Tawandang Chatswood NSW

Vermicelli and prawns in a claypot cook off.

When I was told that Tawandang, with its first base in Sydney along George Street in Haymarket, had opened another restaurant in Chatswood, on upper Victoria Avenue, just off the train platforms, I was thrilled.


My first thoughts were on the Thai styled pork knuckle, well done with a strong eye on German inspired beer, and on the charcoal grilled shoulder pork slices.   For these two dishes, the Chatswood joint carries on the tradition, reputation and taste on the day of my visit.  Some other diners have mentioned to me that the knuckle can be inconsistent at times and some have found it served dry.


That evening ,more than twenty of friends were attending a birthday dinner upstairs at this Chatswood restaurant.  I was impressed with the lay out and spaciousness of this level, with good views of the nearby high rises and shops near the station.   There is even a balcony and the inside is tastefully decorations and ornamentation on the walls.   It is relatively large for a Thai restaurant in Australia, but then Tawandang's roots in Bangkok have much larger venues.

The minced pork and century aged egg combination.

The Tawandang Chatswood is located at 426-428 Victoria Avenue, near the eastern side of Chatswood Rail Station, New South Wales.
Contact +61 2 9419 5144
Opening hours are from 8am to 10pm every day.
Artisan beers from Bangkok available.

The egg omelette lacked ingredients and did not live up to a zesty bite.

The claypot deserves a mention, I loved it.  You can have a similar dish for dinner at Cantonese restaurants but they charge more than a bit for this, so at twenty Aussie dollars a quip for a smaller offering, I thought it is a good way to sample this delight.   The vermicelli has an al dente bite to it at Tawandang  Chatswood.    It was not spicy but had more taste than some of the southern Chinese versions I have seen in Australia.

The stir fried Kangkong (south-east Asian spinach or Morning Glory in Vietnam) lacked oomph, did not have the required chilli paste bite and therefore flattened out.

Prawns simmering in a spicy soup.

The stereotyped dish in Thai cuisine is Tom Yum with seafood.   Our dining group had a more spicy - but also flavourful - related version but with fresh prawns and egg omelette, something akin to what you can  have at the Bangkok Restaurant in the Capitol Arcade, Haymarket (which has a more authentic bite to this dish).

Minced pork with so called century old eggs has a  southern Chinese origin and constitutes comfort food of childhood for many south-east Asians as well.  As you may know, these eggs are preserved for around a hundred days at the most and give a cured flavour.   Tawandang's version is about right, not over the top and not under flavoured, with just the optimal texture.

The knuckle served to us at dinner time was already thoughtfully carved out into bite sized pieces.  The knuckle can be served in the whole and that would have made a pretty picture, but then someone would have to cut it out.   We had to ask for serving ladles, something which many Asian restaurants have not quite got there as yet.    The staff were hard working and looked lively busy, but we sensed a bit of confusion over how many dishes went to the two tables at our dinner party that night.   I just thought it may have been teething issues for a restaurant that has only recently opened in Chatswood.   The kitchen is not visible to diners as in some contemporary places.

The Kor Moo or charcoal grilled shoulder pork slices.

Such is my enthusiastic view of Tawandang from its city based restaurant that I admit having visited and checking out Tawandang Chatswood twice on the same day.  My lunch group had eaten downstairs, a more packed lay out with tables mostly for couples.   If possible, ask for the upstairs seating and have at least four persons in your group to do justice to the food.   In the day time, we had a coconut milk laden soup that had mushrooms, chicken breast meat slices and chillies -  I found it appetising.   We also had stir fried noodles and a claypot of vermicelli with prawns.

A banquet feast one Wednesday evening in Chatswood's Tawandang, including the Choo Chee prawns (left of photo).

An independent review by Kevin Yong

My dish recommendations at the Tawandang Chatswood are as follows:

For entree, the Kor Moo or charcoal grilled shoulder pork slices; and

the claypot with prawns and vermicelli.

For mains, the pork knuckle spiced and marinated with unique Thai delights and one to accompany with the crafted beer.

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Check out my review on Tawandang Haymarket Sydney:


https://kindlyyours.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/tawandang-restaurant-haymarket-sydney.html

Sitting Still and For Too Long

In contemporary society, many individuals commute for long hours each day, to find themselves immobile in front of computers in businesses and offices. Then they come home to mostly sit in front of smart phones, smart tvs and tablets.   Even tradies need to complete and email a customer payment or transaction using a laptop.

