21 Nov 2006 — It’s been a while since Pipi and I officially did a piece for “Makan Round the World”, doesn’t mean we’ve stopped eating, yah right, me? Never! Come to think of it, we’ve been travelling quite a bit these last few months, so our tastebuds have actually been adventuring on homegrounds, just that a lot of these places didn’t afford me the luxury to blog about the experiences, ok ok, or I was just plain lazy alright?! So anyway we’re back doing our thing, and hwah hwah hwah, not to scare you but this time, we’re going l’alimentation des française! For the occasion, we’ve picked what has got to be Sydney’s temple for French cuisine — Marque. So if you’ve been following my blogs, you might be quite familiar with what might be thought of as the local restaurant Oscars? Well Marque has not only been awarded 3 Hats for the past few years, SMH (Sydney Morning Herald) has also named it “Restaurant of the Year 2006″ and crowned Mark Best, its owner and head chef, as “Chef of the Year 2006″. With such a long list of accolades, it’s no wonder the restaurant was completely booked out when we first called. No matter, we settled on another day.

Of course our choice of restaurant today was no random pick. Being the very free housewife that I am these days, I have extensively scrutinised most of the other hat-winning restaurants before picking Marque, so it came as quite a surprise when I first noticed its address. Unlike most of the other three-hatters that boasted harbourside locations and views, it was situated in a quiet little part of Surry Hills.

True enough when we got there, there was none of the pizzazz that I associate with restaurants of its calibre. In fact, from the facade, it seemed very low-key and understated. And don’t talk about harbouside views, there was in fact, no view whatsoever! You can see from the picture that all the windows were shaded, oh well, I guess to ward off sights of nosey passerbys peering in from the drab-dreary sidewalk.
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11 Mar 2006 – In keeping with our tradition of doing an entry for “Makan Round the World” every weekend, Billie and I tried to make a reservation for Raquel’s once again – hopefully, it’s third time lucky. This place is hot – you practically have to make a booking one week in advance in order not to be disappointed. Not surprising since it’s located in the heart of Darlinghurst, right smack on the main Oxford Street. Luckily for us, this time we were in, we had a booking. Yipee!

And so that fateful Saturday, after a long day at work, hearty food in a cosy atmosphere was a welcome change indeed.

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13 August 2005 — We didn’t get round to doing our weekly “Makan” last week, so this week, despite barely recovering from my flu and with a massive cough still hanging around, I couldn’t wait to chow down on some Vietnamese food at Phamish! Yep, read about this place from Sydney Weekender’s Eating Out section, and have wanted to try it out since. The only lay-chay part was that it’s quite a hassle to get to. In Sydney in winter, anywhere that involves having to take a bus is lay-chay.
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31 July 2005 — When William first heard what cuisine I’ve chosen for the week, he was like “Greek? Erh… are you sure?” hee hee, and that look on his face, priceless. I know we’re really venturing out now with Perama, but after all, this isn’t any ordinary Greek food joint, it has received a “One Hat” rating from the SMH Good Food Guide for the last 3 years. Can’t be that bad. And besides, we SHOULD be more garang.
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23 & 24 July 2005 — Wow, we are totally Japped-out this weekend. Juju last night and Ryo’s for dinner just now. But who’s complaining? We luurve Japanese food, could probably eat it everyday.

Ok, so we begin with Juju. We’ve only been hearing about it for forever! More renowned than its food perhaps is its infamous long queues. We called at around 4+, and already were told that yes, they can give us a table at 7pm Provided we leave by 8.30. Well, alright why not we thought. And cause we absolutely love his company, we invited Sean to be our “special guest” for the night. Picked him up at St Leonards, looking FABulous as always, and off we went! (I love a man who accessorises.)
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16 July 2005 - We’ve actually driven past La Botte Da Ercole many times before since Domino’s is right across the road from it, of which we are regular customers. We’ve always peered in enviously and thought we must try it someday. Having read Sydneyeats’ description of it as “that sweet, local trattoria that exists in your mind, the one with the great food where the cheerful owner always remembers you, and no one ever screws up your favourite few dishes,” we decided that yeah, tonight’s the night. So William called to make reservations and the hospitality was instantly felt: “Mr William, 8.45, 2 people, No Problem! Ciao!” Wow, sounds like a good beginning oredi.
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By right, I’m actually cheating because this isn’t the first time I’m here, it’s my second. but cos William really wanted to come after I told him about it, I obliged. hee hee, actually my first experience was so good that I wanted to come back also lah.

So, looks wise - rather inviting and impressive. clean lines, simple tasteful wooden tables, loungey sofa seats, with elegant touches of Asian art: for instance, check out the calligraphy that’s inscripted on a metal board, a blend of the old and new, East and West, nice.

Staff-wise, not much fuss, because you basically order your food at the counter, they give you one of those new gadgets that beep when your order is ready, and you just go and collect your food. Have to help yourself with cutlery and sauces.
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To begin our world tour of cuisines right here in Sydney, William has chosen as our first pit-stop: Mohr & Mohr - German.

On first impressions, the place seemed quite nice actually. Elegant, yet casual, not too stiffy, though I did feel a bit out of place in my baby blue shooting star jacket. but no, the staff refrained from kicking us out if they did have the urge. and yeah, I was excited, seeing how it’s not everyday that William comes up with surprises.
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