tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31512774947043988872012-01-29T03:36:47.845+11:00Food, travel and anything in between.foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.comBlogger771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-16048209686510813752010-09-25T11:23:00.001+10:002010-09-27T20:48:14.911+10:00

The perils of high expectations. After a near-perfect experience at Berowra Waters Inn, one could not help but set high expectations for this fellow two-hat restaurant. A string of good reviews. The setting of a beautiful heritage Federation beach house. The glistening views of Freshwater beach, one of my favourites in Sydney. And the promise of a delicious Sardinian fare. Unfortunately, we

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-46939472228263788762010-09-23T05:00:00.028+10:002010-09-23T05:00:02.095+10:00

"We've sold two cases of Shaoxing wine today!", the lady owner at the Asian grocery store exclaimed excitedly. Such was the power of Masterchef. It was the weekend after the last episode of the Masterclass series aired. And one of the judges' favourite dishes the entire season? Drunken and Bruised, the signature dish of fellow Malaysian Alvin Quah. The verdict? It was fantastic and

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-35112108448222177882010-09-20T19:06:00.003+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.603+10:00

Geisha rushing to ochaya teahouses for performance. Traditional merchant houses serving expensive kaiseki ryori. Okiya or guesthouses where geisha and maiko live during their career. And tourists, lots of them, armed with cameras. This is the heart of Gion. This is Hanami-koji.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-66855886555160782422010-09-19T05:00:00.004+10:002010-09-20T20:30:52.720+10:00

It was 6 August 1945. With not a cloud in sight, the fate of over 140,000 lives in Hiroshima was sealed. At 8:15 am sharp, the world's first atomic bomb was dropped. Almost everything then disappeared into nothingness. And the world was forever changed. I think I was in primary school when I first learned about the bombing in a history lesson. Until this very day, the codenames of the bombs are

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-25800644172155853762010-09-13T22:45:00.000+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.604+10:00

I am happy to announce that my garden has survived my black thumb the winter. Apart from my abundant harvest of one (yes, singular) apple and three oranges, herbs like Italian parsley, rosemary and thyme are aplenty. Italian parsley ends up in a no-fuss pesto recipe. Pine nuts, lightly toasted, blended with parsley leaves. Some olive oil and a bit of salt later, it's ready to be mixed with

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-1731510580987820742010-09-08T05:00:00.004+10:002010-09-27T07:39:46.307+10:00

An Restaurant, Bankstown. Five reasons why. 1. They are the experts! An Restaurant sells one thing and one thing only - pho. 2. The delicious pho. Chicken or beef. Same superior stock. No after-meal MSG effect. 3. The waiters. PDA-clad and super efficient, they expect you to know what to order as soon as you sit down. Oh, no menu is provided unless you ask for one. 4. The patrons. Surely

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-42827904314355589882010-09-06T06:00:00.000+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.605+10:00

A shot of serenity for the busy week ahead. Lamma Island, Hong Kong.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-59489670788536246442010-09-04T06:00:00.001+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.606+10:00

6 months. 190 participating countries. 450,000 daily visitors. One theme. Better City, Better Life. Signs, symbols and spaces. Korean Pavillion is one of my favourites The Finnish Pavillion is called 'kimu' (giant's kettle) Its curved inner space tells the stories of Finland and the Finns. Let's just say I was glad that I didn't have to queue up to see this (hint: go to the expo after 6

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-11130625215542035422010-09-02T06:00:00.001+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.606+10:00

We can forgive a man for making a useful thing, as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it immensely. All art is useless. — Oscar Wilde Taikang Road Art Centre with art galleries and boutiques in old shikumen buildings Follow the leader And the propaganda No 50 Moganshan Road is a contemporary art district in Shanghai This

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-13206303217679154302010-08-30T06:00:00.002+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.607+10:00

