Wall Cafe

It’s taken, unsurprisingly, a Melbourne crew, to bring hip and urban, grundge cool to Sydney. Unsurprising. Finally someone has finally bought diversity to the Sydney café scene. Much like the Melbourne original, the eclectic mish mash of industrial exposed cement, painted walls and cushioned milk crates are all there. As is the vibe. Strong, bold Genovese coffee is here for those who don’t shy away from the black stuff, toasted focaccias with a bit of rocket, tomato and smoked salmon for the hungry. Unsurprisingly, a favourite of mine. Brings me closer to home.

3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 80 Campbell Street, Surry Hills, NSW

Wei Win Restaurant

If ever there was a sympathy meal, this was it. Wei Win, the poor, neglected Chinese middle child in Kingsford. Sandwiched between Chong Hing and Honey Wok, Wei Win gets no loving. This despite following their neighbour’s discounted meal deals for multiple dishes from a long select list. With 4 people, it’ll roughly equate to $10 per person for a cooked meal. Bargain. So what’s not to like?

Saturday night, this Chinese street corner was pumping and getting a table for a group of 10 at our first two choices was going to be more difficult than reasoning with your girlfriend to watch the cricket over Desparate Housewives. Desparation, time and not to mention curiosity as to why this place had no one inside got the better of the group and decided to give this business some custom.

Despite being well feed, and service extremely good from the attentive staff, the dishes were hit and miss. Black pepper beef perhaps suffered from lack of turnover, the texture not quite right. Crispy chicken a bit dry, the spicy salt chicken better but a little oily. Prawn omelette ok, as was the fish fillets in sweet corn sauce, spicy salt flounder well drained, crunchy and as you’d expect from other restaurants.

A bit of consistency would see Wei Win rival the two next door and with it bring in the hungry and unwilling to wait.

1.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 323 Anzac Pde, Kingsford, NSW

Verandah

It began… in Verand-DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAHHHHHHHH. It really did begin at Verandah, much like the intro in that Chemical Brothers song. All those years ago, getting invited to watch the State of Origin with work people during my first week in Sydney. How things have changed. A recent make over has seen it transformed from Jessica Simpson sterile and boring to Jessical Alba seductive and sexy. It has always had a decent barbeque for the tucker, and that’s remained. For those who are cashed up, there’s a fine diner next door. But the bar menu is adequate, with the standard mix to appease most. Fish and chips for the aquaterians, steak sanga in a grilled Turkish with tomato relish and aioli, a thick beef patty with grilled melted cheese, chicken schnitzel, open grilled pita and lamb kebabs with tzatziki an pizzas amongst the diverse list that does not offend or excite. Food is a mere sideshow, especially when the Maroons are kicking the Cochroaches arses.


2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Mezzanine Level, 60 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW
What? BBQ under $20

Velluto Nero

A feature in Sydney’s Good Living on the city’s coffee has confirmed one thing in my mind. The city’s foodie voices like their coffee weak. Piss weak. Evidenced by the awarding of Velluto Nero to be the writer’s favourite in town. The blend, nutty, yes but seriously, hello coffee flavour? Smooth, but only by the fact that it could very well have been hot water and a splash of cow juice. I don’t doubt they could have had another cup straight after, probably in need to check if they actually did have coffee and not “I can’t believe it’s coffee!”. Credit goes to the stylishly fitted shop, ultra modern, the aqua and white colours eye catching for the café and coffee bean display area. A prime example of how design and marketing can go a long way. If you’re searching for a brew that will give you “go”, this is not the “show”.


1 / 5 yums!
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Where? Shop 3 / 259 Clarence Street, Sydney, NSW

The Eastern

Don’t be confused when you open the doors to the second level of the Eastern at Bondi Junction, you have not travelled back in time. It’s a classically styled retro bistro, complete with comfy cushion booths for eaters and cosy bucket chairs in the drinking area that’s a mix of Euro New York cool with a touch of dark Gotham noir. The circular track lighting surrounding the bar a real feature.

Options on the menu do not reflect the surrounds, and perhaps more suited to a casual café. A grilled chicken toasty on Turkish with sliced tomato, full stuffed with mixed gourmet leaves and a good aioli. Beef burger in a soft, lightly grilled white bun, served with fries adequate and satisfying.

As the food has shown, not everything at the Eastern is a blast from the past. It is a great escape for a touch of old in the ever increasingly modern Sydney.


2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, NSW
What? Under $15

Taka Tea

Second chances are rare these days, especially when one is still nursing the scars from the first experience. Which was the case with Taka Tea. Thinking that this was another one of those Asian tea houses that do the artificially flavoured and sweetened (yet utterly delicious) drinks… WRONG. Teas for much more refined tastes.

Takeaway experience left this writer with 2nd degree burns and a melted chin (ok I’m exaggerating but it freaking hurt) from the scolding hot contents in the polystyrene insulating cups that do their job a little too well, resulting in an unreasonable waiting time for the liquid to reach an acceptable drinking temperature. Duly discarded.

A chance for redemption sitting in for a cuppa, there’s a massive menu to choose from. Vanilla (not the ice cream, just normal) and infused teas, herbs and flowers flavour the just under boiling hot water that come in cute, mini hybrids of teapots and jugs. Sip away at your own pace. A much better experience when you’ve got time to relax and enjoy.


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Where? Near Corner of Liverpool and George Street, Sydney, NSW

Sydney Fish Markets

“Mine Mine Mine Mine Mine Mine Mine” you’ll hear a lot of that from those pesks of the sky ready to swoop on your remains at the Sydney Fish Markets in Pyrmont. So the wharf’s boardwalks might be a bit aged and appear unsafe for human weight, the sun faded umbrellas covering the metal outdoor sets feel prison standard fittings and the town’s more famous chefs take issue with the funky smells from the water, but it’s still a damn cool place to chill and enjoy some of the freshest seafood in town. Oysters, sliced tuna and salmon sashimi from Claudio’s, or from inside the fried calamari, with chips, oysters mornay and kilpatrick, there’s something there for everyone. Ensure you get enough for your group, the calls for mine for rights on the last pieces won’t just be coming from those seagulls.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Pyrmont, NSW