Hot Pot tonight at Chinatown ^_^

HOT POT

Hot pot refers to several East Asian varieties of stew, consisting of a simmering metal pot of stock at the center of the dining table. While the hot pot is kept simmering, raw foods are placed into the pot and are cooked at the table. Typical hot pot food include thinly sliced meat, vegetables and seafood. The cooked food is usually eaten with a dipping sauce. Hot pot meals are usually eaten in the winter during dinner time. 

Different kinds of hot pots can be found in Beijing - typically, more modern eateries offer the sectioned bowl with differently favored broths in each section. More traditional or older establishments serve a fragrant, mild broth in the hot pot which is a large brass vessel heated by burning coals in a central chimney. The broth is boiled in a deep, donut-shaped bowl surrounding the chimney. 

One of the most famous hotpot is called Chongqing ma la (numb and spicy) hotpot which is added with traditional SiChuan pepper. A Chongqing hotpot is markedly different from the type eaten in other parts of China. It has a unique soup base and the sauce condiments for the cooked food.Chongqing hotpot is very spicy which is a unique characteristics and different to the Northern  style hotpot in China.  

At YuXiang hotpot ( located at Chinatown) , there are various soup base available for customer to choose. Each customer will get their own little hotpot to cook their own food. 

 Delicious food ....

 YUMMMYYYYYY

 love hot pot soooo much .!!!!

-Ella

Oliver Brown Belgian Chocolate Cafe

Oliver Brown Belgian Chocolate Cafe begun in 2009, and today Oliver Brown has a variety of cafe's in each of the states within Australia! 

At Oliver Brown you can expect to find Belgian chocolate, drinks and desserts of high quality. In saying that all your chocolate cravings can be met at Oliver Brown! Oliver Brown also offers a positive environment where the staff are customer focused and the atmosphere of the cafe is relaxing.

Belgian Waffles alongside Chocolate Drizzle

I took the picture below the very first time I visited Oliver Brown Cafe, overall I was very satisfied with the quality of desserts. I ordered a waffle alongside vanilla ice cream as well as churros which were accompanied with chocolate dipping sauce. I loved the the perfect mix of crunchy, soft and drizzled chocolate within the waffles. In my opinion the waffles were cooked great and the texture of the waffles was great. I loved how the waffles had chocolate chips within, the ice cream was nice as well as was expected. 

Belgian Waffles and Churros alongside Chocolate Dip

The churros were also cooked well and you could tell it had been freshly cooked. The chocolate dip was lovely in that the chocolate consistency was to perfection. The churros were delicious and I would definitely go back for more. Overall I was surprised to see that the dessert dishes offered at Oliver Brown were so cheap in comparison to other dessert restaurants!

Churros alongside Chocolate Dip

For more information and store locations visit the Oliver Brown website: www.oliverbrown.com.au/ 

Also for to see frequently updated pictures of the delicious desserts, follow Oliver Brown on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/oliverbrownofficial/?hl=en

- Sheenal

Star Buffet

One of the Ten Star Buffer Location
Image from http://www.starbuffet.com.au/about/

With around 10 locations around NSW and the ACT, Star Buffet is your one stop shop for a great dining experience. With a wide range of international food, seafood and desert dishes and over 100 daily it is no wonder that they are a leading buffet venue.  Not only do they have delicious food, but they also have great service and a great atmosphere.

However, their popularity does come with a cost.  Like many popular venues you may find that Star Buffet is packed during special days and occasions. If you like to take your time with your meals you will find it hard to enjoy yourself with a one hour restriction that they do give you during these days. For those who like to do so it is recommended to go when there isn’t a special day/event. Or if you do want to come during those days coming early or making a reservation is highly recommended.

Image From: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g529037-d7289247-i120640418-Star_Buffet-Tweed_Heads_New_South_Wales.html

Besides this Star Buffet is one of the best buffet dining venues you will find out there. If you’re looking for a new and diverse buffer experience then look no further than Star buffet.

For more information about Star Buffet Check out their website here:

http://www.starbuffet.com.au/

-Welshman 

Nando's

Nando's is a casual Portuguese restaurant that is of affordable pricing and offers delicious yet freshly served food. Nando's is located in all states within Australia being famous for it's flame grilled chicken which is marinated for 24 hours and cook in the famous Peri Peri sauce offered by Nando's. Nando's is famous for their signature chicken cooked in their spicy sauces.

From the picture below I ordered the Nando's Quarter Chicken and Peri Peri Chips. In my opinion, Nando's offers the most delicious yet juicy chicken. The added choice of choosing the spiciness of the chicken only adds to the great flavor of the chicken. Out of all restaurants that I have been to, I can positively say that the chicken served is of the best quality as their chicken was both juicy and tender! The Peri Peri Chips were good to perfection in that the chips are crunchy and very tasty.

Nando's Quarter Chicken and Peri Peri Chips

From the picture below I ordered the Espetada at Nando's restaurant upon my initial visit. I was unsure what to order and was suggested to order the Espetada from a friend. In my opinion the chicken was cooked to perfection and was juicy yet tender as expected. The vegetables however I felt were flavorless and were cooked to perfection, I reckon a bit more salt and seasoning could have made the Espetada taste better. The chips were good as they were fresh and crunchy, however once again the chips could have benefited in being salted.