The faces. The lives. Chicken tonight? Somewhere in old district of Luwan A bicycle repairer. And a potential customer. A future pillar of the remarkable Chinese economy. And the World Financial Centre, the third tallest building in the world (by architecture detail) after The Burj in Dubai and Taipei 101. Not to be outdone, the Chinese is building a taller building as we speak. Let's

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-90435631570083273152010-08-28T06:00:00.001+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.608+10:00

Let's step back in time. Yuyuan Garden was built in the 16th century by a Tang Dynasty general named Pan YuDuan An ancient study Views from the top Xiao long baos at NanXiang Dumpling House. The XXXXL version is 90% soup and comes with a straw for drinking the delicious soup. Cheng Huang Miao, literally City God Temple, was built over 600 years ago. One of the altars. And an

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-81480549811581607212010-08-27T06:20:00.001+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.609+10:00

Xi Zang (Tibet) Lu Flower Bird Market. Rows and rows and rows of birdcages. Tortoise

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-13657232231045372982010-08-25T05:00:00.001+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.610+10:00

Let's get it all out.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-36107093220417742952010-08-23T06:00:00.003+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.610+10:00

"Once upon a time, there were two young Chinese farmers, Mr. Song and Miss Fang, who were living in a remote village of the Fujian province. They had just discovered the secret of tea and they decided to share it with the rest of the world." -- Song Fang's website. Song Fang is a teahouse and the brainchild of Harvard Business School graduate Florence Sampson. A Shanghai resident of over 10

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-25496744799720204642010-08-22T10:26:00.003+10:002010-09-25T11:25:05.611+10:00

Join me on a photographic journey to my newfound favourite city in a series of eight posts. Shanghai has been through alot. Opium war with Britain in the 19th century. Bombing in 1932. The Battle of Shanghai. Japanese occupation during the second world war. Cultural Revolution during the 60s. Today, Shanghai is the most developed and populous city in China. Affectionately known by the

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-80411413032409211412010-08-21T08:51:00.001+10:002010-09-21T06:31:08.817+10:00

Hello world. Apologies everyone. My extended break from blogging has been unplanned, but necessary. Long story cut short. A business trip to China, a bout of illnesses and a mountain of work later, I'm back. Breakfast is without a doubt my favourite weekend meal. Growing up, Sunday was the only day the whole family could get together for breakfast. Dad was running his business 6 days per week

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-46054935762865329852010-06-09T00:02:00.003+10:002010-09-20T19:30:15.690+10:00

Joël Robuchon, the man with most stars of all. Being a fan of Iron Chef for many years, I recall the name of Joël Robuchon has been mentioned extensively by Chairman Kaga. He is the man who holds the world's most Michelin-star decorated chef with 25 stars under his belt. We cannot find a reason not to dine at L'atelier de Joël Robuchon while visiting Hong Kong. The food was ... scrumptiously

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-76572200661859770302010-06-01T00:59:00.003+10:002010-09-20T19:30:15.691+10:00

Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum Shop (添好運點心專門店) is "the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant in the world", said Michelin Guide director Jean-Luc Naret. Clockwise from top L-R-C: Ham Sui Gok (咸水角), Water Chestnut Sweep Soup (馬蹄露), Shu Mai (燒賣), Steamed Rice Noodle Roll with BBQ Pork (叉燒腸粉), Radish Cake (蘿蔔糕), Beef Ball (陳皮牛肉球), Prawn Dumpling (蝦餃), Chicken Feet (鳳爪) and Crispy Pork Bun (酥皮焗叉燒包)

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-30316618219546540982010-05-25T05:23:00.002+10:002010-09-25T11:25:58.066+10:00

Is a sea. Of fresh jewels Of exotic ingredients Of ovoid spheroid Of primary colours Of thorny love and cheap passion Of all things round Of great bargains And of ambitious reds - "One day we'll end up in Celia's fresh tomato passata"

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-77966329938969087192010-05-24T23:16:00.001+10:002010-09-21T06:31:08.818+10:00

