Holy Basil Laotian Restaurant - Shark Hotel *Highly Recommended*

Holy Basil is a traditional Laos's cuisine. They started their Sydney adventure in Canley Heights many years ago and just recently decided to conquer the constant chaotic and hungry Sydney CBD in Shark Hotel. 

Newly renovated and rearranged Shark hotel gives a warm and modern vibe, very welcoming but still have its cool. Pool tables are been removed to the right hand corner and it's less spacious as before. We still remember those university days, hanging out with friends in Shark Hotel after classes. Surely, we have grown with them - much more sophisticated and classy!

Love the motorcycle in the front

Holy Basil's slogan is Eat. Drink. Laughter. A touch of Laos.

They situated at very back of the hotel. Indeed, it's very well decorated, traditional great ambient.

They're much brighter sitting arrangement is much appreciated. Finally, we can clearly see what we're eating!

Cheers to the weekend!

Fresh young coconut juice is a must when you're visiting south east Asia restaurants.

Many would say their menu have a very strong Thai Isan region food influence. Funny enough, the menu is also written in Thai. For foreigners like us, we just simply love good food.

First stop: Laos Sausages

 Traditional and tasty grilled pork sausages combined with fresh herbs and spices served 

with Holy Basil’s special dipping sauce $10.90 

I love the fresh lime leafs mixed in the sausage, uniquely fabulous!

The homemade special sauce compliments the sausage very well, cut through the grease and it's very refreshing.

Ox Tongue

  Marinated grilled OX Tongue thinly sliced and served with Holy Basil’s special dipping sauce $10.90

This dish is a MUST try dish of this restaurant. It served in thin slices, and still pink inside. Very tender and addictive.

Pineapple Fried Rice $12.90 

This is my favorite of the night. I have had so many different version of pineapple fried rice and this is surely my tops. Nice jasmine rice stir fried with egg, sultana, almonds, fresh cut pineapple and a choice of your own meat or seafood. 

Rice Salad

 Deep fried rice balls tossed with cured pork (nem chua) coriander, shallots, chilli, kaffir lime leaves, onions and mint leaves served on lettuce leave $12.90 

This is unique dish. It's made of rice crust and with touch of herbs, it turns into a salad full of flavors.

Warm and welcoming decor

The main act of the night:

 Deep fried fresh whole fish served on a bed of green mango salad (or green apples when not in season) dressed in mint leaves, coriander, shallots, Spanish onions, chilli and lime juice

Market Priced

Beautifully cooked deep fried whole fish fillet served with green mango salad mixed with carrots, onions, shallots, coriander and spacial Laos dressing - great way close the meal! 

Without advertising Holy basil, its own fresh ingredients, well-though recipes, great value and customer services stands out among its competitors in Sydney CBD food battlefield.

If you have not tried this place, don't miss out!

Where is it?

City Shark Hotel

Address: Shark Hotel 127 Liverpool Street, Sydney, 2000

Phone: 9283 8284 

Canley Hights:

Address: 233A Canley Vale Rd, 2166

Phone: 9727 7585

Menu & Booking: http://www.holybasil.com.au/index.html

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Simplest Japanese Seaweed Salad

This is my first time cooking this salad after went to a party, special thanks to Mina san for your inspiration.

This might not be authentic, but it's definitely low calorie and tasty.

Here it goes!

What do we need?

Mix Seaweed or normal seaweed even thought ones for miso soup, portion as much as you like.

soak the dry seaweed in cold water for 5 minutes

Drain the water and try to squeeze out the water if you can

Here is another seaweed brand I love.

Cut tofu to smaller pieces

Fresh seaweed you can find it in any Japanese or Korean even Chinese groceries.

Great Yasai dressing, I love this non-oil low fat dressing with hint of perilla leaves 200ml

100ml for only 523KJ

Place all the above ingredient on the top of your choice of salad. A note here, less flavor salad would be better, I made a total mistake buying a pack of mixed herb salad. Don't repeat my mistakes 

Voila, yummy and nutritious seaweed salad is on you way!

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Armory Cafe at Olympic Park - *Recommended*

My friend recommended this great looking cafe for our catch up, without hesitation, we booked in for a weekend brunch. As we all know, Sydney's weather is been rather strange lately. Raining Raining Raining.....

Warm hospitality received once we step into the restaurant.

Menu is quite similar to most of cafe- easy to read, but the river view in front of the restaurant gives the extra edge to it. 

(picture from http://www.armorywharfcafe.com)

This is a great pitstop after cycling, kayaking or running in Newington Armory Park.

Cafe is brilliant here, highly recommended to coffee drinkers.

Eggs Benne’ w/ double smoked ham & spinach on a toasted casa panotte $15

You can also have w/ Tasmanian salmon & spinach on a toasted casa panotte, same price

The home made hollandaise sauce was beautiful!

We were so shocked to find 2 eggs buried underneath of hollandaise source, very generous potion!

Baked eggs, chorizo & tomato w/ herbs, balsamic syrup and toasted casa panotte $15

Personally I love chorizo, absolutely superb. 

Other choices

Where is it?

Address: Armory Wharf Cafe, Blaxland Riverside Park,Jamieson Street, Newington NSW 2127

Map: http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/stay_eat_shop/cafes

Tel: 02 9714 7513

Follow them: http://www.armorywharfcafe.com/

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Albee's Kitchen Malaysian at Campsie * Recommended*

I have heard all about Albee before I came here for the first time....regulars, please don't laugh at me....

Albee's take away style restaurant with simple decorations and most of the menu item and chef special are on the walls.

Pulut Panggang - stick rice filled with shrimp paste and wrapped in fresh banana leafs 

The shrimp paste was not overpowering to the dish rather it add a different flavor.

Beef Rang-dang 

Not the best one I had, the meat was slight tough. Indeed, it's quite nice!

This crispy king prawn was my favorite! The shell of the prawn was nice done, and the touch of chili sauce was delicious!

Where is it?

Address:  282 Beamish Street, Campsie NSW 2194

Follow them: http://www.albeeskitchen.com.au/

Tel: (02)9718 8302      

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Shancheng Hot Pot King - Sydney CBD *Recommended*

Fancy Chinese hotpot tonight? Shancheng is one of the hidden gem in the Sydney CBD. 

The restaurant is very authentic and spacious, unfortunately, still operated mainly for Chinese customers.

First rule of entering a Chinese restaurant, go with your friends and expecting minimum services.

We're have ordered a typical hot soup and chicken soup pot.

with Sesame dipping

Green been cold noodle with special Sichuan chili sauce

The noodle is mean to be clear and smooth, wasn't they forte for sure, but the sauce is very nice.

Clockwise starts left corner - deep fried pork, fish roe wrapped in fish balls, beef ball, coriander meat ball, frozen lamb

A word for first timer, you must try the fish roe ball, such a delicious food!

Also having lamb with Chinese hotpot is a must!

Clockwise - water spinach, potato noodle, oyster mushroom, bean curd

Water spinach is very nice!

Oyster mushroom is a must to Chinese hotpot

At the end of the meal, cook potato noodle in the soup, great way to wrap up the dinner.

Total Satisfaction!

Warning: If you are visiting Sydney, this might not be the best choice for you as our guess had stomach pain after their meal due to excessive chili consumed.

Where is it?

Address: 8a/361-363 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: 02 9267 6366

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