The Barn Cafe, Middle Head Rd, Mosman

The Barn Cafe, Middle Head Rd, Mosman
Saturday 29 September 2007

This morning was my second outing in over a week. So, I wanted sunshine, blue sky and water views.

I had visited the first Barn Cafe in Rozelle almost 12 months ago and had thought it was over rated. However, it's a new year and they have recently launched a new menu at a new location so why not give it a try?

I must admit that even though I'm a local to this area I have never been to Headland Park - however I did travel past it yesterday on the way to the fabulous Ripples at Chowder Bay. The Barn at Mosman opened in mid August and my breakfast buddy this morning came all the way from across the bridge so I was keen for this part of Sydney to shine.....and it delivered.

The location is spectacular - looking out to the Heads and watching the boats on Harbour - it reconfirms that Sydney is the best city in the world...well, as far as I'm concerned. The site occupied by The Barn is a small cottage with indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is covered with a recycled timber pergola and there are landscaped lawns (with more to come) in the surrounding area. The menu offers all your breakfast favourites as well as several daily specials listed on a blackboard.

It's family & pet friendly with many locals arriving with their furry friends. The Barn has placed water bowls around the perimeter for the animals and Headland Park offers kids all the distraction they require. We decided to sit outside in the shade on this magnificent morning. I couldn't go past a big coffee and the Mosman breakfast - poached eggs on chunky toast, bacon, pork cumberland sausage & roast tomato. My brunch buddy ordered the smoked salmon scrambled eggs on turkish.

My only gripe was the service. Our coffees were so slow that they arrived at the same time as our breakfast. So, after tucking into breakfast my coffee went cold by the time I was ready to drink it. I would have expected the coffee to arrive well before our food. By the time we had finished our breakfast we needed to order another round of coffees so we could drink them hot. The staff were slow clearing tables too so each new group that arrived had to move dirty plates, cups etc in order to sit down. This was not a good sign.

My brunch buddy & I enjoyed the atmosphere and the wonderful views and stayed for several hours. As this area is still relatively undiscovered it's not overwhelmingly busy and they are currently offering a special of cake & coffee for $6.50 each day between 4 - 5pm. What are you waiting for?

The Barn Cafe - Building 3, 1100 Middle Head Road, Mosman - (02) 9968 2233

http://www.thebarncafe.com.au/

Ripples, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman

Ripples, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman

Friday 28 September, 2007

What a glorious location. I am a local to the area and I didn't even know this place existed. Ripples, Chowder Bay officially opened on 1 August this year and commands a harbour foreshore site that has been restored by the Harbour Trust.

Ripples - the cafe chain that started at North Sydney pool and is linked to Aqua Dining - is a gorgeous cafe offering Italian inspired food. For our celebration lunch and my first outing in over a week we couldn't have picked a better day - the weather was sensational and the Harbour sparkled.

Not surprisingly, for such a unique location, this place has been booked out most days since it opened. However finding it and actually getting to the entrance are a challenge. There are two entrance points - park at Chowder Bay and walk across the park or navigate the national parkland drive on Chowder Bay Drive and attempt to find a car spot amongst the construction and limited space. As the area has only recently opened up there is still a lot of work to be done. The entrance requires clearer signage, a level entry (if this is possible), work to ensure the staircase is safe - it's very steep and a better pathway and entrance.

We arrived for our midday celebration and were welcomed to a lovely table. The staff joked with us about how difficult the parking is but we all agreed that this had to be one of the most spectacular locations on Sydney Harbour. There was a gentle breeze that blew through the covered deck as we were seated on these fabulous clear and black moulded chairs. The atmosphere is relaxed and you need a drink as soon as you arrive to toast the fact you found it!

