Paesanella Cheese products
“Let me show you some of my secrets” Queen Viv said to me one day. I’m sure my Dearest Readers have heard all about my friend Queen Viv. She’s my fairy godmother and very good friend and as fairy godmothers are wont to do, they love to spread a little fairy dust by sharing their secrets. In Queen Viv’s case it’s unlocking the secrets of where she lives. One afternoon she showed me around the light industrial areas of Marrickville, St Peters and Dulwich Hill.
Eumundi Smokehouse goodies
It seems that the Inner West is home to some fantastic hidden gems in the form of food factory shops that are also open to the public. Smart residents know all about these places and over the course of a couple of days Queen Viv helps me stock my fridge and pantry with all sorts of fantastic goodies. These places are best approached by bike or car but not impossible to walk between. However bring a chill bag (or several) and some ice packs because you are likely to want to buy!
Paesanella Cheese
I don’t need to let Italian cheese lovers know about paesanella cheese. Their cheeses, especially the bocconcini and ricotta are legendary and I’d venture to say that their ricotta is the best commercially made ricotta here. This ricotta is so popular that come any Sunday morning, the lines snake out the door with Italian nonnas bringing their own pots and buckets to nab their stash of still warm freshly made ricottta for Sunday lunch.
Fresh ricotta
Their fresh ricotta is the only pure milk ricotta produced commercially. Other ricottas are made using whey and the by product of other cheese making but what makes this ricotta so good is the fact that it is made from pure milk. The General Manager Tony shows us around. Apparently 10 litres of milk are needed to produce 1 kg of cheese and even at $6.90 a kilo it’s a steal. He gives us a taste from the basket and it’s just as I remembered it – incredibly light, creamy and soft and utterly full of milk flavour. He tells us the way to find out if your ricotta is made from milk or from by products is to check the label. If it features ingredients like Xantham gum, starches, gluten or a chemical cocktail, you are actually paying for less milk in your ricotta and more filling.
Paesanella Cheese was started in 1962 by Umberto Somma who came from a 300 year old cheese making family in Naples, Italy (in the buffalo mozzarella region). Since then they have been supplying Neopolitan style fresh cheeses to lucky Sydney siders. During his time making cheese, Umberto’s family asked him to stop making it because his health was deteriorating with emphysema and years later he died while making cheese.
Umberto Somma
Speaking to Tony, their philosophy is against that of the the supermarket chains. It’s about making these cheese fresh daily without any additives which means that they are all short shelf life products. This presents issues for supermarkets that want a long shelf life and as a result it is only found at good delis. They’re not willing to change the product in order to supply to supermarkets so manufacture remains at manageable levels.
Smoked mozzarella $7.40
Grace, who is behind the counter singing, comes out and shows us the smoked mozzarella which she says is good for stuffing zucchini, in lasagne and pretty much anywhere where regular mozzarella can be used. Looking around the room there are walls of awards and a deli cabinet full of smallgoods, enormous olives and cheeses. Then there’s two fridges with a mixture of imported cheeses and their own cheeses that are made on the premises plus the red white and green Paesanella sticker. They come in 250g, 500gram and 1 kg buckets.
Tony shows us the Burrata cheese which is one of their new best sellers. It’s a bocconcini and mozzarella shell filled with cream and mozzarella curd and sounds absolutely divine. It’s ideal for an antipasto dish and can be eaten simply. Just remove it from the pack, drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil, oregano or basil and then serve it with some crusty pane di casa bread. Their mascarpone is a rested mascarpone so that all of the acids seep out making it smoother and creamier. They supply their cheese through Simon Johnson to restaurants such as Pilu and Buon Ricordo. And I can’t wait to dig into my 1kg bucket of ricotta when I get home and have it on toast for dinner. Tony gives me some samples of cherry bocconcini, smoked mozzarella, mascarpone, buffalo mozzarella, mozzarella and the delicious sounding Burrata which I plan on using on some special dishes – if I don’t eat it all first!
