Sydney on Sunday

Stazione Espresso, Surry Hills – Rating: 17/25

Dane — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:40:36 +0000

Stazione Espresso

Welcome the new kid on the block! Stazione Espresso, provider of extraordinary coffee blends now has its own café in Surry Hills. You may have noticed the brand at other cafés or their coffee carts being towed around town.

If you didn’t know their café’s address, you wouldn’t know it was there. Some milk crates and small tables serve as the outdoor seating. The interior is decidedly more comfortable and filled with the aromas of food and coffee beans. I suggest you grab a table with one of the couches, you’ll sink in quite comfortably.

This Sunday morning was quiet due to the fact that this is a young, hidden establishment. So pay them a visit and let me know what you think too…

Flat white

Skim flat white

Cappuccino

Affogato

Yes, the coffee is as good as you imagine! Ristretto, espresso, long black or (why would you…) Salvatore instant all cost $3. Milk based cups of macchiato, piccolo, flat white, cappuccino or latte are $3.50 for regular or $4 for large.

A bargain for well made, robust and deep flavoured cups.

Our affogato came with a bit too much gelato but a few spoonfuls later and it was ready for the hot coffee to be poured over. It was indulgent and delicious.

Chocolate gelato milkshake

You can pick from four flavours of gelato for the milkshake ($6) – chocolate, vanilla, strawberry or caramel. An extra scoop of ice cream would have been appreciated. The flavour was great but there was just too much milk in comparison.

In case you’re wondering, the other gelato flavours on offer are boysenberry, coffee, lemon/lime and blood orange.

Bruschetta al pomodoro

Yes there is a breakfast menu (I’ll get to that later) but the brunch/lunch menu contains some gorgeous dishes too! The bruschetta al pomodoro ($7.50) boasts a stack of tomato, Spanish onion and herbs atop oil and garlic brushed toast. It is all well seasoned and a suitable dish to cut up and share round a table.

Other dishes on the lunch menu include insalata caprese (sliced tomato, basil, oregano, anchovies, buffalo mozzarella & chilli black olives drizzled with cold press olive oil and glazed balsamic vinegar, $15.50), antipasto (pancetta, serrano prosciutto, mortadella, sopressa salami, milawa blue cheese, crotonese pecorino, dolce provolone with black Italian chilli olives served with bread, $22.50) and traditional lasagne (bolognese with rich Napoletana sauce served with salad, $15.50).

The Italian influence permeates most of the dishes with unmistakable herbs and flavours. We found the entire menu was teaming with fresh ingredients and overall it was quite refreshing to see fare we don’t usually come across.

Farmer Jo toasted muesli

If you’re after something fresh and fruity to start your morning, the Farmer Jo toasted muesli ($9.50) will hit the spot. While credit for the muesli (which itself is delicious) goes to Farmer Jo, the yoghurt, stewed fruits and honey all add a tremendous amount of flavour. It’s not the most elegantly presented dish but the size for the price and the taste got the thumbs up from my guest.

Scrambled eggs

I myself make a concoction similar to what you’ll find in the scrambled eggs ($14.50). The cacciatore salami adds some spice and a smoky flavour through the eggs while onion, spinach and roasted tomato blend it all together quite well. Scooped onto toast, this is a highly recommended winter dish. The potatoes were slightly undercooked unfortunately but I would happily order this again (and ask for the potatoes to be cooked longer).

One of my guests also tried the baked bacon, cheese and egg ($7.50) which is served on a toasted damper bun. Due to some bad lighting, the picture isn’t worth publishing however I consider my guest who tried this, to be the authority on rolls, wraps or any other handheld breakfast dish. He appreciated the abundance of the promised ingredients and the fact that the roll had been cooked enough for the cheese to be completely melted. The baked bacon in the roll as well as requested on the side of the bruschetta was a cut above what I normally try in my weekly exploits.

Two of the breakfast delights I’d like to try are the eggs Benedict (poached eggs, ham or salmon and hollandaise sauce served on toast, $15.50) and Sicilian breakfast (eggs, chorizo, cannellini beans, mozarella cheese and Napolitana sauce baked in a terracotta hot pot with crusty toasted bread, $16.50).

Even if you’re not hungry, you should definitely drop in for coffee in a relaxed atmosphere. Whilst I could find small things that I would improve with each of our dishes, I’m happy to have been witness to the beginning of Stazione Espresso and I wish them luck for the future.

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Overall Rating: 17/25

Website: http://www.stazioneespresso.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/Stazione.Espresso.Coffee
Phone: 9281 4071
Address: 35 Foster St, Surry Hills, 2010

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash

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Filed under: Sydney - CBD Tagged: Dog friendly, Outdoor seating, Reasonable prices

Panama House, Bondi – Rating: 21/25

Dane — Sat, 11 May 2013 22:35:13 +0000

Panama House

One of my favourite cafés in recent months has been Brown Sugar which is similar to Panama House in many ways. They’re both in Bondi, serve great, original food & drink from morning to night and they’re licensed.

