The prime minister is a fan of Greek dips, croissants and dog-friendly breweries.
Securing an interview with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is tough when you’re in the business of writing about food and restaurants. Politicians at all levels tend to have priorities that don’t involve hot takes on croissants.
But when the Labor leader walked past Good Food’s desks at the Herald this week (leaving someone else’s interview), we literally jumped at the chance for a quick chat regarding his favourite local restaurants and pubs. The PM kindly obliged.
Favourite restaurant: Corinthian Rotisserie
Few trade relationships are as strong as those between Albanese and George Giannakelos, the owner of Corinthian Rotisserie in Marrickville. The federal member for Grayndler named the Greek institution as his favourite restaurant in Sydney – and not just because it’s across the road from his office. “Amazing lamb, great calamari,” Albanese said.
George Giannakelos knows the Albanese order by heart: “He gets the cold entree, roast lamb and Greek salad.” The cold entree in question is a mixed platter of tzatziki, taramasalata, skordalia, dolmades and octopus in vinaigrette. “It’s enough to feed about six,” the prime minister said. The Corinthian has been around for 44 years and Albanese has been dropping in for the past 20.
283 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, instagram.com/corinthian_greekrotisserie
Favourite cafe: Kelby’s
“Kelby’s is awesome. I miss their breakfasts very much,” Albanese told Good Food.
The Middle Eastern-inspired eatery has been serving haloumi stacks and Turkish bread French toast for 20 years. Owner Moe Issa said the prime minister used to come in for breakfast but since taking office he’s only had time for takeaway – usually a flat white with full cream milk, made on Kelby’s own house-roasted Tusckar blend coffee.
And what about that breakfast he misses? “I remember him liking our Lebanese plate,” said Issa. The popular brunch dish is made from scrambled eggs, haloumi, lamb sausages, labneh and zaatar, with warm Lebanese bread.
293 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, kelbyscafe.com.au
Favourite pub: The Henson
“I can’t narrow it down to one [pub],” Albanese said, but called out The Henson in Marrickville as being “fantastic”.
“He’s been coming here for around 10 years,” said Henson manager Kate Thomas. “He’s a big Newtown Jets supporter and we’re at the home ground of the Jets. So he’ll sometimes come in after a game.”
Thomas can’t remember what beer the Labor leader drinks, but “he looks like a Reschs guy”, she said. The pub is a community-focused watering hole with a relaxed and welcoming vibe. “You can fly under the radar here,” she said.
91 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, thehenson.com.au
Bakery recommendation: Goodwood Bakeshop
The prime minister seconded the motion that Goodwood Bakeshop in Marrickville makes a first-class croissant. The inner west bakery took out the title of best croissant in Sydney in a recent Good Food taste test.
“Of course I’ve been to Goodwood … they’re fantastic,” the PM said.
“I was in the ’hood on Saturday and the queue was very, very good, so can you stop giving such good reviews to things in the inner west? They just mean people have got to wait for longer.”
Unfortunately that’s a no-go, prime minister: we serve the people.
297 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, goodwoodbakeshop.com.au
Honourable mentions
Albanese also called out “every pub in Balmain” as amazing. There’s certainly no shortage of beautiful old boozers in this part of town, and we suggest starting at the pokie-freeDry Dock or London Hotel.
The PM is also a fan of inner west breweries, putting his ballot in for Willie The Boatman, Hawke’s Brewing, Philter and Sauce. “Outside [at Sauce] is fantastic,” he said. “You can take your dog, which is always a bonus.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was contacted to supply Good Food with a list of his favourite pubs and restaurants, but we have not yet received a response.
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Erina Starkey – Erina is the Good Food App Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Previously, Erina held a number of editing roles at delicious.com.au and writing roles at Broadsheet and Concrete Playground.
