Wednesday, 23 April 2014

Copo Cafe and Diner

It's always a massive battle to get out of bed on cold and windy days, especially when it is the weekend. The laborious task of having to wake up at 5am every day for work means that I highly look forward to this break, not having to wake up to the haunting sound of my Samsung alarm. However, there is also a flipside to this. If I am not motivated to get out of bed and choose to stay indoors instead, I feel as though I am not making the most of the 2 leisure days a week I get to enjoy meeting up with friends and tucking into some amazing food.

So when my next food adventure took me to Drummoyne, I was determined to venture out into the unknown on this windy day. Meeting up with friends I had not seen in a long time was probably the biggest motivation, but the fact that we were to dine at Copo Cafe and Diner made the drive and effort all the more appealing.

If you had asked me where Drummoyne was a few weeks ago, I would not have known. My assumptions led me to believe that it was an affluent suburb in the Northern Beaches - well atleast I got the affluent right! It is actually located right next to Five Dock and situated along the Parramatta River. The cafe itself is quite confusing to find, as the address states that it is based on Victoria road, however the entrance is located on the back street.

It was a busy cafe, with areas to sit both upstairs and downstairs, and there was so much to choose from on the menu! Each of us started with a coffee, and soon after began to order our food. I chose to have the 'Moroccon eggplant baked eggs with labne, herbs and toast' (as did one of my friends - with a side of chorizo ofcourse), whilst the others ordered the 'Variety of mushrooms pan fried in butter and herbs on toast', 'Hotcakes with with Fresh Banana, Mascarpone, Hazlenut and Maple Syrup' and the 'Classic bacon and egg roll on seeded ciabatta with barbecue sauce'. The friend that ordered the bacon and egg roll has also started a little adventure of his own to find the best banana bread in Sydney, so decided to order this on the side to see if it compared with the others he has had in the past.

Needless to say, I was extremely excited when the food came out onto the table, and was salivating. I had only tried baked eggs once before which I loved, so I had high expectations when ordering this dish. I was not disappointed! The eggs with the rich tomato base provided a delicious authentic flavour combination that elevated the dish from just an old baked eggs. The others around the table also seemed to really enjoy their dishes, with my friend who ordered the hotcakes stating "how do their bananas taste so good as well?!" Unfortunately, the eggs in the bacon and egg roll was a little overcooked, and did not lead to the runny yolk that my friend was expecting. His banana bread was also nice, however not the best he has tasted. Still on his search for the best banana bread in Sydney!

All in all, it was not only a great day catching up with mates, but also an amazing place for brunch. I would definitely consider going back to this cafe in the future to try the other items on their menu. For my experience at Copo Cafe and Diner, I score 8/10.

For more information about this cafe, visit http://www.copocafediner.com.au/








Monday, 14 April 2014

Janani's Sri Lankan and Indian Restaurant

It is not often that I dine at Indian or Sri Lankan restaurants. When eating out, I like to choose cuisines that are different to what is normally prepared at home. Having a South Indian background, most of the dishes that are cooked at home contain similar spices and flavours to what can be found in restaurants. However, recently for some strange reason, I have been craving Kothu Roti. There are not many restaurants that I know of in Sydney that serves this, however one place that does is Janani's in South Strathfield.

What is Kothu Roti you may be asking. It is traditionally a Sri Lankan dish which is made from roti that is diced up into small pieces, and tossed with a variety of vegetables, egg and meat. It is traditional to make this dish on a hot iron sheet, with two blunt metal blades used to cut the roti. In the past, the Kothu Roti I have had has always been a hit and miss. Sometimes it is delicious, with the right amount of spice and vegetables tossed together, and sometimes it is bland and tasteless. Given that I had been craving this dish for a while, I was hoping that it would meet my expectations.


Walking into the restaurant, there wasn't that many people there despite it being a Friday night and peak time for dinner. My friends and I were a little nervous about the quality of the food there as a result, but there were so many varieties of dishes on the menu that we were just excited to try them all out! (And not to mention staaarving).

