December 2011 ~ Aroi Me By Amanda Jiang

Sunday 25 December 2011

Authentic Japanese Yakitori 焼き鳥 Bar - Toriciya @ Cammerary

Toriciya is the first authentic yakitori (Japanese bamboo skewer) bar in Sydney and it's been nourish Cammerary neighborhood for more than a decade.

Toriciya takes Sake and Shochu very seriously, they store the most brands I have ever seen in Sydney. nearly half of their wall in the store is decorate by numerous wine bottles. We thought cold Sake was suitable for this festival occasion. Small bottle of 180ml Sake is around $18. The waiter in the store will describe different type of Japanese wine, you can just decide on your visiting day.

Today's special menu

Wasabi Leaf

This was an interesting experience. We have all heard of Wasabi but never knew what wasabi leaf looks like and have never saw the real deal. We truly enjoyed its unique taste, not as strong as normal Wasabi paste and very crunch.

Edamame - Soybean boiled in hot water and served with sea salt

This is a typical starter dish when you go to Japanese restaurant.

Simmered OX tongue with Nagoya miso paste 名古屋味噌 (special menu)

OX tongue taste a bit like stewed beef chunk, very tender and soft served with shredded onion and shallots which goes very well with nagoya miso paste (slightly sweeter in taste) Yummo!

Tempura cattle fish

Tempura king prawn

Chicken Wing Skewers and Chicken mince ball

My highlight is their chicken mince ball. First of all, it doesn't look any shape of a ball (that's a surprise! ^^). They marinate chicken mince with ginger and onion and brushed with Teriyaki sauce, very tasty and juicy.

Chicken Skewers

Wagyu Sirloin steak (special menu)

This is a MUST try dish, superbly grilled and full of flavor and juicy.

Assorted Sashimi Sushi

I must say, we love every single one of this sushi plate. They all delicately selected, prepared and delivered to our table. No doubt of the high quality fresh ingredient their used and the mastermind behind combining all palate into one plate - makes quite a pleasant experience for us.

Avocado with pickles

My friend loves avocado and decided to order this dish, not sure if it's on the menu or specially made for him. Taste a bit raw, not as well blended as other dishes.

Tempura prawn roll with avocado

California Roll - look at the generous fish roe on the top

This is properly the cheapest on the menu and one of my favorite - Grilled rice ball with Nagoya miso paste

Popcorn Prawn

This dish is very creamy, the coat is similar to Chinese honey chicken but more creamy and having a Japanese twist to it. We love this one!

Desert - Japanese Greentea Cheesecake served with a scoop of green tea icecream

I love their homemade green tea ice cream very smooth and maintains subtlety of soul Japanese cooking.

Great way to wrap a dinning out.

Toriciya serves very small portion (authentic Japanese) and can be quite expensive, so do not be shocked when you received your meal.

Merry Christmas to you all!<3

Where is it?

Toriciya

Address: 18 Cammeray Road, Cammeray, NSW, 2062

Phone: 02 99042277

Trading hours: Monday - Sat. 6pm Fully Licensed

Pleasant heights - B&B accommondation in Wollongong

If you have not tried B&B (bed and breakfast) accommodation, here is your introduction.

It's been great fun living with Pleasant Heights this time in Wollongong.

They offers different size of the room at front, back and upstairs, prices are vary. We absolutely love love their decoration, very tasteful.

This small boutique luxury accommodation was surely excess all our expectations.

This was our first time here and was not sure what to expect. Pulled over outside a quite neighborhood, doubts started to rise, are we in the wrong place?? ^^ This is someone's house! As soon as we walked in their house, all doubts are fade away and welcome by big smile of our host and perfumed lily flower scents.

Big garden at the back of the house, where you have forest outlook spot.

And found surprising Llarma walking down the hills.

I fell in love with this side table, was wondering whether the host also selling her pieces too?

Very Thai spa look....

I adore this stone sculpture in front of our room...

Bathroom and toilet are open style, if you are not ready to reveal so much to your partner, I suggest you speak to manager before you rent their room.

Everything is nice and clean and well thought in Pleasant Heights

Nice cup of herbal tea before heading to bed, what more can you ask for?

Perfect for couple or girl friends to stay here. There are TV, DVDs, CD player, candles, high fashion magazines for you to spend those extra hours together.

Our host will freshly prepare and deliver our breakfast to the door. She set up a table outside of our room on the deck and we can overlook the ocean view ahead of us. Lovely!

Ooops, danish was so delicious, I nearly finished the second one finally remember to take picture. haha...

All bakery and patisseries are freshly prepared in the morning, our baguette was nice and warm when it's delivered.

You can also have a transitional muesli breakfast with milk or tea or coffee. Just let your host know, she's very kinda and thoughtful.

Season fruits - cut and nicely plate

Where is it?

Address: 77 New Mount Pleasant Road,WOLLONGONG NSW 2519

Tel: +61 (2) 42 833 355

Fax: +61 (2) 42 831 655

Email: info@pleasantheights.com.au

Follow them: http://pleasantheights.com.au/index.htm

Breakfast @ Hyams Beach Store and Cafe

Holiday day season is finally here!!

If you are one of those lucky people having trips in Jervis Bay. You have to try this is a super cozy cafe in Jervas Bay near Hyams beach .

If you have not heard of Hyams Beach, according to The Guinness Book of Records reports Hyams Beach as having the whitest sand in the world. It's just under 3 hours drive from Sydney, so don't even hesitate, go check it out!

This family owned business is determined to give you a boost in the morning and put a big smile on your face.

Menu is on the big black board, catering for most of people and vegetarians but properly not gluten free.

It's a busy place in the morning. You can always get a take away and having it by the beach......

I orderred a big egg and bacon sandwich with chili jam $9

All I can remember was very satisfying. The chili jam has a bit of Thai influence, quite mild spiciness.

Zee's Omlette - with toast and onion, chili & coriander $10

Where is it?

Address: 76 Cyrus street, Hyams Beach.

Follow them: http://www.hyamsbeachcafe.com.au/breakfast-at-hyams-beach-store-and-cafe.html

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm

Tel: 02 4443 3874

Tokio Fans Japanese- Baulkham Hills

Shout out to Hills friends!
After high recommendation by my friend Dave and Jenny, we decided to pay a visit to Tokio Fans.

This medium size resturant is decorate very christmasy for complimenting the upcoming holiday season, very cute indeed.

Decoration is relatively authentic - open sushi bar where sushi chefs there to prepare your orders. One thing to note, staffs are very friendly.

Wakame Salad (Japanese seaweed)

Salmon Skin Sushi

When we were reading the menu thought would be interesting to order something different like salmon skin rather than teriyaki salmon.
This is executed very nice and it mixed very well with cucumber and other vegetables.

Starter - Sashimi Salad

Sashimi was very fresh and served seasonal greens.
Despite the delicate plating, this is one of the smallest sashimi salad I have every seen.

The Avocado cream sauce comes with sashimi salad was fabulous.

Beef Tataki

If you want me to compare this to authentic Japanese beef tataki, I must say this dish is a total disappointment. To me beef tataki has to be very perfectly cooked raw beef served with soy sauce and salad, ideally, it suppose to taste the freshness of meat (similar idea as sashimi). As much as I do not like this dish, nearly every tabled ordered this dish and they seems very much enjoying. So I guess you will have to try it out yourself to judge.

Seafood Tempura

Small basket great for sharing, comes with prawn, crab, fish and vegetable tempura

Desert is highlight in this restaurant for me

Fresh fruit gelato served in its raw ingredient. Flavor available are - lemon, mango, watermelon and tiramisu.

I love the presentation concept, so great!