Sushi-ya, Chatswood

There aren't many options for Japanese food in Chatswood and its surrounding areas. There's the usual, Makoto if you crave for some sushi and there's Takeru if you want some hot food. Don't even mention about the rest.

What if you want some hot food + sushi? Sushi-ya it is! It's a little further down from Chatswood Chase but I wouldn't walk there. Because I'd be too hungry to walk over. When I'm hungry, I'm this mean pissy girl, until I get my food.

Okay, back to Sushi-ya. I've been there a couple of times and I find that there's quite a difference in it's food quality and service during lunch and dinner. Food seems yummier during dinner and waaay friendlier staff too. Perhaps the waiters at Sushi-ya prefer evening shifts? However, there are lunch specials, around $18 for a bento box set or $19+ for 2 mains picked from the list.

This time, I went for lunch but I didn't choose the lunch specials. Normally, I would order California roll which tastes amazingly good. My friend has to order that every single time, without fail. It's creamy in the middle, rice well seasoned and just.nice. However, I decided to go with the Salmon lover roll.

It's just a California roll with raw salmon on top. I thought it will be double YUMS! But it's not what I expected. The rice was not well seasoned, it's rather dry and tasteless. But, the portion is large and good for sharing. I remember it was about $14, and I realize that I could just top up another $5 to get a bento box! However, I reminded myself that I wanted Sushi and it's quality >quantity. Keep that in mind keep that in mind! I guess I should've stuck with the California roll.

And again, there's Teriyaki beef, the usual. The teriyaki beef here is incredibly food. Thinly sliced beef with good flavours. You just can't stop at one. I saw myself reaching for it with my chopsticks over and over again. The set comes with  rice and miso soup. On the side, there's potato salad (YUMMM) and salad with Japanese dressing.

Another dish worth ordering is the Grilled Saba. I had it once and it's perfectly grilled. I ended up finishing the entire fish on my own. But, the Teriyaki fish was disappointing.

The big pot of green tea.

Final thoughts: Sushi-ya is the place to go for a good lunch/dinner with a bunch of friends/family as most of the dishes are good for sharing. I know I'd be there if I want to satisfy my cravings for Japanese food!


Sushi-ya (Chatswood)
174 Victoria Avenue, 
Chatswood NSW 2067
(02) 9413 3300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (02) 9413 3300      end_of_the_skype_highlighting ‎

Baffi & Mo, Redfern

Mention the word BRUNCH, my eyes will lit up, readily sacrificing a morning's sleep to get myself a hearty morning meal, not that I enjoy sleeping in till late! So on weekends, I'll have a few missions to accomplish. First, deciding where to have brunch, secondly, how to wake my boy up in the morning and oh boy he loves his sleep more than anything else! and thirdly, hmm what should I get for brunch? Trivial matters, I know.... BUT brunch lovers out there, you get what i mean *wink*

Week after week of brunches later, I find myself getting sick of 'em. Never would I thought I will reach this point but who wouldnt? Considering you'll be fed with that same old scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sourdough, baked beans, avos over and over again.

I've covered quite a few brunch spots and there are just too many in Sydney that it's hard to do a return. Some are just your usual cafe serving pretty basic breakfast while some just make you queue for an hour and make you realize that you got cheated by all the hype.

So, there is Baffi & Mo, the much raved about brunch spot at Redfern. My expectations were set HIGH! I reached around 11 and there was a queue forming outside the cafe. Oh well, as expected! I left my name and looked at the list, counting how many more crosses till it reaches mine. I waited and waited and waited. About 30-40 minutes later, I got seated at a small table outside the cafe.

The menu here is pretty interesting as it has all the usual brunch options but with twists and extras. For example there is the pesto omelette which is green of course! I can see that it is a favourite since many tables are spotted having one plate of that. After going through the menu over and over again, I got myself a eggs baffi with roasted mushroom, feta, spinach and hollandaise.

Eggs baffi with roasted mushrooms, feta, spinach and hollandaise.

