Jones St. Café, Ultimo – Rating: 18.5/25

If it wasn’t for recommendations from friends and readers, I would never find some of these hidden treasures.  Jones St. Café has a perfectly tranquil location in Ultimo with enough patrons to keep the pace going but not cause chaos.  Sometimes sunbathed, sometimes shady, I could see why some patrons looked as though they were setting up for the day!  There is ample seating inside including a large share table.

Service was slightly on the slow side though as there were times when there was not enough staff to go around.  This wasn’t an issue for us as we sat back to enjoy some conversation but it’s something to be aware of if you’re in a hurry.

Will & Co houses are instantly recognisable thanks to their plastic-look porcelain cups.  Our coffee ($3.50) was up to the usual W&C standard although served a few minutes apart from one another.

You’re definitely spoiled for choice on the drinks side at Jones St. Café.  I chose the breaky shake ($9) which isn’t cheap but I should have known before ordering that it would be extremely filling!  Muesli, banana, yoghurt, honey and milk with a dash of cinnamon.  It all tasted great but be aware that it is like an entire meal and definitely isn’t thirst quenching!

Also available are smoothies (mango, banana, strawberry or oreo, $7), protein shake (blueberry or banana with vanilla protein shake, $9) and milkshakes (chocolate, strawberry, caramel or vanilla, $6).

The fruit salad ($6 or $9 with yoghurt) featured a big variety of fruits including a white melon I hadn’t experienced before.  The yoghurt on the side was not necessary but tasted amazing.  The portion was generous and everything was very fresh.

The egg & bacon burger ($9.50) comes with a fried egg, cheese and plenty of bacon.  Sauce choices are hollandaise, tomato or barbecue.  The bun is soft and sweet which is something that should be mentioned on the menu as a brioche bun may not necessarily be what you’re after.  Other than that, a satisfying and well-priced meal to eat in or while on the run.

One of today’s specials was the brekkie burrito ($13) which was filled with layers of scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, red onion, spinach and chilli mayonnaise on the side.  The vegetarian option substitutes the bacon with mushroom.  It’s hard to go wrong with this combination of ingredients.  This was a great, reasonably sized dish and I loved the mayonnaise with it.

Jonesy’s breaky ($16) is a plate brimming with two poached eggs, chorizo, haloumi and sourdough toast.  I added avo for $4 resulting in a filling and satisfying dish.  Not one complaint as there was plenty of everything with minimal oil and it was well prepared & fresh.

There’s something on the menu to satisfy all palates.  From the ricotta, avocado and tomato on sourdough toast ($10) to the eggs Benedict (with ham and spinach or salmon, $18) to the assortment of sweets such as waffle, ice cream and Nutella ($10) and the muffins (raspberry and white chocolate, blueberry, ricotta bran or chocolate and passionfruit, $5).

The lunch menu also contained some irresistible-sounding treats but we don’t discuss that sort of thing here!  You’ll have to drop in to found out…