Dinner

Best of LA

Posted on by leolawrence94

Welcome to the city of angels! After a great few days in Montreal, Ole Sib and I ventured out to the land of glitz and glam to begin our epic road trip around those old United States, starting with Los Angeles or, more specifically, Marina del Rey. Located just a tad south of Venice Beach, Marina del Rey is an affluent coastal neighbourhood with bars and restaurants a-plenty. We spent a few days perusing the area and strolling up the boardwalk to Venice before switching up locations to stay in West Hollywood and dive into the quintessential LA experience. A melting pot of cultures and people, LA is not for the faint of heart but, when done right, it can offer a taste of what wonderful California is all about. Behold our tasting sessions!

Whisky Red’s: Marina del Rey

If you’re staying in Marina del Rey, the chances are you’re going to want to actually see the marina and there is no better way than by sipping a cocktail in the waterfront restaurant, Whiskey Red’s. It has a beautiful little garden leading up to the entrance and a very chalet chic vibe inside, however you’re wasting your time if you don’t head to the outside terrace to dine. The terrace is spacious and offers a fantastic view of the water, not to mention cosy stone fire pits and fairy lights that are perfect for enjoying California evenings al fresco, as intended. As one might expect given its location, Whiskey Red’s specialises in great seafood and, yep, you guessed it: whiskey. While the menu is slightly on the pricey side, the food is presented beautifully and the ambience is excellent. Besides, Marina del Rey isn’t exactly the place to dine if you’re looking to tighten the purse strings, so you may as well go for the restaurant with the best fire pit instagram photo potential and enjoy a whiskey cocktail while you’re at it.

https://www.whiskeyreds.com

Pump: West Hollywood

If you’re familiar with the ladies of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (and why wouldn’t you be?) then the restaurants Pump and Sur will surely be on your list in LA. Owned by the infamous sharp-tongued Brit, Lisa van der Pump, these two restaurants are the epitome of glitz and glamour and even have their own reality shows documenting the enthralling drama of the lives of their staff. Ole Sib and I had the pleasure of dining at Sur last time we were in LA and so decided to head to Pump for comparison because we had heard that there was a beautiful courtyard dining area. We were right and it was very picturesque, however we were not important enough to be seated there. On we went to our table in the corner where we had a good, if a little underwhelming dining experience. The food was tasty but nothing to write home about considering the price (yet here I am, writing away). The reason Pump appears on this list (or Sur for that matter; the conclusion we came to is that they are essentially interchangeable unless you’re significant enough to be seated at the best table in the house) is that it is an observational experience unlike any other. Given its location in vibrant West Hollywood and its fame, the clientele is diverse and highly entertaining to watch. From gals out on the town dressed to the nines snapping photos with the waiters to actual celebrities (gasp, in Hollywood?!) the people watching element makes this restaurant a place that really should be experienced if only to get a taste of the strange and alluring idealised world of Hollywood.

http://pumprestaurant.com

Fat Sal’s: Hollywood

Fat Sal’s is a must for anyone seeking creative, borderline crazy, Insta-worthy sandwiches. Known for its giant sandwiches that essentially have an entire meal stuffed inside of them, this is an LA institution that is popular with locals and tourists alike and, when mozzarella sticks are featured inside many of the unique subs, it’s easy to see why it has been so successful. If you’re up for a challenge, try the Big Fat Fatty sandwich, which is stuffed to the brim with cheesesteak, cheeseburgers, pastrami, chicken fingers, bacon, mozzarella sticks, fried eggs, fries (because why would you want these outside your sandwich when inside is an option?), onion rings, chilli, marinara and the signature fat sauce. However, if a gastric bypass isn’t on your wish list then there are plenty of other mouth-watering options at Fat Sal’s to satiate all of your food cravings at once.

https://fatsalsdeli.com

Gracias Madre: WeHo

Call me crazy, but after going vegan for one meal at Lola Rosa in Montreal I was willing to head down the plant-based route once more at Gracias Madre in West Hollywood, a restaurant that has garnered attention from the stars since its inception and for good reason. While Ole Sib and I were not high profile enough to secure a seat on the dreamy looking patio (literally, only in my dreams would I be allowed to mingle with the important people out on this magical patio), we enjoyed a delicious culinary experience in this light and airy Mexican restaurant. If you have any reservations with regards to the vegan situation, enjoy a few margaritas while you peruse the options because they really are a treat and then dive into the experience. The nachos are excellent and it turns out cashew cheese (yes, I was sceptical also) is actually a surprisingly tasty substitution for arguably the largest food group in my diet. The menu changes with what is available seasonally and is appealing simply for the fact that it does not just replace traditional Mexican meat dishes with veggie options, but offers interesting creations that revolve around the plant-based ingredients. Besides being another hotspot for celebrity watching, Gracias Madre is a great destination in WeHo and, while you will inevitably still roll out of there, you will feel healthy and virtuous and entertain the idea of going vegan for real for at least 10 seconds until you vacate the premises.

