It’s no secret that there is a trend towards moving away from buying fruit and veg from the supermarket and buying it from greengrocers or specialist fruit and vegetables shops. We’ve all heard of the apples being in the deep freeze for months before reaching the supermarket shelves and the proof is in the eating and the staying power. Whatever you’ll buy from the supermarket will last less than a week while you’ve paid a premium price. The point was really hammered home to me when I started buying produce from Kirribilli markets. It was a revelation. My lettuce lasted for ages without going brown and shrivelled. The avocadoes ripened quickly and beautifully and when I sliced them open there was not a speck of black, only the most gorgeous unblemished green. The Spanish onions were cheap and lasted for weeks, perhaps more but we used them all. If I could buy all of F&V there I would but since they’re only at Kirribilli once a month, I’m left to fend for myself in the F&V wilderness.

Kirribilli markets

When I heard that Flemington markets had set up a markets to you delivery service where they delivered to you a box of fresh F&V for $45 I was curious. $45 is the Movers box, ideal for couples. There is also a Standard box suited to a family of 4 for $55 and a Family box which is 1.5 times the size of the Standard box for $68, all delivery costs included. I never get out to Flemington markets, it’s too far away and they close too early on weekends for me. So this was the next best thing. And I love being a guinea pig so I was eager to try this service.

Ordering was fairly easy, they have a website where you specify which items you want and don’t want and then pay online. You can also choose 1/2 size, full size or double size serves of a particular fruit or veg. There was a glitch in the payment area, I didn’t get the chance to put in my credit card but the website thought that I did. A customer service person Patty rang me that afternoon to take my credit card number and she gave me some hints as to how to order. She suggested taking out celery and lettuce and items that take up a lot of room. I told her that I really love baby spinach, mixed salad leaves and rocket and a function where I could put a preference for certain items would be useful. She let me know that I would receive an email asking for feedback and that I should put that in.

My haul $45

One thing I did have issue with was the courier, Fastway couriers. I’ve previously had very bad experiences with them as our intercom doesn’t work all of the time and despite being given instructions to call us they never do so we don’t get our packages. I expressed my concerns to Patty and she said that she would try and get one of their own delivery people to deliver it to me. She called back later saying that she wasn’t able to get them to deliver to our area on that day but she had put a large note on top with our number and not to leave it at the door.

The note about the intercom, of course ignored by the courier …

And of course you guessed it, on the day of delivery, Fastway just left the box downstairs at the front door without calling us. Luckily there was no-one wanting a free box of fruit and veg. And of course there is a very clear note on the top saying “CUSTOMER WILL BE HOME ALL DAY, DO NOT LEAVE AT FRONT DOOR. PLEASE CALL XXXX XXX XXX FOR CUSTOMER TO COME DOWN” which was promptly ignored.

I received a 45cms x 30cms x 30cms box about 2/3 rds full (it should have been about 1/2 full). This is what I received, a rather impressive haul I thought:

• Apple: 3 x green = 380g
• Apple: 3 x Royal Gala = 346g
• Baby spinach: 86g bag
• Bananas: 2 green 2 yellow =642g
• Bean Sprouts: 250g bag
• Broccoli: 1 head 384g
• Capsicum: 1 red 246g
• Carrots: 5x=470g
• Cauliflower: 1/2 head 502g
• Chinese Cabbage: 1/2 head 1.108kg
• Continental parsley: 1 large bunch
• Coriander: 1 bunch
• Cucumber: 2x=258g
• Eggplant: 1x small=250g
• Grapes: 1 bunch 398g
• Lemon: 1 large 186g
• Lettuce hydro: x1
• Mandarins: 6x=510g
• Mixed leaf salad: 100g bag
• Onion: 1x red=164g
• Oranges: 3x=924g
• Parsley: 1 large bunch (Continental)
• Parsnip: 1 large 284g
• Potatoes: 7 large Desirees =1.784kg
• Rocket: 92g bag
• Rockmelon: 1 x 1.176kg
• Shallots: 1 bunch 5 shoots
• Sweet Potato: 2x =680g
• Tomatoes: 4 vine ripened =546g
• Zucchini: 2x= 300g

Total cost $45 including delivery -13.8kgs including box weight

I missed out on 1 spanish onion, a lot of baby spinach, rocket and mixed salad and 1 parsnip. However I can’t complain in the slightest as I suspected I had overpacked my shopping list. However as I mentioned, a facility where you can rate the importance of the items would be useful as I would have happily ditched the oranges, some potatoes or chinese cabbage for my beloved salad leaves.

