Wednesday, May 9, 2018

My uncle was here for a few days in Sydney, just to collect expensive stuff, but luckily I don't really have to go out too much, and at dinner the other night I was able to leave early since there were enough cars for me to drive off. Red Eye has started, and it's interesting since haven't seen these sort of cases before. 

Sakura soft serve-$4.90

It's definitely not cheap for a soft serve from Oh Matcha (previously Chanoma). It's pretty how they sprinkled it with matcha powder and some gold bits. This tasted like red bean to me. It's got a slightly thicker and grainier texture, and not super creamy/milky. I don't know what Sakura actually tastes like, but I'm not a big fan of red bean flavoured stuff, so wasn't a big fan of this flavour soft serve, They have 2 new flavours coming out next week which I hope to try. Will also try the some miso flavoured ice cream Happy Apple mentioned if I'm ever in Parra (I think you said it was in Parra, haha).

Had the Egg salted egg chips last time, now salted egg fish skin from sg to hk to syd

Apparently this stuff sells out at 9am everyday in SG, so even if you had the money (not cheap, around $20-30 a pack), you won't be able to get it if you're too slow.

Johnny's Pizza Java flavour: chicken, snow peas, broccoli, cashews, mozzarella cheese, satay base sauce-$28 (family)

Didn't get the massive 25inch one since not a whole bunch of relos came over. I love the sweetness of this satay, which the tiniest bit of spiciness in it. There's not much oil coming out from the pizza since  you can tell from the cardboard box, and the dough is so soft. Treats like these are a one off since it's so unhealthy and not cheap, but worth buying for when people come over to try.

I also got my first preference for overseas preceptorship! Pretty sure it's cause I'm in the 2nd group with less people/competition, if I was in the May group, my marks wouldn't be high enough. Going back to a place I've been before, and as mentioned, the only other country I've re-visited except for HK is Japan. Re-visiting my fav city in the world would make sense, just didn't realise it'll be just 4 years later. Hoping I know the other people I'm going with.

So much travel from May till end of the year. I love travelling, and yes it's not cheap, but yay for experience. I'm joking to myself that the the majority of travel this year will cover my travels for the next 10yrs of my life lol.

MasterChef my fav tv show has started, and for the first time ever I missed the premiere except for the last 10min. Probs gonna be another yr I'll miss the majority of it since 2012 cause studying for HSC. Previous years always had sem 1 exams, but I was very yolo and still watched all the eps. This yr I'm just not in Sydney all the time so gonna be hard to watch, and no time since reports to do, and no time to catch up online. Also more shows coming back out on Netflix. Although it sounds like I'm complaining, I guess there's always stuff to do after work next year like catch up on tv shows and movies lol.

Monday, March 5, 2018

Bondi Beach Markets

Past few days have been low key freaking out that there's not enough time. Just flipping through my diary where everything is in 6 week rotation blocks, a few flips and you legit reach the end of the year. Placement interstate, then back at uni, then overseas, then back at uni then exams. I really wonder how people did their research projects alongside clinic time. I'm already thinking I won't have enough time to do my reports once it gets super busy after May...and somehow need to squeeze in planning (hopefully) a grad trip somewhere...holidays stress is still better than uni stress.

Also hit me I really won't have time to do anything or go anywhere once I work full time, since 2 days off a week you probs just want to chill at home/relax rather than go out and do stuff. So me being yolo (for now), decided to go out/planned stuff for every weekend, until pretty much May when uni really gets super intense. Still behind on like 10+ food posts, but I guess those times when I'm stuck at uni and you see food posts, means they're all from my backlog.

Bondi Beach

double decker bus into the city

 
Bondi Beach Markets ft Bryan from Masterchef 2017


visiting BW's friend

Beijing Style Croissant-$8

The flavours were really nice in this, especially with the slightly sweet and saltiness from the asian sausage. Nice crunch from the nuts in contrast with the fluffy buttery eggs (not healthy but taste nice), and balanced with a refreshing salad. The slaw probably had too much sauce/too creamy from my liking, and would've liked a stronger hit miso.

