Yen For Viet, Marrickville – Take 2

Mr Black and I first visited Yen For Viet when it was brand new (see my first post here). Since then we’ve been back a few times – when we can get a table! Even on a weeknight they’re pretty busy, and deservedly so. Their food is excellent quality and, while not as cheap a most places on the Illawarra Rd strip, is still fantastic value. They are both BYO and licenced, which is great because there are no bottle shops anywhere nearby!

Mushroom & chèvre ravioli with walnut & butter

Sometimes, just occasionally, I like to indulge myself. Today I brought home a very indulgent bounty from my local markets on Addison Road in Marrickville: a bag of beautiful mixed brown mushrooms, Pepe Saya butter and some delicious chèvre. Oh, the possibilities!

Homemade gluten and wheat-free Scottish oatcakes recipe

To me, there is no better savoury biscuit than the humble oatcake. With pate, jam or even a simple scrape of butter, the oatcake provides a crunchy, crumbly, earthy goodness to whatever your topping. They’re also perfect on a cheese platter as a more wholesome, gluten-free/wheat-free alternative to crackers. (My little babies worked out to be only one gram of net carbs per oatcake! Yeah.)

Minh Vietnamese, Dulwich Hill

Minh is our local Vietnamese joint. It’s closer than (but not quite as good as) the Viet places in Marrickville and makes for a decent low-key meal. Plus, they are licensed and BYO and serve a decent glass of house wine as well as a few old favourites by the bottle such as Oyster Bay sav blanc.

Sideways Deli Cafe, Dulwich Hill

Having just purchased our first home in Dulwich Hill, Mr Black and I have been very keen to explore the area’s food offerings.

I’ve been to Sideways a few times over the years but this weekend we ventured there for Saturday. Not feeling the best after struggling with a virus and/or cold for a week, I craved nourishment, which came in the form of Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. Rich, I know, but it was low-carb (minus the muffin which went to Mr Black), protein dense and really very good. Perfect eggs make me shake my fists in excitement like Wallace from Wallace and Gromit.

Cafe Dal’or, Dulwich Hill

This cafe right near Dulwich Hill station has the friendliest staff we’ve ever met. Mr Black and I spent a very enjoyable late morning brunch/lunch here, drinking smooth coffee and basking in the late summer sun of the quaint little courtyard out the back.

Thanh Binh, Newtown

Ah, Thanh Binh. I love the food here! I love all Vietnamese food, and usually it’s the cheaper the better – but on occasions I need to come here to order their green papaya salad and caramel claypots, which are unsurpassed in the inner west.

Tra Mi Vietnamese Restaurant, Marrickville

I tried takeaway from Tra Mi the other day while doing a spot of grocery shopping in Marrickville. As soon as I saw my old favourite, Go’i Bo Kho (a green papaya and carrot salad with herbs and dried strips of beef) I had to order it. This was the first dish my friend and I ate in Vietnam, squatting on little plastic chairs on the streets of Hanoi. We had no idea what it was or what it was called, so for the rest of the trip we called it “nom” because of the sign above the restaurant. So appropriate!

Ben Ngu, Marrickville

While shopping in Marrickville with my lovely mother, I suddenly realised that the hunger monster was hot on my heels. So we headed towards the nearest Vietnamese joint and quickly perused the (enormous) menu.

Ha Noi Quan, Marrickville

I had never been to Ha Noi Quan before tonight. Being a huge fan of both Old Thanh Huong and Pho Bac Hai Duong on Illawarra Rd, I usually end up at the former for salt and pepper/chilli and lemongrass cravings, and the latter for pho and banh xeo cravings. However tonight I was invited to try Ha Noi Quan with my two lovely friends Ms Y and Mr K and I was very excited!