I was in Sydney yesterday doing some shopping in the CBD and I was checking out the TGV building (The Galleries Victoria) and noticed that they had a Wagamama upstairs.

I’ve been to Wagamama one other time in Sydney near Oxford street. The soups were all around $15 but they are large servings. I ordered the miso ramen with grilled chicken, vegetables and noodles.

My only gripe was that the air conditioning was way too cold and it was hard to get a waiter’s attention. The dining room was long communal tables and it’s kid friendly although they were having some drama’s setting up a high chair which grips onto the table. Another gripe was that I used my points card which I picked up last time and registered online last night but my points from yesterday and the time before weren’t recorded. It’s a bit stupid that you have to register first before you get your points so I’ve emailed them and I’ll see what the outcome is.

I know some people aren’t that impressed with Wagamama and think it’s overrated but if you’re in the city and want a fast lunch, it’s a nicer alternative to the food courts. The TGV building also had a Japanese noodle restaurant upstairs near the Kinokuniya bookshop which was hugely popular with students and the ramen noodle soups were about half the price so maybe I’ll check that out next time.

Inside wagamama at the TGV.

Miso Ramen soup - each bowl comes with chopsticks, a wooden spoon and a foil wrapped wash cloth.

Technorati Tags: wagamama, ramen soup, the galeries victoria, sydney

I was down in Sydney yesterday and was given a mission by my dad to buy two Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Christmas puddings as he couldn’t get hold of any in the Brisbane or Gold Coast David Jones.

It was completely packed in the David Jones food hall and they had a massive range of Christmas foods including hams at about $18 a kilo - one leg of ham alone was around $220. They had full size free range turkeys for about $190 and heaps of puddings, Sienna cakes, panforte and candied fruits.

I bought two of the Wilkin & Sons 2lb puddings which were approx $55 each. You can also buy the smaller 1lb puddings which come in a red box.

The larger puddings come in a blue cardboard box and each come in a stoneware bowl so they were very heavy! I also picked up two packets of Ortiz anchovies which were about $15 each. These are the best anchovies in the world and they come from Spain. They’re only available at very good food stores and deli’s adn they’re imported by Simon Johnson.

I can’t wait to taste these puddings! especially after I had to lug them all around Sydney…

Technorati Tags: wilkin & sons, tiptree christmas pudding, christmas pudding, tiptree, England, ortiz anchovies, spanish anchovies 

Last Saturday morning we went to Bumble’s cafe in Budds Beach (in Surfers Paradise - it’s on the river front.)

This cute little cafe has been a big favourite of mine for many years. It opposite the river and it’s a popular spot with families as kids can swim in the river and it’s a nice quiet place to have a picnic.

Bumble’s serves amazing food and the cafe is always beautifully decorated with single flowers in used water bottles decorating the back shelf and decorative pebbles in concrete feature throughout.

It’s become quite a yuppie haunt and it can be very hard to grab a table but don’t be deterred. The breakfasts are wonderful and are city standard with top ingredients used. The service is fast, professional and friendly and the coffee is honestly one of the best I’ve had - they really know how to make a great cup.

If you haven’t been here before then definately visit for breakfast or lunch. They’re open till about 6pm during Summer.

If you’d like to post a review click here.

Where:
19 River Drv Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Ph: (07) 5538 6668

Technorati Tags: bumbles, bumble’s, budds beach, surfers paradise, bumble’s cafe, breakfast