http://graciasmadreweho.com

The Nice Guy: WeHo

The Nice Guy is the worst kept celebrity secret in West Hollywood mainly for the fact that you are almost guaranteed a celebrity sighting here. I know, I know, I have raved about Pump and Gracias Madre as pop culture hotspots but The Nice Guy is FOR REAL. Ole Sib and I decided to check out this destination shrouded in mystery (photography is not allowed inside the restaurant owing to aforementioned famous folk) after seeing photos on Instagram of the likes of Kanye West and Justin Bieber strolling through The Nice Guy’s doors. We had no idea what happened inside that fancy entrance but we needed to find out for ourselves. We were ushered through a velvet curtain by the hostess and entered into a very dimly lit restaurant reminiscent of an old prohibition bar. It’s not a particularly big restaurant but it is laid out in a way that separates a lounge area from a bar area and the dining area. The menu is surprisingly extensive for such an exclusive spot and the craft cocktails are delectable. The food here is certainly of a high standard but the real charm to The Nice Guy is that it effortlessly exudes cool, and not in as much of a pretentious way as one might expect. Perhaps it’s the no photography rule or the fact that there are all sorts of nooks and crannies in which to hide one’s identity, but it seems finally there is a place to observe the rich and famous in their natural habitat while masquerading as one of them and enjoying a unique social experience.

http://www.theniceguyla.com

Grand Central Market: DTLA

A downtown LA landmark, Grand Central Market is a great place to experience the multicultural flavours that this melting pot city has to offer. With over 38 different vendors ranging from Thai street food to oyster bars and juiceries, it is possible to spend an entire day here and barely scratch the surface (don’t worry, there’s a bar at which to take refuge in between meals). Furthermore, during the summer, Grand Central Market runs a Summer Nights entertainment program with outdoor movies, happy hours and trivia nights and stays open later for the occasion so there’s plenty of time to get your fill. Set up in a giant warehouse downtown, this is a great way to immerse yourself in the LA experience without having to go for a hike or pretend to enjoy kale and is definitely a must visit as a historical landmark and a culinary adventure (not to mention a great idea if committing to one restaurant is too challenging).

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As always, comment below if you’ve enjoyed any of these experiences and prepare yourself for the next stop: the fabulous Las Vegas.

Butter

Posted on by leolawrence94

Butter, Sydney, Australia (our farewell to Sydney!)

Warning: this post contains images that may cause drooling.

Brace yourselves, boys and girls, for I am about to recount to you the tale of the most wonderful restaurant concept upon which I have ever stumbled. The place: Butter. The time: fried chicken time. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you’ll be aware that fried chicken is probably my most raved about food because I believe it is terribly underrated (see post: Bridge St. Garage), but for all those newbies out there let the record state that I love fried chicken with all my heart. Interestingly enough, I also love champagne. Perhaps even greater than my love for champagne is my love for sneakers. Enter: Butter, a hybrid sneaker, fried chicken and champagne bar located in trendy Surry Hills.

On arrival, two things stand out at this establishment (things that one has a fair amount of time to ponder while inevitably waiting for a table at this popular joint). The first is the giant glass wall showcasing the best of the best sneakers around, adorned lazily with champagne bottles. I’m talking Jordans galore. The second is the sweet sweet sound of hip-hop music. These snazzy kicks combined with hoppin’ beats and champagne bottles make for an atmosphere reminiscent of what I should imagine an after party hosted by Drake might look like. One can only hope that I discover whether my suspicions are correct in this regard. Once you’ve wrestled your way to a table (try and hold out for the bar at the window for ultimate people watching between the sneakers), the menu will grab you. You have a choice of different amounts of fried chicken (3 pac or size 13s – genius) or a number of other options such as the cheezus sandwich, which has my personal recommendation.

As if the names of the items on the menu weren’t witty and amusing enough for hip hop fans, the heat rating of the sauces you can choose is also original and fantastic. It starts out with naked, then OG (original gangster, if you didn’t know), fire and finally hot AF. I’ll leave you to google the last one if you aren’t a millennial or present on social media but, for the avoidance of doubt, this one is really really hot so tread carefully. I went for the cheezus sandwich with a side of shoelace fries. The sandwiches come with their own sauce so there is no need to choose how hot you’d like it, which is helpful since I don’t trust myself to make the right decision in this situation. The cheezus comes with a delightful honey mustard sauce and coleslaw. I appreciate the tradition of coleslaw with southern cooked meats but will always think of it as a pointless garnish, so I will leave you to decide how the coleslaw rates. Sorry, coleslaw.