The tables were beautifully set with crisp white tables cloths, the staff were dressed in grey branded uniforms and were all very courteous and friendly. The menu is Italian inspired which is perfect for the location. After soaking up the view and the atmosphere I couldn't go past the Crab filled zucchini flowers for entree and the Blue eye cod with white bean salad for main. The food was stunning and I could not fault it in any way. The flavours, fresh taste and quality of the seafood was truly magnificent.

As we enjoyed our lunch the wind picked up a little and the tables right on the edge of the deck experienced the brunt of it as the umbrellas fell over knocking off glasses several times. This will have to dealt with to ensure the safety of patrons. There are a few private dining areas however they don't command the views that the deck seating does. If I have any complaints about the deck seating it is that the tables are a little close - this was emphasised as the staff knocked off our cutlery twice as they squeezed past.

For a breakfast, lunch venue this location is ideal and once they address the access and parking situation it will be a wonderful experience. This is a venue to be enjoyed during daylight hours - it's magic.

Ripples - Deck C, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman - 9960 3000

http://www.ripplescafe.com.au/

Lindt Chocolat Cafe, George St, Sydney

Lindt Chocolat Cafe, George St, Sydney
Tuesday 18 September, 2007

Did you know the average Australian consumes about 6.2 kg's of chocolate per year? Today my lunch buddy & I over-indulged. We couldn't help ourselves and it's all Lindt's fault!

When Lindt opened its Cockle Bay cafe at the end of last year, Taste.com.au commented that, "Why the chocolate giant would choose to open two of these cafés in the same city is anyone's guess, but Sydneysiders certainly aren't complaining." Well, now there are three cafes in Sydney - what do they have to say about that??? It appears that Sydney-siders have embraced the Swiss chocolatier, Lindt & Sprungli, and will not let go.

It's certainly not doing me any favours....being a closet chocoholic citing Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory as one of my favourite films I'll be lucky to survive the year. However, after visiting the new George St Lindt cafe on Friday to see what it was like I was keen to return for lunch. I mean, what's not to like about a chocolate cafe? I had visions of enjoying a large slab of rich chocolate cake for lunch and...........well, it's actually not too far from the truth.

My lunch buddy & I arrived around 12.30pm today and were shown to a table by the window. The cafe was buzzing and about 75% of the tables were occupied. We looked over the menus to determine our strategy......chocolate only or savoury & chocolate? Choices, choices.

We decided to share a few items and ordered the following:

- 1 x Iced chocolate and 1 x hot chocolate (the iced chocolate almost bought on a chocolate cardiac arrest - it was incredibly rich, sweet and so deliciously good that I doubted I could have anything else)

- 1 x Club sandwich with smoked salmon, dill, house pickled cucumber with goat's curd on tramezzini (Italian white bread - prepared as High Tea English sandwiches with the crusts cut off - very delicate and tasty)

- 1 x Pistachio almond meringue and 1 x milk chocolate almond meringue (these meringues were soft-ish and the pistachio was prepared with pistachio colouring/ flavour and not real pistachios)

- 1 x Indulgence Cake (the name sums it up)

After we had read and re-read the menu I noticed that in small print at the bottom of the last page was the following statement, 'Please limit all business meetings to 30 minutes'. The sheer fact that Lindt needs to print this on their menus is staggering. What has been happening in their other Sydney cafes?

Our waiter was polite, very helpful and happy to send our cake back to the kitchen to be sliced in two. By the time we were ready to eat the cake we both realised we had gone over board. Oh well, it's not like we do that every day........

Lindt Chocolat Cafe, Cnr George & Grosvenor Sts, Sydney

Old Man's Hat, Glebe Pt Rd, Glebe

Old Man's Hat, Glebe Pt Rd, Glebe

Saturday 15 September, 2007

What a find! This morning our Glebe friends introduced us to a gem. Old Man's Hat is located near the intersection of Glebe Pt & Pyrmont Bridge Rds. It's a cute joint - the entrance is up a few stairs with a large window with bench seats, red feature walls and colourful furniture. The concept is all about maximising the use of certified organic ingredients.