The decision for me was quite easy, given that I knew what I wanted to order a week prior to us even visiting this restaurant. I ordered a vegetable Kothu Roti, and shared a Gobi Manchurian (fried cauliflower with sweet and sour sauce) for entree with the other girls. Some of the other dishes that were ordered by my friends included Butter Chicken with Naan, Lamb Kothu Roti and a Seafood Thali (a traditional dish where roti is served with a variety of small curries). To keep the meal authentic, we ordered a Faluda, which is a Sri Lankan drink made with rose milk, which also contains little balls of jelly. If you aren't a fan of the jelly, then a plan rose milk will also do the trick.

The meal was actually surprisingly delicious. The Kothu Rotti defintiely met expectations, and it was the best meal on a rainy Friday. The other girls were also very happy with their meals, and we left the restaurants with a severe case of food babies. On top of the taste, the serving sizes were also quite generous, with some of us having to doggy bag our meals as we couldn't finish them.

If I have cravings for Kothu Roti again, I will definitely consider visiting Janani's again. For this restaurant, I score 8/10.


Sunday, 13 April 2014

Cafe Giulia

Sometimes, the best things often come when most unexpected. When going to new cafes, I always pre-plan where I am going to go, and have a look at the menu beforehand to not only get a better idea of what the place serves, but to also get my tastebuds excited. On a rainy Sunday morning, my friends and I drove to Chippendale to have breakfast at 'Brickfields Cafe', but where we ended up was most unexpected but such a nice surprise.

Brickfields is a small cafe in Chippendale that is known for its pastries and breads. I had heard and seen many good reviews about this small local joint, so I had to include it on my list of places to visit. However upon arriving, it was extremely busy, and there was not much seating within the small venue. Also, given that people can only dine on a first come first serve basis, the staff were not able to tell us when a table would be available next. As my friends and I were very impatient that day given that we were all starving, we decided to look elsewhere, so out popped trusty old Google maps to find a nearby cafe.

Whilst browsing the internet, I heard my friends mention that they were craving waffles, and coincidentally I found a cafe nearby that had some on their menu - the decision of where to go soon became incredibly easy. 

Only a 3 min walk from Brickfields, Cafe Giulia is situated on Abercrombie st, Chippendale. It is quite hard to miss, given the artistic graffiti that has been painted onto the side of the cafe, giving it a very alternative vibe, and perfect for the area in which it is located. Walking in through the doors, there was a large blackboard on the back wall which was scribbled with dozens of meal options, so many of which I wanted to try that it took me a while to make a decision! After having been seated at our table, we proceeded to the front to make our orders. Some of the meals that were decided upon include French Toast with grilled banana, English muffin with sausage, bacon and a side of waffles, Bagel with haloumi, avacado and tomato and coffees/ice chocolates galore. 

I chose to order the bagel with haloumi and avacado, with a soy cappucino - standard. The wait was not too long despite the crowd which was great, and the food was absolutely delicious! The bagel was toasted to the right amount so that it was still soft enough to eat with the other ingredients, and didn't crumble away once bit into. The haloumi cheese had just the right amount of saltiness, and when paired with the avacado, provided a perfect balance. The coffee was also one of the best that I have had in a while. Unfortunately, I am not sure what beans they use, however would definitely recommend anyone in the area to pick up one of their coffees along the way.
My friends were all thoroughly pleased with their meals as well, and said that it was the perfect way to satisfy their hunger. One downside however was the waffles that were served. When the waffles arrived to the table, they were still soft and quite dry. They did not have that crispy toasted texture that one would expect of waffles, and were also quite cold.

Putting the waffles aside, everything else was great. This cafe was also great value for money, with nothing on the menu being too expensive and the portion sizes being quite generous. For Cafe Giulia, I woulds score 7/10.


