Cup Half Full
Cup Half Full sits on prime real estate. Not only does it benefit from a corner location but it’s on Crown Street, the street where it all happens in terms of food and fashion. So as a patron you’ll enjoy a prime vantage point that is perfect for people and dog watching. And there’s certainly plenty to watch in Surry Hills!
The interior isn’t huge but it’s large enough to cater for those who come its way. There are also a lot of tables outside. At 10am was plenty of seating available so after a brief tussle between our waiter and the wobbly table legs, we were were set!
Flat white
Mocha
English breakfast
My flat white ($3.50) utilising the house blend was out of this world. Its rich flavour blew me away and jumped immediately to the top of my Crown Street coffee list. Big call, I know! The beverage menu is massive. Babycino ($2), affogato ($6), Aeropress ($5), iced coffee/mocha/chocolate ($6.50) and more. Teas by Teacraft ($4.50) are available as various black, green, herbal or exotic blends too.
Green starter
The drinks don’t stop there. Cold pressed juices ($7) come in preselected offerings such as blood cleanser (carrot, celery, beetroot, spinach, lemon, ginger), blossom (watermelon, strawberry, lemon) or my green starter (apple, pineapple, kiwi, lime). If you like tart, then this is the one to order. Each sip will have your lips curling. It was a bit too much for me but one of my guests loved it. Straight orange, apple, or watermelon juices are also available.
You can also move on to milkshakes (choc peanut butter, vanilla malt, salted caramel or roasted marshmallow, $8.50 each), frappes (mango, lychee, rockmelon or lime & mint, $7 each) or smoothies ($8) such as chocbanana (choc chips, banana, ice cream, yoghurt), breakfast (oats, choch chips, honey, banana, yoghurt, almond milk) or green (kale, celery, cucumber, pineapple, orange). There was way too much to try but what we did sample we loved so all the more reason for you to experiment.
Smashed avocado
One of my guests chose the smashed avocado ($14) and added bacon for $5. She was disappointed overall with what was presented to her. Both feta and roasted heirloom tomatoes featured on the menu but neither were represented well or enough on the plate. Overall a mediocre dish which pushed my guest towards finishing her meal with a mocha and muffin (see below).
Breakfast burger
The next two meals did impress though. My guest ordered the breakfast burger ($12.50) which comes stacked with hashbrown, bacon, fried egg, spinach, fresh tomato and smokey paprika sauce. She asked to substitute haloumi for the bacon and CHF were happy to accommodate. The resulting breakfast burger was delicious. The variety of layers complimented one another and there were enough crunchy versus soft ingredients to add variety which kept it interesting. Amazingly it all held together too! I could easily order this next time.
French toast
I felt like something sweet so my decision was between the blueberry and ricotta hotcakes with fresh seasonal fruits, berry compote and vanilla ice cream ($18) and the French toast ($17). It was the French toast that eventually won and I’m glad that it did! My plate arrived with beautiful presentation. The toast was a gorgeous caramelised colour, surrounded by a sweet blueberry compote and crispy bacon which was also sticky from the compote and dark maple. There was some sweet and coloured popcorn sprinkled on the plate but it didn’t really offer much as it became too soft. Its flavours also couldn’t compete with the rest of the dish. More of the dark maple was served in a pot on the side but it simply wasn’t needed as the toast had enough flavour thanks to the kitchen!
Raspberry and white chocolate muffin
Despite an unsatisfactory avocado toast, Cup Half Full delivered a great meal. The table service was reasonable but the counter service was excellent as not only did they substitute part of the dishes on request but they also split the bill when asked. There are things that can be improved but when coupled with such amazing coffee, it’s a spot that can compete with the big hitters on the strip.
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Overall Rating: 18/25
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Cup-Half-Full-427107440799510
Phone: 9380 6881
Address: 428 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Payment Options: Credit card, EFTPOS, cash
Sydney on Sunday 