We were welcomed inside and took the large front table in front of the barista. Coffees all around - and they were really, really good coffees too - we laboured over the menu as everything just sounded sooooo good. The breakfast menu consists of organic muesli's, pancakes, eggs and a few breakfast dampers and sour doughs. Where to start?

I couldn't go past the Petra - lamb sausage, grilled red capsicum, goats cheese and fried eggs on top of sour dough. My breakfast buddies ordered the strawberry & banana pancakes, muesli and two more of the breakfast dampers - this one with bacon, tomato and fried eggs.

After we ordered I had to ask the origin of the name - you've got to admit it's unique....the story goes the owner's Grandfather from the Greek Island of Lesvos used to go into the fields each day wearing the same old hat. At the end of the day he would return with a hat full of organic fruits and vegetables. The cafe pays homage to him.

When our breakfast arrived we were seriously impressed. There wasn't much talking as we started eating. My Petra was absolutely divine - the lamb sausage paired with grilled capsicum and goats cheese was sensational. As much as I loved mine my breakfast buddies also loved theirs and we gave glowing recommendations for each.

The staff were relaxed, pleasant and happy to share stories, jokes etc. We ordered a second round of coffees - Toby's Estate coffee beans - and enjoyed the atmosphere of this happening little place. We grabbed a takeaway menu to see what else they offered - meat, chicken, seafood, vegetarian pizzas, gourmet pastas, vegetarian pastas, salads, gourmet burgers, desserts etc - and vowed to return for dinner.

Old Man's Hat - Shop 2, 197 Glebe Pt Rd, Glebe - (02) 9566 1921

Wharf Restaurant, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay

Wharf Restaurant, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay

Friday 14 September, 2007

Tonight Inala - a Rudolf Steiner organisation supporting individuals with disabilities - had their annual fundraising dinner. Hosted by their Patron Blanche d'Alpuget and her husband Bob Hawke with entertainment provided by Mirian Margolyes it was bound to be an entertaining evening.

The Wharf Restaurant is located at the end of Pier 4 on Hickson Road which is shared by the Sydney Theatre Company (STC). To get to the restaurant you walk down a long corridor with framed STC posters on either side. As we neared the end we were met with long sheer white curtains hanging from ceiling to floor. Looking through the curtains you could see 100's of tea lights - it was very special.

As the guests were ushered into the restaurant the impact of the tea lights against the backdrop of the Harbour was breathtaking. Already placed on each setting were our entrees:

- Lightly smoked trout with pickled beetroot and shiso (this was a standout - the fresh, light trout was a perfect match for the beetroot - this will be a regular dish over Summer)

Miriam Margolyes is an award winning British actor and is currently in Australia performing her one person show, Dickens' Women. Many people may know her as Professor Sprout from the Harry Potter films or from her roles in The Age of Innocence, Ladies in Lavender, Being Julia or her voice from Babe, Mulan or Happy Feet. Miriam entertained us in 2 parts - before the main course and after the main course. Before the main course she shared stories of her life in British theatre, meeting the Queen, coming to Australia etc. She was warm, engaging and highly entertaining.

There was a choice for the main course:

- Braised lamb with polenta and baby vegetables (the lamb was tender however I'm not a fan of polenta)

- Five spice chicken with white kumera and green onion

After the main course Miriam performed a snippet from her one person show, Dickens' Women. This was really sensational and judging from the reaction from the crowd I'm quite certain her show will be sold out shortly. This was followed by an auction and raffle draw then dessert:

- Raspberry pavlova roulade with raspberries (this was fluffy, light and the raspberries were sweet and delicious)

The staff at the Wharf Restaurant were excellent - they anticipated everyone's needs, kept glassed filled, cleared plates promptly and were very polite.

This was a fantastic night for a good cause and the venue was stunning.

