Bondi Picnic, Bondi – Rating: 17/25

We’re at Bondi in the winter and it’s cold and rainy.  We dream of a summer’s day at the beach but alas we head inside to eat instead.  It’s not so bad after all.  Bondi Picnic is a hip and happening place.  It’s packed with people and plates of hot food go whizzing around our heads.

We order anything on the menu that lists the same word 3 times in a row.  The chai chai chai ($4) is quickly devoured.  It’s warm and fragrant but the pot is too small for our liking.

The chocolate milkshake according to goodwill has a dollop of mint ice cream which Dane enjoys.  However it would be a good idea to mention the mint flavour on the menu for unsuspecting patrons.  The flavour of this milkshake is fantastic but it needs to be thickened with more ice cream (maybe chocolate).  As it is, the consistency is too milky.

The coffee is supplied by Little Marionette (regular $3.50, large $4).  The cups are adorable and the coffee is pretty good too.  Cold drip coffee is also available for those that into that kind of thing ($2.50).  The cold drip is attached to the wall behind the counter and looks like a fancy science experiment taking place.

Just look at those eggs!  Two of our guests order chorizo with poached eggs ($14).  Hidden under the spinach and hollandaise sauce is a whole sausage!  The two dishes arrived ten minutes apart which left one of our guests salivating with jealousy.  It’s also available with baked mushrooms instead of chorizo.

We originally try to order the brown rice special however by the time we order it’s sold out.  Instead we try the Bondi Picnic brekky sambo ($8) consisting of fried eggs, sliced pancetta and house made tomato chutney.  It’s filling however it could do with some more chutney and less spinach.

The quirk-named fruity fruit fruit ($11) comes with Agave yoghurt which we haven’t tried before.  To be honest it doesn’t add much flavour, just the yoghurt texture.  We like the presentation and there is a generous fruit combination of apple, watermelon, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries and passionfruit.

The scruffled eggs ($14) feature truffle oil through the scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and organic sourdough.  The truffle is light and not overpowering although we would prefer to see the eggs cooked slightly less.

Bondi Picnic is a new addition to the Sydney café scene.  It’s quite small so if you’ve got a larger group be sure to turn up early.  The gnomes will seen above will be given to people waiting for tables.  When your gnome is called, your table is ready!

The interior is quite loud and dark.  The darkness we can deal with but if you’ve got a hangover, be sure to take some panadol before leaving home!

Bondi is a great area for exploring in the summer.  If it’s a wet winter’s day (which everyday seems to be lately) bring a book/iPad/ newspaper and set up camp inside until you’re hungry enough to eat again.

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