Samaras Woonona NSW

Community feasting is marked by the sharing of not just food but also an opportunity to meet up, catch up and chat up.   Contemporary society takes up much of our individual time with the pursuit of the means to survive, save and prosper.  Our daily regime is marked by periods of commute,  working with other people, carrying out what seem to be chores, restoring ourselves and with what little time left to saviour the moments with loved ones.  Joining in a feast around a table, round, rectangular or square shaped,  we listen, partake and articulate.


So it was with a delight that I could join an extended family on a mid-week evening for a Middle Eastern feast, we all oblivious to the rain and wind outside on the coast south of the Big Smoke.    Dips make us use our hands  - we swipe, we carve up and we smear on to our breads.   The dining area was almost full at this branch of Samaras  - perhaps it was the coincidence with the first night of the Eid Festival, after a month of fasting and disciplined reflection for the Muslim community.  


By the end of the night, we had sang the traditional Happy Birthday song, sampled Italian cannoli (from Pasticceria Massimo Papa in Fairy Meadow)  and drunk the rather yummy passion fruit concoction.    Our tables were an relaxing mess, with the youngsters scattered all over.  I met young infant Emily for the first time and as always, shared a light bulb joke with ten year old Tom.   London and Bridget loved to dance and they did.  Jack and I shared our recent similar experiences.  It was always a pleasure to chat with the two sets of grand parents.  Gangling tall Adrian often made a point to converse with me and we did again.  Teenage Ben sampled the food, drank lots of water and displayed a maturity above his age.   Kim related about puppy George and Liz talked about her son James.


At Samaras, I always love the shish kebab, skewers of grilled meat, well marinated, packed on the stick and always rewarding on the palate.   My next fond dish is the Tauboli, fresh with an uplifting dressing, highlighting the parsley, lemon juice and fresh mint.   To round up the top three for me , it is the Lebanese spring rolls, which have texture on the bite, flavour in the fillings and bite size for snacking.


Lebanese breads may be the staple but I reckon it is the salads that are the star.  They do provide a contrast against all the char grilled meats and showcase the flavours of this cuisine.  The Woonona restaurant can also be considered for private functions as it is neither too large nor too small and sits on its own private level above the street.






Samaras visited is located at  417 Princes Highway, Woonona NSW, opposite the BP petrol station and it has vehicle parking both outdoor and indoor.

Opening hours are from 11am to 930pm  every day.
Contact   +  61 2 4284 9422
There is also another outlet of Samaras in Wollongong city centre NSW.
Samaras also participates at the Foragers Markets in Bulli every Sunday morning.


My impressions of Samaras at Woonona NSW:
Ambiance:  3.5 out of 5

Customer Engagement: 3.5 out of 5
Culinary Delight: 3.5  out of 5
X Factor:   2.5 out out of 5
Overall:     13/ 4  out of 5




My recommended dishes from the menu are:

Kible Mikliyeh  - a crushed wheat crispy shell containing tender lamb, herbs, caramelised onions and pine nuts.
Kafta wraps, with lamb, chickpea based Hummus and Tabouli.
Fatoush - crispy Lebanese bread laden with shallots, cucumber, tomato, fresh herbs and lettuce before being drizzled with olive oil and dressing.
Shish Tawook with grilled marinated chicken.
Spring rolls
Shish Kebab with grilled marinated lamb.

Harbour Street Wollongong NSW

Grilled Holloumi with tomatoes, lemon juice and drizzled honey.

It looked like it was going to be an evening of Kafta grills, Spinach pastry and  Hummus dips (blended chickpeas with Tahini and lemon juice).

 Here A and I were trying out Harbour Street at Wollongong Harbour.  We chose to sit outside,  even if it was an unusual coolish evening this time around in a rather warm May.  Perfect!  I anticipated a warm cooked dinner with Mediterranean cuisine  -  and it suited me well that the air was slightly nippy.

The lady who welcomed us assured us of the outdoor vertical heater near by our table.  I wondered what can be different here from the other three restaurants in Wollongong providing this cuisine.  Harbour Street has funky coloured mural walls inside and has a wide facade along the southern end of WIN Stadium.   It did not look like a traditional restaurant.  Its site is a logical place for outdoor dining and drinks, especially with events happening nearby with live shows and sports games.

My serve of Mansaf  lamb, providing contrasts in bite, taste and nutrition.

