Chi and Co, Canley Heights

I remember going to Canley Heights for temp work a few years ago when Holy Basil just opened. The restaurant life was mostly your old school Vietnamese eateries and there was barely any other options when you weren't in the mood for Viet food back then (surprising right?). How times have changed! Now there are so many late night restaurants in Canley Heights where you can decide whether you want a bowl of pho, fried ice cream or waffles for dessert, or a degustation of Asian-inspired tapas! With the addition of the modern Asian restaurant 'Chi and Co', it's one step closer to bringing out the "Surry Hills" foodie melting pot into South West Sydney.

I purchased a voucher to try a 6-course meal for two at $39 where I get to have a taste at a selection of dishes from Chi and Co's expansive menu. The dishes were inspired from different Asian cultures (Vietnamese, Thai, Laos, Malaysian) but with a modern kick. Some of the dishes were a bit similar to the ones I've noticed at Chin Chin in Melbourne, which is good if the lines were too much hassle for you. 

Berry Rose Cake ($16.00)

Although the drinks weren't complimentary, we were so thirsty after a long day out. I was instantly attracted to the Berry Rose Cake cocktail, which was described on the menu as a "Black Star Pastry-inspired cocktail". This was no surprise since it contains strawberries, watermelon, vodka, strawberry liquer and finished with a rose foam on top. It was quite sweet but not overwhelmingly. The vodka didn't taste strong either which is good for a chilled and relaxing night. And it really does feel like drinking BSP's signature strawberry and watermelon cake hehehe.

Mocktail ($9.00)

While I couldn't remember the name of this mocktail, it looked very appealing especially with the abundance of strawberries and lychees clouding around inside the drink. 

Chicken Lettuce Delight ($11.00)

The dishes arrived to our table very quickly especially the entrees that arrived at the same time. The first dish I tried was the chicken lettuce delight, which was basically a san choy bao consisting of lup cheong, mushrooms, water chestnuts and crispy glass noodles. The lettuce and the glass noodles delivered a nice crunch to the fillings. While the overall flavour wasn't as flavoursome as I preferred (it was CC's fave dish though), it ended up being a relief since most of the other dishes were quite spicy. 

Pulled Beef Sliders ($9.00)

The pulled beef sliders (pulled beef rib, steamed bun with mint and house pickles) was actually one of my favourite dishes out of the six courses. The steamed bun was soft and fluffy while the pulled beef was very delicious and tender. Did not expect this to come from a beef rib at all but it's very succulent. Pricey though considering the serving size. 

Son in Law Eggs with house XO sauce ($7.90)

The son in law eggs was the dish I was looking forward to trying from Chi and Co the most out of all the other dishes. The yolk and filling was well cooked with the sambal and XO sauce placed on top. CC wasn't a fan because of the spices and the strong flavours but I enjoyed this dish because of the unusual ingredients, the runny egg yolk and the crisp and fried outer casing of the egg.

Smoked Trout on Betal Leaf ($8.40)

This may look like a simple dish but the smoked trout on betal leaf was another flavour kicker from the shredded trout pieces to the roasted chilli and galangal. Especially when you eat the whole dish in one go. While the roasted chilli wasn't spicy, it was still loads of excitement to your taste buds. Again, it is pricey given the size of the dish but I am still keen to try the spanner crab version on my next visit.  

Shaken Beef ($23.80)

Our main dishes arrived starting with the Shaken Beef. Between two people, the serving was a tad smaller than we expected but decent enough for our stomachs with all the other courses we've had. The tender beef scotch fillet cubes were seasoned with aromatic garlic and pepper sauce to give off that caramelised and tangy flavour kick. Reminded us of our own families' version of Bo Luc Lac at home and this version is certainly very delicious.

Fried Salmon Salad ($20.80)

We also got the fried salmon salad for our main dishes, which was equally delicious. This consists of chunks of fried salmon fillet with green papaya, Vietnamese mint and garlic. The papaya salad was made Vietnamese style so it's milder than the Thai version. The salmon fillets were well cooked and juicy with a crisp exterior but the biggest hit of this dish has gotta be the crispy salmon skin. It was so crunchy that it was harder for us to share this between two people. Goes really well with the fresh, sour and tangy papaya salad too.

Stir-fried greens ($8.00)

We also received a plate of stir-fried greens and steamed rice along with the main plates. The stir fried greens consists of broccoli, snow peas and bok choy. It was a nice change from the other flavour-intensive dishes though it again it felt very similar to the one that mum cooks up at home. Still liked the flavour and texture of this classic dish.

Steamed rice ($4.50)

I haven't eaten steamed white rice as much these days but I enjoyed Chi and Co's version especially with its fluffy yet firm texture. Great to have with the Shaken Beef.

Kaffir Lime Brulee with Coconut Sorbet ($11.90)

The Kaffir lime brulee caught my eye immediately since I haven't had creme brulee for a long time. The brulee topping was a bit too thick so it was initially harder (but hey at least it wasn't too thin :p) to crack but it was nonetheless a lovely dish especially with the smooth custard the overall light flavour. I would say that this brulee is good to have on its own. Was getting full by this point so I didn't have much of the coconut sorbet - though it did felt heavy and dense when I had a few bites. It was also cold that evening so I could imagine this would be lovely to have on a warm day.

