Living

Between working, travelling, starting a business, entertaining and sleep, there's not much time to blog.... So I've reverted to Twitter to provide this blog with updates, where ever I am.... Bear with me!! I will complete a proper post before the year is through!! xxx.

Follow me @Kazmic

Tony Tan Unlimited

What can I say… Tony Tan has so grown on me that I look forward to every cooking class that I have with him. So far, I have taken two classes with my sister at Tony Tan: the Asian Fusion and the Spices Workshops.

The Asian Fusion class was more like a dinner party where Tony demonstrated the recipes, we watched, made notes and drank wine.. lots and lots of Brown Brothers wine. No we didn’t get drunk but some of the other crew got loud. Getting drunk at these events is really not recommended as it really makes the guest chefs angry as they feel it’s disrespectful. So pace.

The Spices Workshop was an intense 5 hour hands-on workshop where you basically accept the role of assistant or sous chefs for Tony: grinding, chopping, mixing spices. We also learned to de-bone our own spatchcocks / baby chicken with success. Although you kind of felt that you were thrown in the deep end in the beginning with that one… He does it in maybe 5 to 10 minutes. We did it at best in 20.

We also learned how to tie our apron the professional way – straps in the front so that you can fold a tea towel through it for easy access. We worked a lot with knifes in the class and was told the right way of carrying it to minimise accidents is to carry the knife flat against your thigh. Always say “Behind” when you’re walking around in the kitchen. In Asia, we call out “boiling water” in Chinese.

Tony is an endearing character, full of anecdotes and cooking know-how. He told us great chefs must have both technique and passion for food… He felt that some of the great chefs in Melbourne have the technique but not necessary the passion or the pure understanding of food…

Oh yes the food that we made, it was very delicious and unbelievable as I never thought I could cook like that… It’s all in the technique and recipe. The spark… I believe that it does come from the passion for food…


Tony Tan’s Unlimited Cooking School
(03) 9827 7347

*2009 schedule out now!

Ata tombo - “Red Dragonfly”

One day last year, my family and I had the pleasure of going to aka tombo sushi bar in Prahran.
As usually, it was after a long discussion of:
Who’s hungry now?
When will we be hungry?
What do people want to eat?
Where should we eat?
How are we going to get there?

….we settled for aka tombo…I say settled because we called a number of places prior to aka tombo before we thought of it and reserved our table.

In the end, I am sure we would not have enjoyed ourselves at another restaurant as much as we did at aka tombo.

We arrived at 6pm, while the chef was still preparing his shiu-mais (scallop dumplings with crab roe). They looked delicious so we ordered them. They were absolutely scrumptious, better than any shui-mais I have ever had… so fresh and delicate!

We then received our sushi and sashimi combination for 2 people. Kingfish, salmon, squid, prawns and tuna (and unagi temaki)…. We ate all the daikon radish slivers, cucumber slivers, pickled pink ginger as well :P We also had kingfish sashimi with plum sauce and rocket . The flavours really complimented each other. Everything was just so fresh and complimented each other. We also ordered a plate of tempura moriawase. The tempura batter was fried to perfection, very light and crispy. Have you ever had tempura with sea salt? This is what I prefer, some places will also serve you green tea salt. Ask for it if you want to try it… completely different taste and it preserves the crispy and crunchiness of tempura.

I watched chef Kageyama prepare the sushi, the shiu-mai, tempura and sukiyaki. This guy can do everything really well… rare quality. We also saw him making a take-away teriyaki chicken on rice. It smelt divine! The aromas immediately told my stomach to make room. We promised ourselves to come back to aka tombo if ever the need for take-away arises.

We ended a beautifully crafted meal with brown sugar ice cream…. Delicious and so good for you :P Makes me want to buy an ice cream machine even more!

This place has been reviewed by a lot of websites and blogs… I know I know… but I never got the chance to go there until know. I’m grateful for my sister, always reminding me of these places at the right time :)

The story about aka tombo, luckily, doesn’t end here….

I caught up with a good friend of mine, who was Japanese. She and I have never been to the newly opened aka tombo tapas and sake bar in the city, so we made an effort to go there.

Its concept is completely different to the aka tombo sushi bar as its name suggests. If you like sake and/or sho-chu (Japanese vodka) you will love this place. This place is quaint and great for lone diners as well.

Service is paced so you get to enjoy your chosen liquor. Prices are reasonable… but serving is essentially tapas style ranging from $7 to $10. Lots of variety.

