadent explosion and would be best to share this dish if you have enjoyed a feast like ours.

Ginger pear seared scollops
Through out the evening from arriving at 6pm till the time we left close to 10pm, the staff were attentive and friendly. We didn't feel pushed to leave even though they were busy for a Saturday evening, which made our night even more enjoyable. Outstandingly this has got to be one of the best night's I've had in a while and couldn't believe how long we had dinned for until we left. Considering I was wanting an early night because I had to work early the following morning, it was surprising how fast the time flew when you were enjoying great food and receiving fantastic service.

It's worth the venture out to Mordialoc, although it is in it's strange location, it's a place that it worth the extra effort to go too.


Sun Wah Restaurant by the Bay on Urbanspoon

Friday 20 April 2012

Delightful


A busy Friday night on Lygon street with no booking leaves us wondering if there is any chance on getting 3 people into a restaurant at 7:00pm at night. The peak time for any restaurant really, and being in the industry myself made it more shameful that I didn't make a booking anywhere. A quick wonder down Lygon street and a look at some Italian restaurants made us realise that we weren't in the mood for Pizza or Pasta (funny and strange seeing as we were on Lygon street after all).

apple & lychee sangria
Realising this we came across Amigos, with its bright red chairs out the front and warm interior we choose to go for the Mexican cuisine, none of us had had Mexican for ages so it was a unanimous vote. Luckily at this point the Restaurant was full outside and 1/2 inside at the time of passing so we were greatful they could accommodate us, it wasn't too soon after the Restaurant was full to the brim.

Now I know what you are thinking, Amigos is just another Taco Bill or Montezumas, but I beg to differ on this.

Not only was our service impeccable, being welcoming, friendly through out the night and attentive the food was fresh and served on proper plates. Unfortunately we find that places such as Taco Bill and Montezumas tend to plate up then over heat the dishes leaving the customer unable to touch there plates and have the cheese caked onto the dish, not only that but can be served on the lovely microwavable plastic plates which always leaves a classy finish to your experience. But not here, not at Amigos.

The food was served promptly and was quiet delicious. Amongst the three of us we had:

Chicken Nachos- Corn chips topped with guacamole, cheese, sour cream, salsa and very tender grilled chicken. A small size was ordered and was very substantial and filling for Kylie, the flavours were balanced perfectly for her as a non chilli or spicy lover, there was still enough heat in the salsa that gave it that kick of Mexico. The chicken was tender and grilled perfectly and not dried out which you can experience a lot when you grill off small pieces of chicken. There wasn't so much salsa and guacamole or sour cream that ended up making your nachos wet and soggy 1/2 way through which is always the one up on me. I hate soggy lifeless dishes that makes it feel that you are a 90 year old with denchers and close to having to eat your meals through a straw. This dish had a perfect quantity of all sauces, however could have had a little bit more chicken pieces to actually make it more chicken nachos than nachos with chicken.
chicken nachos

Chimi Changa-  Beef Colorado wrapped in crispy flour tortillas topped with cheese and served with pico de gallo and frijoles. The beef was falling apart and melted in your mouth and the freshness of the pico de gallo which is an uncooked salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onion and chilli (usually jalapenos), added a cleanness to the dish, and served with frijoles or otherwise known as refried beans added that extra element that made it a delight to enjoy

Chorizo and Black Bean Nachos- Based from the same as the Chicken Nachos: Salsa, guacamole, cheese and Sour cream this dish also added grilled chorizo sausage, fresh black beans and chipotle. It had a nice spin on the standard nachos and once again had the perfect amount of sauces that didn't make your dish soggy. With the black beans laid on the base of the dish it wasn't until you made a substantial dint into your dish that you found them. Paul splurged out with the heat option and got the jalapenos on the top of them too. He is the risk taker of us all with his spices, but I do know he loves his chilli's and as we were also both getting over having the flu it was the perfect time to clear up our sinus's. The chipotle was not as intense as I though it could have been, being a smoked dried jalapeno, I think the heat came more from the fresh rather than the chipotle itself.

Stuffed Jalapeno- You can only guess who ordered this one. If you are scared about eating spicy dishes the is unfortunately not one to be scared of. I love spicy foods but am usually scared of the jalapeno peppers. But I had to give these stuffed peppers a go. Filled with cheese and coated with salsa, sour cream and cheddar, it is unfortunate that they are coated with so much cooling agents that the heat of the peppers are lost. We are fairly sure that the seeds have been removed as well which doesn't leave much to the heat of the dish. So it is fairly safe to say that if you were intending to try a jalapeno for the first time this dish is the way to go.

Now clearly you have to have drinks with these delicious meals, and being a Friday night you can't turn  your nose up at there cocktail list. So off to indulge three different cocktails were ordered and all of which were fantastic.

fig spiced martini
My choice of an apple & lychee sangria - white wine with elder flower fresh green apple and lychee finished with soda and ice, was refreshing but sweet. If you are a sweet tooth this is one to go for but is very easy to drink so be careful.

