Emma’s On Liberty

When Emma and her son Anthony Sofy opened their family-run restaurant in the Inner West, there was no precedent for Lebanese (though it was popular in Western Sydney). The risk clearly paid off, because twelve years later, they’re still serving Enmore locals their family’s recipes on a residential back street. These days, with competitors in nearly every suburb, it’s a big call for Anthony to say their Baba Ganouge ($13) is “the smokiest in town”. I will however concede it’s very tasty, especially when scooped up with Tabouli ($13) or used to moisten cylinders of Moorish Chicken ($20) grilled in Lebanese bread. Overloading on the pastry stakes, I order a hefty eight-piece serve of Ladies Fingers ($16), plump with lamb, pine nuts and pomegranate molasses. My favourites though were both vegetarian: a simple but glorious plate of hand-cut Fried Potato ($12) liberally doused in garlic paste, and Fried Cauliflower ($14) with tangy tahini. To drink you can bring your own ($3.50/head), order from their small wine list, or imbibe one of my favourite pear ciders, Napoleone and Co ($7). There’s also a pleasantly pink non-alcoholic Handmade Rose Lemon Drink ($5), or you can dabble in their counter of (bought-in) sweets, including sticky squares of Turkish Delight ($4.50) they hand dip in chocolate.

Emma’s On Liberty
59 Liberty Street, Enmore
Ph: (02) 9550 3458 emmasonliberty.com.au
Lebanese $$