Okami, Silverwater

Hello Sydney! Okami Japanese Restaurant is a popular chain with 24 stores in Melbourne and is now available in Sydney in two locations - Marrickville and newly opened Silverwater. Okami is known for their "all you can eat" menu for $34.80. Silverwater is my closest so I was curious to see what the experience would be like hearing about this from one of my friends.I enter Okami at 12pm on a Sunday with a reservation and can see a small queue forming outside already. This tells me that it is best to book or you will potentially be disappointed. 

Mr Wong, Sydney CBD

 

This is a delayed blog post! I was fortunate enough to enjoy a group dinner at Mr Wong. My work colleague often talks about fond he is and is a regular diner at Mr Wong so my expectations have slightly increased. I was looking forward to the upmarket Chinese banquet and the good company on this particular night.

Cooh, Alexandria - Revisit

It's been a few years since I've been to Cooh in Alexandria. I recently visit Cooh again, having fond memories of my last visit in 2016. If you haven't been before, Cooh is best described as having a clean eating mantra and is an upmarket cafe so the price point is higher than your average suburban cafe. Cooh has a huge space being located in a warehouse. It's a lovely venue.

The Fold Cafe, Dulwich Hill

The Fold Cafe is a newly opened cafe in Dulwich Hill. It's best described as Modern Sri Lankan meets cafe fusion which is very unique. As I enter at 10am, there's a steady stream of people who are take-away coffee customers with a cheeky pastry.

New Shanghai, Chatswood

New Shanghai in Chatswood typically has massive queues on the weekend so with the covid-19 situation, I was unsure about how many people would be there on this particular Saturday morning. I arrive early and was able to get a table without any waiting when I arrived at about 11:20 am. The restaurant quickly fills and there's a queue before I blink.

An Viet, Chatswood

So I've been WFH for about 4 months now and while eateries are open in Sydney. I have still been careful with my social distancing and limiting my time out of the house. Mr Weekend Food Escapes and I decide for a Vietnamese lunch in Chatswood at An Viet. 

Mamak, Chatswood - A revisit

I've been to Mamak many times over the years. The menu has never changed. I go back to see if the food is as good as I remembered. Check out my last visit in 2017 in this blog post. 

Eat Box Now - Korean BBQ home delivery review

Mr Weekend Food Escapes is a massive fan of Korean BBQ and this is something we've not had during the pandemic. Eat Box Now contacted Weekend Food Escapes and wanted our honest review on Eat Box Now. 

Manoosh Pizzeria, Waterloo

Baklava - delicious

Hello Sydney! As restrictions are being lifted, I'm still proceeding with caution so I decide for a small drive and some take away from Manoosh Pizzeria in Waterloo. I've been craving some delicious Lebanese pizza.

Firepop Meal Kit Review

For the last 14 years, Firepop is usually a pop up restaurant appearing across Sydney.  Given the Corona restrictions, they have now expanded their business and are now offering meal kits so you can make your own Firepops at home.

Xin Jiang Hand Made Noodles, Chatswood

I enter Xin Jiang Hand Made Noodles by walking up the stairs with a sharp right. I walk past the lady that is thumping the dough to make the hand made noodles. We are seated immediately. I decide to arrive early at 11am at Xin Jiang Hand Made Noodles in Chatswood. It was good timing as there was just one other table at the venue. I've been here several times as it's one of my local eateries. Check out my last visit to Xin Jiang Hand Made Noodles.

Captain's Log, A month in

R U OK?

This is my 4th week of working from home. Cases of corona virus seem to have stabilised in NSW but all sources indicate another 6 months of living and working in this new way.  The fear and anxiety that I had about covid-19 has dissipated somewhat as I settle into a new way of life. I think it also stems from a level of acceptance. 

I grew up in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area and can only imagine what people are worried about at the moment when it comes to earning an income, looking after their families, schooling and the future. Where inequality exists, it can be quite demotivating thinking about the future in normal circumstances. I remember back in the days when I was at university when there would be graduate programs where you would have to compete with up to 6000 other applicants. I'm sure that statistic has increased since I've left university and even more so with covid-19. I hope people stay motivated and continue to do their best.

I am missing the regular human interaction that I would get from work and social activities from food blogging, family and friend catch ups. It will be interesting to see relationships are impacted throughout this period. I am trying virtual methods of catching up with my close friends. For all the other relationships, I suspect it will be harder when I don't have incidental interactions.

