John Montagu

Address: 144 Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Trading Hours: Monday to Friday 7am — 4pm; Weekends 8am — 4pm
Website: www.facebook.com/johnmontagusandwiches

(The real website will be up soon!)
Email: hello@johnmontagu.com.au

I haven't lived in Sydney for awhile, however was invited by a friend for a get-together at his new cafe. It was all so mysterious I didn't even get the name of the cafe, just a street address and assurance good coffee and street parking was available (these are 2 very important things for me!).

Honestly had no idea who or what a 'John Montagu' was and in preparation for this blog post had to google to see if the cafe had put anything up to make my life easier. Fortunately, for us modern folk Wikipedia quickly comes to the rescue as the top google hit to explain that "John Montagu was the 4th Earl of Sandwich..."

I was d-ungry (dangerously/deliriously hungry) and was told that the beef cheeks would slow me down, so that was my choice: 

Pictured above: Beef Cheeks (closed) sandwich: 12 hour beef cheeks, cheddar, sauerkraut, spanish onion, house glaze on white bread. 

Most of the meals/sandwiches at this cafe are served open style I am told however the beef cheeks is served closed. I recommend to eat it with cutlery as the sauce and buttered bread makes it slightly difficult to pick up, and eat it quick before the juices soak through. That being said, it is both a delicate and substantial meal - there is some evil saucery happening in that kitchen! Upon quizzing, the chef is actually trained in French cuisine - and this is definitely apparent in the depth and texture of his sauces. My hats off, also to the chef who is slicing beef cheek to be placed in a sandwich - this is no mean feat to try to make look palatable! 

Pictured below: Maffra Cheese & Sage Toastie with ham - The sage gives it a fresh, yet slightly salty hit - a moorish yet satisfying taste in the mouth. 

Also of note is the 'daily pastries'. I had the banana bread (not pictured) - it is baked with no butter and simply devine. It is not the size of your head, food-coma inducing, nor too sweet, which suits me just fine after a beef cheek sandwich!

There is a selection of drinks available - I do appreciate the iced teas with non-pedestrian flavours and less sugar. I'll be back for the Elderflower and Mint Soda next time :) 

If I sat there any longer, I literally could have tried the whole menu. The portion sizes are just right and prices reasonable. While the skeptics may think this is just a plug for someone I know - let me just say you probably wouldn't want me at your restaurant because I am an extremely discerning customer and it takes a lot to actually impress me. 

 
John Montagu has only been open for 4 weeks at the point of this post, however I can see it quickly catching on and with the limited seating, recommend you try it for yourself before it becomes the next queue-into-the-next-suburb brunch destination.

Curry 36 (Currywurst) - Berlin, Germany

Above: Currywurst - cut up sausage with ketchup sauce, sprinkled with curry power. Served with frites (chips) - please remember to order the mayonnaise with the frites (not pictured) because the mayonnaise makes the dish!!!

Le Louis XV (Alain Ducasse)

Address: Hotel de Paris, Place du Casion, Monte-Carlo
Tel: +377 98 06 88 64
Website: www.alain-ducasse.com

 Below: Amuse Bouche

Above: Entree

Below: Signature French Switchblade Cutlery Knife

 

Below: Main - Fois Gras (the liver looking protein with char marks), sweet breads, roasted peaches & pigeon. Comes with the little potato puffs you see delicately wrapped in the napkin - I call them reverse potato chips because they appear to be 'popped' from the inside. 

 Above: Main - Pork with seasonal vegetables (pork was served in its own saucepan and cut up infront of patron, and sauced at the table).

 Below: Macarons - not sure what flavour but a guess would be hazelnut or some sort of creme.

Above: Dessert - Wild Strawberries in own sauce/coulis with mascarpone sorbet. 

Below: Chocolate gold 'bar'. Very rich inside with multiple layers & textures. 

Peppermill Brasserie

Address: Shop 2, Centennial Plaza, Sharp St, Cooma NSW 2630
Tel: (02) 6452 7222

I don't have any photos of this cafe, but I kept their business card because I do recall the superb service I received, the well-executed coffee and meals.

I was randomly driving to/through Jindabyne which is near the NSW Skifields and stopped here for a break from the monotonous driving.

If you are in the vicinity, stop by Peppermill for a good coffee & cafe-style lunch. It sure beats the obligatory Maccas drivethrough or dodgy servo coffee which comes out of a drip tray.

Izakaya Chuji (Melbourne CBD)

Address: 165 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Tel: (03) 9663 8118
Opening Hours: Lunch - Mon to Fri 12pm to 2:15pm; Dinner - Mon to Thur & Sat 6pm to 10:15pm; Fri 6pm to 11:15pm.
Website: www.izakayachuji.com

If you are looking for a Japanese beer snack appetizer style menu, this is a viable option in the Melbourne's CBD.

