Cafe Ish – Surry Hills, Sydney (2)
All… You.. Can… Eat… RIBS! One of the sweetest combination of words in the English language. We have already came across this once before but this time it was at the humble little Cafe Ish on Campbell St; unlike the silly people who went to Albion St hee hee I pity those fools. The all you can eat ribs has only recently come onto the menu and it is only for Wednesday night. Considering it is only 35 dora per person it is a very good deal that Lex, Ninja, Steph, Leona, Sheryl, Karen, Suzey and myself had to try!
It was quite obvious that Josh, the owner, was a sake and beer fanatic and after a friendly chat he introduces us to a special drink which he only had 3 bottles left.
Mad Brewers Orchard Ale
Probably one of the best descriptions of a drink I have ever heard, “It is like if beer and cider got together and had sex”. It sure was a very smooth and easy to drink leaning towards the cider side more so than the beer.
Pre-rib drink always seems a bit sweeter than normal… or it could be because of this cider ale
Cheerss by some of the ladies
Shortly after the drinks, bowls and bowls were brought out in quick succession. The sight that presented before us was pure and utter meat heaven. I kept glancing from bowl to bowl trying to gauge them but you have to taste them for yourself before it actually hits you. Here Comes the Food
Blue gum smoked beef ribs marinated in sake, soy, mirin and ginger finished with coriander, fresh chili, shallots, sesame and black vinegar
Of all the places I had beef ribs, and quite a many places it was, I always thought Meat & Wine Co. had the best beef ribs… until now. These ribs were just melt-in-your-mouth fall-apart fantastic. There was a perfect balance between the sweetness of the mirin and saltiness of the soy while all the other ingredients contributed their little nuances to complete the flavour. The proportion of fat to meat was also wonderful with tender and juicy chunks of meat ribboned with flavoursome fat.
They so good I need a second look mmmm
Blue gum smoked pork ribs marinated in sake, soy, mirin and ginger finished with coriander, fresh chili, shallots, sesame and black vinegar
The other half of the bowls were filled with pork ribs but with the same finger-licking sauce. I did enjoy the beef ribs more but the pork ribs were also a force to be reckoned with. I found them a bit sweeter than the beef ribs possibly from the natural sweet nature of pork. Tearing the meat off the bone adds to the whole rib eating experience and brings out the inner caveman from me.
So very very very hungry right now…
We also ordered some sides to balance out all the meaty goodness.
Fries with wasabi mayo ($6)
These fries were fried to a golden crisp and with the wasabi mayo they were very moreish. Also even when you are full of ribs I always find space for chips and can keep munching on these.
Cabbage with wattleseed miso(?) mayonnaise ($5)
Cabbage? CABBage? Yeah I know, I also scoffed at the idea of cabbage at first but later on they were a savour. I nibbled away in shame at these wonderful crisp and refreshing leaves with the beautiful and creamy sauce. I think these are necessary to balance out the ribs and can help you eat more ribs.
Otoko Yama
I have tried many sakes but I am still no where as knowledged as Josh in this field. He recommends the Otoko Yama (Man mountain) which is light and sweet on the tongue. A very pleasant drop and those wooden sake cups were just too cute!
Piggy Graveyard
After we were all ribbed out we could barely eat another bite, until we heard their dessert menu. A quick response of “2 of each, kthx” settled that easily.
Wattleseed creme brulee with azuki beans
When the Ninja’s spoon broke the caramelized sugar layer and a delightful crack was heard and observed we all cracked a smile (sorry, it’s late!). The custard underneath was silky smooth and went beautifully with the sugary layer and the azuki beans.
Lemon Delicious
The name says it all! Fluffy and citrusy, it was like eating a lemon cloud and the ice cream created a hot and cold contrast that everybody seemed to enjoy. The only gripe was that there could had been a bit more ice cream but that could have been because we were sharing one among 4 people heh.
Chocolate cake with wattleseed ice cream and sour plum jam
Warm and fluffy chocolate cake with ice cream and a touch of the jam was an unbeatable combination.
Cafe Ish has won the title for best beef ribs for me and I will definitely be back for the ribs and to try their normal dinner menu (but those riibbs ommggg still craving them). An awesome night was had with superb food, drink and company!
Note: Please keep in mind that so not to waste food do not over order the ribs on all you can eat rib Weds ($50 per uneaten kg) and if you are taking photos it is courtesy to ask staff beforehand.
Cafe Ish
82 Campbell Street
Surry Hills
Open Wednesday – Saturday for Dinner
Open 7 days during the day for your coffee fix and other dishes
FFichiban
May 19th, 2010 at 3:36 am
Ooh baby, sticky pork ribs… I want more! Can we pls go back?
May 19th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Oh dear lord what was I thinking missing this? Gaaaah… but I was out in the West and couldnt get to the city fast enough. Booo! Must make my own way there one of these days – boyfriend’s flavour of the month are ribs and I think he’s out looking for the best ribs in town!
May 19th, 2010 at 10:36 am
holy crap! the chips and desserts!!! drooling. I need to get back to cafe ish, soon-ish hahaha get it? ok then bye
May 19th, 2010 at 10:42 am
That’s a LOTTA ribs! I’d like to try the fries with wasabi mayo. Not a fan of either mayo or wasabi, but it sounds so interesting! All the desserts seem heavenly – but the Lemon Delicious, omgahhhh looks and sounds ah-ma-zing!
Wei-Wei
May 19th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Oh no…. these are what I missed!! crying under my blanket! Desserts and ribs look stunning!!!
May 19th, 2010 at 11:12 am
i want everything on this page.
May 19th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Hehehe 2 of everything
I loved saying that! That cabbage was so awesome, I think I nearly ate as much cabbage with mayo as those juicy juicy ribs! Thanks for organising Richard!
May 19th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Mmm…sex…and booze…
Delicious.
May 19th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Mmmm ribs, chips, desserts and drinks. I could have fun here.
May 20th, 2010 at 1:49 am
oh gawd those beef ribs were amazing! dude we gotta go back again!
May 21st, 2010 at 1:39 am
Karen|C&C – We are going back foshooo!!! I crave those awesome awesome ribs
Trisha – Pity you couldn’t make it… but next time you will have to come!
Linda – Hee hee kthxbye (when you eating meat again we goes!)
Wei-Wei – Ahh do try wasabi mayo it is very awesomesauce, literally!
Ellie – Booo should’ve came Ellie!!!
D – Yessir we shall venture back
Steph – Thanks for coming ^^! Yeah cabbage was a lifesaver, gw Lexy
The Ninja – Glad you got the main points of this post
Mark@CafeCampana – It is pretty much a guaranteed good time with that kind of combination XD
Chocolatesuze – Yup yup esp since you are quite famous around there now
May 21st, 2010 at 12:06 pm
those chips look yummy & the desserts too, ! and its good that they charge for uneaten ribs, so many people leave precious foods behind thinking its fine cos its all you can eat etc
May 21st, 2010 at 6:03 pm
OMG You have to let me know when you do plan to go back because I’m so there! Those ribs look so awesome!