eastwood peking restaurant

To my knowledge, this place is called 'Eastwood Peking Restaurant' and translated directly as 'Eastwood Peking Restaurant' in Chinese. It's been around for some time and arguably, the most bustling of places within the suburb (only second to Superfresh - the fruit market outside Franklins, where one is likely to get trampled on!!). If you haven't made a booking for dinner, you're likely to be in a queue for some time. And might I add, once seated, there's literally very little room for movement (as every table in the restaurant is strategically placed to make room of all the space available).

We were here on Sunday for a casual family dinner; lucky that we had booked cause the restaurant filled up within minutes! Dad ordered off the top of his head (when you eat Peking, there's those handful of dishes which you order without even needing to think). Here were some of them.

A small mixed platter.

Justin said it was hot and had a Jumbo-sized Coffee Milk.

A milky soup (not sure what it's called exactly). The even better one comes with won tons!Peking Duck: First Course - Duck Pancakes.Pork, Tofu, Capsicum & Fungi Stir Fry in a Chilli Sauce.Soft Shell Crab + Peking Duck: Second Course - Duck Noodles.

If you can see from the photos, this place isn't big on presentation. Taste wise, it's decent and the food generally isn't too oily (I can't say that about a lot of Chinese restaurants). Particularly commendable is the speed of service; our meal was had in a mere 50 minutes from ordering to having the bill paid. Slowness isn't their nature, although the queue lining up at the door could explain why. I'd say they're turning a table at least 3-4 times every night (highly impressive!). There's actually another Peking restaurant further down the road but for some reason they don't get such a massive turnout.

t2 teahouse @ mac centre

I remember getting so excited passing a t2 store when I was in Melbourne last year. Seeing all the colourful tea pots, tea cups, assorted tea cannisters and such a abundant range of tea leaves; I could stay in the store all day! And well, it looks like they've officially brought the t2 franchise over to Sydney and what's even better is that they've opened one up right close to home!

As you head up to the loft from the bus stop @ mac centre, you'll find t2 a few doors down from eb games and directly across from them is the t2 teahouse. For those who might not be as keen buying tea leaves for home use, this is where the teahouse becomes an excellent idea. In the comfort of big armchairs, high stools and/or communal sharing tables, you can explore and enjoy the full range on offer at t2. In addition to the loose leaf teas, they've also come up with a range of both cold and hot tea cocktails. And well, if tea is not really your thing, you've still got scones, macaroons, jam donuts, finger sandwiches, banana bread and many other delicacies to choose from.

Look at our table number in the form of a teapot.
My selection: Matcha Shake and a trio of macaroons (chocolate, pistachio and strawberry). Highly recommend the chocolate cause it tastes like a chocolate brownie and the strawberry is very, very tasty.
Photo of the counter and part of the menu.
Me and a big cheesy grin.The whole menu and a wall-full of colourful teapots. I like!

I'm really loving this place! Love the tea, the food, the staff, the decor (all save for the Chinese newspaper lining some of the walls - why oh why did someone decorate using Chinese newspapers?) Anyway, keen to come back here and try the scones; they looked so tasty (too bad someone in front of the queue had took the last three before we got to the counter). Lol...I really had to try so hard not to give them greasies!

ichibanboshi @ the galleries

I paid this old favourite of mine a visit over the weekend. Actually, it was dad who decided; according to mum whilst I was off at Myer with J, my dad had bought too many books at Kinokuniya and couldn't be bothered walking far with them (i.e. if we were to join them up at the bookstore, then J&I could help carry them back to the car). So it worked out quite conveniently that Ichibanboshi was just next door so that mum and dad could sit down whilst we walked over to join them.

In the 15min it took for us to get there, mum & dad were still stuck in the queue at the door. We watched as the staff tried to put together makeshift tables (one which was right in the middle of the walkway - and well, they must've decided against it and just made everyone wait that little bit longer). Fortunately, it was not long before our number was called (far out, they were already at number 100 and it was only just a little bit past 12!! crazy!!).

Beef Tataki. Love this!

Iced Green Tea Cappuccino. I swear I have to have this every time I come here.
I went for the Negi Miso Ramen which was piled high with vegies. I can't remember it being such a big bowl of noodles! For some reason or other, we all struggled to get to the bottom of our bowls. Mum and Dad could only eat about half the noodles.
J and his Shio Butter Corn Ramen. See that big blob of butter floating in the bowl!

My last time here would've been a fair while back. It seems to have changed a little since last time. Not sure if it's the food that has changed or that it's no longer as good; possibly that I'm just more or more picky with my food. Nonetheless, still very decent food at a very reasonable price (you certainly do get bang for your buck!)

the great bagel & coffee company @ mac centre

'Lets go the bagel place at Macquarie?' was echoed with a 'Are you sure you don't feel Viet?' (or in J's head, 'Anything but bagels') In the end, I suppose J must have changed his mind because after taking a look at the menu, he said he didn't mind giving the place a go.

Previously a rather unspecial sort of cafe, last year the spot opposite General Pants @ Mac Centre reopened as The Great Bagel & Coffee Company. It's pretty self-explanatory what's on their menu and it's made even more clear with all the options listed on one wall and should one desire not to read, you can pick from an array of pictures that are beside that list. You get your usual 'Salmon & Cream Cheese' but you also get a 'Hamburger' bagel and should you want to make your own, that's an option too.

Our bagels including a side of curly fries.

Bagels actually prove to be a good replacement for bread in that the texture of the bagel means that your sandwiches don't get awfully squashed when they're made or when held in your hands. My only word of warning would be that bagels do have holes so watch any condiments such as cream cheese and the like get squeezed through and onto your hands whilst you eat. And my gosh, one bagel sandwich can be filling!

Given the hot weather, J&I completed our day with a Fruit Flo from New Zealand Ice Cream. Yay to the buy 1 get 1 free vouchers. Look at how much icecream is sitting outside of the cone! (Better still, the icecream continues all the way through the cone!) Basically Fruit flos are frozen yoghurts blended with frozen fruit.

A mango & a berry fruit flo.

On the topic of Fruit Flos, go for the small if you've having by yourself or share the regular one (it will be more than enough!)

tgg catchup @ chocolate kkomz, eastwood

I almost can't believe how quickly the year is speeding by! Had the first catch up of 2008 with the tgg girls at Chocolate Kkomz in Eastwood (on a day that was stinking hot and we were more than relieved to take comfort in the air conditioned restaurant; with our arms up in the air to request a further air con unit be turned on cause it was that hot). Thankfully, the waitress was sweet and met our request; and really, it wasn't a big ask given Christine walks in and goes 'I'm dripping!' (I'm serious, this is literally what she said!)

There was the rather dismal conversation of us 'turning 24' this year but besides that, we enjoyed a rather scrumptious Saturday lunch with each of us picking a main each and then proceeding to dig in.

My choice: omelette rice.

Grace's choice: Kimchi rice.
Godi's choice: Bibimbab with a heart shaped egg. I take back my argument with Andy and admit that maybe this restaurant is made for couples (well if you order the bibimbab anyway).
Me & Grace.
Christine, Mich & Godi.

Christine had a rather unusual choice of lunch that consisted of icecream, cream, cereal and fruits (can't remember the name of it but it was from their dessert menu). I got home and realised that I didn't actually take a picture but I assure you, it looked good!

Have to say though, rice is heaps filling on a hot day! Anyway, thanks all for a great day out!