Panama House adds some spice to the way they do things. Think Cajun, New Orleans, tacos and crab & iceberg sandwiches… yeah we have a winner on our hands!

Every table has some of their signature house salsas including habanero, smoked tomato and pineapple & chilli to name a few. The tomato was my favourite and any food lover needs to do themselves a favour and come down to try these.

Courtyard

The pavement seating can be noisy on busy Bondi Road but it’s a perfect vantage point for people-watching. There is also seating at the counter, a cosy, vibrant interior and a compact courtyard out back.

Staff can make or break an establishment and I found those at Panama House to be faultless. They know the dishes, they’re quick and they have a sense of humour. Sarah, our waitress also remembered the entire order of our table of six which is no mean feat!

Long black

Cappuccino

Coffee? Outstanding. $3.50 for regular, $4 for strong or large. Ours was right on the mark.

Spicy tomato juice

Spicy tomato juice ($6.50)… yes it’s like a Virgin Mary. Those who ordered this thoroughly enjoyed it. It has heat and a good kick but I prefer mine ‘bloody’!

Seasonal fruit smoothie

The seasonal fruit smoothie ($7) will obviously change depending on when you visit. Today’s version had sweet chunks of pineapple, ice and some crunchy fruit seeds I couldn’t discern. Either way, it was fantastic.

Corned beef hash brown

A typical Panama House dish. They take the normal, add some new ingredients and some spice and turn it into something outrageously good. The corned beef hash brown ($17) sits at the bottom of this stack. It has a very crunchy shell and a melting interior with shreds of fall-apart corned beef. Then there’s buttered spinach, a poached egg and chipotle hollandaise which I couldn’t get enough of. I could only fault one thing with this dish and that is it was too small. I’m not really complaining though… because that meant I could order the corn fritter as well…

Oven baked sweet corn fritter

It’s not often I have a faultless dish. I enjoy my food explorations but the hash brown and the corn fritter ($18) from Panama House are now close to the top of my list. A light, puffy fritter, crisp lettuce, crispy delicious bacon and a perfectly poached egg with one of the best condiments I’ve tried. The smoked tomato salsa was sublime – not much kick but I couldn’t help spooning on more from the jar on the table. Why do you not sell it bottled, Panama House?!

Eggs any style with sides

The more conservative tastes at the table ordered the eggs any style ($11) which comes with grilled sour bread (“otherwise known as toast” chimed in Sarah) and baked tomato. The kitchen successfully served the eggs as requested: eggs over easy. There are plenty of sides to choose from including spiced black beans, smashed avocado ($4 each), bacon, tequila-spiced gravalax salmon or black pudding ($5 each). There buttered spinach ($4) and bacon with my guests’ dishes both received rave reviews. Happy customers!

Buzzing interior

There is so much to like about Panama House. The flavours in the food blew me away and I intend to return for dinner very soon. The only let-down were the prices but having said that, I have no issue paying $17 for an outstanding dish (even if I did have to order two)!

Other breakfast offerings are the breakfast taco (scrambled egg, spicy holy trinity and coriander sour cream, $12.50), huevos rancheros (corn tortilla, spiced black beans, smashed avocado, smoked tomato salsa, poached egg and chipotle hollandaise, ($16) and muesli (old school fruit salad, rhubarb & mixed berry compote with vanilla spiced yoghurt, $13).

Lunch and dinner menus are available on their website and a highly recommend you take a peek!

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Overall Rating: 21/25

Website: http://www.panamahouse.com.au/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Panama-House/103490289786805
Phone: 9365 0839
Address: 251 Bondi Road, Bondi, 2026

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash

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Filed under: Sydney - Eastern Suburbs Tagged: Disabled access, Dog friendly, Fresh fruit and vegetable stores close by, Outdoor seating, Water glimpses

The Fern, Redfern – Rating: 14.5/25 (re-review 3)

Dane — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:57:08 +0000

The Fern

I am happy to be proven wrong but in my opinion, a star has fallen amongst Sydney’s café scene. April and I have been to The Fern numerous times before (review 1, 2, 3) including for dinner but now with a menu change and what appears to be a dwindling customer base, I’m not sure what the future holds.

While the service from the lone waitress was reasonable enough, the fact that her other staff had not turned up and that it took about five minutes to calculate the bill did not help. The only consolation is that this was on a public holiday. I was very disappointed though to see that the breakfast menu is a shadow of its former self, comprising seven dishes. Only cash is accepted however that is hopefully a short term restriction…

Cappuccino

The coffee ($3) barely justifies a mention unfortunately. Weak and not enjoyable at all.

