A few years ago when I was living in Keiraville I convinced my friends to head into Ciao's Mediterranean Restaurant and Pizzeria. It soon became a fortnightly favourite, especially after we purchased a Rewards Club Card online which offers a 2 for 1 on small pizzas.
Two of the first pizzas we ever ordered were the Greek meatballs pizza and my favourite, the seafood pizza. It opened my eyes to what a true gourmet pizza experience could be. It's only ten minutes from Wollongong and
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well worth the visit! I am happy to say that Ciao's has been nominated for an award from the Restaurant and Catering 2009 South Coast Awards
With the quality of food, service and wonderful ambiance it is easy to see why!
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Shellharbour is one of my favourite spots in the Illawarra. Only an hour and a half from Sydney (100km) and half an hour south of Wollongong, it has a lovely seaside village feel with gourmet food and speciality shops certain to please.
It was my birthday and I was celebrating with friends and family. We decided to try out the new Thai restaurant that had opened across the road from the Ocean Beach Hotel and the harbour. I love the fresh flavours of thai food and when I saw that
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mussells were on the menu I just had to try them. And thankfully I wasn't disappointed!
Mussells Hotpot ($15.90) Tender, juicy mussels in a hotpot with basil, lemongrass, chill and sweet chilli sauce. Amazing! Mussels can often be overcooked and chewy or stringy but these just melted in the mouth and the juice was so good not a drop went to waste.
The next dish selected was Pad Kra Tium ($14.90) - Stir fried pork with garlic sauce, mushroom soy, dark soy and pepper. It was a very light meal for someone who had requested nothing too heavy and again was cooked to perfection. This is another favourite meal that will be purchased again.
Next was a meal for our curry lover, masaman curry (mild) with cubes of beef with potato, onion and peanut curry gravy. I had a taste of this meal and the flavours of peanut and a mild curry flavour were very pleasing. This is my favourite thai curry dish and great for diners who have trouble with the spicier curry meals.
Harbour View Thai, Shellharbour Village by you.
Musman curry $14.90
Last was my Mum's seafood salad
Seafood Salad ($19.90) Steamed seafood cooked with red onion, fresh chilli, cucumber, lime juice, mint & cherry tomato
Lovely fresh flavours of the mint, cucumber and live affording a cooling zesty feel to this dish. The seafood included mussells, squid, prawns, fish and scallops and was cooked to perfection. Another favourite dish that pleased my seafood loving family.
And a delicious Fried rice for everyone to share
The service at the Harbour View Thai was fantastic. Our waitress kindly allowed me to photograph her by the specials board. I love the vibrant colours of the decore and the view just can't be beat.
Today's Specials at Harbour View Thai Restaurant, Shellharbour Village by you.
7 Addison Street
Shellharbour, NSW 2529
(02) 4297 7033
Shellharbour is easy to get to from Sydney along the Grand Pacific Drive and Sea Cliff Bridge
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Food Review: Long Island Cafe, Windang
from Illawarra Food - Restaurants by Vanessa
Long Island Cafe, Windang by you.
I have been living back in Lake Illawarra, NSW for a few years after living in Northern Wollongong suburbs and Tasmania and one of the things I really enjoy is a visit to Windang, a tourist town for fishermen and people that want to just slow down and enjoy the wonderful Lake Illawarra and nearby beaches.
It was after 2pm and most of the restaurants and
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club meals had finished so it was nice to find the Long Island Cafe and its vibrant orange interior which drew me in to have a closer look. Long Island Cafe, Windang NSW 2528 by you. The smell of coffee was in the air and the cold bar with different types of fish and other seafood available soon piqued my interest.
I asked if it was possible to have the hoki fillet grilled with garlic butter and I was told that it wouldn't be a problem. There was a small fee of 50 cents. Believe me - it was well worth it! One of the most succulent, flavourful fish I have had in years!
Grilled Hoki with Garlic Butter from Long Island Cafe, Windang NSW 2528 by you.
