Hubby’s 30th – Fish Face

It was hubby's birthday a while back and when I asked what he wanted to eat, his response was 'seafood' - somewhere that makes bouillabaisse. Not many places in Sydney does that, and I would assume a 'french' restaurant would. However, as per usual, he is as fussy as ever and didn't want french! I remembered going to this little spot whilst at uni and haven't been back since! This was indeed the perfect time to go back.

Fish Face is located in the heart of Darlinghurst, and its a very small restaurant. I would definitely recommend you make a booking. I made a booking a couple of weeks before, and was a little unimpressed when they didn't have it! However, the hostess was kind enough to fit us in at the bar, and I was close enough to see the action in the kitchen and to meet the chef himself, Stephen Hodges.

As the name of the restaurant is 'Fish Face', you can guess what they serve - mainly different types of fish, cold and hot. They even have a small sashimi bar at the bar with fresh sashimi, oysters amongst other things. Usually entrees intrigue me, but I went straight for main. The main I order was TO DIE FOR! It was ocean trout (petuna), mushroom and leek filo pastry with sorrel sauce (did i say this dish was to die for?!?!?!?). The ocean trout was medium rare, and the filo pastry melted in your mouth. The sorrel sauce truly complimented the ocean trout. It was simply divine!!

Hubby ordered the blue eye travella on potato scales, parsley and capers with preserved lemon. The blue eye was fillet, and what appears to be 'skin' on top was actually potatoes cut into scales! It was indeed genius! The potato scales was crunchy but yet soft, and it worked perfectly with the parsley and capers. It was good, but am a tad bias in that mine was definitely the winning dish!

As always, I craved for something sweet! Had a quick look at the menu and it was a toss between the quinche cake and a chocolate fondant. Didn't feel like chocolate and after toing and froing, I went with the quinche cake - it's not something I would order, but was absolutely glad that I did. The quinche cake was warm, and the vanilla bean icecream was melting on top of it. It was absolutely divine! Hubby ordered the creme brulee with rhubarb - he didn't particularly like rhubarb, so instead of it just going to waste, I thought I would have it with my warm quinche cake. It was perfect - cake, icecream and rhubarb!

My meal was an absolutely winner! I was literary in a food coma, and had to waddle home! Hubby kindly offered to get me a cab but after all that food, I really truly needed to walk it off! Fish Face is definitely a definite winner, and it was as good as I remembered it. Every time I think about the ocean trout with filo pastry my mouth waters! Not many dish does that for me, this one definitely does! It's a great little spot for a first date, an anniversary, a birthday, or simply if you feel like it. I would strongly recommend that you book, otherwise just rock up early. A definite favourite!

Fish Face – 132 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst

Tel: (02) 9332 4803

Seabay... dumpling heaven

Whenever someone says 'dumplings', my eyes light up! Who doesnt like those meat filled pastries that are slightly fried, boiled or steamed - not all together of course! So when hubby said why don't we have dumplings tonight for dinner, I wasn't going to say no!

Seabay has been around for a very long time, it used to be an old, dark and dodgy little place on pitt street, but they have done it up the past couple of years. Its not so dodgy, but very bright and shinny - on some nights you definitely need your sunnies! It is so bright! Thankfully, the owner hasn't changed and you are guaranteed a delightful meal.

As much as I love just eating with hubby, the more the merrier right? More food and more choices, and who better than my brother and his gf to join - I know how much they both LOVE food :)We pretty much knew what we wanted to order - the usual choice of dumpling and noodles. Fried dumplings of course - slightly pan fried on the outside, and moist on the inside. I usually saturate my dumpling in vinegar and chilli! Although, everyone is different, some have it with just with soy sauce, and some just as it is! You get a good serving of dumplings - 12 on the plate.

The fried noodles is also quite generous - it's apparently 'hand made' and it comes with either beef / chicken or pork. We opted for the beef and it came out quickly. I am still not 100% sure if its handmade, I know the dumplings are as I have peeked in the kitchen and have seen a couple of older ladies sitting there tunning dumplings one by one!

We would usually order more dumplings, but thought we would try something different - salt and pepper pork. It came on a bed of shredded lettuce, and looked 'different'. But don't let that fool you! It was tasty! It had the right amount of salt and pepper! Personally, it could be a little bit more spicier, but I am big fan of chilli! Everything just tastes so much better with chilli!

We have never ever ordered this next dish, and I wish I had discovered it earlier - better late than never I guess. Eggplant with seabay 'special' sauce. I am not 100% sure what the sauce is, but it was a slightly saulty, yet sweet. Its like they put honey but it wasnt gooey like. The 'special' sauce was indeed special, and hubby is not usually a big fan of eggplant but surprisingly enjoyed it.

You can never go wrong with Seabay - don't let the door or the dodgy sign fool you! It is child friendly, and one of the best place for dumplings in the city. It is quite reasonable in price, and the staff are friendly, although, might not be as tentative as other chinese restaurant. It is value for money, and definitely worth a visit if you haven't been before.

Seabay - 372 Pitt Street, Sydney

Tel: (02) 9267 4855

Grill'd

I have read about this place so many times in various food blogs and am a HUGE HUGE (did i say HUGE) fan of burgers! As much as I love Plan B, it's not open on the weekends and its a trek during the weekdays for just a burger (ok - its not 'just' a burger, but its a trek from Circular Quay!). However, when I found out about this so called Grill'd place, I had to go and check it out!

So I dragged my partner in crime of burgers (not that he needs any convincing!), and drove to crowsnest. We walked in and was mesmorised by the menu and layout! It's a bit overwhelming with all the different types of burgers! Firstly, you choose the kind of burger that you want, then the type of bread; panini, traditional or glutten free bread. Secondly, the extras; eggs, pineapple and cheese etc. Last but not least - chips with Grill'd herbs mix! Once you have decided what you want, you go to the counter, order the various types, take a number and sit down. The burgers are freshly made on the spot, and taken to your table once its cooked and assembled. The burgers also caters for vegetarians, and for kids - mini burgers for little kids!

I ordered the simply grill'd buhgah - and it was indeed 'simple' and tasty! The beef was soft, moist and juicy and the herb mayo was the perfect condiment. The panini was also soft but yet crunchy on the outside! It was divine and exactly what I needed that day!

My partner in crime ordered the mustard and pickled burger and he too said it was divine. I personally, am not a big fan of pickles, but if you thought I was a 'fussy' eater, he is 100 times worse than me. He demolished his burger within seconds and did not even bother asking if I wanted to try some. His only comment was 'beautiful'. I am assuming its the same as mine, without the pickles (gross!).

Burgers at Grill'd are not on the same calibre as Plan B but its definitely worth another visit! Especially if you have a hang over or if you plainly just want a 'buh-gah'!

Grill'd : 57 Willoughby Road Crowsnest

Tel: (02) 9436 0699