Pastizzi Cafe, Newtown

Pastizzi Cafe has been open in Sydney for 15 years and has moved from the South End of King Street to the Eastern end of King Street. There you'll find a menu of pastas and specials. Plus of course a range of fresh and frozen pastizzis from savoury to sweet ones like raspberry and custard and chocolate and ricotta.

It's a girl's dinner out with Valentina and Katie on a busy Saturday night. And a little tip: you definitely need to book ahead for a Saturday night if you want a table, particularly at peak hours. Having said that, while our booking has gone missing staff quickly find us a table.

Valentina and Katie are regulars here and they've tried a lot of the menu. This Maltese Italian restaurant is also BYO and Valentina brings along some celebratory bubbles. Service is really lovely and friendly from the wait staff.

The spinach and ricotta pastizzi, a cornerstone of Maltese cuisine, is like a time cannon and reminds me of when I used to buy these pastries when I was at university. There's flakey pastry and just enough spinach and ricotta filling. The chicken mince and mushroom is also good although this isn't warm unlike the spinach and ricotta one and I prefer my pastries warm as they're infinitely better that way.

"This is our favourite dish," says Katie and the whole family loves it so much that Valentina makes her own version at home and it has inspired my own version of chicken pesto pasta. It's usually made with penne but they always order it with fettuccine instead. It comes with pesto sauce and plenty of pieces of tender chicken breast. I add a bit of chilli and salt and dig in.

We decide to go with one of the specials. The beef pappardelle is also generously sized with so much soft beef and all it needs is a bit of chilli and parmesan on top.

The crab ravioli comes with a ginger broth and is more Asian inspired than anything else. While it's nice to try I think the other items a more to our taste.

The classic pear and rocket salad is done well and I go back for thirds servings of this. There's goat's cheese, walnuts, thinly sliced pear and rocket and a sweet vinaigrette dressing.

There is a display full of desserts and they always go for the classic apple pastizzi. I ask for it to be served warm with a side of vanilla ice cream. The pastry is layered and the apples lightly scented with cinnamon.

So tell me Dear Reader, is there a cafe or restaurant that you frequent so much that you've tried most of the menu? What makes it your favourite? Do you have a pastizzi filling that you like?

This meal was independently paid for.

Pastizzi Cafe

109 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
Phone: (02) 9519 1063
Tuesday to Thursday 10am–11pm
Friday & Saturday 10am–12am
Sunday 10am–10pm
Monday closed