Eumundi Smokehouse
“They thought I was a drug dealer or something” Dave Kasmaroski (or Kaz as he’s known) says to Queen Viv and I laughing. The blacked out windows, the 3am sausage making and smoke rooms and the fact that they’re only open on Saturdays from 8am-2pm may have given locals that impression. Until of course they try one of his sausages or smoked meats and they’re transported into a place where sausages are organic and made without any fillers at all (yes they’re all gluten free) and without adding any water. Just pure meat and spices. This morning I’m standing outside the closed up shop and I’ve just called him on his mobile. Moments later a smiling face greets me and I’m let in by a member of his staff. They’re mostly female and very friendly and sweet. We smell that smoke aroma immediately and I recall my last visit here a few moons ago when I bought some of their smoked sausages for a European relative in law who swooned over them. Since then I’ve picked them up at markets all over Sydney as their shop is only open on Saturday from 8am-2pm.
The grill is going and Dave has cooked Queen Viv and I some delicious kangaroo sausages, some gorgeous spicy French sausages and a Spanish pork sausage with onion and paprika which has a lovely spicy linger at the end at the back of the throat. Sausages are made using natural gut casings which are porous and allow for better smoking. He gives us a sample of his 4 year old pancetta ($90 a kg) which is a real treat and is sold in thin strips “One strip would do one person there’s that much flavour” he says. It’s amazingly good stuff.
Dave Kasmaroski holding a smoked chicken
We then go out to the back smoking room (and yes it’s damn smokey and affects one’s throat and eyes) and Dave picks up a whole smoked chicken for us to try. The chickens are soaked in vodka and crushed juniper berries and he calls them “Pissed poulets“. The chicken is wonderfully tender and at $18 per whole smoked chicken it’s a brilliant value and can be used for a lovely salad or sandwich.
The prized pancetta
The business started off in Eumundi a, town of 400 in Queensland. A former ward of the state Dave became a first year apprentice at age 14 and a qualified butcher by the age of 17 and 3/4. He became intrigued by the concept of sausage making and had a stint in Brisbane as a chef. His grandfather then passed away leaving him his recipes which now sit framed on the walls above which detail various sausage recipes as well as how to build your own smokehouse. He set up this shop in Sydney 6.5 years ago and he visits 35 markets a month.
Pancetta being cured
Production and business is so big that he now has to move production to Eumundi where there is more space and less distractions. Which brings him to his other position, his rule on markets. He is emphatic that as far as farmers markets are concerned, you should be dealing with the producer themselves .”I’m dead against reselling” he says. His argument is that things should be sold by the person that makes them as they know the product best. Costco, the mammoth US supermarket has been pursuing him for 18 months to stock his sausages but he says that he’ll only do it on his terms, with him in the shop selling them.
A constant joker and a charming personality, he leaves us off with a memory of his time in Central Queensland aka the Wild Wild West of Australia (ok technically it’s East). He used to load up the trailer with sausages and stop at the small towns along the way. He’d set up bales of hay with gum leaves for a stall where during the day he’d sell out of his produce. Sitting on the dashboard would be a shotgun. Once he was finished selling he would load up the shotgun and start driving fast out of the town looking over his shoulder for any people fast following him to rob him of his hard earned money. He has never had an incident but he does recall being spooked by the Min Min lights of Queensland. These are a naturally occurring natural phenomenon where lights appear above the horizon and for him they would have mimicked a car following him. Lucky his shotgun was loaded!
Dave’s mum (centre)
Framed drawing by his grandfather showing how to set up a smoker
His staff has generously packed us each a package of goodies and it’s filled with the stuff dreams are made of including prosciutto, venison and beetroot sausage, chicken and leek sausages, spicy French sausages, black pudding, double smoked bacon and garlic stix. I don’t think you could have found two more excited people that day than Queen Viv and I.
Home made Fine Foods
Balloons near a sign usually signify a child’s birthday but these ones are pinned to chalkboard that read “Fruit crumble” and “Chocolate mousse”. Our dessert stop is at Home made Fine Foods where a picture of their famous chocolate mousse is displayed in front of the door. There are heavy plastic strip doors and as we get closer we are not sure if unannounced and unexpected visitors are welcome. A smiling face then appears through the strips and hands us a hair cap and invites us in. We don the hair caps and sanitise our hands as we’re entering a food preparation area. Home made fine Foods supplies mousse, dips, panna cotta, tiramisu, crumbles and rice pudding to Harris Farm and other stores with ready made food. Queen Viv who lives nearby recalls seeing dozens of people entering and leaving here around lunchtime with bags of goodies so she was always curious to see what they sold.