I went here on recommendation by a friend, it certainly has the variety in the menu to please, but I can't recall  anything being standout or worth raving about. I'm not a drinker, so maybe my lack of beer tainted my tastebuds or ability to taste the point of difference.

Ricaro's Cafe

Address: Jamison Plaza, Macquarie, ACT

Tel: (02) 6251 2666

Opening Hours: 7 days, for Breakfast - Afternoon Tea, close 5:30pm. 

Website: www.ricardoscafe.com

This place is definitely a little gem in Canberra's suburbs. Located inside a busy shopping plaza, I totally had no idea it existed - for 3 years! It is just bustling with atmosphere and all the staff were super patient & nice. That dessert cabinet is a bit Willy-Wonka-meets-the-Mad-Hatter! Absolutely love it - very Adriano Zumbo, or maybe better! I was there for salty treats (i.e. lunch) so didn't get to sample the desserts but honestly I'd had a very hard time choosing between the thing that looked like a bomb and that pineapple-looking meringue thing.

Below: Wagyu Sliders with Truffle Fries. Saw this on the menu and I knew I was a sucker. The fries are drizzled in truffle oil and shaved parmesan is added to give it more aroma & bite.  Also pictured is the 'Tony Montana' Foccacia with Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Avocado & Cranberry sauce - it works!

La Cantina

Address: 4 Iluka St, Narrabundah ACT 2604
Tel: (02) 6239 5556
Website: http://www.la-cantina.com.au/

A highly recommended Italian restaurant, carefully tucked away in Suburban Canberra.

Sauces are made with warmth, heart & soul and true to the traditional flavours respecting produce and cuisine.

I had the gnocchi which was a bite-sized,  more doughy version, but it was the Neapolitan sauce which brought the texture alive.

I enviously eyed off my dining companions' marinara & pizza - both of which looked more than palatable.

Reasonably priced, quiet, white tablecloth location perfect for catching up with old friends over a bottle of wine. Highly recommended as a Canberra destination.

Brasserie Bread Co.

Address: 1737 Botany Road, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Highly rated: Banana Pancakes, Olive cob loaf (from takeaway bakery). To be honest I've never been a pancake fan - but I was assured I'd like this rendition. And boy was I proved wrong! The pancakes at Brasserie are light, fluffy (might I suspect they are fried to obtain the slightly crispy, airy texture) and taste fantastic with the maple syrup, shaved coconut & banana pieces.

 Pictured below: Croque Monsieur - appears to be their signature dish because they kept featuring how to make it in instruction pamphlets across the cafe.

I also purchased some sweet pastries as a gift, namely the blood orange chocolate eclair which intrigued me. The cream was a bittersweet blood orange filling to the eclair which was classically topped with a chocolate stripe.

A handy (and dare I say trendy) breakfast place that does not disappoint.

Tanja's Cafe Restaurant

Address: 372-374 Main Rd, Wellington Point QLD 4160
Tel: (07) 3207 3120

Website: www.tanjas.com.au

I can't remember what I had here which was notable but I think it was a pastry/pie of sorts where I ate everything on the plate. This is your standard strip shopping mall cafe but does a nice breakfast or light lunch well and if it's anywhere near where you live or a friend lives in Brisbane then you should give it a go!

Sepia Restaurant

Address: Darling Park, 201 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02)9283 1990
Website: http://www.sepiarestaurant.com.au/

So I got dragged into coming into trying this new restaurant, without knowing anything about the menu by my beloved sister who knows more about the world of fine cuisine much better than I. I believe this won the award in 2012 (or end of 2011) for best upcoming restaurant.

It was only later did I find out the genius behind this menu was no other than one of the head chefs who had spent years at Tetsuya's. Sepia is clearly a distinct style - deeper, heavier flavours and focusing more on artistic presentation & more experimental desserts.












The standout was definitely the venison, and desserts - who knew chocolate imitating dirt/twigs/tree bark tasted so good!

The service here is superb - attentive, courteous and not pretentious at all. Meals are well-priced and this is definitely somewhere I would take interstate travellers or overseas guests for a taste of modern Australian cuisine, showcasing our produce and creative spirit.

Sammy's Kitchen Chinese and Malaysian Cuisine (Canberra)

Address: Shop FG09 Section 84, Canberra Centre, Canberra City ACT
Tel: (02) 6247 1464

Not the best value for Malaysian food, but they are in a convenient location and I can't go past their Gado Gado (pictured below) - contains vegetables but drowned in a thick, peanut butter/satay sauce. Its the best Ive had...


They also do other Asian staples such as honey prawns,  sweet & sour whatever-meat-you-want-covered-in-batter, duck, spicy salt etc.

Iori Japanese Restaurant

Address: 41 East Row, Sydney Building, Canberra City ACT 2601
Ph: (02) 6257 2334
Website: www.iori.com.au

Trading Hours:
Lunch - Mon to Fri, 12pm to 2pm
Dinner - Mon to Sat 6pm onwards

Not the cheapest Japanese restaurant in town, but if you were to eat sashimi in Canberra this would be one of few places I would trust. It has an extensive menu of Japanese delights, with rich traditional flavours. This is as authentic as it gets (in Canberra), with a few fish heads sticking out so you know you are not at some white-washed version of Japanese cuisine.