Having been fortunate to try more than my fair share of fried chicken and even more fortunate to sample this delicacy in the Deep South aka the home of fricken, I came in with high expectations since this is perhaps the only food I feel almost qualified to be snobbish about. I can happily say that Butter met those expectations with flying chickens, which were juicy and tender while the batter was crispy with minimal grease. A solid show all round it appears, as Ole Sib seemed very taken with her OG 3 pac also.

To conclude, Butter is an excellent establishment to enjoy some good quality fried chicken and feel classy while enjoying the large selection of champagne. Plus, you can rest assured that all your friends will think you’re super cool and you can leave the establishment safe in the knowledge that now you will be the OG of your friendship group since you clearly have impeccable taste in restaurant and sneaker.

http://www.buttersydney.com.au

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The Best of Orlando

Posted on by leolawrence94

Dearly beloved readers, today I thought I’d try something a little different and make a post with an amalgamation of several hot culinary destinations to visit instead of one review. The place under scrutiny is Orlando, Florida and the locations are spread out around the city so essentially I’ve given you a guided foodie tour of the City Beautiful (but also check out the singular post on The Briarpatch!). You’re welcome. Here goes!

Seasons 52: Altamonte

A little on the upmarket side of things, Seasons 52 is a fantastic place for celebrations with chic décor and great service. As one could guess from the name, it always has an imaginative seasonal menu with a plethora of tempting choices. The flatbreads make for an excellent sharing starter and this is most definitely a place for making room for dessert, as they bring over a platter of choices ranging from a mini key lime pie to a s’mores pudding. Now perhaps you understand why I suggested that this was a good place for group celebrations because GOOD LUCK being able to choose just one dessert from these options. I believe there is also a great wine selection, however I wouldn’t know since, in an unprecedented turn of events, Papa L wouldn’t let us try his selection because evidently our taste buds aren’t valuable enough. Shocking behaviour.

http://www.seasons52.com/home

Boca: Winter Park

Boca has a delightful al fresco dining area on Park Avenue, making it a hotspot for lunching and people watching in the Floridian sunshine (perhaps head inside in the summer months unless intense sweating is your thing) of an afternoon. A solid lunch menu included various gourmet sandwiches, interesting salads and, as fate would have it, on National Grilled Cheese Day, grilled cheese was featured also. This was no ordinary grilled cheese however, as it included Gruyere and blue cheese with caramelised onions and artichoke. The fanciest humble grilled cheese around. If the weather isn’t playing the game, the restaurant is very accommodating inside with a large private dining area reminiscent of a restaurant in the Hamptons attached to the main area. Be sure to check out the lettuce leaves growing on the walls – they use these in the salads!

http://www.bocawinterpark.net

World of Beer: Lake Eola

While there are several WoB locations in Orlando, the most scenic is arguably the Lake Eola location, which has a wonderful outside deck looking over the city’s most iconic lake. It is the craft beer lover’s oasis, with hundreds of varieties from which to choose. Handy hint: be sure to download the app to check out all the options and select your favourites before they inevitably inhibit you from making any sound decisions after sampling (for the sake of research, of course). For those less hop-enthused, rest assured there are plenty of other options to ensure you keep pace with those merry beer folk. For when the hunger sets in, there is an extensive menu with some great sharing options (suspicious, I know) such as chicken wings, shrimp and a giant pretzel with a plethora of dip choices fit for kings. All in all, WoB makes for a great place to gather the troops for an evening of shenanigans.

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https://worldofbeer.com

Park Station: Winter Park

Having raved about the joys of Park Avenue in the morning light for a brunch experience, it appears that it must be stated that it is also rather lovely at sunset if an evening meal is on the cards. Park Station is a restaurant dealing primarily in American fare and, like most of the other establishments on this street, has outdoor seating. Albeit slightly less extensive than the other restaurants featured in this wonder-post, the menu at Park Station is certainly interesting and diverse. The flatbread was a delectable starter (flatbreads will always be noted on this blog because I have a great appreciation for the fact that they are essentially pizzas that masquerade as starters) and the main course of fish in a caper sauce and seasonal vegetables went down swimmingly (hehe, geddit?). Good food, good happy hour and good vibes, but be sure to sit outside to get the full effect of that wine in the sunset.

http://www.parkstation212.com

So concludes this list of Orlando hotspots, tailored to (nearly) every possible experience one could wish to enjoy in this city. Just kidding; there is plenty more to discover but I’ll be darned if this isn’t a swell place to start.

