Vui Va Say

@ 127 King Street, Newtown

Formally Jesters Seeds, this dingy pub has since been renovated into something modern, chic and slightly kitsch. 
It's a Vietnamese cocktail bar and serves food, snacks and cocktails. One of the best things is that it's open until midnight. Who could resist?

The same could be said about the cassava balls. Of the feast that we supplied ourselves in the backyard-inspired, this mixture of cassava, tumeric and herbs fried and served in a cocktail glass are the perfect munchie to accompany one of the bar's unique cocktails.

Modern Vietnamese is the name of the game, with Chef's Caramelised Pork Belly (I NEVER say no to pork belly), Warm Vermicelli Salad, and Stuffed Baby Calamari. Occasionally, they'll throw in more unique ingredients like crocodile meat - keep an eye out for the specials on the board and be adventurous. 


The food is well cooked and brimming with flavour, displays on signature red and black crockery, they're also a bargain for the price within the area averaging around $10 per dish.

For those seeking late nights, cocktails, and short company, wind your way up the stairs into one of its more casual chic rooms. There's a room for hire decked with soft drapings falling from the ceiling, and a further room with fireplace, graffiti style paintings, and high, friendly tables. 

Clink your glasses and drink up. They didn't name this play Vui Va Say for nothing you know.

Times hit: 1

Pho 88

@ 343 King Street, Newtown

This was an unexpected visit. Upon organising a catch up with a friend, she'd spied this little gem on her bus-ride in and began that understandable craving for pho. It was a balmy evening out, but I wasn't going to debate her on this one. I hadn't yet broken Pho 88 and it had been taunting me for quite some time. With the plethora of Vietnamese restaurants that have opened up to me lately, the ruling is still out on which is the best. OK, let's face it, Thanh Binh wins hands down, but we've got to give the rest of them a fair chance, right?

We entered and were seated in a prime spot, right at the window. The setting was cozy, the restaurant was comfortably packed, and the service spot-on. We scored the menu, knowing innately what we were going to order. We went for the DIY rice paper rolls instead. So sue us - we can always return on a colder evening for pho.

Unfortunately, the table was quite measly for our meal, but in between shuffling water bottles around and doubling up on plates, we managed to make this work. The rice papers came on plastic coverings and were already softened, ensuring we didn't make a mess of things. We did anyway. But that's where all the fun comes in. We practised our packing and rolling skills and eventually made it through most of the rolls. Between the both of us there were about 10 rolls and ample fillings for all.

All in all a successful evening. Again, Thanh Binh does it better, but if you're after delicious DIY this side of the strip, doubt discount Pho 88. We'll be back for the pho- promise.

Times hit: 1

PAJU BBQ

@ Level 1, 196 King Street, Newtown

To be honest, I had my doubts about this one. The previous restaurant, Top Level, was a forlorn and empty place. When we entered Paju it read quite the same, of course, it was New Year's Day when we entered, so the lack of clients can be excused. On the upside, we had our choice of table. Gone were the cheesy glow lights of its predecessor and the gawd-awful music, instead we were greeted with open space, wooden tables and floors and a casual air.

The cuisine was typically Korean. There was a BBQ menu on the side, but our craving lay all in the traditional stone potted Bibimpbap. Endless entrees of kimchi were laid on the table, everything from chilli cabbage to seaweed and all delicious and easy to pick up before and in-between meals.

The bibimbap arrived in due course, steaming hot and as delicious as it should be. I drizzled my red sauce generously however my party chose to be more sparing. Whatever your desire, it's good. Nothing out of the ordinary, mind-blowingly spectacular, but if good, authentic Korean is what you're after, you'll find it here.

Times hit: 1

Kammadhenu

@ 171 King Street, Newtown

The best, number one, recommended and all those other fun little accolades. Kammadhenu is the formative name on King Street for Indian and Malaysian fare. They've got the best hoppas and dosas in Sydney and their roti, though unlike Mamak you can't see them make it, tastes just as divine.

Platters are huge and quick to come out. Our party reached four and there was not a grumble on the table as everyone was served within maybe, five minutes? Not too bad methinks. Sauces are plentiful and arrayed in strategically created platters, each separated onto a metal dish and ready for the dipping. The taste is rich and the price, yeah. They're good. At a maximum of $12 for a dosai and less than $20 for a heartier dish, it seems extremely unfair to rave about Kammadhenu any more than it always has been.

Corridor

@ 153 King Street

Named with a reason, this is one of the more... narrower outfits on the street. You can't miss it though. There are always people staking their claim to the front seats for a slab of people watching. It's situated smack in the middle of the busier section of King and is also in front of the bus stop, which tends to collect the stupid or the drunk (sometimes both) in the early hours. Great for entertainment. No so good for the actual victims of the binge.

Your night at Corridor will also be marked by the sounds of live music. They try to keep it going all-night, every-night. Of course, the band needs to take their break, and in that time, you should head downstairs to top up your beverages. Up stairs is where it's at though. In one small room, the musicians and a decor that Mary Antoinette would be... hmmm maybe not proud of, but giggly over. Sumptuous couches and generous armchairs of no particular match or colour are strewn around the place, accompanied by large mirrors and wooden floors.

Behind, is the smoker's area/terrace. It's small but comfortable and a hot bill for summer. The only downfall (you mean, besides the smokers?) is that the music doesn't travel as nicely to this end of the bar. Well, you can't win them all.

Atom Thai

@ 130 King Street, Newtown

I'm honestly surprised I haven't posted this one up yet considering it's one of my more favourite Thai restaurants on the block. To be fair, I've been to it twice, but I've also had friends recommend it to me with glowing reviews. The aesthetics of this restaurant are simple, yet work sublimely. Warm wooded colours and square tables matches with even squarer stools.

The service is immaculate, the waiters are attentive, the wait for the food is a bit much, but if you want it done right, you have to sing for your supper, as they say. My standard Thai fare to compare with is a Thai Green Curry and this one did the job. Accompanied by a never-ending helping of rice and you know when you're undoing that belt that its done such a good job all you can do is say 'one more spoonful' to yourself as you go for it.

Times hit: 2

Claire's Crepes

@ 457a King Street, Newtown

I've been eyeing this one for a bit now too. It's signage is quite plain, but the name already draws your attention. Claire's crepes. It's like Janet's Pies. There's something about personalisation that automatically creates that connection. I couldn't help it. I had to step through.

What we found on the inside were walls and walls of doors and doors. With Bloodwood across the road, it seems like this is the new indoor trend. There were numbers and images, some of the doors were old bathroom doors. I'll admit it. I tried to pull one for kicks. It didn't work.

The crepes on offer are a balanced mixture of sweet and savory. You could go for your heavier options with eggs and avocado. Or you could try the plains, which include lemon and sugar and Nutella. I'm a believer in testing the true, so lemon and sugar (Sour Frank) I went.

It was pricey. For ONE crepe, we were charged $8. The service was nice, but not worth the price. The size of the crepe was good, but again, not worth the price. May I remark that the only things in this dish are milk, flour, egg, lemon and sugar. I can't see how that equates to such a substantially inflated price. Perhaps if there was more novelty behind it besides the wall of doors, I could have forgiven them. But for a normal crepe with no special extras. I'm sorry, I can make better.

Times hit: 1