Helensburgh Hindu Temple - Canteen Delights

Nestled in the bush at Helensburgh NSW, in the vicinity of the Sri Vankateswara Hindu Temple grounds sited on a hill at the northern end of the Illawarra coast, lies an unassuming canteen which offers delights in Indian vegetarian cuisine.  If driving by car, you have to turn off the ramp from the main highway south of Waterfall and not head towards Wollongong and the NSW South Coast.   City trains do have scheduled runs to Helensburgh, but it is a distance to navigate from the station to the Temple at Temple Road. The place is packed with crowds on religious festive days and Sundays, but it is always wise to plan your trip and arrive early , meaning like around 1030 am.  The canteen opens at 10am on weekends. The menu consists mainly of dosas, breads, rotis, deep fried snacks, yummy vegetarian curry and yogurt based dipping accompaniments.  Even the 'blank" dosas are delightful as they are light and easy.  An interesting combination is the dhalpuri, a version of the roti that is packed with yellow split beans, garlic, pepper and cumin. I just love the sambar offered here, with deeper intensity of taste than some commercial competitors in Australian conurbations -  and offering a kick when eaten with the fluffy warm pancakes or crepes.  Rotis are essentially made from atta  flour (stone ground wholemeal flour).  Another of my favourite choices from this canteen is the paratha.   Some of the curries - essentially light and soupy with no coconut milk - can be hot and vary in spicy intensity.  On a cold late morning, i have now learnt to not take my hot coffee too early but after my meal.

The canteen is well organised, asking for customers to line up and order/pay at a central spot.  You are then given coupons which you use to collect your food and drinks from other counters.  As in any self-respecting outlet, the food is prepared and served fresh.  Disposable utensils and plates are used - and there are sinks to wash up and neatly maintained garbage bins. You sit under cloth tent covers or in the open - I rather prefer the latter on a fine day as I did with Arun last month.  We could take in the pleasing and inspiring views of gum trees, the Aussie blue sky and feel the fresh air in our face.

The Dough Collective

Heaps and loads of baked stuff in displays that leaves the visitor gaping for making a decision.
The rolls seem heavier than for most competitors when held on the hand.  At rush hour, walking around the shelves makes one feel like in a train station.  Coffee from Single Origin Roasters in Surry Hills  is offered but there is always the happy risk that one can overload for the purchases. Everything is take away, there is no seating. The best strategy is to reckon who in your family or fraternity house loves what and you
will have one interesting gem for each individual the next morning.  The Dough Collective says it approaches each creation with love and care, and so should the buyer.

The view along George Street, next to the Metro Theatre and straight across the Event cinemas in Sydney CBD.  Perfect and strategic location for office workers, tourists, university students and shoppers.   A bakery that goes to the next dimension non its spectrum of flavours, choices and pricing options.  If you buy the rolls for home, they can last hop to 30 days in a freezer, and when thawing them, do spray over some water to help ease the process before putting them to reheat in an oven.  The roll size is good as a snack, lunch or breakfast.

These are tame combinations in the picture above, wait till you see and taste pumpkin, ham pizza toast, Belgian chic, goji, orange-choc, Grana Padano parmesan, longan, hot dog, kimchi and more.  I saw a higher percentage of savoury buns when compared to the expected sweet ones. My own favourite hands down is the Gangnam, with several Korean inspired ingredients. There is a wholesomeness in the stomach after devouring a Dough Collective roll.

These artisan breads are not made from bulk styled ingredients and cost around AUD 5 each.
Carefully thought out designs around the shop show off the breads at its best.  Visitors can sample bits and
portions of each flavour before deciding to buy or let go.  There is a fusion feel about this bakery, it is not totally
Asian but neither is it fully Australian.   Taiwan interests are behind this business concept and model -
the outlet in Sydney CBD opened in February 2014.  The rolls are not as rich as
contemporary Western styled breads and offer a different sensation and texture if you
had only prior confined yourself to sourdough.

Ajisen Ramen from Kumamoto- Sydney NSW

There can be such a big number of ramen stalls and restaurants these days in any large city around the world.  What makes one more attractive or better in taste or experience when compared to another?

Ajisen stock soup, although still based on pork bone flavours, is not so thick, provides a different taste and yet can be addictive in a different way.  The hard boiled eggs have a yellow yolk instead of orange.  The X factor for me was the chill condiment, not overly hot, but gives a flavour kick till I finished almost all the soup, once I got the condiment stirred in.   Those who prefer a lighter sensation with their ramen can try the Ajisen recipe. On my most recent visit, I tried the in-house version but I also noticed a tom yum version of ramen soup.   Is that taking cross- cultural vibes too far? Maybe not, as the ramen model has successfully transposed itself across various cultures and countries.

