@ThaiLand, Bankstown NSW

Sydneysiders are spoiled with the abundance of Thai restaurants mushrooming throughout the city and suburbs. The good news is, a significant number of them are certified halal. They mostly serve authentic delicious Thai food but @ThaiLand has changed my view on what good Thai food is ;)

The restaurant must have delivered consistently as the three friends that I was with today have all been here on separate occasions and were never disappointed with the choices of their dishes.  

There is a big halal logo on the shop signage but if you are looking for the certificate, make way to the end of the shop and scour through all the certs that they jumbled together on display.

Extensive menu and classy ambiance are perfect if you are entertaining guests. 

Service was quick, we did not have to wait long to order and be served. We decided to have steamed rice and several main dishes to share. Ready to drool? :D

Yum Nuah - grilled sliced beef with Thai salad and lemon juice dressing (AUD15.50)

Love the lemon zing in each bite of the juicy meat strips, not overpowering the grilled beef taste. 

Vegetable Tom Yum (AUD13.50)

This is one tom yum soup done right. A must-have for the tanginess it adds to the whole rice and dish combination. 

Chicken and Veges in Creamy Sweet Chilli Basil Sauce with Coconut Milk (AUD14.50)

The star dish of the day. It's really extraordinary how they cooked the coconut milk with a slight charred after-taste. I wouldn't mind sipping the broth as a soup at any given day :p  

Banana Sticky Rice with Vanilla Ice Cream (AUD7.50)

This ambitious dessert combines the warmth of the banana and red bean in sticky rice with the frosty vanilla ice cream and whipped cream on its side. Sadly, one big chunk of the rice was hardened and inedible. 

It is unfortunate that our feast has to end with the disagreeable dessert but uprightly, they are forgiven because the main dishes were all superb! I enjoyed each of the main dishes that we ordered. Just thinking about it again makes me salivate :D Overall, @ThaiLand simply tops the list in my book.

The three ladies who were responsible for the big love and praise in this post :D Thanks for the recommendation!

Malacca Straits, Broadway, Sydney

My friend and I went to this restaurant nearby our uni to unwind after finishing couple of assignments and mid-term papers. Food was great, we were both happy with our choices. It's also value for money, considering the price was standard throughout Sydney city. Service was good with friendly and attentive staff. Waiting time was acceptable taking into account the place was half full when we arrive. 

If you come from UTS tower on your right hand side in Broadway, walk straight ahead and look out for their sign also on your right. You have to walk inside the main entrance to finally see this joint. It is before Broadway Shopping Centre in Bay Street.

The menu consists of both Malaysian and Thai food. The friendly owner's wife mentioned that they have Thai chef to prepare Thai dishes. She is Indonesian while the husband is..Malaysian of course!

The halal logo :)

Patrons keep coming in while we we there. It was on a Tuesday night!

My friend had Laksa with Chicken (top) and I had Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang (bottom), both cost AUD10 each. 

Updated: On my second visit (15/5/2013) I had this appetizer for AUD6. They were fish cakes, curry puff and spring roll. Nyums!

N/B: The restaurant charges AUD0.50 for a container and plastic bag if you decide to take away your unfinished meal.

Café Kasturi, George Street, Sydney

Dear readers, 

It's the second last day of my parents trip here in Sydney to send me off to uni. We had lunch at Kasturi, a very strategically located Malaysian-Thai restaurant along George Street. From Railway Square where you can see Adina hotel is across the street, head left into George Street. The restaurant will be on your left-hand side about 300m ahead. 

Whenever I passed by this shop, I could not help but to ask if it is really open? Yes, the exterior seems pretty gloomy and empty. But be surprised when you step inside, it is a pretty fancy 'city' restaurant. Price is a little bit high but still in the affordable range. 

The three of us had Hainanese Chicken Rice, Bihun Goreng (fried vermicelli) and Char Kuey Teow (fried flat rice noodle) (AUD14.80 each). Taste was good although I wish they could be more rich in flavours. I tried my Dad's fav, steaming hot Teh Tarik and it's so nice and creamy it reminds me of home :)

 

Other mains served here included noodles (laksa kari, pad thai etc.) and rice/roti canai with poultry/meat/seafood/vegetable dishes. They also have in their menu: soup (soto ayam, tom yum goong etc.), entrée (satay, curry puff, chicken wings etc.), and desserts (banana fritters, sago, bubur kacang etc.). 

Update (July 2013): A group of friends went there for dinner and ordered set meal of rice, main dishes and vegetables. They reckon that their dinner there tops other Malaysian food they have tried in Sydney :)