Crown Palace, Forest Hill/ South Vermont, Melbourne

The Yeaps brought me to this suburban yumcha place when  I stayed with them. Crown
may look like the typical Chinese restaurant which could be anywhere in the middle of USA or in Australia. There is adequate vehicle parking outside and the Burwood Highway has passing traffic. 
Once you step inside, the staff are generally friendly, the service is mostly quick and the food
comes with a purposeful pace.  You can then be in Chinatown of a capital city, and the tasty
servings do suggest that.  There is however much less noise and chatter when compared to downtown precincts.  Apart from yumcha, they also serve other aspects of Cantonese cuisine.

Business starts early and the place gets going by 11am.  You have the choice of round tables for ten persons to be seated, or smaller tables for two. The restaurant may have decor that may hark back to an earlier, but the trolleys and trays bearing bites of food do testify to the authenticity and experience of the cooks. There is no new fangled fusion food, but true-to-the heart steamed and deepfried variations that would be original to Guangdong and Hong Kong. I particularly like the braised chicken legs, whether marinaded with light vinegar or soy sauce, and the classic siew mai, those dainty dumplings with fillings of meshed prawn, pork and carrot.  Another staple I look forward to are steamed kai lan vegetable leaves and stalks, tender, light and juicy, dressed with oyster sauce.

Chinese food in Australia has moved significantly away from the dimsims, Mongolian lamb and fried rice to the diversity that we see today in capital cities and their suburbs - for example,  hand made cold noodles, dumplings with hot soup inside and the elegance of quality Beijing duck cuts today.  We also get more choices than southern Chinese offerings to encompass various styles from north-east China, Central Asia and Taiwan.  The Crown was previously named the Han and has survived various industry trends, changing demographics and competition from other cuisines from around the world.

My impressions of the Crown Palace, located at where Forest Hill meets Vermont South in the greater Melbourne region, are:

Atmosphere:  Not too noisy

Location:  Suburban

Taste: Authentic

People Engagement:  Friendly with a smile

Service:  Quick and responsive

Best Time to Visit:  Weekday lunch

Fav Dish Experienced:  Braised Chicken Legs, with crunchy skin and cartilege!

Would I Return?:  Always

Balgownie Fish Shop, NSW

Latest Developments , December 2014 - It is confirmed that the location of the Balgownie Fish Shop
is earmarked for construction of a residential building.

I had passed by this main strip in Balgownie Village several times and observed the queue of customers waiting patiently outside this modest and unassuming shop on sleepy Sunday afternoons.
The Balgownie Fish Shop offers mainly hamburgers and fish & chip combinations. Gen Y Craig from up the street at my place had told me recently that in his view, this was the best fish and chips in this region of the Illawarra.  Wow, I had to try this, I thought, and when I did, it is indeed one of the best fish and chips I have tasted. Even if they are nearer the escarpment rather than by ocean side, one bite into the battered fish brings back memories of tender grills, newspaper wrappings and the aroma of the ocean.  Yes, my fish and chips were served on paper, a detail which is very important. Yes, it is open every day, including Sundays till 7pm.  The chips are rather better seen as wedges, thick, crispy, flavourful and a mouthful.

The inside of the shop is simple, harking back to the fifties, reminiscent of small towns, with a decor that is rather straight lined, with no seating or tables (except for a retro iron bench) and the compulsory drinks fridge. The customers feel relaxed and are casually dressed.  Even the main door has a netted lattice that keeps flies and insects out and reminds me of doors to a food cupboard rather than for an entrance to a shop.  The menu is neatly written in front of the counter.  I am so glad to know that such a gem exists in my neighbourhood. A friendly elderly couple run the operations, and despite being busy, smile when having a conversation and otherwise concentrate on their work. Do allow some time when visiting this shop and the reward of the meal shall be yours. Apparently they have run this shop for umpteen years, obviously having seen children grow up to be adults, taking in the parade of residents and visitors. The best way to locate this place at 166 Balgownie Road is that it is across the road from the Bally Hotel (or Balgownie Hotel), and past the newsagent as you walk up slope.  You can also phone in your orders, which are very reasonably priced.

