Sunday, October 12, 2014

Green Peppercorn - Fairfield

Just when I thought that there is no space for more Thai restaurants in Sydney, here comes another one! Stylish, spacious and satisfying, Green Peppercorn has all the ingredients to make your experience enriching and eventful.



To start off your evening in sweet style order their house made fruit shakes. Mix and match the flavours to keep things interesting.



Need a sour, salty and spicy hit, the papaya salad, a dish I always order at a Thai restaurant, will do the trick.


There was something different about the Beef Masaman curry at Green Peppercorn. It was thicker, richer and spiced with star anise, cashew nuts and cinnamon but still maintained the true essence of a masaman curry.


Thai Stir-fries have always been my favourite. Toss some vegetables with chicken, a bit of basil, chilli, garlic and finally let the green peppercorn shine, the result is an amazing "Pad Kuang Kang".


A good accompaniment is always a fried rice.


The favourite dish of the night and also a Chef's speciality is the Banana flower salad. Chicken, coconut cream and other aromatics tossed with banana flower provides a delicious and outstanding dish. 


Finally, to feed that dessert craving was the fried ice-cream. Golden coloured and garnished with some icing sugar and fried nuts on the side, it brought a smile to our face. 


For those who can't travel all the way to Fairfield check them out in the city (Check Website).

Green Peppercorn

1 Hamilton Rd
Fairfield NSW

Tel No: +61 2 9724 7842

Website for more info: Green Peppercorn

Green Peppercorn on Urbanspoon

Sunday, September 21, 2014

New Zealand - South Island Food and Drink Adventures 2014

South Island is a great destination for food lovers. Fresh produce, secret recipes and amazing interiors amongst the panoramic views of mountains, lakes and rivers, South Island offers a delightful experience. The below write-up is a list of eateries and bars I visited recently in New Zealand. Barring the exception of one or two, the others won my taste buds completely.

Day 1 to 2 - Queenstown

Fergburger

Within minutes of landing into Queenstown, we made our way to the burger joint that was described to us as an institution. A must for visitors to Queenstown. The Southern Swine burger is one of their most popular burger. For the one's who enjoy Chicken, their Cajun chicken burger is pretty good.









Patagonia Chocolates

Indulgence at its best. Whether you want to enjoy some sweet treats, a cup of coffee or one of the best ice-creams in NZ, while enjoying the sunset, Patagonia is the place you need to visit.










Madam Woo

The recent talk of the town has been Madam Woo. Embodying a tiny, cosy bar on the top with views of the marina and serving Malay and Chinese style fusion street food in its funky yet modern restaurant downstairs, Madam Woo is quite an interesting place to dine. My recommendation would be to definitely try their Roti Canai style hawker rolls and 'Nonya Chicken Curry'.









Vudu Cafe and Larder

Without a shred of doubt it is the best cafe in Queenstown and would easily give any Sydney cafe a run for its money; if it ever opened here. Numerous awards to its credit, waterfront views, great coffee, neat and upmarket decor, it has everything going for it. A place to visit before you pay adieu to Queenstown. For the health conscious, try the 'bowl of goodness', for the rest 'grilled haloumi with free ranged poached eggs' is amazing.








Winnies

Another iconic Queenstown restaurant is Winnies. It delights you with one of the most New york Style cum industrial architectures while you enjoy gourmet pizzas in a fun and relaxed environment. You'll feel 80's are back, in a good way! Go half-n-half with a mix of Zucha (spinach, roasted pumpkin, feta and almonds) and Montonaro (chicken fillets, sundried tomatoes, brie and spring onions, sweet chilli sauce and pistachio sour cream).











Gibbston Valley Winery

The Central Otago region offers one of the best varieties of Pinot in the world and the Gibbston Valley Winery has an attached winning Pinot Noir to it's name. Wine and chocolate tasting, wine cave tours and a cheesery in its hub, you are bound to have an awesome time.









Day 3 to 4 - Wanaka

Boaboa Food Company

For a quick hunger fix as soon as you arrive in Wanaka is to grab a burger, fish and chips at Boa Boa. Cheap comfort food that'll keep you happy and satiate your starving.





The Spice Room

The most promoted restaurant in Wanaka, from hotel staff to shop keepers to tourist guides, all couldn't stop raving about this place. Giving into the hype we ended up for dinner at this restaurant and to our surprise we were delighted by the quality of the food. It was indeed a fresh and healthy take on authentic Indian flavours. Try their Mixed Tandoori platter and 'Bhuna Ghost' (lamb) to entice your senses. 







Sargoods Restaurant

For a post meal dessert fix head to Sargoods restaurant based at Edgewater Resort situated next to Lake Wanaka. Their ice-cream trio is delectable.



Thai Siam

Unless you are really craving for Thai food or coconut curries visit Thai Siam. Under normal circumstances I will give this place a miss. A bit disappointing.






Day 5 to 6 - Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

Cook Saddle cafe and Saloon

Looking for a break post a 4 hour journey from Wanaka to the glaciers and need to kills that winter chill, Cook Saddle cafe offers a hearty soup to do that. Western style architecture and friendly locals, it is a great place to absorb the friendliness atmosphere of the Fox township.




The Landing

A townships of 300 odd locals and probably more tourists, Landing seems to be tapping the market brilliantly. It plays all the sports on multiple televisions, has both an outdoor and indoor dining area combined with a full fledged bar. Their philosophy is to make you feel at home. The vegetarians can grab the 'Penne Trio pasta' and the other might consider enjoying the soft and moist oven baked Monk fish.









