Excelsior (無國界), 28 Oct & 28 Nov 2009


There is a perception that fusion cuisine is something that has been conceived by the minds of chefs in high end restaurants in relatively recent times. But the truth for people like myself who have grown up in or grown up eating food of a colonised land, this is the only food that we know. Over years of rule by governments and people of a different racial background comes a marriage of foods from both cultures – you see it in Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Macau and Hong Kong to name just a few.

The fusion influences are sometimes obvious and, at other times, subtle. Think Vietnamese pork rolls, kaya toast and Portugese egg tarts. An example of this type of food in an eatery is the ‘sai chaan teng’ (西餐廳) or ‘western restaurant’ that serves Cantonese-ified western food. You will often see spaghetti stir-fried with beef in black pepper sauce on the menu as well as mixed seafood in a white sauce baked atop rice gracing the menu.

A place that does this variety of food rather well is Excelsior at Kogarah. It’s been around for around ten years now and is family run, I understand, so it closes for extended periods around public holiday occasions. If parking cannot be found on nearby streets then there is a handy underground carpark around the back of the building, which also happens to be free on weekends.


I’ve eaten here countless times over the years and one of their standout items is the ‘Prawn Bisque’ which is creamy and very prawny and is served with a small crusty bread roll with butter on the side.


If you’re looking for a puff pastry fix then I would recommend the ‘Bouillabaisse with puff pastry’. Although it’s definitely not a French bouillabaisse by any description, it doesn’t skimp on the seafood and is fresh with its tomato-ey flavours.


I quite often have the ‘Baked linguine Bolognaise’ as the herb-less but slightly sweet tomato mince sauce is comforting after being baked on top of pasta and developing a crusty top. The serving is generous and I usually find that I can’t finish it.


On one occasion, Monsieur Poisson has the ‘Curry chicken with rice’ which is a very mild yet fragrant but not overly yellow Cantonese-style curry. The pieces of chicken served are on the bone and are usually a mixture of thigh and drumstick. There’s a piece of potato or two thrown in for good measure and the sauce is lovely mixed through some plain rice.


And on another of our visits, I opt to order items from a set menu while Monsieur Poisson orders just a main dish. His is the ‘Lamb cutlets with chips’ which comes not only with chips but also a side of vegetables and a thin gravy-type sauce.


My spread starts with the ‘Seafood ravioli in prawn sauce’ where the ravioli wrappers are definitely white gow-gee (dumpling) ones instead and the sauce tastes like a thinner version of the prawn bisque described above.


Next is a ‘Spicy vongole soup’ which has a moderate but not overwhelming amount of heat and features plenty of clam meat and no shells. Alongside is the usual bread roll with butter.


For the main meal I’ve chosen the ‘Minute steak with garlic mushroom sauce’ which is intensely garlicky and comes with vegetables as well as a small serve of potato gratin.


The included dessert is never the highlight for me as it’s usually a cold, gelatine-set panna cotta type of thing – not my favourite. On this occasion it is a ‘Papaya pudding with azuki’ which is smooth and served with a drizzle of evaporated milk on top. The best part of course is that the set menu costs only around $19 and includes a hot drink as well!


Excelsior (無國界)
Kogarah Town Square, AR16, 7-9 Belgrave St, Kogarah NSW
Tel: (02) 9553 1866

Opening Hours:  Mon  CLOSED
Tues-Sun  around 11:00am-10pm, I think…

Excelsior on Urbanspoon

happy eating!

11 comments:

  1. That's really good value! yum!

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  2. I must admit I have been known to use the good ol gow gee wrapper to make speedy home made ravioli.

    Excelsior is so close to home for me, I really should try it, it has that home cooked meal appeal to to it, and the price is appealing too.

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  3. Wow what a bargain!! It looks like good, home cooked delights :) Yum - I wish we had somewhere like this near us!! :)

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  4. Most of the food here reminds me a lot of home cooked meals that I used to have in my friend's houses or in my family's house as well. Lots of almost "quirky" but tasty dishes!

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  5. Lamb cutlets with chips, gasp! Love that combination!

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  6. I thought this type of food went out of fashion years ago, but thank goodness it's still around. And such a bargain, too!

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  7. I love the food at HK cafes, and the sets are always so cheap!

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  8. Hey Fiona, really good value and some of the food Mum made when I was a kid.

    Hey Sara, perfectly acceptable to use gow-gee wrappers as substitutes! Or wonton wrappers if you want something thinner and eggier.

    Hey Joy, it's that Asian mish-mash of homecooked food!

    Hey Trissa, my favourite comfort food along these lines is elbow macaroni in soup with ham =p

    Hey Joey, you and your chips! Haha =p

    Hey Belle, a bit retro but never entirely out of fashion, I don't think!

    Hey missklicious, the sets are always an economical and interesting combination!

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  9. My dad loves these kinds of places! They remind him of growing up in Hong Kong! :P What fabulous value!

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  10. Hey Lorraine, they remind me of extended childhood trips to Hong Kong and therefore I find the food quite comforting =)

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  11. Hello there, I love this restaurant, probably because i love this food, it reminds me so much of HK. If you can recommend any other places in Sydney i will definitely check them out! Thanks :)

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