It always pays to do some research at the beginning of a new venture. An normally it’s the type of thing I wouldn’t skip.

I’m blaming the laid back atmosphere in the beautiful city of Barcelona, where eat|shop|drink was born, but unfortunately I missed a few important details.

When a friend pointed out that there was another Sydney based blog called eat and drink, I decided to do a little research. It was then that I discovered a London based design blog was already using eat|shop|dink.

Time for a new name.

And so I give you bread shoes reviews over at www.breadshoes.com – hope to see you there soon!

Love
Jules x

ps. and if you’re interested in the story behind the title, all is revealed on my new about page.

32 Burton St
Darlinghurst, NSW
www.thecommons.com.au

There’s nothing like discovering a new bar on the way home from a big Saturday night dinner. Especially when said bar is run by a really lovely crew who are keen to share some live tunes and good vino with a couple of stragglers in off the street.

What was the pop-up restaurant known as Pond has become The Commons. Same folks, new name. And I must say I’m keen to return here to check out the food. If the wine list and bar vibe are anything to go by it should be a real treat.

loved

the cool underground cellar bar
friendly proprietors
the casual decor
the interesting wine list
the sydney sandstone walls
intimate live music – a young bloke named Darren Sylvester

didn’t love

having too much fun and ending up staying out way too late.

ate

nothing on this occasion but the menu looks interesting

drank

2007 Printhie Chardonnay (Orange)
2009 Mesh Riesling (Clare/Eden blend)
White Rabbit dark Ale – aromatic, hop driven, but surprisingly refreshing for a dark ale.
2008 Jed Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)

value

fair

reservations

taken but not critical

perfect for

a night cap

92 Abercrombie St
Chippendale, NSW
no website

There’s nothing like an underground restaurant to get the jaded [and not-so-jaded] food lover excited.

I was introduced to Hugh Wennerbom last year by a wine merchant mate of mine and have been loving the occasional dinner that he puts on in a little cafe in Chippendale.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure whether Hugh would like being reviewed on a blog. So I asked him and he was a little hesitant – apparently he prefers to keep it a word-of-mouth, friends-of-friends affair. That way people know what they’re getting themselves in for.

So I promised that my blog was pretty much a friends-of-friends affair and that I’d explain the concept, just like I do when I take people to Hugh’s for the first time.

Hugh is a providore with a farm down near Taralga. I think he has a wholesale business but on Thurs, Fri and Sat evenings he takes over an unassuming cafe in the inner city and puts on a seriously good spread. As I mentioned before, it’s a word-of-mouth thing. There’s no menu. You just turn up with your mates and something good from your cellar and let Hugh feed you. It’s all shared. It’s always seriously delicious and fresh. Excellent produce being treated as simply as possible.

Just remember that if you do go with your wine merchant mate and his colleagues that there will be LOTS of delicious vino to match the food and that it’s a good idea to pace yourself. Next time.

loved

the set menu – no difficult decisions required
the simple cooking style – letting amazing produce speak for itself
the scampi with a salad of samphire, shaved fennel and dill – a big taste of the sea
mulloway – lovely moist fish – something that was served at quay recently [note to self - eat more mulloway]
the salad leaves – so crisp and fresh
the cheese – crumbly cheddar with a hint of blue
the relaxed vibe
that everything is served in the middle to share
BYO – lots of good booze

didn’t love

pork with mash – way to wintery for a swealtering summer evening and a little on the dry side
the morning after BYO – too much good booze

ate

pate and salumi with the most delicious baby wild olives & cornichons
scampi with a salad of samphire, fennel and dill
mulloway with green beans and cherry tomatoes
braised pork with mash
mixed leaf salad
aged cheddar with fresh currants and rye bread
cranberry & maccadamia nougat

drank

1996 Vouvray
+ too many amazing wines

value

brilliant – $60 per person. No corkage.

reservations

by email only hugh.wennerbom@bigpond.com

perfect for

fresh fabulous food

_____________________________________________________

on stonesoup
5 ingredients. 10 minutes – How to cook pasta in a flash.

for sydneysiders:
Fish Friday, which will be taking over Martin Place in Sydney on Friday 18th February 2010 from 12 noon until 2.30pm.