The seafood skewers I had spotted on the menu were great value, including prawns, mussels, calamari and vegetables and served with a wonderful salad which included beans, cauliflower and a really nice dressing plus chips.
Long Island Cafe Seafood Skewers with chips and salad $11 by you.
There were plenty of seats available if we wanted to dine in but what I was really looking forward to was a seat by the waters edge and I wasn't disappointed. There is nothing like it and for $16 we had a full fillet of fish grilled to perfection and two seafood skewers with chips and salad. More than enough to feed two people and a few (dozen) seagulls as well. A short distance away I enjoyed watching the sun go down over Windang island. Such a wonderful day to end a day.
Windang Island at Sunset from Redall Parade, Lake Illawarra Foreshore
Located near the Post Office and Liquor Store on the south-bound side of Windang Road it is a well kept secret that will soon be a firm favourite.
I also purchased some Viking Blue Cheese form the mixed goods store on the corner which was enjoyed as supper hours later. They stock a wide range of cheeses and other gourmet items as well as a range of grocery items and fresh produce. Perfect for making up a picnic or enjoying a nice cold icecream on a warm Winter's day.
MENU
Fresh Fish, Meal Combos, Gourmet Burgers, Foccacias & Sandwiches, All day Breakfast and coffee.
Prices:
Fish and Seafood: Catch of the day $4.50 or $8 with chips and salad. Lightly fried in lemon tempura batter (50 cents more for grilled). Nile Perch or Barramundi $6 or $9.50 with chips and salad.
Seafood combos (with chips and salad) include: Seafood basket $9.50; Grilled Barramundi with horshradish sauce $10.50.; Salt & Chilli prawn $11; Grilled Barramundi Karumba with prawns & avocado $14.50; BBQ Rump Steak $14, Grilled Salmon Kilpatrick with bacon $15.50
Other combos (all come with chips and salad): Chicken Schnitzel $7.50, Lasagne $8.50, Boneless fried chicken $8.50, Salt & Pepper Squid $8.50, Seafood Skewers $11
Gourmet burgers starting at $4.50 for Traditional hamburger or Egg & Bacon Roll up to $5.50 for Steak & Mushroom Roll
Foccacias Creat your own with 3 fillings are $4.50 then $1 per filling or try Long Island Cafe's Beyond 2000 (chicken, avocado, sundried tomato & tasty cheese), New York New York (Turkey, cucumber, onion, carrot w. cranberry sauce), Device Dream (Roast beef, carrot, mushroom, seeded mustard & swiss cheese) or Tropical Island (Ham, cheese, capsicum and tomato).
All Day breakfast starts at $2.50 for raisin toast or cinnamon toast, 4.50 forTurkish bread melt or $9 for the big breakfast of Bacon, egg, grilled tomato, sausage served on toast with orange juice or coffee $9.
Coffees: All coffees are $3.00
Long Island CAFE
Shop 1, 233 Windang Rd, Windang
Phone: 0242 965556
Monday - Sunday 7.45am - 6.30pm
Closed Tu
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The next time you feel like some scenery, why not head down to Shellharbour, just half an hour south of Wollongong, NSW which is home to a small beach-side village where there is so much to see and do. We had just watched the matinee session of the musical ‘Hair’ put on by the Roo Theatre and felt some Indian food with a view sounded a perfect end to a very stimulating day.
The first course was Tandoori Chicken with butter naan $10.90 (half)
The meat melted in the mouth and
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the marinade was spicy and full of flavour. We loved the dipping sauces and thought it was great value.
Tandoori Chicken $10.90
The second course was the restaurant’s speciality, the ‘Junction Platter’ which was a combination of entrees which included Seekh Kebab, Fish Tikka, Chicken Tikka, and Onion Bhaji. Again the dipping sauces were a great accompaniment and there was much moaning of contentment from everyone, especially with regard to the Fish Tikka which was absolutely delicious.
Junction platter $16.90
Sauces platter was a wonderful surprise. The mixed pickles tasted liked it needed a little more sugar, leaning towards bitter but was very interesting. The chutney was very zingy, with ginger and mango which was a firm favourite. The cooling cucumber raita has always been something I look forward to.
