George's Cafe Review

Dear George,

I'm breaking up with you. It's not me. It's you. And unfortunately all good things must come to an end just like Nelly Furtado's singing career ( I didn't just say that). I used to remembered you fondly despite our long distance relationship because you always held a special place in my heart just like how I remember my childhood friends. But George you disappointed me and those around me. What happened to you?

Sorry to disappoint guys but this is not me taking to my blog to comfort my broken heart- at least not romantically. George does exist but he goes by the name George's Cafe and he was one of the few places in Burwood that I used to recommend after my first review in 2011, the prelude to this blog actually. The sizing used to be huge, modestly priced and delicious. Service wasn't outstanding but it wasn't poor either. A few weeks ago I found myself in Burwood again with my mum and her friend and I suggested George's. Let's just say I was ashamed to call myself a food blogger after we had to wait 30min for our food to arrive, the waitress was more concerned about anything other than what we wanted and as a result ordered a chicken schnitzel instead of a veal schnitzel for my mother's friend.

I wish I could give you a Carly and Tresne (from MKR) style compliment sandwich where I shove a critique amongst 2 compliments but sadly I have nothing because I was left unimpressed with the pasta that I ordered.

Sorry George. It's over.

Yours faithfully,

Bitter

A photo of happier times- think 2011

Details Details Details

If anything I am turning into a bigger staples girl then what I once was- whites, black and grey are now my colours of choice. When it comes to my bags, I'm a tad more eccentric but I can never stray from that structured black tote and for me that happens to be my YSL cabas Y tote. I actually bought it early last year but sadly it's a rather shy bag so I'm not seen with it often. I might do a review of my bags should anyone want to hear me gush about them and if anyone is looking to get the current YSL 'IT' bag- sac de jours- I'd like to point out that it is a very heavy bag.

el Jimador Street Art Series

Move over vodka and say hello to tequila and while you're at let's pay homage to el Jimador and its Mexican roots. Last week the brand launched their Street Art series where they teamed up with local Mexican restaurant Barrio Chino to celebrate the taste of modern Mexico and with good food, drinks (including their signature 100% De Agave), music and art by Peque it's hard to fathom one leaving without a smile plastered on their face.

I love a good cup art and how can I say not to the classic black and white combo. I wish I kept one as a souvenir. 

Live music throughout the night

I'm short so these shots didn't turn out as nice as what I would've liked but even so Peque's street artworks are amazing. If you got there early you would have seen it all live in action. If you're in Darlinghurst this month be sure to pay a visit to the Oxford Art Gallery so you can see these murals for yourself #lifeincolour.

Who doesn't like a good drink whether it be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. The appeal of el Jimador's #Jargaritas or #Mexology (so punny- get it) is that it subverts the cafe mason jar craze but whilst playing it up with their colourful drinks. Out of the drinks that we had, I wasn't the biggest fan of the shot but the novelty of the watermelon kept me contempt, the other drinks however were stellar. Think soda mixed with el Jimador spirits served in that snazzy black and white cup or margaritas made of blanco, agave, nectar and fresh lime (Right cup). I think my favourite drink of the night had to be the one my friend ordered which was a ginger beer based along with reposado, chambord and fresh lime. 

It is also impossible to overlook the gorgeous soft tacos made fresh by Barrio Chino; they were delivered in plates but with the bar thriving those tacos disappeared before they even made it past the first few metres. First taco was a tuna.

Should I embrace the snapbacks?

Thank you to my beautiful hand model

LAMB!!!

Cinnamon guajillo chile braised lamb with , jalapeño and tomatillo salsa on a taco.

By far my favourite taco, but remember that these guys come with a lot of sauce so don't pull a Bitter by having the sauce drip onto your pants. The tacos are also by and large quite spicy so tread cautiously if you if you have a low heat tolerance.

The Gourmet Couture dined courtesy of an invite from The Sound Campaign. 

Update

Hey guys, I thought I'd myself known again after my recent MIA stunt. So my exams ended this Friday and in between work, frantic 20 hour cram days/nights and extreme amounts of fluids in the form of tea and coconut juice, I am still alive (I have terrible or more so unique exam habits). Unfortunately amongst all that, blogging had to be sacrificed but now that that period of the year is over I can wholeheartedly throw myself into blogging and other related ventures (still a secret but if all goes well then I shall happily announce it here). If you were wondering why this post is so late it's because Friday was spent binge eating, Saturday I was running around the city like a headless chicken followed by a university society social event that I organised, Sunday was the Sydney Food Bloggers picnic (big shout out to Chocolatesuze and Grab Your Fork for organising) followed by shopping and dinner and finally today was my shopping spree that required more running around the city like a headless chicken.