Saturday, 12 April 2014

Din Tai Fung

All of the food posts I have written up until this point have all been about brunch and afternoon tea, so this time, I thought i'd change things up a little and blog about a place I often frequent for dinner. Most days after work, I am too tired and lazy to venture out to new places that are not in close proximity to where I work, so often, my friends and i choose a location that is central to us all. One place I have found that I visit a lot, which is both close and delicious, is Din Tai Fung in World Square, on George st Sydney.

Being a vegetarian, it is often hard to find tasty vegetarian dishes at Asian restaurants, especially if it is a dumpling house or Yum Cha. Din Tai Fung does not boast a large range of vegetarian meals on their menu, but the few that they do are so delicious that I don't mind going back and back again to eat the same dishes.

There are three dishes that I can order when I visit Din Tai Fung which are the vegetable steam buns, the vegetable dumplings or the spicy vegetarian wonton noodle soup. However, on busy days they often cannot custom make the vegetarian spicy noodle soup, so i often resort to ordering a serving of the dumplings and steam bun. However I have to admit, I am more of a steam buns fan than a dumpling person. I love when the wooden steamer is placed on the table, and i break the steam bun in half to watch the steam rise out. Dipping the bun and dumplings in the ginger and chilli infused soy sauce adds an extra depth of flavour. I wish I could say that I have mastered the skill of using chopsticks, but unfortunately I am still quite uncoordinated when it comes to this. So you know that loser who eats their Asian dishes with a fork and spoon when everyone else is using chopsticks? That's me! :P

No matter who I go with, everyone leaves Din Tai Fung satisfied. For those who are not vegetarian, there is a plethora of dishes to choose from, each which I am told is just as tasty as the other. The service is also very quick, although it can become a bit frantic during peak hours due to the number of people who dine there. I have never had to wait a long time to be seated, however they will only allow you to enter once the whole party has arrived.

I will definitely be visiting this place once more in the near future, and would score it a 7/10.

If you are looking to visit this place, you can find more information on the following website - http://www.dintaifungaustralia.com.au/




Wednesday, 9 April 2014

The Tea Cosy

Scones. They are probably one of my favourite things to eat for afternoon tea. Add on some jam and cream, and I am in heaven! It's hard to find the perfect scone. I sure can't bake some even if my life depended on it, and most ones that I find at bakeries just don't meet my expectations. They are either too dense, or too dry, and always seem to disappoint. The last amazing scone I remember having was when I went on a road trip to Woollongong with my best friends for my 22nd birthday. These scones were not only large, but were also light and fluffy, and had the right amount of crispiness to the outside which I love.

So when I came across the 'Tea Cosy' on the internet whilst I was looking for a good afternoon tea spot, and they stated that they had "Scones like Nanna used to make them", I knew I was on to a winner!

Based on George St at the Rocks, the Tea Cosy is known for its scones and high tea. It does not command a large space, as it is an old terrace house that has been converted into a cafe, however provides a very 'homely' atmosphere. Out the front of the cafe (where the lounge would have been), is a little store that sells some novelty items. Walking down the corridor toward the backyard is where the kitchen is situated, with some seating available close to the kitchen and in the backyard itself. However given that it was a hot day and there was not much ventilation, we chose to proceed upstairs to catch the breeze.

We were lucky enough to be able to snag a table on the balcony, from where we could see the hustle and bustle of the Sunday markets below. As both o
f us had not had lunch that day, we decided that in addition to the scone, we would also try some of their sandwiches. We ordered the cucumber and cheese along with the curried egg sandwiches. In addition to this we ordered a basket of scones (1 each). The great thing about this cafe is that they have a number of home made jams from which we could choose from. Tossing up between the rhubarb and the fig, we ended up settling on the fig and ginger jam and cream on the side. Although a hot tea or coffee would have been perfect to marry this meal, the weather was just too hot, so we decided to order the black ice tea with mint and berries.

