Archive for the ‘retail’ Category

It seems everyone today has the same complaints. “I’m so busy” one will say, as you catch up with them on a quick stroll between work and the gym, to be followed later by a dinner and a quick list of things to do before bed. “Everything costs so much these days” another will sigh, whilst paying for their $3.50 coffee, $9.00 salad and $6.00 polystyrene bowl of soup with money from their $120.00 purse. And I can’t but feel the pain, because oh-so-often, I find myself skipping breakfast on the dash to the bus and rapidly crossing dinner choices off in my head because, hey, I gotta eat tomorrow as well.

Which would explain why I was quietly pleased at being enlightened about the enliven sydney card and carman’s muesli rounds.

It’s no secret that Sydney offers a melee of better-than-great places to eat and drink, but the fact that money is a little tighter and the promise of continued income is a little less secure means that many of us aren’t so willing to go great guns when selecting a place to eat at. Two solutions for that: firstly, stock up on beans and legumes. They’re delicious when cooked just so and have a wonderfully high satiety value so you won’t go hungry. And secondly? Check this little baby out.

the enliven card

The enliven card, among other things, allows you to take a guest for free to a selection of Sydney eateries. Oh really? Well yes! So if you want to pop by Cafe Mix, harbourbar or any of the wide selection of restaurants covered by the card, you’ll be able to do so without the added concern of a giant end-bill.

The enliven sydney card can be downloaded for free at the visitnsw website. It also provide discounts on a variety of spa treatments, attractions and events.

carman’s muesli rounds

If you follow me on twitter, you’ll know at least one thing about my breakfast habits (or general lack thereof). We’re always told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what to do when the bus is coming, you have nothing that’s wrinkle-free to wear and there’s meeting starting at 9am? (Apart from waking up a touch earlier and ironing on the weekend that is).

Now I love Carman’s muesli, but it’s a weekend consumption deal for me – the time taken to pour a bowl of muesli, then some milk, and then to shovel it down (chewing each mouthful thoroughly so as not to choke) doesn’t quite fit into my weekday morning schedule. So I ws very (very) pleased to receive these in the mail last week.

Carman’s muesli rounds are 35% muesli mixed in with a smattering of fruit, tasty butter, flour & brown sugar to make a not-quite-biscuit-and-not-quite-cake-like mound of tasty goodness.

I’m personally quite a big fan of the apricot and almond variety, and at $5 for a box of 5 (they were on sale for $4 at Coles the last time I looked too) they cost a significant amount less than my usual butter-and-honey-on-turkish at the cafe for brekkie.

I’ve also found them great for sticking in my bag in case of a very hungry Bean, or for a quick snack in between all that dashing around we busy people do. Speaking of which… I’ve gotta run!

I have been hearing about Haberfield for what seems like the longest of times. “It is” Rocket would exclaim “the Eden of Sydney. The premiere suburb. Why would you want to live anywhere else?” He would continue, accompanied by constant riling from myself and the Bean. “What do you think of Haberfield Rocket?” we would ask “Decent place do you think?” And it would start all over again. So there was not so much as a single question asked when we realised that I wanted cake, and would be in Haberfield. “I’ll show you the best place!” said he. And off we went. …continue reading pasticceria papa

I have a soft spot for egg tarts. Something about the warm, eggy custard and the flaky buttery pastry just gets me (I am, as previously mentioned, a flaky egg tart person as opposed to a sweet pastry egg tart person). And the promise of a freshly baked, flaky, warm, eggy egg tart has been the drawcard of many a yum cha for me. It is hard getting to yum cha though. And not always worth the hassle & wait when all one wants is a bit of this and one of that.

My mother discovered Ho’s Kitchen down Pitt St. And by “discovered”, I mean got speaking to other asian mothers who love to eat (don’t all asian mothers?) and was told about the frozen dumplings “So convenient – just boil and then you can have a quick lunch!” and the freshly made baked goods.

six pack of fresh pork buns

Since then, we’ve made numerous trips, walking down from Market St “It’s only one more block mum. Promise. Come on!” “One more block?! You one more blocked three blocks ago! I’ll one more block you!” and more recently, especially after that exchange, driven down and popped out of the car to pick up goodies “Should we get chicken? I think we should get chicken” whilst dad waited patiently for us (and his treats) to return.

happy hot foods cabinet

My personal favourites? Well, let’s see.

Well, clearly, there’s the egg tarts. And at the grand price of $1.00 each, you’ll be ordering six and scoffing them all before they make it home (though I don’t recommend this. You will almost definitely feel not-so-good afterwards).

Then there’s the char-siu-so. A melange of red porky goodness ensconsed in a flaky triangle of pastry. Sweet, and not savoury as you may originally imagine. When we first started our adventures at Ho’s (which sounds more like a low-grade movie than it actually is), these were always (always) on the menu. And then we had to think of our cholesterol. And then one week the flaky pastry was a little crushed. And then we found other exciting things. They are good though, and I’d recommend you try them.

ham sui gok / combination dumpling $1.00

The ham-sui-gok (combination dumpling) is a football shaped, deep fried dumpling-thing filled with a moist mix of crunchy veges, mushrooms and pork mince. This is what we traded the char-siu-so in for, and now pick up one (or three) every time.

char siu bun $1.50

Also in the honourable mentions is the char-siu bun. Soft, fresh and fluffy with a crunchy butter-and-sugar hat. Ahhhhhh!

frozen foods menu (part one)

For the more traditional (and also for those who don’t cook) there are fresh and frozen char-siu bao (steamed pork buns) that just need a quick whiz in the microwave for a delicious and speedy lunchable. There’s also three (count’em – three!) different freezer cabinets filled with frozen siu mai (not bad), as well as (personal favourite) the six treasures vegetarian mix (bung in a pot, add a little bit of water and heat gently), nyow-lam or braised beef (ditto) and dumplings of assorted shapes and fillings that you can buy frozen by the 50-pack. Even easier to manage the pre-cooked cold chicken boxes (the one with chilli oil is a fantastic buy). Add rice and eat.

one more egg tart shot – indulge me

I’m still eating my way through so haven’t yet tried the mango pudding (though I’ve seen it sell like hot cakes) or the biscuits and lotus fileld moon cakes that sit in the shelf next to the freezers. But I will get to them soon, and when I do, you’ll hear about it.

Ho’s Dimsim Kitchen
429A Pitt Street
Sydney 2000
Phone: (02) 9281 2725