Pastizzi Cafe - It's more than just Pastizzi

Restaurant: Pastizzi Cafe 

Address: 523 King St Newtown NSW 2042
Phone: 02) 9519 1063
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM; Sat: 09:00 AM - 01:00 AM; Sun: 09:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Must Try: Prawn & Crab Ravioli and Mashed Pea Pastizzi

Prawn & Crab Ravioli with Ginger broth $20

How beautiful does this looks! At Pastizzi Cafe, apart from making their own pastizzi, they also offer homemade ravioli.

The beautiful seafood mince was sealed in a thin pasta and the ginger broth brings out the freshness of seafood. I was blown away how wonderful this dish was and would come back for it just for it!

2 x Spinach & Ricotta; Salmon, Dill & Ricotta Pastizzi and Mashed Pea $2.50

Al Aseel (Greenacre) - Tender chicken breast skewers

Restaurant: Al Aseel Restaurant
Address: 4/173 Waterloo Road, Greenacre NSW 2190
Phone: (02) 9758 6744
Opening Hours: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Must Try: Mixed Plate

Al Aseel Mixed Plate $26

As we walked into Al Aseel, I noticed that nearly every table ordered a mixed plate so already gave myself a mental note to order it before I even sat down.

The mixed plate is skewer servings of marinated chicken breast, lamb & kafta served with tabouli, baba ganoush, hummus, garlic dip & falafel

I have 2nd thoughts when it comes to chicken breast, most of the time they turn out disappointingly dry. So Al Aseel's chicken breast was a pleasant surprise! They were sooooo tender and absolutely yummy. Loved the smokiness in the baba ganoush and the other dips were more-ish which all went well with the complementary lebanese bread. 

Toriciya Japanese - Lovely creamy croquettes.

Restaurant: Toriciya Fine Japanese Cuisine
Address: 18 Cammeray Road, Cammeray, NSW 2062, Australia
Open: Tue-Sun 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Phone: (02) 9904-2277

Must Try: Homemade Crab Cream Croquettes

Although this place located in Cammeray is known for their yakitori, it was their croquette that won me over and makes me want to come here again and again. Having said that, the quality of all the other food was top notch as well.

Illi Hill - Another Marrickville Brunch Option

Cafe: Illi hill
Address: 72 Illawarra Rd  Marrickville, NSW
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 7am - 4pm
Must Have: Poached eggs - with anything.

Right opposite the Henson, on the hill of Illawarra rd is Illi Hill. It opened a few months ago and it's always packed - people are probably drawn to their eggporn!

Two eggs and toast $9.90 with mushrooms $3.50 and haloumi $4

Hawker - As good as Mamak, its sister store

Eatery: Hawker
Address: Shop G.02, 345B-353 Sussex Street, Sydney
Telephone: (02) 9264 9315
Opening Hours: lunch 11:30 - 2:30; dinner 5:30 - 10:00
Must Try: Popiah and Char Koay Teow

Popiah ) Fresh spring rolls, with yambean, shredded omelette, minced tofu, cucumber, crispy shallots and chilli paste) $8

I fell in love with popiah when I went to SG. I still remember vividly sitting in a food market and having popiah filled with fresh ingredients, packed with flavours for the first time and thought, where has this street food been all my life?

The Henson: Great place to chill with good food

Eatery: The Henson

Address: 91 Illawarra Road, Marrickville NSW 2204

Website: http://www.thehenson.com.au/

Opening Hours: Sun – Tues 11am – 9pm; Wed & Thurs 11am – 9.30pm; Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm.

Must Try: Soft Shell Crab Burger and Mac'n'cheese croquettes

Soft Shell Crab Burger, old bay coleslaw, ice-berg, sriracha & chips $17

Soft shell crab! I think the reason why I love them so much it's due to the fact that I love crabs and I can eat them without peeling (nope I ain't lazy) !

The Henson is very generous with their serving - this was packed with crab and the good ol' sriracha made it spicily addictive. Chips were not crunchy enough though :(

Smoked cauliflower Mac'n'cheese croquettes, truffled mayo $15

Other than the soft shell crab, these croquettes caught my eye in the menu! When it was served, all I could smell was the truffled mayo. These croquettes were beautiful, I mean, what can go wrong with mac'n'cheese!