Freshly squeezed orange juice

The freshly squeezed juice (regular $5, large $7) available today was orange (as the apples had not yet arrived). Fresh it was, although not cold at all.

Bacon and cheese toastie

I thought a toastie was a jaffle/pressed sandwich while my guest thought it would be an open sandwich. The bacon and cheese, bacon and egg or salami and cheese toastie ($5 each) at The Fern is instead based on a small, quite sweet, soft bun. Our bacon and cheese example was reasonable. The bacon was nice and thick but because of the bun, it was overall a bit too sweet.

Eggs “your way” with sides

With no more corn fritters or Fern’s Benedict and very few other items, I was worried for a second that I would not find any remnants of my favourite dishes. Luckily the pulled pork still exists as one of the sides that can be added to the eggs “your way” ($8). The eggs are served with toast and you can add any of the sides including smoked pork belly, bacon, pulled pork ($3.50 each), avocado, beans ($2.50 each) or smoked salmon ($4.50).

I enjoyed the pulled pork but it didn’t wow me like it used to. I was happy with the eggs and overall presentation though.

It’s obvious that I left feeling very flat and can only hope that things turn around quickly for The Fern. If you have been recently, what did you think?

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Overall Rating: 14.5/25

Website: http://www.thefern.com.au/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fern-Food-And-Drink/233571256683243
Phone: 8399 0070
Address: 4 Pitt Street, Redfern, 2016

Payment Options: Cash only

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Filed under: Sydney - South Tagged: Disabled access, Dog friendly, Outdoor seating, Parking close by

Dose, Willoughby – Rating: 19.5/25

Dane — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:29:35 +0000

Dose

Dose – I love the name and I love that this humble café embodies the passion of baristas and coffee lovers alike. Ristretto, espresso, chai, cold drip, they do it all and they do it well.

The interior is tiny but they make excellent use of it. Nothing beats snuggling in next to a bean roaster while sipping your favourite brew, bathed in sunlight. The tables spill out into a small arcade with some seating edging into the miniature parking lot.

Ordering and paying is done at the counter but the young, fast and friendly staff will have your items to you in no time.

Cappuccino
Flat white
Large cappuccino

Our coffees were simply amazing and at $3.50 for all the ‘normal’ cups, I was surprised at the price. You can of course splash out on the Single Origin of the week ($4), chair latte brewed with chai leaves, cold drip of the week, organic RFA Belgian hot chocolate or mocha ($4.50 each), affogato with gelato of the week ($6.50 each) and a plethora of other coffee-centric beverages.

Our coffee had a deeper flavour than most other cups we have sampled. Suffice to say if you’re after a decent coffee on the North shore, this could very well be the place for you!

Seasonal fruit salad

We started with a shared seasonal fruit salad ($9) and added yoghurt for $2. Dose also obliged and added a small bowl of honey as requested. Grapes, pineapple, watermelon, rockmelon and kiwi all topped with a thick yoghurt sprinkled with raspberries… fresh and delicious.

Brekkie toast

The brekkie toast ($10) comes with bacon, tasty cheese, mayonnaise, tomato and rocket on schiacciata. I requested a fried egg inside as well. This was accepted at the cash register but my money was returned to me later and I was told the request could not be met. While disappointed, I understand as it appears that most of the food preparation is done before Dose opens and all staff are occupied with serving thereafter. Either way I enjoyed my sandwich which had some delicious bacon. The mayonnaise (and some seeded mustard) wasn’t over done which I was thankful for as it could have drowned out the rocket and bacon.

Bacon and egg roll

The bacon and egg roll ($10) is simple enough but tasted great. Plenty of eye bacon, two free range eggs, a sweet tomato relish and tasty cheese. Whether on the run or sitting down, this would be a crowd pleaser.

Crushed avocado, grilled haloumi, roasted tomato & basil pesto on sourdough

It’s all in the name with the crushed avocado, grilled haloumi, oasted tomato and basil pesto on sourdough ($14). Dose did actually accommodate our request in this case and added bacon for us. This dish was as good as it sounds. The saltiness of the haloumi and bacon complimented the avocado superbly while the toast alone was crunchy and delicious. Any dish with bread can also be prepared gluten free.

Dose – coffee heaven

While all dishes at Dose are quite small, we were satisfied with our shared salad and sandwiches. Others that sound great are the scrambled eggs with roasted tomato on sourdough ($10), wholemeal crumpets with Nutella ($6), homemade rice pudding with cinnamon and pomegranate ($9) and a variety of muffins, cakes and slices…

“Muffins, cakes and slices”

I was genuinely surprised and happy to stumble upon Dose and I’m looking forward to returning. If you see me there in my Sydney on Sunday T-shirt, be sure to say “hi”!