Chefs Jeff Turnbull (Aqua Dining), Max Lukeman (Nick’s Seafood), Stewart Wallace (Garfish) and Adam Lord (Coast) will be showing off their skills and showcasing some of the best seafood on offer from the Sydney Fish Markets. They will be joined by chefs from Doyles at the Quay, who will be preparing a simple meal of fish for the general public. Sydneysiders will be invited to donate what they would usually spend on lunch to show solidarity with the millions of people in our world who rely on fish and rice as their staple diet.

All proceeds will be going to Caritas.

Overseas Passenger Terminal
Circular Quay West
Sydney, NSW, 2000
www.quay.com.au

When my beautiful littlest sister announced that she and her beau were having their wedding reception at Quay to say I was excited was a serious understatement. January 24th seemed a long way away. But time marched on and soon enough two families and friends gathered together in their finery to celebrate the union of one of the cutest couples I know.

With sparkly Sydney Harbour as a backdrop and Peter Gilmore’s awe-inspiring cuisine as an accompaniment I’d be hard pressed to imagine a better way for two people to start married life together. Yay for Nao and Joel.

loved

the food. best wedding food ever
ravioli served as a canape (note to self – eat ravioli with the fingers more often)
the scallops – so plump, so sweet, so flavoursome
the lamb – so plump, so sweet, so flavoursome
the cake – mum would have been proud
getting to choose our own entree and main
the groom’s speech – personal and touching and lovely with a good dose of trademark humour
the view – and having own balcony overlooking the opera house
the dj – a mate of the groom’s dressed in his tux

didn’t love

that it was over so quickly
the tiny serving of the side salad

ate

canapes
truffle, spinach & heidi gruyere risotto balls
tartare of ocean trout & cauliflower cream tart
crostini with olive tapenade, buffalo milk mozzarella & tomato confit
ravioli of king prawn, lemon jam & pea shoots
entree
italian prosciutto, green figs, roasted almonds, baby rocket & spring onions OR
seared sea scallops, baby leeks, fennel, confit tomatoes, lime crème fraiche, basil & lime dressing
main
brioche & parsley crusted south australian mulloway, leeks, celery heart, fennel, tomato & saffron confit OR
victorian pyrenees lamb rump, eggplant, eschallots, ligurian olives & roasted tomatoes
sides
mixed leaves with cabernet vinaigrette
roasted kipfler potatoes with fresh herbs
dessert
all citrus wedding cake – super moist and lovely made by the bride herself

drank

NV Ninth Island Sparkling Wine – Tasmania
2008 Henschke Tilly’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon – Eden Valley, S.A
2008 Tatachilla Partners Cabernet Shiraz – McLaren Vale, S.A
Peroni
Cascade Light

value

n/a

reservations

well in advance

perfect for

a stylish, personal wedding – especially if the bride happens to be your beautiful littlest sister.

118 Ramsgate Ave
North Bondi NSW
www.idrb.com/northbondi/

There’s something about Bondi. It may not be our most beautiful of beaches but it does have a charm of it’s own. There are few better things to do in Sydney, especially when the sun is shining, than walk along the coast track from Bronte or even Coogee to our most iconic beach. Add in the reward of a late lunch or an early dinner and we’re talking a perfect day.

Fortunately there are a few options for feeding a well earned hunger and North Bondi Italian has to be close to the top of the list. Striking the perfect balance between casual beach chic and affordability, it’s been one of my favourite haunts for a while now. The perfect place to take an ex-Sydney mate for a belated birthday dinner to remind him of how good our harbour city is.