I found the gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) lovely and with a wonderful blend of cut ingredients inside - they feel and taste like home made yummy.  The donburi section of the menu provides the Pai ku don (tenderloin pork ribs with sauce on rice) and what stands out in the entree is the soft shell crab.  For vegetarians, there is a version of the adegashi tofu, always a great choice to test the quality of a cafe or restaurant.  And I did acknowledge the renkon chips, really suitable to go with beer!  These are simply deep fried lotus root slices.  Three choices of green tea are available - the premium Genmaicha, premium Sencha and the Houjicha.

Originally from Japan, the Ajisen chain has the logo featuring a little girl named Chii-Chan. In Australia, I understand that there are six more Ajisen outlets apart from the World Square in Sydney - at 270 Forest Road St George and in Melbourne - in Hawthorn, Boxhill, La Trobe Street Melbourne Central, Glen waverley and at 130 Bourke Street in the CBD.

Ajisen hailed from Kumamoto on Japan's southern island of Kyushu.  Well known for its iconic castle, the prefecture also hosts a variety of universities - and there in I can see the connection between a steady good reliable ramen model and a large potential market.  I recall being in Kumamoto many years ago and loved the character of the island, with impressive memories as well of Oita and of course Nagasaki.  Even though we are on the other side of the Pacific, I feel fortunate that we can have access to so many varieties of ramen from Japan.

Citizen Corner, Surry Hills Sydney

It is not a brightly lit place and does not have too many tables.   Sited on a corner outlet, which could have the old dairy store or small pub long ago in Surry Hills, the Citizen Corner  is however walkable from Sydney's Central Station and bus terminus.  The Hills have sloping roads, though most with gentle gradients, at the southern end of the CBD.  Key roads like Albion, Bourke and Crown compete with Devonshire for the location of several interesting culinary experiences, offering mostly modern Australian, several breakfast and brunch places and trendy night gathering holes.  In the Hills, not all the culinary and foodie outlets are easily clustered in more obvious hubs - and they can be dispersed.  So Citizen Corner was relatively easy to find.

The demographic is twenty something, alternative, double income no kids and battlers.  The restaurant customers do come from the eastern suburbs, inner city hubs and tourist profiles.   You have places that open early and do not see sunset.  Others are only accessible around dusk.

The Citizen Corner, intersecting with Holt and Devonshire streets, does both breakky-brunch and dinner, the latter only from Thursdays to Sundays.  Quick lunch options are mainly Italian and pasta based but there is also the easy option of a beef burger, chicken schnitzel or poached trout.

Seafood and garden pea accompanying my risotto.

The relish of a spicy chorizo sauce added a new dimension to contrast with the subtlety of masterfully seared scallops and hand crafted celeriac mash.  I did not regret changing from my first selection of the tuna carpaccio with baby capers and chill oil, perhaps too confronting for my palate.

The service from the two female staff on the restaurant floor was friendly and relaxed. By 8pm on a Saturday evening, all the tables had been taken.The subdued lighting added to a chill out ambiance and diners can also watch the world go by outside the windows.  I reckon Citizen Corner is more befitting cosy small groups or couples.  Its compact size is just perfect for booking out exclusively the whole place for your very own party of maybe up to fifty guests.

There is an extensive and impressive drinks list, obviously carefully thought out. St Hallet Rose 2012 from the Barossa in South Australia was the choice to accompany my risotto, keeping it simple, relaxing and fresh.  There is no lack of adventure and variety, for more than several estates have a representative selection available from around Australia and New Zealand.  Sparkling wines are confined to French and Italian sources - with names like Piccolo and the Jacquart Brut champagne.

And then the mains - a wide choice, from fresh kingfish curry with basmati rice to the expected fillet steak with mushrooms, cream and shallots.  What caught my eye most was the fishermen's pie - with salmon, scallop, egg, cream , rocket, fish and prawn.  A must try for the next visit.  There is also the tempting pappardelle pasta with pork and duck ragout.  For entrees, I would recommend the fisherman's soup with a rouille crouton, heavenly for these current nippy nights.

I was too full for dessert but never mind others at the table had theirs and I saved this for a return visit.   The item waiting for me would be then caramelised apple and rhubarb tart with vanilla bean ice cream.  I find Citizen Corner to the core is so Australian in its offerings - a foundation of hearty and familiar Down Under favourites served with an eye for detail and carefully thought of ingredients.  Yet it has embraced dishes from the Indian Ocean, Italy and good old Mother England.
The setting is all at the same time retro, contemporary and village like. Pity they have a closed kitchen, but on a cold night, this did not matter much.

Vivid Sydney

Inspiration, drama and visuals

Intricacies in the financial district.

Mutants at the Rocks.

Environmental concerns at Martin Place.

So zen, so anime, so chic - floating over Chinatown.

Euro candy, Latino fiesta or African rainbow?

Glow of gifts like on Christmas Eve.

Happy moods, red vibes and an inner swirl of letting go.