Jessie's Birthday

Since it's Jessie's birthday today, I would do the right thing, and bake! 
Her birthday is a day after a long weekend, so I made the effort to make the trip down down south! 
But, I did time it , and it does only take me an hour to get there! (trust me, last time it took me a lot longer) 


And this was the results: 

I did have another idea for these cupcakes... I was going to make cute little sheep with them.  But they didn't really turn out.  

I need to practice more with the fondant. But, guess what! I'm going to a Planet Cake's Cake Decorating Course next Sunday! YAH!! 

And since it was 30% off (yes, they have discounts! they had a 50% off one, except that was on a weekday), I was more willing to pay the $280ish course fee for a 1 day course! 

Hopefully then, I will learn how to use fondant better... and next time around, my cupcakes / cakes will look a little better! 

But I do love the colours! and did buy a pack of 8 Wilton colours for $42.  I did probably get ripped off, since I bought them in Chatswood, but I didn't have any other choice.  

Moving on... And again, since I didn't have much to do this long weekend, I wanted to bake again! This time, I can finally start crossing off the things on my "To Bake" list!  

This is my version of Nigella's Torta Alla Gianduia.  No idea what it means, I think it says so in her book.  But essentially its a Nutella cake!

One of the loves in my life is Nutella.  There's no one time that I can refuse Nutella.  But, this cake needed 400g of Nutella, and even for the Nutella-obsessed, that is hell of a lot! I only managed to scrape 250g from my HUGE jar already, and the cake was definitely sweet enough.  So, very glad that I didn't have enough, or else I may have overdosed and MAY (just may) have been turned off Nutella! 

Another change... since I had HEAPS of left over chocolate ganache from the cupcakes (per above), I used this as the topping, instead of MORE Nutella, which is what the recipe says. 

But, here is my version:

I think I had a bit of a problem with the whipping of the egg whites, and think it resulted with the cake sinking a little.  You can probably see the dent in the middle of the cake, kinda looks muffin-top like.  Which was disappointing, but must say, the cake was great! It was so sweet, that you can only eat a small bit, or eat it with vanilla ice cream! 

Hope they enjoyed it! 

xoxo Michelle 

Subsolo

Basement, 161 King Street, Cnr Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000


YAH! finally made it to Subsolo! I've been wanting to come here for a long while, since I love Spanish! 
But the place is so dark that none of the photos really turned out. 


Given there are no pictures for you to judge, I guess my rating will have to be judged on what I say. 


Tapas:
* Warm Lamb Salad with Minted Fig & Pomegranate Dressing
I usually love lamb, and it was nice and soft, but I didn't find this salad that exciting.  The minted fig and pomegranate dressing is not really my thing.  I knew that I don't like fruit things with non-fruit related things.  But, I was thinking I could give it a try and see whether it would win me over.  But, no, didn't win me over. Not bad bad, but not great. 


* Chicken Chorizo with Caramelised Eschallots
LOVED IT ! I wasn't a fan that we ordered the chicken chorizo, wanted the pork version.  But this was SO good! extremely fatty, but I didn't expect any less. But this was a great first dish when we received it! 


* Crumbed Meatballs with Melting Manchego Cheese Centres in Romesco Sauce
These were typically meatballs?! No real sense of the cheese in the middle, and they were quite... just meatball like.  So , not a fan!




Main: 

*Misto Completo Charcoal spit-roasted skewers (Rump, Chorizo, Chicken & Morcilla)

This was the mixture of most of the meats on the skewer, the only one that it should have included was the pork ribs, coz i love ribs! 

Rump was too tough.  Was overcooked and not very nice.  And this was left pretty much untouched on my plate. 

The chicken (which had peri peri sauce) and the chorizo was the best! Besides being unbelievably full, I still managed to eat the chicken and both chorizos! Was good, but want to try the pork ribs next time around! 

Didn't manage to have dessert, I was way too full ! 

But, given the ambience, and some of the dishes and my want to go back another time.  I really liked it.  May not be my absolute favourite of Spanish place, since I'm yet to find it, but I did find it good! 

My rating: 8/10 

My stomach returns to Sydney for more food

1. Sake
12 Argyle Street
The Rocks, Sydney


Came here for my friend's bday, and there were hesitations of the place, given most of them were able to look through the menu before heading there, and they weren't impressed with the menu vs price. 


