We wanted to dine at Zimzala after reading very good review about this restaurant, and also it had won the Best Restaurant - Fine Dining 2010 awarded by Leader
So we booked a table for two 3 weeks ago on a Wednesday evening.
Just a quick review on this restaurant as I don't want to comment too much in detail. Overall, I think this restaurant is over-rated, and it is not really a fine dining restaurant as they serve breakfast during daytime! When we first arrived at the restaurant, we were greeted by the captain and another waitress. Both of them seemed very polite and professional at first. However, as the place got busier, it was difficult to get proper service anymore. In short, they were understaff, there were only 2 staff waiting on the patrons the whole night, and in the end I think they let a kitchen helper help serve the patrons. There were only one big group table plus probably 5 or 6 tables occupied by 4 patrons each. They could not cope with the crowd. Food is over-priced and doesn't taste very good. The cuisines are badly presented, my soft shell crab was served in a soup bowl???? We ordered a rocket salad and when it came, the portion was so big it could feed a whole army - not that we are complaining but we just couldn't finish it and this is really wasteful. Our table is located very closely to the big group table, that it was hard for the waitress to move around between us and them. The waitress bumped into my back twice - just to let you know how tight the space was. There was literally about 5 cm of space area between my chair and another patron's from the big group. I felt very awkward with the sitting arrangement.
Anyway, this is the first and the last time for us.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
MASA Japanese Restaurant, Sylvania
Dinner at MASA Japanese Restaurant on 17/11/2010.
We booked for a table for two at 6.30 pm. We arrived on time, and Mrs Shinji said we could have the table by the window (near the main door) or we could be seated at a table inside. We chose the one inside.
There were already three tables occupied, and phone was busy with calls for more bookings for that evening. They also had a new helper, a middle age Japanese woman. From the looks of it, she's new as Mrs Shinji would inconspiciously showed her what needs to be done, from giving us the menu to taking drink orders. Mrs Shinji is still the one taking the meal orders.
We ordered from the special menu of the day as well as from the standard menu. We had seared salmon sashimi with crusted black sesame and tuna sashimi. We also ordered deep fried calamari, soft shell crab, prawn tempura, salmon and tuna sushi, miso soup and some rice.
Kevin had a beer and we both had some green tea as well. As for dessert, we shared a Green tea ice cream.
We felt really special when Chef Shinji came out to serve the meal himself. He would chat with his customers and shared a joke or two. At one point, he was showing us how the tuna sashimi should be eaten by wrapping it with a kind of mint leave that was served on the side of the dish. He is always making sure that we enjoyed the cuisine.
Total cost = $109.
Verdict: As usual, outstanding!
We booked for a table for two at 6.30 pm. We arrived on time, and Mrs Shinji said we could have the table by the window (near the main door) or we could be seated at a table inside. We chose the one inside.
There were already three tables occupied, and phone was busy with calls for more bookings for that evening. They also had a new helper, a middle age Japanese woman. From the looks of it, she's new as Mrs Shinji would inconspiciously showed her what needs to be done, from giving us the menu to taking drink orders. Mrs Shinji is still the one taking the meal orders.
We ordered from the special menu of the day as well as from the standard menu. We had seared salmon sashimi with crusted black sesame and tuna sashimi. We also ordered deep fried calamari, soft shell crab, prawn tempura, salmon and tuna sushi, miso soup and some rice.
Kevin had a beer and we both had some green tea as well. As for dessert, we shared a Green tea ice cream.
We felt really special when Chef Shinji came out to serve the meal himself. He would chat with his customers and shared a joke or two. At one point, he was showing us how the tuna sashimi should be eaten by wrapping it with a kind of mint leave that was served on the side of the dish. He is always making sure that we enjoyed the cuisine.
Total cost = $109.
Verdict: As usual, outstanding!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
MASA Japanese Restaurant, Sylvania
I highly recommend this Japanese restaurant. One of the best in town. Great cuisine. We are regulars now of this restaurant, its like an addiction!
I have nothing but praises for this husband and wife team.
Please check out the review from SMH website.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/masa-20100802-1134t.html
I have nothing but praises for this husband and wife team.
Please check out the review from SMH website.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/masa-20100802-1134t.html
Nicks Bar & Grill, Kings Street Wharf
June 2010 - Weekday lunch at Nicks Bar & Grill Restaurant
It was my mother in law's 70th birthday and we celebrated it at Nicks Bar & Grill.
There were four of us.
Main:
Seafood basket 
Grilled Whole Baby Snapper (x 2) 
Seafood linguine
Beverage:
A bottle of red wine (I can't remember what brand we ordered)
Dessert:
Apple pie tart
Pancake 
Ratings
Food quality = 7/10
Ambience and cleanliness = 7/10
Value for money = 7/10
Service = 7/10
Lily's Comment: Good. We had lunch there for the first time when we celebrated my MIL's birthday there. The service was adequate and good (presumably it was a week day). The food was really nice and I've never tasted such a nice seafood linguine. I told my husband that we would definitely be back again, if not for the seafood linguine.
Last Sunday on 26th Sept, we were back again for lunch. Unfortunately, we had to walk out of the restaurant. We were ushered to a table with a nice wharf view by a waiter after a long wait even though it wasn't that busy. After getting us the table, the waiter failed to provide basic service such as getting our drinks order let alone the main meal. It was a hot day. Moments later, another waiter served some partrons that came after us, and that was when we decided to walk out. I would say the food is good but basic service needs improvement especially on weekends. One waitress seemed more interested in setting up the table than serving us!