Wharf Restaurant - Pier 4 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay - (02) 9250 1761

http://www.thewharfrestaurant.com.au/

Lindt Chocolat Cafe, George St, Sydney

Lindt Chocolat Cafe, George St, Sydney

Friday 14 September, 2007

What were they thinking? A new Lindt cafe has sprung up within walking distance of our office. We have watched with anticipation as the cafe came to life over the past few weeks and eagerly awaited the Thursday opening. This afternoon a very wise team member suggested we road test the new cafe...........purely research, of course.

The new cafe commands a huge space near the Suncorp & NAB buildings on George St. There is dining inside and out and a plush, inviting interior that ensures you feel very welcome. There are also well dressed staff mingling by the entrance to greet you and direct you to the right place. It's a little overwhelming.......ice cream station, chocolate boxes, single chocolates, chocolate blocks, desserts, drinks etc.

The Lindt story goes...."Sydney has been the first to experience the mouth watering offerings of Lindt. The first Lindt Chocolat Café (and the world’s first) is located in Martin Place. While Lindt chocolates are manufactured and available world-wide no other countries have their own Lindt Chocolat Cafes. Lindt is a world-class premium chocolate company that has a long and evolved history which began in Switzerland in 1845. Now they enjoy the reputation of being at the forefront of contemporary chocolate suppliers’ renowned for their innovation, quality and Swiss chocolate making tradition."

We decided to sit inside as a storm had just swept over the CBD and were directed to a couple of tables with very comfortable, well padded leather chairs. The decor is dark wood panelling with caramel coloured chairs. The staff were pleasant and keen to impress showering us with more menus and friendly banter. The menu is extensive with plenty of drinks (including tea and coffee for those don't do chocolate), a series of lunch offerings, and a mega list of desserts. What to have????

As it was afternoon tea our group opted for milkshakes, mochas, hot chocolates plus a late and tea. We anxiously awaited their arrival whilst taking in the delicious chocolate aroma of the store. We watched as the staff moved around the floor chatting with diners and sharing their love of chocolate. What a wonderful environment to work in.

My chocolate milkshake was prepared with Lindt ice cream and topped with sprinkles of white & milk chocolate. It was incredibly indulgent and presented in a tall glass. The first sip was delightfully sweet and I feared it would bring on a chocolate cardiac arrest.

There's an entire menu at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe to work through.......so we'll be back.

Lindt Chocolat Cafe, Cnr George & Grosvenor Sts, Sydney

Papaya, Military Rd, Cremorne

Papaya, Military Rd, Cremorne

Tuesday 11 September, 2007

I love this place and back in April I committed to having my next Thai takeaway from Papaya. It's taken me a while but tonight I arrived home late and the inviting takeaway brochure was staring at me from its prime place on my fridge door. The sleek black brochure outlined everything on offer and made it all sound so deliciously good. Where do you start?

I phoned through my order and had a lovely conversation with the friendly staff member. I ordered:

- Kai Hor Bai Toey - succulent chicken, marinated and wrapped in fragrant pandan leaf then deep fried. Served with a tangy sweet sesame and tamarind sauce

- Pad Thai - classic thai stirfry of rice thin noodles, stir fried with chicken, bean sprouts, crushed peanut and scented sliced red onion

- Kaeng Phed Pedyand - action packed this highly spiced red curry highlights the deep flavours of boneless roast duck in chilli red curry combined with lychee, pineapple and cherry tomatoes which temper the heat of this classic

Could they make the food sound any more inviting???

The staff member explained that they were busy and the order could take up to an hour to be delivered. Was this OK? I was happy to wait and was surprised when my door buzzer went after 40 minutes. Standing in front of me was a smartly dressed staff member holding a brown paper bag with the Papaya logo on a sticker. The package was perfectly prepared and it almost felt wrong to rip it open to retrieve my dinner.

