AU2010 - Gumshara

After reading about the top 5 best noodles in Sydney from the Sydney Food Awards 2009, we decided to check out this little known hidden gem, Gumshara.

 

 

Located at the far end of the Eating World food court, …

 

 

… Gumshara claims to serve tonkatsu ramen that is MSG-free. Using a very traditional Japanese way of cooking, only fresh pork (120kg of pork bones!!), water and miso are used to make the pork stock.

 

 

Hence, the end result of a seven day cooking process produces a collagen enriched soup that is thick, rich and porky, as evidenced from our Shouyu ramen …

 

 

… and the limited edition Pork Spare Rib Noodles (limited to 20 servings per day only).

 

 

Collagen enriched ramen, smooth skin anyone?

 

 

Gumshara, Eating World
25-29, Dixon St, Haymarket, NSW 2000.

AU2010 - Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe

Founded by Guy and Liliane Foubert in 1960, Guylian chocolates has since been exported to over 100 countries around the world, thus earning them a recognition that is synonymous with premium Belgian chocolates.

 

 

Joining the chocolate cafe race in Sydney (together with Lindt and Max Brenner) with two branches, we decided to check out the branch at The Rocks.

 

 

After browsing through their premium priced menu, …

 

 

… we settled for the Guylian Belgian Chocolate Dips and Fruit.

 

 

Made of premium dark Belgian chocolate, our warm Aztec Gold (65% cocoa) chocolate fondue was complemented with bananas, strawberries, pineapples and kiwis. Next came the Belgian Waffle …

 

 

… that was served with Guylian praline ice cream and Asian (56% cocoa) chocolate dip. Lastly, we had the Ice Cream Taste Pallet, …

 

 

… which came in a selection of Guylian white chocolate and raspberry ice cream, …

 

 

… praline ice cream …

 

 

… chocolate ice cream …

 

 

… and espresso ice cream.

 

 

Not forgetting also was their famous Guylian Hot Milk Chocolate for the cold and rainy weather.

 

 

Like their competitors, Guylian also sells a range of their finest Belgian chocolates in store.

 

 

And the best thing about them was their famous chocolate sea shells, which were said to still be hand-made according to their age-old traditional recipe, thus making each and every one of them unique!!

 

 

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe
91, George Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000.
Phone Number: +61 2 8274 7500

AU2010 - Sydney Observatory

Located on a hill now known as 'Observatory Hill' in the centre of Sydney, …

 

 

… this site has evolved from a fort built on 'Windmill Hill' in the early 19th century to an astronomical observatory, known as Sydney Observatory.

 

 

First used as a signal station in 1825,  flags were used to send messages to ships in the harbour and to the signal station on the South Head of the harbour.

 

 

Then in 1858, it was converted into a full observatory to replace the failed “initial” observatory at the foot of Observatory Hill.

 

 

Besides astronomy and timekeeping, over the years, it has also made observations in a wide range of other fields including surveying, tides and meteorology.

 

 

And since 1982, the Sydney Observatory has been converted into a working museum and is open to the public for free.

 

 

Among the interesting artefacts on display in this museum include Matthew Flinder’s log book, … 

 

 

… the biggest clock in the world, …

 

 

… Breguet astronomical clock, …

 

 

… and a ceilometer.

 

 

Not forgetting also, is the huge range of telescopes on display, from modern portable telescopes to the oldest working telescope in Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And to make things more interesting and interactive, one could also try to make their own telescope on site.

 

 

Although we learnt a lot from our visit, the highlight of the day was something totally unrelated to astronomy, the superb views from the courtyard …

 

 

… overlooking Sydney Harbour and the bridge!!

AU2010 - Supper @ Mamak

With opening hours extended until 2am for supper, I think Mamak is trying to bring the "hanging out at the mamak stalls" culture to Sydney. Reminiscing the high school days when we used to hang out at mamak stalls till late, we decided to have a late night supper at Mamak …

 

 

… with our order of Nasi Lemak, …

 

 

… Maggi Mee Goreng, …

 

 

… and of course, the freshly made …

 

 

… Roti Tisu.

 

 

We then ended our supper with a warm and frothy Teh Tarik.

 

 

The only difference though, was the price of AUD3.50 for the Teh Tarik, instead of RM1.50.

 

 

Mamak
15, Goulburn St, Haymarket, NSW 2000.
Phone Number: +61 2 9211 1668