The perfect party on a cold, cold night. Steamboat is quintessentially Chinese. A group of friends surrounding a pot of simmering stock - sharing food and chatting away their worries. There are no rules, and preparation time is minimal. You can get as much ingredients as you want to go with your preferred stock. And the best part? Your guests can't blame you for lacking cooking skills. Can't

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-59028156403007399012010-05-15T08:49:00.021+10:002010-09-23T20:14:53.746+10:00

L.O.V.E. Locaton, location, location It was an extraordinary dining experience. It truly was. How often do you get whisked across the Hawkesbury River on a private ferry? Or find yourself in a gorgeous restaurant built on a site where indigenious Australians once lived over 10,000 years ago? Or enjoying, quite possibly, one of the best meals of your life? How about all of the above? Love

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-38852430552770496562010-05-11T21:24:00.005+10:002010-09-20T19:30:15.692+10:00

3:10 pm: We finally arrived at this former Portuguese colony. The ferry ride from Hong Kong was delayed for almost two hours due to heavy fog. It's not a perfect start to the day. But we're relieved to be here. 3:34 pm: No visit to Macau would be complete without a visit to Yee Shun Milk Dairy Company at Senado Square. One of their signature dishes is Double-Skin Steamed Milk. A traditional

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-11017041079122892962010-05-09T02:46:00.003+10:002010-09-25T11:25:58.067+10:00

Two of my favourite markets in one place. Edible blooms Kylie Kwong making breakfast for me Pancakes with organic vegetables and organic eggs ($7.50 for two). Steamed certified free-range pork wontons with ginger dressing ($6.50 per serve). The gorgeous wontons were possibly made by Miss Cathy X. Breads galore Which one? I love the pretty colours Organic pasta and sauce. We tried

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-78777264247272674042010-05-05T05:30:00.008+10:002010-09-25T11:25:58.067+10:00

Knock Knock. Autumn's here. Finally.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-82001947131272120682010-05-02T08:59:00.166+10:002010-09-20T19:30:15.693+10:00

Never too many Bilpin mountain apples. It's nearly the end of the fruit picking season. Most orchards on the Hawkesbury Farm Gate Trail are either closed or allow fruit picking by appointment only. So, we are lucky to be welcomed into Shields Orchard (2270 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin) despite a large "No pick your own fruit today" at the door. Entertain yourselves with unlimited fruit

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-63973308568351563192010-05-01T09:34:00.007+10:002010-09-23T20:13:15.432+10:00

Cake 2009: Adriano Zumbo's "Yuzu No A Nothing" Macaron Cake. Cake 2010: La Renaissance Patisserie's Raspberry Charlotte Mousse Cake. Happy First of May When I was small, and christmas trees were tall We used to love while others used to play Don't ask me why, but time has passed us by Someone else moved in from far away Now we are tall, christmas trees are tall You don't ask the time of day

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-14195021087640694682010-04-26T20:18:00.000+10:002010-09-25T11:25:58.068+10:00

Left: 30 Days live house. Free admission. Right: A box of yellow squashes from the Flemington Market. 5 dollars.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-56995964029245258802010-04-24T09:46:00.007+10:002010-09-25T11:25:58.069+10:00

I like the concept of dining at a winery. Vast rolling greens. Hard working vines. Delicious tasting plates for sharing. And the bonus? Wine tasting in between courses. A two-hour drive from Sydney transports us to the region of Broke Fordwich in the Lower Hunter Valley, where the Margan Restaurant is located. The menu is designed for sharing and consists of a handful of tasting plates

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-33645090724914865272010-04-18T23:58:00.005+10:002010-09-25T11:25:58.070+10:00

Say hello to (the hands of) Chef Jean Michel Raynaud, Head of Production at Baroque Bistro. This man knows macarons from back to front. I had the pleasure of learning some tricks of the trade from Chef Jean Michel today. The class was conducted as part of the 30 days of home and entertaining. We were warned that it was only a taste of Baroque Bistro's own macarons masterclass. But gladly,

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-90350860392311576592010-04-14T18:42:00.006+10:002010-09-21T06:31:08.819+10:00