loved

the food(!) – a brilliant example of the goodness of simple italian
the salumi – produced by Robert Marchetti, Icebergs chef – just the thing for someone going through painful jamon withdrawls after a trip to Spain
the carpaccio – I’ve had each of the three carpaccios on the menu and have enjoyed them all immensely. the beef dererves a special mention. So tender it almost melts in the mouth with a perfectly savoury herb salsa it is at once both fresh and rich. more please.
the crispy Italian style potatoes – garlic rosemary potato heaven
the pasta – have yet to try the spaghetti arrabbiata baked in a paper bag as I keep getting side tracked by the rigatoni
the view – hello Bondi
the inexpensive wine list with a good mix of italian stallions and local versions of the same

didn’t love

the noise – while I’m all for a good buzzy vibe, the noise levels at North Bondi tend to border on heavy metal concert rather than jazz soiree. I hate to sound like a granny. but it can make it difficult to hear if you’re in a group. On the up side it does give you a good excuse to cosy up if you’re a table for 2.
the tiny tables – maybe I just always over order but I always feel that everything ends up being balanced uncomfortably precariously
the loos – have had a paint job since I last visited – now a not-so-easy on the eye bright green. bring back the chalk board black.
the zucchini, asparagus, peas, beans, mint, waxy potatoes, air dried ricotta – disappointing. I was thinking of the peas with some sort of cheese at Icebergs but this was a mix of too many things going on to be interesting

ate

guanciale _ pork cheek salumi
baccala fritto – crispy fried salt cod balls, aioli, lemon
carpaccio of pepper crusted ox fillet, salsa erbe with bruschetta
rigatoni, house made berkshire pork sausages, sage, tomato, garlic and chilli sauce
crispy Italian style potatoes, garlic, rosemary
zucchini, asparagus, peas, beans, mint, waxy potatoes, air dried ricotta

on previous visits have also tried:
air freighted buffalo mozzarella with butter lettuce and cherry tomatoes
polpette – veal, pork and mortadella fried balls with lemon and celery salad
carpaccio new zealand king salmon, fresh chilli, eschallot, parsley
carpaccio white fish, roasted fennel seeds, dried chilli, mint, lemon
coteletta – parmesan crumbed milk fed veal cutlet with lemon
la tagliata – chargrilled hereford / angus rib eye, rocket, green peppercorns, chilli, spring onions

drank

2007 Tenuta Sant’ Antonio Valpolicella

value

excellent for the quality – about $100 for 2 + drinks

reservations

none taken but you can have a drink in the bar while you wait. it can take a while if you arrive on a sunny Sunday afternoon but can be surprisingly quick if you rock up for an early dinner before 7ish.

perfect for

a casual lunch or dinner to showcase all that is great about sydney – with some seriously good simple italian food as a bonus

291 Annandale St
Annandale NSW 2025
no website yet

Last Thursday I commuted to work for the very last time. Yes the cross city tunnel will no longer be on my daily radar. To celebrate I booked in for a last inner west breakfast with my lovely creative friend, Laura – soon-to-be-fellow-self-published cookbook author.

We met last year when we both took a class on marketing your book so whenever we get together there is never a shortage of animated conversation. I always come away feeling energised and inspired. And with a nutritious and delicious breakfast under my belt I couldn’t think of a better way to start the day.

I have a feeling I’ll be finding excuses to venture to the inner west even though my office is now at home on the east side.

loved

the ecclectic decor
the care taken by the service and attention to detail – offered to remake a chai latte because he could see it was too strong just by the colour
the leafy suburban location
the beautiful china tea cups
an egg timer is served with your tea if you need these things timed to precision
well balanced menu of cafe standards with a few fun and interesting twists
the yoghurt
the avocado served with a dollup of pesto in the hole left by the seed

didn’t love

that I had to go through the cross city tunnel to get there

ate

natural muesli with vanilla yoghurt (gelatin free) and poached blueberries
scrambelled eggs with spinach & feta & avocado

drank

english breakfast tea
soy chai latte

value

great about $30 for 2 for breakfast

reservations

none taken – but no problems during the week

perfect for

an energising breakfast catchup
am keen to try it out for lunch as well

98 Holdsworth St
Woollahra NSW 2025
(02) 9328 9922
no website yet

I’m a little bit reluctant to spread the word about Flat White. For a long time now it’s been my favourite Eastern Suburbs brunch spot. It’s always busy. I’d hate for it to get any more popular. But keeping such a gem to myself just feels too selfish.

So on the morning of my littlest sisters wedding, I generously shared my secret with my ski patroller sister who was back in town for the big event (complete with heat rash) and my almost rock star brother – who managed to have a two course brunch – poached eggs with a pork sandwich chaser – talk about an appetite.

