Sydney Eat Street: Enjoy some family meal deal specials
The family that eats together, stays together, but first you need to get everyone to the table. These family meal deals can help make that happen.
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Al Aseel
Family is always at the heart of every meal prepared by award-winning Lebanese restaurant Al Aseel.
“Breaking bread with family is one of the most heartwarming traditions enjoyed in Lebanon and thus a fundamental pillar of the Al Aseel experience,” marketing manager Sai Ragunathan says.
Outside of lockdown, the restaurants would be abuzz with laughter and conversations as busy servers fill the tables with colourful aromatic dishes.
“Al Aseel has always aimed to provide an authentic Lebanese Feast for their customers. Through this challenging lockdown period, Al Aseel has focused on bringing families together and have launched two special family packs designed to create a memorable culinary experience in the comfort of their own home.”
To help ease the burden of cooking during lockdown is the Classic Family Pack for $69: two bags of fresh Lebanese bread (two bags); mixed pickles; hummus; tabouli; four shish tawook skewers; four kafta skewers; hot chips; garlic dip; and 1.25L soft drink.
The second and larger option is the Deluxe Family Pack for $79: two bags of fresh Lebanese bread; mixed pickles; hummus; sambousek cheese; fattoush; lemon garlic chicken; four kafta skewers; hot chips; garlic dip; and 1.25L soft drink.
The packs need to be pre-ordered for pick-up, but with six locations in the Greater Sydney area, there’s bound to be one near you.
— Alexandria, Bankstown, Castle Hill, Greenacre, Penrith, Wollongong; alaseel.com.au
Delhi Palace Indian Cuisine
Erum Nassar is determined to replace screen time with family time – at least for a few hours – during this enduring pandemic lockdown.
Erum, the co-owner of Delhi Palace Indian Cuisine, says: “The lockdown means both the adults and kids are glued to their laptops all day and don’t interact much, despite being home. Family dinners are the best opportunity to get the family to congregate and share stories about their day.”
The family deal includes four samosas and four tandoori chicken pieces, any two curries of your choice, basmati rice, four naans and a large soft drink bottle.
“Eating with your loved ones helps to strengthen relationships and create a sense of belonging, encouraging confidence within young ones,” Erum says.
“Sharing family meals fosters connection and makes the children truly appreciate the cosy comfort and security of their home. Eating together promotes more sensible eating habits and feelings of gratitude, leading to more health benefits for everyone.
Of course, Butter Chicken is an all-time favourite with kids of all ages, and to let you in on a secret, the grown-ups love Butter Chicken equally.
“Yes, cooking together is a great family bonding activity. But for those nights when you’re too tired to cook or plan to enjoy a family movie on Netflix, the convenience of a delicious takeaway meal is incredibly delightful.”
And to make sure it stays delightful, curries can be ordered mild, medium, or hot. (Pre-order pick-up).
— 217 Concord Rd North, Strathfield; delhipalace.com.au
Mamak
For ex-pat Malays, Mamak tastes like home.
“For many Malaysians – ‘Mamak’ brings back memories of eating at local Tamil Muslim street stalls and restaurants back home with their families,” Mamak Haymarket manager Kit Lee says.
Pre-Covid (and what will surely resume post-Covid), there’d be a long but relatively quick-moving queue of hungry customers outside, their tummies rumbling as they gaze through the front window at open kitchen busy with cooks flipping and twirling the dough that’ll create the layers of their award-winning rotis.
During lockdown, Mamak offers a selection of savoury rotis with two curry dips and spicy sambal sauce average $10; a dozen beef, chicken or mixed satay go for $15, or large bowls of curry with tender chunks of chicken, fish or lamb are around $22.
For dessert, or just because, there are also Plate-sized sweet rotis with ice cream and sliced bananas or pandan and coconut ($11.50).
“Diners can also grab jars of our famous satay and sambal sauce. Wallet-friendly Mamak meals are designed for sharing – a perfect way to bring the family together,” Kit says.
— 15 Goulburn St, Haymarket; P9/1-5 Railway St, Chatswood; mamak.com.au
Rimini
There are no cutting corners with the Rimini meatballs.