Sample of artisan sweet yogurt, rhubarb and crumble topping
Pierre who greeted us offers us samples of everything. “Everything is available to sample” he says and indeed any customer that walks in can ask to try anything. He starts off showing us the olive tapenade and the basil pesto ($3 per tub), both of which are delicious and then we try the rocket pesto which is also very good. He then moves into the yogurt which they sell here and isn’t sold wholesale. It’s a thick sweet yogurt that takes them 3 days to make. It’s so thick and creamy it reminds me of mascarpone. He tops it with their stewed vanilla rhubarb ($15 for a one kilo bucket) and tops that with a nutty crumble topping ($2 a packet).
Purchases: free range eggs, artisan sweet yogurt and chocolate mousse
Fruit Crumbles
He then moves onto the mousses – chocolate and white chocolate to be exact. The white chocolate is $2 per tub and the dark chocolate is $3 a tub. I adore the fluffy dark chocolate mousse and put a tub of that aside along with the yogurt and a dozen free range eggs while Queen Viv buys a panna cotta and interestingly he tells us that all of the eggs used here are free range. While we are there, mums drop by and replenish their stash of sweets to serve their families. I look at the tub of the chocolate mousse to see what the ingredients are and reassuringly find only four: chocolate, sugar, eggs and cream and no numbers or unpronounceables. There is a large pot of coffee brewing away for a long time to make the Tiramisu and apparently there are no shortcuts here. Just food that you would make for your own family – if you had the time.
Pot of Turkish coffee
Chef’s on Buckley
1kg of blackberries $4.50, 1 litre mixed berry puree $4 and paperbark $4.50
Opposite Faros Bros Fish Markets (see below) is Chef’s on Buckley, a large pasta and sauce wholesaler that also sells to the public at fantastic prices. “We wanted to be opposite Faros Bros” the saleswoman says “because of the business that it would bring in“. In this stretch of Buckley Street, people can be seen picking up fish, pasta and something sweet for dinner. There’s an interesting mix of items, of course there is pasta with signs pointing to 2x 1.3 kg lasagnes for $13 but there are also native bush spices and items and I buy some paperbark which can be used for barbecuing fish to impart a flavour onto it.
My favourite finds are in the freezer section where there sits a treasure trove of bags of frozen fruit up to 1kg in size. There appears to be a regular special bargain buy and today it is blackberries – 1kg for a phenomenal $4.50! I also pick up a mixed berry puree for $4 per litre for Mr NQN’s smoothies. The most interesting fruit is their frozen sour cherries ($9 a kilo) which are rare to find here unless they’re in a jar.
They also stock plenty of frozen pasta as well as fresh pasta including lovely pumpkin papardelle and there’s also fresh liguine and fettucine in bags for $4.50 each.
I already have some plans for my 1kg of blackberries and I know I’ll be back for some more 
Faros Brothers
Faros Brothers is Queen Viv’s local fish market and the prices here are very reasonable and the seafood very fresh. Women in gumboots stroll the aisles helping shoppers. We walk in and Queen Viv points at the large snapper with the protrusion on its head and tells me that that’s a sign of an aggressive, dominant snapper. A man chuckles at me snapping away at it and says “Are you capturing tonight’s dinner?“. I just smile and say yes. Sometimes it’s easier to pretend to be an overzealous tourist.
Green Scampi
We see prawns although all of the raw ones are thawed from frozen and there are plenty of cooked ones starting at $11.99 a kilo. I purchase some whitebait – one of the legacies from visiting New Zealand is a love of Whitebait (Nanata) fritters and they’re very inexpensive here at $8.99 a kilo (and only about 125grams are needed according to my trust Edmonds Cookery book). I also buy a Sole intending to make lemon sole and at $9.99 a kilo a decent sized sole only cost me $4.66 and I walk out of there with a bagful of whitebait and a whole fish for the princely sum of $7!
Two Providores
Large canisters of herbs and spices
Meats and other cold store items
If you’re looking to buy in bulk or access some of the more unusual items particularly cheeses, Two Providores (formerly James Foods) tucked away on Lilian Fowler Place in a industrial estate area is a good place to go. They sell bulk sized items at great prices and their nuts in particular are a great deal – I nabbed some almond meal for $12.50 a kilo bag. There are also bags of Callabaut chocolate ($74 for 5 kg bags) as well as speciality items like cocoa butter and blocks of gianduja as well as cheeses, butters, yogurts, dips, salts, smallgoods, oils, olives, frozen seafood, pastas and herbs to choose from. Their primary customer base is cafes but retail shoppers can also come in and purchase. In the future they’re intending to make even smaller retail sizes to open up their customer base even further.
