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Biggie Smalls

27/2/2016

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Saturday lunchtime on Smith Street and we decided to pop into Biggie Smalls for a feed.
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We took a table out on the street and deliberated over the kebab menu. I went to place our order inside at the very clearly labelled order kiosk:
  • A-rab - Lamb, smoked hummus, leaves and pickled bits
  • East Coast - Maple glazed pulled pork, crackling, peanut butter hummus, leaves and pickled bits
  • Hot crinkle chips and harissa mayo
  • Corn dogg - Turkish sausage corn dogg with smoked mustard mayo
All that food came plus two soft drinks came to less than $50 so it's in line with gourmet fast food prices.

Food arrived quickly and we dug in. There were three corn doggs (not sure why it's spelt with a double gg) per serve and that was generous and we couldn't get into the third. Pretty tasty with crispy outer, soft mash encasing a salty, spicy sausage.

The main stars are obviously the kebabs and they were hefty in size. I had the pulled pork and enjoyed the sweetness of the meat and the tang of the pickles. Pretty messy eating! The pita was soft and pillowy. I couldn't taste the garlic yoghurt or spicy sauce much and it was just shy of being well seasoned.

Steve's lamb one was better. Big chunks of tasty lamb that was juicy and meaty. The chips were crunchy and I liked the spicy seasoning on them. The two mayos we had weren't that exciting and a small part of me might have just preferred ketchup!

In summary, nice enough and worth a try but we both personally have a preference to Jimmy Grants offerings. Sorry Biggie! We just feel Jimmy wins out by a whisker in terms of flavour and the friendliness of the wait staff.
Biggie Smalls Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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Tokyo Tina

27/2/2016

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Since moving North side, we've struggled to go South of the river in spite of the appetising lure of Hanoi Hannah, Saigon Sally and Tokyo Tina. We've been able to resist their charms thus far. But this Saturday we found ourselves in Windsor at a 40th birthday party and decided to pop in for a late feed. Well late for us old fogeys but it was more just after 10pm and Chapel Street was pretty pumping!

Tina was still bustling in spite of the off peak hour but we were warmly showed two places at the bar. Steve is doing Febfast and I didn't want to cause him too much grief so in spite of the impressive drinks list and the fact it was Saturday night and we were in a bar it was green tea for two. And we didn't feel too out of place!
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We ordered pretty quickly and our food arrived even quicker! I love it when food comes out speedily. And the service is smiley with lots of checking in to make sure all is good.

Our first two dishes to arrive are:
  • ​ORGANIC SOBA SALAD Salmon Sashimi, Pumpkin, Snow Pea, Ponzu Ginger Dressing
  • WAGYU BEEF TATAKI Miso Mustard, Pickled Onion & Nectarine 
My initial reaction to the soba salad is that it looked dry but and lacklustre but actually it was really tasty Fresh flavours, pickly tones and zest. Yummy. The tataki was also tasty with a sweet richness from the miso mustard. I like my beef tataki cut a touch thicker but I'm being picky!
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The next two dishes arrived pretty promptly too so it was good to be able to move on swiftly.

  • TEMPURA EGGPLANT Miso Chawanmushi, Pickled Ginger & Spring Onion 
  • KARAAGE CHIKEN RIBS Hot Gochujang Sauce & Lemon
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The eggplant was on top of a layer of chawan mushi which in spite of the description on the menu I wasn't really expecting. This was my least favourite dish. I found the eggplant bland although the tempura was crispy and the chawan mushi wasn't as silken in texture as I like. Plus it tasted a bit cheesy so the whole thing was a bit weird. Although Steve had no problem with it!

The chicken was exactly what it should be. Crunchy outer, juicy meat and spicy sauce. Simple but truly good.

We had a slight breather before the final dish which was one out of the three poke dishes Tina offers. 
  • SNAPPER Rice, Toasted Coconut, Cherry Tomato, Onion, Topico Roe
Traditionally Hawaiian and basically a form of ceviche, Tina's twist was to have it on top of warm rice. With fresh lime, coconut milk, shreds of chilli, sprigs of coriander and fresh sweet tomatoes this was delicious. The fresh snapper and fresh coconut shavings were really brought out of their potentially bland selves and joined the flavour party! And these are my kind of flavours.

We found Tina hospitable and the food delicious. Worth the journey and I'm a little bit jealous that there in spite of all the wonders of the North side, we don't have a Tina!
Tokyo Tina Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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Yuzu

10/2/2016

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I found myself in the area one mid week lunchtime and decided to pop in for a quick bite to eat. It's a little confusing when entering as takeaway is in one direction that looks like it leads to the dining area but actually have to head in the opposite direction and walk round.

Pretty hospitable welcome and as a solo diner was shown to a seat at the sushi bar and the chefs there greeted me with a warm smile and were friendly throughout my short time there. Not chatty but would check to make sure I was happy and ok.

The place was pretty busy, kind of pacey busy but not overwhelmingly so. My order was taken quickly and the chirashi sushi arrived promptly. It exceeded my expectations in presentation; so prettily displayed with jewel like colours atop a rectangle brick of rice.

Flavours were traditional, clean, fresh and light. I enjoyed the different types of fish; salmon, kingfish and tuna with a prawn, some avocado, tofu and wood ear fungus. The rice was nicely cooked and not mushy.

In all, it was pretty classic and well executed. If in the area I'd pop in again. Not the cheapest of lunches at just under $20 for the dish but the quality was there. The only thing is that eating rice with chopsticks from a plate isn't the easiest I find. I prefer a bowl with chopsticks or cutlery with a plate but that's just a personal thing that reveals my weak chopstick abilities!
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Yuzu Cuisine Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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Little Hop

7/2/2016

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Jason Jones is in Singapore leaving B'Stilla and B'Stilla Cantina up for grabs. Los Hermanos has moved into the cantina retaining the floral vinyl tablecloths outside and the street food cuisine.
We were meeting up with Kirsty and Marty; our friends from NZ who were in town. We needed something quick as we had to be off elsewhere after lunch and also something big enough for Steve and I as breakfast and lunch combined but light enough for Kirsty and Marty who had had a decent brekkie.

We arrived just after midday on Sunday and Little Hop was just waking up so it was a little bleary eyed and not quite ready for us. The ball soon started rolling though and the gents even went to Coles to buy some sparkling water for us.

We ordered guacamole to share and the corn chips arrived but the guac was a little late but that's because the avocado was still being mashed. We didn't mind waiting for it to be made fresh and it was yummy when it arrived ready to be mixed with little piles of red onion, jalapeno and tomato.

Then it's taco time. Steve and I had 3 each; I went pork, chicken and fish and he did beef, mushroom and fish. They're served open and with plenty of filling; watch out for juicy leakage! I loved the flavours of the chicken and pork and they did taste different with the pork having more fruit and pickle and the chicken charred and smoky. The fish was battered and it was nice but I prefer my fish grilled. Ironically the fish was Steve's favourite. 

Kirsty and Marty had 2 each so it was perfect for them. In all, we had a great lunch and it was speedy and tasty. Very tempting to call in again whilst Los Hermanos are in town!

Little Hop Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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    Fine Print

    For those that know us, this section will probably come with no surprise! Steve and I love eating out so this is our record of our time in Australia.

    This is a blog that is 100% written and edited by Steve and I. All opinions expressed are our own and are not influenced by any third party.

    Any sponsored posts are easily identified as such.

    Thanks for reading barleyblog.

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