Cornerstone: Bar & Food at Carriageworks, Eveleigh (11 Aug 2013)

245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW 2015

http://www.cornerstonebarandfood.com.au

Socialising at the Cornerstone

A Sydney Food Bloggers Meetup brings me to Cornerstone Bar & Food to learn about 'Making the Most of Social Media & What's New'. The Jugernauts picked the venue which I think was a good choice. Maybe a little off the beaten track for public transport but was a relaxed environment to easily talk amongst the bloggers. Nancy Georges and Tony Hollingsworth were invited guests who spoke about social media which was informative for the attendees. I brought along my 20 month old daughter who will probably soon be the worlds youngest food blogger once she knows how to take a photo and write 'it was yummy, tasty and delicious'. Her Babyccino was free and thankfully mostly froth which makes it easier to eat with a spoon. No high chairs were available which is a shame but I've been told they do have a baby changing room. For daddy it was an Absent Friend ($16) with Tanqueray Gin, Fresh Cucumber, St Germain Elderflower, Lemon & Lime. A refreshing citrus cocktail which goes down nicely on a nice sunny day. Hand cut chips with chipotle mayo ($8) were cooked well although the chipotle was so subtle it tasted more like plain mayo to me. A Salted chocolate cookie ($4) hits the spot for a final sugar hit — baby approved. Would love to return to try other dishes on the menu which seems reasonably priced. Service was friendly and decor and atmosphere relaxed with the bonus of free wifi. Love the high warehouse style ceiling and vast open space in Carriageworks. Makes for a great spot for kids to run around without damaging anything. To find your way via public transport check out their Getting Here link.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Quirky & interesting decor, Lots of free street parking around, Friendly service, Free Wifi, Relaxed atmosphere, Menu prices seem reasonable, Free babyccino

CONS: No high chairs available, Location is a bit off the beaten track but good for locals

MUST TRY: Revisiting to try other menu items

VERDICT: Looks like a relaxed place to chill out for a drink, coffee or casual bite to eat. I like how there's free parking just outside.

—

Absent Friend cocktail: Tanqueray Gin, Fresh Cucumber, St Germain Elderflower, Lemon & Lime ($16) — refreshing citrus flavour with noticeable kick of alcohol

Babyccino (free) — mostly froth which is great so it's easier for baby to eat, lots of chocolate on top so have plenty of napkins for the aftermath on the face

Hand cut chips with chipotle mayo ($8) — good chips although chipotle mayo seemed to taste more like plain mayo

Salted chocolate cookie ($4) — yum! with cup of milk for baby on board (no charge)

Duck and cat drawing by the very talented Nancy Georges for baby Isabelle

Cocktail menu

View Larger Map

Eveleigh Farmers' Market: Searching for Organic Produce, Darlington (21 Aug 2010)

Saturday Weekly Market 8 am - 1 pm
243 Wilson Street, Darlington NSW 2015
http://www.eveleighmarket.com.au

In search for organics

After recently watching the documentary movies Food, Inc. and The Future of Food — which I thoroughly recommend everyone to watch — I've hopefully become a bit more conscious and educated in the way some food is produced in the world. Genetically Modified (GM) food seems to be more common than we might be aware of — or perhaps at least in the United States. Has anyone seen this video of what McDonalds French Fries look like after 10 weeks — has anyone done this experiment? In any case I'm hoping to add more organic food to my diet when possible and one place that sprung to mind to check out for organic produce was the Eveleigh Farmer's Market. Today's visit is in search of some organic vegetables to have with my quality steak I received in the goodie bag from Chophouse.

While scrolling around I notice Kylie Kwong's team working hard at the Billy Kwong stall serving delicious Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg ($8 for 2 pieces). These are a treat to have and reasonably priced but watch out for the dripping sauce when you're eating them. Alto Olives oil and table olives have a lovely taste and apparently also sell to Pendolino. I'm amazed at the variety of tomatoes on offer at AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce. If you're looking for something beautifully different and full of flavour including heritage heirloom tomatoes you have to check out these guys. Tasty samples of marinated duck fillet and sausages from Pepe's Ducks are a real treat. One of my favourites stalls is the guys at Yalla who are so generous serving their dips on Infinity Sourdough. I heard there was a HealthyFeast at the markets but sadly there was no sign of the Lemon Meringue Pie I was after. Naturally Falafel seemed to have a tasty product but there's nothing better than freshly cooked ones, especially from Jasmin One Lebanese Restaurant in Punchbowl — how I long to return one day.

