Allure Restaurant Bar, Dural

This modern restaurant is located northwest of Sydney in a semi rural area. With alfresco tables on the balcony, and a wonderful black, white and grey theme throughout this restaurant is a classy yet casual spot for lunch, dinner or a special occasion.

I have enjoyed several return visits to this restaurant with Mr Pickled Cumquat, each time choosing different meals; I have been very impressed with this place. I really like the fact that apart from the mouth watering standard menu there is always a specials menu which changes every time I go.

The staff on board are young, but very professional and attentive - but not intrusive. The owner Tony Maugeri should be commended on how knowledgeable his staff are, they know the menu very well and are great at recommending a good drop to accompany your meal. I should also add that it Allure allows you to bring your favourite drop with their BYO policy.

“Our cuisine is based on Modern Australian cuisine with traditional and modern Mediterranean influences tracing back from our Italian Heritage. We invite you into our restaurant as our home as it’s our pleasure to make you comfortable and share with you our passion for food and hospitality” Tony Maugeri, Owner Allure Restaurant Bar

For entrée Mr Pickled Cumquat and I shared the salt and pepper soft shell crab, served with fresh rocket and a Thai sweet chilli dressing, this tasted so good, and our conversation ceased after our first mouthful!

Main we had slow roasted lamb shoulder Served on lemon scented rosemary chat potatoes with a red wine jus, it was amazing – it fell off the bone, moist and delicious! (this photo does not do the dish justice!)

Seafood tasting plate which consisted of Salt and pepper squid , natural oysters, oysters kilpatrick and oyster mornay, whitebait fritter ,fresh prawns, prawn and mussel hot pot and grilled salmon fillet with a tomato red capsicum salsa – AMAZING!‼

Dessert Mr Pickled Cumquat and I shared a Cherry Strudel with berry compote and vanilla ice-cream, packed full of flavour a dessert I have never tasted before.

Price Guide

Entrees from $17.90

Mains from 21.90

Desserts from $12.90

Other Details

Open 6 nights,

Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm

Friday Lunch 12 noon to 3pm.

Fully Licenced

BYO (wine only)

Unit 11

829 Old Northern Road (Enter via Quarry Road)
Dural NSW 2158

Phone (02) 9651 2099

For full menu details head to www.allurerestaurantbar.com.au  

Modern Australian and Italian inspired dishes form a creative menu that includes tapas, fresh homemade pasta, irresistible desserts, and kids’ meals this place comes highly recommended, not just for dinner or lunch, for larger celebrations also.

If you are looking for good food, good service, reasonable price and value. Allure is the place to enjoy your night out.

Enjoy!

Salt and Pepper Squid Salad

I love this salad! It is quick simple and delicious!

Mixed salad greens, semi dried tomatoes, Danish feta, farm fresh tomatoes, Spanish onion, farm fresh avocados, chorizo and topped with freshly made salt and pepper squid!

The dressing is a homemade balsamic glaze which my cousin created!

Although Mr Pickled Cumquat gave me an 8 for this dish, I am currently trailing the right combination to make the perfect salt and pepper squid; I have perfected the correct oil, the oil temperature and right flour to use. I am just working on the quantities of salt and pepper.

Through reading and chatting to different people that I need to score the outside of the quid rather than the inside J

Once I have this I will be sure to post up the recipe!

Enjoy!

Mel x

Deli for Feta and so much more!

I was at the local Deli yesterday afternoon buying feta cheese, I love feta, I believe it is the one thing needed to make a salad just that little bit better!

Whilst I was being served by the attendant a woman appeared from behind the counter – I would describe this woman as everyone’s favourite Nonna!

This women taught me two important things about feta cheese, one you can freeze it and two as soon as you get it home mix salt and water and cover the feta cheese, this way it will last longer, as feta always needs to be submerged in salt water.

So my trip to the deli ended up being the basis of today’s blog!

I hope you found this useful!

Feta photo taken whist in Greece last Year

Mel x

Handy Hints!

- Squeeze lemon juice on sliced apple to prevent them from going brown

- Lightly brush olive oil over sliced avocadoes to prevent the from going brown

- Always leave peeled potatoes in water to prevent them from going off colour

              

Mel x

Simple Salmon!

This is one of my simplest marinades; people that try it can't believe that there are only three ingredients in the marinade!

Ingredients

3 pieces fresh Salmon

6 Cloves garlic crushed

¾  cup olive oil

½  bunch fresh dill finely chopped

Method

Place salmon in an airtight container, then place dill, garlic and olive oil on top of the salmon.

Place the lid on the container and shake around until all the salmon pieces are coated. Leave in the fridge overnight ready to BBQ, oven bake or pan fry.

Enjoy!

Mel x

Thai Pimarn Style!

If I can’t get to Newtown this local restaurant Pimarn Thai hits the spot!

Away from the main shopping complex this busy Thai delight is always busy. The servings are very generous and the service is great.

There was also a birthday amongst us and we had a cake, the staff are more than happy to store the cake for us, light the candle, bring the cake over and sing happy birthday!

