Food Archives | Page 40 of 68

CHATIME Love

30 August 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 5 Comments Category: Food

I’ve been craving for this for the longest time. We have several CHATIME branches in Sydney Metro (but none in our suburb *sigh*) and even if there are two branches that I pass by on my way to my train station, I have not stopped to buy a cup on my way home. My reason being that it’s winter time and if for some reason, my train gets stuck somewhere, it might induce me to need “bathroom time”. So I’ve been holding up my craving for the past three months. Yes, three long months.

Last Friday, I decided to take half the day off work and spend the afternoon with Me! I hung out at Westfield Parramatta and gave myself that much-needed haircut. The Husband left work early and decided to join me later in the afternoon.

I knew that there was a CHATIME branch at Westfield so before we went home, instead of having our usual afternoon tea of coffee and pastry, I dragged my Husband to CHATIME and shared with him my love for milk teas.

Most CHATIME branches here in Australia are take-away counters but there are a few that have an area where you can sit down and take your time while you enjoy sipping your milk teas. The Parramatta branch looked alright with their crystal-like stools. Not a big space but still better than nothing. I wish they have more branches with a dining area.

My favourite comes from their Mellow Milk Tea range: the Taiwan Taro Milk Tea. The Husband being his first time, decided to be on the safe side and ordered their Caramel Milk Tea.

Can’t wait for my next CHATIME indulgence.

CHATIME Australia
Shop K508 Level 5
Westfield Parramatta
More locations here
7 days a week, from 9:00AM to 6:30PM

Korean Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)

29 August 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 2 Comments Category: Food, Restaurants

My tweets while having coffee at Hello Happy:

“Having coffee at a Korean cafe immediately transports me into a different place.”

“Inside a Korean cafe, surrounded by Koreans, hearing Korean pop music…aaahh i feel like in Seoul again.”

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Strathfield is one of the suburbs in Sydney Metro that has a Korea Town and the Husband and I are so glad that they have Hello Happy here. Our first Hello Happy experience was in Chatswood but Chatswood’s too far away from where we live. I’ve known for awhile that Hello Happy had a Strathfield branch but it was only two weeks ago that we found the chance to visit.

The Husband pretending to be candid.

Delicious-looking cakes.

They have mini cakes too…super cute!

One of my friends, Jojie, asked me when I shared my Tous Le Jous (Seoul, Korea) foodie entry if Sydney has a similar cake and bakery place and the answer is “Yes!” (Sorry, it took awhile to answer you, Jojie).

Hello Happy serves the yummiest cakes and pastries and makes great coffee too.

Their Strathfield branch appears to be on the more youthful side (the Chatswood branch looks more of a cafe for family) with dark lighting and cozy interiors.

I am fascinated with their little paintings on the wall.

Since we were preparing for a big Korean BBQ dinner that afternoon, the Husband and I decided to share a slice of their Chocolate Mud Cake. Rich and decadent, you can see some chocolate oozing on the side of the cake.

Caffe Latte for him and a Cafe Americano for me.

We never go home empty-handed when we visit Hello Happy. We bought three pastries and enjoyed it at home.

The Meringue Pie is an addicting wonderful creation. It’s puff pastry with meringue on top.

The Almond Croissant is another favourite of mine. Buttery croissant with ALMONDS–that’s the keyword there–ALMONDS! 🙂

The Husband enjoys the Mocha Donut, well, because it is Mocha and it had a generous topping of nuts.

Hello Happy
22 The Boulevarde
Strathfield, NSW (next to NAB)
Phone: 9715 6259

New Food Finds at Westfield Sydney : Snag Stand & Becasse Bakery

27 August 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 2 Comments Category: Food, Restaurants

Haven’t been out much since I came back from holiday in May. The Husband and I mostly spent our time hibernating at home for most part of May to June due to cold weather. We started going back to our weekly dinner dates in July and that’s when we found out that the Westfield Sydney Food Court in Level 5 and 6 became more fancy.

A new gastronomical experience was having a taste of some “haute dogs” at Snag Stand. Philip Blanco, the man behind Gloria Jeans and T2, brings sourced gourmet sausages from local butcheries and serve them with specially-baked buns for a sophisticated sausage sizzle experience.

The Husband got himself the American Classic “haute dog”. A filling wood smoked frankfurter with American Mustard, tomato sauce, onion and sweet relish on a toasted brioche roll.

Haute Dog at Snag Stand (Westfield Sydney)

Being the spicy-fiend, I got myself the Chili Dog. This “haute dog” won’t disappoint when it comes to “haute-ness”! A natural frankfurter enveloped in chili beef sauce, onions, cheese and roasted chili peppers on a toasted brioche bun.

This hotdog is so long so they cut it into half to make it easy to eat AND share!

Their chips made from 100% Tasmanian Russet Potatoes with a sprinkle of natural sea salt flakes is one of the best chips I’ve ever tasted. A great partner to their “haute dogs”.

Their hotdogs tasted a bit bland but I took into consideration that their sausages are made from low lean fat meats, all natural casings, gluten free, no artificial colours and flavours. I’m aware that the more natural the food is, the lesser flavour it can be. The little blandness is balanced out by the sauces and toppings so I didn’t really mind. I’d gladly eat these kind of hotdogs anytime and feel guilt-free.

Snag Stand

http://www.snagstand.com.au/

Level 5, Shop 5012a

Westfield Sydney

188 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9221 9660

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On a different week, the Husband and I met up for afternoon tea and decided to try the coffee and pastries at Becasse Bakery.

We had a cup of their Cafe Mocha and shared a pastry. With just the right amount of chocolate, their Cafe Mocha was beautifully rich. I’m truly proud I live in a city where you can get good coffee in every corner and even in food courts.

