Ko and Co - Surry Hills

Have you ever wondered, if Korea and Mexico decided to shake hands and have some fun what would it look like? Well, you don't have to do a lot to find that out. Just a stroll from most of our workplaces and at the juncture of Sydney and Surry Hills is "Ko and Co". A niche restaurant, although based in a cubbyhole has a lot of character. A place where Korean BBQ gets married to Mexican Tacos.

We kicked off with the Ko and Co's house special "Yuzu Margarita". The imbalance between Tequila and Honey made the drink more sour than sweet, a bit more of honey could have done wonders. Nonetheless an aperitif drink to start of with! The second drink I tried was the "Black Raspberry Bramble". Gin and lemon juice, shaken and served with a Bokbunja float (Korean black raspberry wine). An interesting, twisted and a risky combination that pays off.

In terms of food, we lined up ourselves with almost everything on offer.

The Spicy Pork Belly Tacos was full of tang with the pork being crispy and beautifully cooked.

The Quesadilla, made up of flour tortilla, kimchi and three cheese filling was hot and spicy and enriched with tongue popping flavours.

The Burritos with kimchi fried rice and korean fried chicken was truly a Mexican and Korean fusion dish. The question is, do the flavours work? When the chicken is tried separately to the Burrito, it was succulent, the crispiness, the greasy and mouth-watering coverings made it delightful.

The Sliders have been the talk of the town and included a brioche bun filled with cabbage slaw, kimchi and mayo with beef short ribs. The bun was soft, dark, golden, had a flaky crust and was gelled well with the balanced mayo. The beef short ribs were good to taste, however some pieces were a bit chewy.

Ko and Co is a small bar with strong potential, so if you are craving for a Korean-Mexican fix, you know where to go.

Ko and Co

6 Hunt St,
Surry Hills, NSW 2010

Tel No: +61 428 944 741

Website for more info: Ko and Co

Biku - Seminyak, Bali

Have you ever imagined enjoying high tea in Australia at a luxurious tea house for less than 15 dollars per person? I am certain your answer is a big no. Well, Biku offers you an amazing high tea experience for one fourth of the cost you are expected to pay in Australia. Biku is not only a tea house, it also offers the blend of a distinctive amalgamation of a restaurant, antiques, tarot reading and a book store in the party capital of South Asia, Bali.

As soon as you enter the Javanese house, you are welcomed by the aromas of the distinguished teas, hanging Asian artifacts, a well stocked library and sparkling chandeliers.

The traditions of Bali blessed with Victorian charm, is how I would describe the setting at Biku.

The afternoon tea is about living the life of the queen (pun intended), with fresh scones, finger sandwiches (cucumber, salmon and cream cheese, ham and mustard), mini spinach quiche and a selection of sweet treats on a tiered cake stand.  Biku teas are designed to quench your thirst. If you are feeling hot, try the "Biku Cooler". A refreshing drink served with kaffir lime leaves, lemon wedges and fresh mint leaves.

Recommended for small groups who want to beat the summer heat and enjoy a soothing or refreshing cup of tea in a comfortable, cosy and casual setting.

Biku

Jl. Raya Petitenget 888

Bali, Indonesia

Tel No: +62 361 857 08 88

Website for more info: Biku Bali

China Doll - Woolloomooloo

China Doll set in the perfect surroundings with great water views, a startling cosmopolitan dining and lifestyle precinct, is a hidden gem amidst the array of hatted restaurants.

Raspberry & Coconut Mojito

Celebrating one of my special occasions, the relaxed yet courteous and professional staff combined with the jewels of a glamourous location, the perfect company, the stylish modern Asian cuisine and cocktails provided me and my friends with an ultimate dining experience.

Passionfruit & Yuzu Collins

China Doll believes in celebrating the oriental flavours that come from Japan, China and South-east Asia and that is evident from the sparkling and tantalizing dishes that are presented to you.

Tuk Tuk Massacre

In China Doll's own words, "Cocktails have always been an integral part of the modern Asian experience" and this is how we started. The summer collection of modern and classically styled cocktails included the combination of seasoned fresh fruits and other refreshing ingredients (alcohol) :)

Lick’n Lychee

After the cocktails, we moved on to the starters. The Chilli Salt Squid in a crumbled coating, deep fried was tender and spiced enough to make things interesting.

You can never go to a Chinese restaurant and miss out on dumplings. We ordered the Shu Mai dumplings, filled with minced pork, prawn, scallop and shiitake served with chilli oil. Even though the dumplings were not the best I've had, they still packed a lot of flavour. When dipped in Chilli oil and tasted, you only wished why were they not bigger.