Unless a person consciously incorporates into his or her daily regimen purposeful walking or other activity, modern life continues to be sedentary. House cleaning, walking the dog, gardening and grocery shopping are outsourced by those who can afford it and say they have no sufficient time to do those chores.  These same individuals may be the ones who sweat it out though at boutique gymnasiums, stop two blocks away from their transport and walk to their destinations and have a fitness trainer for boot camps on weekends.

Money is made by playing the speculative markets in shares, options and property. People can get rich by sitting around instead of actually performing physical activity. Over consumption of food is synchronised with a so called higher standard of living. 

And when people take holidays, perhaps they can walk more but many just sit on beach chairs in resorts. The human body is made for purposeful physical exertion rather than continuing sitting on our bums.

Are we having standing work meetings, social catch ups and dates running through parks? Only the few and the health conscious. Most of us find ourselves sitting in pubs or fancy bars, lounging in hotel set ups and home outdecks or driving the kids around. We prefer to take escalators or elevators instead of using the stairs, even when we are able. 

Entertainment in this so called modern age are littered with over long movies, confined seats watching live performances (unless you are in the mosh pit) and relaxing in home cinemas. We look for seats in public transport and many these days do not give up their seats on buses and trains for more deserving fellow passengers.   have you tested yourself by standing on a moving train for 90 minutes, improving your posture at the same time?

Yet there are those amongst us who undertake hiking pilgrimages, perform ball room moves, charity runs and dawn bike riding exercises. Healthy past times can on the other hand be achieved when sitting down, like meditations, yoga and indulging in meaningful conversations.    The Fit Bits and smart phones can measure your active and sedentary statistics if you allow them to.

The bottom line I reckon is the proportion, regularity and balance between sitting down and not, between moderation and excess and between a natural cycle and forced patterns.

Lining Up

Kiddies, parents and teens lining up not just for their Mackers but the toy and movie momento packs that go along with purchases.  This can be an epitome of marketing and revenue generation, with customers not just going for the primary product of the business but trivial sidelines that create real passion and excitement for the market, but are really things forgotten in a few years.   Who really cares about the health implications of burgers and fries, there is more than a reason to visit a Mackers store  -  it is the experience.

Rich property buyers hiring people to stand in for them in lining up for apartment purchases off the plan.   Proxy buyers and representatives employed to place deposits for a speculative and hot market.   The idea is to get a place, a booking to make even more money.  Property real estate agents are masters and wizards in churning up need, interest and action....they are experts in auctioneering, hyping up and making one feel the want.   So potential buyers do feel the pressure and heat of being there, or being square.

Queues at the first Australian Krispy Kream outlet in Liverpool NSW all excited over the doughnuts, spurred on by the wafting aromas and complimentary sampling while waiting in line.  Read about Mackers above, but here KK does not even provide other than their main products - doughnuts.  Is there a problem with this....well, KK has closed many stores in Australia.

Pensioners all stressed up waiting to withdraw their money from bank branches as the Greek economy goes into crisis due to inability to repay loans as required by the European Union.   Ordinary folk lining up again at bank branches as the Indian and Venezuelan governments  declare some high denomination currency notes as being phased out and no longer accepted as legal tender.   These people lining up have an urgency to salvage their money's worth, are disheartened and angry.   Most have worked hard to make meagre savings the only mistake they made is not to have them placed in the bank.  

Shoppers with passion sleeping the night before in front of David Jones and Myers stores in Australian capital cities, on the cusp of the Boxing Day sales.   Amazingly, despite on line shopping and early discounts throughout the year in retail, there are still people carrying out what seems to be a retro and irrelevant shopping tradition.. Maybe this is an excuse to have a gathering with friends and have a party atmosphere in the warm summer weather Down Under.

Thousands walking persistently, despite fatigue and pain, across South-eastern Europe, in their hunger for freedom, escape from war and a better life.  Their home countries have been deteriorating in civility and bearable conditions, or some may be seeking a better economic opportunity overseas.    Whatever the reasons are, they are scenes of the human condition that both chill and churn our hearts.  They take risks in drowning, facing aggressive opponents and in physical fatigue.   Still doing this is better than remaining in their home villages and towns.  The silver lining is that they also discover acts of kindness, understanding and help from strangers they have not met before.