Entertaining made easy. BLT BEST vol au vents - Fill shop-bought vol au vents with egg mayonnaise. Decorate with cherry tomato, pan-fried bacon pieces and spinach leaves. Grilled scallops - Add a tiny amount of butter and a mixture of soy, grated ginger and mirin (Japanese cooking wine) to scallops. Grill in oven at 190 degrees for a few minutes. Fresh sea urchin on mini toasts - Uhm, as

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-4356884873870400702010-04-11T15:05:00.008+10:002010-09-20T19:30:15.694+10:00

Kau Kee and Mak Ngan Kee are two of Hong Kong's most famous specialist noodle shops. Their menu is not extensive as many other eateries in Hong Kong. And you won't find them on the Michelin Guide. But what they do, they do amazingly well. Kau Kee started as a humble dai pai dong (open air hawker stall) across the street from where its air-conditioned shop is now located. Over the years, the

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-41625656515160363312010-04-09T00:04:00.004+10:002010-09-21T06:31:08.819+10:00

$20 per kg live mud crabs are simply irresistable. Non? This recipe is incredibly simple and takes less than an hour to prepare. The idea is to infuse the glutinous rice with juices from the crab and the faint scent of the lotus leaves. You will need: - One large mud crab, about 1.1 kg - Two large lotus leaves, first soaked in hot water for about 20 minutes. -- Dried ones are available from

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-68572818423623552362010-04-07T07:02:00.003+10:002010-09-25T11:25:58.071+10:00

Strawberry and Watermelon Cake and Death of the Ninja. Contrary to popular belief, Adriano Zumbo is not the only pâtissier in town. Personally, I also admire the talented Y aka lemonpi who is featured in this month's Gourmet Traveller Magazine (see no 7) and whose beautiful creations I could only hope to try someday. Go have a read. She is mentioned at no 7. And as part of my quest to eat my

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-5150377494809710832010-04-04T21:27:00.006+10:002010-09-25T11:25:58.072+10:00

I love impromptu day trips. We head out the door on Easter Friday with a rough idea of heading towards Wollongong. And by the end of the day, we have stepped foot on many places that we have never explored before. The traffic down south is surprisingly pleasant. The last time we tried to get out of the city on an Easter weekend was disastrous. Our destination of Palm Beach quickly became Mona

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-73493592050569034002010-03-29T22:08:00.004+11:002010-04-11T00:22:10.864+10:00

Ipoh is the lesser-known food capital of Malaysia. There are two things you must eat here: flat rice noodles (hor fun) and bean sprouts (nga choi). L-R: Char koay teow (flat rice noodles stir-fried with prawns, cockles, egg and bean sprout). Kai see hor fun (flat rice noodles with poached chicken strips). Hor fun tossed in thick curry sauce. Soup yellow noodles. L-R: Glutinous rice

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-63139322879818583892010-03-27T09:42:00.003+11:002010-09-20T19:30:15.696+10:00

Birds chirping. Fresh air. Low-rise buildings. Stretches of golden beaches. No cars. Just bicycles gliding along. Everything seems to be in slow motion. A half an hour ferry ride transports us from the hustle and bustle of Central Pier 4 to Yung Shue Wan village in Lamma Island. It is slightly past 16:00, and the aim is to reach Sok Kwu Wan village before it gets dark on this foggy day. The

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-51225435489721278882010-03-24T23:26:00.001+11:002010-09-25T11:25:58.073+10:00

Friday 21:42. Luna Park, Sydney.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-16765069829122731922010-03-23T06:22:00.007+11:002010-09-23T20:13:15.434+10:00

Adriano Zumbo's Cafe Chocolat, Balmain. Apparently the flu season is here again. First to fall victims are Miss Marple Deconstructed and Paris La Vie En Rose from Zumbo's desserts menu. But the remaining two seem to be doing fine. It's a Macaron, Not a Hamburger is not simply a macaron. It's a jumbo-sized one served with dulce de leche gelato on a puddle of banana caramel rice pudding and

