Kujin @ Elizabeth Bay

I adore little neighbourhood restaurants.  They speak comfort and 'home'.  When Washoku Lovers and Chef Naoki invited me along for dinner at Kujin, I was excited to see what being dished up. 

 

Elizabeth Bay was like a second home to me as a youngster.  My Grandparents lived down the road from Kuijin and I spent many a day exploring the area.  I  had seen various uses of this space over the years.  I hadn't been in this area for some time and it brought back some great memories!

 

 

 

Kujin specialises in Teppanyaki and were treated to views over the teppan grill with Chef Naoki at the grill.

 

We start with a Yuzushu (Yuzu Sake) and Arogoshi Ringo (Apple Sake).  A blend of juice and sake served on the rocks.  A great little aperitif to tantle the tastebuds.

 

 

 

Dishes are served as they are prepared.  We start with a new menu item. Chilled tomato slow cooked tomato stuffed with tempeh? swimming in a bowl of soy dashi sauce (this can be made vegetarian by omit the fish stock).  This was a superb! Cool, fresh and light. 

 

A selection of kushiyaki - chicken thigh in teriyaki sauce, salmon with green tea salt and lemon and prawns with green tea salt and lemon

 

The chicken is very moorish.  The teriyaki is thick and sweet and the chicken has been grilled tender and juicy.

 

I would say the prawns were my favourite out of the 3 with the earthy green tea salt and a squirt of lemon.

 

The salmon was good too.

Chef Naoki is manning the teppan grill tonight making his speciality tamagoyaki, which is a Japanese style omelette with dashi and soy. 

 

Here Chef rolls sheets of delicately cooked egg and the roll has multiple layers.  He makes it look so easy!  It definitely is a work of art and watching Chef cook it was fun!  Fluffy layer dipped in dashi soy and freshly grated daikon radish. 

 

 

 

Another grill selection is the chicken wing served with salt and cajun spice.  The spice sprinkled on the chicken is tasty.

 

 

Sampling some sake.  Here we start with the Otokoyama "Man's Mountain" sake from Hokkaido and has a +10 scoring (which is better).  It's dry and a nice sake (remember I have only recently discovered a like for cold sake).

 

A large skillet of ok Seafood okonomiyaki Seafood prawn, squid and octopus with tartare sauce on top with bonito flakes and seaweed sprinkled on top.  This had a good amount of seafood through it but I found it was smoothered in tartare reminiscent of a filet-o-fish and it wasn't cooked all the way through.  It was a little mushy for my liking.  Our least favourite dish of the evening.

 

 We have a serve of very tasty teppan pork hot off the grill served with asparagus and baby corn spears and bean sprouts.

 

I fall in love with this cold sake set.  The pourer is absolutely devine and and ingenious way to keep the sake cold without it being watered down.  The ice is in a glass bowl inside the bottle.  I loved it so much I even asked where they found the glass pourers...unfortunately they come from Japan.

 

The sake served in this is Masumi "Genuine Pureness" from Nagano and is a +5.  This is light and lovely and on the dry side.

 

We finish off with a bowl of chilled udon summer style soup from the specials - house made udon noodles in cold soup with cherry tomato, okra, eggplant, shallots and wakame seaweed.  Everything is chilled and fresh and delicous and there are dashi icecubes floating in the cold dashi broth to keep it colder even longer.  this was a lovely summer ending to a lovely meal.

 

The full bowl above and my serving below. 

 

 

 

Ending to the meal?  Really..no there is always room for icecream.  Green tea ice cream in fact.  With a lovely toffe like sauce and a dollop or red beans this is the way to end the meal. 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are a member of Washoku Lovers then you can flash your card a get the ice cream for free.  Sign up to Washoku Lovers here.

 

 

*roofood and friend dined as guests of Washuko Lovers and Kujin.  Thanks for the invitation!

 





Taste of Shanghai @ Hurstville

Months ago (yeah I have a bit of a back log), I headed to Taste of Shanghai in Hurstville to meet a friend for dinner.

 

The restaurant is busy and after a 15 minute wait we are seated at a two top wedged in amongst a noisy dining room. 

 

Pots of tea delivered quickly and ordering is smooth and efficient.

 

An array of Shanghai style dumplings and other delectables are on the menu along with a few dishes from other regions of China including Hu Nana, Beijing and Gungdong

 

We start with a steaming basket of the classic and most famous dumpling, the Xiao Long Bao.

 

 

 

Soft skins around steaming pockets of tender pork mince and soupy insides. 

 

 

 

Be careful biting into these.  They spurt soupy (but delicious) liquid so hot it will burn the tongue (and lips and chin).

We also have a serve of the Grilled onion pancakes.  Crispy shell laced with fresh shallots.

 

Shanghai crispy spring rolls.  From memory these were okay.  Crispy but not to hot and the filler was on the average side. But of course this is just my opinion.

 

The other speciality is pan fried pork dumplings.  These are soft and pillowy with crispy bottoms.

 

Overall, this was a lovely dumpling dinner.  It's convenient to my home and good venue to catch up for a casual dinner with a friend.

Travel Photo of the Month - December 2015

Bali February 2013 - you can read all about that day here in and around Ubud.

 

This was a wonderful day exploring the rice terraces, gardens and sampling lots of local foods.  Here I am pounding some spices.

 

It's definitely a good work out for the arms!

