20 March 2012 ~ 2 Comments

Ha-Lu, Mount Hawthorn

Ha-lu is a great Japanese fusion restaurant for not only dine-in but take away as well. I was so impressed the first time I went, I returned twice in one weekend. Here’s a combined post on the times visited recently including a very special birthday for Foodie Cravings.

Sashimi of the Day $18.00 Salmon, Tuna and Kingfish

Ha-Lu Sashimi of the Day

Thick cut fresh slippery slices of fish to start.

Crumbed Camembert Cheese $9.80

Ha-Lu Crumbed Camembert Cheese

These deep fried wedges of soft cheese oozes into your mouth with the tang of some lemon and their delicious blueberry jam like sauce. It is served with cute skinless honey cherry tomatoes.

Ebi-Mayo $17.00

Ha-Lu Ebi Mayo

This was one of those dishes where the table next to us had to lean over just to ask what it was because it looked that attractive! Plump juicy prawns tossed in their own concoction of mayo cocktail sauce and was barely contained in a deep fried wanton parcel.

But wait theres more!

Ha-Lu Ebi Mayo Innards

Once cracked open… a poached runny egg streams over a refreshing avocado salad. It was amazing.

Scallop Nanban $18.00

Ha-Lu Scallop Nanban

These fat scallops are only lightly deep fried and inside they are still a little raw. Some people, myself included, who don’t like raw seafood might be put off this dish. Having said that I still enjoyed these because the scallops themself were so bitey and fresh that I could overlook the fact it was still raw.

Close up of Scallop Nanban $18.00

Ha-Lu Scallop Nanban Close Up

The fried lotus root and julienned raw veggies on top complimented the scallops perfectly.

Oyster Kaki-Fry $18.00

Ha-Lu Fried Oysters with Ponzu Vinaigrette

Unlike most of their lightly fried dishes, this dish is a bit on the heavier side. The oysters are coated with a seasoned panko batter and is very crunchy. I would probably only order this if there are more than two people eating as I got quite full eating it.

Linley Valley Pork Belly “Kaku-ni” $16.00

Ha-Lu "Kaku-ni" Pork Belly

The blocks of slow cooked Linley Valley pork belly pulls apart with ease. The light soy jus goes great with the pork and soft boiled eggs. This is my favourite dish here.

Kingfish and Salmon Belly Nitsuke $18.00

Ha-Lu Kingfish and Salmon Belly with Daikon

Mmm did I ever tell you my favourite part of a fish is the belly and skin? These were a win being skin-on and deep fried belly pieces. The slow cooked daikon was very light and fluffy.

Succelent Terriyaki Chicken $13

Ha-Lu Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki chicken the way it should be. Crispy skin and a caramelised teriyaki sauce with additional mayonaise.

Grilled Miso Patagonian Toothfish $18.00

Ha-Lu Toothfish

The toothfish was flakey and soft and lightly grilled with miso flavour.

Duck, Aubergine, Madeira sauce with Wholegrain Mustard $24.00

Ha-Lu Duck Augergine Madeira Sauce

My second favourite dish here. The skin of the duck is crunchy with a smokey flavour. The meat of the duck, cooked to a medium rare is very tender. The sauce madeira-tamari together with the duck was out of this world and even though I do not like aubergine or the hint of mustard powder I still enjoyed this dish to the fullest.

Ginger Linley Valley Pork $22.00

Ha-Lu Ginger Linley Valley Pork with Fried Pumpkin

I was actually confused when this dish came out as I was sure she said pork, but when I tasted it, the texture was completely different to what pork usually tastes like. The pork had no dryness… so not only have they managed to make it taste delicious but they made it extra juicy. Not only are they chefs but wizards too.

Premium Beef “Ishi-yaki” Grill with Fried Onions $32 Margeret River Wagyu D-Rump

Ha-Lu Stonegrill "Ishi Yaki" Wagyu Beef

The wagyu rump is served in a stonepot so you can cook your beef to your liking and the fried onions become a chip like side.

Side Ramen $8.00

Ha-Lu Ramen

The tiny knob of butter melts into your broth and the slurpy ramen made me wish I had ordered this to myself.

Miso Soup $2.50, Rice $2.50

Ha-Lu Miso Soup and Rice

White Chocolate, Roasted Tea and Berry Pannacotta & Ume Plum Gelee $9.50

Ha-Lu Panacotta

This dessert was light and not overly sweet.

