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!

Zheng Hao Chinese Restaurant, Enmore

Mr Black and I LOVE our dumplings. I have spent many an hour beating sticky, cold pork mince by hand to achieve just the correct consistency of filling. I even dedicated six gruelling hours of my precious holiday time in Hong Kong to learn from the dumpling master mistress, Martha Sherpa, how to make the perfect xiao long bao, potstickers and other delicacies.

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.

Recipe for Miang Khum – Thai Betel Leaf Parcels

I absolutely love the betel leaf parcels with prawn (miang goong) which I’ve tried at various Thai restaurants in Sydney and have been looking forward to trying to make my own. I happened to spot fresh betel leaves in Marrickville the other day and grabbed a bunch with which to experiment – excitement central!!!

Little Haveli, Broadway (Ultimo)

Little Haveli is a simple Indian restaurant with a straightforward menu and basic decor. While it’s not a place to go ‘out’ for dinner, I’ll definitely be ordering in from Little Haveli in the future – the food is good value and yummy!

Yum cha at The Dynasty, Canterbury Leagues Club, Belmore

Another Sunday, another yum cha. This weekend we decided to take my step-dad to yum cha at Canterbury Leagues Club in Belmore, near where I work. Despite having worn forbidden footwear, I was allowed in eventually after swapping my lovely, clean, dainty Havaianas for a pair of my step-dad’s velcro strappy sandals. Which looked ridiculous, but at least the bouncers would let me in. (Such a stupid, archaic rule!)

Hung Cheung, Marrickville

Now that Mr Black has fallen in love with yum cha, we have been going at least once a month. Happy days! There’s no better way to start a lazy day than sipping tea and taking a chance on the yum cha trolley roulette (or ‘tray’ roulette in this case).

Let’s Eat Thai, Marrickville

 Fantastic, authentic, cheap and sophisticated Thai in the Inner West – huzzah! We’ve been waiting for you, Let’s Eat!

I can’t praise the food here highly enough. Every dish, every mouthful was perfect. The menu is extensive, and the specials board particularly enticing.

Fish & Co., Annandale

I was very excited to hear about a sustainable seafood cafe/restaurant opening up, and even more excited to find it was opening up in my hood, the inner west! So tonight I took my mum (an Annandale local) to try it out as one of our weekly dinners together.

Darbar Indian Restaurant, Glebe

Housed in the old Darling Mills building, Darbar has a beautiful facade and dramatic interior. Having never been before (except some home delivery a few years ago), we hoped the food would live up to the atmosphere.