“Our Polpette di Carne is hugely popular with families and individuals alike,” chef Gregorio Rimini says.
“They’re delicious and filling. Italian meatballs are a staple dish in many Italian households and judging by the popularity since we began serving them many years ago, they’re a staple in many Aussie households as well.
“We make sure our meatballs are substantial, which means they can be easily shared. Or if you have a hearty appetite, then no sharing is needed.”
The Polpette di Carne are three large housemade Italian meatballs paired with a more-ish tomato-y Napoli sauce (chef Gregorio’s special recipe).
There’s also plenty of freshly cooked pizza bread to soak up the sauce. The dish costs $23.
“Families have been doing their own ‘platters’, ordering meatballs and a couple of different pasta dishes and garlic/mozzarella pizza,” Gregorio says.
Pre-order pick-up or delivery via UberEats and Menulog.
— 1489 Pittwater Rd, North Narrabeen; facebook.com/RiminiGregorio
Cucina Espresso
Growing up, brothers Rocco and Carlo Calautti, co-owners of Cucina Espresso, a veritable hub in the Concord community, recall when friends and relatives would convene for the Calautti’s annual salami and tomato sauce making days.
They learned early on how good food can bring people together, not just for special events, but also the day-to-day workings in the kitchen, where they’d help prepare, serve, and finally enjoy the many dishes that would be passed around the family table in between rounds of lively banter. It was memorable, it was delicious … and it was a lot of work.
“With parents having to work from home and also homeschooling, our meals are designed to make dinner easy,” Rocco says.
“All meals are made in house, pre-cooked using the freshest ingredients and no preservatives. They just need to warm them up, and dinner is served.”
Cucina Espresso sells bottles of housemade sauces and pasta alongside packed serves of other house favourites, including four schnitzels with fried rice ($40, serves four).
During school holidays, they’re also offering kids’ meals such as Bambini vanilla bean hot cakes with maple syrup and vanilla gelato ($10), a Bambini breakfast with fried or scrambled egg, bacon, and toast ($10), plus burgers, sandwiches and schnitzels ($11) when ordered before 1.30pm daily. (Pre-order pick-up off Majors Lane).
— 89 Majors Bay Rd; cucina-espresso.com.au
Cavallino
Fans of this Italian restaurant and pizzeria have already started booking in for post-lockdown seatings but until doors open, you can feed the whole crew with this great family-meal offer: two pizzas, a pasta, garlic bread and 1.25l drink. ($49). Pre-order pick-up only. Wednesday-Sunday, 5pm-8pm.
— 1 Yulong Ave, Terrey Hills; cavallino.com.au
The Royal Oak
This popular Balmain watering hole is keeping locals happy and well-fed with selections from their upscale pub-grub menu, particularly the generous portion of their daily specials ($20 each).
Check out their socials Monday-Thursday for the day’s featured dish such as (Monday-Thursday) such as Himalayan goat curry with basmati rice; Shepard’s pie with brussels sprouts; or chicken Parmi with chips.
When you order the special, and extra $5 will get you a glass of wine or beer they’ve selected to pair with your meal.
For a full-on family feed though, try a share platter slow-roasted lamb shoulder with Greek salad and crushed new potatoes ($80, serves three to four people), or butterflied roast chicken with turnips, carrots, greens, chips, and gravy ($60, serves three to four people).
While you’re there, check out their takeaway wine and cocktail list, and a tipple to your order. Monday-Sunday, 12pm-9pm, pre-order pick-up.
— 36 College St, Balmain; royaloakbalmain.com.au
JC’s Pizza Harbord
When it comes to pizza, this family-owned and run Italian restaurant has all your bases covered. Not only do they have both classic and gourmet pizzas, but they also have gluten-free bases, so no one need miss out.
Feed the family without taking a big bite out of the budget with some of their weekly specials including one large traditional pizza, a pasta, garlic bread ($35) on Sundays, and $10 Schnitty and chips or salad on Wednesdays.
Pre-order for pick-up or delivery via UberEats, Menulog and Deliveroo.
— Harbord Bowling Club, Bennett St & Stirgess Ave, Harbord; jcspizzaharbord.com.au
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