The Family friendly Pub

The Coolibah Hotel 

(Bistro 76)

After a long hard day of soccer, a few of the boys from our team gathered back at the hotel for a few quite drinks and delving into the quality finger food provided by the Hotel. This was a brilliant way for team members to slowly get familiar with other players, rather than just simply knowing them on the pitch. It served as a team bonding exercise and also was a great way to relaxing the body after a strenuous exercise.

The atmosphere within the hotel is fantastic as it offers the best of both worlds; it has an abundance of Television screens situated within various positions of the hotel.  This allows individual’s to enjoy Saturday afternoon footy, watch the A-league or even follow the English Premiere League later at night. The venue’s large size caters for large groups of individuals to come along and enjoy their night in whatever way suits themselves. It also has a generally kids friendly area which is situated away from the bar but also close to the bistro service, thus allowing families to enjoy the facilities within the hotel aswell. I Had the Calamari. The crumb was a bit oily but overall the salad amped up the dish. The homemade Mayo was a smash!

However on the negative side, during our visit here the service for food was very slow, maybe due to the fact that it was peak time on a Saturday or the fact that our order was quite large in size. Maybe even the kitchen staffs were short on numbers or stock. All these factors may have contributed to the output shown on this day. Nevertheless, I am certain that this place is a right venue for families and friends of all ages. Give it a go I say !!!

Overall rating:

3/5

Recommendation:

I recommend choosing a small snack from the menu such as wedges and chips as this is the best choice when talking or hanging around with friends.

Services:

2 bars

Bistro service

Badge Draws on Friday nights

Gambling excluded room

Large screen entertainment

Live music on a Friday night

Two pool tables

Address:

15-25 Sherwood Rd, Merrylands NSW 2160

Hours of Trading:

·      Monday 9am–8pm

·      Tuesday 9am–8pm

·      Wednesday 9am–8pm

·      Thursday 9am–9pm

·      Friday 9am–10pm

·      Saturday 9am–10pm

·      Sunday 10am–8pm

Price Range:

$5-35

Check out the menu:

coolibahhotel.com.au

Local Knowledge!

The Royal Exhibition Hotel 

Sydney

On a warm Autumns evening the sun just peeking through the clouds I ventured out with a couple of friends to a well know local Hotel for a couple of drinks and of course dinner in Sydney’s CBD! The Royal Exhibition Hotel known to many locals is perfectly positioned for everyone needs. Right next to Prince Alfred Park and a stone throw away from Central Station there really was no excuse to decline the invite.

Check the train times here:

http://www.sydneytrains.info/timetables/

  

Situating ourselves upstairs in the Cocktail Terrace Beer Garden upstairs we settled in for the night. The boy's watching the NRL previews and the ladies lounging, catching up and gossiping. 

I spent some time perusing the menu- particularly the drinks menu. Quite a variety of beverages were on offer, from creative cocktails and well as an international wine list and beer list and of course coffee. I opted for a watermelon cocktail With the ice blended and a mint to the side it was a good kick start to the evening. 

  

For the main meals I ordered The Peri Peri Chicken Burger with the rest opting for chicken snitzel - The house special. The place was pretty quiet besides the pokies and bar area down stairs. Having the Terrace all to ourselves meant that table service was on the house. Straight away I loved that the burger was on a sour dough bun with the sauce and fillings stacked to the top. This burger was true to its name, House made spicy mayo sauce, cheese, tomato, Peri Peri chicken, spanish onions and lettuce served with a generous pile of hot chips. The chips were surprisingly impressive, although chicken salt always helps! Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The Snitzel was also delicious, covered in Diane sauce and stacked high full of chips.

As we relaxed in the beer garden after our meal a musician began to perform. Not only is The Royal Exhibition Hotel an excelled dining spot for families, mates and gatherings but the outdoor setting, the huge wine, beer and food list and the location makes for a perfect place for catches.  Definatly a place I will be revisiting soon. 

Overall Rating:

4/5 Stars

Recommendation:

 Best enjoyed with atmosphere. Bring a bunch of Friends down, enjoy the sunset over Prince Alfred Park and catch up over a few Cocktails

Services: 

3 Bars, All including Cocktail service's 

Bistro

Vip Lounge 

Terrace

Beer Garden 

Location: 

86-88 Chalmers Street (Opposite Central Railway Station)

Hours: 

Thursday:10am–4am

Friday10am–6am

Saturday9am–5am

Sunday10am–10pm

Monday10am–4am

Tuesday10am–4am

Wednesday10am–4am

Price: $10 to $36

Check Out The Menu: http://www.royalexhibition.com.au/

Moreee Toooooo Commmeeee:

Lauren

Exotic and amazing!

Thai Food Love

Phuket, Thailand

A Thailand getaway meant that lots of authentic Thai food was to be consumed. Being in one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, I was certainly not disappointed. With lots of authentic street food readily available and a cafe/restaurant one after the other amongst the main road it was a hard decision to make when it came to a dining choice!

