We also tried the crab linguine, main sized.  I thought it could be a bit bigger, but otherwise it was nice – the pasta cooked al dente, fragrant olive oil and not stingy on the crab.  It was especially nice with the chilli oil that was offered to us.

I’m please to advise that the cool rooms are now filled with all sorts of goodies now.  Great fresh produce – what a colourful display!  I was hoping there would be some exotic goodies like heirloom tomatoes but alas they were just mandarins

If you like cheese, this could be heaven for you to be locked up in the cheese room!

Some ready made frozen pastas too.  But one thing I did not like in there was some gyoza! Hello! Japanese food in an Italian cafe??  There are ssoooo many Korean shops in Strathfield,  I think that one Italian shop could remain pure please

And as predicted, the hooks above the deli counter, now have meats and smallgoods hanging for you to drool over..

The restaurant itself is a wide open warehouse space on ground level, and a mezzanine level.  A number of very large communal tables made of polished timber are surrounded by trendy stainless steel chairs.  A bar runs along the length of the window for gazing out into the street – or for me to sit and read my paper as I intend to, every single weekend for the rest of my life  There are also tables of four as well.  Well , not time to eat yet – so I browsed around the shop.  It wasn’t so huge, but the offerings were quality.  Fresh italian crusty bread in every shape you would need for your weekend gourmet table, and at VERY reasonable prices.

The deli has a wide variety of salumi and other meats, as well as anti pasti.  Judging by the hooks above it, I am guessing that some lovely legs of proscuitto may soon arrive

Some yummy meat to go?

And for cheese buffs – there is also a climate and humidity controlled room!!!!  Two in fact!  I think they are still to stock, it is opening day after all

And its unique drawcard – the roasting facility.  Shiny, spanking new in red, and enclosed in a glass room for all to watch.  If you want to make your own blend, you can – if you want 50kgs minimum that is!

I had lunch plans… but gee it certainly was hard to resist the sweets on offer there  they looked so fresh they might as well have come from nonna’s oven that day.  Tick to resisting temptation

Although I did have to have a drink.  What’s the point of going to a coffee roaster and warehouse if I don’t sample their namesake?  I had a skim mocha. It was only $3.50.  And believe me, it was GOOD.   So smooth down your throat and not harsh or bitter or burnt at all like some coffees!

Well, I had had a taste.  I wanted more. So I went back that night for dessert!  First up – skim hot choc.  Not bad.  But i asked for more chocolate as it tasted of warm milk.

For dessert – the most inexpensive creme brulee ever – only $8!   Perfect sugary crust, and served generously with four slices of fresh made biscotti.   Sorry that the custard still didn’t beat my gold standard of best ever creme brulee (the Sheraton on the Park buffet one) – but hey, it’s opening day!   There’s still time to perfect it!

I looked longingly at the plates of pizza and pasta going by – sad that I had had dinner already  But…. sad no more, because as I lifted my eyes, this giant mamma of a plate came at me! Wow!!!  Italian waffles, the special – only $9!!!  TWO waffles served with hazelnut gelato and whipped cream.

But wait – there’s more – sandwiched between them were two further scoops of gelato – chocolate and Italian vanilla!  Where in town do you get even just 3 scoops of gelato for that price, let alone waffles!!!  I was informed by the manager that the waffles are made by an Italian lady daily.   Let me say that the chocolate gelato was to die for.  It was dark and rich and I could say that it was probably made with the best quality chocolate money could buy.

This place has so much promise.  I really look forward to trying more things and keeping you up to date!

I also bought myself the Veggie Twister:

http://www.kingofknives.com/Cutlery/Kitchen-Tools/Fruit—Vegetable—Nut-Tools/Veggie-Twister.html

King of Knives is selling it the cheapest. Dare you trick your kids with carrot spaghetti??

And also I FINALLY found a mini petit four madeline tin from Pantry in Bondi Junction, as well as some crinkled cookie cutters. I can’t wait to get baking once work finishes it.