Sweet potato fries and crispy fried garlic chicken wings look like an easy route to take, especially with beer for the weekend.   However we wanted something more authentic  to start with. 

Falefal was on the menu  - the Fava beans and chickpeas sprinkled with sesame seeds and special spices, drizzled with Tahini sauce and garnished  with fresh coriander.   Maybe not tonight, as this was readily available across the Australian landscape for Lebanese cuisine.

I am usually not a fan of Halloumi but I would go back to what Mustafa recommended for us - al dente grilled Halloumi pieces sitting on a plate with attractive cherry tomatoes, drizzled with honey and sitting on a  small serve of Tabouleh chopped green veg.   No meats, uplifting in taste and beautifully presented - this entree is not just one for the female company.   I readily took the Halloumi  in quick fashion - it may look like elegant French toast, but it was more yummy than that, with a light but tasty bite.

Lamb Shish Kebab.

In Sharwarma cooking, meat is usually put on a vertical spit turning on an axis - it reminds me of the Greek Gyros and Turkish Doner Kebab.     I find it fascinating that stacks of fat and seasoned meat are placed in layers up this spit.   The preparation thereby can roast in its own fats.

To off set the warm nature of such meat, toppings  when served include pickled turnips, cucumber, Amba, Hummus, tomato and Tahini to balance the palate.    Fattoush, Tabbouleh and breads are popular accompaniements as well.    

Fattoush is a Levantine bread salad, in that fried or toasted pieces of Pita are served with  mixed greens and tomatoes.

Tabbouleh has finely chopped ingredients  of tomatoes, mint, Bulgur, Cous Cous, onions, parsley  - this totally vegetarian dish is seasoned with salt, lemon juice and olive oil.

Amba is akin to the more oily Acar found in south-east Asia, essentially pickled mango chutney, made with Fenugreek, chilli, tumeric, mustard. salt and  vinegar - and is comfort food in both Israel and Iraq.

A did find the Sharwarma lamb a tad salty that evening but Mustafa, with a beaming smile and yet concern, immediately replaced with a plate of a choice of lamb Shish Kebab.  The latter was sheer happiness, so juicy flavours just melting away in the mouth and leaving a wholesomeness by itself.  It was also the marinade, the texture and the bite.

I had no issues with my Mansaf, slow cooked lamb heaped on Pilaf rice, garnished by toasted almonds and yoghurt cucumber.    Initially I reckoned the rice looked drier than I wanted, but it sort of nicely contrasted with the meat once I got into it.   I found this dish appetising, had several ingredients and was not spicy at all.


Chicken on offer is cooked with onion, lemon, garlic, parsley and other spices - white meat as opposed to the heavier lamb -  and which poses its own challenges in preparation.   Unlike lamb, the chicken has to be ensured marinated in a different manner.

We both loved the darker brown thin breads!

I noticed the Potato Coriander offering, an interesting double fried diced potato mix with lemon on the side, fresh garlic and coriander. There are also purely veg salads on its own, like the Harbour Street combo, with walnuts, Spanish onions, Shanklish aged cheese, rocket and grilled egg plant , all with a dressing of extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.

Variety can also be found in the shared platters, either vegetarian or with the iconic meats and accompanied by garlic flavoured dips.   There are also banquet alternatives for a minimum four persons dining per table.

To close up the evening, we had a most unusual dessert, light, uplifting and an eye opener in presentation.   Mustafa said it was simply called Rosewater.  On reflection, the name emphasised the scent and delicateness of it all in this offering.  Rosewater relates to the distillate of the rose flower and is a popular ingredient in much of the Middle East and Indian sub-continent, mostly in cosmetics, drinks, rose oil, food flavouring and in making Marzipan.   Served with hazelnut and coconut, it was another suggestion from Mustafa.

Mustafa always approached us with a ready smile and alternative options.   When making recommendations, we could sense he had something of a delightful surprise up his sleeve....and then he delivered.

Rosewater dessert, with hazelnuts and coconut.

The Harbour Street proclaims that it is redefining street food.   I do find they do have certain menu items not found elsewhere, plus having touches of other Mediterranean influences apart from just Lebanese.   Their menu is not over crowded but purposeful, with enough items to build up a banquet or meal.   Some of their dishes have a finesse beyond what is called street food.   Although popular stuff like lemon juice, garlic dips, olive oil and tomatoes are utilised, Harbour Street also throws in a delightful spanner in the works to recreate specific dishes that stand out.  Maybe it is also due to their "special sauces".


