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Redfern

Huxtaburger Redfern

Remember Huxtaburger? If you’re from Melbourne, you’ll know it as the very first gourmet American-styled burger to hit the city – almost 10 years ago! – and was almost single-handedly responsible for ushering in the new era of quality burgers that we now take for granted. So am I back in Melbourne then? Unfortunately not, but there is a silver lining here. Over the last decade, Huxtaburger has turned itself into a mini-empire, and is now slinging sandwiches across 9 locations and 3 states. And the NSW branch is in Redfern, though those who have been to the original Huxtaburger in Collingwood would find this location almost unrecognisable. Instead of a tiny diner with retro vibes and the bones of…

07/10/2020

American, Burgers, Cheapie Lunch (Under $20), Fast Food, Redfern

Three Williams

Back when I was an undergraduate pharmacy student, it felt as if I had endless time for brunching. Of course, it certainly helped that most of my nearest and dearest were also in uni at the time, as opposed to laden down with the adult responsibilities we apparently all have to keep up with until we die. Anyway, over the span of 4 years, I managed to check out pretty much all the popular cafes in Melbourne at the time. This time around however, things couldn’t be more different. Although I’m once again back at university full-time, I have even less time and energy than I had when I was working. As a result, brunch has pretty much become something…

25/12/2019

Breakfast, Brunch, Cafe, Just A Bit Special ($20-$35), Redfern

Bush

With the relatively limited budget I have these days for going out to eat, it’s not often that I come across a restaurant that truly excites me. The cheaper places often tend to be rather same-same, whilst the more interesting places usually have prices that fall outside of what I can justify on a day-to-day basis. So with that said, it was doubly exciting when Bush opened – firstly because it just seemed like a really cool place, and secondly it was a cool place that I could afford to go to that very day if I wanted to! In the end, it took me about a month to actually make my way there; that may not sound very prompt,…

23/10/2019

American, Best Of Sydney, Cheapie Lunch (Under $20), Fast Food, Redfern

Juan Bowl and Tea

Juan Bowl and Tea has been on my hype-radar ever since I moved to Sydney last year and found almost everyone raving about their amazing rice bowl – don – and tea pairings. I waited a bit for the hype to die down (and to have a little more money in my pocket) and then BAM, I was there. Juan embodies the Japanese spirit of doing one thing, and doing it really, really right. The whole focus of the restaurant is in the name – bowls of stuff on rice, and carefully curated teas to match. And despite the rather humble concept, the careful craftsmanship extends to beyond the food into the décor as well. With its dramatic down-lights, minimalist…

03/04/2019

Asian, Best Of Sydney, Japanese, Just A Bit Special ($20-$35), Redfern

RaRa

Old habits die hard, and although I now live in Sydney with its bounty of amazing ramen options, I still find myself jumping at the news of a new ramen restaurant as if I were living in the ramen wasteland that was Melbourne circa 2014. But then again, RaRa isn’t just any old ramen place. Apparently, the chef and co-owner, Scott Gault, travelled to Japan to learn and perfect this tonkotsu recipe, which is kept so strictly under lock and key that ‘if we go on holidays, that tonkotsu will come off the menu if we don’t make it in advance.’ All we’re told is that the broth is made from just water, garlic, and pork bones, and as for…

24/10/2018

Asian, Best Of Sydney, Japanese, Just A Bit Special ($20-$35), Redfern

Tripod Cafe

On my way to and from uni, there’s a strip of cafes I always walk past. But aside from a quick lunch of Lebanese pizza, I’ve never really stopped to look at them, as I’m usually cutting it fine for whatever tutorial has dragged me out of the house. Of course, it goes without saying that I’ve been curious about these cafes since day one, especially considering some of them seem perpetually crammed with hungry, caffeine-seeking students and professors.

02/05/2018

Breakfast, Brunch, Cafe, Just A Bit Special ($20-$35), Redfern