 Right after placing my order, I eyed at the table next to me and saw that plate of boston baked beans with other sides and in my head I was screaming I WANT THAT! I looked around and then I saw the most beautiful baked eggs. I regretted a little with what I ordered but all the negativity was gone after I had the first mouthful of my food. The hollandaise was perfect with the spinach and the feta. Mushrooms were nicely roasted and the poached eggs were just the way it should be although I did not touch the yolks. I know, I know, but I just can't stand egg yolks. So i gave it to the SleepingBeast. He enjoyed it.

Potato Hash Stack with double smoked ham, avo, tomato, asparagus, lemon dressed rocket and poached egg.

Then, there is the famous potato hash stack. Okay, I kinda convinced the SleepingBeast to order that although he already had his mind set on the baked beans. I felt so guilty afterward. It was nice, but not WOW! The potato hash stack was not crunchy and I find it abit hard. Probably we were seated outside and it was a windy day and I just needed something warm and hearty? It was a bit of a letdown but the SleepingBeast thought that it was fine but were too generous with the rocket.

Final thoughts: Everything was good, coffee was decent. I told myself that I will return soon to try their ricotta hotcakes and baked eggs. Just need to bear with the long queue and get a seat inside because I want my food warm. The price is slightly higher than other cafes but nothing stops the crowd from getting their fix of yummmmmy brunch on a weekend. Oh, there are lunch options too!

Baffi & Mo
94 Redfern St,
Redfern, 2016

QUICKpost - Mamak, Chatswood

Roti canai, $5

So it was Good Friday, where else might be open? Scanned around and Mamak at Chatswood is opened! Downside? Public holiday surcharge of $2 per person. Oh well, gotta deal with it!

Roti wasn't as fluffy as I'd like it to be but the dhal was excellent! I usually leave the dhal untouched but it's different this time. Oh, there was murtabak too! Nothing to shout about, had a better one at Jimmy's Recipe.

MAD GREEK, Newtown

I was in Melbourne when a souvlaki was placed in front of me. It looked normal, like any other wraps or kebabs. Took one bite and began my MAD HUNT for souvlaki in Sydney. Where are all the Greek restaurants!? I need my SOUVLAKI!

I was thinking of going to Brighton le Sands and searched on the web, and ended up not bothered looking for Greek food anymore.

A month or so later, I landed in Mad Greek in Newtown. I don't know how I spotted it amongst all the different coloured signboards and shops in Newtown but there it is......! I've been there 3 times. Yes, 3. I don't know why, probably because it's so affordable for such decent food. All mains are $10 and sides are $5.

The place isn't big, with a few tables for 4 and a long communal table for bigger groups. It's usually full whenever i pass by so be sure to get there quick! And another piece of advice: If you are really hungry, like so hungry that you could swallow a cow, please, go somewhere else. There is only 1.5 chef (1 chef + the owner, i s'pose who only helps out at the open kitchen occasionally) and 2-3 waitresses. Wait, and one guy doing the dishwashing at the back. I once waited nearly an hour for the food, but once the food arrived, we MUNCHed and NOMmed away happily.

Now, move on to the food..........

Of course we have souvlakia! Wished it was all wrapped up instead. I just do not like eat to every single component separately.  There was some couscous, hummus, roasted vege, pita tzatziki and marinated lamb. Good, but I'm still thinking of the one I had in Melboure!

Souvlakia

. 

 My friend suggested to get a salad, something which I hardly order when i eat out. Fine, so we got a Fig salad. There's pancetta, walnuts, fig with vinagrette dressing. Love figs!

Fig salad

PASTA or PIZZA? Oh well, pasta won and we got a tomato based pasta with sliced chorizo. 

Amatriciana

 I had tried their salt and pepper calamari on my first visit and it was YUMMERS! So this time, I decided to try their octopus. I'd say, go for the baby octopus! It was lemony with a hint of chili.

Grilled Baby Octopus

I remembered ordering a chicken pilaf as well, but sadly, we NOMmed it down before any pictures could be taken. That was one of my favourite dish.

Final thoughts: Go there if you are not hungry, you'll be hungry for food while waiting ;) Otherwise, it serves pretty good food. The mains are rather large, so share if you can.

Mad Greek
124 King St
Newtown

Opens daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.



WOOT! my first post!