The Hungry Buddha

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The Hungry Buddha in Curtin is Canberra’s oldest Nepalese restaurant.
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While the momos are quite pricey at $9 for 4 ….

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One samosa is $6.50

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…and the mains $19-22 are modest in size… the flavours are excellent.

The specials are good and include…

The Nepalese goat curry $20 is also very good – khasi ko masu –
exquisite village style curry of tender boneless goat enriched with the flavours of fenugreek, cinnamon, tomatoes, coriander, bay leaves, ginger & garlic – a famous specialty of nepal

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Desserts are well priced at $7.50 for pistachio icecream and $6.50 for rice pudding.

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Breads are $4-5 and a good way to balance the meal without needing extra courses. Serves of rice are $3.

BYO corkage is $6 per bottle of wine.

A 25% discount is also offered to holders of the Canberra Entertainment Book.

The Hungry Buddha Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sunday @SydneyFishMarket, Pyrmont @decosti_seafoods

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I have a great friend who religiously visits the Sydney Fish Markets each Sunday morning early, to choose fresh seafood to cook for dinner.

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This week he generously took me along and introduced me to the delights of not only the beautiful fresh fish and seafood…..

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….but also lots of great people…

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….like Nova and Sandra at De Costi Seafoods

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….who have the very best skills at filleting fish for sashimi….

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…and showed me the $195 per kg blue fin tuna from Japan that is highly sought after by top Sydney Restaurants.

In fact Demetri, who manages De Costi’s,  explained the important role the business has as a wholesale supplier to Sydney’s restauranteurs. However, DeCosti’s also highly values its shop front as a showroom for its produce and retail outlet for the public.

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And so wonderful for us that they do, as the barramundi we enjoyed for dinner that night was absolutely delicious.

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BBQ grilled barramundi with roast potatoes ( parboiled then seasoned and cooked at 180 degrees for 30 mins in oil, before turning for another 30 min) shaved fennel (with a potato peeler, then 5 min in iced water to curl) sliced olives and radishes, diced orange and toasted pine nuts. All garnished with red wine vinegar! Delicious!

But first there was the rest of the fish market to tour….

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….like the Sashumi Bar…..

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……Peters where you can pick your fish and have it cooked for your lunch……

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….Black Wattle delicatessen that I noticed sells my favourite Gundowring licorice ice-cream and has great coffee…

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….a very tempting Gregory’s Bread….

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….and a well stocked fruit and veg shop to purchase the sides to accompany your fish.

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And after a trip to the fish market, what you really need is a traditional, lovingly home-cooked full English breakfast!

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The Pedler – such a great asset for Campbell 

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The Pedler describes itself as Campbell’s first local pub!

But it’s so much more…open 7days from 7am it’s great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee, a wine and share plate or dessert ( the Peach and Mango Melba looked great at the next table).

We tried the Prawn Betel Leaves $16 for three, with galangal, toasted coconut, green mango in a nahm Jim and coconut dressing ….


…..and Prawn and Chorizo $16 in a tomato, chilli and basil sugo with grilled sourdough.

Both were good and I’d certainly order them again.
The mixed berry and mango smoothie was very pretty. I’m not a smoothie person, but I can see this would be a good choice if I was $7.50.


The Pedlar is, as it claims…a gathering place offering a stylish and approachable setting ….but it also has very friendly and accomodating service. Charging my iPhone ( in between the photos !) was no trouble at all.

The wine pours are very generous and wine by the glass starts at $7.

Share plates range from $13 – $17, but I also like the idea of sharing  $24 Chese board with three cheeses, fig paste and broken pane croccante with some extra warm sourdough with smoked butte $5.

You can just walk in, but it is very popular so it’s wise to book on 0477533488.

I just know I will be back….often!

The Pedlar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Mama Boui’s, Surry Hills – great value

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Mama Boui’s on Devonshire Street is easy to get to through the Devonshire Street Tunnel. It’s cute, friendly but trendy. It’s also got great prices.


The Pulled Duck Pancakes are delicious for entree $16.


The Coconut Tamarind Curry $18 with sour coconut, tamarind curry of pumpkin, eggplant, mushrooms and sweet potato is good but perhaps not as good as the Saigon Influenced Duck Curry or the Vermicelli Noodle Salad Bowl Lemongrass Pork and with Pork Spring Rolls and fresh herbs.


Rice is $3 for a large serve and wine by the glass starts at $9.


One entree and one main with rice is plenty for two people.


Mama's Buoi Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Binny’s Kathitto,  Lonsdale Street, Braddon – great South Indian food

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Binny’s Kathitto always did make great Kathi rolls it was a van in the Hamlet….so it’s no surprise that now it has a permanent home near Hopscotch on Londsdale Street, is has excellent South Indian food – possibly my current favourite!

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It’s cute, and busy. so booking online ( quick, easy and personal) is wise.