In case you guys haven't noticed I've moved over to my own domain so a big shout out to Isaac from iFat who is your go to connoisseur for 'Dude Food'. In fact, there's so many food bloggers each with their own niche that you guys the readers are so spoilt when it comes to deciding the next place to eat and let's not forget the old school modes of restaurant reviews. For a second, let's forget print media and think of those Tourism ads (cue in Lara Bingle's 'Where the bloody hell are you') and acknowledge that interstate tourism is giving food the appreciation it deserves. If you're stuck in Sydney or Australia this Summer then why not explore your own state, if anything you're helping the economy and while you're at it visit Tourism NSW's restaurant page for your one stop fix for ideas.

On that note I'm actually heading back to the motherland aka China and I cannot wait to stuff myself with food and show you where I'm going and also what I'll be wearing which may or may not be entirely weather appropriate. I've long heard of the endless complaints about the censorship in China so for the month that I'm there I'll try to get a VPN up and running but this blog shall still be active, just under the loving hands of a caretaker and I've also heard that Instagram is now dead in China as well so fingers crossed I can bring it back to life (or at least for me) if not there will be an Instagram takeover (volunteers anyone?). Also, if you want to stalk (ahem follow) my China travels I have Weibo but I know like no one on Weibo, in fact I must confess that I only created it so that I could stalk (say what- I mean support) Chinese celebrities. Whilst we're on topic of overseas travel have a browse through Webjet's website if you're keen for a holiday escape.

And because a post is never complete without a photo hear are some snaps during my study/exam weeks

Tea 

Coconut

Tea + Chocolate

Coconut

Digital clock taking up your entire screen is a must to properly highlight the time that you procrastinated

Waking up is a challenge, one that I'm incredibly paranoid about.

Watch out Parramatta + Knafeh!

Here's to a fruitful exam week and may I pass all of my exams with flying colours. This will be a quick one from me mainly because I have 3 exams this week and so so little time. If someone knows of someone with a time machine then give me a call (please). So after work, I decided that since I'm in Parramatta already, I might as well explore the Parramatta Laneways which I unashamedly have overlooked for the last decade that I have been living in this area. Above is the Chameleon cocktail $12 though a bit small if you ask me.

Guys from Adora Chocolates

Pear cider, I think I'll pass next time around- roughly $8

Arrancini balls my coworker got from Sicilian, free using his Citibank card.

Also, watch this space because Parramatta is about to be revamped. Gelato Messina made a huge splash on the Parramatta food scene and with Papa Rich's doors already open, add that to Circa's (here and here) dominance of the cafe-brunch scene one can only imagine what mayhem will follow with Bourke Street Bakery and Jamie's Italian set to grace Parramatta with their presence. 

Knafeh Bakery

These guys have literally taken over the Sydney instagram domain. Launching at the Smooth Chocolate Festival (which I regret missing just as much as I regret missing the Newtown Festival because of lovely, oh so lovely exams) in what appears and actually is a shipping container, Knafeh Bakery has introduced a new era of night street food. Where can you find them? The answer is it depends, I wish I like every else could provide a more definite answer but you'll find this corrugated tin container in the streets of various suburbs. Again after work, I let myself indulge in a sweet treat because how can you say no to dessert when it is practically at your doorstep- let me rephrase that, when it is but a 10min detour.

Knafeh- a traditional cheese pastry topped with toasted pistachios and a sweet sugar based syrup $8

It was definitely unlike anything I've had before, at first I didn't know what to think of it but then it definitely grew on me. Think a loose Middle Eastern warm cheesecake but that should really be your starting point when it comes to describing this dessert. Unlike the former, knafeh is a lot lighter, or at least this particular recipe is, and so I definitely think that even non-cheesecaker lovers can appreciate this. The syrup is incredibly sweet, a bit of a way of cutting through those spoonfuls of knafeh. It is appropriate but don't get too excited at the thought of sugar syrup. It is just me but did the filling have a sort of stringy-ness to it, kind of reminds of those stringy cheeses that were advertised for kids' lunch boxes but not as extreme. I definitely enjoyed the top layer, it's kind of like breadcrumbs and texture wise it contrasted really well with the soft cheese pastry inside.

I'm looking at the clock now and I'm panicking already. I'll end the post here so I can immerse myself into the world of finance and law textbooks

Jamie Italian's Review

I rarely if ever watch cooking shows, in fact I have really only watched My Kitchen Rules (MKR) and that's because my television (when opened) is always on Channel 7. That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean I'm oblivious to the world of celebrity chefs, the last and only time I went to one helmed by a chef as famous as their food was at Colin Fassnidge's 4fourteen and I absolutely loved it (cannot wait to go again, in fact I'm secretly planning another trip). 

So when it came to recommendations for a university society's handover dinner, I couldn't help but sneak in the suggestion of Jamie's Italian-one it has been on my to go list for quite some time and two, Italian is a crowd pleaser which practically everyone can appreciate. It goes without saying that it is practically obligatory that pasta should be on your bill especially when their pasta is made fresh in house everyday and upon entry your visit welcomed with baskets of pasta lining the wall.

Tip: Jamie's Italian gets incredibly busy and despite dining on a Wednesday, the placed was packed. Don't be the guy who suggests a place only to find out that it will take forever to get a table and book ahead of time.

