Cold days, Coffees, and Pastries

Take a seat...

Let's talk over some coffee..

..and some pastries, of course!

Then, we'll venture off to have an afternoon snack in Fitzroy...

...at a Spanish place where they serve pintxos and talk for hours.

Food Shopping, my favorite kind of shopping

I love food shopping.  I love outdoor food shopping even more.  There's something really nice about going to Farmers Markets and picking out the fresh produce from the vendors that makes me giddy. 

Eveleigh Markets on a Saturday afternoon

Fratelli Fresh

The French House for dessert and Finders Keepers Markets

Autumn in Sydney/tree-lined streets in Surry Hills, patterns from Finders Keepers Market, the French House

Weekend brekkies

Breakfast/brekkie is the most important meal of the day.  Not only does it gives us energy and nutrients to start the day but after sleeping x amount of hours, I wake up and the first thing on my mind is "what to eat...?"

A beautiful city on its beautiful days

Greenhouse was a pop-up restaurant/bar in Dawes Point with some pretty amazing views of Sydney and quite a photogenic sight itself.  Too bad it's gone now!

Wine tasting in Hunter Valley, a 3-hour drive from the city, at Audrey Wilkinson (mmmm..the Moscato!).  Always nice to have friends visit, like Jason!

English and English: two different languages...well, sometimes

Say hello to the cute peas!

When people say that English is a difficult language, I can say "why yes it is."  Not only because there are some rules that exist without making much sense, but also because depending on where you go (i.e. the States, Australia, New Zealand, the U.K, etc), names will also change.  It took me a couple of weeks to adjust here but I've managed to use the appropriate words that I've compiled into a (rough draft) list of American English vs. Australian English as far as basic food terms go:

AMERICAN = AUSTRALIAN

cookies = biscuits / bikkies
biscuits = scones
steak fries = chips
chips = crisps
oatmeal = porridge
cilantro = coriander
bell pepper = capsicum
green onions = shallots / spring onions
cantaloupe = rock melon
raisins = sultanas
granola = muesli*
ketchup = tomato sauce
fruit concentrate = cordial
shrimp = prawn*

*Granola has actually become a trademarked named here in Australia.

*Similar looking but they are actually not the same creatures biologically.

Anyhow, I had a chance to try this place called Mamak, a Malaysian place known for their rotis and long lines outside the door.  Luckily, the wait goes by rather quickly as you end up watching the people in the front kitchen spinning around their dough and making their rotis.  Even better, the food comes out quick and hit the spot for the night.  Looks like I like to be surrounded by food.  Oh wait, I do!

Mamak

15 Goulburn Street (Haymarket)

Sydney NSW 2000

02 9211 1668

Hours: Open 7 days
Lunch: 11:30am to 2:30pm
Dinner: 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Supper: Open till 2am Friday & Saturday (Chinatown)

Prepping for the cold with some hot, steamy udon

The day I put away my Rainbow flip-flops is a sad one for me.  The cold is coming and it is only emphasized when the socks are finally taken out and put on.  But looking on the brighter side of things, it also means getting to slurp some soups, broths, and eat more noodles.

When I mentioned to my foodie friend that I was craving some Japanese udon, he knew just the place to take me.  Finding a satisfying bowl of udon can be a bit like hitting the jackpot, a rarity but still possible and boy, I lucked out with Menya Noodle Bar Mappen:

What's going to hold me through the autumn and winter here, pictured left.

Aside from serving their hearty and filling udon, they also offer soba and curry rice dishes.  They've got 3 branches around Sydney, with each of those specializing in something different.  Here at the Menya Noodle Bar in Town Hall, they've got 2 types of soup:

Kakedashi Soup: Made from combining premium soy sauce with a stock of delicious flavors of carefully selected fish (bonito, mackerel etc) and dried kelp.

Tsukedashi Soup: Kakedashi soup from a stock of selected fish (bonito, mackerel etc) and dried kelp made thicker and richer, making it like a sauce.

The interior of this casual noodle bar houses some old-school movie posters plastered on the concrete walls.

 

I already went back a second time within the same week and I'm bound to go back as well as check out the other 2 branches.  They've definitely got a regular customer out of me.  Just hop in the line, read the directions on how to order, place your order, hop into the self-serve tempura line, and you're ready to eat! Oishi!

Menya Noodle Bar Mappen (Town Hall)

537-551 George St, 

Sydney NSW 2000

02 9283 5525

Hours: 11:30am - 10:00pm, 7days