Chai custard croissant-$7

Loved the spices in this chai custard. He listed like 10 ingredients in the custard, and it's not just a boring cinnamon chai flavour. The croissants are sourced from Textbook Boulangerie Patisserie, which are nice and flaky but not overly buttery. They have a nice rise as well.


Jasmine lychee tea-$6

 Flavours weren't really strong in the tea, as the tea flavour was more subtle. Apparently when you could brew tea it doesn't release any caffeine. Still a nice refreshing drink for market food.


Taro Milk Tea and Rose Watermelon

I forgot if I uploaded a photo of this already...The taro was quite subtle, and the rose/watermelon could've had more watermelon flavour.

Pear and Sea Salt

The egg pudding machine wasn't working so opted to go for sea salt as the 2nd flavour. This serving looks a lot smaller compared to previous once I've had, and it's more compact, which isn't good since the flavours merge too much together. I haven't had sea salt in ages and don't mind it since it's an acquired taste, but I found it overpowered the pear way too much.The pear just tasted sweet and not really fruity.

Year of the Dog: Mint Coins

The small ones are from Aus Post and around $10 each. 

 
All the way from the UK-1 ounce silver

Got given this as a red packet from relative in HK. I always miss out on these collectable coins since I'm in Aus, but low key asked for one this year cause it's my year. This stuff isn't cheap, 1 ounce of silver is ~$150...I wonder if these will increase in value....

Ballooons

cute toothpicks

Also went to a farewell party on the weekend. Somehow felt like a 21st with balloons, canapés and photo booth props. I know I should be grateful for what I have since technically I can choose where to work, but other people really can't find work so have to leave the country...


Friday, December 29, 2017

🍦Elisa's Ultimate Ice Cream Guide 2017 🍨


This year has definitely been a year of #globetrottingforfood, in particular gelato and soft serves. I decided to do a compilation from all the cities I travelled to, and of course around Sydney, of all the ice creams I've consumed. Ice creams are 'stand alone' ice creams, so not included in desserts with the exception of some ice creams/soft serves (or else this post would be at least twice as long since dessert are lyf). Doesn't include samples of ice creams from food expos, freebies e.g. Ben and Jerry's free cone day, supermarket ice creams etc.

I have spent 10% of the year eating ice creams outside of home (around 40 ice creams). We also have 4 fridges at home as well which contains a good amount of ice creams, but it's just a nice special treat to have (over priced) ice creams outside your home, and the quality is usually better as well. There's just something about the height, colours and flavours a soft serve can contain which make them fun to eat and look at. 

Normally I include prices in my food posts, so I'll do my best to find them in my notes since I jot down how much things cost. Prices are in Aus $ or equivalent unless otherwise stated. Flavour of things I would have forgotten unless it's recent or I have blogged about them in previous posts. Detailed reviews of some ice creams are linked to previous blog posts or my food instagram. Also names of places I'll try to include. Photos are taken with my iPhone 7 (and 8 for photos after September). The photos are sorted chronologically and here they are-enjoy! 💜

Iceland
Rhubarb caramel and blueberry ice cream straight from the cow farm-600 krona (~$7.50)

Paris
Berthillon 
3 scoops: ice cream+sorbet-6 euros

Paris
Amorino flower gelato (multiple flavours) + macarons-6.50 euros 

London
Amorino flower gelato-3.50 pounds

Bath
One of the famous ice cream shops in the city, pretty good value for money-2.95 pounds 

Sydney
Rivareno Gelato: pistachio and mango heera-$7

Sydney
Gelato Messina: (forgot the flavours but they were that week's special), 0.5L tub-$12.80

Bathurst Maccas gave relatively 'big' soft serves (around 3.5-4 swirls) for 50c I think. Ate the ice cream in the dark in a car park so no photos...

