Bay Vista, Brighton Le-Sands

After the feast in Hurricane, as usual, a meal is incomplete without dessert. The first plan was to have the amazing watermelon cake in Black Star Pastry but unfortunately they are closed for easter long weekend and so for our plan B, we visited Bay Vista not far from Hurricane in Brighton Le sands :)

This is the second time that I visited the place. A very good first impression at this place that made me dare to recommend it to Ms.L.

Bay Vista first established in 1991, with the owner Bill Mougios that established seafood restaurant previously in Brighton le sands area. It has undergone 3 times concept renovations until they came up with Dessert Bar & Cafe concept in 2009. Now, Bay vista offered a unique atmosphere and a full range of foods from sandwiches to sweet crepes, pancake and ice cream.

Bay Vista offer various range of cakes and pastry as well, but for me, I always for for the famous Ice cream bowls!

They also have selections of ice cream flavour and a display of the toppings for the pancake / sweet crepes. Unfortunately for the Famous Ice Cream Bowls, we can't choose the ice cream flavours.. T.T

Huge of bottles of Nutella caught our attention. I knew there and then that he'll get something with Nutella on it!

There are three sizes of the Famous Ice Cream Bowl ranging from the small one which in my opinion can still feed 3 people with one ice cream flavours and their toppings, then they have the largest bowl which is the premium with 2 ice cream flavours and a more sophisticated toppings, and the last one which is higher than premium "class", 3 scoops of ice cream but come in smaller bowl size.

I ordered the "Havana Club" Ice cream bowl which consists of banana ice cream, mango ice cream, vanilla ice cream, blueberries, fresh strawberries, whipped cream, strawberry puree and chocolate shaving. What can i say about this dessert -- DIVINE.. Perfect to fulfill your sweet tooth cravings after a hearty meal. The tanginess of the berries complemented the simple flavoured ice creams very well!

                                                    Havana CLub $19

Mr.N ordered a cheesecake. Who would've thought that the cheesecake comes with all the sweet condiments such as the vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries on top of the puree.. The cheesecake is soft and creamy with a buttery crumbly pastry at the bottom

Cheesecake 

This chocolate luscious looking dessert come under "Adult Only" section of the menu.. Pretty unique ;P Ms.P ordered it because they have espresso ice cream in it, being a coffee lover :) I'm not a fan of this dessert as Im not a coffee drinker.. But a combo of chocolate, brownie, ice cream, what's not to love?

Chocolate Brownie & Roasted Hazelnut Sundae 

THERE! Bebski ordered the Nutella ;P Apparently it is served as a side to the Italian latte.. I don't know what's the different of it being Italian? hehehe.. Well according to Bebski it's a great combo and why he never thought of it before .. He's lovin it...

Italian Latte with Nutella $4.90

PREVIOUS VISIT

Ms.J told me that the pancake in Bay Vista tasted better than MAax Brenner, so my sister, as MaxB waffle fan was curious and tried this out! She said it was comparable.. Not sure if she mean this one is better? O.o

I quite like it, for me, the waffle is not as sweet which I like, and the classic combo with strawberries, banana, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce never fails to impress me :)

Pancake with the lot

Cool Ibiza.. As the name implies, the combination of flavour and ingredients here are just cooling and refreshing! It consists of Mango, passionfruit and vanilla ice cream, the toppings includes pineapple, mango, peaches, whipped cream and yoghurt chips. yum yum yum

Cool Ibiza $19

Overall for me, Bay Vista is a great spot to hang out and chillin with your friends with the sea view infront of you.. The portion is as big as the money worth. The service is just okay but the desserts are wonderful!

http://www.bayvista.com.au/

Hurricane, Brighton Le-Sands

Hurricane has their first restaurant open in Bondi Beach and Darling harbour. The place is always pact with people. To dine here on weekends, you have to book at least a week before, literally! They also accept walk ins but during dinner peak hours, you can wait for at least 30mins.. But now, they also have other branches in Top Ryde, Brighton Le sands and also Hurricane Express in Waterloo.

After more than a year finally I got the chance to visit Hurricane again.. But this time, I visited the one in Brighton Le sands with the beautiful beach view in place :) Ms.L from brisbane specially requested to dine here. She loveeessss the Pork Ribs here and always can't get enough every time she visited Sydney.

It was a beautiful day with clear blue sky and a great view from where we were seating. The staff was exceptionally friendly here. Was so different with the ones in Darling Harbour /  Bondi Beach.. Maybe because they just open so they are still very energetic ;P

For starter, a complimentary brown roll that is still warm, crispy on the outside but soft and moist in the inside. The butter complement the warm roll very well.

