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Located at: 341 King St. Newtown 2042 95000750
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Table Talk by Linda Arnull The topsy turvy ever expanding universe most of us inhabit is presented in an interesting microcosmic form at The Little Casbah recently opened by Victor and Daria. Victor's previous life involved marketing and events management, but he likes to cook (and he can) accompanied by New Zealand chef, Adam. Daria does some IT work from a home office and is also an accomplished belly dancer. Resident artist Darren is happy to draw portraits of patrons and reportedly whipped up an oil painting of a recent visitor in an evening. He presented Angela and me with flattering likenesses. There is a tropical fish tank and a cocktail bar. Breakfast (all day) can be had as well as lunch and dinner. The music is excellent and the atmosphere relaxing while celebratory in a friendly sort of manner. I could go on but I ought to relate my Little Casbah experience succinctly as I can while remembering that one does not always have to make sense and be linear all the time. Life is much more exciting that way. Angela tore herself away from her Italian boyfriend to accompany me on my journey to Little Casbah. On Victor's advice we started wi8th strawberry daiquiris and garlic bread. I suspect he has made the odd daiquiri in his time for our drinks provided a refreshing relief on a particularly humid evening. For Entree: Moroccan Lamb Kebabs - marinated char grilled lamb served with cous cous, ratatouille and wild mint yogurt and mushrooms in a cream and garlic sauce chosen from the dozen or so tapas available. The lamb was superb and tender and a gorgeous start with fluffy cous cous and a sweetly spicy tomatoey sauce. The mushrooms were fabulous - cream and garlic together in one dish is certain to meet with my approval. At this stage, Angela and I were sharing a perfectly chilled bottle of Wynns Coonawarra Riesling. For her main course, Angela opted for Mediterranean pan fried duck, while I chose the Gnocchi with fresh prawns and smoked salmon in a cream, wine, Pernod, garlic and herb sauce. this was the largest serving of gnocchi I have ever seen. I was unable to (ahem) clean my plate which is indeed a rare if not unheard of occurrence. Perhaps we needed a little more time in between courses. Angela was happy with her duck served on sweet potato mash with bok choy and a chilli ginger soy dressing. So was I. I was bitterly disappointed and ashamed of my inability to partake of a dessert. If only I was able to finish this wonderful meal by choosing such tempting offerings as Creme brulee with raspberry coulis or Thai style coconut crumbed banana with caramel sauce and ice cream. Alas, this was not to be. Angela and I left just before 11pm (she was meeting the boyfriend). the place was "goin' off" with customers with smiling faces seated at the tables and lounging on the lounges. Had we just been to a restaurant, a friendly relaxes bar, or a party with friends? Does it matter? Perhaps it is all and more. The past, the present and the future seem to hang together in wonderfully quirky manner at the Little Casbah.
Food Review by Nicola Conville Little Casbah on King Street has a small but varied menu, catering for most tastes. For starters we chose the 'tapas for two' (between three of us!), which, at $22, is good value, and pretty substantial. You can choose four of ten options, served with large triangles of bread. We opted for the chilli prawns mushrooms in garlic and cream sauce, chorizo, and meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. Between two it's almost a meal in itself. For main course I went for the Paella - perfect rice and lots of nice big hunks of seafood served in a cast-iron pan. One companion chose a fettuccine marinara which was also rich in seafood and served in a tomato and merlot sauce. The third member of our party picked the real winner - delicious pork ribs in a spicy maple soy sauce. Little Casbah boasts theme nights as well as fine food. Tuesday night is movie night, and for something more playful, you can catch 'Turkish Delights at Twilight' - a night of belly dancing for just $25 including the banquet.
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