My serving below - I consumed this after a passing heavy shower and when the sun unexpectedly broke through. Kids may note the bubble gum and lolly dispensers (above).  After collecting your orders, head towards a park to eat.

My impressions of the Balgownie Fish Shop, ten minutes north of Wollongong CBD ( or five minutes down the Mount Ousley slopes on the highway from Sydney), are:

Atmosphere: Quiet.
Location: Village.
Taste:  Melts in the mouth.  Best with beer, soft drinks or just water.
People Engagement:  Friendly elderly couple, with a throwback to 1964.
Service: Please wait for this experience, it is worthwhile.
Best Time to Visit: Early mid afternoon. Go in board shorts and thongs.
Fav Dish Experienced: Fish and chips.  No sauces required.
Would I Return?: Oh ya.

How Not to Do Business

Traditional business or incorporated private limiteds versus so-called on-line versions. Trade based proprietorships against a team of partners. Family or a group of mates?  However we shape the models, the main aim of having a business is to generate cash flows, and then being able to utilise such inflows for further positive outcomes.  We can call them partner profits, share dividends or co-operative returns.  Underlying such aspirations, to succeed, I believe, are the stringency of some key factors.  They are that the product or service must be viable; there are sufficient synergistic team or personal  drivers; motivating tensions between challenge and reward to overcome roadblocks; and a shared positive purpose amongst the players.  Over two weekends, I had the opportunity to come across a variety of business models and reflect on how not to do business.

Showing a rude face to customers:  The interface between customer and the business can be facial, on-site or through cyberspace. The nature of payment collection points, delivery of goods and services and handling of feedback and complaints echo the soul and personality of the business.  Outsourcing such critical points can be a mistake if not handled well.  Your products or service may not articulated or represented at its optimal best.  In a fast moving world of greater choices, in any industry or geographical area, mobility and change can destroy much built up goodwill and reputation at a much faster pace than anticipated.

Not jumping to engage further with any customer, potential or actual: I am surprised that some businesses never make more use of the opportunity with customers at the door, who may be hesitant to come in, or just arriving when the doors are closing. Instead of communicating with such individuals, they close the door right on their face. For example, even if the food kitchen is closed, offer them a coffee.  Even if the coffee machines have been cleaned out, give them a trigger card or offer for them to come back another time.  Of course, on-line websites are never closed.

Focusing just on fast turnover:  This is the bane of the ethnic restaurant, fruit or grocery market trade in most so-called big cities. The food and produce may be great, but there is clarity that the business wants diners to eat as fast as possible and shoppers to  move on as quick as they can -  to open up space for the next wave of customers.  And it is not even a fast food joint.  Add this with lack of conversation from staff, crowded seating or shopping aisles and too much noise.

No need to earn funding and not hungry to do business: These are places which passer-bys suspect are just facades, fronts or used to while the time away. A child can figure out that they do not even earn enough even to pay the utilities, and yet they survive over the years.  Most telling, the decor is at least twenty years behind.  You may want to suggest to such business owners that they can earn better returns by converting their cash to property.

Not having succession planning:  Especially vulnerable are businesses owned by a sparkling or dominating personality.  Buddhist thought reminds us emphatically that the only constant is change, and if we do not heed this fact, we suffer from such a consequence. Chinese street wisdom observes that wealth usually does not last for more than three generations - the first builds it, the second consolidates it and the third can enjoy and fritter it away.  It is not seeing the current business as only part of a larger plan and process.

Not recognising the weakest point and acting to mitigate this:  It can be over stocking, borrowing too much or not realising why some customers interact with the business only once.  It can be just relying on only one advantage, the classic "putting all the eggs in one basket".  Such a  business may be heading to the same fate as the Titanic on her maiden voyage, just because the key people in charge are in denial or ignorance about the quality of the holding plates used to build an otherwise great liner.