The final starter we tasted was the crispy and mouth watering Duck pancakes with cucumber and shallots served with a tangy and sweet Hoi Sin sauce.

Between the mains, the first one to arrive was the Crispy Chicken with a yellow bean sauce. This dish was well cooked but lacked the wow factor. I expected a lot more of the crispy skin and smaller chicken pieces. The sauce was strictly average too.

We heard about it a lot and definitely wanted to try the China Doll signature dish. Crispy Pork Belly with Chilli Caramel and Nam Pla Phrik (Thai Chillies in fish sauce). This dish was mind blowing. I have never tasted a pork belly dish before, that had every piece crispy to the core. The caramelization, the juiciness and the tasty coating made this dish delightful. Try the dish with and without the sauce to enjoy the marriage of different flavours on your palate.

The Chinese greens were crunchy and well seasoned.

China Doll experience wouldn't have been complete without trying their desserts.The Dessert platter had a selection of sorbets (lime, espresso and raspberry), black sticky rice pudding with mango and Sago Pudding with Vanilla Coconut Cream and Passionfruit Coulis. Not a big fan of asian desserts, I was a bit apprehensive in trying the sticky rice pudding, but to my surprise it was delicious. The winner for me was the espresso sorbet.

Gosh, writing this review makes me feel hungry for more!!

China Doll

Shop 4, 6 Cowper Wharf Road

Woolloomooloo NSW 2011

Tel No: + 61 2 9380 6744

Website for more info: China Doll

Dainty Dumpling House - Rhodes

Whenever a new restaurant opens up, the curious child in me is always eager to explore it. Dainty Dumpling House was one of such experiences, and fortunately a pretty good one. Just at a stone's throw distance from the Rhodes Train station, this place just adds to the growing list of eateries in Rhodes.

Before you even enter, you can watch fresh dumplings being prepared through the restaurants window. Enticing enough to pull you into the restaurant and give the menu a try.

The first dish we tried was the "Spicy Shrimp and Pork Wonton". A dish full of flavour and the right amount of lip smacking spiciness. A dish that would be a great hit in both summer and winter.

The second dish we ordered was the "Shrimp Jiao Ze". Silky, juicy and delicious dumplings that melt in your mouth.

But the dish of the day for me was the "Crispy Fried Chicken". Amazing to look at and even more exquisite to eat. Crispy chicken with dried chillies, the first bite of hotness and instantly it makes you say "Wow". Very palatable!

The "Fried rice with Shrimp" was tasty too.

Comfort food at its best.

Dainty Dumpling House

Shop 6-7 Rider Boulevard Av
Rhodes NSW 2138

Tel No: +61 405 002 909

Website for more information: Dainty Dumpling House

Sarong - Seminyak, Bali

Indian, Sri Lankan, Thai, Balinese and Malaysian are some of the cuisines that lay the foundation for Sarong as the most celebrated and truly Pan-Asian restaurant in Bali. Any visit to Bali is incomplete without a visit to this lavishly styled restaurant. The detailing is simply remarkable. Dim lighting, dark mahogany wooden tables, sparkling chandeliers and fashionable curtains create an aura of romance and comfort which leaves you completely mesmerized.

We started our dining experience with three starters. The first one to arrive was chicken in betel leaf with flat leaf, coriander, lime leaf, roasted chilli topped with capsicum relish. The sweetness from the capsicum relish, the zesty lime and the peppery flavour of the betel leaf made the dish first class.

Betel Leaf Chicken and Tuna

The next starter to arrive was once again from the betel leaf family. Raw tuna combined with lemongrass shallots and lemon basil gave this dish an awesome twist.

To balance out the betel leaves, the grilled scallop with sweet crispy duck mixed in a Thai basil, coconut and peanut nam jim (hot thai dressing) had exuberating sour and tangy flavours.

My eyes lit up when I saw the mention of "from the tandoori" on the menu. The Indian in me was craving for some rich curries and tantalizing south Indian flavours.

The first mains we ordered was the Goan curry made with barramundi, okra, curry leaves, fenugreek and yogurt. Barramundi was moist and perfectly cooked and the spice factor of the dish including the slightly sweet and nutty flavours of fenugreek made the dish very enjoyable to eat.

Another signature dish from the house of Sarong was the Chicken Kasoori Methi kebabs marinated in saffron yogurt and served with green mango salad. If you are a lover of spice, this is a dish not to be missed.

Street-food recipes blended with the opulence of Sarong, this will prove to be your quintessential dining experience.

Getting a reservation is a good idea!!

Sarong

Jl. Petitenget No, 19 x
Kerobokan, Bali 80361
Indonesia

Tel No: +62 361 4737 809 

Website for more info: Sarong Bali