I Don't Eat, I Devour

Chef's Gallery serves modern Chinese food that is not quite fusion, but certainly not traditional. The focus is on a gentle palette (no huge spices here) that is suitable for all and creative presentation. Like any reputable Chinese restaurant, its dim sims are made in-house - and if you sit along the glass wall, you can watch the skillful pastry chefs at work, their hands moving so quickly and confidently it's like a choreographed dance.  Steamed dim sim platter, $25.90 This is a platter for those who are new to dim sims as well as veterans who love dim sims and cannot choose between their favourites. Two char sui buns - fluffy, bouncy, with a lovely char sui filling erring on the sweet side; two prawn dumplings - plump and respectable; two vegetable dumplings - more flavourful than you think they'd be and two prawn siu mai - wonderfully flavoured; this is a bit of everything that will keep everyone happy.  Xiao Long Bao, $9.90 How can we discuss dim sim without xiao long ...

I first came across Chon Thai on an episode of Food Safari - my introduction to the vast and varied treasure trove that is Australia's ethnic dining scene. Intrigued by the delicate handmade dumpling shaped like a flower, I knew I had to give this modern Thai restaurant a try at the first opportunity.  I have always loved Thai food - during my undergrad years I would often go to the famous Newtown Thai restaurants for cheap-as-chips lunch plates - but Chon Thai is rather a different breed of Thai food: more refined but just as flavourful.  Betel Leaf with Smoked Trout, $5 each Those were the very things that I saw on TV and intrigued me. Google tells me betel leaves are used as a stimulant, an antiseptic, and a breath-freshener; but in my limited experience with them, they are purely a vessel in which flavours are transported from the plate to my eagerly-waiting tummy. The smoked trout is boneless and melt-in-your-mouth; the flavours are just incredible: my words are too pale ...

 Labelled one of the most instagrammable cafes in Sydney, Two Sis draws a crowd. Not a crazy, line-wrapping-around-the-street-corner kind of crowd, but there is always one or two groups of people hovering nearby, waiting for tables.  What could they be waiting for? Well... This is the omasake noodles - and I think, the best thing on the menu. Scallops, seared salmon rosette and a soft-boiled egg-yolk lay on top of a bed of soba noodles. The fish roe adds a wonderful crunchy texture, and the edible flowers are dainty and pretty. It is served with a pit of piping hot soy-based sauce. Not only is it beautiful, it is really quite delicious. When I was served my food, the people the next table over became visibly, and audibly, envious.  Is this not the most appetising-looking nourish bowl you have ever seen? Looking utterly, gorgeous balanced, positively popping with nutrients.  The drink at Two Sis are equally beautiful.  Piled high with rosewater-flavoured Persian ...

I knew I could trust Dopa when I saw it it is brought to us by the good people of Devon - one of my favourite brunch destinations in Sydney. Specialising in donburi (Japanese rice-bowl dish) and Asian-inspired desserts, Dopa is quick, simple and delicious.  The menu at Dopa ranges from the cheap and cheery ($13 for a simple chicken bowl) to the fancy (there is a $88 bowl featuring wagyu steak, tongue, foie gras, soft egg and white truffle and truffle agadashi tofu). Although the fancy bowls sound pretty mouth-watering, I don't know if I would actually order the expensive menu items - mainly because the vibe of Dopa is so casual, and you have to serve yourself, so it feels a bit odd to be going ultra-luxe there.  Cheeseburger Donburi set, $17 A playful marriage between a Japanese classic (the donburi) and an all-American staple, the cheeseburger donburi is wonderfully enjoyable, filling and just ever-so-slightly naughty. The patty tastes lovely and rich, slightly pink in the m...

If I had to pick my favourite restaurant in Sydney, as difficult a task that is and as much as I might hesitate, I will eventually give you this name: Nel.  Headed by Nelly Robinson, Nel features an open kitchen where chefs combine intricate skills, quality produce and artistic creativity that turns each meal into an experience. Serving degustation menus exclusively, Nel updates its menu every few months to bring you a brand new theme to get excited over. Make sure you book early: seats, particularly the popular seating dates and times, are booked out months in advance.  To lift us from the gloom of COVID, Nel brought us a Disney themed dinner that's full of theatrics, served against a background of Disney music. The menu is a series of cryptic clues as to what will be served and which Disney film it references. Guessing is half the fun. In celebration of the Disney menu, Nel gas also created 4 cocktails to team with the theme. Alice in wonderland is a light gin based cocktail...

 In a city where authentic ethnic food is so commonplace, one cuisine Sydney is yet to fully embrace is African cuisine. I have only reviewed one other African eatery: Jambo Jambo in its old Crows Nest location (it has since moved to Glebe), and I had a splendid time. Jambo Jambo mainly serves Ethiopian food, whereas this eatery I'm about to review that is full of heart serves Nigerian cuisine.  Little Lagos started as a pop up in Earl's Juke Joint, a cozy, moody bar hidden behind the façade of a butcher shop. It became so popular that earlier this year, it got its own permanent location in Newtown. The clientele appears to be a mix of Nigerian ex-pats and curious food lovers. No matter our background and level of experience with Nigerian food, we are there for a good feed and a good time. Little Lagos, by the way, comes with its own in-house DJ. The atmosphere is decidedly lively and casual. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to hold a conversation above the noise, but o...

 Yes, it is finally here - my Kit Kat taste test. Japan has long been the home to unusual Kit Kat flavours - soy sauce, chestnut, pumpkin and apple just to name a few - and though some of these flavour sound bizarre, in my limited experience, they usually taste both realistic and delicious. On our supermarket shelves in Sydney, Australia, on the other hand, we usually only have access to a couple of chocolatey-flavoured Kit Kats with the occasional addition of caramel or cookies. Sugary and satisfying as those are, they are hardly adventurous. When I heard news of Sydney opening its very own Kit Kat "chocalatory" at Mid City, I was pretty excited. Clearly, others were too: visiting involves putting down your phone number and waiting at least 40 minutes. Fortunately, they text you just as it is your turn to visit, so you don't have to wait there in person and can run some other errands in between. There are lots of exciting things at the chocolatory, including some fancy m...