The Eathouse Diner

'I'll be your waitress this evening, ' trills an American accent as we settle in, perfectly echoing the classic diner vibe and kitsch tiki touches at this relaxed, but noisy, Redfern space. Young, retro-clad staff zip around the room delivering cocktails, drinks and a menu that mixes the same stars-and-stripes influence with bistro favourites - so cured ocean trout with pickled quail eggs and kipfler salad sits alongside cornmeal-crusted fried okra. The southern-fried spatchcock, crisp yet perfectly moist inside, would give a certain bearded gentleman a run for his money, while a pinto bean chilli with cactus and avocado salsa has a down-home feel matched by a hearty plank of corn bread. A slice of pie is the natural diner-style follow-up, velvety sweet potato and chocolate layers on short pastry making for a rich finale. It's good, honest food that keeps this place ticking over in a suburb where new openings are popping up as fast as the local hipsters can fill them.