Green Peppercorn, Sydney

Sometimes things are just meant to be. I have been meaning to go to Green Peppercorn in the city for a while now, but never really got the opportunity to. All those shots of the pandan deep fried ice cream was so luring on instagram. But it was just for a time period, as it was soon back to the original vanilla ice cream. So, let’s hope this new dessert I got to try is here to stay …

Fish cakes $9.90

Because when you have thai there is no way you will pass having fish cakes. You get four in a serve and they’re cut into quarters. Nice and bite size, just poke and eat! I love the spiciness in the fish sauce, as at times I find some can be on the mild side.

Crispy pork belly with stir fried lang-kong $18.90

There was a special pork knuckle, but I wanted the pork belly all because of the water spinach. Although we didn’t try the pork knuckle to know, but I would say we made no wrong choice (for the night). The pork is so crispy, with some fat to create that juiciness from the meat as you take a bite. Just underneath the pork is a bed of water spinach, cooked in garlic and chilli.

Tiger beef salad $14.90

Just because we felt like we needed to balance our meal out a little bit, we went for a salad. You can choose the spiciness levels, and knowing Miss MC, I noted for mild. But be warned, there could still be some landmines in there that you could land with some spicy bits. Not that I am complaining as I tend to love spice, but for the non-spicy lovers. I love the spicy and zing you get from this salad.

“What was that?!” Miss MC asked after both our heads followed the waitress holding a dish.

“I think the waitress mimed apple pie to me…” I’m sure the waitress is used to those looks of curiosity.

Deep fried apple pie $14.00

But the waitress soon put that all to rest as she made sure to come by after and explain to us that dish. The apple pie is new, and has not yet made it on the menu, but be sure it will soon as the response is great so far!

And a spoonful of this really doesn’t need any explaining. The pastry is light and fluffy like but still crispy, the custard is sweet as it surrounds the slight sourness of the apple. Then a top the apple pie sits three thinly sliced apple crisps which is like a apple toffee.

Black sesame creme brûlée $14.00

We honestly could have stopped at the apple pie, but Miss MC was rather persistent on getting the black sesame crème brulee. It was nice, but it wasn’t anything spectacular after that apple pie. There was a nice crack when I tapped on the burnt sugar. Perfect. The brulee was smooth, and we were amazed at the layers of black sesame colours. Easily amazed…

So yes, sometimes things are just meant to be. I am glad I only just made it to Green Peppercorn so I could get my taste test of this apple pie dessert. I am glad it’s going to be on the new dessert menu, let’s just hope it’s here to stay!

Have you ever missed out on a particular dish you wanted to try, yet when getting there you have something (perhaps) even better?

Hit Deep fried apple pie

Miss Black sesame crème brulee

Green Peppercorn

Civic Hotel

Level 1, 388 Pitt Street

Sydney

Chi & Co, Canley Heights

What a great lunch at Chi & Co,

I am here to let you know,

That nothing here was ever slow,

If you haven’t been – it’s time to go!

I have wanted to go to Chi & Co for a while now, but it’s not exactly close so it’s never really easy to plan. So, imagine my excitement when Miss CC told me ouffer had a $39 coupon for two! Instantly purchased, Miss CC and I planned to head over for a lunch date before our RTCC volunteer work on a Friday afternoon.

“May we also have a menu?”

“… there’s a lot of food already…” The waiter treaded delicately over our request.

“Oh, we want to look at the menu and there are some things we want to also try…” because #yolo

We sat down and ordered the peach and lemon mocktail jug (not included in coupon). This is totally something that is preparing for Summer, and on our lovely Friday it was perfect as it was the super hot weekend! This was refreshing, sweet and hitting all the right spots with the sweet peach juice.

Pulled beef sliders $9

Seriously, I am not joking we sat down, chose our drinks and the food was here before we knew it! We started with the pulled beef sliders, the mantou bun is soft but I wouldn’t find them softer than tsuru or wonderbao. I’m not usually one that likes mint, but it does compliment the beef well.

Chicken lettuce delights $11

We are about to take bites into our sliders and boom, the chicken lettuce delights is placed on the table. Fried glass noodles sits atop a bed of chinese pork sausage, mushrooms, and water chestnuts.

Steamed seafood dumplings $11.90 | Steamed pork dumplings $10.80

I wouldn’t call it a rest, because we are then hit up with dumplings! They’re light and slide down well, covered in a light ginger soy sauce makes it tasty, but I always like to add some chilli sauce as well to give it that kick in my dumplings.

House duck spring rolls $11.80

The duck spring rolls were nice, because since when is any spring roll not nice? As long as it’s crunchy, it’s usually pretty good. But I must say, I did find it hard to it taste the duck. I also chose not to use the plum sauce, as it was way too sweet.

Massaman beef curry $18.80

Ok, and here is when we are invited with a wait for the first time since we arrived. First we get the massaman beef curry. This reminds me of a rendang, although I know clearly they are not entirely the same in any sense. Perhaps it was the beef cuts, but there was something about it that just screamed rendang to me.