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-37066671685654855332010-03-21T09:51:00.007+11:002010-09-25T11:24:24.327+10:00

Meet Jolly. My pup buddy. And Jollie. His treat. Thanks to the lovely Lorraine@NotQuiteNigella and the good people at Jollie Dog Biscuits, Jolly is now the proud owner of a tin of Chicken Mushroom and Thyme Morsels. And he's really loving it! So, thank you. Jolly can't write a comprehensive product review, but I'll compensate that with five interesting facts about Jolly. 1. He's learned the

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-62643899463840294442010-03-12T07:22:00.004+11:002010-09-20T19:30:15.698+10:00

Shanghai-style soup dumpling xiao long bao as you have never seen before. Top on our Hong Kong restaurant wish list is Bo Innovation. Heralded as Asia's answer to El Bulli, this one-star Michelin restaurant is the brainchild of Alvin Leung. A former engineer and self-taught chef, Alvin likes to brand himself as the "Demon Chef" (spot the tattooed Chinese characters on his arm). His food?

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-49479254312427446342010-03-08T07:22:00.007+11:002010-09-21T06:31:08.820+10:00

Hello everyone. I'm finally back on Australian soil after several weeks away. I have plenty of overseas food memories to share with you, but thought I should get this post out first. That is, before pomegranates (hereinafter "POM") go completely out of season. Firstly, a confession - I've never tried a POM until recently. My only previous exposure to it was a clip of Nigella Lawson saying "

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-53110553939595101202010-03-03T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.617+10:00

An alpaca was caught bum-watching at a small farm in Lake Tekapo. A report has been filed with the police, who are undertaking their own investigation into the matter. Readers will be keep advised of future developments. And by the time you read this post, my holiday will be, very sadly, drawing to an end. Stories on my food adventures overseas are coming soon. Hope to see you then.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-4952615735773599182010-03-02T00:02:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.618+10:00

My favourite images of Christchurch. From left to right, top to bottom: 1. The Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand 2. The University of Cantebury 3. A touch of pink at the Botanic Gardens of Christchurch 4. The former ANZ Bank Chambers built in 1915 5. Traditional red phone booths 6. A touch of red and green at the Botanic Gardens of Christchurch 7. Giant chess set, Cathedal Square 8. Punting

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-20649675921254493102010-03-01T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.618+10:00

On the way from Akaroa to Christchurch, we stopped at the port town of Lyttelton. To be honest, there wasn't much to do here. But we managed to locate a farmers market to keep ourselves occupied. Lyttelton Farmers Market Lyttelton Main School, Oxford Street, Lyttelton, New Zealand. Opens every Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-76716570898555172912010-02-27T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.619+10:00

My favourite images of the small waterside town of Akaroa. Akaroa, which is less than an hour drive from Christchurch, promotes itself as a French settlement. But French street names and buildings are as French as Akaroa gets. Even the only French restaurant in town was burned down last year. Nevertheless, the real highlights were the scenery and the quirky buildings around town. Spot the

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-48388554136550210902010-02-26T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-20T19:30:15.698+10:00

Ok, I hear you. What about the food? Sadly, New Zealand is no Japan. By a long long stretch too. The meals we have in New Zealand are not that spectacular. Lake Tekapo only has a handful of restaurants and one of the better options is Kohan Japanese Restaurant. This lake-side restaurant is blessed with the spectacular views of Lake Tekapo and the 75-year-old Church of the Good Shepherd.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-22604000663823860562010-02-25T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.620+10:00

The five-star home and its occupants. Mount Cook Salmon Farm is the world's highest freshwater salmon farm and the first to operate in a hydroelectric canal system. Fresh and smoked salmon are available for purchase.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-13143996316212539612010-02-24T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.621+10:00

The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Park since 1953, is the home of New Zealand's highest mountain. And that of Mount Cook lilies, one of New Zealand's most well-known alpine plants. The lilies only flower during November and usually merely last for days.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-7733258642733485182010-02-23T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.622+10:00

