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| Kingsleys Steak & Crabhouse |
Thanks to Sarah Ashmore of Pacific Restaurant Group, I found myself dining with and meeting
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12 other food bloggers ( for the first time !) at Kingsleys Steak & Crabhouse Restaurant in Woolloomooloo. We were also joined by the lovely Sarah and Tim Muschamp, the manager.
This flagship restaurant of Kingsleys name has been at this prime location on The Wharf for 10years and they have just undergo a major revamp of the restaurant.
I have never been here before so I can't comment on how much things have improved, but I found the ambience is pleasant, slightly formal but not too uptight. Then again, how can you beat dining outdoor on the decks on a warm Spring night ? :D
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| Mocktail ; Mango & Chilli Daiquiri |
Since alcohol is a no go zone for me, I've got a mocktail made up to go with my chosen entree. Michael, the assistant manager and wine master, suggested something robust to go with my chosen entree.
So Charlie, the bar manager, whipped up an amazing mocktail of Grapefruit Jam & Cranberry Sour.
Don't be put off by the odd sounding combination, it was delicious and refreshing !
Love the slight bitterness from the grapefruit that balances out the sweetness of the drink.
For those of you who are lucky to be able to drink alcohol, do not go pass the cocktail menu.
They all sounded so good, but the most popular one on our table that night was the Mango & Chilli Daiquiri, made with mango sorbet with a kick of chilli.
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Happy bloggers ; Table setting ;
Tools for the night ; Outdoor dining |
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| Bread & Butter |
As soon as our order of entrees were taken, wooden boards carrying warm crusty bread and cold butter were swiftly placed on the table.
The breads were fresh out of the oven so they seem, the crust were thin and crunchy while the inside was warm and soft as cloud (not that I've had cloud before).
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Burrata Mozarella Salad $21.90
Heirloom Tomato, Basil, Balsamic Reduction
(photo borrowed from Suze *Thanks Suze!!*) |
There were 3 entrees to choose from tonight and they cater for all needs - a vegetarian, seafood and meat option.
Reading the reaction on the faces of the buratta mozarella eaters who were all sitting across the table, I think it was safe to deduct that this refreshing dish got the 2 thumbs up !!
Simple combination of flavours but definitely delivered a big impact :)
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Baby Octopus
Chilli, Salt & Pepper |
Betty who sat next to me was kind enough to offer me her baby octopus entree :)
The baby octopus was lightly crumbed and deep fried till golden and crispy. There was a right balance of the chilli, salt and pepper on it, it was definitely one moorish entree.
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Steak Tartare ~ $18.50
Truffle Aioli, Sourdough Crostini, Watercress Salad |
If you are game for some raw beef, then you must order this amazing steak tartare for your entree.
You can opt to have them mixed by the chef like me, or unmixed like
John did. With the unmixed steak tartare, you get a tray of condiments to mix and match to your liking - I wouldn't know how much of each to add so I went for the safe option :P
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| Mixed Steak Tartare ~ $17.90 |
I've had steak tartare in other places before, but this one had to be the best I've ever had. The salty, sour, spicy (Tabasco) flavours were very well balanced and trust me, you wouldn't even realize it was raw beef you are eating. Topped with a soft boiled quail egg with still oozing yolk, eat the tartare with ultra thin crispy crostini...mmmm....
The steak tartare was the highlight of the dinner for me :)
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Alaskan King Crab Legs ~ $19.90/200g or $55.90/600g
Served Chilled with Mayonnaise |
The Alaskan king crab legs arrived prettily propped up on a bed of crushed ice. These crabs are best served chilled and accompanied with simple mayonnaise.
As delicious crabs can be, I think we would all agree that they are such a pain to eat. I usually avoid eating them in restaurants because they will end up everywhere on the plate (or table) instead of in my mouth where it should be !
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| Tadaah !! Perfect leg meat ! |
However, Alaskan King Crab are so easy to eat ! Most of the meats are on the legs and they just came off the shell with just one tug - perfection !
The crab meat was really fresh, sweet and well.."meaty" :) It really didn't need any other thing to go with it as it is naturally already full of flavours.
Beside the Alaskan crab, the good old QLD Mud Crab is also on the menu, either served chilled with mayonnaise, cooked in Singapore chilli sauce or simply cooked with salt & pepper.
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Lars Svensson, Kingsleys Group Executive Chef
in Super Carving Action |
Chef Lars came out from the kitchen to carve our main dish, Beef Wellington for 2, by the side table.