We ordered the following dishes:

Salt and pepper squid

Beef Mussamun Curry

Roti

Stir fry vegetables with Oyster Sauce

Pad See Ew with Beef

Stir fry Prawns with Cashew Nut

Price guide

Entree: $7 - $11
Main Courses: $12.50 - $29
Desserts: $5 - $10

Other Details

Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday - Sunday

Dine in| Take-away| Home Delivery

Shop 1A, 19 – 21 Terminus Street,

Castle Hill NSW 2154

Phone 9899 7199

Enjoy!

Mel x

White Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins

This is a recipe I have grown up with, I remember baking these with my mum then fighting it out with my siblings to see who would lick the beaters and the bowl! I have put a little twist by adding white chocolate chips and raspberries.

Ingredients

·   125g Butter

·   1 Teaspoon Vanilla

·   ¾ cup white sugar

·   2 Eggs

·   2 Cups Self Raising Flour

·   ½ Cup Milk

·   1 Cup frozen raspberries

·   125g white chocolate chips

Method

Beat together, butter, sugar and vanilla until light and creamy.

Next add eggs.

Next add in the flour and milk.

Next add the raspberries and white chocolate chips.

     

Spoon the mixture into a 24 mini muffin tin.

Preheat the oven to 220°C and place the mini muffins in.

Leave for 10 minutes and then reduce the temp to 180C.

Leave the muffins cooking and touch the top of the muffins with your finger tips, once firm, remove the muffins and let them rest.

Enjoy!

Mel x

The Glenmore Rooftop Hotel @ The Rocks

I have been told that this hotel is an Aussie Icon and I can see why! I have passed this hotel many a time after heading to Kirribilli Markets walking across the Harbour Bridge and then heading to The Rocks Markets – all in the search for good food of course! But I have never gone inside – that was until a few nights ago.

What a great location and happening little pub. I was blown away when I arrived at the roof top, with stunning views of the Opera House.

The group that I was with spotted a vacant table and a heater – double win!

Then came time to order………

House Dips, with lightly toasted Turkish bread

Wedges served with sweet chili sauce and sour cream

 Salt and Pepper Squid with crinkle cut chips and salad

Tempura Battered whiting fillets, crinkle cut chips, side salad and aioli

100 Day Grain Fed Rump Steak served with chips and mushroom sauce

  

Glenmore Burger prime beef Pattie grilled with onion, beetroot, lettuce tomato, aged cheddar, smokey BBQ sauce and crinkle cut chips

This is more than just a pub meal, it’s a pub meal with a fantastic view!

For more on the menu click here

For more information on what the The Glenmore Rooftop Hotel @ The Rocks has to offer head to their website - http://www.glenmorerooftophotel.com.au/

Other Details

The Glenmore Rooftop Hotel @ The Rocks

96 Cumberland Street

The Rocks Sydney 2000

Phone (02) 9247 4794

Mel x



Mini Vegetarian Quiches with Dill Cream

I created this recipe on Saturday morning, I hope you like it!

Dill Cream

½ bunch fresh dill finely chopped

1 cup sour cream

125g cream cheese

Dill Cream

In a bowl mix sour cream and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the dill. Place in fridge until ready to use.

Quiches

½ cup skim or full cream milk

7 eggs

½ red capsicum finely diced

1 zucchini finely diced

1 bunch fresh chives finely chopped

1 cup fresh parsley finely chopped

4 cloves garlic crushed

1 small sweet potato finely diced

1 small Spanish onion finely diced

½ cup peas

200g Danish feta roughly chopped

125g cream cheese roughly chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Mini Quiches

Place capsicum, zucchini, chives, parsley, garlic, sweet potato, Spanish onion, peas, Danish feta and cream cheese in a bowl. Place to the side.

Preheat the oven to 200°C

Place eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk.

Place egg mixture with the vegetable mixture then mix until well combined.

Next grease two 24 mini muffin tins with either butter, oil or non stick spray.

Next place the mixture into the tin until it is level with the top of the tin.

There will be a little mixture left over, you can use this to make an omelette or you can bake the rest of the mixture as quiches.

Place quiches in the oven and cook on 180°C for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Top with dill cream.

Enjoy!

Mel x

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Great Food!

It's just after 6pm on a Tuesday night and I'm catching up with my sister.

We head to Great Food Cafe And Restaurant (Chinese cuisine) in Carlingford.

The restaurant from the outside looks simple, but neat - black comfortable chairs with square white tables.

Upon entry we are greeted and seated by the friendly wait staff.

It is not too long before we are given Chinese Herbal Tea to start.

We looked at the menu and noticed a meal deal for two for $29.80, this included soup, rice, two dishes (from a list of around twenty) and a side of green veges.

We ordered, and the following dishes came out:

Vegetable soup

Honey prawns

Braised tofu with vegetables

Bok Choy with oyster sauce

We also added salt and pepper squid (as it is our favourite!)

All dishes we flavorsome and generous in size!

Rice was also served with our meal.

The waiter then brought over complementary orange wedges to cleanse the palate.

I also noticed at the back of the restaurant a private room with large round tables - perfect for a larger group.

Price Guide

The cost of the meal came to $42 for both of us.

Please note the restaurant does not have EFTPOS facilities.

Other Details

Open 7 days 11am - 9pm

Shop G9

Carlingford Village

372 Pennant Hills Road

CARLINGFORD

Phone 9873 3338

Enjoy!

Mel x