Ten-minute self service

It was my first dining experience at Sassellas (for a colleague’s farewell lunch) and boy, what an experience! Drinks are ordered from the bar and will be served to your table. Food, however, has to be ordered at the kitchen ‘counter’ where you pay, receive a docket and return 10 minutes later to collect your meal. Whilst waiting, why not help yourself to some complimentary bread rolls?

I was sceptical, really, so I timed! There’s a large clock above the counter and when 10 minutes was up, I headed back to the counter, surrendered my docket, and viola, my meal was ready! So what did I order?

Tadah!!

Chicken parmigiana with chips and salad

I was craving hot chips, so I had to order this! And it was delicious! The only thing I didn’t like about Sassellas was the cramp environment where it was difficult for anyone to move around. Other than that, I would go back for lunch again.

Sassellas Bar & Bistro
Upper Hay Street Level Carillon City Arcade,
Perth CBD WA

A part of my childhood

Bottom left clockwise: The award winning lamb shank, grilled chicken with mushroom sauce, chicken parmigiana, grilled fish of the day, blueberry cheesecake, green tea cheesecake, banana split.

This is an extremely outdated post. A "staff function" I called it, which happened earlier this year back in Malaysia. I was going through my harddisc earlier today and obviously found these pictures. They were meant to be up here a.k.a the blog.

I used to enjoy having meals in Secret Recipe as a child. I remember enjoying their cakes, and in particular, their banana chocolate cake. This visit, however, was a very disappointing one. I am a lot older too!!! Take the grilled fish for instance, the plate presentation itself puts me off and it was a piece of pre-frozen dory fish (if my memory served me correctly). The green tea cheesecake was interesting and new on the menu at that point of time- it has a very distinct green tea taste to it which can get overpowering after a few bites. I was glad we had 5 of us to share the desserts. Need I say any more?

As I always say, it's the company that makes any night fantastic. This is no exception. Beeps- time to get ready for another staff function; drinks, nibbles and bowling.

Secret Recipe
LGF 88, Syuen Hotel
Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil
30300 Ipoh, Perak

Little babies

I have previously reviewed their chocolate pretzels which I totally adore. It is finally Malted milk balls' turn to take the limelight. Very much like Maltesers, sweet with all its crunch. Charged guilty, I went through the whole pack in the one night. Having said that, I prefer the chocolate pretzels much more and therefore would pay for the chocolate pretzels during my next visit to the shop.

It reminded me of an interesting experience (or a combination of two!) which I had with Maltesers, I love eating Maltesers here but not in Malaysia. I have no idea why when everything was consistent from packing to producing factories. It is still a mystery~

Chocolates on Parade
Shop 10 Norwood Mall
166a The Parade
Norwood SA 5067.

Mmm…dreamy…

I know I shouldn’t have, but these miniature babies were too cute not to buy.

“Mini Dreams” doughnuts from Dreamy Donuts

This was my ‘reward’ after a very horrible week of assignment and work. If my memory does not fail me, like it always does, the box of Mini Dreams costs under $6. They make such perfect gifts or tea time treats. Having said that, I only liked the chocolate and cinnamon doughnuts.

Dreamy Donuts
Kiosk 120 Westfield Carousel
1382 Albany Highway, Cannington WA 6107

Robbing from the rich, giving to the poor

Sounds familiar? I went to dine at this place, Robin Hood Hotel for a surprise birthday dinner. Nothing fancy, just dinner. And the poor ate these food... (assuming the chef who cooks is Robin Hood)

Chargrilled quail, chorizo sausage & roasted lady crystal potato (gluten free)

It is almost not surprising that I would make a very last minute change to this dish, only because of the chorizo sausage. I have a major obsession with anything on the menu with chorizo sausages; chorizo is my middle name. Having said that, the chorizos (make that half a chorizo sliced thinly) were overcooked and just chewy. Quail was fairly alright but it made dinner a very tedious chore. I love the thinly sliced potato (I truly do!) and the salad.

Front: Roasted parsnip, carrot, hazelnut, Bulgarian feta salad, cumin, honey coriander dressing (gluten free)
Back: Falafel with a tomato, cucumber, parsley, red onion, sumac salad, with a yogurt, lemon & cumin dipping sauce (gluten free)

My company of that night ordered two entrees. Verdict: Yummy. We had some chicken schnitzel for a young one, but it was truly not worth posting or even taking a photo of. It was almost interesting that we ordered gluten free dishes all the way.

The place and its food weren't fantastic, but sooooooo close to my house I could almost walk. Then again, I went there by car and I left the choice to the driver who could only tell me "A surprise that really isn't a surprise".

Company beats food anytime hands down. I still had a great time. A simple birthday celebration which ended with hugs, kisses and "I love you"s.