It was my mother in law's 70th birthday and we celebrated it at Nicks Bar & Grill.
There were four of us.
Entree:
Oysters and turkish bread with dips
Main:
Seafood basket
Grilled Whole Baby Snapper (x 2)
Seafood linguine
Beverage:
A bottle of red wine (I can't remember what brand we ordered)
Dessert:
Apple pie tart
Pancake
Ratings
Food quality = 7/10
Ambience and cleanliness = 7/10
Value for money = 7/10
Service = 7/10
Lily's Comment: Good. We had lunch there for the first time when we celebrated my MIL's birthday there. The service was adequate and good (presumably it was a week day). The food was really nice and I've never tasted such a nice seafood linguine. I told my husband that we would definitely be back again, if not for the seafood linguine.
Last Sunday on 26th Sept, we were back again for lunch. Unfortunately, we had to walk out of the restaurant. We were ushered to a table with a nice wharf view by a waiter after a long wait even though it wasn't that busy. After getting us the table, the waiter failed to provide basic service such as getting our drinks order let alone the main meal. It was a hot day. Moments later, another waiter served some partrons that came after us, and that was when we decided to walk out. I would say the food is good but basic service needs improvement especially on weekends. One waitress seemed more interested in setting up the table than serving us!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mamak - Chinatown, Sydney
8/02/2010
I have heard a lot of raving reviews about this Malaysian hawker eatery in a street-stall style, located in the Sydney Chinatown. Every time when we walked past this eatery, it is always full house.
So, I decided to try it out one lunch time on a Tuesday, and was hoping that it would be less busy. I took my sister with me. As we entered the restaurant, it was so busy with patrons. What was I thinking? With such a good reputation and Australians are so into Malaysian cuisine these days, how could this place not be packed?
There was a man (I presumed he’s the boss) at the counter and he was busy attending to something else. As soon as he’s finished, he quickly attended to us and we were seated after waiting for about 5 mins. I was worried that he would have just ignored us completely, but he was very friendly once we got his attention.
We ordered the followings:
Nasi lemak with addition of sambal sotong
Nasi lemak with addition of sambal prawns
Roti canai with 2 curry sauce dips
Chicken satay (half a dozen)
Two teh tarik (kurang manis – less sugar)
Verdict:
Good
Food quality = 7/10
Ambience and cleanliness = 7/10
Value for money = 7/10
Service = 6/10
Comments:
We thought the nasi lemak was a bit plain and also the condiments were quite hard, especially the ikan bilis (deep fried small fish). Overall, the dish was quite dry.
Perhaps, it would have been different if we had ordered the curry chicken instead as the mixture of the curry sauce on the coconut rice would certainly make the dish a bit more saucy.
However, we did enjoy the roti canai, the curry sauces were very authentic. It tasted similarly to the ones that we’ve had in the mamak stall back in Malaysia.
The chicken satay was lovely, but the peanut sauce was very different. It tasted kind of sweet. It would have been great if this dish came with some ketupat (cooked rice wrapped in palm leave) on the side. Anyway, that’s typically how a Malaysian satay dish would be served in Sydney, without the ketupat.
We really enjoyed the teh tarik. I asked for less sugar, and the tea came up perfect.
The bill came to about $45. The prices are reasonable, however, don’t expect big portion servings.
It’s definitely a good place for a quick meal, and it’s open until 2 am on weekends. However, I would advise against bringing young infants as it’s not a toddler/stroller friendly restaurant.
I have heard a lot of raving reviews about this Malaysian hawker eatery in a street-stall style, located in the Sydney Chinatown. Every time when we walked past this eatery, it is always full house.
So, I decided to try it out one lunch time on a Tuesday, and was hoping that it would be less busy. I took my sister with me. As we entered the restaurant, it was so busy with patrons. What was I thinking? With such a good reputation and Australians are so into Malaysian cuisine these days, how could this place not be packed?
There was a man (I presumed he’s the boss) at the counter and he was busy attending to something else. As soon as he’s finished, he quickly attended to us and we were seated after waiting for about 5 mins. I was worried that he would have just ignored us completely, but he was very friendly once we got his attention.
We ordered the followings:
Nasi lemak with addition of sambal sotong
Nasi lemak with addition of sambal prawns
Roti canai with 2 curry sauce dips
Chicken satay (half a dozen)
Two teh tarik (kurang manis – less sugar)
Verdict:
Good
Food quality = 7/10
Ambience and cleanliness = 7/10
Value for money = 7/10
Service = 6/10
Comments:
We thought the nasi lemak was a bit plain and also the condiments were quite hard, especially the ikan bilis (deep fried small fish). Overall, the dish was quite dry.
Perhaps, it would have been different if we had ordered the curry chicken instead as the mixture of the curry sauce on the coconut rice would certainly make the dish a bit more saucy.
However, we did enjoy the roti canai, the curry sauces were very authentic. It tasted similarly to the ones that we’ve had in the mamak stall back in Malaysia.
The chicken satay was lovely, but the peanut sauce was very different. It tasted kind of sweet. It would have been great if this dish came with some ketupat (cooked rice wrapped in palm leave) on the side. Anyway, that’s typically how a Malaysian satay dish would be served in Sydney, without the ketupat.
We really enjoyed the teh tarik. I asked for less sugar, and the tea came up perfect.
The bill came to about $45. The prices are reasonable, however, don’t expect big portion servings.
It’s definitely a good place for a quick meal, and it’s open until 2 am on weekends. However, I would advise against bringing young infants as it’s not a toddler/stroller friendly restaurant.
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