Both of us were so full up and so satisfied by evening's close that we did not try some Baklava or  the Mhalabhye, a milk pudding with orange blossom and vanilla,  to wind up the night....next time then!




My impressions of the Harbour Street Wollongong:
Ambiance:  3.5 out of 5
Customer Engagement: 4 out of 5
Culinary Delight: 3.75 out of 5
X Factor:  3 out of 5
Overall:   14.25 /4 out of 5


Recommended menu choices:
Lamb, chicken and Kafta skewers
Meat Sambousik, golden puffs filled with pine nuts, onions and meat.
Ferri or char grilled quail marinated with lemon juice, garlic and special sauces.
Shanklish Bruschetta, serving aged cheese, parsley, onions and tomato with a drizzle of olive oil and Balsamic glaze.
Halloumi, grilled, served with Tabbouleh green veg, cherry tomatoes  and honey drizzle.
Salt and pepper Calamari, garlic prawns and Lebanese spiced fish
Rosewater dessert

The Harbour Street is located at  49 Harbour Street, Wollongong NSW at the WIN Stadium.
Opening hours are from 530pm to 11pm from Tuesdays to Fridays and noon to 11pm on weekends.
Contact 1300 000 4664
Licensed and catering available.

KIndly Yours visited harbour street wollongong partly faciltated by zomato.

Jasmin1 Lebanese Restaurant - Leichhardt NSW

Cauliflower delight - crunchy, yummy and tastes better than it looks.



I must say  up front that I love the way Jasmin1 prepared and served their veg creations.
I particularly like their eggplants, cauliflowers and salad mixes.

I can see that Jasmin1 is a family favourite.  There was a sizable birthday gathering the day we visited, with a long table full of little girls and a another half table seated by little boys. This created an atmosphere of homeliness and together with cuisine inspired by homeland traditions, the restaurant echoes what is is special about greater Sydney - no lack of choice, ability to saviour cooking styles from around the world and absorb in other cultures. I noticed the stained glass Moroccan lanterns and the geometric panelling of the decor.

Lebanese coffee, Turkish delight and Baklava are of course made to accompany a menu structured into sides, mains, dips, sweets, salads, mixed plates and Mashawi.  The latter refers to the barbecued meat and poultry that are skewered or in Kebabs.  It is  a collective term for core soul food in Arabic society and can be found as street stalls or in cafes or restaurants.  They are normally in beef, lamb and chicken versions, often accompanied by salads, rice or eaten just on their own.

Pickle bright, palate teaser.




The salad mix I like had Oregano, cucumber cuts, rocket, capsicum, parsley, radish slices, onions and tomato slices drizzled with a lovely pomegranate juice  - the Fattoush.  It was refreshing and also good for vegans.     The lentil salad mix turned out to be rewarding, with a variety of flavours and it was not over spicy.

Aubergines are served char grilled, served in a mash with Paprika, olives, lemon juice, Tahini paste, garlic, and coriander. We had this as starters and goes well with the breads or on their own.   It can be on the strong side in experience, this Baba Ghanoush, but worth trying!  Jasmine1 also has a meat version of the BG.

I did find the fried cauliflower better, light on the palate, with texture on the bite and simply clean cut delicious - and I normally do not eat this veg!  Served with a Tahini sauce.

When it comes to dips, I have a bad habit of just thinking about Hommous, Labneh or yogurt with cucumber.

At Jasmin1, I had my eyes opened with sampling garlic flavoured puree, lifted by olive oil and lemon squeeze.   This turned out to be less bold than the Labneh, which has yoghurt dressed with Za'atar  ( a blend of herbs, sesame and salt) and olive oil. 

There is both indoor and outdoor but covered seating.The restaurant is in a  quiet part of Marion Street and not far walking to the Marketplace.   It was rather semi dark and not to my preference, in the inner section of the dining hall  - so do try to get a table at the front portion if you can.  I phoned twice after 10am on the Sunday morning we decided to visit but no one picked up the line.   

Fortunately our group of nine had Ely and Ray to organise the food orders.  I did find our attending waiter not giving any suggestions but I reckon that is just his style. In contrast, the staff at the payment counter was welcome to feedback, which is important in a business. To me, communicative staff enhance a dining experience.