Kung pao chicken $20.80

The kung pao chicken was super tasty, it was strong in the sweet soy department, perhaps lacked the spicy kick a bit but that would have been fine for Miss CC. It was rather addictive to go back for more especially for the cashew nuts.

Stir-fried greens $8

The vegies were fresh, stir fried in soy it was nice to indulge on whilst complimenting the two meat dishes.

Now, that concludes the $39 deal … Let's proceed to the extra's Miss CC and I indulged on!

Son in law eggs $7.90

I have wanted to come to Chi & Co for so long and there are rare chances for me to be over on this side of Sydney, Miss CC and I were not going to just stop there right? So, I had wanted the son in law eggs from the get go! The eggs were still slightly wobbly, and deep fried giving that light crunch yet falling apart after getting through that exterior. But what really kicks ass is that XO sauce; the dried scallop with subtle chilli based sauce really gives the eggs a karate kick!

Pork belly sliders $9

You should all know the love Miss CC I have for pork by now, so there was also no passing by on the pork belly sliders. The pork was crispy with only slight ribbons of fat. Not exactly melt in your mouth, but enough to satisfy our needs, with a refreshing slice of cucumber and dollop of hoisin sauce.

Fried white chocolate ice cream $14.90

Now, onto the happy ending, Miss CC mentioned the fried white-chocolate ice cream. Ok, so the ice cream itself was sort of like a vanilla ice cream but what really makes this the ultimate favourite would be that raspberry coulis! Sweet, sour and healthy (because it’s the fruity component) it makes the fried exterior have more taste, and gives the ice cream that sourness letting the creamy goodness mix with it’s thick fruity goodness. 

drizzle ...

I speak as if the fried ice cream is only there to compliment this coulis, when we all know what is meant to be main part of the dessert. Opps? But no joke, if I had not poured it on top of the ice cream, I would have just taken the shot by itself…

Chi's tapioca shot $4.50

I probably should have had this before the fried ice cream, because this was nice but not great. But in saying that, this is apparently the popular dessert. I can see why, if you have not had the fried ice cream! I love sago, having the gems sitting in the coconut custard was delicious the palm sugar offers you an added sweetness as the sesame gives the dessert an interesting smokey hit and pop goes the sweet pomegranate.

But no, go for the fried ice cream.

So, have you ever purchased a coupon and added more food on your set menu and been told that you already have enough food? Please let me know Miss CC and I aren’t the only ones … or are we?

Hit: White chocolate fried ice cream with raspberry coulis

Miss: Duck Spring rolls

Chi & Co

3/264 Canley Vale Road,

Canley Heights

(Entrance on Derby St)

Bo Larn Vintage Thai, Bondi Junction

I witnessed Bondi Westfield grow,

Watching shops come and go,

What was here long ago?

Who cares for, now it’s Bo Larn’s show!

Back in 2003 after school every afternoon, I would be at Bondi Westfield with my mother. Especially on Friday’s that was where we walked before I started my work shift at our family local restaurant. This is when I watched shops open two by two, knowing my place around as if it was my home. But then as years went by, I watch shops close one by one and reopen others. Relearning my location.

Then, as I start work I don’t get to go as often and I see new shops have opened and others relocated. I get excited when I see new shops opening, and Bo Larn was just one of them.

The mother and I have been a few times, and have enjoyed our time there each time. The ambience is classic and it feels like I’ve stepped back into the yesteryears.

Tung Tung $10 (4 pieces)

We start the night with the money bags, super crunchy on the outside, and packed with crabmeat, minced chicken, peanut and coconut bits. Dipping into the plum sauce gave it a subtle sweet taste that will not overpower the peanut-y innards.

Khao phad tom yum $28

The tom yum fried rice comes at a hefty price but in saying that you get four plump and juicy pieces of scallops and three king prawns. The tom yum is a little on the subtle side, so if you do plan on ordering side dishes that are strong in taste you may lose the tom yum flavour.

Moo korb phad prik khing $21

This reminds me of the pork belly I have at Home Thai, guess I can still enjoy the same dish without a crazy wait now, and closer to home. The crackling is still crispy, stir-fried with green beans. It is a dry red curry. I was addicted to with every bite.

Gai yang essan $20

My ultimate favourite dish that I order without fail every time I come. The chicken is juicy and succulent, the charcoal is evident and that is what draws me so much into this dish. Dipping into the smoked chilli tamarind sauce really gives the chicken that great kick in flavour.

Shops really do keep coming and going in Westfield, I just hope Bo Larn will be here to stay. Have you ever found some new food love and had them leave you before, if so, what was it?

Hit: Gai yang essan

Miss: khao phad tom yum

Bo Larn Vintage Thai

Westfield Bondi Junction

Level 6, 500 Oxford Street,

Bondi Junction