Foodies’ Diary

Big Rig Burgers

Newly opened this month is Big Rig Diner. Now like most of you I enjoy a good burger and from what I have been hearing about the opening’s mini Big Rig beef burgers with beetroot relish, horseradish mayonnaise and watercress, I’m disappointed I wasn’t there to enjoy them. After all who can pass up a Jack Daniels chilli tortilla with guacamole washed down with a punchy margarita from El Jimador? The chef is Zachary Sykes, and the owners of this shiny American diner are Paul Schell and Phil Cawood. They pulled up in a huge Big Rig truck for the opening; bet that played havoc with the Oxford Street crawl!

The Big Rig Diner, 231 Oxford Street Darlinghurst (02) 9332 31 97 www.thebigrigdiner.com

Raw Bar

The standout dishes at Manta have always been the raw ones for me, so I am very excited to hear they have a new Oyster & Raw Bar. If you eat carbohydrates (so out of fashion these days) put down their spectacular hand-picked oysters sourced from Australia’s finest farmers, and refrain from clutching your Manta Martini made from crushed lychees, lemongrass, apple juice and Belvedere vodka for long enough to try the chips. In the words of the barely literate (Bon Jovi): “Manta is one of the best restaurants I ever ate in.  It was killer folks.  Go to this restaurant.  It was that good.”

Manta Restaurant & Bar, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo (02) 9332 3822 www.mantarestaurant.com.au

Food for Friendship

Indian students have been having a pretty rough trot in some areas of this town, so this year’s Indian Australia Friendship Fair (IAFF) seems even more significant. I reckon there’s not much more healing than sharing a meal with someone and here you’ll be able to enjoy a range of Indian cuisine alongside clothing stalls, camel rides, face painting, carnival rides and a host of other cultural displays. Break a pappadum of friendship on Sunday 9^th August, 2009 at the Athletic Centre, Sydney Olympic Park for a bargain $5 entry per person.