Mad Greek

@ 124 King St

**Sadly Missed. Replaced by Cheeky Czech. I've since returned from the Czech Republic where the beer is good and cheap and the meat is tender and stewed. I will be vicious in my review. Mark. My. Words.

Mad Greek is an interesting place. You'll remember its phone because it's 0404 FEED ME. You question it a bit as it claimed to have world famous coffee.You'll be confused by the palm trees umbrella thing on the outside, a decorated garbage bin-turned-stero system on the inside, and, although it's Greek, fact that it serves pizza as its main dish.

Families are what you'll mainly find in this little joint. It has a decent back area to it and the service is friendly and responsive. It doesn't have any meal over $10 and when you see the meals, you can kind of had veal with couscous and though it looked small on the place, it was more than enough. Top that with a super sweet dessert and you're set.

Times hit: 1

Istanbul on King

@ 159 King St

It opens late and it opens until late. This is that token Turkish Pide place that you crawl to after a big night out on King when you need something greasy, filling and cheap to stave off that unwanted gag reflex or attempt to avoid the morning after hangover. The food is as you'd expect from any kebab place. It's nice, though nothing special. I dug into a falafal roll and polished it off in a matter of minutes, satisfied and almost stuffed but not quite there. 

Most people hang around the front after they've ordered though there is a nice cushioned area at the back for those wanting to make more of an affair of it. Stick with the front, it's more interesting especially on a Saturday night!

Times hit: 1

Gigi

@ 379 King St

Ahh Gigi, what would life be without this little pizzeria that sits just a couple of blocks from Newtown station? The first time I encountered this place the first thing I thought was that it looked gorgeous. The next thing I thought was, "where the heck's my pizza?" Yes, the pizzas take at best 20 minutes to arrive to you but boy, are they worth it.

Wood and coal fired (something like that) these pizzas possess a quality to them that your tastebuds will savour for hours and crave for days. They're large, thin crusted and not over-topped with ingredient after ingredient as some pizzas can be. Every time I've visitied here, the pizzas have never disappointed. In fact, I'd be as bold to say that they're the best pizzas on King. The only time I've tasted better was in New York under the Brooklyn Bridge. Sure, I've not tasted an overwhelming number of pizzas in my life to qualify as being a pizza afficionado but I've tasted enough to know when one screams of quality. And these pizzas? They do.

Times hit: 5

Sabbaba

@ 148 King Street

**Sadly missed. I'm surprised Sababa didn't last on the strip - it has been replaced by a froyo place. On the upside, there's a Sababa in Westfield Pitt Street so if you ever have a craving...

This is a new addition to the strip. It's often marked with staff outside holding a plate of falafels and postcards for discounted meals and coffees. At least it is at the time of posting. At first I thought this joint was a new business but after some research it seems it's one in a chain of three, the two others being hits in Bondi.

The food is Israeli and has a rich and healthy feel to it. There is a load of variety from pita pockets to salads to pre-made sandwiches to breakfasts. You can also purchase fingerfoods like falafel balls by themselves.

The outfit is casual, the food is rich, the staff are friendly and the coffees come topped with half a cadbury chocolate - just to give you that extra "hit" in the morning for those like me who need a good dose of wake-me-up before work.

Times hit: 2

Newtown Thai I & II

@ 177 and 105 King Street respectively

I once tried to start a fad whereby Newtown's nickname would be Thaitown. It didn't catch on verbally, but did live on in spirit. If there's one cuisine that you'll never be at a lack of in Newtown, it's Thai. From Thaitanic to Thairiffic, Chedi Thai to Atom Thai, Thai food is rife.

If you're seeking a no-nonsense, good tasting, cheap Thai meal then one of the Newtown Thais is the way to go. Their lunch menus have meals that cost under $10, are generous serves and are full of flavour. It's look is simple, just another Asian restaurant equipped to feed the hungry. 

I've been to both Newtown Thais (and there's also a takeaway version on the south end of King I have yet to savour) - so the fact that this chain is expanding should be evidence enough that they're doing something right.

Of the three, Newtown Thai I is the best. It's smack bang in the middle of the north end of the street and is always buzzing and busy. Newtown Thai II used to be characterised by its "backwards clock." After having recently been renovated, it now exudes a more modern interior that sadly makes it feel more flash than it is. As to that mesmerising the clock? I've not been able to locate it in the newly refurbished restaurant.

Times hit: Many

Rosalina

WAS @ 22-24 King Street. After decades on the beat, Rosalina has finally retired.

**Sadly Missed. Rosalina has been replaced by the one and only vegetarian butcher this side of the continent: Suzy Spoon's.

If you've ever walked down King Street at night you'll know this restaurant by the statue of an Italian waitor at its front. It looks tacky on the outside but on the inside, this is fine dining with a beautiful Italian atmosphere that doesn't come off too "fancy". Awash with beautiful paintings and a professional manner, it's a wonder it took me so long to enter this hidden gem on King.

Your host tonight, and every night, will be Roberto. Attentive, friendly and talkative, you feel as though you're stepping into his home, his dining room, when you enter. You probably are. He, and this restaurant, have been here since the 1970s. It's doubtful they'll be leaving any time soon.

