The Deckhouse (Woolwich) 10th July 2011

With one of our number interstate (if you can call ACT a state!), we happy few were joined by a guest to try out this much vaunted venue. Well, it lived up to its reputation.

A beautiful Sydney winter's sun dappled through the eucalypts that framed the priceless views from Woolwich point (on the north side) out towards the harbour, with the Harbour bridge and CBD in the distance. Yachts sailed by, birds sang and... the coffee was plentiful.

The conversation flowed, assisted by sensitive but obliging service, and the food was the perfect pitch for this tres tres Sydney brunch spot. To give our readers a sense of how much we enjoyed this morning at one point the waitress asked, "Is there anything else I can get you? More coffee? The lunch menu?!" Was it really that late?...

Perhaps the rose-tinted take on the morning was enhanced by the fact that our Quiz score was...15/15!! Only our second perfect score.

Ratings:

BRAD: I admit it the food was probably reasonable but I was so swept up in the whole morning that I really can't fault it. Reasonable prices, great service and perfect setting. Five full golden eggs.

SAL: Simple Darling. Five Golden Eggs. I'll be back.

JAMES: "This is the life! Sign me up! What's that you say about golden eggs?"

Jackie's Cafe (Glenmore Road, Paddington) 2nd July 2011

Bonjour mon amis!

Must be the hint of Bastille Day approaching, but we headed off to the chi chi sweetie darling oh so absolutely fabulous world of Jackies in the respectable end of Paddington. And, you know, it was actually very nice indeed.

Great service from the beautiful wait staff, interesting menu and plenty of people watching. Sal was a clear local and Brad tried his best but Andrew, well, hard to tell if Ethiopian is chic or not this year. Either way, he carried it off with confident aplomb as always.

Quiz: A disappointing 11.5/15. We  rushed the final answers but will not do so again.

Ratings:

BRAD: Yeah, I'm happy here. 4 Golden Eggs

SAL: Me too. I like this place.

ANDREW: Hold that thought. I've just got to go and top up my parking money. I have been known to receive parking fines on this oxford st strip..

Specc Cafe (Clovelly Rd, Clovelly) 25th June 2011

What a great spot! It might have been helped by the gorgeous Sydney winter weather of glorious sunshine piercing the crisp air, or it might have been all he good goss' that we had to share this morning, but whatever the reason, this was a very enjoyable brunch at a very pleasing cafe. After avoiding the potential noisy small yuppy child issue inside, we set up camp on one of the footpath tables which had glimses of the water just over the hill. Great service, and good food. This would be a great cafe to keep on the books for overseas guests. Avoids the cliche Bronte/Bondi cafe scene but has the same coastal ambience. Great walks nearby. Anyway, now for the scores...

Sal: Service was excellent. I give it 4 eggs. Food was ok (corn fritters) but not on Morso level etc. I give it 3. So overall, a 3.5 golden egg rating.

Brad: I concur, although I give a bonus 1/2 egg for the friendly locals (one joined us with her dog just so she could squeeze in her coffee fix) - rare in the Eastern suburbs in my experience. 4 golden eggs.

Andrew: What? Oh, hang on I just have to take this call...


QUIZ RESULT: 12.5/15. Uzbekistan caught us!

DiVi Cafe (Balmain Rd, Lilyfield) 4 June 2011

What an eclectic morning this was! Andrew recommended this cafe based on the knowledge that one of his students works here. Located in an odd mini-plaza in the unjustifiably pretentiously named 'Orange Grove' (read: Lilyfield), DiVi is rightfully renowned for its coffee. Diego (Andrew's friend who kindly waited on us - despite it being a self-order kind of place) told us that they source their own beans of which 20% come from his native Columbia. They have a limited brunch menu but the prices reflect this no nonsense kind of 'tude that prevailed in this social enclave.

The real highlights came from the passing circus rather than the food. While there we were visited by pigeons, feminists (the Feminist Bookshop is right next door), drunkards, try-hard rebels (who need to realise that a lack of underwear is not a sign of being hip), false eye-lashes [see photo] and child slave labour (the waiters who served us should be home studying for the Grade 5 NAPLAN tests!).

Anyway, we scored 12.5/15 for the Quiz (Distinction) and enjoyed the morning before heading off to the nearby markets.

RATINGS:

BRAD says: In context, I give it 4 golden eggs for what it was and where it is. Good Italian scrambled eggs (ironically recommended by our Columbian friend).

SAL says: 3.5 eggs but half an egg more for the hilarious riff-raff captured in my photos.

ANDREW says: 4.5 golden eggs to support my excellent student. Diego, your teacher is very proud of you and your very good customer service skills. Now I can understand why you were almost always late to class.

Solitary Restaurant (Cliff Dr, Leura Falls/Katoomba) 28 May, 2011

Well, we went posh and exotic this week. Due to a weekend escape up in the Blue Mountains we all met at Solitary Restaurant for a very late brunch (heathens would call it lunch). Magnificent views, great service and good food.

Quiz Result: 11/15 (Credit)

Brad: Bit of a welcome homecoming for me. We were well attended and I liked the tablecloths. Not sure why there was so much pork on the menu. I chose the Bangalo Pork 'Tonnato' Style and wasn't really happy with it. Far too much fat on each wafer thin slice of pork. The parmesan overpowered the sage and other flavours. I want to rate it higher but I should give it a 3 golden egg rating. View and service is important but, ultimately we're here for the food.

Blackwattle Cafe (Glebe) 14th May, 2011

I was driving over the Anzac Bridge when I spotted this place and thought wow - what a place for Brunch - and to my delight after driving around for a while at the end of Glebe Pt Road I found it. 

The original Blackwattle Cafe where I spent a number of Saturday mornings when I was a uni student was in an artists wharehouse that is now a modern block of apartments. So to find this spot was exciting. And whilst it is the name only that is the new Blackwattle Cafe it is a treat. 

The house has a wonderful outlook across the harbour to the Anzac Bridge - dog friendly, child friendly and a great menu for Breakfast and Lunch.  It is extremely popular is if you are planning brekkie - arrive early - we had a wait but it wasn't long and the view is beautiful.

The Rocks Cafe (cnr Kent St, Argyle Pl, The Rocks) 7th May, 2011

The Brunch Club kindly agreed to work around Brad this week who, due to commitments as a volunteer at the Sydney Writers' Festival, had to brunch early and somewhere near Walsh Bay, we found ourselves at the originally named, 'The Rocks' cafe.

Clearly a 'local place for local people' we had varying service depending on the 'chat' level. The food was ok and as expected, given its unpretentious and simple decor, ambience. The setting was great though and we had lots of fun with the passing locals and with each other. Highlight was Brad's initiative in acquiring a menu.

Ratings:

Sal: Oh, a fairly passive 2 eggs.

Andrew: Sure.

Brad: Sorry, Gotta go... famous authors await...