14kg halloumi buckets
Bulk sugar and flour
Darrin, one of the Two Providores shows us around. Amongst the known brands there are amazing little finds like smoked Basmati rice, pure Snowy Mountains Mineral Water from Beloka Estate, Tahitian Vanilla extract ($30 for 1 litre!) as well as gigantic bottles of Camp maple syrup. Prices are lower than in supermarkets as items are bought in bulk and repackaged. I also nab a catering sized roll of cling wrap (the stronger stuff that restaurants use – these kinds of things make me happy ok? ) and there are also bulk packs of baking paper. They’re also one of the most cost effective places to buy pine nuts where they retail for $35 a kilo.
Smoked rice, almond meal and Beloka Estate mineral water
Black Forest Smokehouse
The Black Forest Smokehouse store was one that Mr NQN and I had driven past a few times, always with the intention of visiting but it was always at night when it was closed. Today Queen Viv and I find it open. It’s a factory with a shop attached to one side. Inside there is a small display of meats and cheeses on the left and one with fruit and crackers in the other fridge. I’m intrigued by the Black Forest ham which I had recently at Bitton Gourmet and they have a black forest ham here but it’s in half kilo portions. I will admit that I have no issues at all with half kilo proportions but as I’m to visit other stores and this is cash only I need to save my cash for the other stores. At $38 a kilo it’s costlier than regular hams but the difference is that it is air dried much like prosciutto and it looks very similar (and according to the woman behind the counter it tastes quite similar). The woman shows me their best selling ham which is a flat ham.
Flat boneless ham
Instead I settle for a squat sausage of duck liver terrine which she holds up for me to smell. It smells divine and there’s an instant attraction and into the bag it goes. I ask her how long it lasts and she chuckles “Depends on how fast you can eat it“. I also buy a portion of pancetta for cooking ($18 a kilo) and there is also some very lovely looking speck and we depart with our meatalicious bounty and I vow to come back with more cash to buy some Black Forest Ham.
Dim Sim City
Because I find it impossible to resist a dumpling, Queen Viv and I pop into Dim Sim City, to take a peek into their premises. We look into the doorway and to the right is what looks to be a religious altar and to the left is the dumpling making factory. They’re in the middle of making dumplings, all by machine, and they show us a one page brochure with their offerings.
Prices are very cheap – a 600g packet of shrimp and pork dumplings sets you back $2.80 and 12 Hong Kong style BBQ pork buns are a mere $2.80. I can’t resist and buy some (hey it’s dumpling weather!). You can also bring your own packaging and pay $4 a kilo for the dumplings or 20c per bun saving a little more. That evening Mr NQN and I try the pork and shrimp dumplings and they are very good – indeed reminiscent of siu mai!
600g Pork & Shrimp dumplings $2.80 and Hong Kong Style BBQ pork buns 12 for $2.80
Epicurean Kitchen
Next door to Chef’s on Buckley is Epicurean Kitchen which sells cakes and biscuits all at ridiculously low prices. Queen Viv buys two lemon tarts for $2 and I buy a packet of eight cream filled biscuits for $2.50. The biscuits are not bad with a strong ginger flavour. Queen Viv reports that her melon tart filling is a good balance of sweet and tart but found the pastry a bit ordinary. They also have a huge range of Gluten free goodies including large and individual cakes, muffins, coconut macaroons, friands and cookies.
Ginger lemon creams $2.50
Serendipity
The last stop is Serendipity which we save until last because melting ice cream is not a pretty sight. The factory shop is filled with the various awards and commendations that they’ve won and we take a peek into their freezer. Small 150ml tubs are $3 and the larger 500ml tubs are $6 but since I have no freezer room I pick a small ginger ice cream tub for Mr NQN and a Peanut Butter Disaster for myself. They also sell delicious syrups for $6 like a gorgeous nutty Wattleseed syrup that Queen Viv bought for me as a gift one day.
150ml Ginger and Peanut Butter Disaster ice creams $3 each
Of course all of this shopping wasn’t done over just one day, we kept finding new places every time we drove around so take your pick, pack up a bag, bring your best friends along and some cash and have fun!
So tell me Dear Reader, do you have any hidden gems in your suburb?
I recommend calling these places ahead of time to find out their exact opening hours. Some places may close early.
Paesanella Cheese
27 Gerald St, Marrickville NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9519 6181
Closed Saturdays
Eumundi Smokehouse
Eumundi Smokehouse has now relocated to Eumundi Queensland.