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Overall Rating: 19.5/25

Website: http://www.facebook.com/dosesydney
Phone: 9967 2552
Address: Shop 6, 191 High Street, Willoughby, 2068

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash. No split bills

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Filed under: Sydney - North Shore Tagged: Disabled access, Dog friendly, Free range eggs, Gluten free options, Organic Options, Outdoor seating, Parking close by, Reasonable prices

Tablespoon, Lindfield – Rating: 16.5/25

Dane — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 02:14:10 +0000

Tablespoon

I set out to visit Tablespoon with their pulled pork on my mind. Having tried their sandwich featuring this ingredient, I was keen to savour it again but other menu items distracted me…

Tablespoon is located in the car park of Lindfield shops and thanks to it being situated on the corner, guests have the choice of sitting outside in the sun or the shade, as well as inside. Wherever you choose, eating is plentiful. The interior is very clean, open and industrial and not as noisy as I was expecting (the clientele seem to be quite docile and relaxed).

I had no problems with the service during our visit but at the same time there was nothing standout about our interactions either. They were courteous and professional however.

Berry smoothie

We were off to a great start when I tried my berry smoothie ($7.50). It had a decent thickness and best of all, a tremendous mix of berry flavours. This was definitely one of my favourite smoothies in recent months and they can also be had with mango, passionfruit or banana.

Milkshakes (regular $4, large $5.50) are also available in all the usual flavours.

Cappuccino

Our Di Gabriel coffee ($3.70) continued the run of fabulous drinks with our cups of artfully presented and created brew certainly ticking all the boxes.

T2 teas are available for either $4 or $4.50 as well as beer ($6-$7.50) or wine by the glass ($7.90-$9) or bottle ($28.50-$39.90) at lunch time.

Corn fritters with bacon

The corn fritters ($18.90) were the culprits for taking my attention away from the open sandwich of pulled sticky pork with apple and roast crackling straws ($19.20). I craved the flavour of this Sydney breakfast classic. Tablespoon offers theirs with either smoked salmon or bacon and both are served with lots of smashed avocado.

I enjoyed the flavour of the fritters themselves and they were fluffy albeit a bit on the dry side. You couldn’t argue with the portion size though – very generous with lots of everything (notice the second layer of bacon and avocado between the fritters).

French toast

The special this weekend was French toast with bacon or banana ($16.90) but my guest ordered both which I think was a wise choice. The toast was thick but because it was a brioche, it was delightfully soft and easy to cut. The banana was slightly pan fried as we had requested and the bacon was crispy and plentiful.

The weekend ‘brunch all day’ menu has plenty of dishes to satisfy including the Tablespoon BLT with fried egg & tomato chutney on Turkish roll ($14.90), eggs Benedict with ham or smoked salmon (which would make it eggs Atlantic) ($16.90), double baked spinach & ricotta souffle with roast tomato sauce & parmesan and a slice of sourdough bread ($18.90) as well as a plethora of sandwiches, muffins and cakes.

If you’re in the area, you should definitely visit Tablespoon for their lunch sandwiches. While the breakfast was enjoyable, nothing was exceptional other than the coffee or beverages. But for caffeine addicts, maybe that’s enough!

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Overall Rating: 16.5/25

Website: http://www.tablespoon.net.au/
Phone: 9416 1662
Address: 12 Tryon Road, Lindfield, 2070

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash. No split bills

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Filed under: Sydney - North Shore Tagged: Disabled access, Dog friendly, Outdoor seating, Parking close by

Shenkin, Erskineville – Rating: 17.5/25

Dane — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:58:59 +0000

Shenkin

Shenkin has prime position on Erskineville Road. I have never seen it quiet so be sure to get in early or be prepared for a short wait. As we stood next to the massive window, watching the barista work his magic, we couldn’t help noticing the stream of gorgeous pastries and cakes marching out the door. The croissants with chocolate lining every ‘ridge’ looked incredible (and were sold out when we later tried to buy one).

A rustic and homely interior awaits inside as well as a menu with decidedly Middle Eastern (especially Israeli) influence. The large range of food options means that Shenkin is well equipped to deal with most tastes. The seating on one side of our bank of tables was a church pew and there are plenty of kitchen items from years gone by to keep you interested. We were definitely charmed by the string and pulley mechanism running the length of the interior which connected the kitchen to a bell at the front to alert waitstaff of ready meals.

Cappuccino

The coffee ($3.50) tasted so great that we had to go back for more cups. They know what they’re doing here.

Banana milkshake and strawberry smoothie

Milkshakes ($6.50) are available with all the usual flavours while the smoothies ($6.50) are available with mixed berry, mango, banana or strawberry. These were a mixed bag for us. The banana milkshake was a hit, full of fresh flavour and decently thick while the mixed berry smoothie was a bit lackluster on the berry side of things. It had a good consistency but was just let down in taste.

