+ Mamak

Chinatown meets hipsterville in the surging popularity of Mamak, where lines snake around the block and under the pavilion gates into the pedestrian mall. Thankfully, the usual Asian efficiency means the wait is never long and the roti-making display in the front window is enough to distract (or torture) the hungriest of patrons.

Travis and I popped in for another of our goodbye dinners, starting with the excellent roti banang (egg and sweet onion roti).


The kari ikan blew the roof off my mouth (it's a super spicy, tangy fish curry with okra and eggplant).


Soundtrack: Sparklehorse "Sick of Goodbyes" (RIP Mark Linkous)

+ Malaya restaurant

Shortly after leaving the Newtown Festival, I spent some quality retail-therapy time on King St and at Munky Bizness picked myself up a bargain eggplant-coloured chiffon babydoll dress for an awards dinner in Wellington I was going to later in the week, and a cute vintage dress from Cream on King.

And went on to meet Ems and Chris for cocktails at Cargo Bar (oh that place has seen some better days. And its clientele is not all that different from the Newtown fest crowd), and a terrific meal of Malaysian-Chinese at Malaya, both establishments on King St Wharf, which faces Darling Harbour.


Looking out to the bay, shame the weather was a bit grey.


Turns out we ate quite a bit. Roti Canai and Curry Chicken Sauce, Otak Otak (white fish fillet minced with chilli and spices, wrapped in banana leaf and barbequed), Sayor Otak (silken tofu topped with a blend of eggplant, mushroom, tomato, lemongrass and chilli paste, wrapped in a banana leaf - especially tasty), Chilli Beansprouts and snowpeas, and one of their signature dishes, Szechuan Eggplant. Well worth a visit.