20191227 Sfizio Cucina e Caffé and Norwood Hotel

It's Christmas week and Stephen and I aren't in the city this Friday. Stephen suggested we meet again at Norwood pub and eat at Norwood. It's technically Con's turn, but he didn't mind.

It's another 45 degree day and I am praying that the pub is cool. Stephen and I get there about 5.30 and Con is already there. We had a table on the raised platform to the right of the pub. There was a group of VERY rowdy young men carrying on like pork chops. We couldn't barely hear ourselves speak.

When Richard showed up we decided to move to the other side of the pub. I was talking with Con about the Country Music Documentary by Ken Burns that I had watched - love, love, loved it!! Richard had also downloaded it and was deciding whether to invest the 16 hours necessary to see it. Both Con and I agreed that it was well worth it.

The very unusual thing about tonight is that I was drinking and Stephen was driving! Richard felt his forehead asking if he was ill :-)

Con was easy going and happy to listen to suggestions on where to eat. We eventually choose Italian. The place directly opposite the Norwood pub, Sfizio. None of us had been there before...

So.. what did we eat and what did we think?

We sat at the back of the restaurant - thankfully cool.

I had the Linguine Zingarella. I was interested in comparing this recipe with the one that I had previously at Amalfis. It was like soup, loads of sauce. It smelled too 'fishy' - a fishy smell that you have when the fish is slightly too old. That smell put me off. There were 3 prawns in the meal. A bit stingy if you ask me. I had some of the pasta and left over half of it. I had the luxury of having a beer with my meal - a rare occasion.

Chad had the Calzone Bimbo... his comment afterwards? It's alright... his score reflected how he felt.

Con was being adventuresome and had the Saltimbocca Alla Romana (Veal and veggies). Con said afterwards... 'ah.. it was good'. Said with a tinge of regret.

Stephen had the Penne Pollo (chicken). He ate it and again, similar to Chad and Con, thought it was average.

Finally, Richard had the Tortellini Alla Panna (Ham and mushrooms). He mirrored the same response as the others.

Score for the evening...

Elizabeth - 5.5
Chad - 6.5
Con - 6
Stephen - 7
Richard - 7

The only thing I will say is that it was relatively cheap - $58 for mine and Stephen's meal including the beer. Then again, if I don't eat half of my meal it isn't that cheap...

What to say about this restaurant?

Well, the service was fast. Very fast. A bit too fast for my liking. Stephen had barely finished and they whipped away his plate, regardless of whether he wanted to mop up the juice. It's a dislike of mine to have a waiter/ess clear away plates whilst people at the table are still eating.

Richard had eyed the cakes earlier and thought they were standard Italian fare, so we decided to go back to the Norwood pub for dessert.

I didn't feel like a coffee or cake so I stuck with another beer - why not?

Richard had the passion-fruit cheesecake. Chad had the lemon tart and Con had the Pecan Pie - all had coffees. A pleasant way to end the day.

20191220 Danny's Thai Bistro & Caffe Buongiorno

The heat of summer is gearing up a notch and we're sweltering underneath the weight of hot, sticky nights.

It was Stephen's turn to choose tonight and on the very rare occasions when we don't meet at the Elephant, we decided to meet in Norwood instead.

Con and Richard met Stephen and I in the booth to the right of the pub (next to the dining room).

I had brought some music pamplets for Richard. My manager had been throwing them out and I thought Richard might like them. He said thank you.

I had to comment on Con's green paisley flowered short-sleeved shirt - very fashionable.

Chad was at another event and met us at the restaurant around 7.45pm. I had ordered his meal for him.

We strolled up in the 45 degree heat to Danny's. We thought about sitting outside (only for a fraction of a second, then went inside into the cool atmosphere).

We probably got the best table in the restaurant - towards the back right corner with an L-shape sofa and seats.

Con and Richard shared the dim sims - there were six of them. When Chad turned up Richard offered to share the dim sims 2 each, but Chad declined. Stephen and I shared the spring rolls. It cost $8 and we had 2 spring rolls (cut in halves). I was expecting a bit more for the price.

Richard and Chad had the same dish. Chicken Phad Krapral with basil sauce. Richard had coconut rice and Chad had jasmine rice.

Richard's comment was that there was not enough juice (and had a couple of scoops of my laksa juice). He also said it wasn't hot enough. However, he did say it was full of flavour (was that the laksa ??)

Con had the chicken and seaford laksa. He wasn't too impressed by it. It didn't have the Laksa flavour, it was more like curry.

Chad's comment about his meal was that it didn't really need the rice.

