As you work routinely through the day at your computer reading foodblogs and restaurant reviews, a small box suddenly pops up in the bottom right, “You Got Message”. You check your email with glee to find one from Chocolatesuze. She has sent you a mission, do you choose to accept it, to check out and recon the newly opened Fat Noodle at Star City. The mission is simple, to survey the food at the launch and make contact with the consulting chef Luke Nguyen. If you choose to accept go to A, if you think you are unable to handle the task click here.

A – Making your way to Star City is not an easy task, as there have been traps set up to catch you out. The first one was when you walk past Harbourside and the wafting aroma of sweet and sticky ribs of Hurricanes enter your nostrils. Your step slows… almost to a complete stop, until you suddenly snap back and remember your initial mission, however +30 Hunger. The main entrance opens up to reveal an escalator and a big sign. You follow the advice of the lovely ladies and go up to the red carpet but reach at the end reach a T-junction. Go to B if you go left, go to C if you decide to turn right.

B – You have made the wrong turn and ended up at the main dining area in the middle of the gambling floor. But you do manage to sneak some glances into the kitchen. +5 Hunger and backtrack to C.

C – A welcome lotus candle sets the whole Asian mood along with the projections on the curtains above your head and the slow strings of violin melodies. Do you wish to explore more of the area, D, or start hitting up the food, F?

D – You come across to a wall of fire… which was really more of a row of pretty candles. But it does deter you from venturing forwards so with +5 Hunger you continue round to the other side to E.

E – Spotted one times Chocolatesuze! As well as fellow bloggers Grab Your Fork, Eat Show & Tell and Tasted by Two. They had already begun with the drinks, so without delay you swiftly pick up a bypassing cocktail. Drink on to F.

F – Lychee Martini Cocktail. A icy and refreshing blend which goes down smooth and dangerously easy with a sweet and fruity tone. The sour apple accompaniment contrasts nicely against the sweetness of the drink. +1 Intoxication and +3 Hunger, but you are still in the search for more. Do you want to head towards the bar for more drinks, G, or chase down the waiters who are beginning to bring the food out, J?

G – Before stands a small and silent man who works his magic so quickly that he appears as a blur. I am not one to judge a book by its’ cover but this time you could tell immediately he is a master of the arts… martial arts that is, so all you do is watch silently in awe not wanting to disturb his chakra flow. Ooh and Aah onto H.

H – He charges up and summons the chakra into his hands…

And unleashes it all in a blaze of fury as he casts Firaga. Adding an invaluable entertainment factor to the cocktail preparation.

Tamarind, maple and cinnamon martini infused with orange peel flame. The cinnamon sugar lining along the rim of the glass pleases you to no end and each sip fills you will a warm and sugary feeling. +1 Intoxication and +3 Hunger. Each step brings you closer to inebriation but if you do love your cocktails and fancy some more head back to F or G. Otherwise Here Comes the Food… at J.

J – Roast duck, perilla and enoki mushroom and King prawn and pork Vietnamese rice paper rolls. You start off with some light rice paper rolls which taste fresh with a great combination of herbs. The Hoisin sauce with peanuts matches beautifully with the rolls. As you much happily other staff members begin bringing out the food and you smile with glee. But do you smile to the waiter on the left, K, or to the waitress on the right, L?

K – Grilled organic Byron Bay pork neck skewers. The first bite causes a wonderful sweet and salty flavour burst in the mouth and leaves you nodding and smiling. The pork neck is tender and juicy and you know that this is only the first of many (-1 Hunger per skewer). Still munching happily on the pork neck you now turn to the waitress, L, if not already done so or head onto M.

L – Byron Bay pork crispy parcels. A very enthusiastic and cheery waitress introduces these as crispy parcels, which are pretty much spring rolls. They do give a musical crisp with each bite and a filling of pork, glass noodles and wood ear mushroom creates a harmony of flavours (-1 Hunger per crispy parcel). Crunch your way to K if not done so already or head to M.

M – A quick glance around the room between bites of your finger food allows you to spot Mikey Robins… but you quickly turn your attention back to the food. Once again you face the task of choosing the left plate, N, or right plate, O.