Cafe 88

Funky, bright and colourful, it even shines on a gloomy and overcast day. Serving Asian fusion food from Teriyaki chicken to Thai curries, this eatery offered outstanding customer service. The food was yummy and the host was very accommodating. Nice place to grab lunch.











King Tiger Eastern Eating House

This eatery had me smiling. A new eatery in the hood, we had lower expectations. First steps in and we were simply astonished and bowled over by the amount of effort, detailing that has been invested into this place. Easily the looks of a high-end fine dining Asian eatery (Indian and Chinese) in a town of less than 1000 people and packed with tourists, we were impressed. The food was exquisite, service was impeccable and the decor was mind blowing. And the Gents toilets, sorry I have to mention this separately. It was so unconventional, a translator machine and Asian movie posters, it definitely caught my attention.















Day 7  - Hokitika and Greymouth

Fat Pipi Pizzas

Lonely Planet rated this eatery as its top choice so it was a good stopover. The pizza had a lot of ingredients and the restaurant's backyard had Tasman Sea views. The ocean breeze definitely rejuvenates you after a long and tiring journey.





Monteith's Brewery

A great new experience was to get a brewery tour, understand the end to end beer making and packaging process. I enjoyed the learnings, tasted premium beer and ciders, understood the history of the place and tried some nice local delicacies, like the 'White Bait'. Greymouth doesn't have a lot to do otherwise, so spending a couple of hours at the Brewery is not a bad idea.

























 Robert Harris Coffee Roasters

Enjoy your morning caffeine fix at Robert Harris while you wait to catch the scenic train to Christchurch. A decent brekkie, good coffee and relaxed place to enjoy free internet and read some magazines.







Day 8 - Christchurch

Mexicano's

The last night in NZ, it had to end on a high note. Mesmerizing Margaritas, tantalising tapas, a great vibe, abstract art symbolising Mexico and a friendly staff. This place was amazeballs. Amongst the Margaritas's we tried the one with Mango and mixed citrus and the other one being Te de Fumar, loved it!! The best part about the place was its reasonable prices, you can try a variety of dishes without breaking your pocket. The Adobo chicken and the ceviche were the highlights for us. The other one's were the Tuna Tostado and the fire grilled chorizo sliders. The most interesting dish was the dessert, popcorn sundae with salted caramel ice-cream. Totally yum!
















Fergburger

42 Shotover Street
Queenstown NZ 9300

Tel No: +64 3 441 1232

Website for more info: FERGBURGER

Fergburger on Urbanspoon

Patagonia Chocolates

50 Beach Street
Queenstown

Tel No: +64 3 442 9066

Website for more info: Patagonia

Patagonia Chocolates on Urbanspoon

Madam Woo

5 The Mall
Lower Ballarat St
Queenstown NZ 9300

Tel No: +64 3 442 9200

Website for more info: Madam Woo

Madam Woo on Urbanspoon

Vudu Cafe and Larder

16 Rees St
Queenstown NZ 9300

Tel No: +64 3 441 8370

Website for more info: Vudu

Vudu Cafe on Urbanspoon

Winnies

7 Ballarat St
Queenstown NZ 9300

Tel No: +64 3 442 8635

Website for more info: Winnies

Winnies Gourmet Pizza Bar on Urbanspoon

Gibbston Valley Winery

1820 State Highway 6
Gibbston

Tel No: +64 3 442 6910

Website for more info: Gibbston Valley

Gibbston Valley Winery on Urbanspoon

Boa Boa Food Company

137 Ardmore Street
Wanaka

Tel No: + 64 3 443 1234

Boa Boa Food Company on Urbanspoon

The Spice Room

43 Helwick St
Wanaka

Tel No: +64 3 443 1133

Website for more info: Spice Room

The Spice Room on Urbanspoon

Sargoods Restaurant

Edgewater Resort
Sargood Drive
Wanaka

Tel No: +64 3 443 0011

Website for more info: Sargoods

Sargoods Restaurant and Wineglass Cafe on Urbanspoon

Thai Siam

80 Ardmore St
Wanaka

Tel No: +64 3 443 5010

Thai Siam on Urbanspoon

Cook Saddle, Cafe and Saloon

Fox Glacier Township

Tel No: +64 3 7510 700

Website for more info: Cook Saddle

Landing Restaurant and Bar

Franz Josef Township

Tel No: +64 3 752 0229

Website for more info: The Landing

Landing Restaurant & Bar on Urbanspoon

Cafe 88

Franz Josef Township

Tel No: +64 3 752 0234

Eighty Eight Asian Fusion on Urbanspoon

King Tiger Eastern Eating House

70 Cron St
Franz Josef

Tel No: +64 3 752 0060

Website for more info: King Tiger

King Tiger - Easern Eating House & Bar on Urbanspoon

Fat Pipi Pizza

89 Revell St
Hokitika

Tel No: +64 3 755 6373

Fat Pipi Pizza on Urbanspoon

Monteith's Brewing Company

Cnr Turumaha and Herbert Street
Greymouth

Tel No: +64 3 768 4149

Website for more info: Monteiths

Robert Harris Coffee Roasters

123 Mackay Street
Greymouth

Tel No: +64 3 768 5959

Website for more info: Robert Harris

Mexicanos

131 Victoria St
Christchurch

Tel No: +64 3 365 5330

Website for more info: Mexicanos

Mexicano's on Urbanspoon