Not Quite NigellaThe cooking, eating and travel blog of a hungry blogger from Sydney, Australia featuring original recipes, interviews and articles on all things food @

The Winery, Surry Hills

Not Quite Nigella — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:00:05 +0000

Ever passed by a place dozens of times on the way somewhere, pegging it in your mind for a longer, lingering glance but have never stopped in? That happens to me a lot in Sydney where a new, bright, shiny restaurant or cafe seems to emerge from the restaurant ether every few days or weeks [...]

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John and Peter Canteen, Eveleigh

Not Quite Nigella — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:00:40 +0000

It seems I’m trying but failing spectacularly to eat healthily. Perhaps just before Christmas isn’t quite the time to instill a healthy eating regime. Even typing out the words makes a voice inside my head shriek “destined to fail!” but nevertheless, when faced with a meal in front of me, I try and at least [...]

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Butch Foods, Camperdown

Not Quite Nigella — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:00:17 +0000

What’s in a name? When Queen Viv and I drove past Butch Foods one afternoon we were taken by the look , a homespun inviting look but also a name. As someone that was really supposed to be called Selina but never was (and I think it suits me better) I know what a name [...]

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13B, Darlinghurst

Not Quite Nigella — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:00:04 +0000

There could probably be reams of paper wasted on how hopeless I am at following directions. Even though the eatery 13B has the very street number in the lane, I was the person looking around confused and scowling with a facial expression that reads “Where is that damn place?”. I finally figure out where I [...]

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The Pie Tin, Newtown

Not Quite Nigella — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:00:42 +0000

A few years ago I thought it would be fun to make pies for a living. I made them for a restaurant and I made them using the owner’s secret recipes. They were brilliant recipes but sadly I was sworn to secrecy so I am not able to share the recipes with you. So when I come across a [...]

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Mrs Sippy, Double Bay

Not Quite Nigella — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:00:03 +0000

At the risk of telling you my exact age it has been decades since I was last checked in by a bouncer outside an establishment. Although I should add that I only went to establishments that had bouncers when I was a teenager and therefore it was more exciting to get in when you were [...]

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Joe Black, Surry Hills

Not Quite Nigella — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:00:26 +0000

I’m a firm believer in magic. Truly honestly I am and it’s the kind of thinking that makes my very scientific and logical husband just despair and roll his eyes with a tight, tolerant smile (think the same smile one gives to a potentially violent mental patient). So when I see an item on the [...]

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Armchair Collective, Mona Vale

Not Quite Nigella — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:00:59 +0000

Mr NQN has his sporty thing. Every weekend or so he has to run around and get it out of his system. I have a similar thing and that involves shopping. Even grocery shopping to me is fun. So when I got the chance to sneak in a little shopping amongst a lunch I get very excited. [...]

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Clipper Cafe, Glebe

Not Quite Nigella — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:00:40 +0000

“I think life is essentially chaotic and meaningless” Queen Viv said to me one day. “I disagree, I think everything happens for a reason. Like today!” I exclaimed gaily. “OK Pollyanna” Queen Viv said with mirth. You see it’s true. Only that morning Mr NQN had thieved my keys to our precious Purdie the [...]

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Hemingway’s, Manly

Not Quite Nigella — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:00:07 +0000

The menu reads: “hemingway’s manly is a small bar and casual dining spot with it’s tongue planted firmly in your cheek… He (chef Ben Pichon) wishes to acknowledge his influences: the colonel, mr. mcdonald, school canteens, ikea hot dogs & carnivals across the globe.” If there’s one thing I appreciate in any human being it’s [...]

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