Gerrale Street Kitchen - Cronulla - Sydney, Australia

I'm taking a short break from my holiday posts as its been a while since I last posted about a local restaurant. I think it's about time I do and what better way to get back into it by blogging about a cafe in the Shire. The place I call home.

Gerrale Street Kitchen is a new kid on the block, located on you guessed it Gerrale Street in Cronulla. One street away from the sandy shores of the beach, it's follows the open kitchen concept and associates itself with LA dining trends. That is, the inspiration comes from the casual fine diners in LA.

The design and layout is simple, open and airy. There is plenty of natural light going around and definitely Instagram worthy. Best of all there is lots of seating (200 to be exact) and you don't have to queue on a weekend for breakfast most of the time. I'm too use to waiting over half an hour for a table at popular cafes in Sydney and sometimes leaving disappointed with the quality of the food.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their all day menu is not very extensive but there is a variety to choose from.

Having consumed a Vietnamese pork roll for breakfast, I decided a lighter lunch option would be preferable. The 'Warm Belgium Waffles ($15.00)' were delightfully presented. You may be thinking dessert for lunch? It does work and I really enjoyed the flavour combinations. Not just prettiness on a plate.

Wonderfully crispy waffles topped with whipped cinnamon ricotta, yuzu curd and raspberries. The fluffy ricotta balanced out the sweetness of the waffles and the yuzu curd gave it a zesty hit. Yummy!

The 'Fresh Canadian Stack ($15.90)' is made using brioche bread and then topped with smoked bacon, banana, maple, pecan crumble and mascarpone. The addition of bacon gives it a savoury component.

While it was nice and had good flavours, there was no wow factor unfortunately.

My friends and I particularly liked the 'Fresh House Blended Juices($7.00)'. The first one is a mix of watermelon, apple and mint. The second is a mix of orange, pineapple, mint and lemon. Both were refreshing.

How could one leave without having coffee? Not as strong as one would like but a decent cuppa.

If you live close by or don't mind the drive down, do give this place a try and see it for yourself. A bit too chilly for a swim at the beach but perfect for walks on warm and sunny days. The casual setting and nice ambience of the cafe is a plus. That woodfired pizza is calling me...to be back for dinner one day.

Where?
19-21 Gerrale St
Cronulla NSW 2230

Phone no: 02 9523 4111

Opening Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday - Sunday
7:00am - 12:00pm

Website
www.gerralestkitchen.com.au

Kelly's Bar and Grill - Miranda - Sydney, Australia

Another visit to Westfield Miranda, another restaurant to tick off the list. Kelly’s Bar and Grill is a recent addition to the dining precinct, originating from the eastern suburb of Bondi. They are well-known for their steak and ribs, following a similar concept to Hurricane's Grill.

After completing the hike from Bundeena to the Wedding Cake Rock, deciding on what to have for lunch was a difficult one. It was either try something new or eat at a restaurant we’ve been to before, and the votes went both ways.  We all knew we were starving and exhausted, but no one could make a decision. After suggesting Kelly’s Bar and Grill in Miranda, we all came to a mutual decision and Kelly's it was.

Surprisingly, for a Sunday lunch it was a full house and we had to wait for a table, albeit not very long.

The contemporary space is nicely decorated with wooden furnishings. Their style of cooking is based on the African style of cooking where the meat is basted in a special sauce for many hours then grilled to perfection.  

There are an array of dishes to choose from not just grilled meat but also vegetarian and seafood options too.

We started off with ‘Complimentary House Bread’ served with a side of butter. A huge loaf of freshly baked brioche style bread sat a top of a wooden board. 

When slathered with the side of butter, it melted within the warm bread and tasted like a sweet, buttery croissant.  For us hungry people, it was like heaven.

The ribs are available in either lamb or pork in a full rack only. What I like about Hurricane's Grill is the option to choose the half rack of ribs if you’re not very hungry, but here you aren’t given that choice. All items from the grilled section come with either a choice of chips, mashed potato or baked potato.

The ‘Pork Ribs 500g ($36.95)’is a delicious full rack of ribs basted in Kelly's special sauce. It sounds like a lot but it isn't really as it mainly consists of bones. 

The ribs were grilled nicely with a perfect char texture, leaving the soft and tender meat falling off the bone. The marinate was just right in terms of saltiness and sweetness.

The ‘Sirloin Steak ($26.95)’ is not your normal pub steak. It’s marinated in Kelly’s special sauce which makes the meat moist and gives it that extra flavour without the need for a side of sauce like you would usually need for a regular steak. Here it is ordered with a ‘Peppercorn Gravy ($2.95)’ which gives it a nice spice kick. The baked potato is soft and creamy on the inside and comes with a side of sour cream.

The ‘Grilled Chicken with Peri-Peri Sauce ($19.95)’ is served as half a chicken with the bones still intact and a side of peri-peri sauce. While the chicken was nicely grilled and the meat was still moist, it would have absorbed more flavours if it brushed with the sauce. The chips were deliciously golden and crunchy.