Between the two of us, we had:

• Two delicious slices of mentaiko with our Northern Japanese beer (can’t remember the name) and Peach Shu-Hai
• Jaki and Rocket salad with yuzu sauce
• Something similar to Takoyaki with a clear broth as its dipping sauce
• Pork giblet and gobo stew
• Kurobuta (black skin pig) katsu with mild BBQ sauce and mustard... By this time, our beer and chu-hai was replaced by sho-chu and cold sake. (Many sake can be drank cold or hot, as the season goes, hot is usually drunk in winter and cold is drunk during summer)
• Ebi tempura with green tea salt
• Yakisoba

They have really transformed the place from the previous restaurant. The space is now elegant, yet funky and spacious. I love the “art work” on the wall, great DIY idea.

Both restaurants are highly recommended.

Aka tombo Sushi Bar
205 Greville St
Prahran VIC 3181
(03) 9510 0577

Aka tombo Tapas & Sake Bar
17 Liverpool Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9654 6727

All out for Indian

Source: www.bismi.com.au

My husband has been away on holiday and as he is not a fan of Indian, I decided to go all out for Indian food, while he was away. Luckily, I had a few willing foodie partners-in-crime.

First stop, the Bismi Golden Fork, on Elizabeth Street, near the corner of La Trobe Street. Unfortunately for me, the café was not air-coned so I couldn’t stand to sit there and have their thali meals. Believe me they looked delicious. Instead, I had to make do with the take-away menu and ordered a spicy eggplant curry (my husband doesn’t eat eggplant), very spicy…and two freshly made plain roti… I ordered the plain roti before I saw that there were many other types of roti, like onion roti, garlic roti – doop!

Source: www.yourrestaurants.com.au

Second stop the following day, we went for dinner at the restaurant of the same name in Brunswick. Oh boy, I was so excited when I got there that I was jumping up and down and clapping with joy. The restaurant reminded me of the Malaysian mamaks (Muslim Indian cafes) that I liked so much in Kuala Lumpur. Dark and a little dingy but the food on the counter looked and smelled tasty.

I highly recommend the savour dosai, lamb masala, and the roti tissue… (although it could be thinner).

Source: www.bismi.com.au

They’re having a Valentine’s Day special : 20 dishes per person for $20. That’s pretty good!

If you love your Indian or is homesick for Malaysian mamak, try Bismi.

Bismi
848, Sydney Road,
Brunswick, VIC 3056
(03) 9386 8611

Bismi Golden Fork
380, Elizabeth St, Melbourne 3000
(03) 96501834

Gingerboy

Source: www.cubeme.com

Do you believe that things are meant to be the way they are….. and sometimes you just have to go with the flow? Strangely enough this happened to me at Gingerboy.

We were asked to wait at the bar for a few moments prior as they were preparing our table.. we were pretty early… 6pm. The cocktails were lovely and potent… great for a hard day.

Then we were ushered to our table in the empty restaurant, right at the windows looking out to the laneway. The sight was really interesting, like a scene from the movie “In the Mood for Love”. I don’t usually like sitting so openly next to the windows; it makes me feel like my meal is on display. But this time, I didn’t complain, I just frowned.

It was funny to see the waiter explaining the menu to us with the hanging red tassels in his hair :) The tassels were from a jumble light fixture dominating the ceiling. The décor is rather interesting…contemporary and very vibrant. After we ordered, we sat contemplating whether we liked the décor or not.. Then as I looked out the window, I caught a familiar couple walking down the lane. It was my ex-colleague from Hong Kong, with his wife! I knocked on the glass to get their attention, and they came into the restaurant to have a chat. That was really a nice surprise! If we were sitting elsewhere, we wouldn’t have been able to see them… Our paths would have crossed but without each other knowing it…. I wonder how many times my husband and my paths have crossed in the past without each other knowing it…. It’s quite exciting to think about the possibility.

While I am writing this, I am looking back at what we ate. The two dishes that stood out in my memory were the prawn entrée and the corn cakes sides. Brilliant. The mains were interesting – sophisticated hawker style dishes… Rich but very tasty. However, sometimes too salty. I do prefer this restaurant to Ezard’s (same owner) asian-fusion. Gingerboy, brings it more back to the roots… retaining the basic Asian ingredients and adding complementary twists to the dishes.
As the night progressed, the room got noiser…more like a market and people getting happier… great atmosphere… I heartily recommend this restaurant if you like South-East Asian food….

Gingerboy Restaurant and Bar
27-29 Crossley Street
Melbourne
(03) 9662 4200

Claypot, St Kilda

Source: www.yourrestaurants.com.au

I’m not a huge fan of seafood, as some of you may know. But that hasn’t stopped me from going to Claypot in St Kilda again and again, and again. It’s just so yummy!! I love it! I’ve never sat in the courtyard area but I love the front of house area where you get the street light shining in and it feels like a cozy little area.

