On the south side of Upolo island only about 30 minutes from Faeolo International Airport lies the resort of Sa'Moana. Whilst the South Pacific has an abundance of fresh foods available all year round, tourists often find the cooking lacks much enthusiasm or skill.
Thus it it with great pleasure that we finally find a chef who made dining a delight. Locals drive from the capital, Apia, just for dinner. A round trip of over an hour avoiding pigs and cattle on mostly country-lane style roads.
When Drew and his delightful partner leave at the end of 2007 they will be sorely missed, and management have a tall task at hand to replace him. Whilst his manner can appear a little short, the food is certainly not. A moist and rich chocolate cake to take with you on a morning surf ( a first on any surf resort I have been to ) makes the pain of bouncing of the reef worthwhile.
Whilst the kids are pretty happy with the usual burgers, chicken and chips, adults have a selection of favourites from your local high quality cafe. Lunches can seem basic and full of standard fare, but it took me a week to get through the menu, and I wish I had found some of the standouts earlier. Typically - a crispy skin-on fried chicken breast on top of a Ceaser salad with warm and perfectly done egg ensconced in a creamy but subtle sauce.
All in all, a very good dining experience in a potentially difficult environment, in a fine resort. Compare this to the much vaunted Aggie Greys 4 star hotel - supposed to be the 4th best in Samoa, could offer us only a soggy pizza and one of the worst salads i have ever had. Most of it left behind and without a comment from the staff, who then disappeared when we wanted to pay ( of course ) and offered us barely a grunt prior to the meal. Example " Do you have any ginger beer ? " answered by " Don't know " and standing there looking at us, waiting for.... something?
Sa'Moana gets 8.5 for food and service and 10 for atmosphere! ( cant describe the setting - you just have to be there ! )
Monday, December 3, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
Bandar Lampung Delights
After a week of rice and chicken on the Sumatran west coast it was a delight to find somewhere with more variety. Even if it included various lumps of offal and only non-alcoholic drinks to wash them down. Mental note ; if you like a beer, avoid Indonesia during Ramadan. Beer was possible in some places, but generally warm and poured over ice. This would quickly melt it, providing a flat, watery liquid of just below room temperature. Yum.
Restaurant Garuda immediately looked like a safer bet than its namesake, the national airline. After some warm up satays on the street ( 12000 rup - AUD 1.50 for 10 ) we were welcomed like kings to a long table with plush seats. A rocky water feature runs the full length of the restaurant adding nicely to the ambiance ( warning re bubbling water for those with weak bladders? ) Delightful, almost silver, service only marred by the blank looks and silence when Bintang was requested. Never mind, a delicious mango juice with an odd but nice chocolate syrup drop turned out to be nearly as good.
About 12 separate dishes quickly arrive - without being ordered. A great range of Indonesian dishes without a nasi goreng in sight! From spicy crunch prawns and an almost sag-like minty pea thing to a crispy dried fish they were generally delicious. My fellow diners seemed slow to appreciate the stomach, lung or intestine and I have to admit there were far better things on offer. Bowls of chilli squid with depth and texture without being chewy, creamy curried fish and sambal chicken, and deep fried fish bones.... mmmmm.
Almost the perfect tasting meal. You only pay for what you eat and that solves a major dilemma for those too ignorant to speak the local language. You don't even have to order!
Unfortunately the jelly to finish had an odd texture and tasted like my 2 year old had made it without supervision.
So if you happen to find yourself wandering down JI. Kartini in Lampung, look for number 31. For all of around AUD $10 you too can eat like a king.
Food 7.5 Service 8 Atmosphere 6
Restaurant Garuda immediately looked like a safer bet than its namesake, the national airline. After some warm up satays on the street ( 12000 rup - AUD 1.50 for 10 ) we were welcomed like kings to a long table with plush seats. A rocky water feature runs the full length of the restaurant adding nicely to the ambiance ( warning re bubbling water for those with weak bladders? ) Delightful, almost silver, service only marred by the blank looks and silence when Bintang was requested. Never mind, a delicious mango juice with an odd but nice chocolate syrup drop turned out to be nearly as good.
About 12 separate dishes quickly arrive - without being ordered. A great range of Indonesian dishes without a nasi goreng in sight! From spicy crunch prawns and an almost sag-like minty pea thing to a crispy dried fish they were generally delicious. My fellow diners seemed slow to appreciate the stomach, lung or intestine and I have to admit there were far better things on offer. Bowls of chilli squid with depth and texture without being chewy, creamy curried fish and sambal chicken, and deep fried fish bones.... mmmmm.
Almost the perfect tasting meal. You only pay for what you eat and that solves a major dilemma for those too ignorant to speak the local language. You don't even have to order!
Unfortunately the jelly to finish had an odd texture and tasted like my 2 year old had made it without supervision.
So if you happen to find yourself wandering down JI. Kartini in Lampung, look for number 31. For all of around AUD $10 you too can eat like a king.
Food 7.5 Service 8 Atmosphere 6
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Giraffe?? In London
Yes, a place to eat, not a long necked beast.
Stupid name, stupid place.