Baked Cheesecake with a hint of Azuki $9.50

Ha-Lu Baked Cheesecake

This was not a traditional cheesecake. It was more like a soft, warm cloud of yumminess. Bites of berries and sesame ice cream to add to the experience.

Tea for Two $4.00

Ha-Lu Green Tea

Teriyaki Chicken Bento $16.00

Ha-Lu Teriyaki Chicken Bento

All their bento’s come with two croquettes, japanese omelette, kara-age chicken, mushroom salad and rice. The Kara-age chicken was a bit cold in mine but it was still tasty.

Beef Tataki Bento $20.00

Ha-Lu Wagyu Beef Tataki Bento

Pork Belly Bento $26.00

Ha-Lu Pork Belly Kaku-ni Bento

The staff here are very helpful and the food comes out quickly. The takeaway wait time is a little bit longer at around 20 minutes, but it’s worth the wait.

Ha-Lu on Urbanspoon

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16 August 2011 ~ 4 Comments

Northbridge Chinese Restaurant

Going to a chinese restaurant for good service is like a diabetic going to an ice-cream shop for a sugarless dessert. Regardless, this is my all time favourite restaurant for a chinese banquet. Service is rushed, but food is super tasty.

A chinese banquet usually consists of several courses including soup, starters, some delicious crustacean, meat, fish, veggies, rice and dessert. Northbridge Chinese Restaurant has the best banquet I’ve had in Perth so far, and it just so happens to be the cheapest. For six people, the banquet is $188.00 and includes the dishes below that go so well with a big bucket of steamed rice and unlimited tea!

House Soup

House Soup

A brothy soup with bones and chunks of carrot.

Steamed Scallops on Shell

Steamed Scallops with Vermicelli

These are divine! The natual flavour of the scallops are steamed with a delicious sauce of garlic and soy. The scallops are then topped with vermicelli noodles and spring onions.

Everytime I get this dish, I ask the waiter for a bowl so I can keep the sauce for later…

My Plate of Scallops

Steamed Scallops with Vermicelli

Each person gets two. Mine is drenched with sauce.

Butter Lobster with E- Fu Noodles

Lobster in Butter Sauce with E-Fu Noodles

The (live) lobster is selected from their tank and straight to the kitchen. It’s then married with a butter gravy sauce and buttery tasting E-Fu Noodles.

E- Fu Noodles are noodles which have been deep fried, dried and then re-fried again!

Words fail me in describing how much I enjoy this dish… so here’s a picture of one of my plates.

My Plate

My First Plate of Lobster in Butter Sauce with E-Fu Noodles

Not only will you be fighting for the lobster pieces.. but the noodles will be eaten to the last strand.

Additional Lobster, Singapore Style

Singapore Lobster with Deep Fried Mantao

Because we had eight people instead of the recommended six people for this banquet, we decided order another side of lobster on top of the banquet. We chose Singapore Lobster with Deep Fried Mantao.

Mantao, a chinese steamed bun, is the perfect accompaniment to dip up in the delicious singapore sauce. It’s soft, sweet and of course even better when deep-fried.

Deep Fried Mantao

Deep Fried Mantao

So golden.

Crispy Skin Chicken and Egg Tofu

Crispy Skin Chicken

The chicken is so cripsy yet tender. The salt that accompanies the chicken usually includes msg so try not to eat too much of it.

In the background is the Egg Tofu. A silky block of fried egg tofu topped with a meat, asparagus and mushroom gravy sauce.

Steamed Toothfish

Steamed Toothfish

Steamed flakey toothfish topped with chinese mushrooms.

Some Veggies

Choy Sum Veggies in Garlic Sauce

Kai Lan stir fried with garlic sauce.

Sago Dessert

Sago Dessert

A cold asian dessert of coconut milk and sago.

Fruit Platter of Oranges

Fruit Plate of Oranges

And some sweet oranges to finish.

Northbridge Chinese Restaurant is very flexible. We opted to have the crispy skin chicken instead of the usual saltry chicken dish so if there is anything on the original banquet you’d like to change, just ask them.

 

Northbridge Chinese on Urbanspoon

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10 May 2011 ~ 0 Comments

Sydney Eating Episode Day 5

No trip to Sydney would be complete without paying a visit to the infamous Sydney Fish Market located in Pyrmont.