First the drinks arrived, and they were amazing. Not the typical ice tea that you buy from some restaurants and stores that are full of sugar and taste like syrup. This version tasted authentic, with the intensity of the black tea allowing the flavours to really come through. Although it was hard to get to the berries at the bottom of the glass, they provided a refreshing burst of flavour to the beverage. And then the food arrived, and we were not disappointed!


On two separate plates arrived the two different sandwiches. Three layers of bread cut up into soldiers, with the right amount of filling and full of flavour. My favourite of the two would have to be the cucumber and cream cheese, but the curried egg fell just shortly behind. When the much anticipated scones arrived, I was super eager to break into them to see if it lived up to all the hype - and did it!


These are definitely how I pictured Nanna's scones would taste (If my grandma could actually bake or make scones :P). They were crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. And the jam? YUM! could have eaten a little pot of it! I'm glad that we went with the fig and ginger option,as the little seeds from the fig matched beautifully with the cream.

All in all, it was an amazing day spent in the city with my close friend, and an even better day having eaten here. We both left incredibly satisfied with our meal, and I would definitely go there in the future once more.

For the Tea Cosy, I score 9/10


Monday, 7 April 2014

Bar Biscotti

George St, North Strathfield. Sounds like just any old suburban street. But driving down this cobbled road, you soon learn that it is anything but that. More commonly known as the 'Bakehouse Quarter', George St is home to many of the most popular cafes and restaurants in the area.

There is something there to satisfy everyone's appetite. The quarter houses cuisines from all around the world, and has a few patisseries that will more than likely dispel any sugar cravings. Given that it was a Sunday morning and I was in the mood for brunch, my friends and I decided to pay 'Bar Biscotti' a visit, as we had all heard amazing reviews about it.

The great thing about the quarter is that there is a 2 hour parking lot right outside the cafe, so it did not take


long between reaching the location and settling into our meal. The menu was very enticing, and what caught my eye was the 'clean eating' section. When you eat as much as I do, it becomes difficult to find meals that not only satisfy the tastebuds, but also don't have too much of an impact on your waistline. Therefore, I chose to get the poached eggs with avacado on quinoa bread. To accompany this, and given that it was a sunny day, I decided to order a fresh juice of beetroot, carrot, celery, orange and ginger, much to the protest of my friends who believed that this was a bad decision. If I had left it up to them, they would have ordered me a chocolate thickshake with extra cream - no thanks! :P

Although the staff were incredibly friendly (and attractive might I add), the meal took some time to reach the table. My friends seemed to quite enjoy what they ordered, but if I was to be completely honest, I was slightly underwhelmed. Although the poached eggs were perfectly cooked, the bread was toasted a little too much so that it became quite carboardy, and the avacado was not ripe enough so it left a sour taste lingering in my mouth. As such, I ended up leaving the avacado to the side and eating the eggs with the toast, not quite what I was expecting. Everyone else around the table however seemed to enjoy their meal, so perhaps it was a bad choice on my behalf.The juice on the other hand was delicious - cant go wrong with a fresh blend of fruit and veg!

I might not have had the best experience this time around, however I am not ruling out potentially visiting this cafe in the future. There were a few other items on the menu that looked quite appetising, and I would be keen to try those out some time down the track.

However based on this experience, I would have to give Bar Biscotti 5/10.

Sunday, 6 April 2014

Kitchen By Mike

When it comes to Saturday evening and I am sitting down thinking of food (as i so often do), and contemplating where to venture to the next morning in order to satisfy my brunch cravings, Alexandria always pops into mind. I don't know what it is about this inner city suburb that interests me, but I think it has to do with something about the atmosphere and vibe of this suburb. 

In 1943, Alexandria was considered the largest industrial district in Australia, known as the "Birmingham of Australia". Although there are a lot more residential buildings that have been constructed in the area over time, this industrial aspect which constitutes the backbone of this suburb still remains. Driving down the streets of Alexandria, you pass many warehouses, storage facilities and production plants, and it definitely feels like the commercial heartland of Sydney.