But who am I to dispute a franchise that is apparently as successful as this. It looked good from the outside I have to say, but almost immediately started to let itself down on the inside. With mixed meals from tapas to Mexican and US staples this place doesn't really know what it is trying to be. Waiters who sat at your table were briefly fashionable in the early nineties, but that over familiarity has gone away with good reason. Its just annoying.
What was with the enchilada with fried salami on top? That's a sign of a chef (cook?) on drugs.
Drink choices are poor and a Corona seemed the only option here to go with this medley. Usually a favourite of mine if given the right atmosphere, here it just dulled the pain... slightly.
Didn't bother with deserts. I've had them all before, 10 years ago, and I didn't like them then.
Food 4 Service 6 Atmosphere 5 ( unless you like waiters on your lap)
Giraffe - all over the place - literally and metaphorically
Stupid name, stupid place.
But who am I to dispute a franchise that is apparently as successful as this. It looked good from the outside I have to say, but almost immediately started to let itself down on the inside. With mixed meals from tapas to Mexican and US staples this place doesn't really know what it is trying to be. Waiters who sat at your table were briefly fashionable in the early nineties, but that over familiarity has gone away with good reason. Its just annoying.
What was with the enchilada with fried salami on top? That's a sign of a chef (cook?) on drugs.
Drink choices are poor and a Corona seemed the only option here to go with this medley. Usually a favourite of mine if given the right atmosphere, here it just dulled the pain... slightly.
Didn't bother with deserts. I've had them all before, 10 years ago, and I didn't like them then.
Food 4 Service 6 Atmosphere 5 ( unless you like waiters on your lap)
Giraffe - all over the place - literally and metaphorically
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Daquise, London.
Mmmm... home cooking.
It doesn't get much more homely than Dasquise in South Kensington, a favourite of mine for some time. Just the place when you need some simple Polish food like your grandmother would cook. If you had a Polish grandmother. Dishes are served out by the owners or their younger relatives, and it feels like home. The family often seem to be talking happily and quietly in their native tongue at the back of the restaurant, and it always walms my heart, as does the food.
Two course lunches including a glass of wine and good coffee for around 7 quid in South Ken? Yes please.
Today's offering was a simple clear soup followed by mushroom pancakes. Nothing wrong with that but you really need to go for the Polish Platter to get a sample of their cooking. Obviously this works a little better in winter though.
Daquise has been at 20 Thurloe St, just behind the Tube station, for a long time - and I hope they stay there for a lot longer. Some might call it kitschy, but its really just honest. And if your grandfather was a Polish cavalry officer you can appreciate the equine art, and imagine him smiling at you from his horse.
This place is about as far from the Fat Duck as you can get, thankfully.
Food 7 Service 7 Atmosphere 9 ( if you enjoy background Polish laughter )
It doesn't get much more homely than Dasquise in South Kensington, a favourite of mine for some time. Just the place when you need some simple Polish food like your grandmother would cook. If you had a Polish grandmother. Dishes are served out by the owners or their younger relatives, and it feels like home. The family often seem to be talking happily and quietly in their native tongue at the back of the restaurant, and it always walms my heart, as does the food.
Two course lunches including a glass of wine and good coffee for around 7 quid in South Ken? Yes please.
Today's offering was a simple clear soup followed by mushroom pancakes. Nothing wrong with that but you really need to go for the Polish Platter to get a sample of their cooking. Obviously this works a little better in winter though.
Daquise has been at 20 Thurloe St, just behind the Tube station, for a long time - and I hope they stay there for a lot longer. Some might call it kitschy, but its really just honest. And if your grandfather was a Polish cavalry officer you can appreciate the equine art, and imagine him smiling at you from his horse.
This place is about as far from the Fat Duck as you can get, thankfully.
Food 7 Service 7 Atmosphere 9 ( if you enjoy background Polish laughter )
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Baan Aram, Bankok
While the poor Australian football ( soccer ) team were losing up to 5 kilograms of bodyweight during the Asian Cup games, I was putting on about the same amount feasting in the shady alley off Ratchaprarop Rd.
Rat features in many Thai names, but not in many dishes, and certainly not in the synergy of perfection that was the Kale leaf wrap at Baan Aram. A square fresh and shiny leaf for you to assemble the freshest and most simple ingredients upon. Including peanuts (whole), Dried shrimp, 1cm cubes of ginger and onion, small lime wedges with skin on, pork crackle and small whole green chillies. YUM. Simple stuff, but with a taste far greater than the sum of its parts. With a sweetish brown satay-like sauce to bind the ingredients it had it all. Crunchy, juicy and bursting with flavour.
Fried Beef curry was also delicious but the green mango salad a bit less so. Overly sweet and overly spicey ( for my palate ) leaving a sickly sweet aftertaste behind.
Usual Thai service and value gives this streetside stall a big thums up. And not a rat to be seen.