It hit me immediately that I had over-ordered. Not to worry....there's lunch for tomorrow. The food was steaming and I was impressed it had survived the journey so well. The entree chicken was sensational - I could eat a bucketful of the Kai Hor Bai Toey. The Pad Thai soaked up the duck curry and it became very clear that I could easily get three meals out of this lot! I enjoyed every mouthful - the sweetness from the lychee and pineapple with the spiciness of the duck curry was just to die for.

Papaya has continued to deliver the goods.

Papaya - Shop 7, 307 Military Rd, Cremorne - (02) 9953 8992

http://www.papayathai.com.au/

The Cookery Book, Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge

The Cookery Book, Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge

Saturday 8 September, 2007

After brunch at one of my favourite locals, Maitre Karl, I decided to take a different route home. To my surprise I stumbled across a strip of fabulous shops on Sailors Bay Road that included antiques, vintage clothes, furniture and cook books. What a find!

The Cookery Book is set in amongst these shops, is a foodies paradise and is Australia's only exclusive distributor of cookery books for the professional chef and the enthusiastic home cook. On entry you are met with thousands of books (they stock almost 3000 cookbooks at any given time) separated by country e.g. Australia, America, United Kingdom and then by speciality e.g. BBQ, Bakery, Seafood etc. I was overwhelmed and didn't know where to start.

I soon found my way to the Australian section and picked up a copy of My Vue by Shannon Bennett - the genius from Melbourne who owns and runs Vue de Monde. Then I started searching through the other countries and stumbled across a few titles from Marco Pierre White. This notoriously bad boy chef has moved through several restaurants and I was fortunate to dine at Mirabelle in London many years ago. I also purchased a copy of White Slave.

I approached the counter and was met by a lovely staff member who asked if I worked in the industry. When I explained I was just a foodie she grabbed recent newsletters for me and asked me to sign up for their monthly newsletter. I was impressed that they showcase all the upcoming books and offer brief commentary on each. As I had showed interest in Shannon and Marco, I was directed to the books by Anthony Bourdain. I have them all and was pleased to learn that there are two upcoming books, one with an introduction by Tony (My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals Portraits by Melanie Dunea) and another on his travels around the world with his TV show, No Reservations. Bring on November!

My quest for cookbook stores all started back in 2001 when I visited London and was introduced to Books for Cooks just off Portobello Road in Notting Hills. This cosy space dedicated to cookbooks also houses a cafe with a set menu that is an experience not to be missed. Since then I have visited Books for Cooks in Fitzroy, VIC and also The Book Kitchen in Surry Hills, NSW.

If you know of another local or international cookbook store worth visiting - let me know!

The Cookery Book - 44 Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge - (02) 9967 8211

http://www.cookerybook.com.au/

Radio Cairo, Spofforth St, Cremorne

Radio Cairo, Spofforth St, Cremorne
Friday 7 September, 2007

After a marathon day at the movies I met a local buddy for dinner at Radio Cairo. Located just opposite the Cremorne Orpheum, Radio Cairo is a local institution consistently delivering fabulous African inspired food.

We didn't have a reservation so were seated at one of the high tables at the window. This was ideal as we had a great spot for people watching outside and for checking out the cute waiters inside. Radio Cairo is BYO - very convenient given there is a bottle shop across the road. The decor is mostly panelled wood within the two room dining space. There is also seating at the bar. There are loud, African themed decorations on the walls which add to the quirky nature of the place.

Our friendly waiters delivered us a large bottle of water and took our order:


- Spicy crocodile wings (bright orange, chargrilled and messy but worth the trouble)

- Lamb skewers (tender meat marinated in a sweet, current baste)

- Octopus curry (thick cinnamon infused sauce with large pieces of octopus)

- Tiger prawn salad (large prawns with the tails on and a smoky BBQ flavour)

When the two entrees arrived i.e. crocodile wings and lamb skewers our friendly waiter delivered a bowl of water with lemon for our greasy fingers. The crocodile wings were delicious, spicy and fiddly but my local buddy and I decided to jump right in and use our hands. This was far more effective than using a knife and fork. The lamb skewers were a challenge to pull off the skewer but the meat was decadently good with the sweetness from the currents.