The starter that we always order or even sometimes eaten as main... Is the Grilled Chicken Caesar salad. The chicken breast is char grilled to perfection basted with BBQ sauce. The salad is always fresh and the caesar dressing is so creamy. Really love the salad! Another place that serve a great caesar salad is Pancake on The Rock in my opinion :)

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad $27

After experiencing tasty lamb ribs in Papi Chulo, Im keen to try lamb ribs here. Bebski also suggested to have a full pork ribs to share. I agreed as I was starving ;p
The lamb ribs came first and the waiter told us to wait for another 5-10mins for the pork ribs as they are grilling a bigger ribs for us! How nice :)

Full Rack Pork Ribs $44.90

 The pork ribs that came was humongous! I don't remember that they serve the ribs that huge!! And looking at the lamb ribs, at first I thought that they gave us the full rack instead but they explained that that portion is a half rack ribs! I was surprised looking at the portion! Maybe now ordering full rack pork ribs is a bad idea..

Half Rack Lamb Ribs $42.90

The lamb ribs is well marinated and quite fatty too. Im not a fan of fat but Bebski loves it! He told me he would come back for the lamb ribs next time.. It was a good experienced though :) We were so full at the end of the meal..

My friend got the New york Steak with chips.. I can't taste the steak but from the look of it, it must've tasted great.. From the colour it is well charred and he said it is cook to perfection.

New York Strip 350gm $33

Every time we visited Hurricane, it was always because of our "Tourist" friend that came.. Otherwise, it is hardly unlikely for us to dine there :)

I think I will definitely come back to the Hurricane in Brighton Le sands for my next visit, the place has a great view, great service and the food has the same quality as the one in Bondi & Darling Harbour ^^

Highly Recommended!

https://www.hurricanesgrillbls.com.au

Buncis telor ( Green Beans with eggs)

This easy and simple recipe is perfect to accompany your hot steamed rice in cold weather.. The fragrance from the shallot and garlic and the heat punch from the chilli sure is a great combo with this veggie.. Learn this from my mom as our dinner meal back home :)


Ingredients:

• 150-200g Green beans, diced diagonally
• 3 Red Chilli
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 1.5 Tbsp French Shallot
• 3 tsp Soy Sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste

Methods:

• Blanched the green beans for 20seconds
• Put in cold water immediately to stop it from cooking further
• Heat up oil in wok
• Fry the shallot until fragrance then mix in the garlic and chilli
• Cook for 1-2mins
• Mix in the green beans, season with 2 tsp of Soy sauce
• Salt & pepper to liking
• Serve :)

1.

2. 

3. 

Sweet & Sour Pork

I was going to make the sauce from scratch I swear but its just not enough time as I have church in the morning and everyone at home was starving when I got back.. so this cheat sauce will do and it tasted great too!

Ingredients:

• 500g Pork neck
• 1 Green capsicum
• 1 Canned diced pineapple
• 1/2 Brown Onions
• 240g Sweet & Sour Sauce (Lee KUm Kee) Brand

Marinade for the pork:

• 1 tsp Shao Xing cooking wine
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp corn flour

Frying Batter:

Recipe from Rasa Malaysia

• 1/2 cup water
• 56 g Plain Flour
• 28 g Corn Starch
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 Egg
• 1 tsp cooking oil
• 1 small pinch of salt

Methods:

1. Marinade the pork for at least 15 mins
2. Combine the frying batter and mix in the pork meat
3. Coat well
4. Heat oil to 180^oC
5. fry the pork pieces until brown. Do not overcrowd the pan..
6. set aside

1. In a hot wok, fry the onion, capsicum and pineapple together for 3-4mins
2. Mix in the sweet n sour sauce for further 2 mins
3. Combine the deep fried pork until everything is well coated with sauce

Jajangmyun - The Usual Korean Delivery Meals ;P

I seriously need to stop watching Kdrama!! Can't stop drooling and craving at Korean Food especially when the scene has Jajangmyun delivery and looking at how they slurp those noodle and bite those sweet and sour pork, Jinja!