Homemade Fine Foods
Has now moved to: Unit 4, 3 Wood Street, Tempe NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9519 2793
Open 7 days
http://www.homemadefinefoods.com.au/
Chefs on Buckley
17-19 Buckley Street, Marrickville, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9519 3488
Faros Bros
34 Buckley Street, Marrickville, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9519 3785
Two Providores
2/8 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9666 5583
Black Forest Smokehouse
150 Edinburgh Road, Marrickville, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9516 3210
Dim Sim City/Way Lup Food Company
19 Fitzroy Street, Marrickville, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9557 2866
Epicurean Kitchen
27 Buckley St, Marrickville NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9557 7311
Serendipity
333 Enmore Rd, Marrickville NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9557 8986
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76 Comments | Add your own
I wish I lived in Queen Viv’s neighborhood! These shops are truly little gems. I’m in heaven with all the cheese!
Eumundi Smokehouse make the very best smallgoods ever! I’ve often bought them from Bowral’s monthly Farmer’s Market and they’re second to none. There smoked bacon & various chorizos are the best you’ll ever taste! I recommend them to anyone who’s not tried them before!
Superb. My part of town, and a couple of places I’ve never been to before. Thanks Lorraine!
Sending link to A now… you KNOW this is my kinda post…. There’s some incredible prices and I’m all about going to the source, you know that
Fabulous post!
I WISH we had that many hidden gems in my suburb. Yum and double YUM. Eumundi Smokehouse used to come to our markets all the time and they were so good. Also love the name of the icecream ‘Peanut Butter Disaster’ sounds like something my daughters would make.
my oh my – how wonderful!!!!
This is exactly why I love Sydney! Thanks for the tour Lorraine!I think Burnt Orange in Mosman is great, although perhaps not so hidden gem anymore
This is a freaking awesome post! Can’t wait to visit some of these places. I love bulk buying because of the good prices.
I definitely feel a shopping trip coming on…
This could not have come at a better time. I’ve just moved to Marrickville and although it’s Monday now, I have my weekend sorted – shopping!
lol – I was at Homemade Fine Foods on the weekend, and made away with a 1kg bucket of chocolate mousse… :S
Thanks for the tour!
I see that you saved the best for last! I love serendipity..! Sounds like you’re pantry is sufficiently stocked now!
I can’t believe all of this is just around the corner from me in Marrickville! Incredible. Definately going to check a few of these out. Thanks!!
Costco really needs to agree to Dave’s demands. I would go in to stock up.
Oh my goodness! I sooooo want to do a trip across town to Marrickville right now!
The peanut butter disaster ice cream looks delicious!!
That’s fantastic. Time to take a trip down that way. The smoked chicken sounds interesting, never tried one before.
Great post. I love places with hidden treasures like these. And how cool are those Serendipity ice cream pyramids!
“Pissed” chickens – I love it, so Australian! GOsh, I coudl go for some smoked mozzarella right now, even if it is 10am in the morning and I only just had breakfast…
Ahh! I remember seeing that exact smoked rice at The Essential Ingredient before I went travelling – must go buy it! And peanut butter disaster ice cream? You know how to make me swoon, Lorraine!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can’t wait to discover all this and more when I move into the area xx
Oh dear. This is where I used to live. And, yes, I miss it! Particularly when people remind me of what I’m missing. Will go and gaze over green hills and dream of cheese…
Just when you think you know a city along comes this wonderful guide to all these places! I am bookmarking this…thanks for the info Loraine!
I never seem to have time on the weekends to go exploring, they are open on the weekends yes? All so close by to me, perhaps another “to do” on one of my days off work. I have no excuse not to visit Eumundi though as it is literally a walk up the street.
This is the reason I love living in Dulwich Hill – all these food outlets right on my doorstep! Thanks for doing the trek. I’ve wanted to go to some of these places, but have never been sure if they’re open to the general public. OMG – 14kg tub of halloumi <3 <3. And the frozen berries – What a bargain!! I just wish I had a bigger freezer!
I’m so excited – those frozen berries and mango prices make the prices I pay at Woolies for piddly little packets seem astronomical! I’m printing this out and doing my own little pilgrimage this weekend – thanks Lorraine!
Oh my stars! I have lived in Marrickville for almost two years and I didn’t know about half of these places. I think I’m going to have to have a dinner party and serve all the local goodies!
pumpkin parpadelle… PUMPKIN PARPADELLE….