Israeli big breafast

Israeli big breakfast

I went straight for the Israeli Big Breakfast ($19) as soon as I saw it on the menu. With no exposure to this before, I was excited to see what this would be like. As you can see, it is quite a feast. Not mentioned on the menu but included was a small spirit glass with layers of sweetened strawberry, yoghurt and muesli. The slice of apple can be used as a scoop and this was a great way to start. The other components clockwise on the plate are two eggs (done any way), labne, smoked salmon, marinated capsicum (this may change as it was not on the menu), tuna and a tomato, cucumber and onion salad (pretty much a staple part of an Israeli breakfast). I can honestly say that I enjoyed every component and you can find a few different ways to combine them on the toast. The tuna was flavoured with lemon and plenty of pepper. The eggs were perfectly poached while the labne was smooth and probably the most flavoursome component. If you have not tried an Israeli breakfast before and these ingredients sound enticing, you will thoroughly enjoy this.

Bacon and egg wrap

The bacon and egg wrap ($11) looked plain and simple enough when it arrived. But cut it open and you’re greeted with crispy bacon, scrambled egg, sauce of your choice and the killer addition…

Bacon and egg wrap

melted cheese! Overall very flavoursome, moist, great textures and filling for the price.

Beef burger

Some uncommon dishes are available at breakfast time at Shenkin including sandwiches, wraps and salads (I’ll give some more info on those later) but one of my guests today was happy to see the beef burger ($17.50) on the menu. There are no extraordinary ingredients here but a large beef patty, cheese, fresh tomato, lettuce and homemade tomato relish made for a tasty burger. He found the patty slightly underdone to his liking but Shenkin will alter the cooking time to suit your taste. The chips on the side were served with tomato sauce and a very garlicy aioli. They were a suitably crunchy addition.

One of the most popular Israeli dishes is without a doubt shakshuka ($16) which is that country’s version of baked eggs. Based on a tomato, capsicum, and onion sauce, Shenkin’s version includes two baked eggs in the centre. You can also add some extra flavour in the form of eggplant and haloumi, beans and corn or chorizo (total $19 each). We saw plenty of these dishes being served and they looked & smelled unreal.

The wraps ($15) also prove to be very popular and you are certainly spoiled for choice. Hummus & falafel, kebab, schnitzel, eggplant or roast beef to name a few.

Chocolate and poppyseed pastry

Babka

There are treats for the sweet tooth as well. Not only as main dishes in the form of pancakes (mixed berry, chocolate or banana, $14.50) or Belgian waffles (with banana, strawberries, ice cream and Belgian chocolate) but also as pastries and cakes. Our first pastry was not overly sweet but packed with the strong unmistakable flavours of poppyseed and chocolate – it was a definite winner. The babka meanwhile was moist, sweet and so good, the guest who ordered almost wouldn’t share!

Without a doubt, if you have a passion for food, you will love the dishes at Shenkin. The flavour combinations are inspiring, the coffee is uplifting and the pastries are indulgent.

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Overall Rating: 17.5/25

Website: http://www.facebook.com/shenkincafe
Phone: 9550 5511
Address: 53 Erskineville Road, Erskineville, 2043

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash

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Filed under: Sydney - Inner West Tagged: Disabled access, Outdoor seating

Le Village, Hunters Hill – Rating: 15.5/25

Dane — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 07:04:13 +0000

Le Village

Le Village could be seen as V2.0 of La Grande Bouffe which April and I have reviewed twice before (review 1, review 2) and enjoyed both visits. While retaining that café, the owners have broadened their sights and brought their French influence to Hunters Hill. The café that was previously here has been expanded both inside and out. Because of this, you certainly won’t struggle to find a seat.

I’ll get one thing out of the way straight away and that is the points lost due to the service. We all found the waitstaff to be quite inefficient – one incorrect coffee, one incorrect dish, a replaced menu item which I’ll get to later, two trips to the counter for things that had been overlooked or simply because of lack of interest in our table and a general feeling of indifference shown towards us.

I was expecting something more polished and a bit more personality or friendliness would have been appreciated.

Flat white

Cappuccino

One incorrect coffee order later and we received our cups. They were well made and definitely tasted good. Cups are $4 and bowls are $5.

Hot chocolate

The table’s veteran hot chocolate ($4) drinker enjoyed her cup but thought it was a bit small. As with the coffees, we have had better value cups in our exploits.

Freshly squeezed orange juice

Freshly squeezed orange juice ($6) or bottled juice (apple, orange or pineapple, $4) is available. Our fresh orange was ice cold which is a bonus.

