It has been more than three years since the attacks on Indian students returning from part-time shift work made headlines. Both the community leaders and police downplayed racism and denied that was the reason behind the violence. Apparently, the more established Middle Eastern delinquents found easy targets among the helpless new arrivals. Nonetheless, crime does not preclude the presence of intolerance, discrimination and sadistic elements to exclude those who are different. Ironically, this sort of bullying behaviour has been accepted by a significant portion of the population whatever their origins and denial has been the convenient recourse.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/harris-park-violence-going-on-for-years-20090610-c2z0.html
Others before had checked out Harris Park and confirmed that calm has returned. In fact the place seemed rather deserted, when a group of us turned up on a weekend. Indian friends have recommended Billu's. It's probably one of the better restaurants in this "Indian enclave"?
Chicken and lamb dishes are all great hot favourites by the locals' standards. An entree for newbies to this area and their cuisine. Nan is a tad softer and less crispy than what we are used to. Since I have very good dal and aloo recipes, we decided to give these a miss - quite pricey considering the ease at which you could whip up such vegetarian dishes. There is even daily set lunch for those who wish to sample a bit of most things. It is served on a not-so-nice metal dish but who cares because that is is a good introduction to unfamiliar dishes, and you won't end up ordering too much of what you may not like.
Service at Billu's was efficient and pleasant. The hygiene standard is impressive. The bathrooms are clean too. Considering they do massive catering for big family events and weddings, a high standard is expected.
Was that a calm before the storm? Indeed, no sooner after we had our fill of a spicy sumptuous lunch, a heavy downpour washed our worries away.
North Indian sweets even by admission of their own people, are overly sweet. So we decided to dash for the Middle Eastern / Mediterranean /or specifically Lebanese sweets. The much touted Sweetland was just at the strategic corner, an excuse to wander while sheltering from the rains. Despite rave reviews, I beg to differ, well, as far as the cakes are concerned. The famous black and white forest cakes are not as good as some say. The cake base lacks substance, probably made from flour mixes with enhancers added.
As the saying goes, you must judge their skills by their speciality. The Middle Eastern offerings are better but not the best available in Sydney metro area. With so many types and quantity made each day, you kind of wonder how quickly the turnover would be to ensure freshness. In this respect, no one could beat the French confectioners.
http://theadventuresofmisspiggy.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/sweet-land-harris-park.html
We never got to find out who the Bollywood actor whose photos were put up outside most grocery store and restaurant. But the colours and architecture of this old estate a stone's throw from the busy Parramatta CBD can be quite charming.
There are only two main streets Wigram and Marion. When there's instability strikes, the whole "suburb" and the vicinity are disrupted. Hopefully, these mindless acts will not happen ever again.
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