Rocket with brown spots (1/4 was unmarked)

After 4 days

Capsicum with worm-organic without the benefits

As the week went on, I noticed that some items went bad quite quickly, a mandarin turned black within 3 days, my one and only red capsicum had a large worm boring through it (yes I heard from my vegetarian in laws that it means that it’s closer to being organic but do I care? I needed to go to the store now to buy a replacement for the dinner party), the rockmelon started to go bad after 3 days, most of the rocket had brown spots on it and a tomato started to go bad after 4 days.

After 1 or 2 days

The worst item (apart from the capsicum with the ghastly worm) was probably the hydro lettuce which I tried to eat a day or two after receiving it only to find that it had brown spots all over it and I could only salvage a tiny handful of the entire lettuce.

After 1.5 weeks most of the items had started to deteriorate so I wouldn’t necessarily use this for a 2 week shop like some people might want to. The items that remained in good condition for a 2 week period were the sweet potatoes, chinese cabbage, cucumber, apples, parsley, grapes, lemon and onion.

I am in two minds about ordering again. Quite frankly if they are going to use Fastway Couriers I think I’d hold off until the body corporate fixes the intercom (and knowing body corporates, it might be never) . Also the good thing about picking things yourself is that you notice the little things and you take care and time and pick the best produce yourself-I could tell from the start that the red capsicum that it wasn’t quite right. I had a potato that was burnt on one end that could easily have been seen had I packed it myself. They have a refund policy if you find that your F&V isn’t up to scratch, you photograph it and send them the pic but you may get sick of taking pictures of bad fruit and vegetables.

Potato with burnt part

In any case, I contacted them to let them know my feedback and they gave me a $7 credit for the substandard fruit and vegetable. When I asked if the credit could be in the form of a refund they agreed to that but said that it would be 3-4 weeks before it appeared. Patty also told me that they were no longer using Fastway Couriers for the North Shore as they had received a lot of complaints about them in this area so instead, her husband would take over the deliveries but would only be able to do Thursdays. So there is hope!

There is an offer, if you mention someone that has referred you, you will get $10 off your first order and the referee also receives $10 off their next order so feel free to mention “Lorraine Elliott”!

Coles

To buy this from Coles it would have cost me:

• Apple: 3 x green = 380g $1.51
• Apple: 3 x Royal Gala = 346g $1.72
• Baby spinach: 86g bag $1.72
• Bananas: 2 green 2 yellow =642g $0.82c
• Bean Sprouts: 250g bag $1.89
• Broccoli: 1 head 384g $0.91
• Capsicum: 1 red 246g $1.47
• Carrots: 5x=470g $1.16
• Cauliflower: 1/2 head 502g $2.48
• Chinese Cabbage: 1/2 head 1.108kg $2.96
• Continental parsley: 1 large bunch $1.98
• Coriander: 1 bunch $1.98
• Cucumber: 2x=258g $0.76c
• Eggplant: 1x small=250g $2.48
• Grapes: 1 bunch 398g (black Muscats were on sale at my Coles) $1.58
• Lemon: 1 large 186g $0.64c
• Lettuce hydro: x1 $1.68
• Mandarins: 6x=510g $1.50
• Mixed leaf salad: 100g bag $1.98
• Onion: 1x red=164g $0.81c
• Oranges: 3x=924g $4.60
• Parsley: 1 large bunch (Continental) $1.98
• Parsnip: 1 large 284g $2.55
• Potatoes: 7 large Desirees =1.784kg $5.35
• Rocket: 92g bag $1.83
• Rockmelon: 1 x 1.176kg $3.48
• Shallots: 1 bunch 5 shoots $1.88
• Sweet Potato: 2x =680g $1.34
• Tomatoes: 4 vine ripened =546g $4.90
• Zucchini: 2x= 300g $1.19

Total: $61.13

And as friendly as the Coles F&V guy is, the produce does look a bit sad at times but the proof is in the lasting and it certainly doesn’t last very long. This is my local Coles at Warringah Mall, obviously there will be slight differences in price according to area.

