Eathouse Diner, Redfern

A brief look at my Instagram and you'd know that I used to spend a lot of time in Redfern. Every time I crossed the intersection of Chalmers and Redfern, Eathouse Diner would catch my eye. It was probably the bright turquoise walls, red and yellow handlettering, and Victorian style hands along with "eat here" on the signage. The wall behind the bar is lit by a string of fairy lights which reflect off of a mirror mounted on the top. This may be one of the best-stocked diners in the city judging from the range of bottles on display.

Reservations are recommended towards the end of the week but it's not all bad if you rock up without one. You can perch yourself on one of the retro bar stools and start with a drink and snack. The 24-strong list of cocktails plus beers, ciders, and wines will have you covered. Eathouse's chargrilled corn on the cob ($6) seems like a good starter to have a giggle over but you might favor the handcut french fries ($8) with sea salt if you're on a first date – it's more friendly towards lipstick and beards.

A house salad ($16) with blue cheese dressing is a safe way to start dinner. There's a reason apple, walnuts, and blue is a classic combination. The Spanish lamb shank ($24) is slow cooked with tomato and paprika but isn't meltingly soft. It's just begging for some toasted sourdough to mop up the sauce. The ruby tuna spaghettini ($22) is hidden under a pile of rocket. A little chili oil and grana padano add an extra kick to an otherwise one-dimensional dish. Let's be honest though, spaghettini isn't a particularly shareable food. Next time, I'd go with a basket of souther fried chicken ($26) with chipotle mayo and lemon. Yum. If you have enough room in your stomach for dessert, the Eathouse mess ($15) sounds like a treat with choc meringue, coffee cream, ganache, and blackberry compote.

Eathouse have recently extended their opening hours to include lunch on the weekends so if you've had a little too much at one of Redfern's many bars – Arcadia Liquors is a favorite of mine – the night before, you know where to go. Personally, I think a jug of Pimm's Cup ($32) and a plate of huevos rancheros ($16) is a killer hangover cure.

Do as I did and bring a good friend so both of you can laugh about the random plants and portraits hanging on the walls all the way up to the ceiling and enjoy a long dinner. The plates are designed to share so it's also a perfect place to get to know someone because there's nothing like awkwardly deciding who gets the last piece of food with a stranger. If all else fails, you can make stilted conversation about the kooky decor.

Eathouse Diner
306 Chalmers St
Redfern NSW 2016
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