However nestled inbetween these large warehouse buildings are some of Sydney's most highly esteemed cafes. A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I visited the 'Grounds of Alexandria', also located in this suburb, which i thoroughly enjoyed. Keen to explore this suburb once more and see what other little surprises Alexandria held in store, my best friends and I decided to try 'Kitchen by Mike'.

Much like the Grounds, this cafe is not obviously identifiable from the outside, but once you walk through the gates into the compound, it is definitely hard to miss. Set up in a large warehouse, this cafe embraces the industrial culture and has kept the interior quite rustic. Cages and vines hang from the ceiling, which is left as exposed timber to create an authentic decor. Attached to the cafe at the back is a store that sells a variety of items from kitchen utensils to bedding and manchester. Although the concept may seem a little mismatched, the way in which the store is constructed and decorated makes it feel as though it is a natural fit. 

Unfortunately on this day my friends got a little lazy and didn't want to wake up in time for brunch, so we settled on coffee and cake. By the time we got there, most things had already been eaten as we arrived close to closing time, however, there were a few cakes to choose from. We decided to get the small almond lemon friands that were quite inviting, given that they were not too large and perfect for a little cheat sweet treat. To accompany this, we ordered a flat white, soy cappucino and an iced chocolate (i'll let you guess which one was mine :P).

The flavour that these small friands had was amazing! It was packed with a strong lemon flavour that was accentuated not only by the friand itself, but also by the zesty icing on top. The friand was full of moisture thanks to the honey syrup that this little cake was soaked in, causing it to melt in my mouth. Although we only had two small pieces, the richness of the flavour was enough to satisfy our sweet cravings and act as a substantial afternoon tea meal. 

One thing I do regret however is not visiting Kitchen by Mike for brunch. Looking at the menu on the board, which changes quite regularly based on the freshness of their produce, there were many healthy and tasty options that I would have loved to try. Based on the flavour of the friands, I am certain that the rest of the menu is just as delightful, and am therefore definitely keen to once again check out this cafe.

For this cafe, I say 8/10.




Friday, 4 April 2014

Di Stefano Coffee Warehouse Cafe & Deli

Normally, brunch for me is a Sunday tradition. It is a way for me to end the week on a high note, eating some amazing food with even better company. However this week, I decided to change things up a bit and brunch on a Saturday morning instead. Thrillseeking, I know :P It had been six months since I had last attended my weekly dancing classes due to work and travel commitments, and I had not seen one of the girls who I dance with in quite some time. So to celebrate my return and catch up on all the gossip, we decided to schedule a sneaky brunch before our session.

Given its close proximity to our class, we decided to head to Di Stefano Deli Coffe Warehouse Cafe & Deli in Homebush. This cafe was quite different to anything I have been to before. Within a large warehouse is a section where fresh deli items and coffee beans are sold. On observing the type of people that frequented this place, there seemed to be many families with their children, and individuals enjoying their morning paper amongst the smell of freshly brewed coffee.


Although the inside of the warehouse was very inviting, it was too nice of a day to pass on the opportunity to sit outside in the sunshine. There were many options to choose from, but that morning I had a particular craving for something sweet, so when I saw Ricotta Pancakes on the menu, I immediately knew what I was going to get. My friend chose to to get the Eggs Benedict with Holandaise sauce, as she was in an eggy mood. And ofcourse, coffees had to be ordered. 2 Cappucinos please! (Soy for me)


We didn't wait too long for our food to arrive, and once it did I was so happy with my choice. The pancakes were just the right size - not too large and not too small. Accompanying the ricotta pancakes were fresh berries and honey blended ricotta on top. The burst of the fresh fruit along with the sweetness of the pancake and the subtle honey ricotta was to die for. The bitterness of the coffee provided a great balance to the meal, and I was thoroughly satisfied. My friend was also extremely happy with her choice, mentioning that the Holandaise was the perfect accompaniment to the eggs and bacon, which were cooked perfectly.