Woolworths

To buy the same box from Woolworths it would have cost me:

• Apple: 3 x green = 380g $1.89
• Apple: 3 x Royal Gala = 346g $1.71
• Baby spinach: 86g bag $2.22
• Bananas: 2 green 2 yellow =642g $0.86
• Bean Sprouts: 250g bag $1.78
• Broccoli: 1 head 384g $1.52
• Capsicum: 1 red 246g $1.47c
• Carrots: 5x=470g $0.79
• Cauliflower: 1/2 head 502g $1.85
• Chinese Cabbage: 1/2 head 1.108kg $2.98
• Continental parsley: 1 large bunch $1.98
• Coriander: 1 bunch $1.98
• Cucumber: 2x=258g $1.28
• Eggplant: 1x small=250g $1.99
• Grapes: 1 bunch 398g $2.20
• Lemon: 1 large 186g $0.92c
• Lettuce hydro: x1 $1.24
• Mandarins: 6x=510g $2.02
• Mixed leaf salad: 100g bag $2.84
• Onion: 1x red=164g $0.81c
• Oranges: 3x=924g $3.66
• Parsley: 1 large bunch (Continental) $1.98
• Parsnip: 1 large 284g $2.55
• Potatoes: 7 large Desirees =1.784kg $4.63
• Rocket: 92g bag $2.66
• Rockmelon: 1 x 1.176kg $4.97
• Shallots: 1 bunch 5 shoots $1.98
• Sweet Potato: 2x =680g $2.02
• Tomatoes: 4 vine ripened =546g $4.90
• Zucchini: 2x= 300g $1.43

Total: $65.11

Woolworths is definitely the more expensive of the two supermarkets although they do push the “Fresh Food” line a bit. They also have white corn and I have to say their produce looks a bit better than Coles, however I rarely buy from Woolworths so I don’t know what the lasting power is like. We priced this at Woolworths Neutral Bay (note: not such a hot pick up joint any more!)

Paddy’s Markets

Paddy’s Markets

To buy it from Paddy’s markets, it would have cost me:

• Apple: 3 x green = 380g $0.38c
• Apple: 3 x Royal Gala = 346g $0.35c
• Baby spinach: 86g bag $0.86c
• Bananas: 2 green 2 yellow =642g $0.77c
• Bean Sprouts: 250g bag $1.20
• Broccoli: 1 head 384g $0.76
• Capsicum: 1 red 246g $0.49c
• Carrots: 5x=470g $0.47c
• Cauliflower: 1/2 head 502g $1
• Chinese Cabbage: 1/2 head 1.108kg $1.50
• Continental parsley: 1 large bunch $1.50
• Coriander: 1 bunch $1.50
• Cucumber: 2x=258g $0.26c
• Eggplant: 1x small=250g $0.75c
• Grapes: 1 bunch 398g $1.39
• Lemon: 1 large 186g $0.30c
• Lettuce hydro: x1 $1.00
• Mandarins: 6x=510g $0.91c
• Mixed leaf salad: 100g bag $1.00
• Onion: 1x red=164g $0.32c
• Oranges: 3x=924g $1.37
• Parsley: 1 large bunch (Continental) $1.00
• Parsnip: 1 large 284g $1.42
• Potatoes: 7 large Desirees =1.784kg $1.42
• Rocket: 92g bag $0.92c
• Rockmelon: 1 x 1.176kg $1.50
• Shallots: 1 bunch 5 shoots $1.20
• Sweet Potato: 2x =680g $0.68c
• Tomatoes: 4 vine ripened =546g $0.87c
• Zucchini: 2x= 300g $0.30c

Total: $27.39

However with a lot of Paddy’s fruit and vegetables, a lot of it is slightly bruised and in some cases on it’s last legs. I never buy things like tomatoes there. Things such as eggs and noodles and fresh herbs aren’t bad but generally you’re getting end of line produce and diving into the crowd is an experience in itself. It is however terribly cheap so you balance the crowds and potential for short shelf life F&V with price. Paddy’s Markets is also only open Thursday-Sunday and we went to do our price check on Sunday afternoon, when the prices were at the lowest.

