The Oxford Tavern

1 New Canterbury RoadPetersham, NSW 2049https://oddculture.group/venue/the-oxford-tavern/ As surreal as this feels to say, lockdown is finally over, and we’re all allowed, fully vaccinated, back into the world again. And after a gratuitous mid-week feast of army stew at my favourite Korean restaurant, I’m ready to get back onto the blogging train. The Oxford Tavern is your quintessential Australian pub – loud, sticky, and grungy, with more types of beer than you can poke a hipster at. There is an above-average beer garden out back, which although excessively loud to my prematurely aged ears, is beautifully bright and lush with vegetation. All in all, it’s the kind of place that you would usually never find me. So why am I here?…

Continue Reading

20/10/2021
American, Bar, BBQ, Just A Bit Special ($20-$35), Petersham, Pub

Itacate

When I found Rico’s Tacos, I thought my Mexican drought in Sydney was finally over. And whilst that was definitely the case, I apparently don’t know when quitting while ahead means. After all, if there’s one good Mexican place in Sydney, then there’s bound to be more, right? Like most people with their ear to the ground, I have heard of Tamaleria and Mexican Deli in Dulwich Hill, which until recently, was reputed to be the only authentic Mexican restaurant in Sydney. However I’ve never managed to make it out there, so it was just as well that Rosa Cienfuegos, the matriarch responsible, decided to open Itacate in Redern. Although it’s meant to be a restaurant-ier take than the original,…

Continue Reading

13/10/2021
Just A Bit Special ($20-$35), Mexican, Redfern, Street Food

Lockdown Special no. 2 – Black Star Pastry

In the midst of lockdown, I finally closed the book on 4 years of medical school with a brutal slew of 5 exams over 5 days. Normally this would be a cause to celebrate with several fancy meals with several of my favourite people, but that was unfortunately unable to happen for obvious reasons. But you know what? Things weren’t actually all that bad. In addition to a whole bunch of self-indulgent online shopping, I was also sent piles of goodies from my nearest and dearest, including the All Star Tasting Box ($55) from my family, consisting of the 6 best-selling cakes from the famous Black Star Pastry. They sure know the way to my heart.

Continue Reading

06/10/2021
Bakery, Cheapie Lunch (Under $20), Dessert, Newtown, Sydney CBD

Lockdown Special – Sixpenny General Store

Lockdown has put a serious dampener on the fancy food aspect of my life. Whilst there are plenty of good take-home packs being bandied out by the trendiest spots around town, very few of these places are within a distance that I can travel out to in good conscience. However, I did manage to luck out with the Sixpenny General Store, which is once again open from 9am-3pm on Fridays through to Sundays for all your baked goods needs (and a cheeky bottle of wine as well, if that’s what you’re into).

Continue Reading

11/08/2021
Bakery, Hatted, Just A Bit Special ($20-$35), Stanmore

Jasmin1 Auburn

Over the last few years, Lebanese food has really made its way into my list of favourite comfort eats. The ubiquitousness of it in Sydney, combined with the overall quality of the food, has really cemented my love for falafel and garlic sauce (I was always a fan of grilled meats, so no credit for that one). And one of the oldest, as well as most popular places to get Lebanese food in Sydney would be Jasmin1, which has stood on the corner opposite Auburn station for more than 30 years.

Continue Reading

07/07/2021
Auburn, Cheapie Lunch (Under $20), Lebanese, Middle Eastern