A long time fan of food from Continental USA’s Southern most regions, it’s fair to say I’m not spoilt for choice when it comes to finding food of a similar style here in Australia – not to mention price. Some of the ingredients we just don’t have readily available here while some dishes just aren’t possible to recreate without decades of growing up making them in your own kitchen. All that being said, thankfully every now and then a new venue opens up in Sydney that gives the flavour of the South a good go, and the latest is Miss Peaches in Newtown.
Looking at the images above, you’ll see that they have spent a lot of time trying to get their branding, decor and selection to fit their take on classic American dishes. Though the cost of importing required ingredients keeps the menu on the more expensive side of the spectrum – especially for the area, and you wouldn’t want to compare what you’d get for the same price in the USA – the classic saying “you get what you pay for” certainly applies here, with many of the dishes served as the most authentic versions of the cuisine you’re likely to find in Sydney.
The cocktails, meanwhile, aren’t what you’re likely to find in most American bars. They’ve definitely gone for a unique take on classic American treats in designing a one-of-a-kind cocktail menu in the process. And to be honest it’s not going to satisfy all palates. The “Watermelon Ruby Fizz” ($16 with Tanqueray, sloe, lemon and their homemade watermelon sola) for instance, pictured above, reminds me of the classic American candy the “Warhead” – so if you’re a fan of sour treats, then this is definitely for you, but otherwise you’d best steer clear. Either way, you have to reward points for creativity.
My best advice for the cocktail menu is to let the bartenders know the sorts of drinks you usually like and they’ll try and cater the best one for your palate. Though with a very impressive selection of American beers and spirits, you’ll be more than satisfied elsewhere on their menu. Though I guarantee you’ll find it hard to turn down drinks with names like “Dukes of Hazard” and the “Rum and Raisin Root Beer Float”.
Cornbread. It’s a staple of classic American cuisine, but something almost impossible to find produced well in Australia. It’s here where Miss Peaches strike their biggest achievement – the cornbread sliders (3 for $18) feature the best cornbread I’ve ever had in this country. I’ve already been back for more since I went in to review the menu a couple of weeks ago! And what you find in between the bread is just as good – the mac and cheese balls were my personal favourite and you also have the chicken fried steak, the fried chicken and the beef short rib at your disposal – a treat to say the least.
Their fried oysters (Oysters Bayou Teche, $11) are out of this world, and the crawfish pies ($12, pictured below) are an inspired take on what you’d find in New Orleans, giving it a bit of a Curry Puff feel. Honestly these didn’t go down as well for me as some of the other dishes, but they were the favourite of my guest – so you’re definitely going to want to get plenty to share. There’s something for everyone here.
The tater tots ($8) are spot on, and the accompanying maple bacon ketchup is a nice touch. You’re going to find it hard to share your tots, they’re that good.
Oh, and then there’s the gumbo ($18)! They change it up daily, and today’s treat included smoked chicken and sausage. It’s not spot on to what you’ll get in the deep south – you would generally find it overflowing with meat and vegetables – but it sure does come close. There is a great deal of flavour in their stock, which is definitely where it hits its mark and I highly recommend dipping in some of your tots. The smoked chicken and sausage were both exquisite, too.
By making tracks into the venue on a Thursday night, we were also treated to a live set from Ray Beadle and his band The Silver Dollars. They delivered a mix of soul, blues and jazz music – effortlessly appropriate for the venue – with some of his original music and a few covers to round things out. He definitely helped add in some true New Orleans vibe to the bar, which – as you may know – is famous for the fact that you’ll find live music just about everywhere there…
Our meal ended with the “Slice o’ Sweet Pie”, which for $8 you shouldn’t go past – that’s if you’ve got the room. We enjoyed a Candied Yam (Sweet Potato) pie – which is variation on the classic Pumpkin Pie, cinnamon and all, with a crispy, almost filo pastry – and with a dollop of cream was a indulgent way to end one of the most gluttonous meals I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying in Sydney.
Though its prices may not be what you’d experience in the Southern States of America ($10 for a whole fried chicken and a bunch of sides… you get the drift…), they make it worth your while by providing the closest thing to “authentic” cuisine you’re likely to find in this part of the world. And this is coming from someone who has had more than his fair share of $10 fried chickens in New Orleans. Now that you mention it, I feel like I’m about due for another visit…
Ray Beadle performs every Thursday night through July for free at Miss Peaches in Newtown. Miss Peaches “Soul Food Kitchen” is located at 201 Missenden Road and is open Wednesday at Sunday from 5pm to Midnight. For more information head to their official website or their Facebook page.