A 500-year-old piece of history in my hand, Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake. Preceded by a titanic moment. GLACIER EXPLORER Aoraki Mount Cook National Park About 4 hours from Christchurch Tour costs NZ$130 per person

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-44713788900974548452010-02-22T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.623+10:00

If you are travelling to Lake Tekapo, I recommend staying at Peppers Bluewater Resort. Spacious modernly decorated split level townhouse and friendly services. And its restaurant is the only place that is still open in Lake Tekapo after 9 pm.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-60405918046562634832010-02-21T07:22:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.623+10:00

A starry starry night in Lake Tekapo. Can you spot the Southern Cross and its two Pointers, Alpha and Beta Centauri? High number of clear nights and low light pollution make Lake Tekapo a perfect place for an astronomical observatory. This picture was taken with the professional assistance from the good people operating the Earth and Sky Stargazing Tour.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-82351611002011518432010-02-19T07:22:00.001+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.624+10:00

The spectacular Lake Pukaki is on the South Island of New Zealand. Its distinctive blue colour is created by "glacier flour" or extremely fine rock particles carried by glaciers from Mount Cook over the past few hundred years.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-30489003377557591762010-02-18T07:22:00.002+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.625+10:00

Hi, is anyone still reading this blog? Over the next two weeks, let's embark on a trip to New Zealand through a series of my favourite pictures. New Zealand is said to have 13 times as many sheep as people. I reckon the number is higher because they are everywhere. Most are roaming freely in the mountains, rain or shine. This lovely but shy model lives on the picturesque Banks Peninsula

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-12565948948578656552010-02-17T07:22:00.001+11:002010-02-17T07:22:00.742+11:00

Chinese New Year means a time to relive childhood memories. This yum cha restaurant is unassuming to unsuspecting passersby. It is not the best in Ipoh, where I grew up, nor the closest to our home. But it is a family favourite. It is as if it was yesterday that my father, sister and I were having breakfast here several times a week, before dropping my sister off at her school. Then it

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-81783117060533459972010-02-16T07:22:00.002+11:002010-02-16T07:22:00.050+11:00

Chinese New Year means Lou Sang! Oh, yes. My mom's version of Lou Sang is a delicious concoction of jelly fish (raw salmon is the more popular option) surrounded by piles of finely shredded ginger flowers, shallots, pickled vegetables, crunchy deep-fried bread stick and chilies. A sweet and sour plum sauce completes the dish. Then it's "lou" or tossing time. Family and friends gather around

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-77950833654257587402010-02-15T07:22:00.002+11:002010-02-15T07:22:00.149+11:00

Chinese New Year means a treasured opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. These pictures are of my maternal grandparents and a master list of phone numbers in the house they once lived. My grandfather, affectionately known as "Ah Kong", passed away when I was 12 years old. My grandmother or "Ah Ma" followed some ten years later. Sadly, I never really got to know both of them. But every

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-3792377781001052732010-02-14T07:22:00.005+11:002010-02-14T07:22:00.149+11:00

Chinese New Year means that I get to enjoy a simple vegetarian breakfast with my family - a rare occasion because we live in three different countries. This spread of vegetarian dishes is what my family will have for breakfast on Chinese New Year's Day. According to my mom, it is a simple token of sacrifice to various Chinese gods for their protection the year before. But for me, this is no

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-73581688452564723752010-02-12T07:22:00.002+11:002010-02-12T07:29:27.859+11:00

Chinese New Year means everything is red. With a capital R. Chinese New Year, which starts on Sunday 14 Feb, is an annual festival celebrated by more than one billion Chinese people around the world. Red, being an auspicious and lucky colour for the Chinese, dominates everything from decorations to food. For those who are not familiar with this festival, Chinese New Year is like Christmas.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-10518452223367969992010-02-11T07:22:00.002+11:002010-09-25T11:25:58.074+10:00