Cha Cha Char (Brisbane)

Address: Shop 5, Plaza Level, Eagle St Pier, Brisbane QLD
Ph: (07) 3211 9944
Website: www.chachachar.com.au

Highlights - must try the 'moo juice'which has now been renamed to 'beef jus dipping sauce'. It is reminiscent of a thin veil of vegemite reduced with beef stock... love that yeasty-bite of flavour!

Cha Cha Char prides itself on doing good steaks, but of late it has really ramped up its menu to include a diverse range of mains featuring modern Australian cuisine. A really nice place with non-pretentious staff with views of the river and well-executed meals.

Coyote Cafe

Address: 220 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACT 2612
Tel: (02) 6257 7777
Trading Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm

This is a random best-kept secret located within a business building in the middle of Northbourne Ave, the main arterial road in Canberra. Since they only trade during the weekdays I would recommend it as a suitable stopover if you are driving through Canberra and want inexpensive, casual modern Australian cafe food.

I can't go past the French Fries with ranch dipping sauce - they use this special cajun seasoning (which seems to contain both sugar & cinnamon, but strangely works) which is to die for...

Jakarta Indonesian Restaurant

Address: 2/702 Brunswick St, Newfarm (Brisbane) QLD 4005
Ph: (07) 3358 5715

Website: www.jakarta.com.au

Trading Hours: Dinner - Tues to Sunday 5:30pm till late

They do a fantastic satay chicken (written as sate on the menu) - Indonesian style is more like a bbq sauce, so sweet flavour with very little spice. It is a much smaller serving (comes in 6 or 8 sticks but they are smaller compared to the usual shish kebabs you come to expect) and served on a sizzling plate.

Also notable for chilli fiends is the 'end of the world' chilli sauce. This is an additional condiment you can order on the side to add to your nasi goreng or the like. Definitely one of the hottest I've ever had and definitely lives up to its name...

The Bourke Armoury Bar/Cafe/Restaurant

Address: 655 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9614 2622

Does a really lovely Soy Mocha with a coco-nutty flavour... yum!

Cafe Portofino (Brisbane)

Address: 650 Brunswick St, New Farm QLD 4005
Tel: (07) 3358 4002'
Email: fabio@morganti.com.au

A best-kept secret in the trendy part of Brisbane - authentic Italian sweet delights and with a strong coffee if you are so inclined.

The overall vibe is quite boutique, flavours are not overly sweet (more a bitter, dark chocolate is used) so definitely caters to the more traditional European tastebud.

Balha's Pastry (Lebanese Sweets)

Address: 761-763 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Tel: (03) 9383 3944
Website: www.balhaspastry.com.au

How do I describe Balha's? Find the bling-est marble stone building on Sydney Rd equipped with fancy columns and set on 2 levels, and you have arrived at your destination.

My favourite Baklava place - a long way drive to from NSW, but the serving sizes and balance of flavour is just perfect. The composition of sweet, nutty flavour encased in a sticky & flaky pastry is just superb. A must-do each time I drive through Melbourne and brilliant gift to share with those you love with a sweet tooth!

Orita's (Japanese Fusion)

Address: 34 Jackson St, Toorak VIC 3142
Tel: (03) 9826 2111
Website: www.oritas.com.au

Trading Hours: Lunch Tue-Sat, 12pm till 3pm; Dinner Tues-Sun 6pm till 11pm.

Hipster Doofi

Hey guys! It has been over a year since I've posted and I'm sorry if you have checked back expecting something entertaining/interesting here.

I have been doing my part for society, stuffing my face where possible and just embracing everything that life has to offer.

This year I learned that a few of my loved ones (and new friends) developed health problems that significantly limited the type of food they could eat - Celiac disease, an allergy to 'toxins' in the air, and a horrible disease where water was being coughed out of the lungs. This is had me thinking, and I became much more appreciative of the things that I could eat - no nut allergies, intolerance to yeast products or seafood (I think).

We all obsess over our weight, but don't for a moment take for granted your health. We only get one body - so look after it, you get out what you put in.

On another note, over the past couple of years, much to my dismay, food blogging has become 'cool' and every 2nd person is suddenly bringing an entourage of DSLR cameras to every known food establishment and sharing with the world their views via a variety of social media which has become more accessible with the growth of smart phone usage.

In light of sparing the world form ANOTHER food blog, I am releasing all my post drafts I never went back to edit, and am cleaning out my drawer of business cards to make sure all the ones worth keeping are listed here with my recollections of what I ate there for the benefit (or detriment) of the general public.

At this time, I will also be relocating from my base in Canberra to the big bad world that it is - Sydney.

The world needs less talk, and more action :)