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Drooly x
what a great day in marrickville apparently the best pho in syd is somewhere in marrickville..
Wow – great post! I’ve lived in the area for a few years, and am a regular at most of those places, but I think I’ll have to go investigate the ones I’ve never heard b4
Ooh my part of town too! i haven’t been to many of these places, just Serendipity, and i try and stay away from serendipity cause i don’t think it’s very kind to the hips….:-D
As a new resident to the inner west I am so grateful for this article.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
You have a great neighbourhood. maybe I am not looking hard enough around mine.
What a fascinating tour! Thanks for the insight. I really need to start exploring closer to home again.
hey lorraine, been awhile. I was checking for reviews of ‘the big rig’ in oxford st, as i thought of trying it out, and your review came up first! haha..as usual, and a very reliable source too..hope u’ve been well:-)
That Serendipity shop looks interesting! And 14kg halloumi buckets? I’m so there!
The prices are outrageously good. Ahhh, I’d have to rent a semi-trailer to take home all the burrata — my weakness. And how interesting about the smoked chicken being soaked in vodka. I wonder if that acts like a brine?
Excellent rundown on Marrickville’s foodie delights, NQN, but as a resident here for 20 years all I can say is there is so much more! If people are inspired to visit the area and they love their snags, try the various Greek, Thai and Vietnamese butchers on Illawarra Road and nearby in Marrickville Road for a cornucopia of locally-made snags. And if you’re a sweetie, the Greek cake shop on Illawarra Road, across the road from Woolies, prices its pastries and other treats by the kilogram, God bless ‘em. But you can just buy one or two of each if you like.
I’ve been thinking what a fabulous wealth of producers and suppliers are around the area I live in and that I should blog about them. You seem to have a cornucopia! I think I’ll post a virtual tour of my own suburb soon. A great way to find out about your own neighbourhood plus a nice way to visit someone else’s.
Always love reading your blog.
Cheers
Sarah
wow this looks like so much fun, I have been doing a similar thing in my local area lately finding all the secret hidden out of the way foodie treasures. I am so looking forward to my next trip to Sydney I am going to have to take a couple cold boxes and a lot of money and maybe get a new freezer *laughs* another great story Lorraine.
What a wonderful way of looking at where we live, I’m sure all of Sydney’s suburbs have some hidden treasures that should be shared!
wowza. cheese-, meat-, and dessert-lovers’ paradise!
OOOOH! I would totally sing with joy in this place!! LOVING the cheese…amazing! I would need to bring a truck over, forget that basket or bag!
I’m almost crying with homesickness for Sydney now.. and I never even knew most of these places existed!
I’m so proud of your Edmunds Cookery Book!!
Lorraine thanks for sharing all these terrific places. I’m very excited about the sausages and that chocolate mousse!!
I LOVE the lamb merguez sausages from Eumundi…
Ooh how wonderful to have access to these places! One of the foods I most miss since moving to the UK is fresh ricotta – I used to mix it with honey and cinnamon and smear it thickly on Burgen muesli toast (then topped with blueberries) for breakfast each morning. Here it’s so hard to find, but there is an abundance of goats cheese (much cheaper here) to keep me happy instead.
Briony xx
Adopt me? Pretty please?
I love your ‘Food Safari’ Lorraine and it has inspired me along with lots of your readers to discover these places for ourselves. My first stop would have to be Eumundi Smokehouse as I am never satisfied with ‘gourmet’ sausages that I have bought in the past. Dave’s look like the real thing. I adore all of Paesanella’s products, it’s the next best thing to the Italian produce. How coincidental that you should mention Serendipity, as it’s my youngest daughter’s 21st on the 2nd June and we’ve ordered her a Serendipity Ice Cream Cake. A few years ago I also ordered a delicious Serendipity cake for my birthday. They are so very scrumptious. I’m in love with those green Scampi from Faros bros , I can just see them cooked and sitting on a plate for my family to devour.
Yes, it’s certainly worth taking the drive to Marrickville and coming home with loads of delightful food to eat!
This is so fun! I love to see food artisans at work; great that the Italian ricotta folks refuse to budge when it comes to quality and maintaining theirs even at the risk of less profit!
I also love the ice-cream place, the sausage place, all of it!
I would love some frozen berry concentrate and especially the sour cherries!
