When I moved to North Sydney I was delighted to find an organic store so close to home. I worked…read morefor a well known organic beauty store in London for a few years so am always interested to see how we compare in oz on this front. In terms of organic beauty Taste have a decent range - Dr Hauschka, Weleda, Trilogy, Suki to name but a few. They have some men's ranges, plenty of natural soaps, hair dyes, pamper products and baby care skin care. Beyond beauty they have a fantastic range of health foods. I've bought gluten free baking powder, lentil pasta, sprouted bread, coconut yoghurt, seaweed snacks, organic teas, coffees and chocolate - pretty much anything you can think of that Wholefoods might have these guys do too. The difference is, though the shelves are most certainly full, it doesn't feel crammed or stuffy in here. As well as packaged goods there is also a decent selection of fresh organic fruit and veg. It's obviously more expensive than supermarket produce but it tastes more alive. There is a fairly energetic come feisty in-house naturapath in store there most days who is a wealth of information and pretty good at sales (my personal trainer sister walked out with four treatments for her dermatitis). There is a fairly good range of vitamin and minerals. The staff are gentle, sweet and helpful. If you fancy a fresh organic fair trade juice or coffee they can whip one up for you to enjoy on the tables and chairs outside. Mind you, this right on Falcon Street so the car fumes don't bode well for your organic snack - unless it goes straight down the hatchet, that is. Parking available underground on the premises.

There are 2 types of people in this world: those that like chili biltong, and those that have never…read moreherd (zing!) of chili biltong. (Fine, there is a third group, but the less said about them the better, for they are little more than chud-cuddling Morlocks). Used to have to go all the way to Lane Cove, to the specialty Seth Effrican butcher there, to get my hit of biltong and drywoers. Like beef jerky? So do I. But that's for the amateurs. The NCAA players. Biltong is a step up to the Big Leagues, son. You got what it takes to cut the mustard in the Majors? Give the chili biltong a crack. You gotta buy a big 'ol dry-cured chunk of it, and they slice it up for you and hand it over the counter in a brown paper bag, which almost immediately becomes clouded with beautiful oil from the sliced meat. Oh man. This is snack porn. Get on board the B-Train.

It's great to see a butchers again in Crows Nest, especially with the Woolworths temporarily…read moreclosed. I mainly head here to buy chicken necks for the dog - they have them in the freezer, and it's great to not have to head to Chatswood to buy them. They have some great prices on meat, a lot cheaper than Hudsons Meat in Cammeray, the nearest other butcher. I've bought some mince, although should have spent a few dollars more for the lean one. The mini lamb roasts that are sometimes in the window look tempting. Hopefully this business stays, even after the Woolworths re-opens. DOG TIP: If there's no chicken necks in the freezer, ask at the counter because they might be able to bag some unfrozen ones.

Any meat shop with the word "Man" in the name automatically get my vote. Because I'm a MAN, man,…read moreand I need my meat raw and attached to a bone that I can club an enemy with if I'm ambushed in a surprise attack. I cannot tell a lie, the sign saying $7.30/kg chicken breasts drew me in. That's 1992 pricing. Where's Alan Bond? There were three young guys butching their way around behind the counter and I'll tell you, Gen Y can take a leaf out of their book because they were more professional than several bankers I know. Friendly without being familiar, polite without being overbearing, and informative to a fault. Oh and you can buy goat there! Yep. You can choose from different parts, like shoulders, legs, and .... whatever is left, I don't know, I didn't read the sign properly. There's also a huge range of handmade gourmet sausages and great deal where you can get 2kg for $20 (individual kegs are around $14.99.)

I'm a stickler for organic produce - especially when it comes to meat and dairy products. The…read moreantibiotics, hormones and GMO feed non-organic animals are given is rough enough not to mention battery farmed, caged and unethical conditions for the animals. So when I discovered Naturally Organic Meats was about a five minute walk from my house I was suitably thrilled. They have Black Angus cattle, calves, lambs, Inglewood Chicken, Sunforest Organic Turkeys, free-range pork as well as a range of organic products like organic pasta sauce. Their Mediterranean crumbed chicken schnitzel is the best I've ever eaten. The meat is understandable more than you'll find in the Coles across the mall but it really is worth it. My sister bought a supermarket schnitzel from their 'fresh' meat counter and it made us all feel slightly off - like you feel after a fast food purge. You just don't get that with the Naturally Organic Meats. Their number one supplier is "Strictly Organic" and are know in the industry for sourcing only the finest breeders of Australian Organic produce. Breeders include Mark & Kerry Foster of Ellesmere Beef Angus Cattle who have over 30 years of experience in the bio-organic farming. If you live in the Sydney Metropolitan area they will deliver for free if your order is over $100. All the meat is fresh - i.e. not frozen - and delivered in a chiller bag or foam box.