If anyone is in the Homebush area, I definitely advise that you go and try this place out. The vibe is very laid back and there is plenty of room for both small and large groups of people. For this meal, I think an 8/10 would be appropriate.




Thursday, 3 April 2014

Dolcissimo


We've all done it.

We've all had a big night and woken up the next morning with one thing on our mind...FOOD!

Not going to lie, this happens to me even if it hasn't been a big night, but a few weeks ago, some of the girls and I went out and woke up to exactly this scenario. It was 10am on a Sunday morning, and we were starving!

In order to alleviate these hunger pains, we ventured out onto Ramsay St in Haberfield, close to the place we were staying. There seemed to be a lot of nice little cafes along this street, however most of them were unfortunately closed on this day. Just our luck.

But one place which was open was Dolcissimo, a little Italian Cafe & Restaurant. To be honest, the cafe was not very inviting and if it had been any other day where I had a few other options, I probably wouldn't have chosen this place. However, given the situation we were in, we decided to settle with this.

The cafe seemed to be quite busy, with many of the locals coming here to brunch with their family. The service was great, however the food took a while to come out. Majority of us decided to have the mushroom and eggplant bruschetta, and it turned out to be a great choice! 


The mushroom and eggplant was an amazing combination and the seasoning was just right, however I felt that there was too much olive oil used in this dish. Although it provided a nice richness to the flavour, by the second piece it became a little too much. Luckily, I had ordered a fresh juice with beetroot, orange, carrot, celery and ginger which provided a refreshing balance to the meal. 

I'm not sure if it is a place that impressed me enough that I would want to visit it again, but it was not bad either. I'd give a 6.5/10 for this one. 

The Grounds of Alexandria

For the longest time, people have been raving about the Grounds of Alexandria. Apparently the food is amazing, the surroundings are quirky and unique and to top it all off, they have a resident pig named 'Kevin Bacon' who was stolen and ended up in Victoria. 

I've wanted to check this place out for quite some time, but never had the opportunity to do so. So when one of my girlfriends suggested to me that we catch up for coffee and cake at this cafe one Sunday afternoon, I jumped at the idea!

Based in the industrial area of Alexandria, the Grounds is quite inconspicuous from the outside. However, once you enter the gates, it is quite obvious what all the fuss is about. The cafe itself was bustling and extremely busy, despite it being 3pm and close to their closing time. Lucky for me (but unfortunately for my friend who had to wait for a while due to my tardiness - sorry again!), I didn't need to stand in line. But from what I hear, the wait can sometimes take up to an hour due to the popularity of this place. However, whilst you wait to be seated, there is plenty to see within the vicinity. 

Outside the cafe are little food stalls that sell freshly baked goods and condiments. A little further down, there is a small flower shop that stocks the most amazing rainbow coloured flowers, with little novelty items that are perfect to give people as gifts. And out the back is where Mr. Kevin Bacon (who has become pretty fat) and his little goat friend live. The little barnyard setup is too cute! It definitely adds to the character and atmosphere of the cafe.

Although people around us were eating meals that looked quite appetising and tempting, we chose to stick to the original plan of coffee and cake. My friend chose to go for the croquembouche tower whilst I chose to go for a lemon cheesecake with a polenta base (gluten free option), and I'm glad we did! To accompany my cake, I ordered a Soy Cappucino to counteract the sweetness. 


The lemon flavour in the cheesecake was divine - not too much so that it was overpowering, but just enough so that it didn't taste like a standard cheesecake. I quite liked the polenta base that was used instead of the crumbled biscuits, as it gave a beautiful texture when eaten together with the creamy cheesecake. 

If you are looking for an organic meal or a delightful sweet treat, I recommend that you check this place out. It's a nice way to spend the day with family or friends, and I will definitely be returning there soon! 9/10 from me! 

You can check this cafe out at - http://groundsroasters.com/



Campbelltown Japanese Gardens and Teahouse


When Sunday rolls around I normally feel one of two things:

1. Depression that the weekend is nearly over and that another week of work begins
2. Annoyance at the fact that I want to go somewhere nice to eat, am not in the mood to travel far and that there is nothing around my area. 


