Snack Bar: Sydney’s Latest in Food, March 8, 2024

What’s on around town

• It’s hash brown day at Ricos Tacos, meaning there are $2 chipotle-doused hashies all day – plus $12 Micheladas and what’s likely Redfern’s (or Australia’s?) inaugural hash brown raffle.

• The harbourside Pier Bar is keeping summer on our minds by openings its private pontoon for our weekend pleasure. Laze on the floating deck with libations from the bar, or opt for the Pontoon Kit (a Marg, tacos, guac and salsa for $49).

• Guzman y Gomez is making Mondays excellent with $10 burritos throughout March. You need to order through Menulog , and delivery and service charges will apply – but for orders over $60, delivery is free.

• Tokyo Lamington’s Easter menu is here. Until the end of March, get around yuzu and lamington twists on the classic HCB – or grab a hot cross bun-inspired lamington.

• Carriageworks’ autumn seasonal market will hit the precinct on Saturday March 16, from 8am till 1pm. There’ll be stunning new-season produce – like persimmons, rhubarb and pumpkins – plus hot cross buns aplenty and artisanal Easter eggs.

• The Barrel Room by Akasha has had a menu refresh. Plates like grilled prawns with lemon butter join the charcuterie and pizzas, and joining the barrel-aged brews is a fresh collection of cocktails.

• Incu has collaborated with Gelato Messina and Northern Beaches gallery Hake House on a three-piece collection in celebration of International Women’s Day. Each of the three pieces is inspired by the works of three female artists, who got creative in the ice-cream factory (making bush honey gelato with macadamia fudge, available from March 7 for a limited time). The pieces will be on sale from March 7, with all proceeds from the first month of sales going to Gunawirra , a community-based Indigenous charity.

• Hey, Michelle! You’re up for 50 per cent off your Uber Eats order (up to $50) this week. Coinciding with the “third favourite child” – Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child – starring in an Uber campaign, the deal’s yours if your name’s Michelle, you have an Uber One account and you enter the promo code MICHELLE.

What we covered this week

• Coming soon: The Pellegrino 2000 team is going for round four with Neptune’s Grotto , a Northern Italian joint that’ll have “more butter” in the space underneath their CBD steak joint.

• We found a hot trio of dishes in Surry Hills – including a Sri Lankan-spiced pie and a loaded wrap – that will get you change from a twenty.

• The Magpie , the micro sports bar companion to The Trocadero Room, swoops onto Enmore Road – with Guinness on tap and chablis by the glass.

• Head chef of The Log Cabin, in Penrith, Lauren McKenna chats precise plating and cooking with heart. The Italian-Australian has spent time in the Otto, Est and Three Blue Ducks kitchens, but has found her place somewhere free of a chef’s jacket, focusing on the simple things.

• Avner’s is all about lox-loaded bagels, chocolate babkas and heritage Transylvanian loaves. It’s barely been open for two weeks, but is fast becoming a favourite.

• Chaotic Social’s Chrissy Flanagan chats making friends and making sausages. Plus, her favourite places to eat in Sydney and what’s in store for Chaotic Social’s pop-up at All About Women this weekend.

• Find all of February’s restaurant, bar and cafe openings – and book yourself in at a few for a good-eating month.

• From winning noodle bowls and cactus tacos, to underground cheeseburgers and beachside scoops, the Sydney team picks their favourite dish of the summer.

You might’ve missed

• First look: Lima Bar , from the team behind Surry Hills Nikkei joint Warike, is here to give you the Peruvian goods. Come for ceviche, tiraditos and causas – and of course, plenty of pisco.

• “The best dessert I’ve ever had”: Matkim is leading Sydney’s Korean omakase revolution. You’ll settle in for a good (and long) time at this 18-course spectacle, where you’ll be one of eight guests circling the chef’s table.

• Blockbuster Carlton bakery Self Raised has just got a hot younger sibling, Snack Shoppe in Bexley North. Come to this handsome milk-bar-evoking takeaway window for excellent baked goods and sandwiches.