Tawandang Restaurant - Haymarket Sydney NSW

 Mean grilled squid rolls.




The last time I had the four angled beans was in stir fries back in Georgetown, Penang island and so I was delighted there is a salad at Tawandang that utilises this unique ingredient.  The menu at Tawandang can be varied and extensive.  One can go for reliable favourites or try unique creations.    The Miang range has also extended to include prawns in the Miang Goong, with spoons petitely laid out to hold the leaves and the seafood.

There are Thai twists on Chinese items like Yong Tau Fu and Lard Naa.  To make the menu more user friendly, there is also a page suggested by Tawandang of recommended dishes!

Char grilled pork cuts - juicy with texture and a most uplifting flavour.

The pork knuckle served at Tawandang caught my eye because of its inherent crispy thin skin.  The prawn cakes were wallops of flavour encapsulated inside an outstanding batter.  The grilled pork slices have sufficient fat, its sauce is terrifically compatible and the meat tender as it slides into our mouths.  Its spring rolls has crab meat and the salted fish fried rice is accompanied by kale.  Bright looking king prawns sit on a hot pot of vermicelli.

TIME magazine acknowledged its Bangkok based parent restaurant in 2003.  The love for beer and good spicy Asian delights - what can more more potent to help one relax?





Prawn cakes with a delectable batter that swirls different sensations on the palate.

 Unassuming, hidden amongst the wide choice in Haymarket Sydney's Chinatown along George. What stands out significantly is the uplifting taste, its varied sauces - each different with each dish - and its German micro brewery roots all the way from Bangkok.  Top dish to me is the char grilled pork cuts - I am moved to another higher dimension in this world of juicy meats on the bite. I eyed the mussel Homok  but maybe next time!  Service is good and the dishes came out fast after ordering.  The tamarind based soup with omelette and prawns reminds me of the Bangkok Restaurant at Capitol Square nearby, but this version is more rewarding. Another must try is the German influenced pork knuckle, accompanied with sauerkraut and potato mash but with a Thai twist. And oh yes, the beers.  Lager, Wiezel or Dunkel?  

Good with brew - the Kung Ruean Keao, crunchy miniature deep fried shrimp, in the tradition of traditional insect snacks from Bangkok.




So is this Germany in Thailand or Thailand in Germany?  Whatever.  It does provide an interesting collaboration of East and West, but mainly East, primarily Asia-Pacific.   To me, the formula makes it stand out amongst the very competitive Thai culinary industry in Australia.   One may have enchanting hybrids in cooking, but what is significant is to provide outstanding taste.  That to me is what makes Tawandang top in my palate.  Whether it is an extra crunch, a carefully thought of sauce or the freshness of ingredients used, they all contribute to the overall quality of a dish - and I so far cannot find fault with any I have tried.   Next opportunity, I am looking forward to the pickled egg basil, steamed seafood mouse - Homok on mussel shells -  and deep fried Barramundi.

A most unusual but tasty Pork Knuckle or the Ka Moo Tod.
German in origin with mash and sauerkraut served, but served with a Thai spicy sauce.

The Sydney outlet is the smallest in its chain - it follows in the layout style of many Thai food establishments by having an open counter, cultural tinged lighting bulbs and a wooden feel.  The printed menu has impressive photos of the dishes and that makes it simpler to choose.  Its shop front can be understated but like in Thailand, provides a copy for the current menu for street passers-by to browse through.   The evening my dining group of four persons visited , there were many guests of Thai background, some with their non-Thai partners.  A queue formed outside by twilight even on a week day.   

After work and but took early for dinner, I refuse to go home!

Tawandang Restaurant Sydney is located at 706 George Street, in the section between adjacent Goulburn and Campbell Streets.
Telephone: 612 9211 0138
Opening Hours: Sundays to Wednesdays 11am to midnight.
Thursdays to Saturdays 11am to 1am.
Reservations taken.

