Please allow me to do a bit of housekeeping. Not Quite Nigella has been nominated in two categories for Well Fed Network’s awards! Thankyou so much for the wonderful people that nominated me 
And if you would like to vote you can do so on:
Best Food Blog – Post (for my Freeganism story)
Best Food Blog – City
Lots of love and happiness,
Lorraine aka NQN
xxx
And now onto the story…
I’ve always wanted to visit the South in America. There’s something about the lilting accents, the heat, the fabulous array of delicious and richly historical food imbued with legend that sparks my interest. I also do a mean Southern accent on occasion but so far I’ve only visited via restaurant or via the ingestion of cake. My friend Teena sent me the link to South on eatability knowing that we all love Southern food, particularly my friend Gina, whose birthday we were celebrating. I was a little suspicious given the rave reviews with particular mention for Leo, the owner, from people who had only written one review but hey it’s in a neighbouring suburb so I was willing to give it a try and aid in Gina’s quest for Chicken Wings and Pumpkin Pie from back home.
Bread and melted butter
On busy Military Road, South is a small restaurant with red and white checkered tablecloths, a (faux) possum sitting on top of the inside awning, a dessert case full of home made desserts and a bright, eyecatching mural. We are seated and the owner Leo comes over and introduces himself. Ah ok, this is why everyone mentions him by name. It’s also slated to be featured in next week’s episode of Food Safari on SBS.
Lemonade $4
We order Lemonades (very sweet and not fizzy but quite refreshing nevertheless). The menu is a mix of all things Southern, Cajun and Creole and features items such as crab cakes, BBQ Ribs, okra, Gumbo, catfish, Crawfish Etouffe, country fried steak, Jambalaya and of course the desserts (my favourite part of Southern cuisine-I am after all the person that had a Red Velvet Wedding cake).
Photos of our Red Velvet Wedding cake (photography by ViL Photography)
Hot Wings $16
Now as I mentioned, the reason why we’ve chosen this place is for Gina, as she’s Canadian and many a time she would cross the border in search of good chicken wings and pumpkin pie. Having tried chicken wings everywhere, she is always trying to find ones like back home (well technically back home and a bit south) so she and her fellow chicken wing loving husband Hot Dog hone in on these. She notes that they’re a bit pricier than your average wings so there’s a lot riding on them and we all wait to see their reaction. Hot Dog is too busy eating but gives it a big thumbs up as does Gina. The wings are spicy, with a vinegary tang and are juicy and delicious and served with celery sticks and a blue cheese sauce.
Crab Cakes $31
Our mains arrive and I try my Crab Cakes. I ordered these as I love Crab and I recall that Gordon Ramsay on Kitchen Nightmares always orders crab cakes if they’re on the menu. About 8cms in diameter, there are two crab cakes per main serve. The cakes themselves are full of crab meat and quite soft, indeed transporting some to Teena’s plate proves difficult as it breaks apart as the breadcrumb coating is light so it doesn’t form a protective hard layer but it also means that it isn’t greasy. The salad that accompanies it and the blackened corn are great, especially with the tartare sauce (home made we find out as I adore it).
Pulled Pork Sandwich $16
I try the Pulled pork sandwich as I like Pulled Pork last having it at Flying Fajita Sistas and this is interesting. We’re a little dismayed that it comes in a Hamburger bun (we were envisaging a nice toasted bread instead) so we leave that behind (although a comment from reader Amanda and a search revealed that that is how it is meant to be served). The Pulled Pork inside is soft and flavoursome, especially when paired with the spicy BBQ sauce.
BBQ Ribs $39 (served with a bowl of coleslaw)
We try some of Gina and Hot Dog’s serve of ribs and they’re fall apart good. Smothered in rib sauce you don’t need any cutlery to ease the ribs apart from each other, just the sheer will and desire to satiate your hunger and feed your waiting tastebuds. I beg my husband to share a half order with me but he declines. Leo stops by and Hot Dog lavishes praise on him and he seems pleased and he tells us that the secret is slow cooking and that it takes half a day to cook the ribs.
One more look at the ribs
Smothered chicken $26
My husband’s Smothered chicken comes topped with bacon, onion and cheese. He hungrily devours it and whilst I think it isn’t bad, it’s not something I would have ordered.
Shrimp Creole $29
The Shrimp Creole is a tasty dish filled with huge prawns and a tomato based sauce. it is very good although I hate to sound like a broken record but the ribs have ruined me for the rest of the dishes. And no, my husband says again, he won’t share a half serve with me! Heartless bugger! 
