The Pie Tin
@ 1 Brown Street, Newtown
Turn left at the 7-Eleven and look directly across the library and you'll see The Pie Tin sneak up on you. It's a beautiful place with an ever-changing menu of pies to tuck into. You've got your Aussie-friendly savouries, but then, you've also got a nice heaping of American inspired "pies" the kind that are packed full of cream and sugar and will give you a toothache and a smile at the same time. It's all about minimum waste here, so optional cutlery and tin plates to eat off. So many choices here, you'll want to keep coming back to test them all.
Times hit: 1
Hartsyard
@ 33 Enmore Road, Newtown
What used to be a Viking Restaurant with a gluwen that was way too strong for general consumption and a mafia table secured in its corner has now upgraded into a Top Hat restaurant. The staff are friendly, there are no managers, as one of the staff, Maddie, advises me. They used to have one, but then she left and they realised they could figure things out on their own. It's a small outfit and we were left sitting astride the bar. But the food was high quality enough to make up for the high seating. We ordered the Duck Jaffles, which came with a layer of crumbled with fois gras on top, and the Rabbit Mortadella, a brilliant layering of crispbread, greens and thinly cut rabbit slices. The dessert? I was recommended the Peanut Butter + Banana sundae - a children's dream of banana, fudge, pretzel ice cream and drizzlings of chocolate sauce. My food partner in crime however thought it looked a bit too rich and so we ended up with the Vanilla Cheesecake. Raspberry cookie dough, dehydrated berries and lemon-ice cream. Stake your side wisely.
Times hit: 1
Black Star Pastry
@ 277 Australia Street, Newtown
I've been staring at this one for quite a while. It's a small shop with stools out the front and a stark black and white sign. Inside, it feels like a little old cottage with its wooden floorboards, small counter and rows of freshly baked loaves of bread. The food is mouthwatering. As you've already imagined, it's a pastry lover's heaven with gorgeous looking macaroons, muffins, crossaints, brownies and more staring you right in the face. I went for an almond brownie, it was delicious and heavy and lasted me from 7am to 3pm. The coffee pales in comparison but compliments the sweetness well. I definitely shall be returning to taste some more pastry delicacies.
Victor's Cake Shop
@ 165 Enmore road, Enmore
Heading toward Enmore/Marrickville, this patisserie will have your drooling at its window. The cakes and sweets inside aren't aesthetically appealing, but that's the beauty of this shop. It breathes authenticity. The cakes look as though you've baked them yourself and not some machine that's delivered the goods to the shop before you've risen in the morning. I indulged in a little chocolate and jam goodness and it was good. Nothing five star or prize winning or anything, but it was definitely enough to satiate my chocolate craving and leave a smile on my face.
Times hit: 1
Cafe ism
@ 187 Wilson Street,Newtown
Just a couple of blocks away from McDonaldtown station and hidden behind King Street is Cafe ism. Every time I pass it, there always seems to be some kind of buzz going on. Perhaps it's because it's strategically situated next to a park and train station or perhaps it's the look and feel of the place. Adorned with artworks and sporting organic food, it's a nice delight in the middle of a busy area. If you like your food and drink piping hot, this is the place to go. It took me a good 15 minutes to wait for my coffee to cool down enough for me to take a decent sip without burning my tongue. The same goes for my turkish toast. Some like it hot. Personally, I don't. But you might feel otherwise.
Times hit: 1