Ze Pickle

Posted on by leolawrence94

Ze Pickle, Sydney, Australia

Surry Hills, a bustling suburb of inner Sydney, is a veritable mecca for the foodie in search of quirky cafes and funky restaurants. Falling into the latter category is Ze Pickle, a craft beer and burger joint with an original menu and a too-cool-for-school vibe located in the heart of the suburb. Like many restaurants in Surry Hills, Ze Pickle is decked out like a converted warehouse with exposed brick walls and industrial light features. However, this establishment differs in its sense of character. Neon Pac Man fixtures adorn the walls, but not in a garish way, while one whole wall is covered in burlap sacks printed with marijuana advertisements. If you look up at the ceiling next to this wall, you’ll find a pair of black sneakers hanging by their laces, a signal that, in the real world, means this is a place where one can purchase illegal substances. To Ole Sib and me, our recognition of this just meant that perhaps we were almost cool enough to be in seen in this restaurant (doubtful).

With items on the menu such as the ‘Doughnutfukwitdis,’ (this place is clearly not for the fainthearted parents out there) which features Nutella smoked bacon and a glazed doughnut in place of a bun, ordering was no easy feat. We both settled on the 3AM burger, a wagyu beef burger with maple-glazed bacon, guacamole, ZP house sauce and ‘Kanye’s cheeze sticks’ – a South Park pop culture reference about which Ole Sib enlightened me. I was just enjoying the fact that they spelled cheese with a z and chicken wings as ‘chicken waaangs.’ What a place. Before we tucked in to our burgers, we started with Ze Chips, a visually stunning and gastronomically outstanding plate of fries drenched lovingly in an IPA beer cheeze sauce, ZP sauce and maple bacon. I have no more words to describe this so please refer to the photo below and attempt to contain your drool.

Next up to bat was the star hitter, the 3AM burger. This was possibly the most unique burger I’ve ever had the pleasure of sampling. The maple-smoked bacon had a delicious sweetness that was unusual in a burger but welcome nonetheless, however the feature to write home (or a blog) about was without a question the cheeze sticks. The molten cheese was a glorious shade of orange and flowed out freely from the crispy golden packages nestled within the burger. I wasn’t aware that cheese sticks were a necessary component of a magnificent burger before this experience and yet now I feel that no burger would be complete without them. What a conundrum. The only tiny opportunity for improvement in this outstanding creation would be the addition of more guacamole but with the extortionate price of the avocado only rising (to keep up to date with this pressing issue, Google ‘First World Problems’), I won’t hold Ze Pickle accountable.

One would think that after the aforementioned gluttonous feast had been demolished we would be sent rolling home to vegetate in a preferably horizontal position but, alas, no. We had more land to conquer and it took the form of deep fried Oreos in doughnut batter with toffee caramel ice cream and liquid Nutella. I have previously not been the most eager of food lovers to jump on the deep fried dessert bandwagon but thought it my duty as the creator of this educational blog to quell my nay-saying brain and dive into the deep end (a risky play, given my unequivocal love for Oreos) with this unchartered territory. I was overwhelmed with joy upon realising that this bold dessert only enhanced my passion for Oreos and swiftly pushed the decorative glacé cherries (empty calories, amirite?) away to allow for a more efficient attack. A show-stealing finale in a show full of show-stealers.

We finally called it a day and trundled home in a warm, carb-induced stupor, knowing that we had battled triumphantly against our restrictive stomach walls in the name of culinary research and lived to tell the tale. In long overdue conclusion, if you ever had any doubts about deep fried cookies, let me assuage your fears as someone who has made it through the tunnel and safely out the other side with a fresh perspective on battered sweet goods and possibly 5-10 more pounds of body weight.

http://www.zepickle.com

Bridge St. Garage (aka the best fried chicken in town…)

Posted on by leolawrence94

Bridge St. Garage, Sydney, Australia

If you’re searching for the best fried chicken in Sydney, look no further than Bridge St. Garage in the city’s CBD. It prides itself on serving ‘good ol’ fashioned comfort food’ with a Latin American twist on American diner classics, such as burgers, tacos and, most importantly, fried chicken. The Garage was one of the first restaurants Ole Sib and I visited upon arrival in Sydney and, ever since, we have been attempting to return to satiate our fried food cravings. However, our quest proved tricky in a city that seems to have an aversion to its restaurants remaining open past blue-plate special times on weekends… Points against you there, Sydney. We were finally successful after two failed attempts (third time’s a charm, I hear) and endless stalking of the restaurant’s tantalising instagram feed.

