20200925 Parade Thai and Buorngiorno TURN: Con

We all met at the Norwood Hotel - a table for six in the dining room. When Stephen and I got there Con and Chad were already sipping away at their beers.

Richard followed shortly afterwards. He was going to go to the footy but decided to come out for a meal instead.

Around 6.40, the hotel waitress came over and told us that if we weren't ordering food that we would have to sit outside. It was FREEZING outside. We sat under the shade cover as it started to rain when we were sitting there. AHHHH CON!!!!! Not off to a good score in our book. Con is now rated 2 out of 10 for his booking skills :-)

When we were sitting outside, the man on the table next to us had a bulldog - a mean looking dog. Richard placated him when he started barking. Richard and the man shared a joke about not standing up for man when taking a 'twinkle' (other word was used) because you're not allowed to stand up when drinking.

We went slightly early to the Parade Thai. I wasn't expecting alot. I was expecting a cheap and cheerful interior more designed for take away, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The decor was clean and fresh and service was excellent.

So what did we all order?

Stephen - Chicken laksa and shared fish cakes with me - 7.5

Elizabeth - Veg laksa and shared fish cakes - 7 (it was a lovely flavour but it wasn't a laksa flavour - more like tomato seasoned soup).

Richard - Tom Kai soup with LOADS of chicken. It was sour in flavour. Choo chee chicken - 7

Chad - Chicken/chilli as entre and Sizzling Beef for main. - 8

Con - no entree, main was Seafood laksa - 7

Tonight was a great success - a new place for the group. Con had tested it out previously with a take-away and it was up to scratch. It didn't disappoint tonight. Great food all round.

We ended up at Buorngiorno for coffees.

20200918 Sussex Hotel TURN: Albert

We met Con in the outside garden area at 5.30pm. The warm weather is definitely on its way and it reached a high of 29 degrees today. Chad arrived shortly afterwards followed by Richard then Albert. We all sat outside and had a couple of packets of crisps which were served in a cane basket with no serviette - not very hygienic.

 We all had a go of the hoop game that was outside (except Albert). I won and Con won and we ended in a draw.

At about 7.30 we moved a couple of paces to the dining room table in the back corner. The menu is simple pub fare and the meals we had reflected that (except Stephen's who ventured for something a bit fancier).

Richard - Parmi - 7 (not enough salad, don't like meat dumped on top of chips)

Con - Burger - 4

Chad - Burger - 6

Albert - Salad and Crumbed fish and chips - 8

Stephen - Char grilled Chicken breast with mushroom, potato rosti, in creamy bacon and sage sauce - yum - 7.5 (needed more green vegetables!)

Elizabeth - Crumbed fish and chips with mushroom sauce - 7.5

There was a live DJ in the pub with his 45 inch records. You don't see that often now!

One small criticism against the service. They didn't clear away the plates until the desserts were served.

Talking of desserts...

- Richard had the chocolate brownie with ice-cream

- Stephen and I shared 3 small scones

- Chad had the 3 small scones all to himself

20200911 Kintaro & Buongiorno TURN: Stephen

We all met at the Norwood pub, tucked away at the front of the bar. Albert was there but Richard could only stay until 7.30 due to footy commitments.

Stephen bought one packet of crisps and Albert bought another 2 packets. We stayed until 7.30 then strolled up the road to Kintaro. We were given a number and asked to sit whilst we waited for a table. We were only waiting 10 minutes and a booth came up for us towards the right back side of the cafe.

Stephen ordered my ramen with tempura prawns almost straight away. I also had octopus which was lovely. Stephen, Chad, Con and Albert had the offerings that were being whirled around the conveyor belt.

Albert 8.5

Chad - 8 (duck not so nice, chicken was delicious)

Con - 6 (all ok some of the plates of food were cold though)

Stephen 7 - all very nice

Elizabeth - 7 (needed to add soy sauce to the ramen as it was a bit bland).

We went to Buorgiorno afterwards for a coffee. Noticeably, Albert had 2 cakes! yes, 2 cheescakes all to himself. Chad had the tiramisu.