Ocean Room – Circular Quay, Sydney

Thursday, 14 Jul 11

Learning something new usually scares and excites me. I’m not usually one to back down from a challenge, and while it may take some time to talk myself into and some well-aimed kicks to get me to stop procrastinating and actually do it, things typically turn out well in the end. Going away sans (responsible) ‘adult’ figures for the first time in my life with a whole bunch of people I didn’t really know for 3 days to the Blue Mountains, for example. Learning to use a tripod properly (Thanks Mr Canon!). Going beyond f 1.8 (*shockhorrorgasp*). Standing around Circular Quay by myself as the sun sets and people give me strange looks as they hurry past. Yes, a whole lot of new skills that I’ve acquired in recent times.

Whee, long exposure.

It was this latter point that was one of the more interesting experiences. See, VIVID Sydney was painting the town red, blue, green and many other colours and while I had checked it out briefly with the UNSW Photoclub earlier, I hadn’t had the chance to go across to the ferry terminal side to get a good idea of what was going on. So, one late afternoon, I stood at the end of the wharf as the sun slowly slipped over the horizon and the winter chill we’ve become familiar with slowly seeped into my bones. As the sky turned from golden to blue to black. And I shot. Using a tripod.

But, this is a food blog after all, so I’ll fast forward about 80 odd photos or so to dinner, when Tim finally left work (More photos may be found after the break if you’re interested) to accompany me on the insane venture of shooting in the freezing wind. We um’ed and ah’ed over where to go, but in the end, we opted just to retreat a few metres and go to the warmth of the Ocean Room. After all, it was right there behind us.

We started with their signature Tuna Creation, with 5 cubes of tuna served in different styles, each matched with its own condiment. This was a tricky dish to split between two, but after some negotiation, we came to an agreement and each enjoyed the freshness of the fish. I’m not usually a huge fan of tuna, usually preferring salmon or ocean trout, but the novelty of the dish was in the matching salts, which gave it a certain punch that would otherwise be missing.

On the other hand, the Ocean Trout Indulgence was right up my alley, with 12 pieces of meltingly tender ocean trout belly, some seared just enough to add that smokiness and hint of warmth. Ginger, scallions and roe added bursts of flavour as we savoured each piece for as long as possible. It was a sad moment when we saw the empty plate.

We briefly contemplated ordering more of the ocean trout, but then the next dish arrived, saiyko miso cod. Now, this is one of my favourite ways of preparing cod and I’ve been moaning recently about the death of Satsuma, so it was great to see it again. The grilled baby leeks were a little too strong for me, but the fish was gorgeously flaky and paired surprisingly well with the ginger risottto. Looking at the menu, I don’t recall the orange miso sauce tasting particularly like orange, but overall, a great dish.

The Scallop Melt roll confirmed I don’t really enjoy cheese in my sushi, but Tim enjoyed it. Once I dissected each piece (I can’t actually fit whole pieces of sushi in my mouth, despite my propensity to talk), I found the garlic miso sauce much to my liking, though I wasn’t sure about the crispy herbs. They certainly looked pretty though.

Finally, the cutest little charcoal grill was brought out to us (and I wish I had one now, because it is freezing!), along with a platter of wagyu beef served ‘bleu’. While I was tempted to just dig in right there, especially after eyeing the ribbons of fat marbled through the meat, Tim was sensible and manned the grill.

The aburiyaki wagyu was served with garlic miso and spicy soy sauces, which we alternated bites of to see which we liked, as well as some bamboo shoots, and was gone far too quickly. Then, as I spotted a pattern on the Opera House that I had not shot yet, I bolted out the door while Tim paid the bill. Such an understanding boyfriend hee.

Ocean Room

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Circular Quay West, The Rocks
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 9252-9585
www.oceanroomsydney.com

Click through for more picture of Vivid

Lighting up the Sails was probably my favourite part of Vivid. I’ve spotted more examples around the net, and I realised I haven’t gotten all the different patterns, but it got too cold to camp out for so long.

The melted polar bear. When I first went, this guy was still almost completely covered in ice. His skeleton is far more creepy.

Lights and ropes are surprisingly effective.

At making people look creepy oO;;

UFO-like, hovering, jellyfish…things.

5 Comments

1. Absolutely GORGEOUS photos! And the food looks ahhhhmazing.

   Comment by Tina @ bitemeshowme — July 15, 2011 @ 8:22 am

2. I really like your pictures of Vivid…must be fun learning new ways to use your camera. Ocean Room looks lovely…

   Comment by MissPiggy — July 15, 2011 @ 11:35 am

3. Love miso grilled cod and, yeah, not that keen on cheese in/on my sushi either. Well, apart from cream cheese in dragon rolls, I guess…

   Comment by mademoiselle délicieuse — July 15, 2011 @ 11:38 pm

4. Wow, your photos are amazing! You’re inspiring me to continue to learn to shoot with my SLR [and possibly join the uni photoclub!] I didn’t know the ice bear had a skeleton! I only got a few shots of it as it melted. Didn’t get to visit the Opera House side of the Vivid displays either =[

   Comment by Lil — July 16, 2011 @ 11:08 pm

5. food looks gr8 especially the tuna creation!

   Comment by betty — July 21, 2011 @ 12:52 am

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