Kylie went for the Gin and Sangria Sling- Muddled with mixed berries and orange with gin and red wine and cinnamon topped with dry ginger and ice.  Almost like a fruit slushy and overloaded with berries we needed a spoon to finish the drink, it was another refreshing and somewhat filling beverage.

Paul chose the winning drink of the night though, a Fig spiced martini- Gran Centenario Reposado (tequilla) and Tuaca (a liqueur from Italy), shaken with smashed caramel figs finished with lime and ginger spice syrup. This drink was heavinly and left Kylie and myself wishing we chose the same. A must have is all I can say.

Our Friday night was filled with great food, amazing drinks and even better service. Forget Taco Bill and there fish bowl margaritas and over heated food and forget Montezumas with there nonchalant service, head out to Amigos there are several locations so you are bound to come across one. Just don't forget to get one of those fig spiced Martini's though.




Amigos on Urbanspoon

Monday 2 April 2012

Good food is wise medicine

There is nothing better to catch up with friends for a bit of brunch in the Saturday's sun in the court yard of Porgie and Mr jones to celebrate Paul's birthday.
Banana Bread

Never being here before but had entered my wish list and was truly up to expctations. This unique cafe is housed to individual rooms for both small and large gatherings, a grassed dining area and pebbled court yard. A quirky layout and welcoming staff truly made the start of our day perfect.

Greatful that on this occasion we did not need to wait for a table, as on weekends it has been said that the line is down the street due to it's amazing breakfasts we settled and ordered the first round of coffee.

What a coffee! smooth bodied blend and served at perfect temperature, it has landed on the top 5 best coffee places on my list. The consistency of there coffee is to be acknowledged as when ordering a second (even branching out to the large size) the coffee was perfect and well balanced.The kitchen is 

Deck seating
With the kitchen open until 3pm and a wide selection of breakfast, small dishes and mains there is something for each and everyone. Paul's choice of banana bread served with mascarpone, berries and pistachios was the eye catcher from all our dishes. A sneak taste while he wasn't looking I was in banana heaven. Not only was it light and moist this dish was something amazing and truly the highlight of the Birthday boys day.

Not to say that my P M & J breakfast was anything to complain about. Perfect poached eggs served on thick crusty bread and accompanied by smashed avocado, slow roasted tomato, bacon and roasted thyme mushrooms, was pretty darn tasty. Of course to top it off though a side dish of hollandaise sauce made it even better. The only thing I would have to say which was a little down fall was the amount of lemon juice in the avocado. It was a little over powering and unfortunately for once who is not a citrus fan like myself would find it slightly disappointing, however not so much that it would ruin your entire meal.
P M & J Breakfast


As we ventured into the late afternoon at Porgie & Mr Jones, time seemed to get away from us being in such a relaxed atmosphere and with good friends we realised that dinner was only a short couple of hours away.

For somewhere a little closer to home for dinner I made reservations over at Half Moon. For a surprise party of 12, this was no problem to arrange on a Saturday night in there small dining area.

Ribs
Another enjoyable atmosphere although slightly loud from the parties and music from either side, you would have to expect this in it's pub environment. But decked out with it's clothed tables, which were spacious and made you feel welcomed rather than feel like a sardine in a can we had a fantastic beginning to the night.

Staff were attentive and welcoming which is always nice when you have such a large party. Happy to arrange some share platters of chicken & chive gyoza, Charcuterie plate (cured meats, pate served with corn bread and brioche) and the Nicola rose pizza (rosemary & potato pizza). It was a great start to he evening.

If you ever go to Half Moon all I can say is for Main - HAVE THE RIBS! Tender pork which has been rubbed with a fantastic spice which almost whacks you in the face with intense smokeyness and hint of chilli. With it's accompaniment coleslaw which allowed you to cool down and had a fantastic flavour similar to an asian slaw with fresh corriander or mint. It truly made the dish of the night for me.

Dessert was in the cards to finish off the night of course, you have to arrange to sing happy birthday to the birthday boy when your out in a restaurant...... who doesn't?

Gooey chocolate pudding
For a chocoholic there is nothing else to have but the Gooey chocolate pudding with honeycomb ice cream. Perfectly cooked and intense in richness, it was my match made in heaven to complete my night. If you were not a fan of chocolate like I am I would suggest to go for the panna cotta. Although still chocolate, it is silk smooth and very mellow. I must say though that looking around the table there was not one disappointed face during desserts. 

As the night continued we did have to begin to yell rather than talk to each other due to the function room being used and the bar area filling up, which was a little bit of a let down although you can't expect it to remain quiet when your out on a Saturday night in a pub. However in saying that we did seem to loose attentiveness from our waiter, but I am unsure whether that was due to the demand at the bar, labour cut backs or because we had ordered desserts and felt they couldn't get much more sales from us.

Over all the night as well as the day was eventful and delicious which is always a good thing to have especially for a Birthday. Both places that were visited are recommended for eateries and both places we shall be returning in the future.

And to Paul..... I wish you all the happiness in the world for your Birthday.

Hip Hip Hooray!





Porgie and Mr Jones on Urbanspoon
Half Moon on Urbanspoon