The food looks and tastes like something your mother might cook - except she wouldn't charge you for the meal! The food's presentation is simple, its flavours are subtle and is sure to leave a contented smile on your face as you clean off your plate.

Times hit: 1

Ice + Slice

@ 135 King Street

**Sadly Missed. This was good while it lasted and a favourite with my cousin, but its new name and branding is Mad Pizza e Bar. Crayons and pizza slabs? It's a pretty tempting combo...

When many of my friends think of pizza in Newtown, the words "Ice + Slice" immediately come to mind. Why call it ice and slice? Because it's a gelateria and a pizzeria. On the outside, it looks like a normal cafe, but it does go deeper. There is a nice, open back room with a bright decor that has a sort of mediterranean feel. Moving further back, you get a nice open courtyard as well.

The pizzas here are a little pricey but they are huge to make up for it. I've polished off a whole pizza with a friend here and found myself stuffed by the end of it. There's variety and quality and the staff have always been friendly. If ever you're craving pizza on the north end of King, this is the place to go. The south end though, that's a whole different matter.

Times hit: Many

Basil

@ 126 King Street

The name of this place is called Basil: Pizza and Pasta. The first time I stepped into this place during the evening I was craving pizza. My friend and I sat down and about ten minutes later, after having to prompt them for a menu, they told us they weren't serving pizza that night. Only coffee. We got up, crossed the road and went to Ice and Slice instead.

Things have improved since that first failed attempt. The next time I entered we were seated immediately and menus for pizza given to us. With a menu with over 30 pizzas, we were impressed by choice. Their pizzas are enjoyable, though nothing special. Most of them are named after places or Greek Gods. We went for one named after Tuscany (regular size) as well as some garlic bread. We ate the lot and were almost full, but not quite there yet.

Probably best as we were craving dessert. And with none on this menu, we hopped over to a cafe to complete the night.

Times hit: 1

Guzman Y Gomez

@ 175 King Street

Yup, it's another one of 'em Guzman Y Gomez's. It feels like a school cafeteria on the outside but the locals take to sitting on the tables that line the pavement and stare at the cars as they drive on by quite well. The food is as you'd expect, good, filling Mexican and the best thing, you can slop on as much Tabasco sauce as you like.

Times hit: 2

Lou Jack's

@ 420 King Street

Who Lou is, I cannot say. I guess that question slipped my mind the moment I walked into this beautifully open cafe. Its decor is simple but effective and its staff all smiles and hospitality.

Looking at the menu the breakfasts seemed a little pricey, $6 for raison toast and $10+ for bacon and egg dishes. Feeling quite full and looking for something a little less heavy, I settled on some banana bread and a coffee. It was enough. The bread was delicious though heavy and the coffee brewed nicely.

It's nothing fancy but it is a nice, cruisy start to a day. The staff were quite chatty and I'm not sure if it was a mistake or just a nice gesture to start off my day but upon paying my bill I wasn't charged that extra 50c for my soy alternative. Either way, it was nice.

Times hit: 1

Pastizzi Cafe

@ 523 King Street

A tiny frontage can be deceiving. On the hunt for a coffee place to catch up with a mate we stumbled into Pastizzi to get away from the cold. We were welcomed warmly and our orders taken promptly. It was then that I realised that this place was one a friend had recommended me a while back.

Aside from the extremely friendly staff (our waitress even apologised for a couple of crumbs on our table that we ourselves hadn't noticed and promptly cleaned them up!), this cafe is home to the pastizzi, a savoury or sweet though totally delicious pastry that can be filled with anything from peas and salmon to cherry and chocolate.

Why had my friend recommended this place to me? Because being a homebody with a obsession with baked goods, she thought the fact that you can purchased these pastizzis by the dozen, frozen to pop into the oven at my own whim would take my fancy. It did. As did the pastizzis themselves which were delightful and at $2 a pop not too pricey. Which also goes for the coffee - each regular we purchased was only $2.60 something quite rare for the area - especially when you take into account that I drink soy milk.

Times hit: 1

Blue Vein Cafe

@ 3/621-622 King Street

**Sadly Missed. Replaced by Molly Coddle's.

Situated on a street corner in the south end of King Street is this polished looking cafe. It can feel like a tight fit with its heavy tables, wooden chairs and dark decor but once you settle in and take in the atmosphere which includes a miniature garden to the side and a garage equipped with a huge pair of firey red lips that all disappears.

The service is lovely and despite the lack of staff on the day I visited (let it be noted it was a public holiday) the waitress was very attentive and helpful. Not only does Blue Vein specialise in your typical hot/cold beverage, it also serves woodfire pizzas. The selection here is more than plenty and although we only ordered a small, the two of us were stuffed by the time we swallowed the last vestiages of it. Toppings on these pizzas is quite flexible, when asked if we could have the sour cream only on half the waitress prompty suggested placing this in a separate pot so we could spread it however we pleased on the meal.

Pictured: Blue Vein Cafe, iced chocolate, Chef's special.

Times hit: 1