Fresh fruit salade with chevre yogurt [sic]

The small but high quality fresh fruit salade ($13) was served with chevre yoghurt on top. Kiwi, strawberry, peach and blueberries, all of which was fresh and ripe.

Bubble & squeak

The bubble & squeak ($16) is complimented by some fantastic-tasting caramelised onion. A duck egg is usually served on top although today’s guest preferred a ‘regular’ one. She enjoyed her dish and saw no need to add the accompanying HP sauce. The potato was fluffy and well seasoned.

Baked eggs

It wouldn’t be breakfast in Sydney without baked eggs ($15) at the table! Le Village’s version is served in a shallow dish and comes based on a fairly thick sauce. It’s still liquid enough though and is delectable when scooped up with the toast. The sauce is full of rich tomato & herbs and some pieces of chorizo add more spice to the affair. I could have eaten two of these because of the small size but that would have made for a pricey breakfast.

Le Village big breakfast

The menu doesn’t say what the Le Village big breakfast ($19) includes so we can dispel the myth! Eggs done any way, bacon, tomato, beef sausage, mushroom and a small amount of thick fries. My guest said that everything with his dish was to be expected. Nothing unique but it was exactly what he was after: big.

Poached eggs with avocado, fetta and sourdough toast

Despite the caption, you will notice a distinct lack of avocado in the photo. One of my guests ordered the poached eggs with avocado, fetta and sourdough toast ($15) but received the scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and capers on sourdough ($15).

No matter… we’ll send it back and they can correct the order. Then out came the above dish. I carried it back inside to say that the order was wrong again only to be told that it was indeed correct: when Le Village runs out of avocado, they substitute it with salmon! I’m sure I don’t need to mention that this is a massive assumption for obvious reasons. Luckily my guest eats salmon but if she hadn’t, she would have been waiting for at least ten minutes while they prepared her new dish.

Having said this, she thoroughly enjoyed her food, especially the abundance of smooth feta and the perfectly poached eggs.

Our bad experience with the service was not over though. I went inside to order more coffee because of the lack of interest shown in our table and then back to fetch the bill for our table. While the services left us feeling neglected, we did enjoy the food. For the sweet tooth, the waffle with cinnamon butter, chantilly creme and marinated saltanas ($14) or one of the many pastries ($4) will definitely hit the spot.

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Overall Rating: 15.5/25

Website: http://www.facebook.com/levillagehuntershill
Phone: 0409 994 694
Address: 37 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill, 2110

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash

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Filed under: Sydney - Inner West, Sydney - North Shore Tagged: Disabled access, Dog friendly, Outdoor seating, Parking close by

Chez Dee, Potts Point – Rating: 22.5/25

Dane — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 01:20:16 +0000

Chez Dee

Two adjoining terraces in Potts Point have officially joined the list of one of our favourite breakfast spots in Sydney.

A love of food and a definite knack for interior design make Chez Dee immediately warm and homely. From the top-tier goods and home grown delights in the ‘grocer’ section to the small but distinctive menu to the all important caffeine factor, Chez Dee definitely needs to secure a position on your ‘to visit’ list.

Hugo’s Lounge

It’s also dog friendly to the point where Hugo even had a spot of his own!

Depending on when you arrive, you may need to wait (while drinking coffee of course) if you require a particular table such as on the verandahs outside or the big table inside. There are also couches upstairs.

Flat white

Cappuccino

They know their beans at Chez Dee and the coffee ($3.50) means business! Sourced from nearby Gypsy Espresso, our cups were outstanding with strong flavours – we’ll definitely be back for more!

Freshly squeezed pineapple and mint juice

Chez Dee has your fresh juice ($6.50) cravings sorted. Orange, apple, pineapple, watermelon, carrot, beetroot, ginger, mint or celery are available. Our glass of pineapple and mint was big and refreshingly cold.

Banana, cinnamon, nutmeg and honey smoothie

The smoothie ($6.50) menu has the classics but also something for the adventurous. Cocoa, honey & avocado or mixed berry & balsamic? I suggest trying before turning up your nose because if my banana, cinnamon, nutmeg and honey endeavour was anything to go by, they will be excellent. The nutmeg and cinnamon added a delightful twist to a banana smoothie with good consistency and plenty of fresh fruit.

Fruit salad with mint, rosewater and love (that’s what it said!)

So the menu said that the fruit salad with mint and rosewater ($8) includes love and it certainly does! The pieces of apple, strawberry and pineapple had all been delicately cut so that every spoonful tasted like an entire salad! Some delicious yoghurt on the side cut through the sharpness of the pineapple. Unfortunately one of my guests managed to claim the final mouthful which contained the leftover juices and rosewater!