Paddy’s Markets

Flemington Direct: http://flemingtondirect.com.au/

Paddy’s Markets: open Thursday-Sundays. Hay Street, Haymarket Sydney: http://www.paddysmarkets.com.au/

It’s not often that my husband suggests that we visit a place to eat. I know, deep down, he hopes that I will give up the food reviewing portion of my blog and just do cooking. Not that he is a killjoy or trying to kitchen enslave me, rather he was brought up not going to restaurants. Apparently the one time that his family went, as they were raw food vegans it ended up causing such a kerfuffle it gave him Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However this day, he was so fascinated by the enormous queues spilling out of Satang Thai that he actually suggested that we go.

The reason why there are such queues? The price apparently and it’s prime location right near UTS University. The food must also be good as there are a huge number of eateries to choose from. It’s 9.15pm on a Wednesday night when we arrive and still there are crowds outside, mostly students waiting for takeaway. We take a table right at the front and decide on our order. There are dishes starting at $5 for a thai soup with chicken to $6.50 for BBQ pork and noodles. There’s only one dish that breaks the $9.80 price barrier at $13.50. I order and pay up front and we take our seat and wait. There are only enough seats for 20 people to eat in and for most of the students around us, it’s probably easier to eat at home.

We’re waiting for between 5-10 minutes for our meal and once it arrives it looks and smells good. There is a slightly creepy sensation as if we are being watched. I turn around as I feel all eyes upon us. Indeed the large crowd on the footpath awaiting their takeaway are hungry and are feasting upon our food with their eyes. They’re fairly close and it feels like there are 20 other people seated at our table but not eating. Slightly creepy. Next time we’ll get a table inside if we can.

I try the Drunky Chicken noodles ($8.50). I’m not certain what makes it Drunky but it’s quite delicious. It’s heady in garlic and that fragrant licoricey Thai basil. The chicken pieces are clumped together and there are other vegetables and egg in it as well as thick rice noodles evenly coated with the garlicky, sweet scented sauce.

I next try the Seafood Laksa ($9.80). The Laksa soup is deliciously creamy and flavoursome. There are large, fresh garlic scented prawns and firm tofu chunks. The squid is a bit of a let down though being extremely chewy.

It’s not fancy food and not the kind of place to take a date to but for value for money, we feel like we’ve hit the jackpot. And at 9.55pm, 5 minutes before closing, finally the crowds have died down.

Satang Thai

20 Quay Street Haymarket Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9280-0956
BYO Cash only
Open 7 days until 10pm

The idea of a book shop and cafe appeals to me enormously. I love the idea of reading while waiting for food to arrive. Not that I have anything against conversation - a book can often be something to start a conversation. The thing about reading a newspaper while waiting for your brunch is that I cannot stand the newsprint on my hands. Yes, it’s another sign of my OCD but I just cannot abide getting my fingers blackened. That’s why I read all of my news on the internet. Awful I know.

So when we walked past Sappho books and saw their picture of a leafy courtyard cafe out back we thought we’d stop here for brunch. We walked in through the shop, past the bookshop into the cafe section and order and pay at the counter. As I am not very hungry we order a grilled chicken panini and an apple and cinnamon bread with ricotta to share. We take our number out to the deceptively large courtyard. There are plenty of seats, the most prized one among the science fiction books looking out towards the leafy courtyard but unfortunately that table is taken so we walk to the back and take a seat where there are many plants but no books.

After watching many episodes of Kitchen Nightmares and The Chopping Block we were just the other week discussing that we’ve been relatively lucky in never having to wait very long for our meals. Our run came to an end here. The paninis, although pre-made (I didn’t realise this until after I ordered them) just need a light toasting along with the apple and cinnamon bread. But its 20 minutes later and we’re still waiting. My husband enquired and we were assured that they wouldn’t be long. 5 minutes later they arrive, I assume after being forgotten they were then toasted when reminded by his enquiry.