With no time to waste after having waited months to return to this establishment, we put our orders in with barely a glance at the menu: the fried chicken bucket and a side of fries for me and a pulled pork guacamole burger for Ole Sib. Now let me assure you, readers, that I am no stranger to fried chicken. While burgers and pizza feature heavily in my diet, fried chicken is my ultimate junk food choice, which is a heavy burden to bear given its elusiveness on restaurant menus. Why the noble fried chicken bucket must be reduced to a drunken late night snack or fast food bronze medallist behind those arrogant burgers and pizzas will forever be beyond my comprehension.

Enter the Bridge St. Garage fried chicken bucket, a wonderful assortment of Southern-style wings and drumsticks fried to the purest shade of gold with a perfect crunch to juice ratio (whatever your perfect ratio is, this bucket has it, I promise). They come with three sauces: a blue cheese sauce; a BBQ sauce and a trusty chipotle mayo, all of which can be enjoyed sufficiently given that you get a lot of bang for your buck (bang for your cluck, bang for your bucket… Insert preferred pun) with this choice. While the bucket itself is more than enough to satisfy a hungry stomach, the side of beer battered fries deserve an honourable mention as some of the best fries I have ever had. It turns out most things taste better when beer is involved.

While I raved on about my fried chicken, it appeared Ole Sib was enjoying her pulled pork guacamole burger as the sauce dripped down her arm (when it comes to burgers, the sloppier the better, people). The ordering method for burgers at Bridge St. Garage is worth mentioning here since you order a burger base and then add your choice of protein, which makes for an easily customised experience. Fries are also included with the burger, as God intended.

Despite having eyes only for our food, we both also commented on the décor of the restaurant, which incorporated fashionable retro features combined with an industrial chic vibe. Think subway tiles, exposed cement and neon lighting a-plenty. Couple this with a young man singing old Johnny Cash songs and you have yourself a master class in Americana. I would definitely recommend this as a top destination in the city and look forward to attempting to quash my love for fried chicken in order to try the rest of the good lookin’ eats on the menu. That is, if someone were to let Sydney’s restaurant owners know that occasionally people get hungry after 9pm on a Saturday…

http://bridgestgarage.com.au

The Argyle

Posted on by leolawrence94

The Argyle, Sydney, Australia

If you’re looking for nightlife hotspots and funky restaurants that will spice up your Instagram feed, look no further than The Rocks, Sydney. This area is popular for the aforementioned features but the main draw is its proximity to the famous Sydney Harbour (which – fun fact – is actually called Port Jackson) where you can take as many Harbour Bridge and Opera House selfies as your little heart desires. Unsurprising, then, that there are so many places to wine and dine in this tourist trap. Once you’ve finished trying to avoid photobombing seagulls at the harbour, The Rocks is the place to be.

The Argyle, located at The Rocks, is definitely one of our favourite stomping grounds thus far and this is mainly because you can do literally everything there. It’s the ideal location to choose for a relaxed beverage on a Sunday afternoon, an all day drinking fest, a nightclub, a restaurant, an outdoor movie theatre etc. etc. etc. The list goes on. It’s a pretty sizeable venue with two floors, the second of which turns into a dance floor for the more hoppin’ evenings of the week, as well as a vast outside terrace with its own bar. The best way I can describe the décor of the inside area is as a retro Hawaiian lounge. The lighting is very moody and there are palm trees and lounge chairs in smaller groups as well as high tables and stools if you’re going down the food route.

Be prepared to question everything you thought you wanted to eat upon arrival when you take a look at the menu. Ole Sib and I went in there contemplating some classic burgers and somehow ended up with a mozzarella and bruschetta bar, cheesesteak egg rolls and fried mac n cheese balls in front of us wondering how we had come this far and questioning all of our life choices up to this one moment of pure happiness. Who needs burgers when you can experience these crazy culinary creations? (I’m sorry, that was rash. I will always need burgers. Please forgive me, burger gods.) Rest assured, however, that there are so many options ranging from wood fired pizzas to burgers to barbecue ribs to salads (no thanks) that there really is something for everyone and for every occasion.

