Kindly Yours

The Eastwood Peking has been around for many years.  Located at a corner of Rowe Street, near the famously busy crossing to the pedestrian mall,  it has a narrow frontage, a deep inside and a narrow place for customers to queue up, but under cover.   On a recent visit, I find the staff are well trained,  well costumed and with smiling faces for guests.   We commenced at 6pm for our table meal but there was the expected queue by 7pm.   The street outside can be busy with people and vehicles but one does not sense it.   It is worth reserving a table here instead of just walking in, especially at the usual meal times on busy nights. Two years ago, this restaurant went so called green in the selection of electrical generation choices.  It also renovated by converting to LED lighting. Beijing duck is what many come here for and it does not disappoint.    The roast skin is not over oily but firm and cris...

I had gone over board on cheesecakes, inadvertently ordering two for a shared bite after dinner.      The situation was salvaged when the cheesecakes were different, both in flavour and bite. Welcome to the branch of Chef's Palate, located near Jong Jip, in north western Sydney suburbs, that hub of business, dining and shopping called Eastwood.    This section of Rowe Street, where many Korean shops congregate, has now taken on a new level of activity and buzz.   You can have authentic and Aussie modified Korean cooking here.   There are two large groceries that remind you of being in a Seoul suburb.   Aldi is housed in a small shopping centre that has more restaurants than other businesses.    Whilst Aldi closes early for its supermarket operations, the other retail places open till late. Staff were engaging and friendly and they are young and bright eyed.    The barista that evening...

Mung Bean snacks. Thinly sliced pig's ears in a refreshing light savoury mix. The branch of Si Ji Min Fu here in Qianmen runs on a unique profit sharing arrangement between owners, management and staff.    It is reported that this  Qianmen branch made a profit of 3 million Yuan in 2015.    The service for my group of ten was impeccable.   The staff made sure of our dish orders and then they came out fast, delightfully filling up the table.   Being seated upstairs meant we could look at the upper floors of neighbouring houses, which remained low key, retro and had sounds echoing the street life below. There was emphasis and care in preparing sauces, ensuring the texture of food and in the harmonisation of overall flavours.   One way I noted in ensuring th...

It was a rather early Sunday morning - the crowds had not arrived as yet.   Some shops, cafes and restaurants were already opened for business, including Pho Toan Thang. PTT is a family run business that has both Vietnamese and Cantonese hues in its food and atmosphere. People were having breakfast here!    The grocery across the paved walkway, Tan Hung Long, was awaking from just opened mood, but next door, K.W. Barbeque, already had people lining up.    The roast ducks, pork and soy chicken were going fast from the display window - and I saw a fresh batch of marinated chicken feet brought in form the kitchen behind.   The PTT menu can be seen replicated across many such comparable Indo-Chinese themed restaurants across metropolitan areas in Australia today.    Many Aussies are familiar with now staple items like pork chops with tomato flavoured rice, beef Pho and hotpots of seafood.   I was more curious as to why many pe...

The big kettle !   In a traditional food restaurant off a side lane. Our pawed friends out for an early morning rumble.   Qianmen Emperors Avenue. Hand pulled or Zha Jiang noodles, freshly made before the soup is poured in.  I note the rather fatty pork bits but most people I encountered are not obese, probably due to copious consumption of tea.   Two doors away from the Jing Tai Long International Hotel. A demonstration of calligraphy. Small serves of snacks you may consider from the touristy shops. Tea sets are popular and come in a variety of designs and materials. The Beijing suit, circa 2016.   Display from a tailoring shop. One of those designs street side which caught my eye. An impressive and interesting Chinese calligraphy related place along Qianmen Emperors Avenue. Steamed buns with a dash of cooked meats inside are popular in Beijing,...