farewell lex, china doll woolloomooloo

5 January 2011, 05:25

This is Lex.


You may remember him in photos like this


Or this


Or this. When I first met Lex it was at a Tupperware party way back in June ’09 and it’s just so awesome to meet someone and know instantly you’ll be friends. And it doesn’t hurt that he can cook awesome food like bakuteh, super crispy pork crackling, buttery crab and ocean trout mmm but alas Lex is leaving the land of down under to try his luck in vegas and snowboard his way around the globe.


A farewell dinner at China Doll (6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo) where the drinks are so pretty the boys cannot resist heh heh there was waaay too much food as usual especially as the staff went out of their way to thank Lex and showered us with some extra treats. Highlights for me are as follows-


Sashimi of Hiramasa Kingfish & Ocean Trout w Blackened Chilli Dressing ($26) was just absolutely delicious, the chili dressing wasn’t too spicy and the julienned apple underneath provided a refreshing crunch to the smooth as butter fish. (I can’t believe it’s not butter Fabio!)


Written on the far wall of the restaurant are the specials of the day and the crispy school prawns are instantly added to our list of must haves. The prawns were lightly battered and deep fried to crispy perfection. The sound of crunching fills the air as we battle each other for the remaining prawns and I swipe the remaining mayo to smother everything in sight. That mayo was awesome.


But the star of the night and with complements from the restaurant: ALASKAN CRAB!!! So freaking delicious that there are no sounds from the whole table as we dive in; the shell thoughtfully pre cracked for us for easy access to the sweet sweet flesh. Bliss. Definitely in the category of what I would eat as my last supper.


There was also duck with uber crispy skin, juicy pork, san choy bau, and a giant freaking fish that could have fed an army. But I was looking forward to one thing…


Condensed milk tart with peanut brittle and white sesame ice cream! A cloud of pashmak fluff adorns this fabulously gooey creation with innards that aren’t tooth achingly sweet.


A steamed banana pudding arrives and first to disappear are the caramelized banana slices as we swipe spoonfuls of the light cake and the rich chocolate ice cream


Woohoo one massive giant dessert platter! There was a bowl of glutinous black rice with ginger and drizzled with coconut milk; strawberry, apricot and white chocolate gelato; and sago with passionfruit


Too full to move we are the last to leave the previously uber packed restaurant. Farewell Lex, thanks for all the memories. Be safe, have an awesome time and ahem continue blogging!

1. What a delighftul dinner! Although my fav. pics would have to be the one with everyone taking photos!! :)

   — Lisa    Jan 5, 09:28 AM    #
   
   

2. The meals looked absolutely delicious, fresh and gorgeous! I love the photo of everyone taking photos! I have never seen anything like that before.

   — GourmetGetaways    Jan 5, 09:49 AM    #
   
   

3. sniff I think there’s something in my eye T_T
   will be back soon for more crazy food (and not so food) adventure!!

   — Lex    Jan 5, 10:04 AM    #
   
   

4. Nawww memories…the tupperware party felt like forever ago! Mmmm seafoody goodness please

   — Steph    Jan 5, 10:37 AM    #
   
   

5. Nawww…sniff

   So maybe the apricot-tasting mango sorbet as proclaimed by Ms Candy wasn’t mango at all…

   — mademoiselle délicieuse    Jan 5, 11:20 AM    #
   
   

6. Such fond memories of Lex. He’ll be missed while he’s away.

   The Alaskan Crab looks sooo nice!

   — Simon @ the heart of food    Jan 5, 12:15 PM    #
   
   

7. Now that’s what I call a send-off! The Alaskan crab was amazing. Lex – You will have an fantastic time abroad I’m sure. Suze – I’m glad we were sitting so close to that condensed milk tart!

   — Helen (grabyourfork)    Jan 5, 12:47 PM    #
   
   

8. Looks like a lovely send-off :) And who doesn’t love a good tart?! Mmmm

   — Ladybird    Jan 5, 02:40 PM    #
   
   

9. Rita – lol yay, my tastebuds were right!

   Fare thee well Lex. Cheers for the wine, cocktails and the awesome meal (zomg the sashimi, prawns and crab!). Though I have to admit, the homemade crab that you made at my place was even better.

   Will miss your dinners, cook-ups, drinkies and rounds of DJ Hero :(

   — Karen | C&C    Jan 5, 02:49 PM    #
   
   

10. omg that kingfish sashimi looks awesome!!! i would probably need at least 3-4 plates of that to be satisfied

    — sugarpuffi    Jan 5, 03:21 PM    #
    
    

11. I honestly don’t know what I’m more envious of – someone with the courage to leap into a new country and new life, or those desserts…. peanut brittle and sesame ice cream, get in my belly!

    — Hannah    Jan 5, 03:40 PM    #
    
    

12. oh wow – the Alaskan crab looks amazing! so does the kingfish sashimi!

    was thinking of this place for a family dinner one night….

    and peanut brittle!! yum!

    — sporbo    Jan 5, 04:51 PM    #
    
    

13. I MISS YOU LEEXXXXXXXXXXXXXX :’( sob sob sob

    — FFichiban    Jan 5, 05:48 PM    #
    
    

14. The condensed milk tart with peanut brittle and white sesame ice-cream sounds and looks so dreammmmy!! I want it so bad!

    — Jen    Jan 5, 09:15 PM    #
    
    

15. omg that condensed milk tart was freakin awesome, i’m so glad we ordered another one for our end of the table =D thanks for an awesome meal Lex and hope you have a blast in Canada!

    — Jacq    Jan 6, 01:52 AM    #
    
    

16. The Alaska King Crab dish is no doubt the star of the night! Farewell Lex!

    — Ellie (Almost Bourdain)    Jan 6, 11:38 AM    #
    
    

17. Happy new Year chocolate suze!

    I am now DYING to try every single bit of the “Condensed milk tart with peanut brittle and white sesame ice cream”!!!

    Happy Blogging!

    — jenny    Jan 7, 12:41 PM    #
    
    

18. Oh that condensed milk tart looks amazing! I cant believe I have never been here before. It has now been added to my list :)

    — Nic@diningwithastud    Jan 7, 04:26 PM    #