We began our feast with the mozzarella and bruschetta bar. It was presented on a cool wooden platter with sections for each food item. The sections were filled with mozzarella, caponata tapenade, pesto and a crushed tomato sauce. In a create-your-own kind of situation, these flavours came together beautifully on the crusty (another word that is only acceptable when referring to food. See Muriel’s Kitchen post: moist.) Sourdough bread. Bread and sauce and cheese are three of the major food groups of my life and all three were satisfactorily featured in this meal. The journey continued with the cheesesteak egg rolls. I am a big Philly cheesesteak fan but, of course, am used to the more conventional sub roll as the foundation for this iconic sandwich. The egg roll aspect was surprisingly wonderful in the sense that it added a welcome crisp to a usually sloppy experience. A drizzle of sriracha ketchup made for a solid Asian-American fusion flavour.

Ok, everyone. Let’s talk about those mac n cheese balls. Now, before this impromptu gastronomic adventure, I had indeed heard of such a thing as fried mac n cheese balls and could only dream that one day I would be so lucky as to be able to experience them. Thankfully, they lived up to my astronomically high hopes. They were little golden parcels of joy resting angelically on a light bed of blue cheese mayonnaise and on top of each little ball was a delicately placed piece of crispy bacon. Salivation had kicked into overdrive by the time the fork reached its destination on this one. My sincerest compliments to the imagination from whence this glorious idea sprung.

After demolishing the most wonderfully random combination of platters, Ole Sib and I were stunned into silence. What a journey. Whilst we reflected on the good times, a talented musical duo played some welcome acoustic 90s R&B tunes and all was right in the world for a little bit longer…

http://www.theargylerocks.com

Macchiato

Posted on by leolawrence94

Macchiato, Sydney, Australia

Apologies for the delay, beloved followers. We have made the journey now over to Australia. Hold on to your hats and let’s see if we eat any kangaroos… First up, Macchiato, Sydney.

You know when you visit the same restaurant twice in one day that you’re on to a winner. Or you have a self-control issue… Either way, Macchiato was that lucky restaurant one rainy day in Sydney. We got a feel for the rustic-chic pizzeria in the morning when we stopped by to meet some friends and enjoyed a chocolate milkshake and an elderflower lemonade. The milkshake was thick and the perfect amount of richness while the lemonade was effervescent and refreshing.

Hopped up on bubbles and chocolate, Ole Sib and I decided to go all out and visit Macchiato that evening to grab some grub in the form of their wood-fired pizzas. The restaurant is perfect for this kind of food as the décor is reminiscent of a spacious Brooklyn loft with brick walls and industrial light fixtures. We definitely didn’t feel hip enough to be there and proceeded to show up in our finest active wear to exude coolness and nonchalance that was only slightly ruined by the torrential downpour that perhaps dampened said coolness but certainly not our spirits.

We ordered a couple glasses of white wine and settled in at a long bar with high stools. Very chic. Unsurprisingly, I elected to have the Carne pizza to get the most bang for my buck without getting an actual buck on my pizza (only pigs and cows allowed here, please) and Ole Sib chose the New York Slice, an ode to the pizza capital of the world (calm down, Chicagoans). Whilst the glorious doughy masterpieces around us were being delivered on these nifty tiny metal stools to the table, our pizzas showed up in a slightly less glamorous fashion on, god forbid, plates. Clearly our drenched getup didn’t warrant the fancy tableware.

Not to be deterred, we tucked in to two excellent pizzas. Wood firing is always a wonderful way to cook these cheesy delights and Macchiato most definitely pulled through with a solid version of the timeless classic. Ole Sib’s New York Slice had great meatballs that were more the size of meteors and the meats in general on both pizzas were flavoursome and abundant. The addition of mascarpone on my Carne base was a tasty touch, too. The joy of a wood fired pizza is also that those pesky crusts are something to look forward to instead of passing off to your younger sibling and/or pet…

After a remarkably filling main course, I thought it only appropriate to order cheesecake for dessert. Every day is cheat day, folks. I was tempted mainly because it was a blueberry cheesecake, which is my favourite, and I rolled away from the table at the end of the night having regretted nothing. Wonderful pizza, delicious cheesecake and a fun atmosphere. We ambled out of the restaurant (it was pretty impossible to move our bodies any faster) hopeful and satisfied, believing in the good in the world and mankind… Before being pelted with another downpour.

http://www.macchiato.com.au

 

Nobu Dubai

Posted on by leolawrence94

Nobu, Atlantis, DXB

The Nobu experience is one that everyone should have at least once in his or her lifetime. Dubbed by Vogue as ‘the world’s hippest restaurant chain,’ it features on just about every US reality TV show (shout out to all you Real Housewives and KUWTK devotees) but has restaurants all over the world in the snazziest of places. Before holdthelettuce.net was even a speck on my windshield of life, I had the pleasure of visiting Nobu LA and the experience was really something worth writing home about. However, Ole Sib and I were on the budget where we liked to go to fancy places but couldn’t really afford to dine like the queens we masqueraded as, so sadly we didn’t exactly go all out. Nobu Dubai was a different story…

Atlantis, located on the magnificent manmade island, The Palm, is perhaps the most impressive hotel in the world. Its palatial arch dominates the island and is recognisable worldwide. Home to a mesmerising aquarium and an enormous (and remarkably clean) water park, Atlantis also boasts world-renowned restaurants, one of which is Nobu.