I did manage to eatability them prior, and the outlook for dinner was a little dim.  I think it had a 5.2 average rating, which didn't seem great.  


A friend ordered all the food for the table, which consisted of 3 entrees, 2 mains and a dessert.  Given the portions, the size, the quality of the food, not sure whether the $45 was justified.  But, it was for a birthday, so we all shouldn't really complain. 

L-R: Crumbed potato balls, Karage chicken

Hiramasa kingfish, yuzu soy, thin jalapeno slices & coriander

Pan-seared scallops, baby corn, asparagus, shiitake mushrooms & yuzu miso cream

Miso marinated butterfish grilled with pickled ginger & lime

Green-tea ice-cream wrapped in sponge & meringue, baked & served with white-chocolate sauce

As I said, food was good, decent, but not worth the price.  The restaurant used to be the function rooms of the Argyle Centre, but they refit it out, and it looks funkily cool.  But, essentially it is a Jap restaurant run by white, and the quality and the prices charged are definitely on the white side. Its seems like they are trying too hard.  Trying to make the dishes special, but yeh, didn't quite make it. 

Rating: 5 

I've definitely had better and more reasonably priced Japanese.

Given that I've been watching the first episode of Masterchef while typing up this blog.  

My next baking challenge (per influence of the show), is Pavlova. 

Wish me luck! 

xoxo Michelle    

To Melbourne and back...

Last week I was in Melbourne for work, and had to chance to check out some places there.  (And yes, I realised I not only have a eatability list for Sydney, but now, I think I have gathered one for Melb) 


1. Movinda 
1 Hosier Ln
Melbourne VIC 3000


Well, I did have hesitations about dinner here.  Not because I was worried about having Spanish tapas, but I was wondering whether there would be awkwardness! 
You see, I went to Melbourne for work, and thank God, another girl around my age went down as well.  So the conversation around dinner, and with the help that we needed to leave before the 2nd seating of the night, the night didn't turn out that bad.  
I read some reviews on eatability and the reviews on Grab your fork before heading there, except due to my bad memory, forgot what they recommended, so just decided to chose whatever I felt like.  

Special for the night: Oysters 

Viera: Roasted Spring Bay scallop with jamon and potato foam

Pulpo: char-grilled octopus with paprika potatoes

These are only some of the dishes that my table ate, but the lighting in the restaurant wasn't fantastic, so these are probably the only viewable pics available.  

I love tapas, so I loved this place.  The dishes were fantastic.  Scallop was cooked perfectly.  The octopus was good, flavours nice and subtle I guess.  

We did have the braised pork neck as well, and that was great.  Tasted like the Chinese style braised lamb with sweet plum sauce.  I liked it, not sure whether the Aussie counterparts did.  

Service was fantastic.  The guy was very friendly and nice, except we only received our spinach at the very end of the meal, which had to be eaten along.  But, it was worth the wait.  The flavours of the spinach was strong and flavoursome.  

My rating: 8.5  

Can't wait to go again.  It ended up being around $35/head with a jug of sangria, so decently priced meal.

2. Caffe e cucina 

581 Chapel Street
South Yarra VIC 3141

OMG.. I don't know whether its because I haven't had good italian for a long time, but this has to be one of the best pastas I've had.  

This place was recommended by a friend, who randomly stubbled in here after a long walk from shopping.  But, since I was here for work, and melb stupidly has their last night shopping nights on a Friday instead of a more sensible night of a Thursday.  But, we headed here after work on Thursday night.  

Started with a glass of wine at the bar, where the bar tender, and everyone else in the restaurant speaking to you in Italian, you really feel like you just stepped into Rome.  

Smoked yellow fin tuna carpaccio, with baby capers, lemon oil and fennel salad

Signature dish: Linguine with pipis, prawns, mussels and scallops, garlic, chilli and tomato baked in parchment paper

I was able to try a bit of this dish.  Pasta was great, but didn't try any of the seafood.  Not sure whether I would like all those thing baked.  But, I'm sure it would have been good.

Paccheri with spicy pork sausages, chilli, fennel and tomato ragu

Picture does not look appealing at all, given that it is smothered in parmesan cheese. But it was SO good that I finished the entire dish.  I guess it was a simple dish, and not unique.  But it was worth it.  

The bill came to $75 / head, one entree, 2 mains and one dessert with glasses of wine.  It was expensive.. which I didn't expect. 

