It’s not very often I head over The Bridge as the thought of a train in to Wynyard and then a bus for the remainder of the journey makes my patience run thin. Although when someone unexpectantly says ”Do you want to go look at air-conditioners?” as they did recently, I couldn’t get my shoes on fast enough.
The thought of a sixth summer in our house without air-conditioning probably would have tipped me over the edge, or I would have been spending the nights downstairs where the temperature is at least 10° cooler than the first floor. A fan in the bedroom just isn’t enough when the summer sun has heated this 150 year old terrace house to a lovely oven-like condition. 2nds World, here we come.
For what was just going to be a “look” we ended up purchasing a new air-conditioner and arranged to have it installed the following weekend. Bugger messing around with shopping around, I don’t have patience for that either. As we’re finalising the payment I ask the salesman where we can get a quick bite and his suggestion was McDonald’s across the road. I actually thought he was joking. Wandering along Military Road back to Neutral Bay we end up at this little place, Sam Thai. The menu sounds decent enough and our options were running thin as many places weren’t open.
What ended up being the highlight of the meal was this – sam thai’s prawn wrap. Each of the king prawns is cocooned in a blend of pork mince and Thai herbs & spices then wrapped in wonton skin and deep fried. The texture of the filling is much like a Thai fish cake and is perfect finger food.
The marinated Thai style bbq pork neck is quite good with its char-grilled smokiness, it’s very tender and flavoursome and has a side of sweet chilli and undressed side salad. I reckon a side of nam jim would have done better here.
I go for the jungle curry, that Northern Thai hot and spicy curry sharp in lemongrass and lime leaves. I choose the seafood and am asked if I’d like it hot. “Yes please”. I thought this was my final attempt to rid myself of that lingering cold I picked up on the flight home recently. A good dose of chilli fixes anything. The bowl comes out looking all delicious and colourful with bits of scored squid, fish chunks and the odd king prawn and as I go in for the first dip I’m disappointed when I barely taste any chilli. It wasn’t even mild. Does “hot” mean something else over here?
No major complaints from me. It hit the spot and it isn’t McDonald’s. That’s all that matters.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I lived across the road from that McDonalds for a year and never once went there…so many other nice places to eat on Military Road. The prawns look scrummy. Am totally jealous of your soon to be installed air con!
MelbaToast recently posted..Pho Pasteur- Parramatta
You came to my hood and didn’t tell me?!?!
Never been to this place even though it’s so near by!
Maria @ Scandifoodie recently posted..Chicken- mushroom and miso sauce with soba noodles
Completely non-food related, but can’t you get the M30 direct from Newtown to Nuetal Bay? No need for messing around with a train and a bus…
Richard Elliot recently posted..Art & Restuarant Review- Lennox St Studios and Soffritto- Newtown
The prawn wraps looked delicious!
This looks like a perfect outing and I can definitely relate about the lack of air conditioning in an old house!
SIX years without air-conditioning?!? I hope your house is well insulated! I would’ve gone mental after a week of summer, let alone six loooong years.
Your introduction made me smile. Your actions remind me so much of the Co-pilot – he would do anything for air conditioning and has a foul temper when he is too hot. Might have to take your lead and head north for some cooler therapy & Thai! Loving your Malaysian posts recently too – you’re giving me serious travel bugs!
Forager @ The Gourmet Forager recently posted..An unexpected honour at the AFMA
A Thai friend of mine deep-fries prawns wrapped in wonton sheets and tied with hokkien noodle, but adding pork mince into the blanket sounds even more delicious!
And lol, the thought of you running to put your shoes on makes me think of you as a 7-year-old kid
Helen (grabyourfork) recently posted..Yummy Chinese BBQ- Haymarket Chinatown
Ah, they probably gave you the Western version of hot, which is quite sad really.
Looks like decent value considering the area. Certainly wouldn’t have expected to pay $6 for the prawn wraps.
I’m also one that avoids crossing the bridge but I would definitely cross the bridge for Sam Thai! The pork bbq neck looks yummy.
Trissa recently posted..Movida’s Braised Beef Cheek in Pedro Ximenez on Cauliflower Puree
This will be my 8th summer in my unairconditioned 1890s cottage. It’s like a sauna, so it’s great for losing weight. Nice find with the Thai food, there are some days when Maccas just won’t cut it
OohLookBel recently posted..delicious Greek lamb meatball salad
I can just smell the thai bbq pork on all the streets of Bangkok, best smell ever!
Susan recently posted..Chile Con Carne
The only times I will eat Maccas – on the way home from a big boozy night out, when I am actually craving for it (yeah strange I know). Definitely looks like a better alternative you found and those prawn wraps do look delish.
angie recently posted..Chocolate Hazelnut Cake- Pink Macarons- Rosewater Cupcakes – My first paid order