Archive for the ‘food & drink’ Category

Japan

Monday, November 9th, 2009

I was in Japan recently for a holiday. This time it was longer than usual, 3 weeks. Chika went ahead of me and stayed an extra week too.  We traveled around together; 2 weeks in Osaka and 1 week in Tokyo. This was my first proper trip to Tokyo.  I ...

Dining at Quay

Friday, September 25th, 2009

We are starting to form a bit of a tradition by going to Quay every year for a particular special occasion. Tonight was particularly good. Last time the wine we picked wasn't ideal, but this time it was sensational.  Highlights for me were the wine and the lamb main. "Oh-my-god!" ...

Online sake & shochu shopping in Australia

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Good news folks, you can now buy quality sake and shochu in Australia, online.  The owner of Toriciya has opened an online shop where you can buy the sake available at Toriciya and more. The shop is www.sakenet.com.au. I'm currently drinking Taketsuru Hiden.  Suiryu is another favorite, particularly the Junmai Kimoto.  Many ...

Cheese

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Life is good.  Cheese, wine, crackers and fruit. nom nom nom nom.... Recent cheese discoveries at Jones The Grocer. Left to right; Mimolette Jeune Beaufort Piano Hill Ironstone Organic and wine to go with it. Moorebank 2003 Merlot Petersons 2001 Mudgee Cab Sav and another delicious discovery, english apple pickle.

Hunter Valley wineries

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

Pictures from a recent trip to the hunter vallery visiting cellar doors. We visited our old favorites Moorebank and Petersons and 8 others. Standout new winery for me was Calais Estate. Most of the rest were passé. Still, you don't discover good things if you're not adventurous.

Gyoza

Sunday, May 4th, 2008

Chika's gyoza is awesome. All fresh ingredients, pork and cabbage minced up in the food processor. Her folding skill comes from making them since she was a kid.

Buon Ricordo

Friday, April 25th, 2008

We went to Buon Ricordo last night. I've been meaning to go for ages, but never got round to it. I went with high expectations and wasn't disappointed. The atmosphere is casual and a little noisy. The decor is all red tiles and wooden ceilings and floral print cloth.  It ...

Shiso

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

It's next to impossible to find Shiso leaves to buy in Sydney. Sashimi just isnt the same without it. A little while ago we found an online shop that had Shiso seeds. After a lot of trial and error we've managed to get some to sprout. Hurry up and ...

Fishing again

Sunday, February 24th, 2008

We went fishing again today, with four friends. It wasn't a great day for it, the fish weren't biting as well as in the past. However with some concerted effort changing rigs, bait and location, we managed a decent haul that will feed us tonight. 23 Yellowtail (yakka), 4 Mackerel (slimy/blue) ...

Chu-toro

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Friends came around today for a yakiniku party. One is a sushi chef and he brought some Chu-toro (medium fatty tuna). Woohoo! In my opinion, Chu-toro is the best cut of Tuna. Otoro is the most prized and most expensive, but I find it too oily. The normal red ...