The Hills district is turning into a bit of a foodie hub with the inner city based Youeni Foodstore opening an outpost at Castle Hill. The fit out is full of clean lines with plenty of wood and glass to create a trendy Scandinavian inspired simplicity which filters through to their basic menu. The ingredients certainly sound quite gourmet, and as a nod to their foodstore name you can even see some of their fresh organic produce for sale, displayed in wooden crates.

We’re here today to have a late lunch and afternoon snack, so we take advantage of the good weather to sit outside. First up was the Wagyu Beef Rump for the hungry boy which featured slices of succulent pan-roasted beef, perfectly cooked with pinkness through the middle to lock in the smokey seared taste.  It also came with a serving of grilled tomatoes and roasted whole field mushroom which were both very fresh, and had soaked up the juices from the meat. The sesame bread roll was crusty on the outside, but soft in the middle and it looks like you can even buy some to take home as it’s for sale behind the counter.

Wagyu beef rump, $22

Their sweet treats are not on the menu but are visible behind the glass display at the counter and I was drawn to the glossy Salted Caramel Tart. The dark colours hinted at the richness which lay within and the first bite of the tart left the delectable salted caramel liquid oozing out from the chocolate tart base. One of the best tarts I’ve ever had – but its not for the faint hearted and is an indulgence best shared.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart, $3.50

The fashionable yet laidback feel of Youeni Foodstore looks like it is already a hit with the locals and their approach of serving up quality produce with minimal embellishment to showcase their fresh flavours makes it a winner in my eyes too. We will be back to try more of their delicious concoctions – both sweet and savoury!

Youeni Foodstore
250-254 Old Northern Road
Castle Hill NSW 2154
Phone:(02) 9680 8885

View Larger Map