Eat Street: Funky Erskineville delivers for foodies who like it fresh and quirky
FRESH ingredients, quirky ideas and a range of novel yet well-thought-out approaches make this funky suburb an enticing eating experience.
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FRESH ingredients, quirky ideas and a range of novel yet well-thought-out approaches make this funky suburb an enticing eating experience.
Here are five places well worth checking out.
Erskine Villa
A KEEN interest in the local history led owner Ken Cheung to establish this modern Australian restaurant. He knew the space began as a bakery but further research showed that it stood on what in 1830 was the Erskine Villa, the home of the parish minister and the town’s namesake, Reverend George Erskine.
The immediate connection to the area convinced Ken that he wanted the community to have a say in what type of restaurant he should build. He received over 300 responses to his detailed survey, with the predominant request being for a community diner.
Leather booths and copper pendant lights give it an upscale bistro vibe, which complements the “approachable” menu created by former MoVida chef Brian Villahermosa. These dishes get funky fast, like the pouting — shoestring fries, goat cheese, sausage, gravy and an egg that gets broken on top.
63 Erskineville Rd
Cafe Shenkin
WHILE other 16-year-old boys were playing video games or kicking footies, Bar Haikin was opening up his first cafe, a coffee shop that served standard Aussie fare.
A year later, he, his two brothers and father recognised a gap in the market and chose instead to serve traditional food from their home country of Israel. In a week’s time the conversion was done.
His brother Ben worked the business side. Their father Aries, a baker since the age of 13, developed a menu.
Eight years on there are five Shenkin cafes and the Haikin family is still preparing heaps of hummus, tons of tabouli and, of course, plenty of pastries.
53 Erskineville Rd
The Hive Bar
IT’S a sad day when you hear your local pub has been put up for sale, but for four employees of this happening bistro and bar, rather than say goodbye, they banded together and bought it.
Now, Adam Parker runs the bar while Kate Mason oversees the kitchen, where she prepares one of the greatest deals around, the $5 cheeseburger — all day, every day.
Team that with one of their 40 craft beers in bottles and a rotation of another four on tap — they’re nearly all Australian with as many as possible from the greater Sydney area.
For a relatively small joint, this place has a big following; thanks also to its top-shelf comedy nights featuring a line-up of internationally recognised talent.
93 Erskineville Rd
Kuki Tanuki
LOOSELY translated, Kuki means “forever happy”, which seems highly plausible in this quirky Japanese sake bar.
The interior resembles an urban Tokyo alley with milk-crate stools, low-hanging lamps and distressed walls with wallpaper remnants. There are also vibrant murals by local street artist SMC3, including a sushi ninja and the Japanese mischief-maker, Tanuki.
The menu is relatively simple. Everything is meant to be shared.
For the traditionalist, there are the standard sushi offerings and salted soy beans but for something quirkier, try the crunchy sashimi nachos.
61 Erskineville Rd
Fleetwood Macchiato
IT’D be a little lie to say that this cosy cafe’s name didn’t intrigue, but beyond the novelty, Fleetwood Macchiato is resonating with the locals for its smooth coffee, fresh ingredients and sustainable approach.
The menu is seasonal, like the roasted corn, cornbread, black beans, smoked tomato, pepitas, chilli and coriander along with the timeless smashed egg breakfast roll.
43 Erskineville Rd
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