Good time Diner, Bondi Junction

I received an invitation from Good Time Diner in Bondi Junction for their soft launch, I was so excited to attend and I invited one of my foodie friend as well to come and join me as I am allowed to bring a plus one :) We were seated on the right side of the area from the entrance with all other food bloggers. Lovely atmosphere and decoration of the place, it's warm and cozy :)

There were 2 big tables provided for us and it was a really intimate dining experience where we can mingle and chat with other bloggers while enjoying the foods. Sitting started at 7PM and not long after, the tables were full with bloggers!

We got to taste a little bit of everything that night from appetizers, salads and mains. We also have choices of drinks to choose and the staffs were very attentive in asking for another drinks ^^

I got the Stoney Peak Sparkling and Mr.W asked for cranberry juice but unfortunately he received pineapple juice ;p But not to worry, he got his Cranb juicy for his second round of drink ..

The appetizer arrived not long after we received our drinks. It was a shared Charcuterie Plate consisting of smoked pork belly, sliced salami, Smoked Cheese, Gherkins and Smoked nuts served with a crispy breads.

After so many shots taken, finally we got to taste the foods.. It was Mr.W first dining experience with food bloggers that he now know that before he can enjoy the foods, he needs to wait until we are satisfy with the shots ;p

I must say that the cheese and nuts were perfectly smoked and the pork belly was just a perfect combo with the crisp bread and the cheese! It's a good dish to start the meal. I can't wait for the next one to come. . .

Another appetizer arrived. This time it's the Garlic Bread. The bread was fresh, the garlic note on it was just right and 1 slice per person wasn't enough cause it's soooo tasty! I highly recommend the garlic bread for appetizer...

Next is Charred Cajun Corn covered in a very generous amount of butter! No complain though, the corn was juicy and the cajun spice was really profound which I love!

The awaited dish of the night has arrived! I had a high expectation for the Famous Mac & Cheese when I read the menu for the night. It was served in a small pot with oozing baked cheese all around it. All goodness in Mac & Cheese were there, the perfect cheesiness, creaminess all in one pot and I think they also put a bit of the cajun spice in there. A pot for two is a perfect portion in my opinion cause you don't wanna get too much cheese in one sitting :) The Mac & Cheese really deliver ~~

Before the sitting time, Mr.W and me was wondering around westfield cause we arrived a tad early. When we passed by the place, there was a lady serving a sampler of the slow cooked beef short ribs, we took a bite and it was Divine! We really can't wait to eat a bigger serving of that. And so the time has come when we got to properly enjoy the 12 Hours Slow Cooked Beef Short Ribs, without the bone! How good is that ~~~ ^^ The meat was tender and juicy, the bbq sauce smothered on top was complemented the meat really well.

Another mains along with the beef is the Southern Spiced Chicken. The chicken was okay in my opinion, I'm more of a chicken breast than chicken thigh person ;p

The salads came right after the meats came as well. The first salad to arrive is the Cous Cous, Chickpea, Pine nut & Roast pumpkin salad. I enjoyed the cous cous salad very much, except that the onion pieces really made me work to eat the rest ;p

The second salad is the Fennel, Goat Cheese, Pear & Spinach Salad. A perfect crunchy salad to accompanied the juicy meat. It was my first time trying fennel salad and I loveee it!

Visit Good time Diner any day of the week cause you'll get treated with their daily specials! I would love to come back on Wednesday for their wings! It was a great experienced, knowing other food bloggers and the opportunity to sample yummy foods the place has to offer. Thanks Carlos for the invites :)

His Boy Elroy, Wollongong

Another trip to the Gong but this time is an overnight stay for Bebski's Ielts attempt :) Went last Friday morning and arrive around noon, starving! But worry not, I am prepared when Bebski asked where should we eat?!

I dig up a couple of restaurants and cafes, and 'His Boy Elroy' came up in Urbanspoon. I looked through their website and the menu drools me away so I decided to have our lunch there. The place was packed with people, even some tables were already being reserved!

His Boy Elroy is located in a small lane and their dining concept is a mixture of cafe / restaurant / pub /bar. The foods that they serve here ranging from South American cuisine, Asian inspired dishes and other American favourites.

Next to the ordering counter is the self-serve lemon infused water.