Tawandang's original home is in Bangkok, with two outlets.
RAM INDRA
51/199-200 Moo I Khwaeng
Ladprao, Bangkok 10230
Telephone: 0-2944-5131-2
Opening hours 5pm to 1am.

RAMA 3 (opens in 2005)
462/61 Rama 3 Road
Yannawa, Bangkok 10120
Telephone: 0-2678-1114-6
Opening hours 5pm to 1am.

Both outlets in Bangkok are large restaurants with nightly shows and popular for birthday celebration gatherings.


In Singapore, Tawandang Microbrewery opened in 2009 and is at Block 26, Dempsey Road, Tanglin with live bands.
Telephone: + 65 647667

Simon's Town, Southern Cape - South Africa

Most major conurbations in the world has a hinterland, valley or coast nearby, for which its residents can seek escape from modern urbane life.   For the people of Cape Town, it is the coast down south or getting into north-west into vineyards and more rural greenery.  

I had the privilege of discovering Simon Town's two months ago, a delightful enclave with a calm sky blue bay and several interesting activities to dwell in - lunching, strolling on board walks, immersing in the village atmosphere and checking out tourist moments.  False Bay provides pretty vistas and views, the Table Mountain National Park rises behind and the place says lifestyle through and through.  Houses nestle up on the hills and the hint of coming warm months expressed itself in clear blue skies.

SAN run on the way to Simon's Town.

Drawings for visitors, with the bright colours of the Rainbow Nation.

There are slopes to climb if one goes inland, but sticking to shore, we found a perfect place to stroll whilst listening to the sea nearby.  The town reminds me of a movie set from days gone by.   The unique frontages of buildings, especially along the main street, echoes of another era.  The souvenir sellers are friendly and speak English.  

There is a distinguished looking Man's Best Friend memorialised in a place of honour in 1985 in the centre of Simon's Town  -  "Just Nuisance".   A Great Dane, Just Nuisance served officially with the British Royal Navy from 1939 to 1944, during the turbulent years of World War 2.   This four legged Able Seaman was much loved by those who knew him and is buried in the hills behind Simon's Town itself.  Just Nuisance loved to rest on the gangplank and did his duty much and well for country and community.  he was actually prompted from Ordinary Seaman to Able Seaman.  The Royal Navy rescued him after there was  threat to put him down for boarding trains often and not paying the fare.  Despite the honour provided Just Nuisance, he never went to sea but accompanied sailors on shore when they returned.

Just Nuisance but what a mate!

Calm bay on the way to the African penguin colony at Boulder Beach.

Simon's Town also currently hosts the largest South African Naval (SAN) Base.  Our coach passed by a group of sailors having their daily run along the coast, with some heftily built guys of both African and European backgrounds.   Starting as a modest dock yard established by the Dutch  East India Company in  1743, the site houses training facilities for frigates and battleships, besides having all combat units.  The other large SAN base is at Durban on the Republic's Indian Ocean coast.   The base was handed over by the British Royal Navy to South Africa through eh Simonstown Agreement signed in 1955.

Before lunch time, beside a placid harbour.

A person who takes initiative and pride in doing business.

Simon's Town has a Museum which was set up in 1977, by a group of volunteers calling themselves, interestingly,  the MOTHs (the Memorable Order of Tin Hats).  It is housed in heritage building called the Residency and was used as a winter residence of former Governors of the Dutch East India Company.  The Museum clovers the periods from the Dutch East India Company, through the First and Second British Occupations and onwards to the Apartheid Era.

Euro architecture, a relaxing outlook and with a mountain hovering over the town.

Seafood and curry - what is there more for me to ask?

Forced removals of residents under the Apartheid era proved to be perhaps the darkest period for Simon Town's recent past.   This enforcement of the Group Area Act devastated the community.   There is a rich historical tapestry that the Simon's Town area has witnessed, from pre-colonial days and its African roots to the present.

