Yappari Steak Regent Place, Sydney

Located in the heart of the CBD in the Regent Place Shopping Centre on the main roadside, Yappari Steak brings a lively, modern Japanese-steakhouse vibe.  The bright orange signage so stands out among the more muted city dining options.  Always see this restaurant with a long queue, but that day we came early and was a few empty seats available.  No doubt!!!  We need to give it a try.

Inside, it's a casual and clean with wooden-tones, booths along the walls, an open kitchen where you can glimpse the hot-stone cooking in action.  The concept was imported from Okinawa, Japan and they emphasise on 'thick yet tender' good quality meat served on hot stone plate to retain flavour.  What makes Yappari a bit different is the lava-stone cooking method.  Your steak arrives sizzling on a very hot stone and you finish cooking it at your table to your preferred doneness.  

One of the things that elevates Yappari Steak from 'just another steak joint' is the condiment and sauce station.  Diners can select their own flavours pairings.  My suggestion is trying the steak with just salt and pepper first to indulge the beef's natural flavour, then if you like move to a sauce combo of your preference like raw garlic, onion steak sauce and a hint of wasabi.

If you want a fun, reasonably priced steak experience in the CBD, especially for lunch or casual dinner.  The lava-stone concept adds flair, the location is handy and the food is solid.  It hits a sweet 'value-steak' zone in Sydney that is why the place is busy most of the time.

Yappari Steak Regent Place

Regent Place Shopping Centre

101 Bathurst Street, Sydney

Ph: 0450 593 100

Open: Daily 11am -10pm

Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed in Mooney Mooney and Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary

Lovely day, lovely breeze, perfect excuse to ditch the couch and have some awesome outdoor adventurous.  One weekend when weather forecast said it would be a fantastic day to engage in outdoor activities and soak up the natural beauty around us, we used this chance to do a short-day trip to Mooney Mooney and nearby. 

A brief stop at Beecroft to fuel our tummy with some delicious coffee early in the morning.  To be honest, we've never been to Beecroft before and we randomly entered a coffee shop right at the entrance of Beecroft Place Shopping mall (sorry, can't remember the name was). As this is not our main purpose visiting this suburb, so we didn't wander around too long.  But I noticed that there are many interesting shops and restaurants in this suburb and I'll definitely make our way here again soon.  

Taro latte and lemon tart

Our second stop for the day was this oyster farm along Hawkesbury River.  There are a few oyster farms in the area but we landed in this Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed.  We picked this place purely from Google review.  Once we tried their fresh oyster, we definitely agree with the reviewers.  

There is an open dining space area facing the water.  Their seafood is super super fresh.  Pricing wise is pretty reasonable.  We got ourselves half dozen each, Sydney Rocks $22 for half dozen and Pacific oysters $25 for half dozen.  They were too good until we need to get more of those oysters and we went for something fancy which was oyster cooked in truffle butter.  Although, truffle butter added flavour into the oyster.  I, to be honest still prefer my oyster when they are raw with bouncy texture and simply added a dash of lemon on top. 

 

Lucky, we came early, because right after we left, I saw more cars coming in and lots of them cannot find a car park.  

From fresh superlicious oyster, we then moved on to a small zoo in Central Coast region, named Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary.  This place is quite tiny compared to other zoos, however, my kids had their best time here.  They can get very close to some animals like kangaroos, wallabies, and even pat a koala and rabbits because in here they let those animals freely roaming around in the open area.

Adult price is $38 and $22 for a kid, I suggest you purchase ticket online as the price is cheaper through online. 

Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed

6 Kowan Street, Mooney Mooney

Ph: 0423 285 867

Open: Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm

Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary

1 Darkinjung Road, Calga

Ph: 02 4375 1100

Open: Everyday from 9:30am - 5pm 

The House Lounge by Aspire, Sydney International Airport

We headed back to Bangkok over Christmas and New Years holiday. Taking a break from a fixed job to spend some quality time with family and friends as well as making a short 5 days 4 nights trip to Shanghai and Suzhou during New Years.

Ok, first off, we chilled in the House Airport Lounge for a couple of hours before departing. Based on travelers’ review, this lounge has pretty good feedbacks and it is near our gate as well. It is located before gate 50.  Our flight was in the morning, so during that early hour, the lounge was pretty much still empty. 

If you are a serious traveller, you surely need this priority pass membership. You can have access to airport lounges in more that 140 countries around the world.  Either to savour the delicious food or to relax in comfort before flying or to freshen yourself in a hot shower while waiting for your next flight or all together at the same time.  It is totally your choice.  Their membership benefits are well worth the money spent. 

Some booze to start our wonderful holiday

There were a few types of pastries, light breakfast menu like scrambled eggs, yogurt but not so much hot food. Tea, coffee and cocktails are part of the deal too.

If you come with kids, then this place is definitely suit you as they have this tiny room dedicated for kids play room.

We flew with Thai airways that day. Plane was full, so a little too noisy.  But as usual, their food was great and friendly service too.

The House Lounge by Aspire, Sydney 

Sydney International Airport Pier C

International Terminal 1 Departures

Before gate 50

Priority Pass

Access to Airport Lounges

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bangkok:

Premium Boat Noodles at Thong Smith

La Renaissance Patisserie & Cafe, The Rocks

This classic pastry cafe is one of the best cafes in town selling Parisian patisseries.  They have been in this business for over twenty years.  I absolutely love their cakes and sweets selection.  They also have savoury items available in the shop as well.  This place makes a great breakfast and morning tea outing especially on those clear blue-sky days.  There is a not-so secret courtyard located at their back door.  With more space and tables under the warm sunshine.

 

If you come from Wynyard/Circular Quay station, walk along George Street toward The Rocks.  When you see this Belgian Chocolate Cafe in the corner, turn left and La Renaissance just behind them.  It has LaR sign on the top left of the building or otherwise it is very easy to spot, the one with lots of customers.  

Mocha $4.50

Earl Grey tea $4/pot

Rare roast beef sandwich $12.50

Mushroom quiche $8

Coffee eclair $8.80

La Renaissance Patisserie & Cafe

47 Argyle Street, The Rocks

Open: Daily from 8am - 4:30pm (except weekend until 5pm)