A visit to Eveleigh Farmers' market

One of the flower stalls at the markets

 Yesterday I managed to tick off a Sydney foodie 'must do', and something I've been meaning to do for quite some time - Eveleigh Farmers' markets. It's probably one of Sydney's most well known farmers' markets, and it deserves to be. Not quite as showy and glamourous as the Pyrmont Growers' market on the edge of Sydney Harbour, but bountiful and with an amazing range of produce on offer.

The granny bag appeared to be the Urban market goer's bag of choice! We saw many of them!

It's located behind Sydney University, next to the railway line, and near Redfern. The area is bustling with arts projects like the Carriageworks, student buildings and facilities and small businesses. The market itself is housed in a large covered shed that appears to be part of an old railway yard.

Katie and I met early, after all that is strongly encouraged to get the best of everything at Farmers' markets. It was already buzzing, with lots of families bringing their kids for a morning out. There is lots to see and taste, even if you're not really interested in food.

Some of the entertainment

We headed straight to Billy Kwong for their famous asian breakfasts. Pork dumplings, asian pancakes and green tea were on offer. I've heard that Kylie Kwong is a frequent visitor, unfortunately she wasn't on the stall yesterday.

The lovely Katie

Billy Kwong's Asian pancakes

Katie and I chose the pancakes. They were light and flavoursome, and the large quantity of fresh herbs took us straight back to our travels in Vietnam. We also picked up a coffee from Toby's Estate and settled ourselves down on the communal tables at the edge of the market to feast.

The Eumundi Smokehouse

With so much to see we didn't sit and chat for long. We both looked to make some special purchases, firstly chocolate brownies for our absent husbands.  Then some fresh herbs and vegetables, flowers, and handmade butter from Pepe Saya.  I was also tempted by the Fungi stall selling black truffle oil. There were so many stalls that we had to walk up and down at least three times before we could decide where to purchase even.

 

The Bird Cow Fish stand

Fare Gourmet with the biggest selection of brownies ever

I thoroughly enjoyed my morning. One of my favourite ways to spend a girlie morning.

My bounty

Breakfast at Biota Dining - Bowral

Yet again I'm apologising for being a bad blogger. Life sometimes gets in the way of my blog, although I still generally eat well whether I'm taking photos and blogging about it, or not. 

A few weeks ago my family came to visit and we made a 3 day trip down to Bowral.

Conveniently, we were staying in a new self-catered apartment across the road from Biota, somewhere I'd been planning to go anyway.
Biota has been getting huge reviews. Especially for a restaurant that is neither in Sydney or Melbourne.  Gourmet Traveller raved about it here, and has also given it 48th position in Australian restaurants for 2011. Pretty fast moving for a new restaurant.

Enticing open fires. Needed in the Southern Highlands!

 The interiors were beautiful, but low key. The dining room is at the back of the restaurants, and the more casual areas make the most of the location, which gives views over their kitchen garden and a lovely pond.

I loved this series of heavy oil paintings. Intriguing yet warm.

The weather was a little cool, but this outdoor sofa was oh so inviting for another visit!

The kitchen garden

My sister and I popped out for breakfast, making the most of the in-built babysitters, aka the grandparents!
I had read about the truffle & gruyère toastie in the GT review, so I'd decided on what I was going to have prior to getting to Biota. I was desperate for a truffle fix, and the Southern Highlands is one of the best spots to do this in NSW. For only $8 it was totally reasonable too, I was half expecting a truffle surcharge of at least $10 or so, on top of the toastie!

The toastie itself was refined. The sourdough had been sliced razor thin, with gruyère and truffles between each of the 4 layers. The truffles added an earthy richness, so special.

My sister went for a traditional bacon and eggs brekkie. With a huge side of local free-range bacon she was very very happy.

I hope to go back for lunch sometime. They also offer live music for all the family on Sunday afternoons with a long all-day snack menu, very appealing.

Biota Dining

a: kangaloon road, bowral
p: +61 (0)2 4862 2005
f: +61 (0)2 4861 6003
e: info@biotadining.com