Their version of Gateau St. Honore on instagram. It is a classic French dessert made of puff pastry at its base, cream puffs dipped in caramel and abundant whipped cream.

I loved this pastry!!! I knew I was meant to share it with the Husband but I ate most of it.

I can’t wait to try their other pastries soon.

Becasse Bakery

Level 5, Westfield Sydney

Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9283 3440

Philippine Food Festival at Grace Hotel

14 August 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 1 Comments Category: Food

In cooperation with Department of Tourism Philippines, Philippine Airlines, Grace Hotel Sydney brings you the Philippine Food Festival from 5-21 August.

Indulge in a sumptuous buffet of well-loved dishes skillfully prepared by Chefs Dimatera, Pring and Zabala from Via Mare (Philippines).

Sydney food lovers will be delighted with tantalising buffet featuring 3 courses of well-loved Philippine dishes, carving station, live cooking demonstration and delectable desserts.

Heard about the Philippine Food Festival at Grace Hotel last year and luckily this year we found the time to try and enjoy authentic Filipino cuisine prepared by Via Mare chefs from the Philippines.

We dined on Thursday night and we were privileged to meet and chat with Chefs Zabala, Pring and Dimatera. It was wonderful to meet them and learn about their cooking experience here in Sydney. According to them, most of their time are really spent inside the kitchen as they are the only ones who really cook all the dishes served during the festival.

I have to admit that I wasn’t too excited to go to Grace Hotel because I cook Filipino almost everyday. However, I looked forward to enjoying being surrounded by Filipino dishes not cooked by me (LOL) for a change.

The Husband and I were not disappointed with their drinks as they served San Miguel Beer and fresh Coconut Juice straight from the Coconut shell. Drinks are of separate charge from the dinner buffet of AUD$48.00. A glass of San Miguel Beer cost us AUD$8.50 (definitely not cheap) and the fresh Coconut juice was AUD$6.50. We both enjoyed our drinks immensely because San Miguel is not easily available in Filipino restaurants nowadays and the coconut juice was very sweet and refreshing.

They served Pandesal for bread and Sinigang na Hipon for soup.

The salad section was abundant and one that I truly enjoyed.

I loved their Ensalang Mangga with Itlog na Maalat (Green Mango Salad with Salted Egg). First time for me to see Green Mangoes sliced into perfect julienne. The fusion of the sour green mangoes with the salty egg was amazing. I’m definitely copying this at home.

Other salads I liked: Ensaladang Ubod at Tahong, Adobong Kabute, Steamed Kangkong, Okra & Sitaw with Vinaigrette.

For the mains, I enjoyed their Lechong Kawali. You have the option to eat it with the usual Sauce for Lechon or Bagoong (Shrimp Paste) and make it into your do-it-yourself Binagoongan.

Other mains you can enjoy: Adobo, Chiken Inasal, Morcon, Bam-I Guisado, Tyan ng Bangus Asado. To accompany the mains, they prepared Adobo Rice.

The dessert section Sapin-Sapin, Maja Blanca and an assortment of fruits. What I loved the most for dessert was the Halo-Halo and Leche Flan.

Even if some dishes were not as spectacular (for me), I still enjoyed this foodie experience over-all. I really felt proud seeing non-Filipinos getting to know our food and enjoying it too. It also felt good to be able to support a Filipino event such as this.

Philippine Food Festival (only until 21 August)
Grace Hotel
Corner of York and King Streets
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

$38* lunch buffet, Tuesday to Friday
$48* lunch buffet, Sunday
$48* dinner buffet, Thursday to Saturday
For reservations, call (02) 9272 6888 or email restaurant.reservations@gracehotel.com.au

Things I Love: Royce Chocolates

11 August 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 5 Comments Category: Food, Things I Love

We seem to have a fascination with chocolates made in Japan. We’ve heard a lot of raves about Royce and some friends have recommended that we try it too. Fortunately, the Husband and I received a box of Royce Nutty Bar Chocolate last year and it was one chocolatey pleasure we can’t forget. Unfortunately Royce Chocolates are not available here in Australia.

So when we vacationed in the Philippines a few months ago, we’d always stop by the Royce ‘store’ (it’s not really a store) whenever we’re in Greenbelt 5 and hoard…yes, the best way to describe the way I shopped for Royce chocolates was hoard.

The Husband is more of a chocoholic between the two of us so we tried the Royce Nama Chocolate. We chose the Mild Cacao because I love white and he loves dark and we just had to compromise. The Chocoholic Husband loved it and I liked it. Like lang (I only liked it) coz it’s too chocolatey for me.

What we bought more of was their Chocolate Bars. Knowing that we want to bring them home to Sydney, we needed chocolates that has a longer shelf life. We bought four flavours: Dark, Milk, White and Almond.

I had high expectations on the Royce White but unfortunately for me, it was a miss. The chocolate was smooth and light. I was hoping for a richer milk flavour and it missed the mark I was hoping for. I’d still buy this bar again though but I would never hoard it.

The Husband enjoyed the Milk and Dark flavours. However, he said he will never consider the Dark flavour as one of his favourites because it wasn’t as rich as well.

What we really loved the most from all the bars was the Almond flavour. This was a winner for us. We can finish a bar in one sitting and we felt bittersweet as we enjoyed our last Almond bar at home. I’m definitely hoarding this again when we chance upon a Royce outlet somewhere.

Our Royce chocolates are all gone now but one of our friends is visiting Singapore soon and she promised she will buy some for me.

So there, other than the Royce Nutty Chocolate, our newest favourites from Royce are the Nama Chocolate and the Royce Almond Bar.

What’s your favourite Royce chocolate?