Not taking advantage of the disadvantages:  Every market jurisdiction has its own peculiarities, both beneficial and not so advantageous. At times,  businesses succeed because it operates only in areas without hovering clouds.  However, equally important and significant is how a business can differentiate itself and grow precisely because of the threatening clouds.  Clouds in this context can pose problems and discourage, but realising this perspective, your business can offer relevant solutions for a growing market.

Making use of your greatest assets when required - and dumping them otherwise:
Some businesses pay lip service that people are their greatest assets.  When the economy is bright, money is thrown at people to attract them to work for the business, and just as fast, these very same employees are shown the door at the very hint that ever increasing profits can be threatened.  Would customers be impressed, as the very same customers can be actual or potential staff.

Not acting on a niche need in the market, and keeping your business exciting:  Market conditions change, economies go on a roller coaster ride and competitive parameters vary. A business, whilst having a reliable core, must also be nimble to make use of new opportunities, especially in unserved corners and new products and services. Haighs in South Australia used to deal primarily in farm equipment and not hand made chocolates.  The business did not rest on its laurels, but was willing to transform itself to a new dimension.

First Taste - Box Hill, Melbourne

Claypot cooking is a tradition arising out of cool evenings and the intent for capturing all the goodness and flavours of carefully chosen ingredients to be combined in a one serve dish. The outcome of such dishes, whether as double-boiled herbal soups, rice-based vegetable cuts and meat slices or as noodle creations, is often aromatic. At First Taste, one gets personalised servings, the feel of home cooking and the chatter of an informal community all gathered to enjoy such a common penchant for this style of cuisine. Originating from China, the dishes are as safe and reliable for young kids and elderly nannas. As with Oriental dishes, there are lots of cutting, assembling of the ingredients and consideration for the balance of sensations (sour, sweet, savoury and salty) for each dish created. Shallots, garlic, ginger and bits of red-black Cantonese sausage are often used for garnishing, together with various sauces, ranging from XO to oyster.

Suan and Elaine had accompanied me to Box Hill in the greater Melbourne area one afternoon for a drop by at the First Taste outlet. The chain has other branches in Footscray and Springvale in Victoria, and I had recalled how I had been also introduced to the Hurstville outlet in southern Sydney by Tom and Nae. The Box Hill entrance is unassuming, but promised and delivered much variety and choice in different kinds of claypot combinations. Visualise black skinned chickens (silkies), black fungus, smooth tofu sheets, quail, scallops and prawns. Whether you view such things as acquired tastes, or as an adventure not far from home, is up to you.

The cooked white rice at the bottom of each claypot can be burnt. The other caution is to be ready for really hot servings placed in front of you. Do we consume the little bits of meat found hidden amongst the rice pile or floating in the soup? Use discretion, depending on the type of meat and whether you reckon the taste from such meats has already been transferred to the soup or rice. It can be fun, digging through your order, to find delights, mysteries and that item you have seen Mum cooked before.

My Caucasian friends vouch for black pepper diced beef sitting on claypot rice, especially during the rainy weather that we have been having. Whatever they choose, do not steer them to the durian flavoured soup as it is definitely an acquired taste! Then there is the risk of chicken feet herbal soup, complete with skin intact but supposedly providing some nutrition benefits for those already convinced of the beneficial effects of this dish. My weakness is stewed pork claypot, on the fatty side but tasty and irresistible! I enjoyed the food choices in front of me and was so engrossed in conversation with both Suan and Elaine that I totally forgot to take pictures.

