AU2010 - Sakura Japanese Kitchen

Calling itself a kitchen instead of a restaurant is quite appropriate for Sakura, …

 

 

… since this hidden little gem on Pitt Street is so small and cramped that most of us sat so close to the kitchen.

 

 

Browsing through their dinner menu, Sakura offers a huge range of Japanese food, and most of them come in sets (with rice and miso soup).

 

 

Hence, during our visit, we tried their Sakura Fish and Chips set, …

 

 

… Chicken Katsu Curry set …

 

 

… Pork Shogayaki set …

 

 

… Soft Shell Crab set …

 

 

… and Teriyaki Fish set.

 

 

I reckon Sakura is well worth a visit for their value-for-money dinner sets (an average of $14 per set), generous portions and fresh food, but that is only if you don’t mind the cramped space.

AU2010 - The Rocks Aroma Festival

Does “Have a drink with Mona Lisa” sound familiar to you?

 

 

The above pictures are among the many that were circulating through emails all around the world, featuring the incredible 3604-cup Mona Lisa coffee sculpture that achieved a Guinness World Record. And guess where was that?

 

 

Yes, it was part of The Rocks Aroma Festival 2009 in Sydney. And for this year, Aroma Fest was back on the 25th of July!!

 

 

Considered a divine world of coffee, tea, chocolate and spice, visitors (or rather coffee, tea, chocolate and spice lovers) are invited to explore the divine taste sensations during the festival. Separated into four unique destinations, this festival included The Oasis, The Orient, The Latin Quarter and The Continent.

 

 

During our visit, we started off by visiting the Latin Quarter, where one could soak up the colour and vibrancy of Latin American with Guatemalan roasts, chocolates from Peru and Bolivia, and high-energy capoeira.

 

 

As we walked past the Museum of Contemporary Art, …

 

 

… we arrived at The Continent, an European-style piazza with Italian blend coffee, artisan chocolates, hand-picked olives and music from the quirky Barons of Tang.

 

 

Further down the road at Campbell Cove, was where The Orient was located.

 

 

Here, visitors get to sample herbal teas, Indonesian coffee and chai, pick up exotic spices and catch an explosive drumming performance by Taikoz.

 

 

Moving on…

 

 

… our last stop was at The Oasis, …

 

 

… a magical and exotic land with Turkish coffee apple tea, gozleme, belly dancing, whirling dervishes …

 

 

… and camel rides!!

 

 

Walking along George Street back into Circular Quay, …

 

 

… we came across, possibly, the most interesting (and cutest?!?!) stalls of the whole festival, Naked Berry …

 

 

… and My Little Cupcake!!

 

 

 

I suppose, the best thing about this festival was, visitors get to try cups of coffee, tea and hot chocolate for only $2 (instead of the usual $3, $4, $5 or even $10). But in order to attract more customers, some stalls did offer free sampling, such as Bondi Chai Latte …

 

 

… and Disaster Bay Chillies (although not really a drink).

 

 

 

Anyway, putting food and drinks aside, the actual (or rather main) reason why we visited the festival this year was for the coffee sculpture, as the Aroma team attempts to break their Mona Lisa world record!!!

 

 

Thus, the Grinders Coffee and Riverina Fresh milk presented their Masterpiece, …

 

 

… a bigger and better 5200-cup Marilyn Monroe sculpture!!

 

 

Ranging from short blacks to flat whites, the 5.3 x 6.5 metre sculpture was expected to be recognised as a new world record.

 

 

Let’s see what other sculptures they will come up with during the Aroma Fest next year, scheduled to be held on the 31st of July 2011!!

AU2010 - Mamak

In Malaysia, Mamak (a reference to Indian Muslims) dishes have developed a distinctly Malaysian style. Available throughout the country, the omnipresent Mamak stalls are particularly popular among the locals as they offer a wide range of fast and economical food. Besides, some outlets are even open 24 hours a day. So, it is considered the perfect meeting place for a drink and snacks.

 

 

But back in Sydney, Mamak, a Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown, is totally the opposite. Due to their popularity, long queues (even at 10pm at night) are generally expected.

 

 

While waiting, one could probably kill time by watching the chefs twirling, spreading and folding the rotis through the open kitchen.

 

 

In addition, it is also probably not the best meeting place for drinks and snacks since it is just too cramped, even with two shop lots.

 

 

Luckily, those are where the bad things end for Mamak. During our visit (after a 20-minute queue), we decided to order what we usually would back home. For drinks, we had Teh O Ais Limau and Limau Ais, a fresh lime with syrup drink on ice, with and without tea.

 

 

We also ordered the Maggi Goreng, or fried instant noodles. Here, the instant noodles are wok-tossed with eggs, prawns, fish cake slices and bean sprouts.

 

 

And since a visit to a Mamak stall is never complete without a Roti, we decided to give their Roti Tissue a try. Served with sambal, dhal and curry, this paper-thin, extra-crispy and tall Roti is a must try!!

 

 

My verdict, if you miss Mamak food and don’t mind the long queues, this is possibly the only place in Sydney CBD that can get you as close to the Mamak stalls back home. We will definitely be back again!!