Entrance to Sydney Fish Market

Sydney FIsh Market

There’s something very calming about this blue building. It’s probably because in my head interprets it as “Entry for delicious fresh seafood”

Fresh Whole Fish

Sydney Fish Market Fish

Fresh fat fish at red hot prices.

Fresh Sashimi

Sydney Fish Market Sashimi

Ready to be cut into perfect sashimi pieces.

Freshest Sushi Platters

Sydney Fish Market Sushi Platter

Probably the freshest sushi you’ll ever eat.

One HUGE GIANT BIG Crab

Sydney Fish Market HUGE Crab

One huge, giant, big expensive crab. No I did not consume it, but I would have liked to.

The Many Warmers of Delectable Seafood

Sydney FIsh Market Warmer

Batter prawns, seafood sticks, octopus and more.

Mmm…

Sydney Fish Market Warmer

Soft shell crab, abalone, white bait and more prawns.

Seafood Platter

Sydney Fish Market Seafood Platter

This was our seafood platter masterpiece. Scallops, kilpatrick oysters, oyster mornay, prawn skewer, octopus, squid, fish and chips with lemon wedges. It cost us $70approx. You will need four people to almost finish the platter.

Sydney Dish Market Seafood Platter

Another view.

With a side of Lobster Mornay

Sydney Fish Market Lobster Mornay

This turned out to be quite filling. This creamy cheese sauce is loaded with a potato mash.

Huong Giang Menu

Huong Giang Menu

Unfortunately my favourite vietnamese restaurant in Marrickville, Old Thanh Huong, was closed for my last night in Sydney. However I am happy to try new places.

Goi Cuon

Huong Giang Goi Cuon

I was pleasantly surprised to see three portions of Goi Cuon (Fresh Rice Paper Rolls).

Com Tam

Huong Giang Com Tam

Broken rice with a marinated grilled pork chop, shredded pork and a fried egg.

Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio

Huong Giang Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio

Bun is also known as thin rice noodles. This dish is served with a combination of Cha Gio (Spring Rolls) and Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork) accompanied by Nuoc Cham (Dipping Sauce).

Thit Bo Luc Lac

Huong Giang Thit Bo Lac Luc with Red Rice

Thit Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef) served with red rice.

Pho Dac Biet

Huong Giang Pho Dac Biet

Combination Pho the lot. There’s something very homey about Pho and it was the perfect meal to end my trip in Sydney.

Our whole meals, including drinks costed $50approx!

Huong Giang on Urbanspoon

Krispy Kreme

24 Hour Krispy Kreme Sydney Airport

Did you say 24 hour Krispy Kreme?!

The Many Varieties of KK’s

Krispy Kreme Sydney Airport

While we were there the special flavour for the season, inspired by Easter, was a Cream Egg Donut.

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17 March 2011 ~ 0 Comments

Cicerello’s in Mandurah

To end such an amazing day at the Mandurah CrabFest, my boyfriend and I decided to have dinner at Cicerello’s and enjoyed the fireworks from the top balcony.

Our food had just arrived as the fireworks started. I don’t remember if we were more excited about our food or if the kid’s around the restaurant were more excited about the fireworks.

Salad and Cold Seafood Fridge

Cicerello's Salad and Cold Seafood 120311

‘Here’s one we prepared earlier’

Warmer of Deep Fried Goodness

Cicerello's Deep Fried Warmer 120311

Squid rings, prawns, crabsticks, fish and chips ready for the serving.

Chilli Mussels and Crab $38.50

Cicerello's Chilli Mussels and Crab 120311

This came out on a silver platter! Served with not a piece of bread, but a loaf of garlic bread. The flavour of this dish was out of this world. It tasted like a mixture of Singapore Crab and Chilli Mussels combined. It was a huge portion so make sure you have someone to help you for the weak at heart.

Cicerello's Chilli Mussels and Crab 120311

Seafood Basket $15approx.

Cicerello's Seafood Basket 120311

Fish and Chips with five squid rings, two prawns, one crabstick and one pineapple fritter. This was not as piping hot as we would have expected from Cicerello’s so it was lacking the crispy batter. It must have been a busy night or the food had been left there too long.

Deep Fried Scallops $2.40 each

Cicerello's Deep Fried Scallops 120311

These on the other hand, were freshly deep fried because they are made to order.

The highlight was definitely the Chilli Mussel and Crab ‘platter’. To make sure you get fish and chips at their best, try to come when it’s not so busy.

Cicerello's on Urbanspoon

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