Croque monsieur

Now that Yellow has closed and the best Croque Madame in Sydney crown is up for grabs, it is apt that we sample the Croque Monsieur (Croque Madame is also available for breakfast, for $12.50).

Simply put, I could have devoured two of these. Scrumptious crunchy toast, a decent amount of gruyere and plenty of ham. Indulgent and delicious. I would be very keen to try the madame version…

Scrambled eggs with herring caviar and sides

One of my favourite breakfasts of recent months. I was sold as soon as I read scrambled eggs with herring caviar ($16.50) on the menu. I added sides of goats cheese and salmon ($4 each). The scrambled egg alone was terrific – I think I may have to raid Chez Dee’s recipe book! The goats cheese was served atop wilted spinach. The salmon worked perfectly with the eggs and I was in flavour heaven with this dish.

The ‘grocer’

Unpretentious and warm best sums up the vibe here and I am looking forward to a return visit. Some other dishes to try would be the poached eggs with hollandaise and mushrooms ($15.50), poached eggs with smashed avocado, mint, feta and lime ($15.50) or a sandwich from the ever-changing lunch menu.

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Overall Rating: 22.5/25

Website: http://www.facebook.com/ChezDeePottsPoint?sid=0.48799309809692204&ref=br_tf
Phone: 8354 1544
Address: 62 Kellett Street, Potts Point, 2011

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash

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Filed under: Sydney - CBD Tagged: Dog friendly, Free range eggs, Fresh fruit and vegetable stores close by, Organic Options, Outdoor seating, Parking close by

Beejay’s Café and Wine Bar, Marrickville – Rating: 19/25

Dane — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 01:09:40 +0000

Beejay’s Café and Wine Bar

Beejay’s Café exudes a friendly vibe. As soon as I walked in, smiles were visible all around. The aroma of beans, the personable waitstaff and a well-comprised menu with a sense of humour made for a fantastic start to a Sunday morning. I did find the waitstaff to be a bit too keen when it came to clearing the table and there didn’t seem to be a clear enough division of tables between them. We were asked by three different people if we wanted to order coffee!

The design is very quirky. Bicycles and tricycles abound inside and out. Those relics of the past, cassette tapes, adorn one wall while another plays home to photographic devices of yesteryear. There are no bad seats here… you can choose the counter at the front which is perfect for people-watching, slide onto a couch inside or sit back in the courtyard through to the rear.

Freshly squeezed orange juice

Two freshly squeezed juices ($6.50) are available: orange or apple. Pure orange, plenty of ice… you can’t really go wrong! Delicious and refreshing.

Flat white

Latte

Piccolo

Single Origin’s Moustro blend beans are served here and the result is enjoyable. This week one of my guests sipped on a piccolo ($3.50) which I believe is a first for SoS. Our inaugural piccolo drinker!

Teas ($4) are also available but those after something a bit more interesting should look at the ”Shak’n Not Stirr’d” section with mixed drinks such as Tropicana (muddled lemons & limes, passionfruit, vanilla infused rapberries, shaken & topped with soda) or Orange Fizz (muddled orange, mint, brown sugar, lemon & sherbet, shaken & topped with soda) ($6 each).

Those in search of hair of the dog will find sanctuary here too with Aperol spritz ($11), Bloody Mary ($15) or Espresso Martini ($15).

Banana Man

The Smooth Operator

I was too slow this morning to think of a response to the waitress declaring “Smooth Operator” as she presented the drink. She has probably heard it all before anyway, I’m sure.

The Smooth Operator ($8.50) boasts vanilla infused raspberries, ice cream and fresh passionfruit pulp. The unmistakable flavour of raspberries with the tartness of the passionfruit and the smoothness of the ice cream made this a winner. It wasn’t too thick which mean I could enjoy it straight away and didn’t have to wait for the ice cream to melt.

The Banana Man ($8.50) rounds up the usual suspects of banana, cinnamon and honey but throws in ice cream and muesli to create a thick and tasty smoothie. It’s always nice to find a café that tries to do something unique (and succeeds).

Breakfast polenta

While there are plenty of dishes with bacon (and even steak) on the menu, there are a number that are perfect for vegetarians. The breakfast polenta ($13.50) is one of them. The polenta has a smooth texture and is flavoured with parmesan, subtle seasoning and butter. In the centre you will find two poached eggs with runny yolks, mushrooms and spinach. The flavours were a bit mild for my guest this morning but that might be just what you are after…

The salsa eggs

Another vegetarian dish that we sampled was the salsa eggs ($14.50) which features a generous amount of grilled haloumi on Sonoma bread. The two poached eggs on top and the haloumi are flavoured by a fresh tomato, Spanish onion, coriander, chilli and lemon juice salsa. We weren’t sure what kind of salsa to expect and imagined a sauce as opposed to the chunky condiment you see above. The flavours were bold but didn’t drown out the haloumi which is cleverly what the chef would have intended. It’s quite a light meal so you may even have space for a muffin after!