Hobart
Salamanca Markets: blueberry and cinnamon, spiced apple and blackberry

Sydney
Ume Burger: Hokkaido milk soft serve 
Hojicha-$4

Tokyo
Melon Pan: peach soft serve-300yen from memory (why is my ice cream blocking the price sign?)

Tokyo
Suzukien Asakusa: most bitter matcha in the world (level 8), and genmaicha

Tokyo
A stall on Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street: taro soft serve

Tokyo
A stall on Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street: black sesame and white sesame ice cream, sprinkled with freshly grounded white sesame powder

Tokyo
Dominique Ansel Bakery Japan, Omotesando summer special
The iconic watermelon soft serve served in a watermelon. First invented by Domiqnue Ansel before it took to social media and other stores have since copied this idea (although this wasn't trade marked like his Cronuts so people were allowed to copy it)-around $13

Tokyo
Dominique Ansel Bakery Japan, Omotesando summer special
Crème de la CornCorn soft serve served on a cob of corn-around $13


 
Tokyo
Daily Chico: 8 tier ice cream-390yen

Tokyo
Silkream, one of my favourite ice creams ever-515yen

Hong Kong 
Icremeria: lavender soft serve with gold foil-$108HK (~$18)

 


The most expensive ice cream I've ever had in my life, so this deserves a few more photos

Hong Kong
Tsujiri
Matcha soft serve-$42HK

Taiwan
Modern Toilet Restaurant

Taiwan
Tamsui Old Street: strawberry and grape or taro 30cm soft serve-35NT (~$1.50)
Sad to say, disgusting ice creams do exist. Worst tasting ice cream I've ever had

Taiwan
Maokong tea house: cat soft serve with oolong and green tea-~100NT

Taiwan
Brick Ice, Ximen: dragonfruit and strawberry ice block-80NT

Sydney
Rivareno: ricotta e fichi (ricotta + caramelised figs)-$5

 
Sydney
LuMi Bar and Dining-review
Apple sorbet served in an apple. Tasted as real, if not better than an actual Granny Smith apple

Sydney
Black Star Pastry at Smooth Chocolate Festival

Sydney
Honey Creme-review
Vanilla soft serve with honey comb-$6.90
Comb with honey-$6.50

Sydney
Aqua S
Avocado and Yuzu soft serve-$4.50 each

Sydney
Elderflower + blueberry, honey + lavender w/ wafer flower-$4.50 each +$1.50 (flowers)

Melbourne
Kyo Tea House-level 8 matcha intensity ice cream (not as strong as Tokyo)

Sydney
Night Noodle Markets 2017-review
Gelato Messina: Kamikaze Katsu Sandwich-$12

 
Sydney
Night Noodle Markets 2017-review
Gelato Messina: O-no-giri-$10

Sydney
Night Noodle Markets 2017-review
One Tea Lounge: Ube (taro) and matcha soft serve-$8
The soft serve which won me a $50 food voucher

Sydney
Good Times Artisan Ice Cream-review
Ziggy star dustpeach iced tea, almond strawberry praline, meringue, choc white star-$10

Sydney
AvoconettoAvocado ice cream, shaved dark chocolate, sweet pumpkin shortbread cream, praline, drizzled with salted caramel in a waffle cone-$6

Sydney 
Bay Vista (Parra)-review
Penny & Ruby: pear and rhubarb crumble ice cream, frozen yoghurt scoop and mango sorbet, fresh strawberries, mango, white chocolate crisp pearls, real ice cream 'soft serve, whipped cream, white chocolate sauce and crumble topping-$25.90 

Sydney
Gelato Messina: coconut and lychee, grapefruit sorbet + special (tiramisu, hazelnut, chocolate), 0.5L tub-$12.80

Sydney
Ben and Jerry's: Frozen Flakes

Sydney
Macaron ice cream sandwich: taro ice cream with fruit loops and pretzel-$10.90

 

Here's to even more ice cream in 2018! 😋🍨