What’s for Christmas dinner this year? Not sure yet, will definitely include some barbequed king prawn skewers, and turkey, but not sure what else. Really need to get my act together. Perhaps for the family do, I will make macarons or chicken wings?

Anyway, whatever you doing, whatever you are eating, make sure you have a safe, WONDERFUL and holy Christmas.

Foodiechat

 http://www.petersofkensington.com.au/Product/ProductInfo.aspx?code=635268

What will they think of next?!

 There are also some nashi pears:

Two varieties of apples so far – Jonathon and Royal Gala. And some quince (below) but not available for picking.

As well as some pears (not my favourite fruit)

Definitely drop in if you can, and see how apples are meant to taste.  The owner informed me that some shops are selling now (in February) apples that were picked in May last year!! So go to Pine Crest Orchard and go to the source!

www.pinecrestorchard.com

Open all weekend! Happy picking! Heigh Ho- Heigh Ho!

I had to have a taste of the pizza again – from a plate not a takeaway box, and it did not disappoint.   For lunch, there is only a limited specials menu, and I selected the salamari, olive and chilli pizza ($15).  Just enough for one person – the base was as crispy as I remembered – not merely the vessel for a mountain of topping, but as much as star as the toppings itself – which complemented it, not over powered it, the real way it’s meant to be done.  None of the processed plastic cheese either – real slices of mozarella melted into the fresh tomato base, and scattered with just enough salty salamari and torn olives.   The review on Sydney Morning Herald recommended the calamari fritti ($16) which my friend ordered – and I reluctantly swapped a slice of my pizza to try.  It wasn’t the oily greasy rubber bands that I expected (who am I to disagree with Simon Thomsen!)- but the flash fried, and ever so slightly battered rings were much lighter than most versions, and served with chips and salad.

A stroll around the well stocked gourmet store after lunch uncovered such treasures as tri-coloured egg pasta, a fresh baked bread wall, and other imported goodies such as the extensive oil and vinegar selection.

 Viscontini also has its own wine room – and many varieties of imported water for the non-drinkers.  I’ll certainly be back to try some of the other things on the menu – panini; salads; and the amazing looking antipasti platter that others enjoyed after we had already ordered – d’oh!   The breakfast menu with eggs done all ways, waffles, and omelettes (all under $16.50) sounds like a good next choice too.

Cucina Viscontini 21 Bennelong Road, Homebush Bay (02) 9739 8888 

www.cucinaviscontini.com.au   

You’ve got to be an early riser or a very dedicated foodie to make the monthly Good Living Grower’s Market.  It’s only open from 7 to 11am on the first Saturday of every month. Our efforts were well worth it as it was a sunny and unseasonally warm August morning, and the glimmer of the sun on the ocean front spot in front of the casino provided the perfect setting to spend the morning.  There are around 85 stalls with fresh produce straight from the growers; artisan bakeries selling their wares;

Even herbs and plants available – I bought a 50cm chilli plant for only $7 – brimming with baby chillis ready to be nurtured.

A honey stand provided some sweet tastings for the morning – but the main reason why I was here was to eat breakky.  Popular stands include fresh (huge) pancakes cooked to order; wagyu beef steaks; indian samosas, and for me today – “confused eggs with bacon” – that is, BBQ cooked scrambled egg omelette served with crispy bacon, caramelised onions on a roll with rocket and the secret creole BBQ sauce ($5).

OMG it was so good – I didn’t even pick off the fat as I would normally – the sticky sweet BBQ sauce providing a pleasing tangy sweet finish.  No wonder why the queue is always so long!! Some freshly squeezed organic blood orange juice ($4) to wash it all down.

Or, if you’re in a rush, buy some fizzy organic juice to go.  And of course, organic vege stalls (such as the one selling freshly picked parsnips) about.  Also popular is Toby’s Estate coffee – but I’m not a coffee drinker.  See you there next month?