The Dutch influence in design of dwellings ( above and below) in the historical centre of Simon's Town.

Simon's Town is also open the world yacht cruising map.  The nearby False Bay Marina has 220 berths.  Cafes and restaurants to consider trying include  the Saveur Restaurant, The Black Marlin, Bertha's, Salty Sea Dog's Cafe and the Boulder's Beach Restaurant.    Eco tours for shark enthusiasts like at Smitswinkel Bay nearer  Cape Point are also available.

Fishing is still carried out nearby, providing leisure and fresh catches to the residents and tourists.

Beyond the immediate vicinity of the plaza of Simon's Town near the harbour, one can also visit Martello's Tower, which was restored and historically served to ward off potential French and Dutch attacks against the Brits, who annexed the Cape province from the Dutch.  The tower has served as a navigational beacon for shipping in the especially treacherous waters around the nearby Cape of Good Hope.

Carvings, colour and captivation.

Ostrich eggs are polished and painted as attractive souvenirs.

Simon's Town is now seen as a suburb of the greater Cape Town region.  Apart from driving, one can also consider talking the train from central Cape Town city past False Bay to reach this place.  Simon's Town Railway Station is the southern terminus of the suburban rail network.  The harbour at Simon's Town has a human built breakwater, so much reminding me of Wollongong Harbour in New South Wales.  Named after Simon van der Stel, a past governor of the Cape Colony, it gave me a memorable impression of the Cape Province.  It has a rich history and will play a significant part in the future of the Republic.  Simon's Town is also one of the few north facing coastal hubs in the Republic and so provides a benign place to gather in the southern atmosphere winter.

Granny Smith Eastwood Festival - Sydney 2015

Guiding and scouting should be very much encouraged in a changing world.

Music, marching, tasting, dancing, buying, catching up with people.  All done with smiles and the sunshine on your shoulder.  The activities are spread out across several streets, a shopping centre and a grass field.  The whole village of Eastwood celebrates its heritage focused on a dear lady who planted the first fruits that now bear the name of this occasion.
The community spirit shines through the eyes of participants and visitors of all ages.   The place is already usually busy on a  weekend with thriving commerce and dining.  On this day every things thrives even better.  the talent of youngsters, the pride of those who have served the community, the sense of deep belonging in groups.   It is time to bring out the polished silver so to speak, and they can be vintage cars, fine products, singing groups or fitness demonstrations.  We came across more than a hundred individuals lining up for complimentary bags or cleaning services.  I notice bright eyed kids performing in front of their equally bright eyed parents.  It was a very warm day weather wise, being the middle of the southern hemisphere spring season.

Looking out from a Stateside vehicle.

Cymbals and drums from a Korean background help belt out the fiesta atmosphere.

Nothing like a barbie in Australia.

Straits Chinese snacks and cakes.

The paella was just right in texture, yummy in taste and served piping hot.

Drummer boy, drummer boy....Bram bram bram, me and my drum.

Paws came out for the parade as well!

The City of Ryde holds the annual Granny Smith Apple Festival on every third Saturday of October.
There are street parades, three performance stages, evening fireworks, diverse produce and food stalls, representations from community and Government agencies and groups plus participation from all ages.  Beginning at 9am and lasting the whole day till night, the festivities spread out all over Eastwood - Rowe Street, the Oval, Hillview Street, Progress Avenue, Eastwood Mall and Plaza.

This year I especially liked Medowie Macadamias; Parilla Argenchino; Fluerderly's Patisserie; Churros La Flamenca; Kartel Korean-Mexican tacos;  Tall Grass Cane Juice; Darke's Apples; Bar Coco and Ayam Foods.  A treat was a special hub featuring produce form the Orange Farmers Markets, from which we tried some juices and preserves.  Crowds build up from late morning and it is best to take a train or bus to reach the festival with bio fuss of vehicle parking.

I thoroughly enjoyed the marinaded barbecued meats served here.