Chicken panini $9

The panini is delicious with chicken breast, sun dried tomatoes, olives (scant), lemon mayo, rocket and cheese with the panini soft and chewy on the inside and toasted on the outside. Its thick in filling which I like although I confess that when I finished my half, I didn’t think I could eat a whole one as it gets a touch dry.

Apple and Cinnamon bread $4 with ricotta and lemon side $1 extra

The apple and cinnamon bread with a side of cinnamon dusted ricotta and lemon is beckoning me with its enticing cinnamon aroma. Its thick and studded with apple pieces and cinnamon and although the ricotta at first seems not sweet enough, after a few bites it’s definitely the one to order again or at least try to make at home.

Sappho Books Courtyard Cafe

51 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Sydney NSW Australia
Tel: +61 (02) 9552 4498
Open 7 days including pbluc holidays 8:30am-6.30pm
http://www.sapphobooks.com.au

Its comforting to know that, whilst Sydney property prices go through the roof, that it is possible to get a bargain in this city. Not only that, but the bargain is food related and available until 4pm. Of course the thing that I’m talking about is Breakfast, specifically the Big Breakfast at La Vera which, for a princely sum of $6.50, you get 2 eggs (poached, fried or scrambled), tomato, bacon (and there’s a lot of bacon), toast and a hash brown. I only need to tell my husband the price before he readily agrees.

There are three outside tables (all quickly snapped up) as well as a lot of seating in the wood panelled room indoors. We order a Big Breakfast ($6.50) and a Country Breakfast ($11) which includes the same as the Big Breakfast with the addition of mushrooms, a sausage and a small orange juice. And because we see a small child nearby with a lovely lilac hued drink, the Blueberry smoothie. Service is efficient and friendly and we’re not wanting for anything, when I drop my napkin, the waitress whisks it off the floor and returns with new replacements.

Big Breakfast $6.50

We don’t wait long for our breakfast and I try the big breakfast first. The tomato is only one slice but its tasty when combined with super crispy hash brown. There is a huge tumble of bacon which is very well cooked and the scrambled eggs are nice and creamy but not particularly equitable in comparison to the amount of bacon given.

Curiously the toast is sporadically buttered in patches with both breakfasts. Surely buttering is done in one swift motion and doing small blobs is harder?

Country Breakfast $11

I try the country breakfast sausage and the mushrooms and the sausage is interestingly, deep fried. It works however and whilst not the most cardiacally sound, its flavoursome with a slightly crunchy exterior. The mushrooms are good but again, not very plentiful. Comparing the two, the bargain to be had here is definitely the Big Breakfast.

Blueberry smoothie $4.50

Our blueberry smoothie, served in a Beck’s beer glass is mildy sweet with real blueberries and is refreshingly cold.

At night, La Vera turns into a pizza and pasta place. But for now, we’re happy visiting prior to 4pm and having our big breakfast.

La Vera Café restaurant

Open 7 days for breakfast, lunch and dinner until late. Breakfast served until 4pm.
Tel: +61 (02) 9660-5063 or +61 (02) 9552-6336
109-111 Glebe Point Road, Glebe (near Mitchell Road)
Visa and cash accepted

There’s a lot to be said for standing out in a crowd. Especially if it’s for good reasons rather than bad. On busy restaurant Glebe Point Road, Flying Fajita Sistas stands out for its name and whimsical artwork depicting Mexican winged fairies. It’s not your typical sombrero decorated Mexican food joint. The atmosphere is that of a funky family or best friend run restaurant. I’m assuming the girl at the front in the bright blue Mexican style dress (with a touch of Tree of Life) is one of the said sistas.