I was wrong.


Upon waking up on this Sunday morning and spontaneously deciding that I felt like brunching, I organised to meet my friend, who also lived in the area, at the Campbelltown Japanese Gardens and Teahouse. Having lived close to this area for pretty much my whole life, I was surprised that I had never heard of or been there before.


These gardens were a special gift from Koshigaya, Campbelltown's Sister City in Japan. It is definitely a beautiful place to spend your Sunday mornings. Just behind the cafe is the Teahouse, which is surrounded by a beautiful garden and pebble walkway. There is 
a small traditional waterfall, the 'Kio Pond', with a timber bridge that tops it all off. 

There isnt the biggest range of options on the menu, but what we did order was delicious. Normally, I would go for a coffee to accompany my meal, but given that it was a hot morning and the surroundings were so fresh, I decided to opt for a juice.


The carrot, apple, orange and ginger juice was amazing, and had just the right amount of each ingredient. It came in a cute little jar, which always makes things just a little more exciting. Not wanting a large meal, I ordered the poached eggs with wholemeal toast and a side of mushrooms. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the mushrooms had just the right amount of seasoning, and the meal was sufficient enough so that it didn't make me feel as though I had eaten enough for a family. 


If you ever happen to wander out to the deep dark woods of the south-west or want to discover a little more of Sydney, I definitely recommend that you visit this little treasure. 


Wellco Cafe and Wine Bar


It's always a lot of fun when catching up with the girls from school. But with these group of girls, the problem is that we live so close to each other that we either end up eating out somewhere locally, or lazing about at someone's place.



With my new found determination to try new cafes in Sydney, I convinced the girls to come with me to 'Wellco Cafe and Wine Bar' on Norton St, Leichardt for a #lazysunday (instagram has got me to # these words!). 

Nestled in between some shops on this busy strip, Wellco cafe was quite a delight! The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, and were very patient whilst we took our time browsing the menu to decide what it is that we wanted. The cafe had a good vibe and a cute decor, and was definitely the type of place I envisioned it to be. 


So now to the food. In addition to my large skim Capp (standard on a Sunday morning), I chose to go for the grilled vegetables with sourdough, haloumi cheese and poached egg. 

The dish was not what I was expecting if I was to be completely honest, but this doesn't mean that I was disappointed. The vegetables had the right amount of smokiness and seasoning, and along with the haloumi cheese was quite tasty. Given that I like to have fresh vegetables and fruit in the morning, I'm not sure I would order this meal again, however I would give it a 7/10. 


Unfortunately this cafe does not have a website, but you can find more information about it on 'Weekend Notes' if you are looking to try it out! 

http://www.weekendnotes.com/wellco-cafe-wine-bar-leichhardt/






Hello there Foodies!


I never used to be much of a foodie.

Much of my culinary adventures involved going to the same cafes and restaurants out of habit and convenience, and it all became a little too boring.


But much recently, I have found myself exploring a little more, visiting a new cafe every weekend. I think that travelling really changed me. After coming back from my amazing South American trip, all I wanted to do was explore Sydney, which ultimately led to my obsession of food and finding new and unique places to eat. Brunch to be precise. I don't know what it is about this meal that excites me. Maybe it is the novelty of having a meal inbetween the established norm, or the fact that I can change up my schedule a little from the everyday routine and live a little on the edge (shows how thrill seeking I am). 

I thought the only way to justify the amount of money I spend on all these meals and all the calories I have been consuming is to blog about these cafes. Because really, I am doing it for the greater good, experimenting to ensure that these cafes are worth your time. I have noticed that 90% of the time, conversations that I have with people are about food and the new place I went to on the weekend, so this is probably a better way of conveying how bad/good a place was and not talking off someone's ear in the process!

Hope that you guys enjoy these posts and that it gives you inspiration and ideas of where to go on your next Brunch adventure!

K x