Totally love this. With a suburb like this, I would be doing marketing everyday!
You have broaden my view on Marrickville which I previously thought was predominantly Vietnamese shops.
So one doesn’t have to live in Woollara to find some good little (or large) hidden gems for good food produce. This is great!
OMG that is sensational. I am visiting every one of those places when eventually I get back to Oz. I agree with one of the comments about about the Hellenic Bakery on Illawarra Road (they have the best Greek almond bikkies – the kourambiedes). I also recommend TIM Products at 407 Enmore Road for SENSATIONAL and great value Greek baked goodies (think baklava, spinach & feta pies, kourambiedes – and galaktoboureko).
All that produce looks fantastic! We do some of the packaging for the Paesanella cheeses so I know the label
You got me excited on the frozen fruit…weird huh? That tour looks great!
Ah lucky me, my 300 litre freezer is empty after an overseas holiday…I will head to Marrickville and fill er’ up!Berries, cherries, icecream, dupmlings..YUM! Cheers Lorraine!
oh how i wish sydney was a stone throw away!
wow..so many goodies!!!
Sigh… if only I lived in Sydney.
One of my best mates just bought a house in Marrickville and is on a mission to get us all to move there. They’re going to love this list!
And we should definitely rekindle those suburb walking tour plans!
Hi Faith-I know, me too!
Hi Highlands Foodie-I agree, they’re so delicious!
Hi Celia-Fantastic! I wished I lived there!
You’re welcome!
Hi Liss-I know, I cna so see you guys going there! Thankyou!
Hi Linda-We have a few but not as many as this!
haha I know, it’s a great name isn’t it! 
Hi Lisa-thankyou I couldn’t agree more!
Hi Maria-Absolutely, I need to get there!
Hi Melissa-Thankyou very much
It’s great isn’t it!
Hi sandra-Excellent, have fun!
Hi Yas-Ahh fantastic! I’m so glad!
Hi Tina-hehe great score!
You’re welcome!
Hi Betty-hehe it is SO packed!
Hi Fiona-yes I had no idea that these places existed too! You’re welcome!
Hi Deanna-I couldn’t agree more!
Hi Amanda-I know the feeling! There are so many goodies there!
Hi delicieux-it was really good!
Hi Peter-Wonderful!
the smoked chicken at Eumundi is amazingly good. Very succulent and delicious 
Hi Karen-Thankyou so much!
I know, I wanted to buy some!
Hi Hannah-I know
Nothing wrong with that! Ooh really? I can’t wait to use it! 
Hi Naomi-hehe I thought of you!
xxx
Hi lifeinapinkfibro-Awww memories!
Hehe you are too funny 
Hi Peter-You’re more than welcome Peter!
Hi angie-Most of these places are but call ahead just to make sure. I know Paesanella is closed on Saturdays.
Hi ToniTones-I can imagine! I know so many good deals are there? Amazing!
Hi Illegallyblonde-I know, it’s crazy what we pay in the supermarkets! excellent, you’re welcome!
Hi Emma-Absolutely! A totally locavore meal!
Hi prinny-hehe absolutely!
x
Hi Betty-Oh I think I’ve been there and blogged it! Pho Bac!
Hi Papagana-Thankyou!
Fantastic, have fun!
Hi Sarah-How fantastic!
Haha good strategy! 
Hi Corrie-you’re more than welcome Corrie!
Hi penny-I wish it was my neighbourhood!
Hi Syrie-you’re more than welcome!
Hi hcpen-Hehe thankyou! I have and I hope you’ve been good too?
Hi Trisha-I know! I could so eat 14kgs I think
Hi Carolyn-aren’t they just? I think it definitely acts as a preservative. I suppose it could act as a brine too to make it tender!
Hi Jamie-Thanks. Of course there is!
But I think that Queen viv did an excellent job showing me her favourite places. thanks for the other places!
Hi Sarah-Absolutely! No-one knows their area like a local!
I can’t wait to read all about it! Thankyou! 
Hi Saphire-It was!
What a great idea! Absolutely bring lots of eskys and ice packs! 
Hi Moya-Thankyou very much! I agree!
Hi grace-haha yes that’s why I loved it so much!
Hi sophia-Hehe I know, the cheese is amazing!
LOL at truck!
Hi LaLa-awww you poor thing! I never knew about them either!
Hi Nomes-that was a gift from Queen Viv! I love it!
Hi foodie-central-You’re more than welcome! I hope you like them!