Panna Cotta with Mixed Berry Compote and Honeycomb ($11.90)

The panna cotta was creamy but the mixed berries were too sour for CC's liking. Surprisingly, the honeycomb ended up balancing the overall taste of this dish. 

Since we only need to pay $39 for a 6 course meal for two people, this was actually a bargain compared to paying the full prices from the A La Carte menu. Considering the serving size, the prices are expensive especially with all the cheaper options in the area that will get you full instantly. However, I was pleased with the dishes they offered as well as the friendly service. And it's good to see a slice of Surry Hills in Canley Heights with its chic and funky layout, atmosphere, and the modern approach to classic Asian dishes. While it isn't a restaurant I would return to very often, it is a good local place for a special occasion with a group of friends especially with the attentive service and atmosphere.

Chi and Co
Shop 3, 264 Canley Vale Road (entrance on Derby Street)
Canley Heights NSW 2166
(02) 9727 2068
http://www.chiandco.com.au/
Tue-Thurs: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Fri-Sat: 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:00pm

Green Peppercorn / Sugarcane, Fairfield

After seeing so many restaurants over the last couple of years opening in Canley Heights, it breathes a sigh of relief to see a new restaurant in Fairfield and thankfully close to the station. Seriously, finding parking in the Heights is getting ridiculous! It is no surprise to see that it has attracted a lot of attention especially since it is owned by the same people who own Holy Basil. What makes Green Peppercorn/Sugarcane special is their massive dessert menu which includes creme brulee and fried ice cream. After seeing many peers uploading photos of those exquisite looking desserts, I knew I had to give this place a go. On the day we went, it was a Sunday lunch so there were plenty of seats for us though it did fill itself up later on. A few weeks later, I went back here for my birthday dinner with my folks (also on a Sunday) and the queues were definitely happening.

 Unlike their sister restaurant, the layout of Green Peppercorn is quite spacious although it still gets the crowd especially at dinner with groups of people waiting nearby the door for a table. It's also located close to Fairfield station which is good for those who don't have a car to get to any of the restaurants in Canley Heights. While you don't see anyone waiting outside and it seems oddly located next door to The Fairfield Hotel, when you go inside, it is a completely vibrant and buzzing atmosphere. Statues, ornaments and bird cages are abound in this restaurant's interior decor and there is even a tuk-tuk at the corner. There is so much to choose from the menu which goes on for many pages. The dessert menu alone is 4 pages long so it's no wonder that it took a while for us to choose.

The sausages have a savoury, herby and slightly spicy bite to it. While the outer casing has a grilled texture, the meat itself literally melts in your mouth. We made the most of the 'mum's special sauce' as well as the small salad that accompanied the dish. Word of warning for the spice noobs out there, the special sauce is actually pretty spicy!

Lao Sausages ($10.90)

I was keen to try the marinated ox tongue after trying some versions of this dish. It definitely has its distinction with its warm and grilled textures. It was also quite chewy as you bite into the meat. The small salad on the side helped our tongues once the special sauce becomes overwhelming.
 

Marinated Ox Tongue ($10.90)

As with the ox tongue, I am also eager to try out the satay chicken. This version is already presented with a lump of satay sauce coated on the chicken skewers. The chicken is quite juicy and grilled at the edges and the sesame coated satay sauce gave the chicken an extra boost of flavour. 

Satay Chicken ($8.90)

I love crispy soft shell crab but this is CRISPY! And I really love it! While it is lightly battered, it still retains a decent crunch that sustains throughout our lunch. Biting into the batter of the crab just takes you to another place with it's amazing crunch. The crab itself is well cooked for our liking. Also perfectly matched with the lemon wedge and the secret sauce.

Soft Shell Crab ($16.90)

As with other Thai restaurants in the past, we knew we need to try the Pad Thai to see if Green Peppercorn's version compares well. We thought it was definitely one of the better versions we have tasted. It was quite sweet, not too saucy and heavily cluttered with bean sprouts everywhere on the plate. If you like your added spices or more peanuts, a tiny bowl of chilli flakes and crushed peanuts are included on the side as well as a wedge of lemon for that zesty flavour. Great as a shared dish as it would be a struggle to finish on your own.

Pad Thai with Chicken ($12.90)

I didn't have much but it was very filling for 3 people to finish especially since we already ordered the pad thai. Nevertheless, this version of Thai fried rice is very flavoursome with fresh ingredients. I think next time we should just order more entree-sized dishes and one main course.

Khao pad/Thai Fried Rice with Chicken ($12.90)

Now to my favourite part of the dining experience! You know what that is! Green Peppercorn has a Dessert Bar with its own identity known as 'Sugarcane', where they have a generous selection of desserts from classic favourites like waffles and crepes to the more traditional desserts such as coconut sticky rice and pandan sticky rice.

