Hi Siam (Thai), Cooma

Chicken Panang curry, Hi Siam, Cooma

The style: Hi Siam is located within the Cooma Motor Lodge Motel. From the outside, it is easy to miss. Inside, the walls are exposed brick and the decor is fairly simple. The atmosphere feels a little unlike a Thai Restaurant BUT once the food hits the table, all is well. There is also a bar adjoining Hi Siam.

The taste: The food at Hi Siam is lovely. The curries really pack a nice punch and the flavours are fresh and tangy. All of the usual suspects such as Panang curry, Pad Thai and stir fries appear on the menu but there are some interesting additions including volcanic chicken, sea on fire and a quail dish.

Spring rolls, Hi Siam, Cooma

Combination Pad Thai, Hi Siam Cooma

The service: Friendly and efficient, the service at Hi Siam is pleasant but not over the top.

The price: Entrees range from $9 to $12, mains from $16-$32. The servings are generous for the price.

The location:Hi Siam is located within the Cooma Motor Lodge at 6 Sharp Street in Cooma (the main street.) Hi Siam was formerly Thai Continental and moved when the old building was sold - the chef is still the same despite the name and location change.

Useful information:
Hi Siam Cooma menu

Interior, Hi Siam, Cooma

His Boy Elroy, Wollongong

Mini pork bahn mi, His Boy Elroy, Wollongong

The style: This place is uber-cool. There is a New-Yorkish vibe with the industrial style interior interspersed with warm wood. The staff were decked out in shorts, button up shirts and bow ties and even the coaster looked trendy. The food was served on mis-matched plates which looked like they had been swiped from my nanna's place which added a bit of a twist in the otherwise modern setting. His Boy is located in Globe Lane which used to be a dead space but it sitting outside on a warm evening eating decent food and having a civilised drink was a real change from the Wollongong nightlife I remember from years gone by.

Wagyu brisket, His Boy Elroy, Wollongong

The taste: The menu was a bit of a trip around the world with Vietnamese, South American, North American and a few other influences thrown in for good measure. There is a great selection of food which is more generous than tapas but still of a style that can be shared among friends. The pick for me was the mini bahn mi with the wagyu brisket coming in a close second. The only slight disappointment was the chilli dog which didn't really have much chilli - a bit more heat and it too would have hit the mark. The cocktails were great too!

The service: The staff here were friendly, energetic and fun. The orders came out right and the timing was reasonable, especially given how busy it was. 

Chilli dog, His Boy Elroy, Wollongong

The price: The prices were very reasonable - from $5 for the snack-type meals to $18 for a shared plate.  There is a link to the His Boy Elroy menu below.

The location: His Boy Elroy is located in Globe Lane, Wollongong. This is in the mall area with the nearest street access being either Church Street or Burelli Street.

Useful links:
His Boy Elroy Menu

Cocktails, His Boy Elroy, Wollongong

Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

 

Beef burrito, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

The style: Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina is just what Jindabyne needed - a fresh new place to eat with a great atmosphere. The decor is mex to the max with bright little trinkets everywhere. There are tables both inside and out - if you eat outside, you also get a view of Lake Jindabyne which is a nice bonus.

The taste: I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Cocina - some small town Mexican restaurants seem to offer up a stodgy mess coated in a thick layer of cheese. Cocina managed to avoid this and the dishes were fresh, tasty and had a nice little zing. The nachos were yummy with all of the trimmings.  The burrito was AMAZING with the meat absolutely melt in the mouth delicious. It was one of the best things I have eaten in a long time.  The fish tacos were fresh and tasty although way too small to constitute a main - if you order these, consider a side as well.

Nachos, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

The service: The wait staff were helpful, enthusiastic and able to provide accurate information about the food on the menu. They were timely in taking orders and got everything spot on. The food also came out in good time.

The price: I didn't note down the prices but from memory, the mains were in the $15-20 bracket. 

The location: Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina is located in the Old Town Centre in Jindabyne (off Kosciuszko Road.) The Old Town Centre is the first lot of shops as you come into Jindabyne from Canberra.

Outdoor seating, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

Useful links:
Cocina Facebook Page