Cultural melting pot of food and footy

Midway through 2006, my wife Kasey and I moved into our house in West Ryde. Within a few weeks, our lives changed. We learnt we were expecting our first child, I got my dream job at the Herald and Kasey finished her PhD. This is a special place for us.

West Ryde is where many cultures intersect. Just up the road is Eastwood, with some of Sydney’s best Chinese food on one side of the station and Korean on the other. There’s also a strong Lebanese and Italian influence in the surrounding suburbs that comes together with the people and food in the neighbourhood.

We are just the second people to live in our house. The original owners built it with materials from the old brick pit just up the road. We’ve tinkered with the place over the years, but the facade remains the same, a nod to all the other post-war era homes along the streets.

This is the centre of our universe. Kasey grew up in Eastwood, while West Ryde sits between the city and my old stomping ground of Merrylands. Homebush Bay is just down the road and the mighty Parramatta Eels rule an area that begins to encroach into Tigers territory.

There’s no such thing as a leisurely jog through the surrounding streets. There are hills everywhere; Tarrants Avenue has a gradient of 20 degrees, while the steep bit of Shaftesbury Road is my own personal heartbreak hill. At some of the peaks, you get panoramic views that stretch from Homebush to the city.

Sometimes I’ll run with my 14-year-old son, Ben. I used to give him a head start and then race him up to the top of Shaftesbury Road. Now the old man needs the advantage. I suspect he secretly slows down just enough to ensure I don’t embarrass myself.

Best cafe? Once Upon a Time. I don’t drink coffee, but if I did this is where I would go. Has old-world charm courtesy of the decor, which includes old-school knick-knacks such as typewriters and the like.

Best restaurant? I can’t split Moeru (Japanese) and Stone Age (Korean BBQ). There’s a reason you can’t book and there are often long queues to get in.

Best beach, park or pool? Totally landlocked. West Ryde is equidistant from every beach in Sydney, but a stroll along the Parramatta River can’t be beat.

First place you take visitors? Ryde Wharf Markets, open every second Sunday. Awesome food, great vibe, set against the Parramatta River.

Perfect night out in your suburb? A walk along the main strip in neighbouring Eastwood, before settling on one of the dozens of Asian eateries.

What would make your suburb better? Less traffic on Victoria Road, the return of the M52 bus route to the city and a decent Thai restaurant.

Best secret spot in your suburb? You can get a men’s haircut for just $15 at Mesuca Hair Studio at Eastwood. Ask for Jenny.

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