Italian Forum Market
![Portobello mushrooms](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5282%200606.jpg)
Portobello mushrooms
We visited the Italian Forum Markets last Sunday, its much anticipated return appearance after a prolonged hiatus.
![Italian Forum](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5271%200606.jpg)
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](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5274%200606.jpg)
Infinity Sourdough
(based in Darlinghurst--I do have a soft spot for their
buttery crumbly hazelnut-packed shortbread!)
![Infinity Sourdough breads](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5286%200606.jpg)
Infinity Sourdough breads
![Homemade jams](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5296%200606.jpg)
Homemade jams and pickles
![Organic free-range eggs](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5297%200606.jpg)
Organic free-range eggs
![Cowra smoked trout pate](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5276%200606.jpg)
Smoked trout pate from Cowra Smokehouse
![Wood Ear Mushrooms](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5278%200606.jpg)
Wood ear mushrooms
![Nameko mushrooms](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5291%200606.jpg)
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](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5287%200606.jpg)
Chestnut mushrooms
![Enoki mushrooms](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC_5293%200606.jpg)
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 Anonymous on 7/24/2006 11:18:00 pm
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6 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 3:17 pm,
Julia said…
I am definitely, DEFINITELY making the next Good Living markets. Can't wait!
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