Cornersmith, our diamond in the rough

You can spot it from a mile away - must be where the cool crowd milling on the corner, sipping on lattes are.  People don't usually wait around for breakfast, so it must be good.  Amongst the cultural melting pot that is Marrickville, the newbie Cornersmith has emerged much to the delight and relief of trendy city skirt locals.


So, we jot down our name on the butchers paper and join the line as we get the sense that it will all be worth it.  A reflection of their organic ethos, the staff are friendly and unpretentious, and it's not long before we are seated and soaking up the buzzy atmosphere; perfect for our Saturday morning catch up.

Decisions, decisions!  With a mostly homemade menu focusing around local and in season produce, it's a hard choice.  We finally decide on Poached Eggs on rye toast with spicy eggplant relish ($9) with sides of Baked beets and lentils as well as Avocado and z'ataar; a dish showcasing the best of what's fresh now and you can definitely taste it.  We also couldn't go past trying the Zucchini, pear and almond loaf with honey (made in their rooftop hive!) and locally made creamy ricotta ($7) and we're so glad we did.  It was a healthy and delicious treat all in one gorgeous loaf & we desperately want this recipe!!

Diners note: adorably, Mondays are closed for pickling and they sure are talented at it.   The Spicy eggplant relish was so enjoyable that we both pick up a jar to take home ($9).  Trying more of these signature concoctions is just one excuse to come back.

The beauty of Cornersmith is the ethical and well rounded honest-to-goodness food at such affordable prices.  We say, Sydney needs more of this winning formula.

Jasi et Emmsy.Xx



Cornersmith

314 Illawarra Road
Marrickville
www.facebook.com/Cornersmith

Because everybody loves (good) noodles

Our usual post-French class hunger led us to Noodles Your Way, a quiet joint tucked down low in World Square, which is an unusually bustling shopping spot at 9pm on a Tuesday.  Following the advice of our favourite man of the land Bear Grylls, we literally ran here to warm ourselves up from the chilly Winter's eve.  Hence, we were looking forward to a fast and hearty meal, and boy, did NYW deliver !

The menu is simple and not too overwhelming but there are enough choices to make it a difficult one.  Looking around, this is a place for the noodle-serious so we get the feeling that it must be good.  We avoid the bain marie options and settle to share the Braised Beef Noodle Soup and the Pork and Soy Egg Noodles ($9.80 each).  Before we could start making blog notes, our steaming bowls had arrived. 

Given the tender meat and tasty broth, it's no wonder the beef noodles come recommended.  If this is the chef's standard, we'll be back to try all of his suggestions ! The saucy pork noodles are delicious, so much so, we almost forgot to add our favourite condiment, vinegar, but once we did, our tastebuds were in over-drive.  Though we were stuffed by the end of our feast, we were already planning on next time's order - Pork & Spicy Paste Dry Noodles as well as Egg Dumpling & Glass Noodle Hot Pot...bring it on :)

It's easy to get duped into the late night bright lights and often over-priced fare in nearby Chinatown but this hidden gem opens till 10pm (last orders at 9:30pm) and is right up there in quality with the likes of it's upstairs neighbour Din Tai Fung.

So, heads down, chopsticks up...and slurp away !

Jas.xx

Noodles Your Way

Shop 9.18 World Square, 644 George Street
Sydney, 2000

A nice addition to suburban Rockdale

This morning I visited Swallow Coffee Traders, a quaint and cool little cafe nestled under Rockdale train station, although you'd easily be tricked into thinking you were in Newtown or Surry Hills. It can be hard to find appealing eating spots in the suburbs but when I do, it gives me a whole new appreciation for accessible, good food.

Sans my favourite foodie partner in eating Em today, I took along my five year old nephew, Jesse, who kept the friendly staff entertained with his special requests for toasted muesli "but take the nuts out please" and "no yoghurt, just milk!" Of course, our waitress was kind enough to oblidge but who could resist Jesse's charm anyway? It came served with berries, kiwi fruit, sliced apple and perfectly poached pear. Although he was hesitant about the pear at first, it turned out to be his favourite part of the dish (and mine too!).

I enjoyed my simple and fresh sourdough toast with avocado and tomato with a Single Origin soy latte, although my neighbour's fruit bread and jam looked super tempting.

Having enjoyed our chilled brunch in the trendy surrounds of this bite size gem, my favourite part was the bill - a grand total of $14, awesome! If you are ever around the South, be sure to head in to Swallow for a satisfying coffee and brekky experience, for a fraction of the city price you are used to paying. Now that's an easy pill to Swallow.

Jas.xx

Swallow Coffee Traders
1 Tramway Arcade
Rockdale NSW 2216
Open Weekdays 6am-4pm; Sat 7am-2pm

Courtesy smh.com.au