Tropfest 2005

From its famed humble beginnings in Darlinghurst's Tropicana Caffe 13 years ago, Tropfest is now trumpeted as the world's biggest short film festival. Way back in 1992, John Polson asked the permission of the local Tropicana cafe owner to screen his first short film Surry Hills, 902 Spring Roll.And as they say, the rest is history. Australians love the idea of egalitarianism and any Joe Bloggs on

IRL: Sydney bloggers' yumcha

With regular photographic :P knowledge of each others' lives, it seemed about time that Sydney bloggers put names to handles, and faces to blogsites.We had a Sydney bloggers yumcha today, forcibly drawing back the curtains from the anonymous stage of cyberspace.In attendance was pinkcocoa, ShinChan, BHR, R, R's sibling, Casey, and of course yours truly. The rollcall was modest, but the appetites-

EoMEoTE #4: Chorizo and rocket

I've been meaning to join in an EoMEoTE (End of Month Eggs on Toast Extravaganza) ever since I saw the first version way back in December last year. Eggs, toast... is this not the international brunch of choice? With limitless opportunities for culinary entrepreneurship? Brilliant, brilliant idea Anthony and Jeanne!As usual though, time crept up on me so when I saw Julia's punctual post on her

Toxteth Hotel, Glebe

We had a quick dinner at the Toxteth, a low-key but recently refurb'ed pub in Sydney's inner west.The food here definitely fulfilled the "value" part of the pub grub equation, with enormous servings to satiate the ravenous.Calamari with chips $13.00Grilled marinated chicken breast with chips and salad $18.00Smoked chicken salad with Roquefort dressing $13.00Baby octopus salad $18.00The chicken

Snapped: Bill Bryson at the Valhalla, Sydney

Bill Bryson at a Gleebooks author talk at the Valhalla in Sydney.Generally known as the witty author of numerous travel books, Bryson is currently touring to promote his latest book, A Brief History of Nearly Everything--a layman's guide to the Big Bang and the start of the Universe.Looking remarkably cool in a velvet jacket despite the Sydney humidity, Bill read us chapters from various works,

CNY: Dragon boat races

The final event on Sydney's Chinese New Year festivity calendar... dragon boat races on Sydney's Darling Harbour.Vendor making hand-made eggrolls. First time I've seen this--very impressive!Official dragon boat race opening ceremonyRelated GrabYourFork posts:Links for all Chinese New Year 2005 pics

Govinda's, Darlinghurst

Govinda's has been around since 1979 and provides one of the cheapest dinner and movie deals around.A vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffet is $15.90.Add a movie for only $4.00.Or watch the movie without dinner for $10.90.The movie room is upstairs and its biggest drawcard is the fact that patrons get to lie on lounges for the screening.Pic from www.govindas.com.auWhat's the catch? Well, it is run by

Una's, Darlinghurst

Una's reputation precedes itself for Darlinghurst locals in-the-know. Having served giant-sized schnitzels for over thirty years, the patrons here are devout fans and inevitably ravenous.The specialty here is the Jaeger schnitzel, two enormous veal or chicken schnitzels served with a kilo of potato rosti and half-a-cabbage worth of sauerkraut (or so it would appear). The menu is predomoniately

CNY: Sze Yup Temple tour, Glebe

I've always had vague recollections of there being a temple in Glebe, but had never visited. So when I heard the City of Sydney were hosting tours of the temple as part of Chinese New Year I jumped at the chance (and wheedled an extra long lunch too).The tour was fairly interesting but I ended up uncovering most of the following information from the Net...The Sze Yup temple was built by early

East Ocean, Haymarket

I've posted on East Ocean's yum cha before, but it's been aaages since I've eaten dinner here--until tonight.The restaurant was healthily busy for a Tuesday night and festooned with Chinese New Year lanterns and firecrackers.This was a ten-person gathering so there were plenty of dishes to photograph. It was a bit of an event so we ordered fish and crab live from the tank (presented to us in

CNY: Parade Part II

The remainder of my pics from Sydney's Chinese New Year parade down George Street.This is my favourite pic of the day!You can't tell in the pic but this female lion kept batting its right eyelash very cheekily!This poor little kid was dripping with sweat after performing in the parade but proud parents and rello's kept asking him to pose for photos. "Smile!" they insisted as he tiredly lifted the

CNY: Parade Part I

The Chinese New Year Parade is probably one of my favourite events to look forward to on the CNY festivity calendar. Colourful costumes, cute kids and the adrenalin-inducing lion dance!This year's mascot for the Year of the Rooster.--Where do giant inflatable animals like these end up?The 15-metre-long dragon took off down the street at such a bolt that this is my only shot of it... obscured by

Inspired--Tetsuya's salmon sushi

Inspired by the easy peasy look of Tetsuya's salmon sushi demonstration at David Jones yesterday, I couldn't resist having a go myself.AugustusGloop's take on Tetsuya's salmon sushi- Blend 1/2 a large avocado with 200ml of full-cream milk (vary to your creaminess preference).- Add a pinch of salt and plenty of white pepper to taste.- Make a small quantity of sushi rice by adding seasoned rice