Polenta Chips- crispy fried with rosemary and parmesan $8.50

The menu said they were famous and rightly so. Polenta is no fad my friends, it is seductively delicious and with or without the rosemary and parmesan, these babies should be famous enough on their own- think silky soft centre paired with an echoing crunch, I call that music to my ears. 

ITALIAN BREAD SELECTION $1.50 

Homemade rosemary focaccia, Italian grissini, crispy music bread and ciabatta from the bakery. All served with Rylstone extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic

OMG 

HOLY MOLY

$1.50 BREAD SELECTION, MOVE OVER ANY DOUBTS I HAD REGARDING A NO-GLUTEN REGIME BECAUSE I ASHAMEDLY LOVE BREAD (for now that is). Had I known these pick me ups were so cheap, I'd be inclined to vouch for a bread selection per person that way everyone didn't have to grudgingly share- I couldn't have been the only glutton on the table right? Anyhow this is the perfect way to start the meal as you wait for the mains to arrive.

Greens which look incredibly out of focus here (apologies)

Steamed Seasonal Greens with lemon, butter and a pinch of Maldon sea salt $7.50

Black Angel Spaghetti- Squid ink pasta, scallops, chilli, anchovies, wine & capers $25

I have long wanted to try Angel hair pasta and after having squid ink noodles at Est, I was dying to relive that experience but at preferably a fraction of the cost. Maybe Est. ruined my taste buds, I guess going to a hatted restaurant and eating something for the first time can do that to you because I didn't seem to get this 'pop' or burst of flavours from the squid ink. Notwithstanding that, it was lovely as is because what is there not to love about pasta and scallops!

Also, not bad for $25, if you're after a light meal all the pastas can be ordered as entrees instead. 

Tagliatelle Bolognese- Ragu of beef, pork, herbs, Chianti and Parmesan with crunchy, herby breadcrumbs $19.50

This was by far the dinner table favourite which about half of us ordering this, and I just happened to be fortunate to have friends that are willing to share their food with me (in the name of science I say....). After having this, perhaps this may be cliche but my taste buds have been yet again ruined. I've had pasta at cafes/restaurants twice since eating here and nothing compares. The flavours simply melted in your mouth and it was truly a marriage in heaven. Needless to say, I was secretly jealous of everyone that ordered this.

Dessert time!

Creamy Panna Cotta- Lovely wobbly panna cotta served with a compote of seasonal fruits $8.50

Tutti Frutti Lemon Meringue Pie- with limoncello & crunchy pistachio brittle $10.50

Well isn't she a sight to behold, the crazy levels of meringue here remind me of the insane servings that you get at Pie Tin- my old photos don't do them justice but think of their dessert pie named 'The Pie that ate Newtown' and this pie here should be its distant cousin. I think I have a secret liking towards meringue, on the one hand there's the health conscious me who baulks at idea of eating baked egg white and sugar but then there's the sugar tooth me who loves that pillowy, marshmallowy taste. This meringue was spot on and can we all just take a moment to gasp at how well priced all of these desserts and mains are. I think the stars are all aligning for another visit to Jamie's Italian before I go on holidays to China- the land of censorship.

Chocolate Espresso Tart- warm chocolate & espresso tart, served with orange zest and mint tips along with mascarpone cream $10

My dessert and I think I picked well, but that may be questionable in the face of all the great options to choose from. First of all, I'm not a fan of mascarpone cream, I try to avoid it when I bake as well as when I order dessert but the combination of chocolate and espresso in a tart meant that mascarpone was just a backstory. Upon arrival, I couldn't help but gush at the orange zest, it may not be the most technically difficult thing but it is still visually stunning. The chocolate and espresso tart was everything I imagine it to be; a bitter heaven delight which is apt since I like to call myself Bitter. 

Epic Brownie- warm fudge brownie with amaretto ice-cream & caramelised amaretti popcorn $10

I know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover but surely this must taste as good as it looks. Sadly, I cannot confirm this as my friend ordered this but since he had no complaints I'm going to assume that it is death by chocolate in the form of fudge and brownies.

Sunglasses on top!

Sometimes in the heat of the sun, sunglasses not only offer eyewear protection but are also an accessory. For  the entirety of the day that I was out at the Norton Street Festival in Leichhardt, my sunglasses were used to accentuate my resting bitch face so I could move with a bit more ease through the crowds. Yet when it came to taking these shots, I'd much rather have my sunnies nestled in my hair instead because that way I can look a tad bit nicer. I think I'm still living in my euphoria state where exams are just simply a taboo but sadly no. Exams are a way of life. Or so I have come to accept (for now) and so I will finish this post here (details below) so I can go back to hitting the books joined by lovely friend caffeine (no she's not an imaginary friend). 

Sorry no vintage bicycles here fitted with baskets and fresh pastries and bread

Details:

Sunglass: Bvlgari

Top: SES

Pants: Mossman Clothing

Bag: Gucci

Shoes: Camper Sunglass flats

Photos taken at The Forum, Leichhardt