I really enjoyed the food.  Was very authentic and fresh, but given, it wasn't a restaurant that I've heard of, and don't think I was warned about the prices.  I'm just not too sure whether the prices were justified.  So, would have been a 8.5, but the prices pulled it down a little, given that it was not exactly the value for money meal. 

Rating: 8

That's all for Melbourne this time around ... I think it will be Adelaide next.

xoxo michelle 

(decided to use my name, given my blog name says my name... bahhh.. haha) 

What's in my stomach today

1. March into Merivale 


In March, all the Merivale restaurants have a special where mains + a glass of wine is $33.  Since I am asian, and I love eating, I'm definitely there.


First stop: Ucello 

i think it was fried veal chops 

My bad... I can't remember what exactly this dish was.  But it was fantastic! 

Its chops of some kind, and it was definitely not lamb, don't think it was pork, so i'm taking a guess that it was veal. 

Nice, moist and tender.  The salad that came with it was average, but I wasn't expecting anything spectacular from it anyway.  So good, wish there was more! 

Platter of desserts

The platter was SO good! I don't think I've had a good variety of well made desserts in a long time (other than my own home made ones... haha), but the platter had... 

Tiramisu: the coffee was a little too strong, so that was the only fault I saw in the dish 

Chocolate fondant: Beautiful! runny warm chocolate with a nice crisp and thin topping 

Must admit... i cannot remember the others, but trust me, it was SO good! 

My rating: 9/10 

Stop No 2: Est. 

I've been wanting to try Est. for a long time, and finally got a chance for Ethan's farewell lunch, and a final lunch before the March into Merivale deal finishes. 

Fillet of veal, mushrooms, garlic and tarragon

Veal was cooked medium rare! Was soft, tender and really really good! 

And at the end... petite fours as a good bye. 

My rating: 8.5/10

Beautiful interiors inside the restaurant, very classy.  Would love to go again for dinner. 

2. Cafe Mint 

I've been here a few times already.  My friend loves the Turkish breakfast, and since I've never actually tried it before, I'll give it a go. 

But, I actually don't think its anything that special. 

Everything is quite bland, not much flavour and I guess not too appetising. 

Turkish breakfast: Olives, Spinach, hard boiled eggs, grilled haloumi and turkish toast. 

Maybe its just not really my thing, but at least we got some free goodies! 

We were the last table there, as they closed early since it was Easter Saturday.  So, the waiter chased us down when we walked out the cafe.  He gave a box of brownies and baklava.

3. Bourke Street Bakery

Always loved BSB.  Fresh bread, and has great coffee. 

And, OMG... the best, ever EVER tarts I've ever had! 

Strawberry and vanilla creme brulee tart 

Best combination for a tart... creme brulee in a tart, what could anyone else want? I was so full from the food from the Surry Hills Festival already.  But, OMG, I had to fit this tart in my stomach. 

Creme brulee was smooth and not overly sickening.  Not a huge fan of having strawberry there, but i guess it gives the tart a little variety.  But, cannot emphasise how good this tart is. 

Rating: 9.5 / 10 

Not exactly sure what deserves a 10.  But this is very close.  I guess the only limitations for BSB is that its only a cafe, and therefore only baked good available.  But, I would say its very high up to my favourites! 

... shall brunching tomorrow.  Will update on my progress! 

xoxo love.bites

High Tea at Michelle's Patisserie

Happy Easter everyone! 
I'm sure everyone is enjoying the 4 day weekday! Woohoo to that! 


So, since I had made no plans over the break, and did stay in Sydney.  I was baking my lemon tarts when I came up with the idea to hold my own High Tea! 


So, this was the result

This was a lot of effort.  I guess I bought it on myself, because I wanted to bake this weekend.  But, the amount of baking was crazy ! I think about 6 hours on Sunday, then about 4 hours on Monday.

The chocolate macaroons were a success! I was so happy, they turned out perfect.  Perfectly smooth on the surface with the little feet that makes them so special! 

All the other goodies were made with recipes that I've already tried and tested, which makes it easier.  But, I guess it didn't let me try out new things.  

Well, technically it was the first time making scones, but then again, they are not too difficult to make.  

But, I just hope everyone enjoyed the High Tea! 

Happy Easter everyone! =) 

xoxo 

love.bites