Oldtown in Newtown II: Dinner -- or -- Everything Oldtown is Newtown again

Previously on F.S.I. Sydney: Breakfast at Oldtown in Newtown.

 

I'm on something of an Italian train of thought here. Train of eat, anyway. I accept none of the blame. It's wintry cold and these places right in my neighbourhood keep promising hot, meaty stews. So I'm heading back in. And this time I'm bringing backup.

Oldtown in Newtown -- or -- Back on the beat

Back on home turf. Newtown. South wing of King St. A few new places cropping up, including this Italianesque cafe which is open for breakfast on weekends. (Though 9am is a fairly late opening time, brekky is served until 5pm.) I popped in for dinner about a month ago and it was excellent, so thought I'd come back to try the morning fare. The menu is really interesting. Everything looks good, and there is a mix of 'please everybody' and 'something a little different' dishes. I'll have to come back to try some other things while sitting at one of the sunny outdoor tables.

Disclaimer: At the end of the meal I was given a jar of Oldtown's store-made preserved cherries to take home. I added an extra-large tip, though, to cover the cost. So I think we're about even.

Jazz City Diner, Darlinghurst -- or -- Happiness = philosophy + time

Found a review for a great-sounding raw vegan cafe in King's Cross. Made plans for dinner. Told friends about it.

"Vegan places disappear almost as quickly as lesbian clubs," one commented.

The latter is out of my jurisdiction. I can confirm, however, that the vegan place in question was no longer there when we arrived the next day.

When you can't make lemonade you gotta make other plans.

Higashi Japanese Restaurant, Leichhardt -- or -- The Glitch

I found a restaurant that almost doesn't exist on the internet. No website. No facebook. Urbanspoon has a few reviews (and 100% approval rating), but no menu, and fake contact details.

How weird is that?

Goblin Cafe, Summer Hill -- or -- Day Watch

Well. It's not often I go out for brunch. It's something easily made at home. Usually paid-for brunch is reserved for times of travel. So, something of a treat to eat brunch in my own neighbourhood.

Black Star Pastry truffle weekend -- or -- That time I dropped the $15 jar of truffle dessert

I am not, when it comes down to it, particularly punctual when it comes to filing F.S.I. reports. I had intended on one per week. Refined that to once a fortnight. For the past few months I have been especially slack. Eating yes, reporting no.

But, look. Black Star Pastry is doing a truffle weekend RIGHT NOW and if I'm quick about this and you're quick about this you can still get down there in time.

Stop reading. Go now!

Alright, so now that you're back and have truffle anglaise dripping down your chin, here's my report. (And a napkin.)

Newtown Burger Grudge Match: Dean's Diner, Newtown

Last month three Newtown Burger Joints -- some called them 'chains' or 'franchises' -- went bunno-a-bunno in a food fight to the death. "But wait," the crowd called. "You forgot someone. The little guy. The local favourite. The place with the arcade game tables and the funny burger names. Go on. Give Dean's a chance."

Detective Chow is listening.

Greek Special: Nostos, Leichhardt and Steki Taverna, Newtown

The Greek Financial situation means a lot of people there are doing it tough. In fact, a lot of countries' economies have been hit hard. Australians are comparatively doing well, but even here people are trying to cut back on spending. Like eating at restaurants.

Unfortunately rent is not getting any cheaper so a lot of restaurants are struggling. I think I should be supporting my favourite restaurants to make sure they stay afloat. Unfortunately I seem to be cursed, with a few places I really like closing (or selling) shortly after my reports were filed.

Still, there are bargains to be had if you want a cheap night out. Here are two:

Newtown's Best Burger Joint -- Ultimate Biting Championship

or "The Running of the Bulls".

Bonus points if you get all the 'battle to the death' movie references, and bonus bonus points if you can tell me how to work Tron and Robot Jocks into the mix.

Disclaimer 1: More than any other F.S.I. episode, this one needs to be taken with a grain of salt. While I did use a measuring tape and electronic scales in the field investigation, my methods were far from scientific.

Disclaimer 2: I visited Moo Gourmet Burgers as part of the blogger #BurgerParty, and received freebies including a $10 voucher, champagne on arrival, name tag, and a couple of items of kitchenware.

Disclaimer 3: We don't have a defense of 'satire' for intellectual property infringement in Australia, but, UFC, if you mind my satirical use of your IP... I'll just change it to Ultimeat Biting Chompionship. And that string of puns will do more damage to your brand than any other infringement.

Smash Sausage Kitchen, Newtown -- or -- The Urban Mythographer

Meaning no disrespect to the team at Smash. I'm just not good enough a photographer to make a plate o' snags & mash look appealing. (And there's only so much a sprig of parsley can do.)

 

Pickwick's, Enmore -- or -- The Good Old Days

Alternate alternate title: "A trip down ENmeMORy lanE (ROAD)"

Encasa, CBD -- or -- A Pun Night at the Movies

Heavy caseload at the moment. Haven't had much time to think about filing paperwork. You know when your head is so full, you just want to veg out. Catch a movie. Something that won't make you think.

Bruno's at Hunky Dory Social Club, Darlinghurst -- or -- Journey to Another Dimension

It's a blogger's dream: free dinner, and spot lighting for the food.

Kafenes, Enmore/Newtown -- or -- The Greek Question

Something a little different (again) this week. The first time I've had to resort to a flatbed scanner to review the food. This is what happens when they don't let Detective Chow take photos...

Beach Burrito, Newtown -- or -- I know what you're doing this Summer

Mamak, Haymarket -- or -- How to make an amazing roti

Field observations at Mamak, Haymarket.

Ramen Bar, Newtown - or - The Magic Window

Kazbah Balmain -or- Best of Breakfast

The Hive Bar, Erskineville - or - Neighbourhood Watch

 

Chennai, Newtown - or - Murder She Roti