Hot Dog $9
Philippe enjoys his Hot Dog although as he has a strict “no sharing” policy we don’t ask him to try any 
During the evening Leo stops by several times to check how we’re doing. He’s interested in any feedback we have and seems sincere that everyone enjoys their food. It’s a kind of natural hospitality which when done well seems natural and gracious and hospitable (but when done badly seems insincere or smarmy). We see that the desserts are fast disappearing from the dessert display so we quickly reserve a slice of the Pumpkin Pie, Carrot Cake and the Banana Pudding.
Banana Pudding $10
I ordered the Banana Pudding because I remember Oprah talking about staying at Maya Angelou’s house and that she loved her Banana Pudding so much that she would sneak down and eat it during the night. I was curious as Southern Style Banana Pudding isn’t a dish that you see here much at all (if ever) and this is my first time trying this dessert. I dip my spoon in and am rewarded with sweet heaven. I thought that I loved Bannoffee but I think I love Banana Pudding even more. It’s layered at the bottom with cookies and then pieces of banana and then a thick creamy pudding reminiscent of a banana ganache. I usually take a spoonful of desserts and pass them on but tonight I’m unashamedly greedy. I offer people a share with a “Do you want any? No? Cool” and then do a quick imitation of Phillippe and finish this myself.
Pumpkin Pie $11
Gina’s No 1 dessert is Pumpkin Pie and it’s one of those things I don’t ever make for her as she likes it just so but doesn’t often find it to her taste but tonight we’re hitting two for two with the Pumpkin Pie getting a big thumbs up from her. It’s heady in spices and a generous slice too and not too wet which is her main objection to Pumpkin Pie.
Carrot Cake $14
The carrot cake, one that Leo says is made by his wife is a lovely tall slice (cut into prior to photographing by the very eager Phillippe) with a generous topping of cream cheese icing (my favourite icing in the world).
I’m stuffed to the gills but as I leave, all I can think about is ducking back for a half serve of ribs. Is that wrong?
South
222 Military Road (corner Waters Road), Neutral Bay, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9908 5225
Open :
Lunch: Saturday 12noont-4pm
Dinner: Monday to Saturday 6pm-10pm
http://www.south-restaurant.com/
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34 Comments | Add your own
I voted
you surely deserve my vote.
I also voted.
In the South, pulled pork is usually served on a soft hamburger bun with extra sauce on the side.
As for the pumpkin, you can order Libby’s canned pumpkin from USA foods for $4 and make a traditional Southern pie for much less than $11 a slice, and it only takes about 5 minutes to make the filling.
My only question: Where is their cornbread?
$9 for a hotdog? I think I would feel a bit silly ordering a hotdog in a restaurant.. hehe but those ribs do look mighty fine!
Biggest ribs ever!
I voted yesterday!
Great find. I didn’t even know this restaurant existed. I love Southern-style food – will have to bookmark this one for a visit soon.
And good luck with the awards too!
I have not heard of this restaurant, although I dine in Neutral Bay fairly often. I will definitely give it a try – those ribs look amazing! Thanks for the review and congrats for the SMH coverage on the Obama pizza!
You made the SMH
http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/2009/01/21/1232471378455.html
(A rare comment from someone who follows your blog religiously!)
I shouldn’t have read this before lunch – it made me sooo hungry. Great recount and I like the way the final pic just shows Leo lookng out the window smiling!
mmmm yum! i love Southern food. not that i have had that much of it, but what i have tried is fantastic.
this place looks quite expensive for what it is. did you think it was good value? i guess personal service definitely counts for a lot.
p.s. there is a cute little cafe in Wellington NZ called Sweet Mother’s Kitchen which does Southern/Mexican food.
http://www.sweetmotherskitchen.co.nz/
i think you’d like it so if you’re ever in Wellington, go!
Wow look at those ribs!!! Huge! I really want to try this place:)
I’d go for the Banana Pudding! Looks great. I wonder what kind of meat the hot dog is, for $9 it better be good!
i don’t blame your hubby one little bit! oh those ribs looked good!
mmmmm yummy!
i wish this place were closer to me. but then again, maybe it’s a good thing they’re not.
You know looking at your food pics is like looking at Food Porn!!! I love slowcooked ribs. Go Back and get some!!!
Thanks NQN for finding such a great place. We’ve already booked for this Saturday! A Canadian (me), 2 Americans (and one a Southern guy) and one Aussie. We’re all excited and salivating after reading your review.
Totally unrelated question from a recent reader of your blog (love it by btw). I am heading to London and want to spend a stupid amount of money on dinner – would you recommend Alain Ducasse or Gordon Ramsay on Hospital Rd? I have read your posts and they both sound excellent – I am also considering Marcus Wareing at Berkely (formerly Petrus as you know). Your help would be much appreciated.
I absolutely adore cooking and eating Southern food! Lol I can do a mean Southern accent too particularly after a bourbon or two!