Side dish platter $6
Tandoori Junction
3/13 Addison Street,
Shellharbour NSW 2528
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One of my favourite places to dine within Shellharbour City is Emeralds Restaurant, located on the second floor of Warilla Bowling Club. One of the largest bowling clubs in New South Wales it has a lovely view over Little Lake, Barrack Heights and is nestled between Warilla and Shellharbour beaches. Here are a few of the highlights from our many visits to a restaurant with great staff, high quality food at great prices.
CHICKEN SCHNITZEL $13 (includes drink on Wednesday
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nights)
My favourite night is Wednesday night aka Chicken Schnitzel night. What a feast! Tonight Chicken Schnitzel with mushrooms and a creamy sauce that overflowed the plate. A glass of wine accompanied the meal at $13 price tag. Great value for money. The view from the window of Emeralds was stunning, overlooking Little Lake and Warilla Beach
BARRACK POINT BEEF $25.90
Prime Fillet Steak Topped with a King Prawn, Calamari,
Half Morton Bay Bug and Béarnaise Sauce
Every mouthful was full of flavour. The steak was cooked as a medium when medium rare was requested, although you didn't hear any murmur of dissatisfaction with the flavour or tenderness. The balmain bug was a bit on the small side but very tasty, as were the prawns and calamari. The bernaise sauce was heavenly. Definitely the meal to choose if you can't pick between steak and seafood.
BARKERS CREEK PORK KING RIB CUTLET 300g $22.90
On Spring Onion Mash, Field Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce
My friend Stan had wanted to dry this dish for a while and was full of praise at the first bite. I sampled a small portion and agreed - it was heavenly and definitely a meal to be experienced. The red wine sauce really complimented the juicy pork cutlet. The vegetables were fresh and well cooked. A new favourite. Bring your appetite!
Other meals which met with approval were the Scotch Fillet with prawns and a delicious Bearnaisee Sauce, and Chicken Parmigiana (Tender Crumbed Breast, Fried and Topped with
Fresh Tomato, Basil and Grilled Cheese)
TANDOORI TENDERLOIN SALAD $12.90
Slices of Chicken Supreme Marinated in Tandoori Spices Tossed with Crisp Mesculan Leaves, Drizzled with Garlic Aioli Sauce and Mango Chutney
I had spied this dish on the menu on my last visit and I was not disappointed. The tandoori marinade had lots of flavour, the chicken was moist and the salad fresh and full of flavour. A good choice if you are on a low-carb diet or want a meal which will leave some room for dessert.
Another great meal from Emeralds Restaurant. This time it was lunch and they have a great lunch specials menu. As you may know, I am a big fan of seafood so I decided to try the Emeralds Seafood Basket.
The highlight of this was the amazing prawn spring roll and herb encrusted prawns that were in the seafood platter from Valentines Day. Absolutely divine! The batter was very tasty and not oily. The salad was very nice and a great complement.
As usual I couldn't get through the whole meal and ended up taking it home to enjoy later. Great value for money. I will have fun working my way through the menu at Emeralds restaurant.
DESSERT: STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE
An amazing dessert plate from Emeralds Restaurant. This quartet of taste sensations was shared between two people and was an amazing finish to the night's feasting.
Freshly made cheesecake with strawberry sauce, strawberry icecream and strawberry cream with a fresh strawberry garnish. Delicious!
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Satay Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Mixed Vegetables and Seafood Combination Chow Mein are but a few of the many budget meals available from Kings Chinese Food Takeaway at Warilla Grove Shopping Centre. Most meals are $4.50 with rice or noodles. Seafood Combination Chow Mein is only $5 and includes prawns, seafood extender, fish balls, squid and fish as well as delicious vegetables sauteed perfectly with delicate flavours of sesame oil. The noodles are cooked separately and have a slight chili
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warmth. The perfect meal for the cold rainy weather we've been having today.
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Reviewed on: 05/10/2009 