So my K-fanatics bro and I decided to cook this "Delivery Meal".. The Basic recipe for Jajangmyun is from Maangchi, but of course, I did add/change some ingredients

Serves 4
Ingredients:

• 200g pork neck diced finely
• 1 Medium size zucchini
• 1 Small washed potato
• 1/2 Brown onion
• 1 small garlic clove
• 300g Chajang Noodle
• 1/4cup Black bean Paste
• 2 Cups water

Thickening Mixture:

• 2.5 Tbsp corn starch
• 1/3 cup water

                                              

Methods:

• Fried the pork until brown. Put aside
• Heat the same wok with more oil, fry the onions and garlic until fragrance
• Mix in the zucchini and potato. Further fry for 3mins
• Make a well in the middle, add more oil and fry the black beans paste for 1min
• Mix everything together and pour in 2 cups water
• Let it simmer with lid close for 10mins
• Open the lids and mix in the thickening mixture
• Serve on the noodle

The Complete Meal

Home Thai, Sydney

 

Easter break finally come and my friend from Brisbane, Ms.L, is coming to Sydney for vacation/Room hunting as she is moving to Sydney soon! :) I asked her what she would like for dinner... And she said Thai food.. Which better Thai restaurant to promote to my tourist friend if its not HOME Thai :) We went on Good Friday. Thank GOD its open and no public holiday annoying surcharge ;)

We arrived 6pm sharp and the place was already full. We have to queue and waited for a good 20mins. Home Thai has their kitchen displayed from a clear window glass. That is where the yummy fried sticky dough made and all other good fried stuffs. All of the chef looks busy at their own station and impressing the customer with their fast service as always ^^

Sticky dough frying station

An array of dessert components also being displayed on the entrance path.. A very smart marketing strategy to entice customer to always get their dessert :) And its working pretty well on me heheh..

We finally get seated on the second floor on a supposedly table-for-4 but they fit 6 of us in T.T Eating was a struggled I should say, but all of us didn't mind it considering the delicious foods that we were eating at that time .. I got the chance to shoot a picture of the busy kitchen from above. . .

For entree... I got the deep fried pork with Nam Jim Jeow sauce which a tamarind sauce with chilli powder.
Unfortunately, the dish does not impress me.. The pork is quite dry and chewy but it has good flavour especially if you dip it in the Nam Jim sauce..

Deep fried pork $9.90

I was so happy that there were a lot of us dining as we can order a variety of dishes! The next dish to come out is the Soft Shell Crab with Mango salad (green mango, lemongrass,coriander, kaffir lime leaves, cashew nuts and roasted coconut with spicy tangy sauce). This is probably the only salad I've ever tried in Home.. Would love to try mixed papaya salad in my next visit :)

Soft shell crab salad $16.90

And then one by one the meat dishes arrived. First we have the usual.. Pad Pik Khing Moo krob.. Crispy pork belly with dried red curry sauce, green beans and chilli.. Pik Khing sauce is a red curry sauce that was fried in oil and does not have coconut milk added so it is considered as a dried curry sauce :)

The Pork belly is cooked perfectly crispy and juicy. The let down is the green bean for me as it was still quite raw.. I also like that this dish has a good punch of spiciness

Pad Pik Khing Moo Krob $15.50

I usually don't order the Salmon curry but this time is an exception.. I would like to show Ms.L that HOME does not only has the usual chicken/beef/pork penang curry but the exceptionally moist and perfectly cooked salmon curry. Love the sauce. It has the right thickness and the curry is just mild..

Panang Curry with Salmon $16.90

Pad Kra Pao Chicken is the next dish. As all other pad kra pao has and taste like.. but I think this one has more sugar/sweet soy sauce hence the colour and the sweetness

Chicken Pad Kra Pao $13.90

For the first time in HOME that I ordered a Prawn Dish from the Stir Fry menu, cause usually it will be pork all the way ~~ But it surprised me that the prawn was delicious! The garlic and pepper sauce is a perfect combo for the sweet juicy prawns. The prawns are served on top of steam broccoli.. More veggies on the table, puhlease... ;P

Garlic & Pepper Prawns $17.90

Everything was pretty much gone in under 30mins as all of us were starving.. Good Friday, Good Dinner, Good Friends :)

So Tell me Dear Reader, What did you have for your Good Friday Meal?

http://www.homethaisussex.com.au/



OTHER DISHES PREVIOUS VISIT

Steamed Dim sim 5 pcs $5.90

I Highly recommend the dimsim for your starter here. It is made with pork, prawn and water chesnut, served with black vinegar sauce which for me is a good trigger for your palate before mains :) Seriously can't get enough of that sauce..

Fresh Spring Roll $9.90

The filling of the spring roll are cucumber, tofu, beansprout, eggs, chicken mince and chinese pork sausage topped with crab meat and sweet tamarind sauce. I also love this entree as it is fresh and has a good crunchy texture with all the veggies. Beware though if you're not a fan of raw beansprout~!

Mango with sticky rice

I usually get the fried sticky dough with pandan sauce which I don't have a picture of it but Im pretty sure most of you will notice it being fried at the front counter.. And the pandan sauce, my oh my, not too sweet for me and has a really good pandan flavour punch.. The mango and sticky rice is ok for me.. Each of the sticky rice has different flavour and it is still a worthy dish to try :)