The ‘Side of Corn Cobs ($8.95) wasn’t really a side for one but more a side for four people as there were four decent pieces of steamed corn cobs. We asked for a side of butter which we thought would have been standard with corn. The corn was ultra-sweet and bursting with juices. Well worth ordering if you like eating corn.

The food is tasty and the ingredients used are fresh. Prices are on the steeper end but for the occasional event here and there it’s a good place to meet up as the food is generally liked by the majority and there is plenty of space. 

Where?

Level 3, Westfield Miranda

Kiora Rd

NSW 2228

Australia

Phone no: 02 9540 9447

Opening Hours

Lunch

Monday – Friday: 12:00pm to 2:30pm

Saturday – Sunday: 12:00pm to 3:30pm

Dinner

Monday – Sunday: 5:30pm Onwards

Website

www.kellys.net.au

Chicken Maru - Hurstville - Sydney, Australia

KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN IN HURSTVILLE!!! Did that grab your attention? Yes, you read right. Finally, a KFC (Korean fried chicken) joint in the south of Sydney. We no longer have to drive out to Strathfield to satisfy our cravings.

Chicken Maru is a fried chicken restaurant franchise originating from Korea. They opened their first restaurant in Australia a month ago, in the suburb of Hurstville and we couldn't be happier. Located on Forest Road and directly next to the main bus interchange, on the first level above a pub, is Chicken Maru.

Koreans love their fried chicken and so do I.

The interior is reminiscent of the cafes in Korea, with bright lights, lots of space and cheerful decor. It lets off that warm and fuzzy vibe.

There are an array of options to choose from. Fried chicken comes in an assortment of flavours and that's we we love about KFC. There isn't just fried chicken but you can also order from a range of traditional Korean dishes.

The waiter suggested we order the half chickens to be able to try more and so we did. He said the most popular fried chicken dishes were the original, soy sauce and cheese. While many do like the cheese version, I'm not too keen on cheese so we gave that a miss.

A mini bowl of 'Pumpkin Soup' was provided complimentary for every diner. The soup was smooth and creamy but an unusual sight at a Korean restaurant.

'Original Chicken (H:$17/W:$32)' was the first to arrive at our table. Huge pieces of plump chicken coated in a crunchy golden batter, layered on top of a wooden board. It was pure perfection. When they say half chicken, you get half a chicken and all the pieces that make up that. It was consistently fried and each piece was crispy, juicy and tender. The whole chicken next time please!

The most important element was the flour coating and that did not disappoint. A lightly seasoned batter with a hint of spiciness. The chicken was deep fried so well that there was barely any greasy residue left on the paper.

The 'Soy Chicken with Chilli (H:$18/W:$34)' is the original fried chicken nicely coated with a soy sauce that wasn't overpowering or salty. This was one of our favourites for the night.

'Spicy Chicken (H:$18/W:$34)' is glazed with a sweet and sticky chilli sauce. We found that it wasn't very spicy but was more on the sweeter spectrum. It still retained the crunch factor but we prefered the other two flavours over this.

The 'pickled radish' is an essential side with fried chicken and without it, it's just not the same. It adds the acidity to a fatty meal and cleanses the palate, making you want to eat more chicken.

With fried chicken you need the accompanying beer and at Chicken Maru they have Korean beer. We were, should I say lucky, to grab the last bottle of 'Hite Beer ($5.00)' for the night.

The 'Hot Stone Bimimbap ($15.00)' was loaded with an abundance of ingredients. A signature Korean dish that we tend to order at every Korean restaurant that's similar to a fried rice. While it was tasty, the hot stone wasn't hot enough and lacked the heat to give the rice that crispiness you would usually get.

The tofu in the 'Spicy Soft Tofu Soup with Seafood ($13.00)' melted in the mouth. The spicy hot broth packs a punch and on a cold winters day, it is indeed comforting.

And if that wasn't enough food, we also got the mandatory sides.

Bring yourself with an empty stomach and you'll be rewarded with great food. It brings back memories of the food I ate in Korea as it's truly authentic and oh so delicious. Since it's still it its early stages of opening, service can be a bit slow and messy at times but staff were friendly and helpful. Now, I wouldn't mind some Samgyetang right now.

Where?
Level 1, 330/332 Forest Rd
Hurstville NSW 2220
Australia

Phone no: 02 9570 2569

Opening Hours
Open 7 Days
Monday - Thursday: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Friday - Saturday: 11:00am - 2:00am
Sunday: 11:00am - 10:00pm

Website
www.chickenmaru.co.kr

The Italian Kitchen - Miranda - Sydney, Australia

The Italian Kitchen is open as part of Westfield Miranda's multi-million dollar redevelopment. Popular restaurants such Mejico, Braza, Kazbah, Grill’d and Din Tai Fung have also established their presence in this precinct. 

Restaurateur Con Dedes, the owner of famous restaurants such as the Flying Fish and Watergrill, has teamed up with renowned chef Danny Russo, opening The Italian Kitchen in the Shire. A modern Italian restaurant in the south boasting a casual and sophisticated dining space. 