I got myself a bottle of Apple cider and Bebski got his Chocolate milkshake :p

The lightning of the place itself is pretty bad so pardon my pictures ;p First to come is the Sweet Potato Fries with special sauce. The sauce is definitely SPecial! It was creamy and almost tasted like a fusion of garlic aioli and tartar sauce :) Chips was crisp and the portion was generous too.

Sweet Potato Fried $10

Then the Hot wings arrived! It was smothered in Frank sauce and served with Ranch sauce. The special sauce from the sweet potato fries was too flavourful that the ranch sauce tasted really bland ;p The wings were deep fried perfectly and the sauce was hot! There wasn't any need to dip it in the ranch sauce any more... ;p As usual, my favourite dish definitely is not bebski's, so I ended up finishing the whole plate by myself, no complain :)

Hot wings $6

 For the main we ordered the Mr.Saigon - Fried chicken, Slaw, Nasi pear and Nuoc Cham mayo. The fried chicken was unquestionably delish! With the crunch from the slaw and a hint of sweetness from the Nashi pear. But the unfortunate thing is that there wasn't enough sauce :( I can't really taste the nuoc cham mayoo T.T

With any burger here, you can upgrade it to a combo of chips and wings for an additional $6! Bargain :)

Mr.Saigon $13

The second main is the Peanut and Kaffir Chicken satay which was served with both rice and roti. Bebski loved it and this time I agreed! It was soooooo yummy! The sauce was not too rich but has enough nutty punch with the fragrant coriander and and crushed nuts on top, it's a perfect dish to be eaten with rice and the chewy roti! The sauce to me is like a fusion of chinese satay sauce and thai curry sauce :) Highly Recommended!

We had a big feast and no more rooms for dessert, I know right, me, rejecting anymore dessert.. That's how full we were.... But overall the place was very nice to hang out with friends have some nibbles and beers. Will definitely be back here when I visited the Gong next time ^^

Papi Chulo, Manly

As part of our office activity, we did a 6 week challenge called EAT.MOVE.LIVE in which we were given task by Vitality works organisation to achieve the goals every week and the reward for the winning team is free lunch on company expenses.. And guess what,,, My Team WON!

As our office is located near Manly area, my colleague asked me two days ago where should we celebrate the lunch. And without doubt I answer in an instant "Papi Chulo"! I have been wanting to visit the place since months ago and the good thing is I won't be paying for the meal hihihi..

I made the booking for 5 people at 1PM.. It was still quite empty when we arrived which is good that we will get our order quickly :) As I am there with my colleague, I can't really make the decision what to order. Thankfully, 2 of them agreed on the meat platter while the other 2 will have the burgers :)

We were given plastic bibs but as usual, we hardly wear them ;P

The first one to arrive is the burger along with the colourful pickles. I have never seen pickled cauliflower before! ^^ But for my curious tastebuds, I tasted each and every one of them ^^ I really dont mind the gherkins and radish pickles. Its somehow compliment the saltiness of the meat.

Papi Chulo Burger $18

Papi Chulo Burger (Grain fed beef, american cheese, bacon, pickles, tomato, lettuce inside soft bun). Why they decided to choose this out of the many selections was because the burger had 'Papu Chulo' name on it and they thought it must be their most favourite and famous ones ^^ But when I come back soon, I will order the Smoked Pork Cuban Sandwich!
Unfortunately I can't taste the burger but I'm pretty sure it tasted great as my friends ate them with great joy on their faces as I was droolingggg looking at them waiting for my food :)

Not long afterwards come the curly fries. It was golden and crunchy. It has been treated well and we can't get enough of it!

Curly Fries $9

And Finally... Our Beloved meat platter for the 3 carnivores!! The Meat Platter consists of half rack lamb ribs, 150g wagyu brisket, smoked pork belly slices, pulled pork and 4 soft rolls.. It was enough to feed the three of us but definitely won't be enough for a fourth person ;P

The pulled pork is so juicy and the wagyu brisket is tender. I am not a fan of the pork belly as it has fat layers that is not crispy ... But what I loveeee is the Lamb Ribs! It is flavoursome and smoky and sweet and sticky! yuuummm~~ Definitely will order a full rack when Im back ^^

Overall.... I LOVE Papi Chulo!! It has a nice view, nice atmosphere, great service, good food and will definitely come back to try the smoked hot chicken wings, empanadas, croquettesand the sandwiches!!!

http://merivale.com.au/papichulo/