Stephen had the Pad Thai. As soon as he saw it he saw that there weren't any vegetables in it. A pet hate of his. Overall, the dish was bland and dry - neutral and easily forgettable.

I had the Laksa. I specifically asked for it to be just seaford (no chicken). However, when it came there were chicken bits in it. I couldn't be bothered to take it back.


Scores for the night:

Richard - 7
Con - 7.5 for entree, 6.5 for main
Chad - 7
Stephen - 4.5
Elizabeth - 4

After our disaster service at La Taberna, I decided to time the service:

We ordered our meals at 7.36. At 7.52 the entrees were delivered. A reasonable time. At 8.09 we had the main delivered. All good on the service end of things.


Chad bought us all a fortune cookie! What truths are revealed in the humble cookie!








We went to Buongiorno, our Norwood favourite for coffee. Chad splurged and had the most amazing looking dessert - a Baileys and Ferrero creamy cake - it was good enough for even me to eat...

Richard had the traditional Greek dessert, Baklava, which was more than a bit tough. It was hard for him to get the fork through the cake.

20191213 Midnight Spaghetti and Steven ter Horst

YAY! It's my turn to choose and I have taken a leaf from Stephen's book and decided for something that is going to be rock solid good. After last week's disaster date with Mexican food, I decided to book a table for 5 at the tried and trusted Midnight Spaghetti.

It has been my first week in my new role as Team Leader. It has been pretty cruisey and I am settling in well.  I knocked off at 5pm and strolled across the road to the Elephant where our booked booth was awaiting me.

Con was the first to show up in a polo shirt and looked very summery. As always with Con, he was in high spirits. He asked me if I had watched the 14 hour Country videos he had given me last week. Alas, with such a busy week, I hadn't even taken the USB out of my bag.

Stephen came in about 5.40 (he had moved the car to save us an $8 additional parking fee). Chad rocked up a little after this (it was his last day before the school holidays). He told us his 'dad' joke!!!

3 girls are on a dessert island and each girl was given a wish by a genie. I won't go into the joke, but this is enough to remember it by.

Richard came in around 6.15 and completed the group for the evening. He hasn't been to Midnight Spaghetti for a while so was looking forward to it.

We walked up the road and noted that Jekyl and Hyde had shut down. In it's place was going to be 'Gunbae' (the first picture). Sounds interesting...  due to open soon.

Into the Midnight Spaghetti and up the curved staircase to the first floor. It was a little quieter than our previous visits, but we were shown to the table in an efficient and friendly manner. I can't believe this place isn't packed out every night. It's an absolute gem, hidden away. The upstairs had an old worldly feel with its lovely wooden tables and the view over Grenfell Street is welcoming. Right across the road from my work!

On our tables are empty tins of tomatoes to hold the cutlery and napkins. A rustic touch that adds to the character of the setting.





As I've mentioned on a few previous occasions, I always judge a restaurant that serves pasta firstly on whether they serve complimentary bread. Here they do. And what bread it is. Thick, dense white bread with olive flavouring. Perfect for a nibble before the pasta arrives.

We were also served 3 small dishes as accompaniments for the pasta - chilli oil, chilli flakes and parmesan cheese. A nice touch.

It must have been about 5 minutes after we ordered that all the dishes were served together within milliseconds of each other. The perfect service.

Stephen, Chad and Richard had the Ragu. Chad and Richard shared the Truffle Spuds.

Con and myself had the Midnight Spagheeti signature dish - served in a dish with its name around the side. Stephen and I also shared a Truffle Spuds. Stephen indulged in a glass of house red.

The flavours of the food were amazing. The pastas was as good, even better, than I remembered it. What a balance of olive, and anchovy flavours. Plenty of pasta, even for my healthy appetite.

Scores for the evening...

Chad - 9
Con - 7
Richard - 8
Stephen - 8.5
Me - 8.5

I think the scores say it all - a great evening by all.

Another nice touch about the restaurant is that we could all pay individually without too much hassle. I gave a glowing review to the person who took our money, mentioning that we will definitely be back again.

 I was happy to go wherever for coffee, so Chad suggested we try the Howling Owl again. We walked there, but saw that it was very busy. Instead, we decided to go to our favourite, Steven ter Horst.

When we walked in, it was completely empty! We ordered our round of hot chocolates and Richard had a cheesecake.

Definitely one of the best evenings of the year - thank you to all who made it such a lovely experience.

We were in our car and driving home, all before 9pm. It's been a long week... now to turn my attention to knowing what to buy Stephen for Christmas ??? Hmmm.... I think Santa might choose something to do with computers....

Until next week.