Nando's Espetada alongside chips

Overall Nando's is a wonderful restaurant to go to, it offers a nice climate and the staff are very nice. In terms of my favourite dish from Nando's I would suggest that nothing beats their signature chicken range cooked in various Peri Peri sauces. 

To find out more about the amazing Nando's restaurant  and view the menu, visit: http://www.nandos.com.au/

Also don't forget to follow Nando's on Instagram for frequently updates posts, specials and new dishes: https://www.instagram.com/nandosaus/

- Sheenal

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

"Creating a new chocolate culture worldwide." 

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar is your go to dessert destination! At Max Brenner all your dessert cravings will be satisfied, ranging from pastries to chocolate fondues to delicious milkshakes, I can guarantee that you will never leave dissatisfied. 

Tutti Fruitti Waffles alongside Milk Chocoalte Dip and Caramel Milkshake

Max Brenner is your ultimate destination to share a dessert with your friends and loved ones. The menu itself has been designed to satisfy all your inner sweet cravings. Being one of my favourite dessert bars, I cannot emphasise how delicious their tutti frutti waffles plate is, mixed with crumbled vanilla or chocolate ice cream, strawberries and bananas. The creaminess of the ice-cream melts in your mouth, not to mention how well cooked the waffles are, alongside the drizzle of melted milk chocolate, I can honestly say it tastes like heaven! 

Tutti Fruiti Waffles

Another one of my favorite desserts is the Chocolate Chunks Pizza. This dessert dish as seen below consists of melted milk and white chocolate chunks alongside two toppings of your choice ranging from crunchy hazelnuts, banana slices, peanut butter to delicious roasted marshmallows. This dessert dish is definitely made to satisfy those with sweet tooth and chocolate lovers! 

Chocolate Chunks Pizza with a Crunch

After visiting Max Brenner on many special occasions, on a warm summers night out with some friends I came across the chocolate brownie ice cream dessert, and I must say it was very satisfying! The ice cream was delicious, in that the crunchy chocolate balls and milk chocolate side dip complimented the pleasing texture of the ice cream. 

Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream

Overall I recommend every individual to visit Max Brenner and try one the amazing dessert dishes offered by Max Brenner Chocolate Bar. I hope my review of this Chocolate Bar has been helpful to all readers. 

Check out the Max Brenner website for further details and locations around Sydney:  http://www.maxbrenner.com.au/ 

Also don't forget to follow Max Brenner on Instagram for frequent pictures and updates: https://www.instagram.com/maxbrenner_chocolate_bar/

-Sheenal

Hogs Breath Cafe

Image taken from: http://parmadaze.com/?p=172

“In a nutshell, it’s all about providing quality food and beverage services in an informal, yet comfortable environment with an overriding friendly, party atmosphere.” -Hogs Breath Cafe 

Hogs Breath Cafe is a chain of casual restaurants. They offer a casual dining experience that is filled with great food, quality service and a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Their restaurants are designed to help comfortable and relaxed with your friends and family.If you can get past the old and quirky design of their restaurants you are sure to have a great time and enjoy your meal.

Example of inside of  a Hog Breath Cafe restaurant
Image take from: https://www.pinterest.com/hogsbreathcafe/hogs-breath-locations/

A typical meal there will include a steak (other meat) cooked how you want it along with a side of curly fries and a choice of salad or vegetables. Although they specialise and take pride in their signature steak dishes, they have a diverse menu that is sure to suit and please everyone.

Just some of the menu items
Image taken from: https://www.pinterest.com/hogsbreathcafe/hogs-breath-locations/

If you’re seeking a fine dining experience or a typical restaurant environment then this place probably isn’t for you.  However, if you are looking for a causal and different dining experience that you can share with your friends & family or if you just love great tasting food in a relaxed environment, then this restaurant chain a definitely worth checking out.

Hogs Breath Cafe: http://www.hogsbreath.com.au/

- Welshman

Welcome to our blog!

Hey Everyone, 

First of all, welcome to our blog! It is our first blog so keep that in mind when reading the reviews and they seem a bit amateurish.  Before we get to the introduction, here is a sketch that hopefully show you what we hope for our blog will look like when we have finalized it and finished the design. It is a sketch of the the basic layout of the expected blog.

So who are we?

We are Sydney Food Bloggers, this blog will explore various food, cafe and dessert restaurants within Sydney region and review the food/drinks offered by various restaurants. As you can tell we love food and what better way is there to share our passion for food other than reviewing some of our favorite restaurants to eat at. 

We hope you enjoy reading our blog and hope that we can help you find some of the best restaurants to dine at within the Sydney region that suit your taste buds. Feel free to leave us feedback as to what you think about our blog!

Just to introduce ourselves, below is a photo of us each enjoying in Max Brenner Chocolate Bar. 

Sydney Food Blogger at Max Brenner Chocolate Bar
Welshman (top), Sheenal (bottom) & Ella (right)

We hope you enjoy reading our blog as much as we enjoyed writing and reviewing the food/desserts/drinks!

- Ella (Yichen. Lin), Sheenal, Welshman