Back for more @ Caffe Sicilia (photos only)

San churros : Glebe

471 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

If you have a sweet tooth like me, you'll definitely like it here! Full if deep fried goodness in the form of sugar dusted churros and melted chocolate, you'll find this place sweet-as :P

I went here on a weeknight to their Glebe location and it was pretty full. They had a wide array of drinks, chocolates, macaroons and other sweets.

Good destination for couples or groups and long as you like chocolate !

Prices are average, $14 for churros for one (4 churros and a pot of melted chocolate dip) and around $6 for hot chocolate (if I remember correctly)...

But with all franchised dessert places, thats generic pricing. They've got a trendy decor and lots of take-home gift packs, snacks and more. (Quite smart in their business techniques)!

If you haven't been here before, definitely give it a go at one of their many locations!

Park bench : CBD

580 George Street, Sydney CBD

I've passed this dessert place many times walking down George Street but never stopped by until now. Replacing the former Passionflower, Park Bench is literally decorated to be like... A park bench :P

Though it's all part of the theme, the tables and seats were somewhat below par... Especially because there were some benches and then some seats... Seemed incongruently mixed together.

Their dessert menu is also quite basic, offering cake of the day, brownies, gelato and the generic array of sweets.

I ordered the chocolate brownie with a scoop of their 'magical icecream' and an English breakfast tea.

The taste was quite standard, something you could find anywhere really. And also, their service was on the poorer side when the waiter collected our food/drinks before we finished without asking.

Shocked as I was, my friend and I exchanged a mutual acknowledgement of 'no tips here'. Haha

I see why I never came here before... Because there isn't much that stands out from being just a park bench.

Caffe Sicilia : Surry Hills

628 Crown Street, Surry Hills

What initially caught my eye to this restaurant was their glass storefront and traditionally Italian design. Stepping into the restaurant, it felt like 'a little piece of Sicilly' with a deli at the back. We were greeted with very friendly waiters who make you feel comfortable and I loved their Italian accents :P

I tried a wagyu beef carpaccio (raw aged beef), duck with orange sauce and a mini tiramisu.

The presentation of the dishes were all impeccable and the mains were priced between $25-$35 mostly.

The standout was definitely their traditional design and service. I liked how their menu served a different take on Italian, serving rabbit, aged meats and cheeses that you might not find at any typical Italian restaurant!

Definitely going back here for their great food and service! :)

$9.90 rump steak @ Albion Hotel

I finally found out theres an app for blogger on Iphone now ... So I can easily post photos of what I've been eating !! Yay hehehe...

This is an $9.90 rump steak from the Albion Hotel on 531 George Street Sydney and their apple and rhubarb crumble for $8.

The steak was a good bargain, typical pub meal type of juicy steak with mash on the side.

I was in a particular mood craving for crumble.. so it tasted heavenly (so good that it burnt my mouth for 2 days).

If you're looking for a cheap meal and decent atmosphere, come here ant weeknight (before it goes crazier on the weekend)!

Vanilla cupcakes with a twist ;)

Vanilla cupcakes with a chewy white chocolate "surprise" in the center, iced



I've been in such a cupcake mood lately, just cause they're pretty easy to make and decorating is the most fun bit!

So, I was meant to be studying for my accounting test one night....... I went into the kitchen to microwave some left over dinner (because it'd be the quickest) and I had this packet mix for cupcakes just sitting there waiting for me.

I was under the impression that it'd take 30 minutes at most to just mix in the eggs, butter, milk and wait for it to bake.

In the end..

I got carried away. Spent like 1.5 hours because I was waiting for it to bake and ice it, wash everything......ahh... procrastination :P

Om nom nom nom...

:)

Chicken and veggie pie!

Chicken and veggie pie

If you know me, I love baking and I also love baking pies. So finally I decided to change up my usual shepards' pies for some chicken and veggie action!

Originally, I was just going to stick with adding chicken and mushroom but I don't feel satisfied until I add a lot of ingredients (and vegetables to try and be healthy?)

Ingredients

Filling

1. 500g chicken fillet, cut into small/medium chunks (marinated with Portuguese chicken flavouring, salt, pepper, sesame oil, mixed herbs)
2. 1 onion, diced
3. 1 zucchini, diced
4. Handful of mushrooms, sliced
5. 2 cloves garlic
6. Chicken stock
7. Tasty grated cheese
8. 1 cup frozen veggies
9. Some shallots, chopped
10. Cornflour, amount depends on how much stock you added
11. 1 egg, beaten
12. Sesame seeds

Puff pastry (Didn't have time to make my own, I used pre-made ones)

Method

1. Prepare the ingredients as stated above (the marinade for the chicken is highly changeable, just so that there's some flavour on the chicken)
2. Preheat a frypan on high, add oil and garlic, stir.
3. Add in the chicken pieces and fry until both sides are brown
4. Add mushroom and stir around.
5. Add some stock if the mixture is drying up
6. Add all the vegetables with the stock, cover with a lid and allow to cook on a medium/high heat for about 10-15 minutes or whenever the chicken and vegetables are cooked
7. Add cheese, stir until melted
8. Add corn flour to thicken mixture
9. Turn off the heat
10. Prepare a round baking dish, brush the bottom with butter to prevent it from sticking.
11. Place a layer of puff pastry on the inside of the pan
12. Put filling inside
13. Place another layer of puff pastry on top to cover filling, use a fork to press in the sides so that it's secure
14. Brush with a beaten egg, sprinkle some sesame seeds just for presentation
15. Bake in oven at 180degrees for 15-20minutes (until the pastry's golden brown)

Before and after baking :)

ENJOY