Thousands of citizens and residents patiently waiting under the Equatorial sun and rain in respect and sincere humility to farewell a political leader and founding Father of a small island nation which is now the world's richest city.   No political leader is perfect, but that is not the point.   True leadership is echoed by the positive impact in the lives and hearts of the masses.  Some approaches and methods employed by such leaders cannot be palatable, but in the end, it is the outcome, the sentiment and the achievement.  Human beings have a mind of their individual own, but when the many have tears in their eyes - and more importantly the pride and respect in their late leader - it is a rare moment in history.

Thousands of volunteers willingly being herded to provide service to and engage with the paying public attending Olympic Games.   The ideals of the Olympic Games lie in the heart and soul of Western civilisation, ideals and values.   Are the modern games organised with the same spirit, intent and philosophy?    Volunteers are galvanised to work for long hours with crowds and given much inspiration and indoctrination, the critics may say.   The volunteers themselves seem happy to do all this.

Persistent liners up in front of major city stores eagerly anticipating to buy the Samsung and Apple products released every two years.    Same as for the observations on Mackers above, except that the products last longer, but not by much and there are no freebies.  It is always fascinating to observe the delight and pride of the first buyer in the line in each city.

This is the March of the Human Pysche.

Babyface Kitchen, Wollongong NSW - Oh What A Night

Scallops placed on a corn puree base and topped with delicate things.

"Kevin", the tall and smart looking gentleman behind the counter called out to me.

I shook his hand but I was not terribly sure initially who he is.  He sensed my uncertainty and quickly mentioned 'Hevan".

I was impressed.  A young man who looked hipster in the mornings at a Corrimal cafe fav of mine has transformed into an even more dashing personage at Wollongong city centre's outstanding restaurant for degustation, fusion and bar experience - the Babyface Kitchen.

Duck spring rolls looking and are yummy, with Namjin sauce  - my repeated favourite.

Babyface Kitchen is located at Shop 1, 179 Keira Street, Wollongong city centre, New South Wales.
Contact +61 2 4295 0903
Opening hours are from 6pm every week day except Tuesdays, and from 12 noon to 3pm on weekends.
Fully Licensed Bar.  BYO Friday lunch only with $10 Corkage per bottle or 6 pack of beer.

A selection of fine Sashimi, graced by Japanese radish mustard and pickles.

The layout of the restaurant had not changed in the few weeks since I was last there.  The menu had changed like the turn of the season, expanded but my loved items remained.  And to night, there was even an option for a five course so called 'standard" menu choice.

Oh yes, the young lady, standing beside ......she was engaging as usual, made a good recommendation of a bottled white to start with to match the seafood and her settling us in.  

We arrived a quarter before seven for dinner and after us, the people started coming in, good for a Tuesday night, a specially opened evening before Christmas.  Babyface is usually closed on Tuesdays.   Soon the obvious only table for ten was filled up.  The open kitchen door, through which one can occasionally glance at, was a hive of activity.

An eggplant medley.

What could we expect from this five course option, we asked.  Then perhaps we preferred to be surprised, potentially with delight.   Sparkling water to cleanse the throat.  No more questions, bring the delights in - and surprise us.

The course proceeded - it not just continued to delight me, with new and familiar offerings. The duck pancakes are a standout, the Soba noodles with a freshly cooked runny egg are my comfort food.   The kingfish, tuna and salmon slices and cubes made both of us speechless.   I shall never forget the positive amazement on the face of my fellow diner that evening when he bit into the exquisite beef.

Some after thoughts from both of us on the heirloom crunchies - they were a tad over salty;   the topping of the flavours on the seared scallops had unexpected sourish after taste, perhaps a bit harsh for the delicate natural flavours of the scallops; and the eggplants may seem off course from the culinary journey we were on.

Heirloom crunchies.

Raspberry flavoured gelato was in reflection perhaps too strong a contrast for dessert, when placed side by side with the caramel version.   A second round of wine degustation came with a light red, as suggested by another staff member (or was he one of the owners?).   By late evening, we were happy, satisfied and delighted that Babyface Kitchen continues to strive and deliver.


Ala carte next time.  I must say the portions have increased compared to when Babyface first started.   The mains have always been just right in size.  The crumbed and fried eggplants tonight were generous in serving.  The scallops were ideal entree size.

Consistent, gratifying and quality  - the beef slices on my most recent visit in December 2016.

An independent review by Kevin Yong

My dish recommendations are as follows:

For entree, seared Saikou salmon belly; and

the Mooloolaba yellowfin tuna.

For mains, the Kurobuta rare breed pork chops.

Icons of Beijing - An Image Recollection