We all opted to try their fried ice cream one to share just to see if it's as good as Holy Basil's infamous version. It looked almost exactly the same as Holy Basil's but CC and N absolutely loved this version. I only had a couple of pieces and it tastes very nice especially when mixed with the muesli and strawberry pieces as well as biting through the crepe layers to taste the ice cream. CC is still craving for GP's fried ice cream right now so they have definitely done a good job of this dish here.

Fried Ice Cream ($13.90)

We were originally planning to order the banana fritters but they were unavailable on the day we visited. The waiter said that we can try the one without the banana, which is called the 'Par Thung Go' - fried dough sticks with coconut pandan dipping sauce. When it arrived at our table, we thought this looks exactly like the fried doughnuts at Vietnamese restaurants. And they taste exactly like them too. While the sauces increased the flavour a bit, we thought that it was plain and nothing too exciting for our palates.

Par Thung Go ($12.90)

I absolutely adored the pandan creme brulee, which is Green Peppercorn/Sugarcane's signature dessert dish. The pandan flavour just gives it an extra oomph factor. I especially love the green egg rolls on the side along with a piece of strawberry to make the presentation more lovely. When you taste it, the creme brulee is sweet, creamy and light. I was saddened when I've finished this wide but shallow ramekin dish that I tried to scrap any leftovers. This is just so freaking amazing that you will NOT want to share this with your dessert loving friend. And damn it was heavenly man.

Pandan Creme Brulee ($14.00)

On my second visit, I ended up trying the Vanilla Creme Brulee. While this version is still a hit for my taste buds, its presentation didn't have much of a wow factor compared to the Pandan Creme Brulee. Nevertheless, the taste is incredibly divine and creamy and I was eager to scoop everything out by the end.

Vanilla Creme Brulee ($14.00)

While the service doesn't attend to your needs immediately (you have to forgive them though, it is a very busy and large restaurant with lots of people waiting for a new table), the food is definitely worth it and the prices are similar to Holy Basil (not too cheap but not too expensive). We will definitely come back to try more dishes especially the salads and the dishes under GP Specialties like the Banana Flower Salad. Not to mention having that creme brulee again!

Green Peppercorn
1 Hamilton Road, Fairfield NSW 2165
(02) 9724 7842
http://www.greenpeppercorn.com.au/

Holy Basil, Sydney CBD

Opened about a year ago, this has become one of the places my friends and I like to go for dinner during the weekend without making a booking although there were occasions where we have to deal with crazy lines. It does get packed but compared to the original restaurant at Canley Heights, the waiting time to get a table isn't too bad. Thought it was pretty cool opening this branch in the city and giving new life in what used to be a very secluded area at Shark Hotel which formerly served really dodgy buffet food.

The prices are pretty decent when you look at the really massive servings. As with most of our visits at Holy Basil, we end up over ordering with a mighty feast.

Vegetarian Curry Puff

Very enjoyable to eat with its soft filling and firm puff pastry. I wasn't too keen on the potato inside the filling but that's just a personal preference. It is a great starter to the evening.

Papaya salad - Laotian style

I found this very nourishing and a bit spicy. I would recommend to let the waiter know about the level of spiciness as even 'mild' can be overwhelming.

Nok Tod - Marinated Quails

I tried a bit of this dish although my friend had most of this. It is incredibly crispy and my friend enjoyed it for sure.

Salt n Pepper Calamari

This is my favourite from the night. The batter is incredibly crispy and light and so addictive to eat each of the calamari even though it is a shared dish. This will get you full fast if you buy this for yourself...but oh soo good!

Laos Sausage

I did not expect to enjoy this but it was seriously very tasty. The meat was soft inside and grilled on the outside. It even tasted better with the dipping sauce on the side. Again I wanted to eat the whole plate here.

Pad Thai with Chicken

While I really enjoyed the noodles, I found this to be too sweet to enjoy compared to the pad thai at Canley Heights.

Beef Massaman Curry

I ordered this dish for myself but with all the other dishes we ate, it is just so much to handle. Despite that, the beef is so tender and soft as well as enjoyable to mix with rice.

Gang Dang - Red Curry

I found this more spicy than the Massaman curry, yet full of flavour. The curry itself is very creamy, moreish and perfect to eat with rice to balance it out.  

Fried Ice Cream

By this time, I was waaay too full. Some of us are keen and ordered 3 fried ice creams to share. And for something called 'fried ice cream', it is bigger than I thought - surprisingly worth the $13.90. Even with a few bites, you can see why this fried ice cream is so renowned. The creamy ice cream filling wrapped and deep fried with filo pastry, and decorated with caramel sauce and strawberries...when you bite into its many layers, it is a match made in food heaven. Worth the hype!

Our stomachs were practically bursting by the end but it was worth the experience. While there were a few dishes that I preferred at the original restaurant, there are still some worthy ones and it is easier to get to if you don't live in South-West Sydney. 

Holy Basil - Sydney CBD
Shark Hotel, 127 Liverpool St
Sydney, NSW 2000
(02) 9283 8284
http://holybasil.com.au/