Café Ish, Surry Hills – Rating: 22/25

Café Ish

Wanting to try something in the Japanese spirit, Dane orders the sparkling Fuji apple ($4.50). The fruity aroma is strong but the flavour is quite light and not too sweet. Dane recommends it as a different soft drink to try.

Café Ish certainly has beverages covered. Other exotic drinks on the menu include: wattle maccacino ($4.10 or $6.10) “our signature drink with homemade wattleseed extract and macadami syrup”, Good Morning ($4) “English and Irish breakfast with a hint of luxury – bright high-grown Ceylon, rich malty Assam and a deep complex Yunnan create a stimulating wake-up cup” as well as an assortment of pre-designed freshly squeezed fruit juices with a few surprise ingredients. Any sparkling drink can also be converted into a spider with some Gundowring Creek ice cream.

Japanese Ish

With such a unique and varied menu, Dane is perplexed as to what to choose. Having previously tried and enjoyed the little ish ($13.50) which was bacon, egg and roast tomato on some amazing toast he wants to try something different. Well, the crab omelette ($24) is a super choice. Just look at the photo above for proof! The kara age (deep fried) soft shell crab is deceptively soft and there certainly is plenty of it. Avocado adds some freshness to the dish but the majority of the flavours come from the chilli, garlic and soy on top of the omelette. It starts off with pure flavour but there is a heat from the chilli that builds up over time (although it’s definitely bearable). This dish is a masterpiece and an absolute joy to eat. Despite the price, it’s well worth it – so much so that along with the orange pancakes at Morso being number one, this dish is Dane’s second favourite breakfast dish over the course of SoS so far. After trying over 80 cafes, that is testament to its quality!

Other dishes on the menu that make it worth returning to Ish include: brioche with spreads ($4), B & E roll ($7) “quattro stelle bacon, Kangaroo Island egg, HP sauce, house baked roll, Sweet Ish trifle ($9) “Lush yoghurt, native berry compote, house made rosella, nashi & coconut toasted muesli”, Croc on the rock ($10.50) “crocodile sausage, egg, shallot and organic fetta in toast with tomato relish” and Big Ish ($24) “2 eggs, bacon, tomato, croc sausage, mushroom, beans, toast and fried potato mochi”.

Café Ish is hidden a short stroll away from the hive of activity on Crown Street. It’s closer to the Central Station side of Surry hills and easily accessible by train or bus. We recommend taking a group of friends so you can share a few of the interesting items on the menu. We’ll be doing that next time!

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