Been Art & About?

As soon as the weather warms up, festivals in Sydney get cranking up - it's a great time of year and I love it. Art & About is one of the smaller events - with my favourite Sydney Life photos in Hyde Park - but with sights like the below, it's hard to ignore.

Queen Victoria statue, Queen Victoria Building, Sydney CBD

So everyone's getting a makeover as the warmer weather comes in. I suppose Queen Victoria wants to look good for festival season too. I noticed her and her striking outfit one evening on the way to the George Street cinemas to see Tomorrow When The War Began, a movie adapted from a book I'd read about 13 years ago. Time seriously flies.

Pork katsudon from Ton Ton, Regent Place, George Street, Sydney

Speaking of time, a 7pm movie after work doesn't give you all that much time to dither over menus and delicately chew food. A fall-back option that's not American chain fast food is Ton Ton, a few doors up from the cinema in Regent Place.

Choosing from the menu, paying, taking my number and a seat, and then having food and cutlery delivered to me probably took less than 10 minutes. Veering away from ramen soup this particular warm night, I opted for pork katsudon featuring a crumbed and fried pork cutlet on a bowl of rice with onions and egg.

The pork was pleasantly lean with only the tiniest bit of fat on the edges; although it wasn't straight-out-of-the-oil crunchy. The accompanying soy based sauce flavoured the rice nicely while the pickled ginger and daikon garnishes were greatly appreciated for flavour contrasts.

Mabo ramen

But others stick to the favourites - the mabo tofu mixture consisting of silky tofu cubes in a spicy pork mine sauce; however, on this occasion the flavours were somewhat watered down compared to previous occasions. Still, the al dente ramen noodles were contentedly slurped up, as was every last drop of soup.

As for the movie, probably more of a teen flick, especially for those studying the book. I don't like movies that blatantly leave ends open for sequels, and for this reason, and others, probably won't be queueing up for the inevitable next film. Kudos to all the young Australian actors and Aussie music in the film though - all of a sudden I feel like getting out and about, road tripping and camping.

And by the way, Crave Sydney International Food Festival officially starts today - with the festival highlight of Rene Redzepi from S.Pellegrino's World's Best Restaurant, Noma, speaking at the Opera House tonight. Get those lunches and brunches, Sugar Hits, cocktails, talks and more into your diary - plan your month (and month's budget) here.

Ironing out the cheap seats

I've taken to only going to the movies on cheap Tuesdays - it seems silly to be paying 35 per cent more on other days when you're getting exactly the same thing. And with online ticket purchases, there's not even those insane queues that Tuesday nights used to see. All this makes me quite happy to see movies that I don't even particularly want to see; Iron Man 2 a point in case. Fans of the first movie shouldn't be (too) disappointed and boy, is Mickey Rourke one person I would not like to meet in real life.

The George Street cinemas are great for their proximity to food all round; whether you have hours to kill before the movie or need a quick pre show feed. We were more towards the latter on Iron Man 2 night, so took the neighbourly option to Ton Ton at the hushed Regent Place. On one of the recent-change chilly (read freezing) nights, a steaming bowl of ramen does wonders to warm the hands, nose and mind.

Mabo ramen from Ton Ton, Regent Place, George Street, Sydney

The half empty, mostly closed (granted it's evening time) Regent Place is an oddly lacking space. Other than the Azuma franchises, there seems to be a severe lifelessness about it; perhaps due to it being somewhat set further back from street level. Ton Ton, however, is buzzing on a Tuesday night, possibly with other cheap-Tuesdayers keen to continue the cheap theme. Ton Ton's convenient, mostly one-bowl offerings make the perfect hasty meal, while the seating feels a mix of food court and open air dining.

There are a few options for the spice inclined - one being the mabo ramen, featuring silken cubes of tofu, minced pork and a whole bunch of other impact-adding ingredients. This sweet-ish sauce was of a good but serious chilli heat level in my opinion; and whilst I would prefer it with rice, it's nonetheless enjoyed with the ramen noodles beneath.

Karaage chicken ramen

I find my karaage chicken ramen infinitely more interesting, probably due to the array of toppings and irresistable deep fried chicken (I currently have a fried chicken problem that I'm trying to shake - struggling). The presence of shallots, various seaweeds and bean sprouts at least make me think that the once-crunchy, now-soft golden battered chicken is being slightly offset healthwise. Aside from the huge and incredibly juicy chunks of chicken thigh, my favourite component has to be the wakame seafood with a mouthful of yellow eggy noodles.

There's always a niggling thought in my mind that something as tasty as a bowl of ramen cannot be good for you, but after (over)filling my stomach with a bowl, soup and all, the feeling of sustenance and revitalisation is undeniable - which is also a scene and sentiment in this Japanese movie. And such satisified minutes before the movie, without need to visit the candy bar, cheap Tuesday was more fulfilling than ever.