We polished off our entrees with ease and joked with the staff about not enjoying our food at all. He laughed and mentioned how often they hear that here. Our mains arrived and we commended ourselves on our choices plus the small cous cous. The sauce from the octopus curry was outstanding with the cous cous and we added the tiger prawns into the mix which created a lovely smokey taste.

By the time we had finished our meals we both agreed that Radio Cairo is one of the best local restaurants around.

Radio Cairo - 83 Spofforth St, Cremorne - (02) 9908 2649

Oven cafe, Parraween St, Cremorne

Oven cafe, Parraween St, Cremorne
Friday 7 September, 2007



On this APEC Public Holiday we decided to enjoy a movie marathon at the Cremorne Orpheum - 'Forbidden Lies', '4' and 'After the Wedding'. In between films we ducked out for coffee and then again for a late lunch at Oven.

Located in a quiet backstreet behind the hustle & bustle of Military Road, Oven is a little gem. It's cramped, especially when the locals come in for takeaway coffees however if you arrive on a quiet day, like today, it's a cosy, welcoming space. The staff are friendly and try not to make a big deal of squeezing past you every 2 mins to get in and out of the kitchen.

My movie buddy and I needed a quick bite with the emphasis on quick. Viewing the lean lunch menu I opted for the Lamb and sumac panini with garlic yoghurt and my movie buddy chose the Italian sausages on a bed of mash. I had absolutely no idea what sumac was but it was described to me as a spice - dark burgundy in colour, sumac has a tart, sour lemon taste.

Our meals were delivered promptly and were fabulous. My panini with bursting with tender lamb strips and generously coated in garlic yoghurt - it was perfectly prepared. My movie buddy's meal was equally as tempting - two large gourmet sausages sat on a generous pile of creamy mash.

As time was of the essence there wasn't much talking as we devoured our meals. We were impressed.



Oven cafe - 89 Parraween St, Cremorne - (02) 9908 3536

Fine Fish, Grosvenor Lane, Neutral Bay

Fine Fish, Grosvenor Lane, Neutral Bay

Thursday 6 September, 2007

After a long day working from home due to APEC (the Asia Pacific Economic Corporation) summit I had to get some fresh air. I ventured across Military Road to the chaos of Grosvenor Lane. Within a minute I was reminded why I rarely come here - everyone is impatient and it's impossible to park.

After my 5th lap around the car park I finally secured a park. Fine Fish backs onto the car park amongst the small boutique shops and Woolworths. For a first time visitor Fine Fish looks impressive with its exposed concrete floors and large blackboard highlighting their philosophy and dine in/ takeaway menus. As they only opened in March - everything looks new and fresh. The long display case leads through to an open kitchen and to a staircase which takes you to the first floor and the dining room.

When I arrived there was no-one behind the counter and two customers standing around. I walked up to the cash register and waited. About 5 minutes later a cook poked his head around and asked if I wanted to place an order. Interesting approach.......do they often find people just standing there aimlessly? I asked for some grilled fish and crumbed calamari. He explained that I couldn't have that. OK then....what can I have? Only what is listed on the board and no variation. That meant....a grilled fish, salad and chips combo for $16.90. If I wanted calamari I could order a 10 pack only. WOW - talk about inflexible.

I decided to forgo the calamari and stick to their combo. What I could specify was the fish - Atlantic Salmon please. A short time later a staff member arrived at the front counter and resumed taking orders and then another staff member appeared from the back office to discuss some remuneration issues. Not only was this completely inappropriate but there was a growing group of take away customers waiting to place their orders. If I had just arrived I would have walked straight back out.