Hi Reemski-I love everything from there!
Hi Miss B-I know, I definitely feel privileged
Ooh yes I had the ricotta on crusty bread with jam 
goat’s cheese-yum! That sounds like it would make one very happy! xxx
Hi deeba-hehe sure!
Hi Matilda-Thanks Matilda! I don’t think you will be disappointed at Eumundi. They make such great stuff there! Absolutely, well I hope you have lots of fun there!
Hi Joumana-I know, that is very heartening. Not everything is about money! I was so in love with all of the produce!
Hi shirley-hehe yes I can imagine! It’s so easy to pick up something really interesting!
Hi foodwink-Oh fantastic! It’s full of goodies there
Hi Karen-thankyou!
Enjoy it! We had a ball 
I love those Greek cookies!
Hi Esz-Thankyou!
Ahhh fabulous! Do you ever get to try it?
Hi food.4.two-Hehe that’s ok. I got excited over it too!
Hi Noodlehead-Ahh great timing!
I wish I had a big freezer!
Hi KYLIE-aww thankyou!
Hi Yuki-there were!
Hi Phunk-Maybe on a visit!?
Hi Forager-Hehe I want to move there too!
Absolutely!
we went to two providores after reading your post on these wholesale shops, and didnt manage to find it on the first go. the next day, we drove down to marrickville and were determined to find it. lo and behold, it was there all along, but rather difficult to see as it was at the corner and the logo/sign was only so small. we reached lilian fowler place at 12.30, only to find out that they were closed because their opening hours started at 5am! nevertheless, we went on down to dim sum city and visited the few other places you blogged about and got quite a few good deals and now our fridge/freezer is bursting full of food! (:
This is, hands down, the most useful, wank free food article I have read in my entire life! Foodie’s Guide to Sydney eat your heart out!
Thank you so much for sharing this (thank Queen Viv too). I’m definitely gonna check out Pasanella, grab some almond meal and dumplings tomorrow. Just one more reason theinner west rocks – food!
Thanks for the tour in your area!!
What a fab & culinary tourv this surely is!! I lezrned a lot here, as usual!!
This post is almost enough to make me book a ticket to Sydney – if I thought I’d get all these delicious goodies back home to Adelaide!
Thank you so much for sharing your food trails. Gathered some friends for a food safari over the weekend inspired by your blog. We started early at Warwick Farm farmers’ market and stop by for the wonderful sausages and the yummy threats at Home made fine food for some delicious yogurt!
Thanks for your hard but enjoyable work ,I,m enjoying this food delight and I,m telling all my food,y friends too .havent gone to all just yet but will .great day to spend with mates exploring all of the wondreful REAL food out there.Keep up the good work .
Hi Nigella,
I was eprusing your blog and obviously saw the spread on Marrickville Dulwich Holl. My husband and I have recently opened a fine food store in Dulwich Hill that specialises in cheeses and fine produce. It would be great if you could check us out and perhaps add us on to your blog on the area. We have already been mentioned in the SMH Good Living. We are definitely trying to help build the gastronomy in the area. Website is being built but have a little facebook page to get an idea of what we are.
Cheers
janette
Wow, such gems! I’m a M’ville local and did not know about the dim sum place, will be heading there this week!
I just want to say that I think your blog is AMAZING and thank you
xx
6 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] Meet My Suburb: A Marrickville, St Peters and Dulwich Hill Food Shopping Tour [...]
[...] pantry finally stocked (I used the smoked rice I bought on my Marrickville tour) I decided, rather foolishly to make this on a day that I was hellishly busy. I thought that there [...]
[...] and will give us a rundown of their products and a sample. With me are buyers from Rockpool, Two Providores, Flying Fish, Australia on a Plate, Bird Cow Fish and Danks Street Depot amongst others as well [...]
[...] like that but kept the sultanas. I also used my favourite ricotta, the gloriously smooth Paesanella ricotta. I then sat back and prayed that it would work. Would it be like the famous Pasticceria Papa [...]
[...] mother lode for cheese, keen NQN readers may have caught up with my adventures in their factory in Marrickville on my previous tour. The Marrickville factory, despite all commercial concerns, is closed on [...]
[...] on twitter where I could buy some.I became addicted to whole milk ricotta ever since I visited Paesanella cheese in Marrickville and Haberfield. The soft, cloud like curds with the rich milky, almost creamy flavour was so much [...]
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