I was in the ‘hood Friday night for dinner with my work besties.  I found myself at our meeting point a little earlier than planned.  Accidentally on purpose, I suspect.  The sun hadn’t yet set, the skies were clear so a little walk through the streets off Darling was the obvious way for me to while away the time.

Quintessential Duck Egg Blue is a furniture store that’s opened since I last visited.  It specializes in found antique and industrial furniture.

The day will come, I hope, that I’ll be able to furnish SSG Manor 2.0 with one or two pieces from them.

If you look closely at the photo above, you’ll be able to see the reflection of where we met for dinner.

Efendy is a Balmain institution.  It’s a Turkish restaurant housed in a converted house with a beautiful courtyard where you can also dine.  We were spoiled with a long table by the fireplace.

May I recommend the Vishnosna?

It’s a prosecco cocktail featuring sour cherry juice and it was just what I needed to celebrate both the end of a long week and a weekend ahead spent with good friends.

The staff were endlessly kind and generous.  We were gifted several dishes throughout the night.

One of my favourite dishes of the night was this one featuring melon and fetta.  I often find Turkish food challenging to appreciate because some of the flavours are so foreign to me but Efendy made quick work of that.  I’ll definitely be back and also intend to explore Anason, the restaurant in Barangaroo that Efendy’s chef has also opened.

Do you have a favourite suburb in your city that you may not live in but love all the same?

Have you eaten at either Efendy or Anason?