Dumpling King, Newtown – Take 2

It had been a while since Mr Black and I had paid a visit to Dumpling King. We were looking forward to some old favourites: eggplant in chilli sauce and northern style fried dumplings.

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Kazbah, Top Ryde

My experiences at Kazbah in both Balmain and Top Ryde have led me to one conclusion: Kazbah is for breakfast. Delicious, fragrant, warming, hearty breakfast. The degustation is delicious, varied and spectacular value; for groups less than eight, I recommend the breakfast tagines, in particular the lamb ($18.50pp). It’s chockers full of spiced lamb mince, feta, baby spinach, tomato, topped off with a couple of eggs and accompanied by both turkish bread and flatbread, it’ll keep you satisfied for hours.

Sanchez Bao

I love san choi bao. I also love chilli con carne. Recently when making the latter for myself and Mr Black, I came up with a brilliant idea of using iceberg lettuce leaves instead of tacos or tortillas to wrap up our chilli – making them instantly low carb and low GI, too.

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.

Black Star Pastry, Newtown

It is a happy happy thing that the inner West has become populated with a plethora of expert bakeries. Victoire in Rozelle, Bourke St Bakery in Marrickville and La Banette in Glebe, just to name a few.

Hernandez Cafe Dean, Glebe

This afternoon, in search of a relaxed afternoon coffee, my step-dad and I found Paper Cup unexpectedly closed. So instead he swept me off to this great little corner cafe.

Sushi Bar Rashai, Annandale

I love this place. I even had my 30th birthday family dinner here, partly because it’s such great food, and also because kids are made very welcome. Kids under 10 can even choose a free gift! Lucky ducks. Adults get a free meal on their birthday too if they’ve preregistered.

I like the Duke. Of all the pubs around I think it has the best value food, and the courtyard is cute and cosy. It never gets too packed for comfort and has a relaxed atmosphere, reflected in the staff’s friendly and laidback manner. They also serve up until 10pm on the weekend which is great for a late night out – plus, as we discovered on this occasion, the menu is 25% off from 12-5pm weekends!

Mizuya Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke, CBD

We wander down the dimly lit stairs towards eerily glowing underground caves. Strange and haunting melodies (I used the term ‘melody’ loosely) echo from every deep dark corner, the seductive fragrance of sesame and smokiness teasing our nostrils.

Welcome to Mizuya! 

Paper Cup, Stanmore

Paper Cup is just what Stanmore needed. It may be quirky and a bit cool, but the decor is sympathetic to the space; the exposed walls and garage door entrance part of the structure, rather than that contrived appearance of certain other cafes (which shall remain nameless!). Coffee comes first here, as it should, while the simple but appealing food menu gives one an excuse to eat too.