Mulled Wine has never been easier to make than the packaged wine and spices from Bell River Estate. For all your mushroom needs you really can't go past 'The Fungi' Li-Sun stand where Black truffle oil ($16) and Dried Porcini ($9) amongst other delights are available. Check out Jonima Flowers for reasonably priced flowers which are so fresh. Block 11 Organics Rivers Road Organic Farms came to the rescue for my Organic Carrots ($3.90 a bunch) and Broccoli ($7.50 kg) — dearer than my local supermarket but it doesn't break the bank and I'm sure my body will appreciate them.

Other visits to Eveleigh Farmers' Market:

• 21 Aug 2010 - Kylie Kwong Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg, Jonima Flowers, Block 11 Organics, The Fungi Li-Sun, Bell River Estate Mulled Wine, Naturally Falafel, HealthyFeast, Yalla, Pepe's Ducks, AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce tomatoes, Alto Olives oil and olives

• 20 Feb 2010 - Kylie Kwong Cooking Demo, Eumundi, Yalla, Achacha, Blini Bar crepes

• 7 March 2009 - Food samples galore

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Free street parking, Good range of organic produce, Plenty of quality food stalls, Reasonable prices to be found

CONS: Can be hard to find a park close by, Very popular

MUST TRY: Kylie Kwong steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg, Yalla dips and salsas

—

Billy Kwong (Kylie Kwong): Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg $8 (2 pieces)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Alto Olives oil and olives

AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce tomatoes

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Pepe's Ducks marinated fillet and sausage samples

Yalla

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

HealthyFeast

Naturally Falafel

Bell River Estate Mulled Wine $20 (bottle)

The Fungi Li-Sun: Black truffle oil $16, Dried Porcini $9

Block 11 Organics Rivers Road Organic Farms: Organic carrots $3.90 bunch, Broccoli $7.50 kg

Jonima Flowers


View Larger Map

Eveleigh Farmers' Market, Darlington (7 March 2009)

Saturday Weekly Market 8 am - 1 pm
243 Wilson Street, Darlington NSW 2015
http://www.eveleighmarket.com.au

Lots of great yummy quality choices to be found at this food market. They also had lots of fresh flowers and meat goods which I didn't take photos of.

Other visits to Eveleigh Farmers' Market:

• 21 Aug 2010 - Kylie Kwong Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg, Jonima Flowers, Block 11 Organics, The Fungi Li-Sun, Bell River Estate Mulled Wine, Naturally Falafel, HealthyFeast, Yalla, Pepe's Ducks, AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce tomatoes, Alto Olives oil and olives

• 20 Feb 2010 - Kylie Kwong Cooking Demo, Eumundi, Yalla, Achacha, Blini Bar crepes

• 7 March 2009 - Food samples galore

Undercover markets a plenty

Parker's Organic Juices $5.50-$5.95 (750ml) - Tried the Passionfruit, Orange and Apple

Fruit and vegetables galore

Sonoma Bakery

Heaps of different potatoes, one variety was purple!

The Cupcake Princess - Lots of fun designs

Bantry Grove Wines - Tried a nice Pinot Noir

Cheeses

The Simple Syrup Co. - These would be great on fruit for desserts and making wicked cocktails

Fare Gourmet: Almond Crescents - Melt in your mouth sensations

Fare Gourmet: Classic Belgian Chocolate Brownie - Very moist and deliciously naughty

Berry muffin $4.50 - This was full of juicy fruit and nice and moist inside with crunchy outside top

Alto olives oils

Clayridge Honey

Sweetness The Patisserie - The samples of fruit flavoured marshmellow were very yummy and they have some devilishly wicked chocolate biscuits I might try next time.

Feta, spinach tomato and caramelised onion pastry. I didn't try but looked yummy.

Rossana's Kitchen: Homemade Vegetarian Sausages - I prefer meat sausages but know some vegetarians who should check these out and try.

View Larger Map