Barzura, Coogee – Rating: 15.5/25

Barzura

A gentle sea breeze and morning sun provide perfect conditions for our breakfast outing at Coogee Beach today.  People are milling about outside waiting for their take away orders.  It’s a large café and the waitstaff are running around trying to satisfy everyone.  We come on the recommendation of a friend and have big expectations.

Skim cappuccino

One of the skim cappuccinos ($3.80) is great.  The other tastes strange and we send it back.  Perhaps they substituted soy for skim.  After a long wait we receive another and this time it tastes fine.

Mixed berry smoothie

Barzura has a variety of smoothies (mango, banana or mixed berry), milkshakes (mango, banana, mixed berry, chocolate or vanilla) and frappes (mango, banana or mixed berry) available ($6.50 each).  Dane opts for the mixed berry smoothie but is left wanting.  The berries are not fresh and the majority of the smoothie is very airy and foamy.

Nasi goreng

We really want to try the famed Asian omelette, however the waitress tells us they’ve run out.  Eggs are being served left and right so we wonder what ingredients they lack.  Instead we order nasi goreng ($20) Indonesian rice with chicken, bacon, peanuts, chilli, coriander and a fried egg.  There’s a lot of it and it satisfies a big appetite.  It’s quite salty though so be prepared to drink a heap of water!

Ricotta hotcakes

The ricotta pancakes ($16) make for a satisfying dish.  They are moist and contain plenty of ricotta.  The maple syrup on the side and poached pears on top are great additions.  Overall it’s a tasty dish but those who love pancakes will not be blown away.

Toasted sourdough, avocado, pancetta, roast tomato and aioli

The toasted sourdough, avocado, pancetta, roast tomato and aioli ($16) seems small for the price but is very delicious.  The ingredients are fresh although only slightly warm thanks to the chilly spring morning.  The aioli is packed with garlic and flavour which is the highlight of the dish.

Bike Racks

Other items on the menu include chicken congee with chilli, ginger and garlic ($16), seasonal fruit salad with natural yoghurt ($15), toasted roast beef sandwich with caramelised onions, mustard butter, baby spinach and swiss cheese ($20).  The meals are relatively expensive compared to other establishments we have reviewed, however the location is amazing and it’s hard to imagine a nicer place to be on a Sunday morning.

Barzura is popular with the locals and has a big fan base.  A couple sitting next to us send their meals back because some of the berries with the yoghurt and muesli are old and very acidic.  We thought this would turn them off however they inform us they are weekly regulars, order a few other dishes and seem happy enough.  We return after a 30 minute walk along the beach and they are still there, ordering more coffees and having a great time.  It’s nice to see them enjoying new dishes and it tempts us to come back again soon to enjoy the views and finally try the Asian omelette.

If you’re in the area be sure to set aside enough time to walk along the beach and the reserve on the opposite headland.  It’s a gorgeous place with spectacular views out to Wedding Cake Island and of the ocean.  There is a flat concrete path along the beachfront which makes it ideal for prams, wheelchairs and skates.

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