Robin Hood Hotel
315 Portrush Road
Norwood SA 5067

Something light and different

Lemons were in season a couple of months ago and I decided to make this...

Zucchini, lemon and feta spaghetti

This was taken from the Sanitarium’s Health and Happiness Cookbook, but, unfortunately I lost the recipe, so I just ‘played it by ear’.

So here’s my version:
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 large zucchini, grated (I ended up using a peeler instead)
A few button mushrooms, sliced
Juice of 1-2 lemons
Spaghetti, cooked al dente
Feta cheese, crumbed
Salt and black pepper

1. Heat oil in a pan. Cook zucchini and mushrooms till soft.
2. Add lemon juice, cooked spaghetti and salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly.
3. Turn off heat and add crumbed feta cheese. Stir through.
4. Serve, topped with extra cheese (optional).

The sourness of the lemon juice actually balances out the 'heaviness' of the spaghetti. The only downside is that it does not complement garlic bread (which I love, by the way). It truly is a perfect summer dish, but then again, lemons won't be in season in December, will they?

My fav chinese eatery

Ming's Steamboat is one of my favourite places to go now for Chinese food. It is, again, one of those nights where the diners aka US overestimate our appetite and tummy space. Between the two of us, we ordered three dishes and one of them was the Shanghai style pork trotter. Which essentially just means braised pork trotter in sweetened vinegar. Not one of my usual dishes to order at any place and I was a bit apprehensive, but I did enjoy it very much. However, I avoided every bit of the collagen and my girlfriend appreciated it.

NOW this is one of my must-order dishes at all time, at any place if it is on the menu. Salted egg pumpkin which is thick pumpkin cuts stirfried in salted egg. I *hearts* anything with salted egg and would go to the extent of preparing my own fresh salted egg.

We also ordered the Ma-Po toufu; I *hearts* Szechuan flavours and this was absolutely yummy with a serve of rice. There were also interesting juices in carafes to enjoy- and this time I was brave enough to go for selfheal juice. It wasn't bad, but I will stick to sugar cane juice next time.

On another occasion...
Jin's visit to Adelaide last year *reminiscing*. I just had to introduce her to the awesome salted egg pumpkin and we were tempted to order their steamboat. Gluttony plays a huge part in both of us. We had a double broth- Chinese chicken stock (?) and the fiery Szechuan chilli.

The very interesting dipping sauce- sesame paste, red bean paste, chilli oil, crushed garlic, spring onion and coriander. I am sure I stuck to my basic fav flavours- chilli oil, soy and spring onion. That was another night Jin and I made ourselves proud compared to our previous food binge failures.

Mings Steamboat

301-303 Morphett Street
Adelaide SA 5000

Be a lady with Lady Daly?

The excitement when I was invited to a hightea at Lady Daly's hotel was indescribable, but I had to say I was disappointed as soon as I stepped in. I was in for a hightea in a pub setting.

First tier of the high teas were supposed to be savoury. BUT the savoury and sweet were not arranged accordingly- and on the base were scones (already spreaded jam and cream) as well as mini quiches and portugese egg tarts.

I do not like my scones presented that way (my buddies will know why), and they all came out fairly cold. The portugese egg tarts and quiches weren't bad, its 'okay'.

Second tier were the assorted sandwiches: cucumber, curried egg, ham&cheese and tuna. Different quantities of sandwiches were provided, thus there cannot be an equal distribution of sandwiches. Sizes of the sandwiches were not particularly appealing when two tuna sandwiches were of the same size, and another appeared as if it was squished between two pans in the kitchen (look at them far back!). I surprisingly liked the flavours of the tuna sandwiches and the ham&cheese ones; however the cucumber sandwiches were a bit dry.

Third tier were a platter of sweets which include assorted profiteroles and chocolate square cups. The profiteroles fillings weren't bad; I had a taste of tiramisu and irish cream. I was again disappointed with the chocolate cups as they were only filled with cream (!!!) and a small piece of strawberry.

It could be my problem because I have a HUGE problem with cream. The hightea includes free flowing of coffee,tea and sparkling (Winery Road Brut Cuvee), have as much as you want between 2-4pm and costs $35. Having said that, they clearly lacked waiting staff to meet the needs of their customers and the only beverage orders I could get in were one cup of coffee and three glasses of sparkling (after much reminders). The place was extremely packed on that Saturday afternoon though.

Do I feel like a lady with Lady Daly? No. Would I pay to go there again? No (fullstop)

The Lady Daly Hotel
126 Port Road
Hindmarsh SA 5007

A new love!

And so close to home too...
Slightly salted pretzels coated with milk chocolate
Addictive from the very first bite
It took so much self control to not finish the pack
*pats on back*

Chocolates on Parade
Shop 10 Norwood Mall
166a The Parade
Norwood SA 5067