El Loco

I was wondering where my sister was dragging me when we were walking up and down the steep streets of Surry Hills, but if I knew she was taking me to delicious Mexican at El Loco, I probably would have complained a little less on the way there.  

How cute is the table number! It is pretty big though.

Tacos ($5.00). One of the perks of coming early is getting piping hot food at a fast pace.

Al Pastor – spit roasted pork, pineapple salsa. The pork was mediocre but the salsa was amazing. 

Carne Asada – lemongrass beef, salsa verde, queso. My favourite of the bunch, I didn’t know how I was going to like the lemongrass because I thought it was going to be overwhelming but it went so well together.

Camaron – prawn, salsa verde, pico de gallo. Prawns weren’t very juicy and most of the flavour came from the salsa verde.

Pollo taco ($5.00) – chicken, sweet corn salsa. More spicier than the other tacos but the corn was very nice to balance things out a little.

El hot dog ($9.00) – grilled pork frankfurt served on a soft bun with pickled jalapenos, pico ge gallo, mayonnaise and cheese. All the deliciousness of a hot dog topped with lots of finely grated cheese with the goodness of pickled jalapenos.

We were there pretty early so it was easy to take a pick from all the cute seats around.

A simple layout- find a seat, order at the bar, go back to your table with a giant cactus and a friendly face will bring your food as well as disposing all of the mess after you’re done.

I really enjoyed the food here and at such bargain prices, I can see why it filled up so quickly as we were leaving.

Venue: El Loco

Address: 64 Foveaux St, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW

Phone: (02) 9211 4945

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Me Not so Happy – N2 extreme gelato

I always wondered where N2 extreme gelato was when I thought I knew Chinatown like the back of my hand. Turns out, across the street a little way beyond Mamak is the home to the funky lawn of N2 extreme gelato.

A ‘scientific’ set up with modified Kitchen Aid mixers, N2 extreme gelato offers a unique gelato experience. I’m surprised that they don’t wear safety glasses!

‘Me So Happy’– miso caramel with peanuts served on milk gelato ($6.00). I guess working in science and research has made me numb to the excitement that is liquid nitrogen. I really disliked the peanuts covered in miso caramel and once you take away that aspect, you’re left with nothing but mediocre gelato underneath which I didn’t finish. I don’t know if I would come here again but if I do, I would not choose this flavour.

Venue: N2 extreme gelato

Address: Chinatown, 43/1 Dixon St, Sydney, NSW 2000

Website: http://n2extremegelato.com.au/

Enjoying the rain and view at… #lakegeorgewinery #canberra #winery #rain #lunch

Someone (or everyone) loves Ramen Ikkyu!

It’s a noodle kinda weather in Canberra today #snugglewithaporkchop #canberra #food #foodies #foodblog #lunch #noodles

Ramen Ikkyu

It seems like every man, celebrity chef, blogger and their dog have been to Ramen Ikkyu despite having been open for just a couple of weeks. So I did what any sane keen ramen eating blogger would do – I dragged my whole family, including my pregnant cousin to the other side of Sydney to a busy food court to try this place for myself.

I was a bit worried that since Harunobu Inukai, the former chef of the French-Japanese fusion restaurant Blancharu in Elizabeth Bay now turned ramen chef, only made 150 bowls a day. I couldn’t think of anything more sad than if I dragged everyone out to the other side of town and there was only one bowl left and they had to watch me enjoy it. 

It seemed like an easy system, there were 8 ramen types to choose from and a cute little easy to use touch screen system. Well that’s what I thought until I realised I could only eat 1/8th of the menu (1/4 at the most). Decisions… Decisions…

Chili oil ramen ($11.50).

Ikkyu (miso) ramen ($10.50).

Tokyo (shoyu) ($10.50). It was the special of the day which really swayed my decision. I didn’t think much of the broth, I mean it was better than anything than we have in Canberra but Sydney has so many other establishments that offer a much superior soup base in flavour and in ‘richness’. The pork was very delicious though, with a high fat ratio layered between the meat and the noodles had a great texture, but I find that all three things- broth, noodles and pork need to come together to make a ramen experience absolutely fantastic and magical.

Ikkyu (shoyu)($10.50).

Sides~

Cha-shu 3 slices ($3.00), shallots($0.50) and sweet corn($0.50).

The bowl of ramen itself would have been very affordable and considered cheap but I just had to indulge and see what their $14 pork rib was all about. As it sat there on the tray while I waited for my noodles to arrive, all the other patrons would point and ask what that delicious piece of meat on the bone was. All I could think was ‘don’t get grubby fingers too close to my pork’.

A bit dry in areas but that is expected due to the size and the thickness. Not as great as other ramen places but great to nibble on to get some extra pork to your bowl. Maybe share between two people?

What makes this a unique dining experience is the free extra kaedama that you get with each bowl of ramen so that if you gobble up all the noodles before you finish the broth, there is a round #2.

I don’t think Ramen Ikkyu lived up to all the hype. I see bloggers and instagrammers posting photos of queues and noodles but I would much rather walk down the street and grab a bowl from Gum Shara. If I get the chance I would come back in a few months to see if anything changes.

Venue: Ramen Ikkyu

Address: Shop F1A, Sussex Centre food court, 401 Sussex Street, Haymarket, NSW

Phone: (02) 9281 0998

Good Food article: http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/eat-out/review/restaurant/ramen-ikkyu-20130716-2q0z9.html?rand=1374101910073

Opening hours: Seven days, noon-8pm until sold out (150 bowls a day)

 

 

——–Sri Lankan Food Fair——–

Saturday 20th July 2013

At Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara, 30 Jenke cct, Kambah

Hot and spicy savouries: rice and curry, Hoppers, rolls, cutlets

Wadei, patties, samosa and Sri Lankan tea.

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