Happy Valentine's Day for Sunday everyone. Over the next few weeks, I will be travelling overseas to celebrate Chinese New Year with my family and, of course, to source more food and travel adventures for this blog. But to prevent foodwink from looking like sad soggy fries, I have scheduled new (but shorter) posts to be published almost every day while I am away. So, please come back to

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-26357111893806551052010-02-09T07:49:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:58.075+10:00

Inspiration and Interpretation.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-71658508033059189072010-02-05T08:22:00.006+11:002010-09-20T19:30:15.699+10:00

"Knowing that you are from Australia, Sakai-san has especially prepared two variations of the entree for you", Vahid, our waiter of the evening, said to us. "Sakai? Iron Chef Sakai? He is here? Like, right now? Can we meet him?" Un Only some seven hours earlier, we were leaving La Rochelle in bitter disappointment. Having just been told that the restaurant was fully booked for a wedding

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-78757459702659644622010-02-03T07:24:00.005+11:002010-09-20T19:24:38.831+10:00

Do you know that Chairman Kaga, the theatrical host of Iron Chef, actually died from fugu poisoning?  4. Fugu (Puffer Fish) I too could have easily died from eating fugu, a fish that derives its name from its instinct to puff up when feeling threathened. The chef might have been a first timer. A borderline student who got lucky on the exam day. Or the chef might have had an argument with his

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-27303598091574394432010-01-31T07:22:00.003+11:002010-09-20T19:24:38.831+10:00

Food, food and more food! 7.  The Mother of All Food Halls Japanese food halls are simply a foodie's paradise - sushi, sashimi, pastry, bread, traditional Japanese sweets, $15000 yen rockmelon (around a measly AU$190), wagyu beef, bento box, okonomiyaki, chocolate, udon, soba, pasta, sandwich and sake just to name a few. I would even live in one if they let me. One of the standouts to me is

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-63767032848736274782010-01-29T07:22:00.005+11:002010-09-20T19:24:38.832+10:00

Over the next few posts, I will share with you some of my favourite food memories from Japan. Starting with my kaiseki experience in Hakone and concluding with my encounter with Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai in Tokyo. 10.  Modern Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese Degustation) No trip to Japan is complete without staying at an onsen ryokan or Japanese style hot springs inn. We really enjoyed our

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-24906760666657775742010-01-28T00:58:00.003+11:002010-09-25T11:25:58.075+10:00

If you are contemplating installing some statues in your house, head no further than the Art Gallery of NSW for some inspirations. The Tatzu Nishi exhibition exemplifies what I love about the Art Gallery. No matter how wacky an idea seems to be, someone somewhere just gathers enough courage to run with it. In this case, it's the domestication of a couple of larger-than-life equestrian statues

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-74049849909896777832010-01-26T21:56:00.023+11:002010-09-23T20:14:53.747+10:00

"Please don't throw up this time, ok?", I teased Mr Foodwink for the umpteenth time. Yep. Despite his previous lacklustre performance, Mr Foodwink insisted that he wanted nothing but degustation on his birthday. In fact, we nearly went to Assiette in 2008. Again, it was between Christmas and New Year. Again, many restaurants were closed at that time of the year. Tossing between Le Pelican and

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-11451567890940815552010-01-26T21:53:00.000+11:002010-09-25T11:25:58.076+10:00

A day of sweltering sun, sandy toes and stalwart patriotism. Happy Australia Day everyone.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-64839784320770368472010-01-24T23:33:00.001+11:002010-05-19T10:40:28.827+10:00

Welcome to the first edition of "Note to Self", where I'll share some of the personal lessons that I've learned. You know, those that make life more fulfilled. That make you a better person. Well, I was decluttering my cupboards over the weekend when I found this salt and pepper set. The cows each wear a little bell on the neck and are tattoed with "Switzerland" to indicate their home country.

