Shanghai Night, Ashfield

Busy restaurateurs have been recently capitalizing on the recent craze over dumplinga, what with Din Tai Fung opening it's multiple franchises and the newly opened Mr Wong that's drawing in droves. For me, however, it's the forgotten street down Liverpool Road in Ashfield that needs the attention; all the Xiao Long Bao without the premium prices. Every third store (slight exaggeration) are Shanghainese Xiao Long Bao specialists. No foodie can possibly resist that treasure trove of goodness now there.

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Oscillate Wildly, Newtown

Oscillate Wildly. I know, sounds like more a theme park ride than anything else but down Newtown it just happens to be a restaurant. One of the most widely sought after restaurants in the area in fact, known for their adventurous creativity that's a delight to many. And at 100 dollars a degustation, it's one of the cheapest you'll find.

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Mr Wong, CBD

I thought the longest queues in Wynyard were at Jamie's. I was wrong. Only 3 weeks in, newly opened Merivale restaurant Mr Wong has been a huge success of late run by executive chef Dan Hong as well as a few other big names in Chinese cooking. Located in literally what is a back alley, Mr Wong is easy to miss for those who aren't directly looking for the restaurant. For those who are, be prepared to brave through some serious stench from opposing restaurant's wastes as well as massive queues.

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Gelato Messina, Surry Hills

Ice blocks, sorbet, ice cream, gelato, what do they all have in common? The fact that they are all wildly inappropriate to consume during a 4 degree celsius winter night. But has that fact really stopped anyone? One can argue that excess consumption of the stuff will lead to increased fat storage which will lead to warmer nights so.............. yeah.

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Milk Bar by Cafe Ish, Redfern

Previously famous for their all you can ribtacular special on Wednesdays, Cafe Ish has since departed and made way towards Redfern. What it promises is a classic Australian and American selection of delights with an asian twist. Keen to try out this, I headed down to Redfern on my first break of the week. 

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Circa Espresso, Parramatta

I know so little about Parramatta. Besides the food court in westfields and a few decent asian eateries littered around the area, Parramatta to me isn't exactly the most bubbling hub of foodie centric delights. However, searching around, you can't help but be drawn in to Circa  with its easing going yet upbeat nature, even if it is over a computer screen so a real visit was going to happen sooner or later.

Cappucino 3.5

I didn't have a coffee, fearful that I would just crash in the midst of a crucial scene in TDKR later on that night. My friend tells me it's aromatic and a bit bitter but we were both fascinated by the little coffee art. The little things in life.

Baked eggs with sujak, danish fetta, tomato & chilli 14

Judging from other blogs, their baked eggs has to be by far one of their most popular dishes. Or pans should I say. Tomatoes, fetta and sujak sausage give it big robust flavours and the smell is intoxicating. 

Portobello Mushrooms in a sourdough with hummus and rocket salad 12

The mushrooms were cooked superbly, big and meaty but balanced brilliantly with with a nutty hummus and an acidic salad. The sourdough was a little disappointing as it eventually gets drenched in the juices and just gets all tough and cardboardy. The previously replaced brioche may have faired a lot better.

Banana bread with house made passion fruit butter 6

I wasn't here for the bread but luminous yellow passionfruit butter caught my eye. Viscous, tart and sweet, it goes really well with the banana bread.

Circa is the ultimate care free day, long slow brunch, talk endlessly whilst losing yourself sort of place and you'd be hard pressed finding any other place like it around the area. Cue Bruno Mar's The lazy song. Their menu changes daily so you'll never get bored. It's little wonder, despite being hidden away from the main street, from breakfast till lunch that the crowds never die down even on a gloomy rainy day.



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Ume, Surry Hills

Time and time again, big name restaurants have closed down due to the turbulent economic climate but that hasn't stopped Surry Hill's latest offering- Ume from popping up amongst the ranks of the great eateries around the area. It has big shoes to fill as it replaces the former Bistrode's impressive nose to tail food affair with the technically dense seafood driven cuisine that is Japanese.

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San Churro Chocolateria, Glebe

Looking for somewhere to sit after being dragged around Glebe markets by my cousin, San Churro's happens to be conveniently located. Known for their Churros, you'd be hard pressed to order anything else. 

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