Entering the restaurant through the bar was similar to what I imagine walking a catwalk would be like simply because everyone in the vicinity was so good-looking and nonchalant. Some were smoking inside on lounge chairs (who knows what the rules are when you’re rich and fancy) and others were enjoying the DJ’s easy house vibes. We attempted to strut through and were led to a table in the centre of the restaurant with a view of the open kitchen where the chefs were preparing various types of sushi.

The best way to do Nobu, as with many other Asian cuisine restaurants, is to order an extensive selection of dishes from different parts of the menu and share with the rest of the party. While I usually heavily object to sharing food (I recognise food envy is possibly the worst emotion in the world but if you had the same options on that menu as I did and subsequently chose poorly then MORE FOOL YOU), this did work out well because in the end there is so much food that all the buttons are a-poppin’ and there is zilch you can do about it except embrace the blossoming food baby. We bravely ordered and prepared ourselves for the oncoming culinary challenge.

A range of sushi and sashimi accompanied by some mini wagyu beef tacos and tempura dishes was the first to make an appearance. As to be expected in this fashionable establishment, the food was presented beautifully and tasted so fresh I was mildly concerned that it may have swum to the table… While we ordered the mini tacos mainly for the novelty of enjoying such fine meat in an understated package, they turned out to be little shells of happiness. However, it must be said that the general consensus around the table was that the tuna sashimi took the champion title for the first round. The tempura prawns and vegetables were similarly enjoyable and satisfied the parentally enforced vegetable obligation in fine fried fashion, just the way I like it.

Despite the success of the first courses, nothing could prepare us for what came next. The main event. The prized fighter. The flambé wagyu beef. The waiter presented our precious wagyu to us on a hot stone slab and proceeded to set it alight in the centre of the table (disclaimer: fire is really hot) while we all ensured that we had photographic evidence for social media purposes because it is the 21st century and if a hunk of wagyu beef is set alight and no one sees it, was it really set alight? We took the beef off the slab quickly to ensure it remained rare and tucked in to what was unanimously dubbed the best steak we had ever eaten.

As we wound down from our frenzy of excitement in a haze of steak-fuelled satisfaction, we observed our fellow diners. Nobu’s appeal clearly resonates with the chic and fashionable but this reputation should not lead this chain of restaurants to be misconstrued as pretentious hangouts for the rich and famous. After enjoying two highly successful culinary experiences, the Nobu name in my opinion is not only synonymous with trendy dining, but also with delectable food and outstanding service. In conclusion, I have now been ruined for all other kinds of beef forevermore and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

http://www.noburestaurants.com

BBQ Al Qasr

Posted on by leolawrence94

BBQ Al Qasr, Emirates Palace, AD

If the Etihad Towers are the shining beacons of modernity dominating the Abu Dhabi skyline (see article ‘Ray’s Grill’), then the Emirates Palace is their palatial and more vertically challenged neighbour. However, don’t let this antithetic example fool you. The Emirates Palace is without a doubt the most opulent and ostentatious encapsulation of luxury into which I have ever stepped foot. Situated across the road from the Etihad Towers, this Kempinski collection hotel’s gardens are perfectly manicured. The interior is stunning and, most noticeably, gold. Everything is gold. There is even a gold machine. Having pressed all the buttons, I still have yet to find out how to make this intriguing machine actually produce the precious material I seek but I can only assume that those worthy of it will be able to master the technology. I’m sure I will be let in on the secret soon…

After meandering past the gold machine and – yep, you guessed it – gold bathrooms, we reached the beach area of the hotel where the restaurant BBQ Al Qasr is located. The restaurant is beautifully laid out with tables interspersed in raised cabanas that are accessible by traversing a maze of wooden decking laid out on the pristine sand. We perused the menu that had a handy flashlight attached to it to offer a solution to the evening’s darkness and were brought a selection of breads to enjoy with sundried tomato, olive paste and butter.