My order came up and to be honest I pleased to get out of there. I didn't have a good feeling about this place but to be fair the food was OK. The salmon was served in a large tray with thin chips and fresh salad. The chips were average but the salad was excellent - a good mix of greens, cucumber and tomato. The salmon was a little undercooked for me but still very nice with a crisp skin.

The old adage 'first impressions count' could not be more true here. I have no desire to return to Fine Fish.

Fine Fish - 75 Grosvenor Lane, Neutral Bay - (02) 9908 4448

http://www.finefish.com.au/

SMH Good Food Guide 2008

Thursday 6 September, 2007

As September rolls around (are the years getting faster or is just me??) we know some big announcements will be made. Each year the anticipation of the SMH Good Food Guide brings excitement, joy and sorrow and as far as I'm concerned this year - the editors got it so right.

If you haven't seen who was awarded what - click here

The top award went to Tetsuya's as Restaurant of the Year - Three hat honours went to these great Sydney restaurants:

• Bilson's
• Claude's
• est
• Marque
• Pier
• Quay
• Tetsuya's

What an illustrious group. During the week I read another article that added further weight to these awards.....four Australian chefs are listed in the new box "My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals Portraits, Interviews and Recipes" by Melanie Dunea. The eagerly anticipated book will arrive here in November and features:

• Chui Lee Luk (Claudes)
• Guillaume Brahami (Guillaume at Bennelong)
• Neil Perry (Rockpool)
• Tetsuya Wakuda (Tetsuya's)

What made me really happy????

1) Glebe Point Diner being awarded one hat
2) Pier Tasting Room losing one hat
3) Alchemy 731 losing a hat

Where am I planning to eat in the next few months????

1) Oscillate Wildly (if I can get a reservation, I've tried twice and am getting a little tired of hearing they are continually booked out)
2) Restaurant Balzac (the last time I ate there they were in the old digs)
3) Claudes (I've never been there so it's about time...)

Concrete, Harris St, Pyrmont

Concrete, Harris St, Pyrmont

Saturday 1 September, 2007

I had received mixed reviews about Concrete but had driven past so many times that I was keen to try it for myself. I arrived as the rain came down and I was so confused that I couldn't find the entrance - was it on Harris St, in the lane way behind or up the side? To disguise my confusion I opted to sit outside under the awning. My brunch buddy arrived and we laughed as I relayed my confusion.....the entrance is on Harris St and looks a little like a large window.

The decor at Concrete is well..concrete. Exposed concrete floors and walls with large windows at the side that open out to bring the outdoors inside. There is a public walkway that goes from Harris St through the outdoor section of Concrete however on this wet Saturday morning it was relatively quiet. Within moments of sitting down our friendly waiter arrived and asked if we like to order coffees. Yes please!

There was a specials board on display and our waiter described these beautifully. After delivering our coffees she walked us through each one and happily answered our questions about the breakfast menu. When asked for her opinion she shared her thoughts on each breakfast offering with ease and helped us make our decision.

I opted for the breakfast special - Three cheese scrambled eggs on turkish with a side of bacon and my brunch buddy ordered the Italian eggs with tomato and crispy potatoes. Our coffees arrived and I have to say I was a little disappointed - they were luke warm and weak. That said, they certainly hit the spot and we ordered more after breakfast requesting them really, really hot.

Our breakfast arrived and we were impressed at how large the servings were. Each plate was enormous and the meals looked so delicious. My eggs were piled high on turkish with large chunks of cheese melted throughout. My brunch buddy's eggs were laid high on turkish with layers of crispy bacon and tomato and a ring of crispy potatoes around the outside of the plate. We both thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast - my three cheese eggs were seriously good and each mouthful revealed a different taste...blue cheese, gorgonzola or cheddar. I was in cheese heaven!

We sat outside chatting away, watched the weather fine up and the lunchtime crowd arrive. I've read and heard mixed reviews about Concrete and our experience today was really good, so I would definitely return.

Concrete - 224 Harris St, Pyrmont - (02) 9518 9523