We usually get a mix of seafood on a huge platter to share… the flavours are just amazing. Be careful, don’t sit next to someone who’s sloppy and order some delicious entrees while you wait for your platter.

Last but not least, if you’re happy to wait then get there at after 6:30pm. If you’re not, best bet is to get there at 6pm. If it’s sunny, get there early and get a seat in the courtyard.

Source: www.yourrestaurants.com.au

Claypot Seafood Restaurant
213 Barkly St
St Kilda 3182 VIC
03 9534 1282

Kappaya Japanese Soul Food

Source: Hradcanska's Flickr photostream

If not for the food, you need to visit the place for the vibe. This is what Japanese soul food is all about. Amongst the glitz, brands and gadgets, this is also the other side of Japan that I often crave. This rustic yet rich style is becoming more and more prominent now in Japan.. and it’s good to see that the younger generation is craving the “Simple Life”…

Kappaya
233 Johnston Street
Abbotsford
(03) 9419 6350

For more info:
Matt Preston’s Epicure Review August 2007
More photos at Ponzu's Flickr Photostream

Michelin Starred Restaurants in Hong Kong

"In 2008 The Michelin Guide extended its reach into China with a new edition ranking dining destinations in Hong Kong and Macau for the first time. The guide, featured 251 restaurants and hotels in the two Chinese cities, is Michelin's second guide outside Europe and the United States. The debut Tokyo edition was published in Nov. 2007, with eight restaurants receiving Michelin's highest three-star rating.

Michelin awarded 40 stars to 28 restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau, and two venues got the top ranking.

Lung King Heen in Hong Kong's luxurious Four Seasons Hotel received three stars, while the hotel's French eatery Caprice won two stars." Source: Usatoday.com

Now we did manage to get a table at Lung King Heen last December during our annual end-of-year trip to Hong Kong. It was pleasant enough with sweeping views of the Hong Kong famous harbour, refined setting and elegantly presented cuisine. However.... although good, none of the courses stood out for me.

I really believe that there are restaurants in Hong Kong, that can provide better food, but I guess those places won't have the same waterfront and glamourous setting. It reinforces my thinking that the Michelin guide is not only about food but you have to have everything... You have to have the ambiance and service to go with the food.

Some would say that they don't really understand Chinese food.... Perhaps... Sometimes simple things are the best.... I guess no wonton noodle or sweet tofu pudding place is going to make it into the guide... Here are some downright favourites of mine:

• Brunch / lunch at Kowloon City Market food court (top floor)
• Islamic food in Kowloon City
• Tofu pudding in sweet ginger soup and ginger sugar in Kowloon City
• Kiku, B13-16 Basement,The Landmark, Central (Tel 2521 3344)
• Yumcha at Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant, Star Building, Tsim Sha Tsui (or Lei Garden is pretty good I've heard)
• Roast goose in Sham Tseng, New Territories (I think it's better than Yung Kee, Hong Kong) Some say it's because it is closer to the San Miguel brewery that is why the geese tastes better :P
• Live seafood in Sai Kong, you have to try the uni fried rice!

Hong Kong Michelin Guide 2008

Three Stars

• Lung King Heen, Four Seasons, Hong Kong
• Robuchon a Galera, Hotel Lisboa, Macau

Two Stars

• Amber, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
• Bo Innovation, Hong Kong (heard this one is really good - but you got to like fusion)
• Caprice, Four Seasons, Hong Kong (very romantic place but bring a fat wallet)
• L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, The Landmark, Hong Kong
• Shang Palace, Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong
• Summer Palace, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
• T’ang Court, The Langham, Hong Kong
• Tim’s Kitchen, Hotel Lisboa, Macau

One Star

• Fook Lam Moon (Wanchai branch), Hong Kong
• Forum, Hong Kong (nice funky place; great place to meet people too)
• Hutong, Hong Kong (Interesting place and food with great view)
• Imperial Court, MGM Grand Hotel, Macau
• Lei Garden (both the IFC and TST branches), Hong Kong (great yumcha as well)
• Ming Court, Langham Place Mongkok, Hong Kong
• Petrus, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong (people do rave about this restaurant.. go French, go Petrus)
• Pierre (as in Gagnaire), Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
• Regal Palace, Regal Hongkong Hotel, Hong Kong
• Shanghai Garden, Hong Kong
• The Eight, Macau
• The Golden Leaf, Conrad Hotel, Hong Kong
• The Square, Hong Kong
• Tim’s Kitchen, Hong Kong
• Tung Yee Heen, Mandarin Oriental, Macau
• Ying, Crown Macau
• Yung Kee, Hong Kong ("World's best roast goose")