Deus Ex Machina

I always wanted to learn how to ride a bike, maybe because my dad used to ride one and his adventours stories trigger my interest. However, he himself strongly against me from learning, lucky him, I never come around to it. Still I dream of having my own Harley-Davidson. Althought, realistically this dream is not likely to happen with different reasons, at least for now I could go to Deus Ex Machina and admire their motocycles from classic to custom made or simply purchase their brand clothing with their tradmark - motorcycle of course.

Outside and interior of Deus cafe

Connected to the motocycle showroom is the Deus Cafe, with large communical tables and surrounded by funky artworks and a few different custom motocycles. It is a cafe where I love to hang out with friends for light lunch or simply enjoy their delicious pastry and coffee. Much to my delight, they have now extended their dinning hours to dinner as well.

Buffalo Mozzarella with prosciutto, tomato and roquette

I must be the hungriest among the group, with I'm the only one whom ordered an entree. Even though the serving size for this delightful entree was pretty big, it didn't temp any to try some. Instead my reluctant husband R ended up helping me to finish the dish, though he was happily munching away as he agrees with me the dish was really light and fresh.

Cutlet of kurobuta pork with split peas, barly and kipfler chips

Slow braised beef in balsamic stuffed with tomato, olive on caulifower and mash

Rump of lamb with beetroot relish, silverbeet and lamb jus

Pan roast Barramundi with white beans, pippes and prochetta

We each ordered different main. They all look great and smells wonderful. My barramundi was cooked to perfection. The white beans and pipes seems to have blanched in seafood stock together as it has a stong sweet seafood taste. While the chrispy prochetta gives an extra texture to the dish.

Apple tarte tatin with star anise ice cream

Without doubt, I ordered dessert. Star anise ice cream caught my eyes on the menu. Often, it is used in Chinese dishes but had never thought of star anise would be used as an ice cream flavor. When having this dessert separetely, the ice cream taste bitter and licorice like. While the apple tarte tatin itself had strong carmalised sweetness to it with the cruschy and fluffy base. The combination of both brings a balance between the bitter and sweet taste.

Dinning experience at dinner time was a bit different to their usual dining hours. A bit more formal yet casual at the same time. While their wait staffs were very friendly and helpful. Pricing for each dishes are reasonable, I certainly would come back for dinner again.

Deus Ex Machina

98-104 Parramatta Road

Camperdown NSW2050

Phone (02)9519 3669

www.deus.com.au

Pablo & Rusty's premium expresso

On the other side of the Gordon train station from Pecorino, there is this corner cafe.

It seems majority of their customers tends to have take-away coffee, while there are seats available both inside and outside to sit down and relax. If trying to find a seat outside the cafe, the chances are mostly taken by school kids. Instead, the sofa seats or the dark communal tables inside are just as comfortable and relaxing.

Coffee is certainly their speciality and I love it with a pleasing aroma. Beside coffee, there is also a light meal menu including pies, sandwiches or classic ham and cheese toasties. On this occasion, after having their yummy tosty, I am more than happy to try their muffin which sounds very tempting but all sold out! Never mind, I will certainly visit again for their coffee and maybe a muffin to go at the same time.

Pablo & Rusty's Premium Expresso

1 St Johns Av,

Gordon NSW2072

Phone(02)9499 8442

www.pabloandrustys.com.au

Top speed Thai

Usually I associate asian food as casual dining. While this dining place is casual yet sophisticated deal to the modern interior decoration with rich colour wall and one giant chandeliers hanging right in front of the restaurant.

Yum hua plee

Banana flower salad with prawns and minced chicken tossed with coriander, mint, chilli and garnished with coconut milk and chilli jam dressing

Koo-wa gai noodle

Famous street food of central Thailand, using delicious sweet soy sauce & a stir fry of chicken, prawns, flat rice noodles & bean shoots. Sprinkled with roasted rice

Out of the two dishes, the salad stands out with the big banana flower. My first thought is this edible as well? Unfortunately with much assurance from the friendly waitress, that banana flower was for decoration only. A bit disappointed, but that didn't last as the combination of different herbs with coconut milk salad was very delicious. Moreover, dishes have no MSG as advertised on their menu, hence no suffering from the thirsty feeling after.

Top Speed Thai

331 Penshurst Street,

Willoughby NSW2068

Phone (02)9417 7500

www.topspeedthia.com