Fresh
Fresh has only been open three months and owner Phil Carey has the ambitious plan of competing in the hotly-contested Crows Nest food district. The philosophy here is “eat well-be well” and the goal is to “make you happier and healthier by offering pure and delicious food with as little processing as possible.”
Fresh uses seasonal, organic, biodynamic and free range ingredients whenever possible and the items on the menu definitely lend themselves to having such unspoiled ingredients.
The café has plenty of seating both inside and out. A lot of the furniture within is made from recycled timber. By the time this review is published, Fresh will have finished the restoration of the old storeroom, transforming it into a loft eating area.
The on-deck manager is Anne-Emelie Perol and I found the service throughout my visit to be exceptional. While ordering is done at the counter, all interactions with staff were fantastic and our food & drinks were delivered quickly.
Flat white
Skim flat white
While I enjoyed our coffees ($3.50), I have had better on the Northshore. They were prepared well but my brew didn’t have the body I was craving.
Iced coffee ($5), affogato ($6), chai latte ($5) and teas (including prana chai, Earl Grey blueflower, peppermint digestive) are also available.
Breakfast juice
Fresh juice is available in combinations such as relaxation (free L-Thenanine, carrot, beetroot, ginger and apple, $9), energy buzz (apple, kale, celery, ginger and blueberries, $8.50) or my breakfast juice ($8.50) which offered apple, pineapple, lemon and beetroot. This was a thirst-quenching and well prepared combination with just the right amount of each ingredient. The apple dominated and it was served chilled which is a bonus.
Avocado, feta and balsamic apple glaze
The avocado, feta and balsamic apple glaze ($13.90) takes Fresh’s philosophy to heart. The plentiful fresh avocado and feta worked beautifully together while the housemade glaze was the proverbial cherry on top. Bacon or an egg can be added for $4 or you can do what any sane person would do and add maple bacon for $5! Slow roasted, seasoned tomato is served on the side and you can choose rye or gluten free toast. My guest’s one criticism was that she would have preferred the bread toasted slightly more.
Bacon and egg roll
The Sydney breakfast menu staple: the bacon and egg roll ($7.50). Easy to make, difficult to make stand out. A light, soft and delicious roll is a great way to start. Once again you can change your bacon to maple bacon ($1) but the customisation doesn’t stop there. I added house made hollandaise ($1), and avocado ($3) but also had the option of adding cheese ($2.50) or haloumi ($3)!
Other items on this delectable menu include fresh take on Italian eggs (bacon, parmesan, in house made tomato sauce with toasted sourdough, $14.90), portobello marinated mushrooms (haloumi and rocket on sourdough, $13.90) and the Fresh omelette (feta, sundried tomato, kale, caramelised onion with sourddough, $13.90).
With quality ingredients, a well thought out, constantly updated menu and friendly staff, Fresh has set out to impress. They also offer event catering and with big ambitions, this is definitely a café to keep my sights on. Plus… you know… they have maple bacon!
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Overall Rating: 20/25
Website: http://www.freshcrowsnest.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/freshcrowsnest?fref=ts
Address: 13 Ernest Place, Crows Nest, 2065
Phone: 9439 5846
Payment Options: Credit cards, EFTPOS, cash
Sydney on Sunday 