I’m always on the lookout for Creole restaurants so will have to try this especially for the banana pudding (one of my many weaknesses!).
Well another restaurant to add to my list for when I next visit Sydney.
Voted for you!
btw great post on freeganism…I just learnt something new
Hi snooky doodle-Thankyou SO much!
Hi Amanda-Thankyou very much!
Ahh ok, good to know. I should have known he’d do it authentically (everything else is) but we thought there was too much bun for the amount of pork. I don’t recall seeing cornbread but then again we got so much food, we weren’t really looking!
Hi Y-Haha I think he just felt like a hot dog! The ribs are definitely my pick of the night (hehe well if you couldn’t tell from my drooling)
Hi Annie-They were-a huge rack. Thankyou so much!
Hi Helen-It’s quite new, only 3 months old. Definitely worth a visit. Thanks, you too!
Hi Gail-It’s quite small, in fact we drive down Military Road all the time and have never noticed it! Thanks so much!
Hi Bubz-Oh cool! Thanks for reading the blog and for commenting
I’m rather chuffed about the SMH! 
Hi Gina-I’m glad you got the Pumpkin Pie and Chicken Wings that you wanted! Finally a place that does it just the way you like it
Hehe yes I noticed that when I was going through the photos. He was a nice guy!
Hi lindsey clare-Same here. I haven’t tried anything that I haven’t liked thus far. I think the mains weren’t too bad but the desserts were a little on the expensive side, especially the carrot cake which was nice but $14 was a bit high for it. Although everything was selling out so something’s working I suppose
And that Banana Pudding, I’d gladly pay $10 for that again.
Ooh thanks for that-we’re actually going to NZ in March for our anniversary but only to the South Island so I will miss out. But it looks so good!
Hi Miss Honey-It’s really good, bring your appetite though!
Hi Howard-I didn’t try it but I think it was a regular hot dog
The Banana Pudding, and I’m not a huge banana eater, is to die for.
Hi the projectivist-No he wouldn’t get an order of ribs with me after seeing our friends eating them. I’d understand not wanting to share them with me (I was very selfish with the banana pudding) but to deny ribs? Criminal!
Hi tara-That’s a good thing! I want my site to be the destination for all things food porn
Believe me I will go back for those ribs! 
Hi Susan-Oooh cool, wonderful! Please let me know what you think of it! I think you’ll really like it. Everyone around us was complimenting him
Hi Kel-Welcome and thankyou!
First of all, great idea. Oooh that’s a tough one. I think that Alain Ducasse was a totally indulgent meal and we felt really spoilt but the food is French so perhaps while in London you might want a British meal (perhaps? I don’t know) so I’d say RHR would be great. It is smaller and less “grand” looking whereas AD has a magnificent room in a magnificent hotel. RHR is chic but quite simply designed. Food wise I think Petrus hit all the spots and was probably my favourite meal out of the three! But it’s hard, they’re all great and for slightly different reasons. If you go to Alain Ducasse, go very hungry too 
Hope this helps!
Hi Karen-Haha we should do a Southern accent -off to see who has the best one, pre and post bourbon!
Hi Vanessa-Brilliant! I hope that you like it
Hi Alexandra-Thankyou SO much!
Wow, very cool! So glad about that!
banana pudding and carrot cake? two of my favorite desserts. period. and what do ya know–neither contain chocolate!
Hi gang,
Thanks for all the nice words.
I do work hard to make it all; but it is a labor of love.
Hope to see y’all soon!
Leo
Omg RIBS! Yumm they look awesome!!
Hi grace-I’m now a full and utterly complete convert to banana pudding (and I’ve always loved carrot cake). Why don’t I live in the South?
Hi Leo-Thanks for making us feel so welcome and for the delicious food. We’re glad that Gina and Hot Dog found their holy grail at last
Hi Esz-They were, I just know I’ll be back for those
I’ve been in the States for nearly 6 months now and have come to the conclusion that America has the best food in the world. I invite you to come and stay
We’ll eat a buck fifty polish dogs from Costco and I’ll bake you 3 pumpkin pies for less than that one slice 
($11/slice is absurd – no offense)
ps- the ribs look delish!
Hi Kathy-Oooh yes that is very tempting! It’s been so long since I’ve been to America *sigh* I do still have my food memories but they’re rapidly fading. Maybe a return visit is in order!
I was born and raised in the American South, (The ‘Great State of Mississippi’ to be exact), and have lived here in Australia for just over 6 years now. One of the few things I do truly miss is the food.
With that in mind, I want to thank you for letting me know this place was here. I, my wife, and a couple friends went to South last Saturday and, for me at least, it was like walking through some strange warp that took me from Australia and gently placed me back in Mississippi. Even better than the feel of the place, however, was the food; every dish that came to our table was nothing short of brilliant.
