Hevan Espresso - Winter Time Soups - Corrimal NSW

Lentil tomato soup with cheese soldiers

Pea and ham soup

Toasts accompanying another of Evan's creations, pumpkin soup

Minestrone, rich and flavourful

Lamb soup

Pasta Emilia - at the Eveleigh Street Farmers Markets - Redfern, Sydney

There are tortellis, the most striking of which to me are those with duck and truffle fillings; that with porcini mushrooms; and the combinations of pumpkin and Morstada.  I am not so much a fan of ravioli and lasagne, but the range of tortelli is diverse and unique here that I was immediately drawn to the stall of Pasta Emilia at the Eveleigh Street Farmers markets in Redfern, inner Sydney CBD,   This offers a glimpse into not only spelt and gluten free freshly made pasta, but also into sauces like Noce Blu and truffle cream and the granishing of Sicilian marinated olives.

The pans were out in front of me and the creativity of making delicate tortelli was displayed for me, meshed in with engaging conversation by the two hipster guys manning the markets outlet.  My eyes also wandered around the ingredients, cooked stuff and jars of sauces surrounding them.  Everything had quality and hints of being lovingly made.  It was  still a cool winter's day and we all appreciated the warmth of watching fresh cooking and skillful deft hands putting in the right amounts and flavours.  The gravy topping up the pasta was subtle and tasty.   Fresh ground pepper took this dish to another dimension on my palate.

So at the markets, I did have my tortelli, wonderfully made by a friendly smiling guy who showed commitment to the product.  Back at the home base restaurant, at 259 Riley Street (with corner to Reservoir) in Surry Hills, you can have tortelli as dolci.  The place is also open for both breakfast and brunch on weekends.  So I reckon one should not confine one's self to the Eveleigh Street Farmers markets for this unique taste and experience of Pasta Emilia.  There I have earmarked some delights I must try:
beetroot and chevre tortelli served with tossed kale & drizzled with salsa verde; Crostata with ice cream; and caprese made with tomato, basil and buffalo mozzarella.  By arrangement, there are also on offer classes in cheese making, nutrition and of course, pasta.   Italia at its very core, best and spirit!

Redfern Sydney - Eveleigh Street Markets Towards Lunch Time

Cured Salmon and Pecan Nut Apple Salad

A squeeze of orange, lemon and lime. Sprinkle a measure of granular salt.  Select carefully the portion of the salmon belly, for each niche part of the exquisite fish is delicate, unusual, different and unique in taste.  The art of curing, enhancement and delicacy is surely an art that echoes not he experience, patience and intuitiveness of the chef.

Granny Smith green apple cuts are transformed to gently accompany  the elegant seafood. Oh wait, there is magic......

the caramelised pecan nuts - from half a minute heat up on a flat pan with sugar for the pecan nuts and then cooled down on lined paper tray.  Hey, there are also Pink Lady apple cubes.  And the whole presentation is enhanced with basil leaf.

Nothing like lovingly prepared food, deft of skill and attention to details.  The cut of the salmon, from which portion of the delightful fish and how its stands after being cured, all add to the finesse.   The person fortunate enough to partake in the fruits of such a process has his or her eyes and mindset opened.  Combining the subtleties and sensations of quality ingredients with compatible and contrasting outcomes on the palate. I could allow the sourness go submerged under the savoury and the texture of flavours from the seas. I recognised the citrus undertones of produce of the Earth, a result of sunshine, good soil and lots of water during growth.  Add to this the whiff of refreshingly green herbal aromas.  There was no overall sweetness, just a satisfying gratefulness of the appetite being teased, restored and fulfilled.  What an entree, what a way to start a meal.

Wild Moose Cafe- North Wollongong NSW

My Cape Town risotto.

Please note that the Wild Moose has since September 2014 moved to 40 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, NSW 2519.  It has since closed in 2015.


Cosmopolitan, with hints of cross culturalism, a definite haven of rugby union gatherings and unique offerings in the regional city of Wollongong NSW.  This is the Wild Moose, with a primary heritage of South African cuisine, clever touches of Scandinavian and feeling comfy as a breakky and brunch hideaway.  I tried the Cape Town risotto and was struck positively by its inherent flavours, with chunky pieces of pumpkin, roasted pine nuts and tasty bites of chicken.  I eyed the Zanzibar chicken but saved it for next time.

There is a rather extensive menu for a place that does not open in the evenings (except for Friday evenings, when it is open till late with live music) and also does not operate from Mondays to Wednesdays.  The Boer heritage means a good drinks list (Swedish Mojito and Shaken Margarhita stand out)  with Fair trade organic coffee.   Did I get a hint of nutmeg from the brown toned culpa, or was it all in my imagination?

You have both indoor and outside seating, and the morning menu is littered with names like Karoo and African Sunrise.  There is modern Aussie fare like the prevalent Eggs Benedict and the version of Big Breakfast is christened the Jungle Brekki, with twosomes of bacon rashers, eggs and the unique Boerewors. The latter is a classic back in the home country - sausages of beef and coriander, also sold separately as take away snacks from the counter.  One of these mornings, when I next visit, I would want to try the Walnut Delight, a healthy vegetarian gathering of avocado, rocket and oven roasted Roma tomatoes , served on home baked walnut embedded bread and topped with a touch of the Mediterranean - feta and drizzled balsamic glaze.

An interesting set up from the previous site in North Wollongong.

Sited along a busy part of the Princes Highway just slightly north of Wollongong CBD, it is a good spot in the middle of increasingly bustling Fairy Meadow, with its variety of cafes, small business shops and three supermarkets - Aldi, Woolies and Coles. The couple who run this unique place, Wouther Debbes and Anki Rask, have created a uniqueness on the Wollongong cuisine scene. Anki is engaging, friendly and articulate when I met her - and so are her staff.

For a light meal at working lunch time, do go for the Jabulani Chicken burger, laden with baby spinach, chicken breast pieces, tomato cuts, pineapple, cheese and red onions with toppings of peri peri sauce.  There Chicken Marrakesh is pan fried and comes garnished with preserved lemon,fresh tomato, oven baked potato wedges and parsley mushroom - what refreshing and unusual combinations!   There is in addition the old reliable salt and pepper squid to accompany the beer.
Also available is the mango chicken salad. On Friday evenings, two dishes stand out - the marinated Mozambique tiger prawns, with a textured crispy coconut coating and peri peri sauce, and the grilled wild barramundi fillets panfried with Bourbon butter and accompanied by tiger prawn cutlets and chunky beer battered chips (more like wedges).  For takeaway, there are also muffins - I tried the strawberry version on my recent visit.

Do moose exist naturally on the African continent?  It is of Eurasian origin but a North American term.  Most moose are found in the snow laden territories of Russia, Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia.  In Europe, the animal is more referred to as the elk.  So why is this place honouring the moose? Good question, a surprise but I reckon it reflects the imagination and creativity of its owners and menu. I love it!