Juices, like blood orange or orange and mango,  are mostly from pre-packed bottles, although the restaurant has its versions of the salted yogurt drink Ayraan (more dilute than the Indian version), a berry flavoured refresher called Toot and grape molasses served with date and rose water  (the Jallab).

Jasmin1 is generous with servings of the Lebanese bread, fluffy, light and welcoming. To me they are like appetisers, especially when eaten with the variety of dips.  On the run, there are lunch time wraps  - Lamb with Hommous;  Tawook with tomato, pickles, rocket and  garlic;  chicken Shawarma;  Kafta with tomatoes, pickles, Hommous and rocket; and Falafel with Tahini, pickles, tomatoes and rocket.

Clockwise from 9 o'clock - dips, the Fattoush, the chicken Kabseh and the Baba Ghanoush.

Our group focused on the chicken Kabseh instead of skewers that day - this comes with flavoured rice.   We did find the chicken a tad salty this occasion, although I like the accompanying almonds and yogurt. The lamb at Jasmin1 is my preferred meat, whether in shanks or skewers, but not minced!





My impressions of Jasmine1:
Ambiance: 3 out of 5
Customer Engagement: 2.5 out of 5
Culinary Delight: 3.5 out of 5
X Factor:  2.5  out of 5
Overall:  2.9 out of 5


Recommended menu choices:
Baba Ghanoush
Fried cauliflower
Lamb, either as Kabseh or as Shish Kebab skewers.
Lebanese ice cream with roasted pistachio, sesame Halawa, choclate and cinnamon options, amongst others.
Chocolate Samboosik, with a choc and cream filling inside hand made pastry, drizzled with chocolate, accompanied by cut strawberries and dusted with icing sugar,

Jasmin1 Lebanese Restaurant is located at116 Marion Street, Leichhardt NSW.
Opening hours are from 4pm form Mondays to Wednesdays and from 1130am on other days.
Delivery is available within a 3.5 km radius and catering orders are welcome.
Contact+61 2 8084 2692



 

Auburn, NSW - A Touch of Turkey and Lebanon

There is an Anatolian feel in the outer western suburb of Auburn in greater Sydney. There are both Muslim and Christian symbols and institutions in this area, which also intermingles East Asian demographics with families having roots in the Middle East. Then there is the food, best surveyed by walking the main street of Auburn Road. NRL football fans will know Auburn as the birth place of Brad Fittler.  Political enthusiasts associate the place with Warren Mundine, the first indigenous President of the Australian Labour Party.  The oldest Hindu temple in Australia, the Sri Mandir, provides religious focus , together with the Gallipoli Mosque, done in classical Ottoman style and design.  Oliver Goldsmith's poem "The Deserted Village"  provided the source for the name of Auburn.  Above picture, young Mamet helps out on a Saturday morning at his family bakery.

Makanek, or beef with chicken sausages made in the Lebanese tradition, and sujuk, Turkish styled treats, are sold fresh in an Auburn butchery, which cuts meats according to halal requirements.  They are fermented and cured semi-dry sausages.  Pine nuts, cumin, vinegar, coriander, pepper, nutmeg and cloves are used in the seasoning process.

 

 

 

 

 

Australians are familiar with the baklava, intense sweet desserts consisting of pistachio or other nutty delights smothered with honey syrup in baked filo pastry (image above)  and the ever popular so-called Turkish wheat flour breads of pide (last photograph in this article).  Baklava has  been known to Europeans for around four hundred years, with the contemporary version in Australia based on the recipe used by the imperial kitchens at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.  An interesting note is that Adam is the Patron Saint of Bakers and he got into breadmaking after he was expelled from the Garden Of  Eden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auburn is  a bustling place of commerce during the day, with many families going about their daily regime. Fresh produce are a necessity especially in the cooking requirements of ancient cultures, so many fruit, meat and vegetable outlets thrive in business as such.  The working class nature of Auburn continues, even if new immigarnt groups have settled in. Not far away along the main strip of Parramatta Road are the so-called modern  complexes as exemplified by Costco from the USA and locally bred Reading Cinemas.  Auburn Road provides variety in cafes, sweets, salads, breads and cultural icons. Parking can be challenging with very limited time parking for most of the day hours.

It can be worthwhile to park further away, take the walk and soak in the very different world that Auburn can offer, in sights, smells and attractions.

The Sababa in Newtown, Sydney