Thursday, March 20, 2014

Sergeants mess - Mosman

A couple of our friends had a simply amazingly gorgeous daytime wedding at Sergeants Mess on the weekend. Spectacular views and beautiful weather saw to two lovely people joining together in love. This great occasion was also celebrated with great food.

Canapes were passed around prior to the meal - oysters, seared tuna, and fish cakes. All tasty - possibly because we were absolutely starving. Entree-wise, there was an alternate drop of lamb and prawn. As I don't eat lamb, hubby took the lamb dish - a braised lamb shoulder with lentils, harrisa and rocket. The colours of this dish weren't spectacularly amazing, but it was gobbled up by all around the table.
braised lamb
I had the prawn tortellini. Two big tortellini - a squid ink pasta shell filled with tons and tons of prawn was served with grilled octopus and tomato. It was quite lovely and delectable. Completely devoured by me due to my hunger.
prawn tortellini

In terms of mains, there was an alternate drop of veal and fish. The Parmesan crust veal was tasty and tender, served with with a smooth potato puree and drizzled with a tomato and tarragon jus. Walnuts, whiltlof and watercrest made a tasty salad on top of the protein.
Veal

The barramundi was crusted with eschallot and was also served with a smooth potato puree. Neatly cooked asparagus and a creamy buere blanc sauce complemented the fish nicely.
Barramundi
Dessert-wise, a range of small versions of panna cottas, opera cakes, and the like were carried around by dutiful waiters.

All up - beautiful people, beautiful venue, tasty food, awesome weather - what more could you ask for on a Saturday afternoon?

Ratings:
Food - 7/10
Service - 7/10
Ambiance - 9/10
Value for money - ?
Overall - 23 + ? / 40

Sergeants Mess
Building 20, Chowder Bay Road
Chowder Bay, 
NSW 2088
Tel: (02) 8978 9200

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

In the Annex - Forest Lodge

'In the Annex' is a grungy cafe tucked in quite inconspicuously like a hole in the wall in the annex between Camperdown and Glebe. Everything here seemed like a bit odd and ecclectic - nothing really matches yet that's kinda what pulls them all together. There's even toys and cards strewn everywhere for us to play with if we were bored.

I ordered a coffee to start. My skim cappuccino was quite delicious and a good pick-me-up to begin my morning.
Cappuccino

Hubby had difficulty choosing between the various yummy-sounding dishes on the menu. At the last moment, he opted for the smoked salmon. The salmon was absolutely delicious tasting - smokey, flakey, really well cooked. It was served with beans, two poached eggs and toast. Maybe the only thing I would want with this is a good sauce? But I guess it's just more healthy this way :)
Smoked Salmon

I ordered a simple bacon and egg role. Except that it had super delicious aioli, bits of kale, and some yummy relish. Simple as it may seem, it was actually really appetising and delish! I wouldn't mind having this on a regular basis.
Bacon, Kale and Egg
'In the Annex' is a pretty cool cafe. Nothing fancy here but tasty food and coffee.

Ratings:
Food - 8.5/10
Service - 6.5/10
Ambiance - 7/10
Value for money - 7/10
Overall - 29/40

In the Annex
35 Ross Street
Forest Lodge
NSW 2037
Tel: (02) 8041 6536

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Three Williams - Redfern

A relatively buzz hip place going at the moment is Three Williams on Elizabeth Street. With Ex-Chiswick and ex-Aria chef, Tim Bryan, heading the show, tons and tons of people are lining up here for awesome coffee and narnies. Unfortunately, due to the acoustics of the place, weekends here are noisy as!
Three Williams

Their coffees took a bit longer and normal to come, but it was really smooth and tasty. Quite a good coffee.
Cappuccino

Of my friends, one ordered a breakfast dish with peppers. I don't remember exactly what's in it but my friend said that it was tasty. He did also note that it had quite a chilli bite to it.
eggs with peppers

His partner ordered the King William - the big breakfast at the place. Eggs, grilled tomato, bacon, hash, onion and toast - can't really go wrong there. However, the big brekkie wasn't the star of the place.
King William
I think that the dish of the place are their narnies. Narnies are soft, fluffy flatbread naans with a variety of different fillings. It is absolutely deliciousness! My narnie was stuffed with beef brisket, gerkins, super tasty slaw with chipotle mayo. The beef brisket was super tender and melt-in-your-mouth. It was full of fatty beefy flavour. Loved it!
beef brisket narnie
A friend's narnie was filled with chicken, kaffir lime and other greens? Don't quite remember what's in it >.< But my friend thought it was amazing also!
chicken and kaffir lime narnie

I have to say, the food here was delicious. The service, unfortunately, was a bit slow and the whole place was a bit too noisy. One of my friends decided to come back twice more that week - he must have really liked it too! :P

Ratings:
Food - 8/10
Service - 6.5/10
Ambiance - 6.5/10
Value for money - 7/10
Overall - 28/40

Three Williams
613 Elizabeth Street, 
Refern, NSW 2016
Tel: (02) 9698 1111