After trying a few (very cheap! but) average places, we stumbled upon Restaurant Veranda.

With a Russian influence, the place provided an up-scale atmosphere with not only authentic Thai food, but also some western cuisine.

We decided to start of with Prawn fried rice in a pineapple to share as an entree, which seemed like the best seller through Phuket, and it definitely did not disappoint! The flavour balanced beautifully, with just the right amount of sauce and spices! The prawns were soft and tender and juicy!
Definitely a 10/10!

For mains I chose a chicken Pad Thai, because who wouldn't! It was served on a bamboo leaf which added to the authenticity of the dish and smelt amazing! The dish itself was full of flavour but a little too much sauce for my liking and the chicken was a little dry, but thats just being picky! It was truly beautiful regardless of those two mishaps. The second dish was duck with blueberry and apple sauce. That was the absolute highlight of the evening! It was tender, juicy, full of flavour and honestly out of this world! 

The food was so delicious and filling we did not even consider having dessert!  The restaurant provides an extensive food and beverage menu, if fully licensed and has a great atmosphere! Highly recommend to all tourists and locals, including families, friends, bigger events or even dates.  

Overall Rating:

5/5 Stars

Recommendation:
Beautiful food, great atmosphere and a great drink selection, the ultimate unwinding destination!

Services: 

Bar 

Movies on numerous TV 

Entertainment

Kids Play Areas

Waiter table service
Free wifi
Outdoor seating
Takeout available
Cheap
Fresh food cooked to order
Wait time 10min-30min

Address: 
470/4 Pattak Rd, Karon, Phuket, Thailand

Hours: 
11am-11pm Everyday

Price Range: 
All meals range from $3 to $33

Until Next time, 

Monika

Feast For All!

Wenty Leagues

Wentworthville

A Thursday night feed was at hand. Heading out to one of the biggest clubs in Western Sydney I was pleasantly surprised. Parking the car all four of us hop out, stomachs empty and ready to tackle all 5 restaurants within the vicinity. A gulf buggy raced around the car park offering lifts to the front reception, hopping on we go for a joy ride before entering. 

The choice of deciding where to eat quickly dawned upon us. 

 Lucido Italian Restaurant: Offering fine dining and an extensive menu

 Lawson's Bistro- Family friends, hearty meals

The Jasmine Asian Cuisine: Waiter Chinese focused restaurant

 Dragon Noodle Bar: Thai focused cuisine

Wenty Cafe: Quick easy, cheap meals. 

Wanting to experience everything that Wenty Leagues could offer, it was decided that a selection of food would be ordered from each dining options. 

Setting ourselves up in the Bistro area, we studied the menu, strategically picking meals from each restaurant. A variety of drinks were offered on the menu but the group stuck to the classics. A jug of coke and a jug of Solo. Setting down the drinks we all left to order.
From Lucidos Italian Restaurant: A Garlic wood fire oven pizza.
From Lawsons Bistro: Our respective individuals meals. I opted for the Hawaiian Chicken Burger.
The Jasmine Asian Cuisine: A large bowl of Fried Rice
Dragon Noodle Bar: The classic Pad Thai

Within 10 mintues the Wood fire pizza arrived. And it did not disappoint. Drissled in garlic oil and covered in melted cheese this entree was devoured. 

The mains from the Bistro shortly followed. My  Hawaiian burger was stacked high. Tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, pineapple, bacon 2 chicken pieces and a side of chips. A Chicken Ceasar Salad for Anthony with a large portion size and tender chicken to Suit.. A THE BUTTA BING BURGER for Cameron ... A MUST TRY for all want to eat at the Bistro!Stacked with a 200g Wagyu beef pattie, bacon jam, crunchy peanut butter, American Jack cheese, pickles, tomato & lettuce this burger is sure to please. 

To end the feast for 4. Fried rice and Pad Thai. 

Full as a balloon we all headed down to the sports bar to watch West Tigers get a win on South Sydney ( finally). In review Wenty Leagues is a vibrant exciting multi layered club. Providing both members and non members with a wide range of choice in not only food and drink but comfort and entertainment.  An excellent dining spot for families, mates and gatherings.  

Overall Rating:

4/5 Stars

Recommendation:
Lawson Bistro for a family meal. Wanting to a wine and dine service head to Lucidos Restaurant. Great atmosphere best enjoyed with friends and family

Services: 

5 Bars 

Bistro

Sports lounge

Vip Lounge 

Terrace

Garden 

Movie Size TV 

Outdoor areas

Entertainment

Kids Play Areas

Waiter and non waiter services

Smoking Areas

Address: 

50 Smith St, Wentworthville NSW 2145

Hours:

Thursday	9am–4am
Friday	9am–6am
Saturday	9am–6am
Sunday	9am–4am
Monday	9am–4am
Tuesday	9am–4am
Wednesday	9am–4am

Price Range:

$6 to $45

Check Out The Menu:

http://www.wentyleagues.com.au/

Until Next time, 

Lauren