Sunday @SydneyFishMarket, Pyrmont @decosti_seafoods

I have a great friend who religiously visits the Sydney Fish Markets each Sunday morning early, to choose fresh seafood to cook for dinner.

This week he generously took me along and introduced me to the delights of not only the beautiful fresh fish and seafood…..

….but also lots of great people…

….like Nova and Sandra at De Costi Seafoods…

….who have the very best skills at filleting fish for sashimi….

…and showed me the $195 per kg blue fin tuna from Japan that is highly sought after by top Sydney Restaurants.

In fact Demetri, who manages De Costi’s, explained the important role the business has as a wholesale supplier to Sydney’s restauranteurs. However, DeCosti’s also highly values its shop front as a showroom for its produce and retail outlet for the public.

And so wonderful for us that they do, as the barramundi we enjoyed for dinner that night was absolutely delicious.

BBQ grilled barramundi with roast potatoes ( parboiled then seasoned and cooked at 180 degrees for 30 mins in oil, before turning for another 30 min) shaved fennel (with a potato peeler, then 5 min in iced water to curl) sliced olives and radishes, diced orange and toasted pine nuts. All garnished with red wine vinegar! Delicious!

But first there was the rest of the fish market to tour….

….like the Sashumi Bar…..

……Peters where you can pick your fish and have it cooked for your lunch……

….Black Wattle delicatessen that I noticed sells my favourite Gundowring licorice ice-cream and has great coffee…

….a very tempting Gregory’s Bread….

….and a well stocked fruit and veg shop to purchase the sides to accompany your fish.

And after a trip to the fish market, what you really need is a traditional, lovingly home-cooked full English breakfast!

Mama Boui’s, Surry Hills – great value

Mama Boui’s on Devonshire Street is easy to get to through the Devonshire Street Tunnel. It’s cute, friendly but trendy. It’s also got great prices.

The Pulled Duck Pancakes are delicious for entree $16.

The Coconut Tamarind Curry $18 with sour coconut, tamarind curry of pumpkin, eggplant, mushrooms and sweet potato is good but perhaps not as good as the Saigon Influenced Duck Curry or the Vermicelli Noodle Salad Bowl Lemongrass Pork and with Pork Spring Rolls and fresh herbs.

Rice is $3 for a large serve and wine by the glass starts at $9.

One entree and one main with rice is plenty for two people.

Red Spice Road, Melbourne CBD

Red Spice Road in McKilllop Street has an amazing decor.

Best visited with a group as guests are all seated together, bench-style and it’s noisey.

Wine by the half caraffe is geneous and a good choice for two people, offering four small glasses.

There’s a good early bird express menu….which is when it’s also quiet, …

Mains from the Express Dinner Banquet – $55 per person

Chicken adobo – Filipino style chicken w/ soy, vinegar, black pepper, ginger & green onion
Massaman beef, potato & pineapple curry
Yellow noodle, peanut, coriander, chilli salad

Crispy barramundi, green papaya, toasted coconut, herb salad Pork belly, apple slaw, chilli caramel, black vinegar

…..but for a later supper with a drink good choices to share are….

Steamed bao, lemongrass pork, mint, pickled daikon (2 pce) $14

Hunan style lamb ribs‐twice cooked ribs w/ green onion, chilli, Sichuan pepper, sesame $19

Peanut butter parfait – Salted peanuts, fresh coconut, honeycomb, warm chocolate16*contains nuts $16 – not perhaps as good as other dessert choices

High Tea at The Wilmot, The Primus Hotel, Pitt Street, Sydney

Inspired by Not Quite Nigella’s post for a High Tea at the Wilmot and spurred on by the two for one deal from the High Tea Society available until 30 June 2016, Monday to Friday, it is hard to choose between the three options available:

Traditional (The Wilmot)

The Zen

The G&T Gentleman’s High Tea ( savoury only)

Both diners need to choose the same option but the Zen is definitely a winner.

The savoury options win the day with the pork bao definitely a winner, followed by the Thai beef salad, seafood salad on a wonton crisp, steamed bun with pandas coconut custard, Peking duck pancake, then the miso caramel fudge, kalamansi curd fruit tart, green tea and raspberry mousse cake, mango and coconut sago, and lastly the chocolate and jasmine delice.

The Bombay Chai is the pick of the black teas and is served in a gorgeous tea drawerer.

$45 per person with tea/coffee and $55 – $65 with wine/cocktail.

A gorgeous option in a heritage setting with good service. Best enjoyed before 30 June if you get the chance.

Luke Ngyuen’s Red Lanterne, Riley Street, Surry Hills

This popular restaurant is lovely, simple and authentic yet full of style and class.

Tasty choices include:

Banh Bot Chien
Aunty 5’s rice cakes with tiger prawns,
caramelised pork, pork floss and shallot oil $21 (just as good as the reviews say).

Ca Chien, Sot Da Ua va Com Nghe $39
Pan fried fish marinated with dill, yoghurt and turmeric with bok choy and rice noodles

Cai Xanh, Dau va Cay Toi Xao Sot XO
Broccolini,
beans and garlic shoots wok tossed with Red
Lantern XO sauce $16

All good selections but more than enough for two modest appetites.

An alternate plan for two would be to order three smaller dishes or entrees such as

Goi Ga Nuong Nghe
Char grilled turmeric chicken with white cabbage, fried shallots, peanuts, Vietnamese herbs and sweet fish sauce
$22

Goi Mit, Cay va Du Du (G)(V)
Salad of young jackfruit, green papaya, cherry tomato and Vietnamese herbs $18

Wine by the glass starts at $10 for a small pour.

Gundary Store, Moruya, NSW – great for coffee, breakie and lunch

Cute, friendly and casual, The Gundary Store on Campbell Street Moruya is a great place for good coffee or a well priced and attractive breakfast (until 11am) or lunch ( from 11am).