@chocolatesuze Whole pig on a spit #tommysbeercafe #sucklingpig #pigonaspit #glebe #sydney #sydneyrestaurants ♬ original sound – ChocolateSuze

It’s my birthday! And since it was a milestone birthday the husband bought me a whole suckling pig and I invited some friends for a porkfest. The pig is marinated in dark beer, then rotisserie-cooked for 7 hours on a wood-fire spit.

There were some snacks while we waiting for the pig to finish up, bread and pretzels with dips and also these golden fried button mushrooms served with pickled gherkin aioli.

The chef then carves and serves plate after plate of deliciously juicy pork, I mean look at this! And the skin! Blistered and golden it was just incredible. The pig is served with sides as well, there was potato salad, pickles, chips, horseradish and mustards galore.

I was worried there wouldn’t be enough food so had ordered the meter long sausage with cabbage and also had to try the free range roasted half duck but honestly the pig is more than enough for 25 people.

And then cake time with a beautiful lemon dream cake from Flour and Stone. We had amazing weather and I truly feel so happy to be able to eat and drink with everyone, this is Tommys Beer Café in Glebe

@chocolatesuze Who else loves sardines #sydney #redfern #spanishfood #sydneywinebar #sydneyrestaurants ♬ Do It Better – Beachcrimes & Tia Tia

I’m always on the hunt for a good wine bar and La Salut in Redfern ticks all the boxes for delicious snacks with pretty well priced beverages. The Catalan-inspired bar has a menu with a seafood focus and we start off with anchovy, tomato and manchego on a Fabbrica cracker followed by a plate of plump sardines with eggplant and pickled onion.

The salmon belly pincho is a must order, the salmon is so incredibly juicy and fatty and goes so well with the salsa verde that we order another serve after the very first bite. We couldn’t resist the mussels with potato chips which are the perfect drink snack and fell in love with Fabbrica’s hot sauce.

The octopus with sobrasada and chickpea is another winner, the octopus is smoky and tender and you’ve got to mop up the sauce with a serve of Fabbrica sourdough.

@chocolatesuze I need more ganjang gejang in my life #strathfield #sydney #ganjanggejang #crab #sydneyrestaurants ♬ original sound – ChocolateSuze

On my search for more Ganjung gejang which are raw crabs marinated in soy sauce I stumbled upon
HANGANG by Mama Park in Strathfield. The banchan is excellent and first out is the sizzling corn with molten cheese followed by spicy soft tofu soup.

We didn’t want to share the crabs so had ordered one each. The taste was just incredible, briny but sweet and just so umami. Squeeze out the crab meat onto some rice and enjoy. Oh and be sure to fill the head with rice and soak up all the juices. We also ordered a plate of the spicy raw crabs and oh boy this is just a flavour explosion, yes it’s spicy but it’s a good level of burning.

We also ordered grilled pork belly which comes with kimchi and onions and staff will help you cook if you dont want to. We cut the pork into bite size pieces so they can caramelise on all edges, I loved the crispy fatty nubbins.