Flat White now has two new fans.

loved

the pork sandwich – a serious contender for the best sandwich ever. rich slow cooked melt-in-the-mouth pork with crunchy crackling, crisp apple, chutney and rocket
the lamb sandwich – super moist slow slow cooked lamb with chuntey & rocket
the middle eastern influences in the menu – especially the poached eggs with za’atar and spinach – the perfect thing for when you feel like a proper breakfast with a bit of a twist
breezy, buzzy cafe vibe

didn’t love

having to choose from such a tempting menu
the super generous serving sizes – too much of a good thing means I always end up over eating.
undercooked button mushies – a rare occurrence
the omelette has been a little disappointing in the past

ate

poached eggs on toast
slow cooked pork sandwich with crackling and apple
poached eggs with za’atar, feta, pinenuts and spinach on toast with a side of mushrooms
ricotta hot cakes with cinnamon butter, honey & strawberries
on previous visits have also tried
the omelette
7 hour lamb sandwich
the big breakfast – seriously big with excellent black pudding & chorizo

drank

english breakfast tea
orange juice
vanilla milk shake

value

OK. On the pricey side for cafe food but you’re paying for quality – and it is Woollahra darling

reservations

none taken
even when it’s really busy and seems like there are heaps of people waiting for a table it doesn’t ever take that long to get seated.

perfect for

breakfast or lunch

12 Argyle St
The Rocks, SYDNEY
www.sakerestaurant.com.au

It’s not often that I go out in The Rocks. But it struck me as I headed out for dinner the other night that it must be all that some visitors to Sydney see. Fortunately there are a few good eating options in amongst the tourist traps. Pony is an old fav.

My recent discovery is Sake Restaurant & Bar. A modern, Nobu-inspired Japanese joint that is just the place for a good catchup with my Japan-ophile design guru friend. As she told the waiter, ‘I’m here for the fit out, Jules is here for the food.’ We make a great team.

loved

the sake menu – apparently there are some sakes imported exclusively to Australia by the restaurant.
the sake rating which describes the dryness, alcohol content and degree of rice polishing of each sake – just the thing for educating beginners
the kingfish with jalapeno and yuzu soy
the aptly named dynamite tuna hand roll
the cute bar stools & shadow lighting
the well laid out modern menu – which even includes a section for kids – lucky children

didn’t love

the lighting in the main dining room – after the cosy bar it’s a rude shock
bland daikon salad. normally it’s the type of thing that two hungry girls would be wolfing down but it was the only thing that went unfinished

ate

warm edamame
daikon salad
nasu miso – grilled eggplant with sweet den miso & sesame seeds
kingfish jalapeno with yuzu* soy
whiting sashimi
dynamite hand rolls – spicy tuna & tobiko

drank

the skinny sumo cocktail – sake based with shiso
kozaemon house junmai sake
kozaemon 3 year aged junmai sake
mioya yuho junmai sake
water

value

Surprisingly OK. about $80 for 2 + drinks.

reservations

by phone or email
highly recommend getting a group together so you can sit in one of the izakya style private rooms.

perfect for

decent Japanese in a modern city setting
when you need a place to dine in the rocks

* A note about yuzu. A Japanese citrus like a bitter lime, yuzu is one of the hottest new flavourings being used by chocolateirs around the world. Both elBulli and el cellar de can rocca featured yuzu in chocolate. To be honest I find it really overrated, but then I’m not a fan of citrus with chocolate. I wasn’t that keen on trying the kingfish because of the yuzu but my design guru was cusious. Thank heavens she talked me into it. I loved the fresh citrussy yuzu soy with the kingfish.

81 Macleay St
Potts Point, SYDNEY
www.fratellifresh.com.au

One of the best things about going on holiday is coming home and having lots of gossip to catch up on. Just the excuse to visit old favourite haunts with dear old friends. Which is why I booked in for a good debrief with my mate Trudy at one of my favourite casual Sydney Italian joints.

