Tag Archives: Fishcake

Four strikes Lemon Grass, four strikes…

3 Replies

It’s been a little while since our last outing to Lemon Grass at Woden. We love the food, especially number 39 on the menu GANG PANANG (Creamy red curry (chicken or beef) with crushed peanuts and kaffir leaves topped with crispy egg noodles). We wanted to give them another go. We were patient and as clear as possible when speaking. Yet we waited and waited and at the end when we wanted to ask for dessert, the wait staff cleared empty tables rather than tables with customers. They main problem with this restaurant is the ratio of wait staff to customers. On a large floor with seating for more than a hundred or so customers there are three wait staff. They’re friendly enough but I’m not sure what food service training they’ve received.

We started with entrée and around us we had fish cakes, curry puffs and pork patties. These were not that good, they were tasty but not really anything special.

Pork patties (iPhone)

I then had the beef red curry (Number 39).

Beef red curry (iPhone)

One of our party noticed you couldn’t get a 69 at this restaurant. Mind you, you can’t get a 63 or a 64 either :-)

We all wanted something sweet and were prepared to stay and order dessert here. Lots of other tables had been vacated and dirty plates were stacked on each. We had dirty plates on our table and were clearly wanting to stay. The wait staff avoided our attention seeking behaviour and proceeded to clear the other tables. In the end, we went to the front desk, obtained the bill, sorted out the money and left.

We had dessert at Max Brenner.

I had ice cream, whipped cream and toffee topping plus a hot white chocolate.

Ice cream, whipped cream and toffee topping (iPhone)

White hot chocolate (iPhone)

Will we return? Yeah probably. We had the idea we’d order number 39 for takeaway and then go somewhere else to eat. That may be the solution.

Related articles

Chong Co Thai Restaurant and Max Brenner

8 Replies

Last night we went out with some friends to the Chong Co Thai Restaurant in Belconnen and then enjoyed dessert at Max Brenner which was in the same area. Bron and I had been to Chong Co a couple of times before and enjoyed the food.

There were five in our party and we quickly agreed to start with the mixed entrée which consisted of a spring roll, curry puff, fish cake and and Satay chicken. The spring roll was quite peppery and the fish cakes had a lovely firm texture that wasn’t rubbery.

The mixed entrée consisted of a spring roll, curry puff, fish cake and Satay chicken. (iPhone with flash)

For the main course Bron chose the deep fried batter soft shell crab topped with tamarind sauce, ginger, shallot, coriander, crispy onion and mixed vegetables. The dish was enormous with at least two crabs.

Soft shelled crab (iPhone with flash)

I chose the Pan fried batter barramundi topped with chilli, cooked in coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves and sweet basil leaves.

Fried barramundi (iPhone with flash)

The barramundi was rated with two chillies. For me it was bordering on hot. It was not uncomfortable but certainly sinus clearing. Mixed with some rice, this was delightful.

The service at the Chong Co is remarkable. The ratio of wait staff to customers is very high, nothing is too much trouble.The restaurant was fairly full with a good turnover of patrons. When full the place is very noisy and hearing conversations can be difficult. It would be good if the owner added some sound baffling to the ceiling and walls. The wait staff all look very good in their costumes and the decor is very inviting.

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a good night out.

After our main course we elected to enjoy dessert at Max Brenner. We’ve been to Max Brenner a few times before. Last night we tried a few different things.

I had a passion fruit waffle sundae.

Passion fruit waffle sundae (iPhone)

Michael had a Max-wich

Max-wich (iPhone)

Bron had a banana crepe.

Banana crepe (iPhone)

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar on Urbanspoon

It was a really good night out. Given the proximity of Max Brenner to Chong Co, it was a great combination.

Related articles

Seasalt Dining in Bruce

10 Replies

Last night we ventured out with friends to a newish restaurant in Canberra. Seasalt Dining in Bruce is in The Hub apartment complex in Bruce new The Canberra Stadium and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Last night the Brumbies were playing the Sharks at Canberra Stadium so we were a little nervous about parking. In the end it turned out well (the Brumbies were defeated too). They have dedicated parking and from the kitchen the chefs and wait staff can monitor the car park.

The service was really very good. The wait staff were cheerful and helpful. Nothing was too difficult for them and they enjoyed a little playful bantered when we “complained” our desserts weren’t big enough. The menu is pretty good and the place opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I elected not to have an entrée while my dinner companions enjoyed Thai fish cakes and seared scallops. I waited instead for the seafood platter, which according to the menu looked like a collection of entrée dishes plus a piece of fish (salmon last night). That’s what it turned out to be. It was very nice, although, compared with our recent Maestral experience, this was not a seafood platter for two. I ate this easily by myself without any discomfort. The fish cakes were a little rubbery compared with the excellent fish cakes from Lemon Grass. That said, the seared scallops were divine.

The restaurant has a nice cake cabinet and I chose white chocolate cheese cake with cream and ice cream.

I would recommend Seasalt Dining in Bruce to anyone living in Canberra. It will soon have its own dedicated website and all going well my fat face will appear after a photograph was taken of me last night with my seafood platter :-)

I kept a parking spot for our friends.

Fish cakes

Seared scallops

Platter plate 1

Plate plate 2. Oysters natural and Kilpatrick.

It came with really nice potato chips (Fries for friends in the USA).

All together. I also got a plate of Thai fish cakes.

White chocolate cheesecake with ice cream and whipped cream.

Related articles