Italian Forum Market

Portobello mushrooms
We visited the Italian Forum Markets last Sunday, its much anticipated return appearance after a prolonged hiatus.

The Italian Forum is an ambitious attempt to create an Italian piazza atmosphere within inner-city Leichhardt, Sydney's own celebrated Little Italy. There's a huge square, a fountain, restaurants and cafes in the courtyard, and balconied apartments in lemon-yellow overhead.
The markets were a mix of foods, flowers, arts and crafts. There wasn't as much food as say, the Good Living Growers Markets, but it was a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning, following the snaking alleys with apartments looming above, easily imagining crowded washing lines overhead and an Italian grandmother sweeping the courtyard.

Infinity Sourdough
(based in Darlinghurst--I do have a soft spot for their
buttery crumbly hazelnut-packed shortbread!)

Infinity Sourdough breads

Homemade jams and pickles

Organic free-range eggs

Smoked trout pate from Cowra Smokehouse

Wood ear mushrooms

Nameko mushrooms
Nameko apparently means "slimy cap" in Japanese, and with their distinctive wet texture and a taste reminiscent of cashews, these are the second-most popular cultivated mushroom in Japan (after shiitake).

Chestnut mushrooms

Enoki mushrooms
Italian Forum Market
10am-2pm every Sunday
Forum Galleria, Fashion and Lifestyle shopping level
(above the restaurants and piazza)
23 Norton Street, Leichhardt, Sydney
posted by Helen (AugustusGloop) on 7/24/2006 11:18:00 pm


8 Comments:
At 7/24/2006 11:27 pm,
Anna (Morsels and Musings) said…
i was there too! we bought some mushrooms (swiss and portobello) and i got a trout. twas wonderful! i'm going to enjoy this new little market, considering i live upstairs.
At 7/25/2006 9:15 am,
Veruca Salt said…
I can't believe it missed the nameko mushrooms. How exciting. I have never seen them before in Oz.
At 7/25/2006 11:06 am,
SoRMuiJAi said…
I was a bit disappointed in the number of stalls! I was expecting alot more stalls and alot more food! But that didn't stop me in loading up on the nameko, chestnut and shitake mushrooms. I also managed to grab a bottle of semillion verjuice and dukkah/dip combo! MmmMmm yumm...
At 7/25/2006 11:07 am,
Julia said…
I was planning on going but was at the Forum the night before for a drink and ended up with a massive hangover so could only think of going to a greasy spoon, not gourmet markets! But it's good to hear they are interesting, especially with the mushrooms as I'm a mushroom addict, so I'll have to go next time they're on (weekly? monthly?).
At 7/25/2006 11:08 am,
Julia said…
Sorry - "every Sunday" - yay!
At 7/26/2006 1:45 am,
Helen (AugustusGloop) said…
Hi Anna - Wow. You live upstairs. We always wonder whether the noise on Friday and Saturday nights is totally annoying for residents! It's quite atmospheric though, and handy to shops and transport.
Hi Veruca - Now you know why I dawdle! I can't believe you missed them. You'll have to amble next time =)
Hi sormuijai - Yeah there weren't that many stalls but it was their first week back so it can only get bigger! It had a nice ambience though, and the mood was quite relaxed and friendly.
Hi Julia - Yep they're on weekly. There are also fresh mushroom at the Good Living Growers Markets. 1st Sat every month. Only 1.5 weeks away!
At 7/26/2006 3:17 pm,
Julia said…
I am definitely, DEFINITELY making the next Good Living markets. Can't wait!
At 7/26/2006 9:13 pm,
Helen (AugustusGloop) said…
Hi Julia - Why is July such a long month?!? The first Sat of the month is taking forevvvvvver to come 'round! =)
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