Parliament on King (4 Oct 2014)

Well, there are hipster cafes and then there is the real thing ... Parliament on King.

Like stepping into someone's cluttered loungeroom, this small and intimate 'cafe' has a unique charm that would warm the heart of any genuine or wannabe Newtown inner-urban sustainable-living type. Clearly everything in the place is recycled and deliberately very yesteryear. From the floor-to-roof bookshelves that lined every wall, to the chesterfield, to the working record-player that projected nostalgic soft jazz tunes, this place was ether not trying it on or perhaps trying just a bit too hard.

Whatever the case, brunch club (sans Sal and Andrew, who were both out of town for the long weekend) scootered (yes, literally!) down to the lower end of King Street and ordered from the intriguing but minimalist menu. In short, if it couldn't be prepared in a toaster or breville, it won't be available. So, yes, fans, this was not going to be of typical Brunch Club standard.

The coffee was average and the toasted bagels were, well, exactly that, but no more. While we had a great time catching up on all the mid-semester goss, and the setting was great, there is no denying that the food and coffee was very disappointing and unlikely to entice us back.

Ratings:

Brad: Loved the cosiness of the place but the food was really just snack food and very disappointing. I can only give it a 2.5
Adrian: Rockpool this ain't. 3 yellow eggs.
Andrew: No excuse for bad coffee on King Street. I give this 2.7.

Bootsdarling, Darlinghurst (28 June 2014)

Despite the comedy of errors for some of us in finding this place, it was worth persisting. And especially as we had much to celebrate. The newly-minted 'Dr" was in the house (despite getting lost and lurking on the front counter for 20 mins not realising that fellow clubbers were already dining at a table out the back. Oh dear! Absent-minded professor symptoms already showing!) and special commemorative Charles Williams coffee mugs were presented to loyal Brunch Club supporters.

Together with the 'Nam' rellies and another guest, Richard, it was quite a gang. And quite a chaotic gang we were too this morning. But to their credit, this new little café took it all in their stride and we all left feeling like we had been served with style and care but no fuss. Just the way the Club likes it.

Bootsdarling was Sal's hot tip (which we had postponed from last week) and it proved a real winner. Good coffee, great dishes and excellent genuine service. This new addition to the growing bolt-hole coffee/cafes on and around this little stretch of South Dowling Road deserves loyal patronage.
True, it's cosy but its welcoming and homely. Yes, there is the ubiquitous hipster influence (and the baristas all had the obligatory Kelly beards) but somehow it didn't seem like they were trying too hard.

And the icing on the cake was a perfect score in the quiz. Huzzah! PhDs were awarded all round.

Ratings:

(Dr) BRAD: Loved it! The shredded pork was perfect and just the sort of hearty dish one needed on this sunny but brisk Sydney morning. The service has tipped this into a 4.5 golden eggs.

SAL: 'Darling' is right. I love this place! (once I found it.) Great to have 'Mummy and Daddy bear' with us again. The juice was particularly scrummy.

ANDREW: Worth getting up for.

The Runcible Spoon, Camperdown (21 June 2014)

A perfect local spot close to Uni but hidden away from the tourists. Fabulous name that brought back childhood memories (I guess that's the intent) and... well, some behaviours too.

Great to have Kaz join us (to keep Andrew in line, if nothing else!) and the winter weather was kind to us too.

This cosy café, tucked away inside an old factory (which is now newly-renovated inner-urban chi-chi apartments, of course.) serves a tight but exotic range of dishes that are really flavoursome and fresh. The usual crowds weren't there (maybe because they weren't listed in the SMH's recent top 10) but we don't know why. The quality of food is still high and the coffee is still great too. Mind you, the lack of table service is irritating and odd, given the low number of tables.

Anyway, the conversation flowed, we began or gradual redemption of the quiz (16/20 - up from 13 the week before), and we felt well-prepared for our subsequent viewing of The National Theatre's King Lear later that day.

The Copper Mill, Alexandria (Easter Saturday 2014)

Hey Brunch Clubbers! Sorry for the lack of postings but,... well, ... we have been just too busy living our exciting inner-urban, cosmopolitani-sophisticate, global jet-setting and yet humble lives. We shall try to remedy this. So,..

Despite the absence of Andrew who was making a charitable visit to the NW rural regions of NSW, The Club took time out of Holy Week to gather on Saturday morning for brunch. The venue was a relative newcomer but much vaunted addition to the inner-city dining scene: The Copper Mill on Mitchell Rd, Alexandria.

With limited space and humble location, it was, of course, the perfect venue for those in the know. And, on the day we visited, there were many of those. In a possible first for Brunch Club, we even agreed to wait (you might even say 'queue') for a free table. Clearly they didn't know who we were! But, it was worth it.

Great coffee and terrific food. Efficient but suitably attentive service floated around the now de rigueur industrial-cum-artisan decor, and proffered us an array of organic healthy but hearty dishes that were tasty and innovative. The only slight issue were the uncomfortable seats (that were really benches) but we were blissfully unaware of any discomfort due to the animated and varied conversation.

In short, we would definitely return and we would absolutely recommend it to you all.

Oh, and in fitting blessing akin to the season, we resurrected our poor quiz performance from last week to secure a perfect 20/20! Hallelujah!

RATINGS:

Brad: 4.5 Golden eggs. Great value and perfect at what it claims to be.
Sal: 4 Golden eggs. I concur. Just what I needed after, shall we say, a rather tumultuous week!
Mark: Where do you keep finding these gems? 5 eggs, four of which are golden, one silver.
Andrew S: The perfect 'stopover'. 5 golden eggs.

Brad's poached egg, buckwheat & cale