Quick Fire Reviews #2

Everyone who reads this knows me well, and so also knows I’ve been busy starting a brand new very glamorous and exciting career in TV production. Amidst all the hubbub, my poor little food blog fell to the wayside. Turns out, I still love eating and writing about it.

We’ve just moved house to a suburb where I’m told there are no good restaurants within walking distance (I’ll see about that). Ruth Rogers, chef of London’s famous River Cafe, once said that she likes it best when she can to a walk to restaurant. I’m the same. In Redfern, I was spoilt—walking distance encompassed Surry Hills and Waterloo. It even extended as far south as Rosebery, as far west as Newtown, and as far north as Potts on a summer’s evening. In the last few weeks before the move I was stress-eating at our local joints, making the most of the good food offerings and my precious post-dinner digestion stroll.

Let’s get started with another round of quick-fire reviews.

Wilson’s Lebanese Restaurant, Redfern. Wilson’s Lebanese, just around the corner from our old apartment, has been there since the 1950s. We finally visited on our final night in Redfern. I don’t think the interior has changed much since then and, in this economy, it feels like the prices haven’t either. We ate a small feast for 50 bucks all up. The hummus, fava beans, and kibbeh were the stand outs. The pickles too. The peppers were so salty and earthy, perfect between labneh-coated bites of pita.

Suishin, Surry Hills. We’ve dropped in to Suishin heaps of times now, usually on tired Sunday nights. It seems to be a family-run joint and is often full. The tonkatsu ramen at $23 a bowl is delightful. As is the salmon nigiri. I surprised John ordering a California Roll the last time we went. The crab meat was thick and sweet. I always leave feeling calm and nourished.

Bunsik Burgers, Surry Hills. Right next door to Suishin. These legends keep the grills on until 1am most nights. Whatever your reason for eating a double beef burger past midnight, they’re there for you. And somehow you don’t wake up feeling awful the next day. In fact, better for it.

VN Street Foods, Marrickville. So fresh and fast! And always busy. At lunchtime I usually get the bento box. And at dinner I’ll cajole everyone to share, making sure the beef fried rice with green mustard pickle makes its way into the group order.

King of Pho, Mascot. One of the best bowls of pho I’ve had near home. The wagyu beef is served rare. The slow-simmered broth does its gelatinous thing, coating your mouth in a slick film—the only kind of peptide lip glaze I’d pay $30 for.

Em & Cel’s Pop Up at OzHarvest Ref, Surry Hills. My gorgeous friend, Em, is a brilliant chef. I was lucky to eat at her and Cel’s pop up for Oz Harvest’s Refettorio. The Refettorio is a community space and restaurant. Good food and an important mission. On the menu that night: fresh pomelo with chilli salt, lemongrass bò lá lốt with impossible pork mince, and warming seasonal veg kare kare, amongst other delicious things. Thanks, Em.

That’s all for now, but there’s plenty more stacked in my iPhone notes app still to come. In all seriousness, thank you to everyone who’s asked, hinted, called, and begged for me to get writing again.

T xxxxx