I could be mistaken, but I reckon there is another First Taste outlet at Campsie in NSW. I recommend you try their fare on a cool night and you do not have to spend much to transport yourself to an authentic Chinese experience. Claypots can also be obtained for your home at most Asian groceries, usually at the back shelves. Clay is a porous material and such cooking is not confined to Asia, but also practised in different styles in Morroco, Spain and Italy.
My impressions of First Taste at Box Hill in the Melbourne region are:

Atmosphere: Crowded and noisy

Location: Near to suburban rail station, always something interesting outside as well

Taste: Varying and wide choice, flavours depends on what you actually have and experienced before.

People Engagement: As a matter of fact, I reckon the staff are asked to churn customer turnover.

Service: Quick and no time for conversation with customers. Best to point to menu pictures even if you speak Mandarin or Cantonese.

Best Time to Visit: Avoid lunch and dinner time slots.

Fav Dish Experienced: Wolfberry double boiled with other herbs, good for eyesight!

Would I Return?: Yes, for what I see as comfort food.

A Longing, A Special Treat

Penang styled noodles, with prawns, chives and pork slices, in a prawn-based savoury soup, above image, taken at Albee's Kitchen in Campsie south-west of Sydney CBD.

Various types of light and heavy cheese, according to taste preference, accompanied with various types of crackers, dried fruits and bread slices from Brasserie Bread of Botany, Sydney.

Curry puffs with sweet potato mash, chicken curry fillings and half hard boiled eggs from Albee's Kitchen.

Vanilla bean ice cream with a slice of pie fresh from the oven from Charmaine Wan of From My Home website, accompanied by Easter egg chocs from Haighs of Adelaide SA.

Cappuccino with a big K from Vaughn Turner at Rush, Wollongong NSW.

Chili crab, cooked with a creamy egg-infused savoury and spicy sauce in Singapore. Image credit to Ms Auyong Kit Fong.

Somewhere Along the Way Again

At home: I am watching the clouds roll in outside the window.  Cooking on the stove whilst trying to progress on a book.  The television is on, but being ignored by me whilst my on-going attention is on to a more mobile device. At times I wonder why there is a need for me to be in another place, when I can be doing all these things in the comfort and familiarity of home.  The price of petroleum has gradually but surely gone up in the past three months, and captive vehicle users like me suffer in silence. The human condition may have a wander lust, but also treasures knowing where things are, letting our own space nurture our inner selves and having the satisfaction that we can plant where ever we want (like I did, with a magnolia).  And nothing compares with the beam from a full moon shining into a corner of our own special space.
In Campsie, greater Sydney: The lady said she is a Chinese from Samoa. We were looking at the steamed pork dumplings (bao) displayed at a counter in a small shop in Campsie's pedestrian mall, south-west of Sydney CBD.  She asked me if these dumplings had sweet fillings - she was looking for something savoury, as she had them on the islands.  I reckoned it depended on the sauce they used. She asked further if these were like what they served at yumcha in Sydney restaurants. I give an affirmation. The shop we were in was run by China Chinese and the staff spoke Mandarin. I said to my Samoan acquaintance it may be better to source those dumplings she had in mind from a Hong Kong dominated suburb. I am reminded once more about the diversity and complexity of what it means to be Chinese or to be referred to as Chinese.  In a world of easier trans-migration, better availability of various foods and multi-cultural societies, what is homogeneous, what is traditional and what is perceived is not that easy to perceive, digest and realise any more.

Near Campbelltown, greater Sydney: The day has increasingly warmed up, till the sun was as radiant as in summer, even if that season had not offered many such blue sky days as this. I smelt like the lemon grass flavoured mixture I was regularly slapping on the grilling chicken satay skewers sitting over the hot beads.  There was an unsaid system going amongst the three of us - Anthony would get the thawed skewered meats going, I would transfer them to commence the crisping process and Jana would decide on the finality and readiness of the cooked meat. Each of us had to focus on what we wanted to achieve and became oblivious to what was going on around us - the passing crowds, the chatter and the music, the exchange of monies and the aromas emanating from various cuisines. Our throats longed for drinks which we knew can quench our very thirsts.  We moved the direction of the exposed wooden skewers used, we separated and we evaluated the cooking meats and we aimed for a memorable bite of the satay in the mouths of our customers.   Each of us knew we were somewhat contributing to an experience.  We may have put in place a personal expectation on what chicken satay should taste like, but we looked forward to a restful evening, even if we really may not know what was the perception of such satay in the minds of our customers.

