Sunday, November 25, 2012
On the fringe of Bouddi National Park, just across from the water, is a somewhat simple cafe complete with open verandah and abundant herb garden. Garden 2 Plate beckons with its back-to-basics food; locally grown at just-around-the-corner Green Gate Farm.
Dictated by seasonal produce, the small yet enticing vegetarian menu changes daily. Expect bagels, burgers and sourdough, an array of organic fresh veg and homemade accompaniments. If you're a keen gardener you can take home herb seeds left by local green-thumbs and if you're just interested in the coffee, well, it's definitely worth the visit.
Garden 2 Plate is just what the coast needed; an authentic, rustic cafe with the very best of food intentions.
Design aesthetic: overgrown village shack Coffee: locally sourced, strong, superb
Sydneysiders....Garden 2 Plate is only 20 minutes from Palm Beach (by ferry) - the perfect family outing. I highly recommend the quesadilla with beans, cheese and spinach, salsa, sourcream and jalapenos (and a side of organic greens from the garden).
Labels: the cafe series
Sunday, October 28, 2012
For the first time since Poet was born, Daniel and I had the opportunity to spend the day together sans children. I had an editorial meeting mid-morning so we grabbed a takeaway coffee on the way and later indulged in a long and decadent lunch. It was our first date in 15 months; well worth the cafe splurge.
Avenue Rd in Mosman is one of my favourite Sydney cafes - impeccable service, great coffee, wonderful food. Sitting outside on the bench seat, we could have easily been in Melbourne (perhaps we wished we were). I ordered the prawn and chorizo fettuccine and Daniel had a pork belly sandwich with aioli and apple sauce. We both declared it the best sandwich in the world.
Design aesthetic: European art deco (with a little bit of grunge) Coffee: so good
In the past few days we've started looking for an at-home coffee machine. We love the idea of perfecting a cappuccino (although getting jittery in the process is a definite con) and we're hoping it will save us some money in the long term. Any suggestions?
Labels: the cafe series
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Sometimes when we drive into the city we stop at Gordon for a coffee and a bite to eat. Yesterday we discovered Pottery Green Bakers - a tiny, bustling cafe with definite quirk. Daniel and I both agree that it looks a little like an urban terrarium; if it were a movie it would be Tim Burton's baby.
There's wilted wildflowers in steel urns and freshly baked sourdough lining the wall. Plants are suspended from old shipping pulleys and lights dangle from exposed beams. A French lounge sits in the corner, friends huddle around low tables.
Design aesthetic: rustic opulence. Coffee: best I've had in months.
Which begs the question - how do you like your coffee? And where do you buy yours?
ps. sarah...thanks for introducing yourself. it was so lovely to meet you x
Labels: the cafe series
Thursday, August 30, 2012
I needed a few hours alone; to gather my intentions and put pen to paper. When your art becomes your profession it's easy to fall out of love. Mundane editorial puts food on the table but it also steals the very last of my words. Every single day I sit at my desk and type. Clickety clack with a Poet at my feet and a little boy close by. It's rare for me to handwrite my stories but I always come back to the pen when I seek inspiration.
St Jude sits lonesome on a corner of Bourke Street; the Redfern end. With its white-washed exterior and timber-framed cafe windows, it lures the locals who linger on the step, chatting about the sun and the blossoms and the new baby next door.
I was the out-of-towner with a rare hour of solitude. I found a seat by the window, ordered coffee and brunch and began to scrawl a who we are across a new white notebook. Within twenty minutes the blue cup was empty, the page covered in ink. As it should be.
Luisa turned up soon after and between sips of coffee and excitable exclamations she took shots of cafe details....and portraits of a writer who can't wait to share her project with the world.
The ever-lovely Mandy, who regularly meanders the streets of Surrey Hills, recommended St Jude. Thank you!
Labels: from the city (sydney) , the cafe series
Monday, August 27, 2012
from the city: the grounds of alexandria
A celebration of coffee, food and the simple, good things in life, The Grounds beckons with it's intriguing indoor/outdoor space. The coffee beans are roasted on-site in a dedicated research facility and the menu is inspired by the herbs, vegies and edible flowers growing in the garden (there's a horticulturist on staff). Aesthetically The Grounds is beautiful; industrial meets rustic with a touch of bohemia, the details stole me away from conversation more than once.
The Grounds has created a unique experience - intimate dining and boutique coffee in a warehouse setting where professionals, tradies, hipsters and young families gather - happily so.
Come summertime there will be alfresco dining under the lanterns, pizzas straight from the woodfire oven and drinks from the outdoor bar. Sigh.
We were there for morning tea and I can highly recommend the blueberry and ricotta brown muffin. If you go for lunch I have heard the ocean trout with pearl barley, broccolini and preserved lemon is delectable.
As for the plethora of photos - apologies. But oh the details, the light, the coffee, the teapots....etc......!
Labels: from the city (sydney) , the cafe series