The open courtyard is filled with plenty of natural light and fresh air.

The concise menu showcases traditional Italian food, providing an assortment of options including antipastis, entrees, salads, mains and desserts. Pizza is cooked in a woodfired oven and pasta is made fresh on premises.

What grabbed our attention was the ‘Shoestring Chips ($8.50)’ with a truffle mayo. Who could say no to that? The fries were deep fried to a nice golden yellow and balanced with the right amount of salt. The accompanying truffle mayo was brilliant. 

The ‘Pollo Pizza ($23.00)’ is topped with chicken, mushrooms, roast peppers, ricotta cheese and a heap of rocket. A fluffy and light base with the right thickness and loaded with an abundance of fresh ingredients. This was delicious and a good portion size. 

To balance out our meal, we decided to order a lighter dish. The ‘Margherita Pizza ($20.00)’, while simple, was packed with a lot of flavor from the delectable tomato sauce, basil and buffalo mozzarella cheese. 

The ‘Seafood Linguine Pasta ($29.00)’ is made using freshly made linguine with prawns, calamari and mussels in a garlic and butter sauce. We enjoyed the overall creaminess and textures of the dish but the seafood must have shrunk during the cooking process and the portion was smaller than expected.

Photo courtesy of K

A must visit for those who are looking for authentic Italian food in a wonderful locale with a lively atmosphere. The perfect restaurant for a special occasion or gathering as it won’t break your budget. I definitely recommend this restaurant and will be visiting it very soon.

Where?

Level 2, Shop 2203/2204,

Westfield Miranda

Miranda NSW 2228

Phone no: 02 9188 2981

Opening Hours

Monday - Sunday: 11:30am - 9:00pm

Website

www.theitaliankitchenmiranda.com.au

One Clementine - Kingsgrove - Sydney , Australia

One lady at work said that she went to a really good Vietnamese restaurant in Kingsgrove. In Kingsgrove I asked? A very random location given that there aren't many around that area of Sydney, with the exception of Marrickville. I love Vietnamese cuisine and even though my mum cooks it really well, I do enjoy eating it at restaurants as there is much more variety.

One Clementine is a Vietnamese restaurant located within a complex of new apartment blocks in Kingsgrove, on the first floor together with other stores. It's airy, modern and very spacious. Upon entry, we could smell the different aromas released from the cooking and it smelt amazing. We went during lunch hour on Sunday and it wasn't very busy, but I've read that it is much busier at night, sometimes with queues.

One Clementine serves authentic Vietnamese food but they have also ventured out with modern Vietnamese inspired dishes. They specialise in beef noodle soup, boiling beef bones for many hours to achieve the complex broth. They also have assorted baguettes and rice paper rolls. For those craving dumplings, selected dumplings are handmade on site, though it appears the prawn dumplings are not after confirming with the waitress. The prices are a bit higher than Bankstown or Cabramatta, but there isn't much competition around the area.

We start off with a 'Vietnamese Iced Black Coffee ($3.00)' which looks like how it is served in Vietnam, drip coffee over ice. Unfortunately, the coffee lacked the punch and hit that I'm used to. The taste of the coffee was faint and diluted by the excess water used to filter the grind coffee. I noticed that there was very minimal coffee put into that filter which may have deterred the overall taste. Won't be ordering this next time around.

The 'Pork and Chive Dumplings ($8.00)' are made fresh in-house. Even though it's not a typical Vietnamese dish, this extra addition to the menu is welcoming. The dumplings are filled with juicy meat and chives which may not be suited to those with sensitive noses, as these vegetables let off a pungent smell. A nice entrée with the sweet soya sauce on the side.

In a steaming bowl, the much awaited 'Pho Tai and Bo Vien ($14.00)' arrived at our table. It is essentially medium rare beef and beef meatballs in a beef broth. I asked for the beef to be fully cooked as I don't like eating rare meat. The beef tasted fresh and we could tell they didn't use the cheap cuts. The noodles were silky smooth to the palate.

I very much enjoyed the piping hot broth that had an amazing depth of flavour and the perfect balance, in terms of not being overly sweet nor too salty. It was just delicious and made me sweat buckets. However, they were missing one essential garnish, onions, which are found in most beef noodle soups I've had, as it gives it that extra sweetness.

The 'Pho Tai ($12.00)' is a medium-rare beef noodle soup. Cooked perfectly and like the one above, very tasty.

Fresh herbs and condiments to go with the Pho.

A great place that serves modern Vietnamese food at decent prices. Service is friendly and food comes out reasonably quick. The beef noodle soup is definitely worth having. We do miss the complimentary Chinese tea that we get at the traditional Vietnamese restaurants. Nevertheless, we will be returning to try other dishes in the near future. Thanks for the recommendation N!

Where?
Shop 1, The Pottery,
11 Mashman Ave,
Kingsgrove NSW 2208

Phone no: (02) 8060 7122

Opening Hours
Monday - Sunday
Lunch 11:00am - 4:00pm
Dinner: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Closed Tuesday

Website
www.oneclementine.com.au