Kindly Yours

White radish salad, soy and Wasabi  mustard grace the careful presentation of the raw slices of Hirashima King Fish. Burnsbury Hospitality , with its themes on catering and dining functions, has recently opened something transformative for dining in the Wollongong city area.  They already operate 2 Smoking Barrels   with craft beer at 9 Crown Street  - the Illawarra Brewery - and Son of a Gun food in conjunction with Mel Cox at Sifters Espresso.  The crafted beer theme continues in the Babyface Kitchen, but with a tilt towards fine Euro wine lists, fish and a strong emphasis on fusion creations with a Japanese flair. The crispy skin  Hiramashi  King Fish  is also done by Babyface in  Miso  broth  with herbs for a mains, instead of raw slices as in the entree.  Perhaps this selection of fish echoes the Babyface Kitchen's attitude, philosophy and adventure in preparing its fare for its customers. ...

Tortellini  of Ricotta and mushroom filling half hidden under a heap of peas, mushrooms and a fruity, semi soft  Taleggio  cream sauce. Several people living outside Wollongong have asked me why I wish to reside there  - added with some of their perceptions and sincere curiosity.  I say, come down to look around, when you can, and not just pass it on the way to that camping or those relatives a few hours further down the South Coast of this rather large state of New South Wales. In the greater Sydney region, getting to a restaurant like Level One can be already a logistical exercise in perhaps riding on a  ferry (like to Manly), finding a place to park the vehicle  (like in Bondi) and then driving for at least half an hour home after dinner.   In Wollongong, I have world class views of the ocean, the Escarpment and of a quiet marina, having access to fresh seafood and then coming home in under ten minutes. The Illawarra is neith...

Coffee and chocolate Mocha Dome with candied peanuts, sweet peanut roll and a dollop of salted caramel ice cream. Black beans are an integral part of Cuban cooking and cuisine, together with bay leaves, garlic, rice and red kidney beans.   The classic and pervasive presence of black beans and rice  had resulted in a traditional dish called "Moors and Christians".     Sofrito, a heady seasoning mix of green pepper, Oregano, ground pepper and onions, results from quick frying.   This had led to my prior silo perspective about Cuban food, the preoccupation with sauteing as a cooking technique, plus the imagery of the tropical climate, sugar cane plantations and laid back non-chalance, especially before the USA removed long time embargoes on the sizeable island nation in the Caribbean. I had missed the point.     Being located at the cross roads of African slave routes, Spanish adventurers, indigenous Taino tribes,   French Caribbe...

I currently spend most of my App time on the smart phone with the same few things. Diary schedule, Safari, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram.  It is reported that 80 pc of users' mobile time is spent on just three Apps - Facebook, WhatsApp and Chrome. Hmmn, what about WeChat? A hundred million Uber sourced rides were chalked up in 2014 alone. Not only is the conventional taxicab sector threatened, but the concentration of the younger generation in crowded city centres also points to lowering vehicle ownership rates. Why buy the cow when you milk it only when you occasionally need it? Usage of internet around the world has surprisingly flattened, with annual growth rates at nine per cent. Is there more hope and promise of growth in non-OECD nations where however the penetration of networks remains low and the cost to access the digital space remains high? High potential is now focused on portable equipment, where you can virtually manage your digital and real worl...

The march of foreign cash has significantly affected the parameters and dynamics of property pricing and accessibility for many locals particularly in Western countries, Singapore and Hong Kong. Not often mentioned in media discussion is what these markets and their governments are doing or not doing to resolve this situation. Noveau rich or ambitious individuals with excess to plenty of cash would need to invest, spend or transform their cash holdings into other forms of assets. What their funds can buy with properties back in their country of origin may not compare with the quality of houses, farms and resorts they find in other nations with higher standards of governance, environment and health measures. So these people get into countries with open markets, economies, mindsets and sense of fair play. What the Joes and Janes in countries receiving these outsiders may not fully appreciate is that foreigners may not have the same standards in political correctness, cultur...

Olive oil used to scramble eggs.   Well trained staff, with a good demeanour, approaching and chatting with customers.   Sited on a not so noisy corner of an otherwise busy suburb.  Everyone gets a boisterous hello on entering through a sort of automated closing door for an entrance.   A semi-industrail interior with no frills, but more than balanced with the warmth inside and of the staff.     Bar drinks are labelled "Medicine".  I say do check this out for the wonderful difference in food and experience.     It is not just another modern Australian brunch, lunch and breakfast place  - it shows delightful touches of Greek, fusion and creativity.   Efficient delivery after you order.   You can sit by the windows and watch a certain corner of Marrickville go by.   If you choose outdoor pavement tables, you realise that the area is rather residential, which some firmly say is more Enmore than Marrick's. ...

It was just on the cusp of dawn.   This cafe was already brewing the coffee and early risers were inside.  Neighbouring shops were still shut and Wicks Park was just across the nearby junction.  The Campos blend was done justice by the barista - strong, flavourful and with body.    What attracted me to go inside initially was the wide choice of bagel breakfasts.   I could have just gave this place a walk past miss but I was curious about their more than several ways with bagels.   The spectrum included Hummus, Tofu , salmon, cottage cheese, Salami , roast beef and seasoned chicken. I settled for a morning combo of a cuppa with a bagel and my choice was under ten dollars,  Trying to avoid bacon, I finally opted for this ingredient with scrambled eggs and cheese when the version with greens was not available that day. In this competitive and discerning market,  I noticed that the bagels were not what I expect...

I enjoyed this light and easy salad, with Feta cheese on top.  ( Taramosalata) At the Opah Restaurant, the two of us did find the sole wait staff - a young lady who went about her work tirelessly but with a smile - a most important part of the Opah visit.    She knew how to nicely time the arrival of dishes - and yes Greek food has many  - took the trouble to explain some finer points of what came out to the table and ensured that guests felt relaxed.  If people care and interaction is an integral part of traditional Greek customs and life, we knew where this source of a welcoming atmosphere comes from. We selected the express lunch, which had variety and good portions of flat breads, Houlami, lamb, salads and Tzatziki sauce for grilled meats.   To me that was a terrific combo, not too excessive and providing a spectrum of what a typical Greek meal entails. The Houlami slices are made from a combination of both goats a...