I have been guilty of buying my meat at the supermarket for a couple of reasons. One is convenience…read moreand the second is cost. I have always thought a trip to the butcher (let alone an organic butcher) would increase my weekly shopping bill by more than I cared to imagine. When I started shopping at Coles in Neutral Bay I did notice Naturally Organic Meat & Poultry. One week when I was feeling adventurous I thought I would give it a try. I bought a weeks worth of meat - two rissoles, five rosemary and mint sausages, lamb backstrap and two eye fillet steaks. The grand total came to $35! I couldn't believe such good value! The eye fillet steaks were the highlight of the week with the meat so tender it was melt in your mouth. Naturally Organic Meat & Poultry is now my go-to place for meat -never again Coles or Woolworths!

The Simon Johnson range of gourmet foods is peppered through Delis all over Sydney. Delightfully…read morethe Castlecrag store brings the entire range together for a exquisite shopping experience for a fanatic foodie. Oils, pastas, sauces, condiments, rice, line the shelves. The goods are either 'Simon Johnson' branded or sourced from around the world which convinces me you are getting the best of the best. I love the Simon Johnson curry sauces, particularly the green curry with eggplant and mushrooms ($5.95, serves 2). The in-store fromagerie is great but best negotiated with a member of staff who know their international cheese.

Literally tripped over this place- never would have noticed if not parked outside. One of those…read moreserendipitous events I guess since I now have a new local for herbs and spices and rare ingredients. And somehow an unpretentious and homely cafe pouring lavazza coffee with white fluffy raisin bread and other comfort food is stuck on the front of this tiny emporium, evidently with a big sister cafe in Artarmon. And I unexpectedly had to have coffee and raisin bread and found about fifty bucks worth of spices and stuff I desperately needed. Well worth a visit. So not hipster.

For me not much beats a sunny Saturday strolling a farmers market with an organic mocha and almond…read morecroissant in hand. This is one of the best farmers markets to do that. London and California have some pretty good ones but this is up there with the finest. I love the way the stall make a horse shoe shape around Civic park - you can meander past all the food and finish up in the grassy centre so that you can munch on all your new delights. Last market I bough a giant size broccoli that must have been cut at the roots because it was about the size of five supermarket broccoli attached together. Because they were attached to the main stem it lasted for a good week and a half and that wasn't because it went off but rather we ate all. Even better - it cost about $4 - bargain. Saying that, whilst much of the seasonal fruit and vegetables are reasonably prices many of the other products aren't so cheap. Organic meats, milk, wood fired breads, fresh pasta, bottled sauces, organic coffee beans, gluten free sweets, fresh muesli, tea tonics, natural skin care ranges, fresh flowers, organic cider and a stall with a banana bread stacked wall are some of the pricier items. Some of my favourite buys have been a cashew nut spread, beetroot hummus and edible zucchini flowers. There is usually a good busker strumming out some tunes too - I like to pop him my gold change from that indulgent mocha I bought! It happens on the third Saturday of every month from 8am - 12pm. Under cover parking is available in the Ridge St. car park behind Civic Park.

For as long as I've had a friend living in Cammeray, Jim's Deli has been in operation. A small…read morecorner shop, which, just to complicate things, isn't on a corner. Full of your daily grocery needs, milk, bread, pies, ice creams, bus tickets, movies. They have everything. It's more of a convenience store rather than a corner shop. Though corner shops can be and often are convenient and so perhaps the two are indistinguishable. I'm confusing myself, so I'll wrap this up. Jim's Deli is a little pricey, but you're paying for the convenience like you do at all corner shops. The people behind the counter are a little abrupt, but altogether kind hearted and a part of the community. It's where I buy my Callipo's in the summer.

Eureka! My search for the best coffee in Neutral Bay is over. And it ended so fortuitously. There I…read morewas, having ordered my vege burger from Fab Food, nipping around the corner to get a passable soy piccolo from Chaos, when I saw it- right next door! You know when you suddenly realise that the very thing you have been seeking was right in front of your eyes all along and somehow you were blind to it? Cucciolo is simply gorgeous. The charming kitchen area is as open-plan as it gets, and I am personally a BIG fan of being able to see what people are doing to your food. They specialise in artisan breads and amazing Italian cakes and pastries. And my (Bonsoy- soy drinkers will get it) piccolo was perfect. Just the right strength, not too milky, and my $1.50 home-made date biscotti went down a proper treat. Love!

The BEST thing to come to Neutral Bay ever! When I first walked past Cucciolo I thought I would…read moresee Johnny Depp as it reminded me of the little shop in the movie Chocolate. I've enjoyed the coffee and quiche and last weekend bought my first cake, the chocolate torte for a dinner party. Every one loved it and wanted to know where I had got it from. Topped with blueberries and hazelnuts. Do support Cucciolo - you will not be disappointed. Lyn, Cremorne