Hakka Tea House

Ka mate, ka mate Ka ora' Ka ora' Ka mate Ka… whoops, wrong one. That’s Hakka with a double K. A recent addition continues the Asian-fication of Glen Waverley, competing against the stalwarts Rock Kung, Ocean King and Glen Waverley BBQ. There’s no linen here, more like a café and definitely more modern than the other three just mentioned.

Given the name, there’s a supposed south-eastern Chinese origin to the cuisine but not too evident in the lunchtime $9 meal deal that includes a drink. Choices include a won ton noodle soup with choice of noodle, a Hainanese style chicken with soup noodles, and shredded pork and crispy noodles.

Dinner presents some interesting options. A pork belly and taro hot pot brought back some memories of old for the older folk on the table with it’s, rich, thick gravy. Scallops no substitute for crab with noodles, all flavour lost in the cooking process. Prawn balls with a deep fried vermicelli casing comes with a sweet chilli dipping sauce not something I’d pick but fine for something completely different. A plate whose name is loosely translated as “Wind and Sand” is basically roast chicken and croutons. Unless there’s a soup accompaniment I don’t want to see the baked bread cubes. Since replace with fried shallots and breadcrumbs which is good to see.

A war cry unnecessary to get the people coming here, it’s reasonably full most nights and days. A gimmick free Hakka eatery for your family to enjoy.


2.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 25 Railway Parade North, Glen Waverley, VIC

Grill’d

Little wonder there isn’t a Steam’d to compete with Grill’d. Steamed patties aren’t exactly enticing though. Or the norm.

These are burgers for a new generation from a bar that creates healthy, tasty, freshly made burgers. Choose your bread, then what you want in between. Though you don’t get much choice in how it’s cooked, given the name. Fun names bestowed upon lean beef and salad that is deployed between the buns, various combinations of relishes, herbed mayos, bacon, avocado, harissa and satay sauce. Sweet chilli one of the typical marriages with the chicken breasts, others such as a pesto, basil and peppers in the Tuscan Delight, and an intriguing brie cheese and cranberry for the Brie and Bird.

Steamed burgers might be healthier but I’ll pass and stick to the ones from Grill’d.

3 / 5 yums!
------
Where? Various see http://www.grilld.com.au
What? Under $10

The Grand Hotel

So Justin Hemmes isn’t so cruel. I guess if you can’t get into the Establishment or Ivy, the institutions of pompous and stuck up, you’re always welcomed to The Grand Hotel. As old world colonial as the inside is, it’s actually quite a cosy place for a quiet drinks, the bottom and mid levels with high stools around mini tables, up top a few tables, chairs and couches. Lunchtime feeds are a bargain hunter’s delight. Forget about the gluggy stuff from the food courts, seven bucks gets you schnitzels and steaks with chips or mash and salad (parmas $10). Not bad for a bit of loose change. Maybe I shouldn’t be so cruel, perhaps that pompous bunch are subsidising these meals.

2.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 30 Hunter St, Sydney, NSW
What? Under $10

Grain Asian Cafe

Not a lot to say about this bustling HK style café. A typical student, cheap eat Asian eatery of soups, noodles, and rice, most under $10. They do a young tofu style choose your own adventure noodle soup, tom yum, clear or laksa with dim sim won’t kill or thrill, the combination hor fun not much better, a very corn floury gravy drenches the just charred flat rice noodles. Can’t say it’ll be in my top 10 places to eat in Box Hill.


1.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? Shop 46, Centro Box Hill Shopping Centre, Box Hill, VIC
What? Under $10

Golden Pide

I’ve read that the place has been here for over 30 years. That’s a long run. While the recipe might not have changed, its looks have moved with the times to cater for the ever increasing yuppies and cool indie kids that now inhabit Surry Hills. I’m by no means a kebab connoisseur but this one is alright, meat is lean, the garlic and chilli sauce travels well after a 15 minute trip home.

2.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 500 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills, NSW
What? Under $10

Glebe Point Diner (2009)

Imagine the reaction when Fitness First decides to increase fees. Perplexing, considering when services do not change. Neither does the equipment. Hell even the existing equipment isn’t even maintained or repaired properly. You’d expect a bit more bang for your buck when the prices rise.

Exactly what happened at GPD. I felt my heart break when the once great value proposition decided to charge $35 for their mains as if on the shores of Circular Quay. The aesthetics haven’t changed and neither has the service, professional and impeccable as usual. Too bad the food hasn’t risen to the next level worthy of the next price bracket. It’s still good, but just not the kind of stuff that will blow your pants off.

Tuna tartare seasoned with fennel and parsley is eaten on deep fried blistered water crackers. Indulgence in the strong duck liver pate with pear jam. A zucchini flower rests on a roasted chicken Maryland as if to justify the price tag, a sweet corn puree provides sweetness. Roasted swine, the meat tender, juicy, natural in flavour is lightly seasoned, lentils and cabbage unnecessary distractions to the black figs that should have been the only accompaniment.

Desserts this time round far superior than the last, fresh raspberries pressed into the silky custard textured crème patissiere, the pick is the floating islands of milk poached meringues wad in a shallow pool of a tart passion fruit custard topped with nutty pistachio and toffee shards. Too little too late however, the damage has been done and I’m picking up the broken pieces.

Like FF, GPD will always have a decent membership base. Also like FF, money spent at GPD could be better spent elsewhere.


2.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 407 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, NSW
What? Entrees $18, Mains $35, Desserts $14

Gladstone Hotel

A quinessential suburban old man’s pub, a remaining relic of the rough and tumble days in one of Sydney’s “dodgy” inner city suburbs. It is a little rough around the edges but the smoking area out the back is kind of cosy. Fine for a drink, shame about the steak, which was actually cooked to order medium rare, but I guess real men can handle gristle. Rotating specials on the blackboards outside will appeal to the uni folk, but you’ll need a pair to feel truly comfortable at the Gladstone.


1.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? Meagher St, Chippendale, NSW
What? Under $15