 

 

Dexter - Meat & Buns @ Preston, Melbourne

On a recent quick visit to Melbourne, which was all about friendships and catchups and celebrations, I knew I would have time for only one meal out.  But how does a foodie choose just one restaurant in a city that has a plethora of amazing places and one I never get to visit very often?

 

As I was staying in Preston, a quick search on the area led me straight to Dexter (just up the road from my hotel). 

 

 

Minimal signage. X marks the spot.

 

Brothers Sam and Tom Peasnell along with friend Adam Goldblatt, who collectively have careers that include infamous Pitt Cue and Homeslice, both in London, Chin Chin, Movida, Auction Rooms and Three Bags Full and they have collaborated to bring  this 'non-traditional meatery' (their words) to Preston, a North Melbourne residential melting pot that is on the up and coming.

 

 

 

 

Once inside the space is well lit with sky lighting and lots of light wood and white walls.  There is a communal table/bar running the length of one side with tables and bench seating on the other.  There is also another space out back past the open kitchen.  I love this minimalist, airy, light fitout.

 

 

 

 

So, let's talk all things carnivore first up.  Dexter is all about the meat.  Southern style American BBQ in fact. Here the guy's choose optimal cuts of protein suitable for smoking, low and slow braising, sous vide and chargrilling. 

Their lunch menu is a condensed version of their dinner menu but still plenty of meaty goods to choose from.

The menu has me drooling and a serve of scratchings  is needed to start (because well as you know crackling is my crack!) and a Pickle Back.

 

it was a 'I need a moment to myself' moments

What the hell is a Pickle Back you ask?  The perfect aperitif!  A 30ml shot of Makers Mark bourbon and a shot of Pickle Juice (house made by the way).  The bourbon is truly a remarkable drop and the house made pickle juice is sweet and savoury all in one.  I was close to ordering a second!

There may be buns on the menu but definitely no burgers or meat patties here.  Brioche buns are made in house to accompany the pulled and smoked meats.  There are so many delectable offerings but I go with the most popular choice.  The Pig's Head Bun.

 

A slow braised pulled pigs head meat rolled into a croquette and deep fried topped with pickled pineapple, vinegar slaw and pickles. Soft chewy bun encases this crispy delight.  The rich jowl and head meat is tender and juicy and comforting. The pickled pineapple is juicy and tangy and the vinegar slaw is tangy. 

 

I cannot pass over a side of the Bone Marrow Mash.  Yep!  A swirl of super smooth mash floating in a bowl of light gravy with gelatinous dots of delicious bone marrow.  Topped with a gremolata.

 

This is decadent and rich and so inspiring.  I mean bone marrow in gravy on mash...I'm lost...

 

As a side note, I did have a small slight issue with something but the boys and their staff handle it perfectly as expected.  They are friendly, welcoming and clearly passionate about what they do and what they are producing in the kitchen.  That enthusiasm rubs off a little on me.

 

Couldn't have had a nicer lunch!

 

Although I was already bursting to the brim with meaty goodness, I was kindly offered up a taste of another popular side. The KFC.  Kentucky Fried Cauliflower.  A spicy, nutty batter coating pieces of cauliflower.  Perfectly dipped in siracha sauce.  These were so fabulously delicious! 

 

 

 

I understand that Dexter is a welcoming place in the neighbourhood and as I make my departure I am already planning a return for dinner.  Their night menu offers a larger range of meats including short ribs in caramel sauce and  pork ribs and trays of meats plus yet another popular item, the meat donut!  Burnt brisket ends stuffed inside donuts and laced with icing sugar.  HELL YES!

 

Thanks for such a great meaty lunch Dexter.  I will be back next time I'm in Melbs. 

 

Dexter
456 High Street, Preston
http://www.dexter.melbourne/


 

Annie's Provedore @ Barwon Heads

On my recent trip to the Bellarine Peninsula we visited Annie's Provedore in the coastal town of Barwon Heads for a spot of lunch.

This quaint gourmet provedore/deli/café with an Italian twist is packed to the rafters with fresh and gourmet produce, a extremely large selection of cheeses and cured meats, baked goods and a selection of wholesome, loving take home meals.

Entering the café your senses are fully assaulted with the wonderful smell of baked goods and coffee, baskets hanging from the rafters overhead and salamis are swinging off their strings airing from the roof. Every bit of space is utilised for produce or décor. 

 

 

Tubs of fresh bread adorn the tables and tubs dotted around the cafe. 

 

There is garlic and herbs and onions bulbs handing from the rafters too along with dried flowers.

 

Sauces, jams, pasta sauces, olives and preserves line the shelved walls.  There is just so much produce that I want to explore.

I also love that there are a couple of communal tables here that make you feel like you are in the family kitchen spending time with friends.

The glass counter is full of wonderful cheese and cured meats.  My eyes are not really sure where to start looking, there is so much to take in and explore.

The best part is that you get to sit amongst it all.

The counter is full of baked goods, homemade sweets and a friendly barista bustling to get the coffee orders out. Lots of eat in or take home options include slabs of  quiche, wedges of frittata, huge sausage rolls and posh mac and cheese squares.  There are a selection of grain salads too and casseroles and stews

We place our orders at the counter and take a seat. Our coffees arrive and the roasted aroma is pleasing.  When our meals come out I realise just how big the portions are.  My friends fruit and nut muffin is nearly the size of your head!

My beef, bacon and maple syrup pie served with a fresh slaw with peas and broccoli is huge.

They also supply some fruit and vegetable  like giant asparagus, applies and tomatoes.

 

.............and check out those jumbo bullets on the counter!