Cafe L'unico, Warrawong NSW

Since this blog post, Cafe  L'unico has relocated from Fairy Meadow to Warrawong, a suburb south of Wollongong CBD.

My first introduction to Italian dolce was in a Rome piazza and then later occurred late at night on a back lane in the inner west Sydney suburb of Leichhardt. This was my first encounter with tiramisu in the form of a piece of cake. In Wollongong, the almost weekly routine in one year was with biscotti, especially almond flaked versions. (picture above) Sorbet, tartufo and gelato were alternatives to full bodied ice cream flavours from New Zealand and made me withdraw from hokey-pokey. Then came the ricotta cheesecake. I never took to chocolate mousse but could not refuse the mascarpone. So when Peter Cappetto, a neighbour, mentioned about the Cafe Lunico in nearby Fairy Meadow and that their pastries, biscuits and cake creations came from Mezzapica in Leichhardt (another hub of Italian-Australian cuisine and culture), I had to visit the cafe, not far from a string of interesting retail outlets along the Princes Highway. The banner above the cafe proclaims not offering Italian goodies but also French cakes.

The Italian term lunico, if I am not mistaken, signifies the only one, special and unique. So the Cafe Lunico does stand out in offering a variety of their specialties - Italian and French inspired sweet stuff to lighten the palate and accompany with coffee. Oh yes, I was recently told never to take latte beyond 10am in the morning, for latte has milk, and one does not take milk late in the day, especially in Rome. But as for chocolate (like tartuffi and truffle) I reckon that is an all rounder, whether throughout the year and especially better as a night cap. The nest of chocolate above from Lunico is more intense and more crunchy than most I have tried in Harberfield or Petersham in Sydney. The vanilla flavoured slice below was a huge serving, easily cut into three parts, with a very agreeable icing top.

My overall impressions on visiting the Cafe Lunico are:

Atmosphere: Village and Euro continental

Location: Suburban

Taste: More than Satisfactory

People Engagement: Natural and gives you space

Service: Purposeful

Best Time to Visit: Morning Tea

Fav Dish Experienced: Cannoli

Would I Return?: Yes

I found the friand (images above and below) a bit dry for my taste but the flavours held their ground. The cannoli, on the other hand, is a sure winner - it melts in the mouth, the cream is sinful but there is no resistance and the skin so delightfully a contrast to hold everything together. (picture below)

Here I go again - I did not expect the melting moment biscuit (below) to be that hard, for I was waiting for crunchy and bitey sensations instead. It was a huge offering, enough for two. Once I got through the outer layers, the filling was good.

Melting Moments Cookie Recipe from Squidoo:

Ingredients:1 cup soft butter (can use half margarine, if desired, but butter is *always* better)1/2 cup powdered (confectioner's) sugar1/4 tsp almond flavoring3/4 cup cornstarch1 cup white flour1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream together butter and sugar, add almond extract.

Sift dry ingredients together and add to butter mixture gradually.

Do not over beat.

Chill dough for 1 hour.

After chilling, shape dough into small balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter.

Place on cookie sheet about two inches apart.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

After baking, remove from sheet to a cooling rack.

When the cookies are completely cool, whisk together one cup of powdered sugar with just enough *fresh* lemon juice to make a glaze.

It doesn't take much lemon juice, so add it a teaspoon at a time.

If it becomes too thin, you can add a bit of powdered sugar to thicken it back up.

Drizzle or spread the glaze over the cookies.

I love this tart frosting so I slather it on.

Next, open mouth and insert cookie. Ooh in pleasure. These have a wonderful soft texture.

Once you try one, you will understand why they are called Melting Moments!