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-6803983165776261592010-01-23T21:20:00.005+11:002010-09-23T20:13:15.435+10:00

The mercury rose to 44.5 degrees Celcius in Sydney today. But thankfully, I managed to get hold of Adriano Zumbo's limited edition Chocolate Mousse Cake to cheer me up. The cake's recipe calls for 28 types of ingredients for 11 elements - including cinnamon pate sable, apple filling, salted caramel, sabayon mousse, chocolate blackberry ganache, biscuit decor jaconde, cigarette decor paste and

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-72121967747440731282010-01-21T23:39:00.007+11:002010-09-23T20:13:15.436+10:00

Mangoes. Two ways. MANGOMISU RECIPE (Adapted from Delicious Magazine) 3 x large mangoes (I like R2E2, sliced) 250g x sponge finger biscuits 600ml x thickened cream 500g x mascarpone 2 x egg yolks 1/4 x cup icing sugar (can be substituted with caster sugar) vanilla extract (to taste) 1 x glass of orange juice 1. Line a 22cm springform cake pan with baking paper (instead of plastic wrap, which

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-73561190463201848622010-01-20T23:45:00.008+11:002010-09-20T19:24:38.833+10:00

The chef mutters something to me in Japanese. Looking at my puzzled face, he repeats the same. This time, however, he also points the sharp knife in his hand at a bowl of innards in front of him. I look at the bowl and nod with amazement. The Hearts. They are still beating. It does not get fresher than this and you can just tell that the chef has been doing this for years. Live freshwater eels

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-30174220925605536552010-01-17T10:56:00.011+11:002010-09-21T06:31:08.821+10:00

I'm so glad that the thyme in my backyard has so far survived my black thumb. Despite the demise of its former neighbours - chilli, basil, coriander and parsley - it is still (miraculously) blooming.  So, when I was planning lunch for my close friends one day, it was easy to decide on this dish. Roast Quails with Thyme and Lemon 6 x quails 1 bunch x thyme (bruised) 1 x lemon (zest only) 4

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-73164469890292785362010-01-14T19:00:00.027+11:002010-09-25T11:24:24.328+10:00

I first read about the Armory Wharf Cafe in a local newspaper. I think it was early 2008 and this popular cafe on the riverbank of Paramatta River had just been burned to the ground by suspected arsonists. The fire did not deter the spirit of the owners, nor the regular customers from supporting them. For the next year or so, it operated from a makeshift cafe the size of a shoebox not far from

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-37735900459345508982010-01-14T01:25:00.013+11:002010-09-25T11:25:05.628+10:00

They came. They saw. And they fought. PELICAN FEEDING The Entrance, Central Coast 3:30 pm daily

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-79385934514633903712010-01-10T17:25:00.043+11:002010-09-20T19:30:15.701+10:00

Ah, to live like a lady. Afternoon tea, anyone? Set in a restored historic building built almost 140 years ago, The Tea Room is a popular venue for weddings. So, don't expect making a booking for the weekend to be an easy task. One has to call weeks in advance, three to be exact in our case, to secure a table. Especially if you wish to enjoy the water views on the balcony. Patience will be

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-42728868623339022402010-01-09T00:00:00.012+11:002010-09-20T19:30:15.702+10:00

This bakery in the trendy inner city suburb of Surry Hills is a personal favourite of mine. One only has to come here on a Saturday morning to witness its popularity. Co-owners Paul Allam & David McGuiness have even a published book to prove it. There is always a queue of hungry patrons at the door, patiently waiting for decadent bakery goodness and caffeine fix. There's the couple with the dog

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151277494704398887.post-57288062967623899822010-01-08T23:53:00.015+11:002010-09-23T20:14:53.748+10:00

Rumour has it that the waiting list at Tetsuya’s is up to six months. So lady luck was definitely on our side when we managed to secure a table merely a week before our 10th anniversary lunch. Oh, in case you are wondering, I suggested lunch instead of dinner because, well, there’s more time for the digestive system to work through thirteen courses. It turned out that Mr foodwink did not need

foodwinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03892507286966412052noreply@blogger.com10