He was carving at super fast speed and the server was grabbing the plates off at super speed as well.
It was so quick that being the food bloggers we are, asked whether they could slow down LOL
They did slowed down for us, but as you can see, it made no difference to the quality of shots I took *sob*
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Beef Wellington For 2 (Pre Order Only) ~ $68.90
400g Eye Fillet, Mushroom Duxelle in Puff Pastry w/ Red Wine Jus |
Each of us got half of the wellington - so that's200g each !! The beef wellington was so perfectly cooked, the beef was pink in the middle, love the creamy mushroom duxelle between the beef and the crispy flaky pastry.
With Tim's threat of "If you don't finish the wellington, no dessert for you!", I tried to be good (I want my dessert) but I just couldn't finish it.
Sorry beef wellington, you were so yummy but I can't eat more....
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| Charred New Season Asparagus & Parmesan ~ $9.90 |
We were also served 3 side dishes to accompany our main. The new season asparagus was chunky and nicely charred, perhaps a tad too overcooked for my liking, I like my asparagus to be slightly crunchy still.
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| Zucchini, Peas, Mint & Persian Fetta ~ $9.90 |
I've never had this combination before and I am surprised how good they tasted. Not a big fan of zucchini, but combined with the peas, mint and fetta - tasted healthy and good.....
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| Iceberg Salad, Radish & Blue Cheese ~ $11.90 |
If you have been reading my blog, you would know that my nemesis in the cheese group are blue cheese closely followed by goat's cheese.
With great hesitation, I took a wedge of the salad and took a bite *drumroll....*
To my relief, the blue cheese dressing didn't taste as strong, if anything it tasted like a creamy cheese dressing.
Love how the salad were presented, the baby iceberg are cut into wedges, slices of radish and pieces of parmesan crips were sprinkled on top, then a drizzle of the blue cheese dressing.
The baby iceberg were very fresh, crisp and sweet - this had to be the best out of the 3 sides tonight :)
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| Food Bloggers vs Desserts |
Sarah took notice on how we struggle with the poor lighting on our table, so she arranged for an extra set of desserts to be placed on a well lighted table inside the restaurant - thanks Sarah :D
Then we all rushed in and started snapping - we must looked pretty ridiculous to the other diners LOL
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| Toffee Cheesecake with Praline Ice Cream ~ $13.90 |
I didn't have a taste, but it sure looked decadent and came as a big tall slice. Oh, and it wobbles too like pannacotta ! *wobble*wobble*
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| Crème Brûlée with Sticky Bluberry Compote ~ $13.50 |
The crème brûlée I was told has a nice crack as it should but the sugar layer was a tad too thick so it was almost sticky toffee like. Other than that, the flavour was there and it looked like it has a nice set to it.
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| Chocolate Brownie & Banana Sundae ~ $13.50 |
I was sold when I saw chocolate brownie on the menu - SOLD !
There were chunks of chewy, chocolatey brownie, served with sliced banana, vanilla ice cream and no sundae is complete without a red morello cherry on top.
Served on the side is a pot of chocolate sauce, which on hindsight I shouldn't have emptied onto the sundae - it was too sweet :P
A perfect end to the dinner for me....
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| Milk & Dark Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans |
The chocolate coated coffee beans were served along with the desserts, coffees and teas. I was so full that I passed on the hot beverages, but of course I took a few of these little morsels :)
Kingsleys Steak & Crabhouse is definitely worth a visit if you are looking for some good steaks and crabs. You are in good hands of Chef Lars for your food and leave it to Michael to select the best wines to accompany your meals.
It was mentioned earlier in the evening that with the current economical situation, they try to recommend wines that may not be pricey but will definitely compliment what you are having.
Of course if you are in the mood to splurge, they do have a selection of highly priced wine as well.
If you are after something more fun, Charlie can whip up some classical cocktails with a twist for you or perhaps some friendly mocktails ?
The service throughout the night was faultless, my glass of water never go below the half line , it was always filled back up immediately :)
For other Kingsleys restaurants located in Brisbane and Canberra, please refer to their
website.
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Goodie Bag !
Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans ; Wine ; Steak |
Before we end the night, Tim passed on to each of us a goodie bag to take home : a tin of the chocolate coated beans, a bottle of Sally's Paddock wine and a rib steak along with a cooking instruction on how to cook the perfect steak.
Thank you ^_^
Love My Foods & Sugar dined as guest of Kingleys Steak & Crabhouse, Sydney.