Unsurprisingly I ordered beef Carpaccio to start because this is a barbecue restaurant so obviously I wanted my meat to be served raw… I swiftly proceeded to remove the lettuce garnish and enjoyed the tender beef, presented elegantly on a large stone slab and polished wood support. My compliments to the waiters’ wrists for bearing these burdens for the sake of our culinary delectation. The slices of beef wrapped around baby radishes added an interesting and crunchy touch.

For the main course, I finally caught on to the barbecuing idea and ordered barbecued beef and chicken skewers. The presentation of this course was wonderful in that the mini barbecue was brought to our cabana and the barbecue beef and tandoori chicken was served in front of us. While obviously impressive, this was verging on old news after the tableside creations of Ray’s Grill (hyperlink) from the previous evening. (The struggle of eating at good restaurants is real…) The beef and chicken was served with grilled peppers and roasted garlic that inevitably ended up on the plate to my left under Papa L’s jurisdiction. A side of fries may have crept in also since I am a westernised fat person living in the guise of a formerly athletic young person.

For the sake of this food blog I felt it only responsible to indulge in a dessert in order to report on the full range of options presented at this beach side establishment. With this in mind I selected the molten chocolate cake, which was a delight to the senses. Underneath a more welcome chocolate mousse garnish, yet more cocoa-y goodness oozed out of the centre of the rich cake and mingled with edible golden (what a surprise) decorations. It was spectacular.

While enjoying a fragrant jasmine tea to cleanse us of our gluttonous sins, we observed a camera crew filming a large group of excitable young women greeting each other before sitting down to dine. It was interesting to witness since most of the socialising we had seen out and about in the city was quite reserved and quiet, but where better than a palace of gold to host the Real Housewives of Abu Dhabi?

http://bit.ly/1QuRNhK

Ray’s Grill

Posted on by leolawrence94

Ray’s Grill, Eithad Towers, AD – we’ve hopped over to the Middle East!

When visiting the Etihad Towers, be prepared for luxury. A set of three towers that dominates the Abu Dhabi skyline, this five-star hotel is the epitome of indulgence from the moment you step into the enormous lobby right up to the 63rd floor, on which the steakhouse and grill restaurant, Ray’s, is located.

After an ear-popping ride in the most opulent yet mildly psychedelic elevator I have ever experienced (it turns out floor to ceiling mother of pearl tiles are probably the cheapest legal high around), we arrived at the restaurant, which has incredible views over the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi’s magnificent palace.

The menus lived up to the carnivorous expectations of a good grill restaurant so I started with a charcuterie platter featuring spectacularly presented cured meats that tasted just as good as they looked. Ole Sib went for some smoked salmon that was brought to the table and thinly sliced before our very eyes while Papa L opted for a Caesar salad that was also created in front of us, allowing for it to be personalised to his taste. While we thought this was cool at the time, we were les certain a few hours later when the personalised amounts of garlic made themselves known!

For the main course the obvious choice for me was the steak. Why go to a grill restaurant without sampling some good quality meats? It was clear that Ray’s was serious about its steak when I was offered a choice of sharp knives presented in a beautiful wooden box to act as my steak-slayer. It cut smoothly through the New Zealand sirloin, which was truly excellent; perfectly rare with a delicious smoky taste. Barbecue sauce was my condiment of choice. However, for as long as I can remember, my test for a good steak has been whether it can stand on its own, sans sauce. This steak passed the test with flying colours and the barbecue sauce remained untouched.

Dessert brought with it the entertaining experience of watching Papa L try popping candy for the first time. We both had apple crumble with a salted caramel sorbet (how the tables have turned on my salted caramel views…) while Ole Sib sucked on some ice cream after a traumatic wisdom teeth debacle. The apple crumble had the perfect ratio of apple to crumble and the accompanying incognito popping candy was a treat for the taste buds and the ears. The final course was an explosive success.

While finishing off our third pitcher of the Etihad Sparkler (a delightful sparkling peach mocktail – dental surgery and alcohol sadly don’t mix well and solidarity is important in sisterhood), we took in the stunning view. While the restaurant was quiet since it was a weeknight, there were still parties arriving for their feast past 11:30pm. The capital of the UAE is still vibrant and bustling at night and it is clear that people enjoy their nightlife, but not in the drunken riotous way that is common in good old England.

With alcohol-clear eyes and full bellies, we descended back to earth and waited for the valet to pull up our sturdy Toyota while admiring and lusting after the swathes of Rolls Royces and Ferraris. But hey, who needs those gas-guzzling noise machines when you can live the life of a suburban soccer mom?

http://bit.ly/1tYURdS