Taj Indian Sweet and Restaurant, Harris Park

Harris Park is one of the suburbs that has a special place in my heart.  Whenever I crave for Indian food, I will go to this Sydney's Little India.  They have tons of Indian restaurants and shops in this small suburb.  You can expect authenticity, good vibe and affordable food.  This time let me introduce you to an Indian sweet specialist "Taj Indian Sweet and Restaurant".  A wide variety of Indian desserts all in one place.  They serve up some savoury dishes too. 

Gulab jamun and kala jamun

Milk barfi

Garlic cheese naan

Masala tea

We only had a few sweets and garlic cheese naan with masala tea.  Their gulab jamun was amazing as well as their hot naan.  We will definitely come back here again to try other savoury dishes.

Taj Indian Sweet and Restaurant

91 Wigram Street, Harris Park

Ph: 02 9633 2118

Open everyday from 10am - 10pm

Cafe Sydney

There is a place called Cafe Sydney where you can experience panoramic views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge while having a fine dining meal.  Of course, it will come with the price though.  When you wanna ball out on the luxury and take in the finest view in town but still be penny pincher, I suggest you skip the main course and treat yourself to their dessert course alone instead.  Some your bucks yet enjoying the same perks.  Don't miss out on their exceptional cocktails and exclusive wine selections.

Salted caramel martini $25

Sherry $11

Lemon meringue cheesecake

Salted caramel hazelnut, dulce de leche slice, churros, and chocolate ice cream $22

Cafe Sydney

5th floor Customs House 

31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay

Ph: 02 9251 8683

Enjoy Mie, Sydney

I did a happy dance when I first found out that my all-time favourite sweet, martabak manis or terang bulan was coming to the city.  It will be easier for me as normally I have to make all the way to Roseberry to get them.  Also, the branch that was coming is a long establishment in Indonesia and famous for their innovativeness and uniqueness that differ them from other martabak shops.  They collaborate with Enjoy Mie restaurant on Sussex Street and opened its door back in December 2023.  So, it is a double jackpot.  Delicious Indonesian food and yum-yum sweets all under one roof.  I have been becoming their regular customer since.

Nasi Padang $18.50

For me, their nasi padang is one of the best in Sydney.  It is a customised dish, where you can choose meat, vegetable and chili to go with a bowl of steamed rice.  Portion wise is so generous.  I opted for beef rendang at that time and they loaded me up with a saucy punch.  Rice got an extra helping of that tasty sauce too - drowning in deliciousness!!

 

Nasi ayam kremes

Nasi ayam bakar

Nasi goreng

Bakmi komplit (with chicken, wonton and beef ball)

Mie babi matah

Sate babi

Martabak telur

Martabak manis or terang bulan with chocolate, peanut, sesame and cheese topping

The classic one is apparently the best one.  This thick fluffy Indonesian pancake filled with some chocolate sprinkles, crushed peanuts, sesame and grate cheddar cheese.  You may need to run a marathon if you finish a whole box of this on your own but the moment this heavenly delight graces your mouth, you will no longer be concerned about the cholesterol levels. 

Don't forget to wash your food down with Indonesian beloved drink - Teh botol/jasmine tea

We thoroughly enjoyed all of their dishes.  The prices are fair and taste is satisfying. 

Enjoy Mie, Sydney

375 Sussex Street, Sydney.

Ph: 02 9261 8441 

Open: Every day from 11am - 9pm (except Friday and Saturday they open until 10pm)

Celcius Coffee Co, Kirribilli

As the weather warms up, outdoor cafes beckon.  I found this adorable little cafe called Celsius Coffee and Dining in Kirribilli.  This cafe is frequently featured on Instagram. It is literally floating on the Kirribilli Wharf with clear glass window from ceiling to ground, I understand why this cafe slays on IG.  Not only an astounding view, but this cafe also serves delicious coffee and food.  Definitely worth a visit!!

Celcius Cafe can easily be reached by ferry from Circular Quay or the closest train station is Milson Point and another 15 minutes' walk on foot toward the Kirribilli Wharf.  Otherwise, there are buses nearby as well.  

It was a lunch hour rush when we arrived, so tables inside were all occupied.  We got the last table outside.  That is why I couldn't capture Instagrammable pictures but still enjoyed their delicious food though. 

 

Love green juice and iced coffee $7.50 each

Iced chocolate $7.50

Poached eggs on toasted sourdough with ketchup and butter $15

Bacon & egg roll $19

Truffle butter mushroom $13

Their mushroom cooked just right, still bouncy and juicy.  It has truffle paste levels that are on point.  It's profound without being too in-your-face, leaving me wanting more.   

Spanner crab spaghetti $32

Harissa chili eggs $25

Where the loo meets the view

Kirribilli Wharf

Celcius Coffee Co

Shop 1 Kirribilli Wharf, Kirribilli

Opens: Mon - Fri 7:30am - 2:30pm

            Weekend 8am - 3pm

Spoonful Thai Restaurant, Epping

Recently, we uncovered a Hidden Gem of a Thai restaurant in a suburb. The place is called Spoonful on the north shore of Sydney, Epping.  Although, I won't say that they serve authentic Thai food here, because they adjusted their taste to mild levels and their menus are pretty modern.  Despite the fact that the restaurant was slammed on Friday evening, Thai people were rarely seen dining there.  As someone familiar with the authentic taste of Thai cuisine after eight years I had been living there, the food here not Thai traditional kinda dishes but I can confidently say that this restaurant does a great job in producing modern Thai food and capturing its essence.  The foods here are well presented too.  

 

Fish cake $10.90 for 4 pieces

Chili basil soft shell crab $29.90

Beef salad $22.90

Cinnamon duck $26.90

Massamun lamb shank $27.90

Overall, their foods were all spot on.  The lamb meat was so tender to the bite and not so gamey.  The salad was fresh.  That deep-fried soft-shell crabs were crisp and well-seasoned.  In terms of flavour, they were delectable.  

Their dessert menus were creative as well.  We had their deep-fried ice cream and mango gelato.  Let me tell you!!  That mango gelato was absolutely a crowd-pleaser.  Gelato was encased inside a mango shaped white chocolate then drizzled with more mango sauce and whipped cream served on the side.  It is gone in a flash!!

Then, we ended this lovely evening with some fancy cocktails.  I ordered a milo martini for myself, and it was amazing.  If only I knew the recipe, I'll be making this and indulge in this deliciousness every night.

Mango delight gelato wrapped in white chocolate shell $10.90

Deep fried ice cream comes with chocolate/caramel sauce $15.90

Cocktails - pina colada and milo martini $16.90 each

Spoonful Thai

1B, 6 Chambers court, Epping 

Ground floor of The Langston tower Epping

Ph: 02 9128 9898

Lunch: Monday - Sunday 11am - 3pm

Dinner: Monday - Saturday 5pm - 10pm (Sunday until 9pm)