N – Salt and Pepper silken tofu. You watch Chocolatesuze have difficulty picking up the tofu with the little toothpick-like tool and laugh but then you find yourself facing the same problem and feel quite the silly. The tofu is delicate and soft under a crisp batter layer. It would have been quite bland if not for the spices added to it (-1 Hunger per 2 tofu). The other waiter has gone so with a longing look you look towards the kitchen, go to P.

O – Fat pho noodles. A mini tub of Chef Luke’s signature pho welcomes you with a warming aroma. You sip at the rich flavoursome broth of oxtail and nibble at the slice Angus sirloin and strand of rice noodle. The broth is simply amazing and you finish it all quickly just in time to steal the last portion (-1 Hunger per portion). As you drink happily, your eyes wander over to the kitchen, go to P.

P – The man himself serendipitously is looking your direction as he sips his wine. If you become locked and infatuated by his seductive gaze go to Q. If you quickly giggle, blush and turn away go to R.

Q – Chef Luke Nguyen. He approaches you suavely and asks how the night and food is going. He is of kind and friendly nature and greets everyone and poses for photos. He reminds you that there is more food to come and then is gone as swiftly as he arrived. With one objective complete you keep moving forward to chase down another waiter at S.

R – A platter of pork neck was positioned perfectly and you are able to snatch up a few more (-1 Hunger per skewer) but then out of the corner of your eye you see someone coming towards you, go to Q.

S – Slow braised wagyu beef brisket and tendon with a rich beef broth. The hearty aromatic broth and beautiful chunk of tender beef was easily the best dish of the night. The beef simply fell apart in the mouth and the flavours filled every part of the mouth (-2 Hunger per portion). If you decide that this one is simply not enough you can repeat S again, otherwise you can follow Grab Your Fork for a little meander at U or stop the waiter walking past at T.

T – Prawn and Pork wontons. With a lighter soup the wonton has a nice skin and packed full of prawn and pork. However it is a little bland and probably the least tasty of what you have tried today (-1 Hunger per wonton). You have to catch up to GYF at V.

U – It was well worth following GYF as you spot Matt Preston, his hand actions and vigour as he describes food is inspirational. You then continue to *eh hm*stalk*eh hm* him as he meets and greets Luke Nguyen at V.

V – The sight of these two together has your heart aflutter but then another pair catches your eye, get distracted to W.

W – Roast Duck & Large Eastern Australian prawns with X.O. glass noodles. This pair of plates has you jumping up and down as the staff serves them in smaller plates. The roast duck is soft and silky, especially the skin but I found that it could have done with a bit more sauce. While the glass noodles were smooth and had a good bite from the X.O. sauce (-1 Hunger per serving). The night seems to be coming to an end with not many new dishes bringing brought around. Head on to X.

X – A glance at the menu, presented by the glamorous Chocolatesuze (you know she is hiding a really big CHEESEY smile ), reveals that all the food you tried is on the menu for people to order which is a good indication of all the great Asian cuisines of the rest of the menu. As you congratulate on a mission success you thank Chef Nguyen and the staff for a wonderful and tasty evening. As you leave they present you with a goodie bag which was a surprising bonus ^^! You walk out patting your stomach, if you are full and want to call it a night (Hunger level is negative) head on to Y, however if you are still able to squeeze in some more food (Hunger level 0 or positive) go on to Z.

Y – What are you thinking?!?! You are a foodblogger! It is not important if your hungry or not, you will still end up eating so get your ass onto Z

Z – The Songs of Sapa by Luke Nguyen. You check out your goodie bag and pleasantly surprised to receive a copy of Luke’s latest recipe book. You browse through the fascinating photos and recipes while munching on your supper of Deep Fried Ice Cream, while others dig into banana fritter, PB toast with condensed milk (with extra condensed milk), Kaya toast (with extra Kaya), French toast with PB and various drinks. However, you continue reading the book long after your supper is gone so +20 Hunger for the trip home…

Fat Noodle

Star City Casino, gambling floor

80 Pyrmont St

Pyrmont, 2009

Ph: 1800 700 700

Consulting Chef: Luke Nguyen

FFichiban