Food 8.5 Service 7 Atmosphere 4 ( 9 if you like car fumes and rabid mangy pregnant dogs )
Rat features in many Thai names, but not in many dishes, and certainly not in the synergy of perfection that was the Kale leaf wrap at Baan Aram. A square fresh and shiny leaf for you to assemble the freshest and most simple ingredients upon. Including peanuts (whole), Dried shrimp, 1cm cubes of ginger and onion, small lime wedges with skin on, pork crackle and small whole green chillies. YUM. Simple stuff, but with a taste far greater than the sum of its parts. With a sweetish brown satay-like sauce to bind the ingredients it had it all. Crunchy, juicy and bursting with flavour.
Fried Beef curry was also delicious but the green mango salad a bit less so. Overly sweet and overly spicey ( for my palate ) leaving a sickly sweet aftertaste behind.
Usual Thai service and value gives this streetside stall a big thums up. And not a rat to be seen.
Food 8.5 Service 7 Atmosphere 4 ( 9 if you like car fumes and rabid mangy pregnant dogs )
Friday, July 6, 2007
8 Ounce. Newcastle, Australia
When 5 or 6 guys want a casual dinner the options may appear limitless, but its not as easy as you might think. Its not business, so ditch anywhere formal. You dont want romantic or too cool for school, and you actually want to participate in a conversation. Everyone should be able to afford it, obviously. Finally It has to be TASTY !
8 Ounce on Darby St certainly looked the goods, though the staff seemed a bit surprised to be rushing around looking after a reasonably full house on a Wednesday night. First impressions were very good when I got to order a Coopers on tap. The perfect way to wash down a pizza.
Good pizza by the slice and some yummy home made pasta supplemented by the offering of mussels and a jug of beer for $25. Reasonably satisfying, but not quite as fulfilling as the Schnitzel from the specials board. My friend polished that off quickly ( avoiding the good looking but apparently unhealthy baby spinach ) so he could duck out for a cigarette. His body is a temple and he is, after all, a doctor.
Beer and pizza... enough to satisfy pretty well any guy I know.
Food 7 Service 6 Atmosphere 7.5
8 Ounce on Darby St certainly looked the goods, though the staff seemed a bit surprised to be rushing around looking after a reasonably full house on a Wednesday night. First impressions were very good when I got to order a Coopers on tap. The perfect way to wash down a pizza.
Good pizza by the slice and some yummy home made pasta supplemented by the offering of mussels and a jug of beer for $25. Reasonably satisfying, but not quite as fulfilling as the Schnitzel from the specials board. My friend polished that off quickly ( avoiding the good looking but apparently unhealthy baby spinach ) so he could duck out for a cigarette. His body is a temple and he is, after all, a doctor.
Beer and pizza... enough to satisfy pretty well any guy I know.
Food 7 Service 6 Atmosphere 7.5
Saturday, June 30, 2007
From Wolfgang Puck to Bangkok Streets
This blog is essentially to record and recommend ( or otherwise ! ) a range of dining experiences from around the world. Fine dining from Tetsuyas in Sydney or Gordon Ramsey in London, all the way to a hot dog at Dodger Stadium or a Pigs knuckle in Frankfurt.
I'll start with a little rant about Krispy Kreme donuts. It doesn't matter where these are from because they are all the same. That can be a blessing and a disaster.
I consider myself a bit of a donut connoisseur, as they are one of my favourite foods, so you can trust me when I say Krispys are overpriced, oversugared, fatty, tasteless pieces of fluff. Mr Kreme has very successfully hyped this frenzy of desire for their product. Unfortunately it does not live up to the expectation. Most suburban bakers and shopping mall donut franchises will serve you a far tastier, doughy delight for half the price. Food 3 Service 5 Atmosphere 2
Wish I could remember more to tell you about last nights Mexican in Downtown LA. Because it was GOOD. But after 6 Dos Equis ( is that 12? ) and a pitcher of frozen Margharitas, it's all a bit of a blur. Cant quite remember where it was, but it was cheap and tasty and friendly. Food 7 Service 8 Atmosphere 7. Will find and post the name at a later date.
Dropped into the Library Bar on the way home for a few - but stomach so full I just felt like a bloated piglet. Not the fault of the Mexican food, just my own tendency to taste everything on offer.
I'll start with a little rant about Krispy Kreme donuts. It doesn't matter where these are from because they are all the same. That can be a blessing and a disaster.
I consider myself a bit of a donut connoisseur, as they are one of my favourite foods, so you can trust me when I say Krispys are overpriced, oversugared, fatty, tasteless pieces of fluff. Mr Kreme has very successfully hyped this frenzy of desire for their product. Unfortunately it does not live up to the expectation. Most suburban bakers and shopping mall donut franchises will serve you a far tastier, doughy delight for half the price. Food 3 Service 5 Atmosphere 2
Wish I could remember more to tell you about last nights Mexican in Downtown LA. Because it was GOOD. But after 6 Dos Equis ( is that 12? ) and a pitcher of frozen Margharitas, it's all a bit of a blur. Cant quite remember where it was, but it was cheap and tasty and friendly. Food 7 Service 8 Atmosphere 7. Will find and post the name at a later date.
Dropped into the Library Bar on the way home for a few - but stomach so full I just felt like a bloated piglet. Not the fault of the Mexican food, just my own tendency to taste everything on offer.
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