Bacon n egg burger

Personally, I don’t think you can name a dish a ‘burger’ if it doesn’t have a pattie of some sort but that’s a discussion for another time!

The bacon n egg burger ($10.50) was the lone dish at the table which contained meat. There sure was plenty of crispy rindless bacon while the tomato and lettuce were fresh and crunchy. The egg was still oozing and mixed with melting cheddar from above. A dollop of ailoli worked brilliantly and the toasted bun had been brushed with garlic oil which made it even better. A highly recommended dish.

For the very hungry, there is the Chimichuri steak n’ eggs ($16.50) which sounds like a mountainous combination of grilled steak, chimichuri seasoning, a salsa of salsa verde pesto, parsley, coriander, chilli, garlic and lemon servied on a bed of duck fat potatoes, fresh watercress, truss tomatoes and a sunny side up egg. The duck fat potatoes alone were what almost tempted me to order this. On the lighter side is the avocado crostini (avocado, lemon salt, tomasco and fresh basil on thinly sliced linseed crostinis, $9).

Wine, cocktails and boutique beer are served through to the evening so morning, midday or night time, you’ll find a welcoming light on at Beejay’s.

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Overall Rating: 19/25

Website: http://www.facebook.com/beejayscafebar?sid=0.017318048980087042
Phone: 9558 8860
Address: 395 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, 2204

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash

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Filed under: Sydney - South Tagged: Outdoor seating, Reasonable prices

Excelsior Jones, Ashfield – Rating: 19/25

sydneyonsunday — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 03:22:47 +0000

Excelsior Jones

Look out! Café fever is heading west. This week we discover Excelsior Jones, a hip new café in Ashfield, which is just as happening as any in Surry Hills. We bundle into the car early on a Sunday (10am is early for us, anyway) and are met by a bustling interior. After a short wait we are led through the tasteful, mostly white interior to a table for four. There is a nice mix of people, families with babes, young kids, older couples and some hipsters of course.

Cappuccino

Soy latte

Flat white

Long black

The ceramic cups and plates are a pleasure to drink from. Their simple style reflects the restrained decor. The coffee (regular $3.50, large $4) isn’t brilliant but it sure hits the spot on a Sunday morning. Some cups are favoured more than others. The cappuccinos and flat whites were enjoyed by those drinking them.

Jaffa malted milkshake

Dane is especially excited at the sight of malted milkshakes ($6.50) on the menu. Flavours such as jaffa, butterscotch, lime & coconut, vanilla, chocolate and caramel sound delectable. Unfortunately the jaffa milkshake does not live up to expectation. There is very little jaffa flavour discernable and very little chocolate for that matter. The consistency is right but the taste is not enough to make the shake a standout.

Poached and fresh summer fruits

For those wanting a light and refreshing dish, the poached and fresh summer fruits ($10) will certainly be the best choice. It is usually served with sweet oats and yoghurt but one of this morning’s guests opts not to include the oats. All of the fruits are ripe, sweet and soft. You know that care has gone into a fruit salad when even the grapes are halved and deseeded! The poached pair is particularly delicious.

House cured salmon hash

The house cured salmon hash (or pork hock hash) ($16) gives everyone at the table food envy. The saltiness of the dish is perfect for an indulgent weekend breakfast and remains classy and filling at the same time. The house cured salmon has a soft flavour and at times we come across a crunchy potato skin. Yum!

Sauteed field mushrooms on toast

The sauteed field mushrooms on toast ($13) is a simple dish but with quality ingredients, that is definitely not a bad thing. The delicate herbs let the mushrooms take centre stage while the crispy sourdough adds some solid texture to the mix. Our guest adds a poached egg on the side for $4.

Eggs Benedict

Well presented, superb individual ingredients and a well composed hollandaise made this a fantastic eggs Benedict ($14). Black Forest gypsy ham adds a touch of indulgence while the eggs were poached perfectly. Dane can’t fault the hollandaise either. The only issue is that it was finished too fast!

We highly recommend a trip to Excelsior Jones. There is plenty of parking close by however like so many other cafes in Sydney these days, arrive early to avoid a wait. If you have a pit of a stomach, head up the road to Ashfield’s main street for lunch. You’ll find a great array of noodles, dumplings and Asian supermarkets so you can eat the day away.

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Overall Rating: 19/25

Website: http://www.excelsiorjones.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/ExclesiorJones?sid=0.21826866269111633
Phone: 9913 1360
Address: Shop 3, 1431 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen, 2101

Payment Options: CC, EFTPOS, cash

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Filed under: Sydney - Western Suburbs Tagged: Disabled access, Free range eggs, Reasonable prices