If I had to pick only a few though, I do have to agree with you completely about the ribs. His ribs are some of the best I have had and the chicken wings are equally brilliant, (we all suggested that he start bottling and selling his BBQ sauce, it really is fantastic). Being able to get both ribs and wings at other places in Australia, though, (not nearly as good but they are available), I decided to put a balm on my homesick stomach and try his crawfish etoufee. I though it was perfect. The taste and texture of it took me straight back to many an evening in Louisiana and I would have it again in a heartbeat.
I also can’t skip talking about his catfish. Those of you from this part of the world won’t understand the relationship between a Mississippian and his catfish, but I’ll sum it up by saying that we have entire restaurants devoted to it, (a really well known one in Jackson Mississippi boils the entire menu down to the question, ‘Will you have the chicken or the catfish?’). Until Leo’s Catfish, I had been soundly disappointed by every attempt at catfish I had ever encountered since I left Mississippi 13 years ago. Leo’s Catfish, though, was delicious. Now, it wasn’t quite the best I’ve had from Mississippi mind you, but it was much better than much of what I have had in Alabama or Louisiana… or even some parts of Mississippi.
Sorry to have given you such a long reply to your blog, but I’m still just a bit giddy from the whole experience. Thanks for a great mean Leo, and thanks to you Lorraine for the Blog that led us to this restaurant in the first place.
Sorry, I meant ‘meal’, not mean. Thanks for a great MEAL Leo.
Hi Southern Boy-Thanks so much for your comment!
That’s great that you enjoyed your meal,I have to say that the Crawfish Etouffe was something that I seriously considered ordering. Maybe next time!
Interesting about the catfish. Whenever I’ve seen shows in the South there is a definite mention of catfish so I ought to try that too.
You’re more than welcome
Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know what you thought!
Hi Lorraine, went to South on Friday evening and had a great meal. Like you, almost had to be carried out on a forklift I was so full! The food was really tasty and the host was very friendly and welcoming. Only disappointment was he didn’t have any Banana Pudding that evening,but the Sour Cherry Cobbler was a pretty good second choice. Thanks for the recommendation!
Gail
Hi Gail-That’s great to hear, I’m so pleased! What a pity about the banana pudding though, had they sold out or does it change every day I wonder? You’re welcome!
Hi there NQN – I’m new to your blog, but I am now an avid follower! I took a friend here for dinner on Friday night following your glowing recommendation, and I can tell you we were not disappointed! We indulged in the Hot Wings, Deep Fried Okra (Simply Glorious, I might add!) and the BBQ Ribs…! Thanks for a great review, and I would also recommend this place!
Hi Damien-Oh lovely! Mmm deep fried okra, that’s something that I’ve always wanted to try. Thanks for the rec!
OMG I WENT HERE JUST THE OTHER DAY!.
LET ME TELL YOU THESE RIBS ARE SOOO GOOD.
AND THE NOUTH WATERING WINGS ARE AWESOME.
I WOULD EAT THEM ANY OLE DAY..
YOU WALK INTO THE RESTRAUNT AND YOU ARE WELCOMED IN AS IF YOU WERE FRIENDS WITH THESE PEOPLE. THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL PERSONALITY AND EVERYONE THERE IS SO NICE.
OUR WAITRESSES THAT NIGHT WERE BOTH AMERICAN I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME CHATTING WITH THE GIRL THAT WAS FROM CALIFORNIA . THE CHEF AND ONER OF THE RESTRAUNT LEO WAS SO FRIENDLY AND HE CARED FOR US ALL. I WOULD DEF. COME BACK TO THIS PLACE. I LOVED IT SO MUCH.!
I WOULD PAY PEOPLE TO LITERALLY GO TO THIS RESTRAUNT AND EAT EAT EAT. AND GO TELL ALL THEIR FRIENDS. YOU TRULLY ARE MISSING OUT IF YOU HAVENT EATEN HERE! OMFG THIS FOOD IS THE BEST IN SYDNEY !
I WILL MAKE SURE TO SPREAD THE WORDD AND DO MY PART.
YOU ALLLL ROCK!
AND JUST TRY THESE RIBS YOU DONT UNDERSTAND HOW TRULLY GOOD THEY ARE AND THE SAUCE IS JUST SOMETHING YOU DONT GET OFTEN. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GENTLEMEN. GO OUT WITH YOUR LIKE 10 OTHER DUDE FRIENDS AND ORDER A SHIT LOAD OF RIBS YOU WILLLLLLLL THANK ME LATER.
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[...] being that this is Sydney and there are more restaurants than you can poke a fork at. However after our first meal at South I had a craving for the ribs. An intense craving. I’d managed to procure one from [...]
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