How are you going? What is on your mind?

Captain's Log: Working from Home Week 3

The world has significantly changed in the last few weeks with COVID-19. It's heart breaking to see the impact with the many deaths particularly concentrated in Europe and China. I am shocked.

People are obviously scared and stressed with many supermarkets being stripped of toilet paper, canned goods and long-lasting foods such as rice and pasta.Yesterday, all restaurants and venues will now be restricted to take-away and delivery as the Australian government. 

Here in Sydney, Australia - my workplace was pro-active and had asked me to work from home (WFH) so I am now in week 3 of WFH. I feel like things have significantly escalated in the last two weeks. I worry about the broader society, how will our health system cope, how will our economy survive and how every day people will survive (especially those who are vulnerable). 

I am addicted to reading the news and finding out the latest on COVID-19... We can all do our part though which is to keep to yourself and don't contribute to the problem. Let's all try to stay positive and make the most of the situation.

I'm doing a few small things that make me feel better

• Listening to upbeat music (One more timeeee - Daft Punk is my tune atm)
• Ensuring I do some steps + sit ups
• VC/Calling my colleagues at work to maintain social connection
• Having fun on snapchat and sending funny videos to my friends

How are you coping at the moment?

Melted Monster, Potts Point

Melted Monster is a cosy cafe located in Potts Point, a short walk from Kings Cross Station. I pop by with Mr Weekend Food Escapes for some weekend relaxation. Melted Monster is best known for their brunch and burgers, so who's hungry?

Hungry Dough, Wareemba

Hungry Dough is a cosy pizza shop located in Wareemba. Hungry Dough has recently organised a "meet up" which had board games and pizza events on selected Sundays. This is an opportunity for people to come together, meet new people, play board games and enjoy some food. What a relaxing way to spend a Sunday. Tickets for this particular meet up were $25 and include a large pizza, sides and lots of fun with the board games.

Benzin Cafe, Dural

I rarely venture out to Dural but thanks to the Australian Good Food Guide, they have suggested I check out new venue Benzin Cafe. As you walk into Benzin Cafe, you will see a theme of cars cars cars! 

Zhang Liang Spicy Hot Pot, Haymarket

Malatang is form of Chinese street food which has quickly became popular in Sydney. Zhang Liang Spicy Hotpot is a Malatang restaurant located on George St in Haymarket.

Kickin' Inn, Canley Heights

Who loves seafood? Who loves kajun flavours? Combine the two and you have Kickin' Inn, a restaurant which specialises in kajun Seafood. Kickin' Inn is located in Petersham and Canley Heights. 

Outback Steakhouse, North Strathfield

Outback Steakhouse in North Strathfield is famous for their blooming onion and also their steaks. Mr Weekend Food Escapes has been here before but it's my first time so I am eager to check out what the fuss is all about. 

Group Catch up! Umi Sushi Nabe, Haymarket

I recently visit Umi Sushi Nabe in Haymarket which has recently launched their new Hot Pot menu. I am dining with a group and was surprised to see that there are individual hot pots! No sharing !!! Hurrah for me. I've never seen individual hot pots before and I am impressed.

Modern Italian, Vizio Caffè e Cucina, Woolloomooloo

Vizio Caffe E Cucina is a modern Italian restaurant located in Woolloomooloo, a short walk from Hyde Park. I was here two years ago when they first opened and I return recently on a Friday night where it is buzzing, full of atmosphere.

Junk Lounge, Lunar New Year Menu

Happy Lunar New Year!! I wanted a relaxing weekend to celebrate Lunar New Year, so I head to Junk Lounge. Junk Lounge is located above Cruise Bar in Circular Quay so it has gorgeous water views. So what's on? 

GBG Korean BBQ, West Ryde

Korean BBQ is such a great experience, for me - I love eating all the sides, the smell from the sizzling meat and also the social setting with friends or family. There's a new Korean BBQ in West Ryde called  Gyeong Bok Gung (Or you can call it GBG). 

Zushi, Barangaroo

This is a delayed blog post. 

I've tried many of the venues at Barangaroo and am going to Zushi for the first time. There's also a Zushi in Surry Hills which I've had friends recommend to me previously. I'm going to Zushi with a group of work colleagues on a Friday.