The thing that makes Cafe Sopra different is that it’s housed in the Fratelli Fresh veggie & Italian produce shop. The Potts Point version is the second offering from the Fratelli boys and while it’s not as rustic and warehousey as the Waterloo store, it does have the benefit of being open for dinner. And closer to home for me.

loved

the shaved cabbage salad – one of my all time favourite salads. just perfect.
the simple cooking style & brilliant use of fresh produce
the tomatoes – so sweet and fully flavoured
the broccolini – fresh and vibrant – who needs vitamin pills when you’re eating greens like this
the buzz – always busy and lively like a good trattoria with efficient service
the menu – so many delicious sounding things – makes it hard to choose
that you can do your food shopping in the evenings while you wait for a table

didn’t love

getting really difficult to get a park in Potts Point – although I should take this as a sign to walk rather than being so lazy (!)

ate

orechetti with scallops & pan grattato
whole rainbow trout with mint, marjoram & butter
the most divine tomato salad
broccolini with lemon and olive oil
on previous visits have also enjoyed:
deep fried zucchini flowers with 4 cheeses
vitello tonnato
shaved cabbage salad with aged balsamic & parmigano reggiano
radicchio with aged balsamic dressing
the pannini
lamb ragu
sardines on toast
frittata with basil & ricotta

drank

orange juice
water
very abstemious – but I know from previous visits that the wine list is mostly Italian with lots of options by the glass

value

Excellent. $75 for 2 + drinks.

reservations

not taken but you can have a drink in the ‘bar’ area or catch up on some veggie shopping or take time to smell the mangos like my mate Trudes did.

perfect for

casual lunch or dinner anytime but especially when you’ve been out of town for a while

410 Crown St Surry Hills, SYDNEY
450-476 Miller St Cammeray, SYDNEY
24-28 Burns Bay Rd Lane Cove, SYDNEY
www.hudsonmeats.com.au

I still remember the first time my friend Rhys told me about Hudson’s. He had just cooked the most divine pork loin and had nothing but good things to say about his new butcher ‘love’. Now darling Rhys is prone to exaggeration but the pork spoke for itself so the very next day I headed to the little Surry Hills store. It was the begining of a beautiful friendship and I’ve been hooked on Hudsons ever since.

I have spread the word to anyone who would listen. Fortunately the Hudson’s boys keep opening new stores so my friends from the Northside have been able to share the joy. I even inspired my old boss, a vegetarian to visit Hudsons and it’s now her favourite shop. Oh yeah and she’s now eating proscuitto and chorizo – so I guess more of an ex-vegetarian.

love

The staff. Nothing like a serious chat about meat with a knowledgable butcher to make a shopping trip an absolute pleasure. If you’re not sure what you’re doing the boys a Hudsons are always ready to give advice.
The opening hours. They’re open until 7pm and will take phone orders so it’s all ready to pick up on the way home from work. They’ve even stayed open a little longer when the traffic has been bad.
The variety. Pretty much every cut and type of meat, poultry & small goods are on offer. And if they don’t have it they’ll be happy to order it in for you.
The bacon. A lovely big slab of porky goodness that they cut to order which means you can choose the thickness of your rasher. I highly recommend 4mm thick bacon for a BLT.
The quality. The best steak I’ve ever BBQed, the best chook I’ve ever roasted. It’s no coincidence that they all came from Hudsons.

don’t love

The damage to my credit card, but you’re paying for quality so it’s only a minor quibble. If only I could make my bank manager understand. To be fair it’s more about my lack of self restraint than crazy prices.

purchased

I’ve been shopping at Hudsons for a while now so I’ll just run through the highlights:
– steak – they dry age on premises and offer a choice of grass and grain fed beef
– proscuitto – san danielle – the best
– jamon – the closest I’ve come to the jamon I ate in Spain.
– barossa chooks – the most moist and flavoursome birds. Will make you rethink chicken.
– sausages – they mostly make them on site. I love the pure pork, although the more exotic flavours like the sage & pinenut are lovely when you’re after a change
– bacon – sliced to order

perfect for

All your meat and poultry requirements. From picking up a steak and salad for dinner on the way home from work to planning a special menu – Hudsons are the goods.