Frango - Norwest

I've been meaning to visit Frango since they opened in Norwest but as they're not open on Sunday, the normal day that I'm around that area, I haven't had the chance to try it until a couple of weekends ago. Although it was raining and cold, there was an abundant of people lining up at this place wanting some tasty chicken.

Not knowing what exactly to get, we got a chicken and chips pack and a burger and chips pack. We ended up with too much fries and only then did we eye an adjacent table who had the smarts to swap their fries for salad. That's what we should do next time for sure!

The chicken was actually really tender and tasty, with a pretty yummy slightly chilli mayo sauce. Finger-licking good :) Hubby enjoyed it but I think if he was given the choice, El Jannah is where he would be going (for the charcoaled chicken and garlic sauce :P).

The burger was also quite tasty. The chicken piece was tender and also, lightly slathered with the chilli mayo sauce. The lettuce was abundantful but tended to fall everywhere. It tasted much like an Oporto's bondi burger (which I quite enjoy anyway).

I enjoyed the chicken here but it was nothing crazily amazing. It's not bad for a rainy day but if I had to choose between Frango chilli mayo and El Jannah's garlic sauce, garlic sauce will win hands down - everytime :)

Ratings:
Food - 7/10
Service - 6/10
Ambiance - 6/10
Value for money - 7/10
Overall - 26/40

Frango
Ground Floor Shop 5
29-31 Lexington Drive
Bella Vista
NSW 2153
Tel: (02) 9672 6474

Norwest Fresh Seafood - Norwest

Norwest Fresh Seafood

After last weeks fish and chips overload in Wollongong, I felt as though what I truelly miss is the local fish and chips shop - which appears much healthier (as the fish is grilled instead of deep fried) and just as yumminess (if not more so). What's also awesome about this place is that they put vinegar on your chips (upon request) and allow you to swap normal ceasar/greek/green salad with awesomeness seafood salad!

Perch Chips and Salad - $10.90 (+ $1 for seafood salad)

With nice and cheap fish, chips and salad packs (ranging from $8.90 - $12.90 depending on the fish type) it is the filling and economical option for lunch. My favourite fish at this shop tends to be the perch - which is thick, juicy and tender. The meat just falls from the fillet, onto my spork, and into my mouth - yumm.

Sea Perch

And the seafood salad? Yumminess! The seafood extenders are tastey and the prawns and fresh. And it's all mixed with mayo and seafood sauce. Mmm...

Seafood Salad

So overall - apart from Maccas and KFC, this place has to be one of the yummiest local takeaway shops.

Ratings:
Food - 8.5/10
Service - 7/10
Ambiance - 6/10 (it's takeaway!!!)
Value for money - 8.5/10
Overall - 30/40

Norwest Fresh Seafoods
T30a Norwest Marketown
4-6 Century Circuit
Baulkham Hills
NSW, 2153
Tel: (02) 8850 4588

Trevi Lakeside Restaurant - Norwest

Decided on a family dinner to herald the end of my exams 2008.
To break the monotony of a Chinese food streak, we decided on Trevi Lakeside.

Trevi Lakeside

The restaurant was quite busy, and customers seemed to keep coming and coming.
The restaurant must have a nice attraction somewhere - thought I.

Certainly can't be the service that's keeping everyone? There were only 3 visible waiters roaming around the tables - and, either because we weren't regulars, or because we we're asian, or because we didn't order wine - we didn't even get to hear the "today's specials" when some (not all) tables around us seemed to have this pleasantry.

Nonetheless, we ordered 1/2 a dozen of "house" oysters ($17), which were oysters topped with ricotta, crushed macadamia, baby spinach and vinocotto. Interesting, but I prefer them natural i think. Cooking it "house" style was interesting, but the piled on ricotta overpowered, well, everything I guess. An interesting concept - but one which looses the oyster.

half-dozen house oysters - $17

My mum ordered the "linguini al vongole e granchio" ($27). This was linguini with fresh blue swimmer crab meat, yamba king prawns, and vongole all in a garlic white wine, basil and parsley. Hmm... again, attractive on paper - less so in real life - and even less in taste. The sauce was watery and somewhat bland.

linguini al vongole e granchio - $27

My dad took the lamb racks, chargilled and macadamia crusted, with potato gratin, buttered french beans and vinocotto glaze (the "agnello di casa" $36). I'm not a fan of lamb. My dad knew this and offered me to the potato gratin which was... very very lamby. My dad seemed to enjoy this dish - and my mum too (more so than hers).

agnello di casa - $36

Lastly, my dish. The "salmone" ($34). This was a grilled atlantic salmon fillet with crusted pistacchio on mushroom and asparagus rissotto and drizzled with truffle oil. The salmon was a touch (or a bit more than a touch) overcooked. The crusted pistacchio top was super salty - but without it, was 'super hard to taste anything much' - ie. tasteless. The risotto, however, was not bad and oh so very creamy and filling. However, I'm not quite sure how well the salmon went with the risotto. Seemed like they could be better off sitting on two separate dishes.

salmone - $34

Food aside, the ambiance of the restaurant is great! It was quiet and peaceful when we first entered. We had a table which overlooked an artificial lake and a water fountain and many many little duckies. Very nice. I guess what dissappointed me was the service (of which, they barely spoke to us - not even when they put down our dishes), and the quality of the food (which sounded so enticing on paper). Dessert was not ordered as we didn't want to find ourselves stuck at the restaurant for another half-an-hour or more just for that one coffee or dessert plate. Hence, my family made a quick exit and got the bill even before our table was cleared.

Ratings:
Food - 4/10
Service - 3/10
Ambiance - 8/10
Value for money - 5/10
Overall - 20/40

Trevi Lakeside Restaurant
Shop 5, 8 Century Circuit
Norwest Business Park
Baulkham Hills NSW 2153
Tel: (02) 8850 0111