Sydney Questions
 

My husband and I are planning a 3 week trip to Cairns and central Queensland in September, ending with a few days in Sydney. I have searched through old posts and have just a few questions that I haven't found the answers to.

We really enjoy Indian food and would like a couple of recommendations for good places convenient to the Rocks - we are staying at Holiday Inn Old Sydney.

I like shopping for antiques - not the really high quality stuff but more everday things from the WW1 to WWII era, especially sheet music and eggcups. Any suggestions for potential locations?

This last request might sound a little odd, but perhaps it helps to explain that I lived in Australia for several years as a child. My sisters want me to bring home some meat pies. I think they should travel reasonably well if I get them without the mushy peas! Are there pie shops reasonably conveniently located to the Rocks where I might be able to order pies packed for travel?

Thanks very much for your help.

I heard there was a good Indian restaurant in Sydney but I would not bet on it. I cook it rather than eat it out, not a cuisine Sydney is famous for but I will check back in case someone does have a recommendation and I will be there in a jiffy myself!!

The curry we tend to eat here is more green or red, masaman of the asian variety as we have more south east asia influence than from the sub-continent. Most Indians I know are from Fiji and tend to recommend a sip of kava lol!

I haven't been downtown antique hunting for ages but I used to love the Sydney Antique market on South Dowling Street, Surry Hills, Also close by is Fox Studios and they have some restaurant etc if you wish to combine a day out. Right close by that antique centre is a little laneway called McElhone Place which is a nice little sidetrip also. (only take 2 minutes but cute old street)These old little workers cottage built on a tiny street with the owners turning the street almost into a garden. Very tiny houses so sometime when an owner has a dinner party they put the table and chairs out in the middle of the road!

Meat Pies, if you can take them through the customs of your country then you need to go to a supermarket. The only one I know of down town is at Town Hall Railway.

I think you will fare better if you are prepared to eas up on the restriction "near the Rocks", especially as far as the antiques and restaurants are concerned. Most of the restaurants in this touristy area pride themselves on serving "genuine Australian cuisine", so your chances of a good Indian meal nearby are slim. Ah, but walk up Oxford Street towards Paddington, or, better still, take a bus or train to newtown or Glebe, and the scene changes. In those areas there are restaurants of every description, including a few Indian ones -- although I can't give any personal recommendations.

If you're prepared to hop on a train and journey as far as Homebush (twenty minutes), right at the station is an Indian restaurant which consistently gets rave reviews, and it's so inexpensive that I keep promising myself that I will have to take the family. You won't miss it, even without the name -- it's the only Indian restaurant there, and the delicious aroma hits you almost before you leave the platform.

Antiques: I think the old Dowling Street markets are now history, Tassietwister; anyway, they were more for furniture and curios than for sheet music. Your best bet might be to try some of the second-hand shops around the junction of Glebe Point Road and Broadway -- that's a fifteen-minute bus ride from the Rocks. While you're there, stroll down Glebe Point Road and check out the restaurants.

Meat pies: not too far from the Rocks is the David Jones food hall. Ask anyone in Sydney and they'll direct you -- David Jones is one of Sydney's oldest and best-known stores. Their food hall isn't as cheap as the supermarkets, but it's better quality, and they have everything you could possibly want; and they will surely be expert at packaging and labelling to help you get the pies through customs.

The Indian food which you get in Sydney is usually ok but not spectacular. My favourite is at a restaurant called Oh! Calcutta! at 251 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. Not near your hotel but you could do it by cab or even or by 389 North Bondi bus from Circular Quay. Ask the driver ( if you go by bus ) to let you off at the stop near corner of Liverpool and Victoria Streets. Have fun!ps If you want to reserve a table (which is a good idea) the number is 9360 3650.

Hi, two reasonable Indian Restaurants within a ferry ride of the rocks are in Balmain. One is called Indian Palace - reasonably cheap, generous serves. And Manjits, slightly more upmarket, lovely food. Both have websites. www.manjits.com.au or www.indianpalace.com.au

I don't know about the meat pies, but you could contact Hanna's pies (they supply to the famous Harry's Cafe de Wheels) on 61 2 9211 2506. I'd be very worried though that anything frozen would be very thawed by the time you got home.

I agree, for good Indian food, get out of the city, and try Glebe, Newtown & Balmain, and yes Manjits Indian Restaurant in Balmain is my favourite too. If you get a bus from the city to
Balmain, then get off at the Balmain Town Hall, across the road to the Hotel on the other side, then down the right hand side footpath, and Manjits is a short distance down past the pub I mentioned. From memory there is a Thai Restaurant next door or close to it. Let the waiter decide the variety of curries, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for all your help. Looks like we should be able to find everything now. I thought I would buy the pies cooked and freeze any that don't get eaten right away. We live in Honolulu, so it doesn't take that long to get home, and HAwaiian Air flight attendants are pretty used to passengers who are transporting gifts of food!