Tetsuya demonstration: David Jones

When I read about the legendary Tetsuya Wakuda doing a demonstration at DJs Food Hall, I was suitably excited at the prospect. However apart from reading a blurb in City Weekly and (of course) posting the details here on GrabYourFork (I look after you don't I?), there didn't seem to be much other publicity (unlike Pinkcocoa's experience during Good Food Month here).So it was probably totally

CNY: Chinatown History Tour

We joined the free Chinatown History Tour today, conducted by the City of Sydney council as part of Chinese New Year celebrations.The tour was led by 1988 Order of Australia recipient Mr King Fong, who revealed much of Sydney's Chinese history through facts as well as stories.Mr Fong, a small but spritely man probably in his 60s, arrived in Australia as an 8-year-old, and his enthusiasm for

James Squire Brewhouse, King St Wharf

I'm not a huge beer drinker, but having recently been enlightened on the joys of real ale, James Squire is usually my pick of the bar.The James Squire Brewhouse down at trendy King Street Wharf offers an extensive range of ales along with a modern Australia, steak and seafood menu.After our bargain $5 steak dinner earlier, we couldn't resist dessert. I shared a frozen chocolate mousse cake with

Slip Inn, Sydney

The Slip Inn has always been one of the more popular after-work bars for City suits. Today it is probably best well-known amongst Sydneysiders (females in particular) for being the magical wonderland where Tasmanian girl-next-door Mary Donaldson met Danish Crown Prince Frederik at an afterparty for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony.Now our Mary is the Crown Princess of Denmark, and

House of Flying Daggers

We went to a preview screening of House the Flying Daggers tonight.Directed by Yimou Zhang (Hero and Raise the Red Lantern), there were definitely elements of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon albeit with significantly more girl power. There were also a lot more nature scenes (as opposed to usual palacial opulence) and the cinematography and sound were very impressive.Probably not as good as

Rise, Darlinghurst

I've been to Rise before but we were keen to head there again to take advantage of their wonderful omakase menu at an incredible half-price. Previously available three nights a week, the half-price offer is now only valid on Sunday evenings (6.00pm or 8.30pm sitting) and books out in advance.The Rise restaurant barely stands out amongst the terraces along this road.Inside it's rather cosy with a

My Restaurant Rules blog

The ever-resourceful BHR and myself (the chronically verbose one) have set up a My Restaurant Rules blog as a forum for MRR-related news, gossip and general self-assured-criticism :P

For those outside of Australia (or with the strength of character to resist reality TV), My Restaurant Rules involves five couples around the country setting up their own restaurant under the glare of cameras and

CNY: Children's Fair and Entertainment

Children's Fair at Belmore Park, Haymarket and various entertainment throughout Chinatown's Dixon Street.Related GrabYourFork posts:Links for all Chinese New Year 2005 pics

Pyrmont Growers Market, Pyrmont

It was a glorious summer's day for the first Pyrmont Growers Market of 2005. Wicker baskets, pampered pooches and prams were all out in force to stock up on organic, gourmet and exotic produce.One of the three rows of stallholders at the markets. The building in the background is Sydney's Star City casino .We breakfasted on samples of olives, trout pate, macadamias, gelato, tofu in goma sauce,

Chinese New Year: Chinatown Markets

Dixon Street, the pedestrian mall in Sydney's Haymarket area, is usually the nucleus of Chinese community celebrations.Our Chinese New Year festivity calendar has been marked and today we checked out the first day of the Chinatown Markets on Dixon Street.Oh, and having been enlightened on the joys of Spam omelette, Spam with pancakes and Spam katsu curry this pic's for Reid ;-PAnd yes, I managed

Music in my Kitchen

Eek! I've seen this pass-it-on music survey do the blog rounds but didn't suspect that eventually my pedestrian music tastes would be forcibly revealed to the cybersphere.

Why oh why did I comment on Reid's kitchen music? :P

Ok. Here goes...

What is the total amount of music files on your computer?

Embarassing confession #1: I'm mp3-less. I missed the mp3 revolution by about six months when I

Gung hei fut choy: Sydney events

Chinese New Year festivities are always a feast of colours, flavours and photos opportunities! This lunar year, Chinese New Year Day falls on Wednesday 9 Feb when the Year of the Rooster begins.Chinese New Year Parade, 2004The City of Sydney celebrations are even bigger this year, although the Chinese New Year parade always remains the sentimental favourite.My Chinese New Year eventsFriday 4 -

Rabeih Sweets, Punchbowl

Baklava. The mere phonetics of the word implies the crunch of buttery filo pastry, and the "aahhh" of delight as walnuts dressed in syrup make joyous acquaintance with tastebuds.Pyramid baklavas $15/kgSugar is this gastronome's friend. Best friend perhaps. Pasteis de nata accolades aside, a good bite of baklava ranks pretty highly on the sigh factor.We had cravings and we had them bad. We headed