The “Wall of Pain” Chili sauces to make you regret

We walk upstairs past the intriguing 4 row display of chili sauces named the “Wall of Pain” featuring such stomach clenching sauces as “Sudden Death” and “Kiss Your Ass Goodbye” and walk past 3 staff members who in turn greet us with a big smile and hello. It’s all very welcoming and we’re left to ponder the menu, full of sopes, dips, burritos, tamales, enchiladas, chimichangas and of course fajitas done with a myriad of different fillings from Achiote pulled pork, chicken and mole rojo, corn & cheese, mango & cheese (vegetarian), sweet chipotle chicken, King prawns, steak, frijole beans (vegetarian) and braised chile and onion (vegetarian) . Narrowing the choice down to just one is hard but I am convinced by my waiter’s recommendation of the Pulled Pork Quesadilla ($18.90). I also order a single tamale ($6) as I’ve yet to try one, only knowing of the phrase “hot tamale”.

We order and sit back and enjoy the view. There’s a cute little private balcony with enough space for two couples. It’s hard to talk as there isn’t a lot of soundproofing and since it’s Saturday night and everyone around is a bit jolly, we mostly lip read.

Whilst we are waiting two small trays of mexican spiced green olives arrive-they’re delicious and lightly spicy.

Quesadilla with Achiote Pulled Pork $18.90

We’re not waiting long when our dishes arrive on round edged rectangular plates and they’ve got us drooling from the look and aroma. My Quesadilla with Achiote Pulled Pork ($18.90) has four huge quarters of crispy edged quesadilla which are absolutely packed with soft, stringy but delicious pulled pork. There’s so much pork filling that it’s bursting out in a blissful, bounteous manner. They quesadillas are covered with a glorious riot of red cherry tomato salsa and accompanied by salad and mexican rice. Delicious as it is, I simply cannot finish this large a serve and the remaining half is gratefully snatched up by my eager and hungry husband who adores this. He has this earmarked for a future visit.

The King Prawn Fajitas come out on a sizzling cast iron tray on a bed of sauteed onions and capsicum along with a separate warmer of 4 flour tortillas and a cute compartmentalised tray of fillings ranging from sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos, pineapple, cheese, chili sauce and sour cream as well as salad, mexican rice and black beans.

Fajitas $24.90

They smell heavenly and I am eager to assemble my Fajita. There isn’t a great deal of each topping and each compartment is quite shallow to boot, with only a tiny handful of cheese and the chili sauce is very mild. The mexican rice and black beans are a great combo together though and I find myself going for these rather than a second Fajita (also due to impending satiety). My husband complains that while it tastes fabulous, he would need double the amount for him to get full. Anneli though finds it just right for her and the Assman wants another 1/2 serve to feel full. What is good though is that the cost of ordering King Prawn Fajitas is the same as the Vegetarian or Frijole bean version.

I try some of the Vegetarian Fajitas and the vegetables made up of sweet potato strips, zucchini and capsicum are delicious. Actually I could see myself ordering this and being quite happy with it.

Frijole Chimichanga $18.90

I try some of the Chimichanga ($18.90), a name that has Tuulikki stumped so that we resort to calling it a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for her. It’s a deep fried flour tortilla filled with Frijoles and fried til crispy. It’s good if a touch dry due to the frying, the outer reminiscent of that of a Samosa. Still the filling is delicious and Tuulikki is immensely happy with her selection.

Frijole Enchilada $18.90

I try some of A’s Frijole cheese scorched Enchilada ($18.90) and whilst it’s good, I know that the Pulled Pork will always get my vote over the Frijoles although I do like the softer less crunchy at the edges of the Enchilada and melted cheese on top.

Throughout our meals, the water is regularly topped up by our waiter and we’re asked if anything is needed without being too pushy. Nothing is ever a problem and they seem genuinely interested to see that we enjoy our meals.

Curiously my Tamale never arrives but by then I am too full from my meal to even consider this and they deduct this from the bill without any fuss. Our bill arrives in a cute little card decorated with the Flying Fajitas design. As we can’t do much talking and we are full to bursting, we’ll forego the desserts, exit past the mix of traditional and modern Mexican painting and photographs and the Ubiquitous Wall of Pain and get farewelled by the Sista in the blue dress.

Flying Fajita Sistas, Flavours of Mexico

65 Glebe Point Road Glebe 2037
Tel: +61 (02) 9552-6522
Fax: +61 (02) 9552-6855
http://www.flyingfajitasistas.com.au/