The website is very nicely done and it’s worth checking beforehand as the choice is wide and varied.

For three modest appetites three smaller dishes or two larger dishes with breads is about right. For average appetites, you’d need one dish per person.

The Lemon Rice and Meen Molee Curry (G) $ 18 .90 is excellent!

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Spice crusted barramundi, lemon rice, turmic & coconut molee served with lemon rice, crispy lentils, smashed peanuts & green chili (G)

The Idiyappam and Stew (G,) $ 18 .90 – 4 Kerala style spring hopper pancakes made of fine ground raw rice and grated coconut, slow cooked goat with coconut milk gravy or spiced mixed vegetable with coconut milk gravy was not quite as good as the goat was very sinewy and chewy, I’d miss that next time.

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The Aviyal $15.90 is very authentic, even with planty of drumstick to scrape with your teeth,  if you are looking for a vegetable side – Mixed vegetables cooked in Kerala style prepared with coconut, curd & as many vegetables as one can get.

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Next time I’d like to try the Parotta with Chicken /Beef Curry $18.90 – Kerala flat bread made from flour served with a curry cooked in Kerala style by blending it with fried red chilly, garnish with curry leaves.

It would be good teamed with a Kathi Roll or perhaps a Dosa.

And I have my eye on the RasMalai $ 7 .90 – Cottage cheese shaped into flattened balls soaked in thickened milk flavored with saffron, cardamom and pistachios.

The Pani Puri shots were fascintaing too, such a clever take on the famous street food snack.

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Binny's Kathitto Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Caphs, Manuka – trying the $15 lunch special

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Caph’s, Manuka offers a $15 lunch special that includes a wine or beer, as well as a two for one deal (or half price meal for single diners) for Canberra Entertainment Book holders. This makes it excellent value for a tight budget.

The Lamb Burger is a good choice.

There’s indoor and outdoor seating (which is still good on a cold day, if it’s sunny.)

Caph's Bar Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Chifley Bar & Grill, Barton – an update! 

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It was only last week that I posted about The Chifley Bar & Grill but already it needs an update.

The menu has changed and sadly the Pear and Pecorino Salad and Tasting Plate have dropped off….(but the plate is still on the dinner menu that starts at 6pm).

The prices have also ( understandably) increased…

And it took a little longer…

The pulled pork burger was a good choice though….


…..And the Club sandwich was generous


Still a beautiful and a lovely relaxed flexible spot to meet a friend for lunch, coffee or a drink.


Chifley's Bar and Grill Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Christmas in July – great dinner party theme for a Canberra Winter

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It truly is cold in Canberra, and not so inviting to venture out to eat. But it’s the perfect time to get friends together for a Christmas in July dinner at home.


By sharing the catering and each bringing a dish or a course, it makes it easier on the host.
We did this recently with a bunch of friends and all invited someone new to introduce to the others.


I discovered new winter gems like hot green ginger wine (just add some boiling water) a quick an easy alternative to mulled wine.

Someone brought the nibbles..

Another the turkey breast roll with cranberry sauce and gravy and  ham as well….


….some one else teamed this with fresh green beans and roast winter vegetables.

Then there were mince pies and plum pudding with custard, cream and rum icecream….


And lastly we had Ginger biscuits and something new to me….Tim Tams dunked in port – surprisingly fantastic! (a true believer would bite off each end and suck the port through the Tim Tam).


I think it’s always worth hanging on to a few Christmas crackers, keeping some Chrissy decorations handy and freezing a few mince pies when they are in the shops….just in case you need them in July!

Turkish Tapas – the easy way

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It’s always great to find an easy way to entertain at home that’s also budget friendly.

Ordering Turkish Banquets from Lyneham Turkish Pide Kebabs, is one of these opportunities where you can transform a basic take away meal into something special in just one hour.

The Family $20 Banquet includes…

2 x Dips, 1 x Bread, 2 Zucchini puffs, 2 Falafel, 2 Fetta Spring Rolls, 2 Chicken Skewers, 2 Kofte, 1 x Rice and Salad, 1 x Pide, 1 x Chips

Minimum order is two and delivery is free.

Two $20 Family banquets arrives looking like this…

1. Cut the Turkish breads in half horizontally and spread with the dips, top with the salad, assemble the top layer of bread ( or leave open) and cut into bite-sized pieces.

2. Serve any remaining bread with the remaining dips.

3. Cut the zucchini puffs, falafel and feta spring rolls into halves and serves with the tzaziki dip.

4. Take the chicken pieces off the kebab skewers and cut in half. Serve with the tzaziki dip.

5. Cut the sides into bite sized pieces and serve with dip.

6. Slice the kofta and chips into smaller pieces and stir through warmed pasta sauce. Add a tin of drained chickpeas. Serve this over the rice, sprinkled with cheese.

7. Set these dishes out and add some small soups or desserts if you have these on hand.

Turkish Pide and Kebabs Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato