Dunbar House (Watsons Bay) 28 Feb 2015

After failing to get in on an earlier date, uncharacteristically the brunchclub decided to give Dunbar House another go. So it was that we once again braved the traffic of New South Head Road to make our way to the very Heads of Sydney (Yes, we know. It would have been more 'Sydney' to have caught ferry, and we do recommend that you travel to Watsons Bay this way, but we had some time restraints on this particular day).

What we discovered was another architectural gem which was ideally suited to our summery needs. Open verandahs outside and air-conditioned rooms inside. All very stylised in its decor. Classic but with a touch of eastern European bling (at times approaching that preferred by a Russian oil baron's concubine.. but no matter. It is just great to have this building back in circulation).

Food was fine and the coffee was acceptable but the service was bizarre. It is clearly owned by one of those ubiquitous Sydney corporate function groups and so it felt a little bit 'processed'. (Linked to the QVB tea rooms and others of that chain). But who cares? We were won over by the view, the weather, the breeze, the glitter of sunshine on the babbling waves of a perfect pristine harbour and the conforting feeling that all was well with the world... Ah... THat was until we read that rag of a paper, The Sodom Morning Herald, only to be exposed to more political and social bias masquerading as journalism. But we won't spoil the day with talk of that.

RATINGS:

Sal: I remember some great nights at the Watsons Bay Hotel but happy to enjoy the tamer ambience of Dunbar House. 3 Golden eggs. I would definitely bring interstate or international guests here.

Andrew S: Another perfect Sydney experience. I shall be back! 3.5 golden eggs.

Brad: I think the silver wallpaper is a bit much but I'm so glad they have brought the old girl back to life (no gender stereotyping or patriarchal connotations intended). 3.5 eggs from me.

Susan Jane: Fab! Great location, great company and Sydney at its best. All hail brunchclub!

Andrew L: So glad I wore this shirt. It matches the wallpaper perfectly. 3 eggs.

Paesanella Food Emporium and Cafe (Marrickville)

In the tradition of Fratelli Fresh, this cafe is attached to a wonderful 'food emporium' cum deli. The idea being, I suppose, to have breakfast and then, inspired by their ingredients, catch the lift upstairs to purchase supplies. Well, would the breakfast induce such cravings?...

Yes.

This is a great cafe abuzz with continental banter, great genuine efficient service, and simple but effective decor with a suitably urban open outlook onto the street. The food was excellent with perhaps the fresh ricotta being the stand-out. We all, including our special guest visiting from Germany had a great time.

This place is a must. We shall be back.

RATINGS:

Brad: Its been a long time since I've had such great ricotta. I think it was at Brunswick during my Melbourne days. Love the Italian banter with the waiter.   4 golden eggs.

Sal: Bellissimo! Fab ricotta. The Perfect spot to go if you have any culiniary plans for the weekend. A great providore. 3.5 Golden Eggs.

Vaucluse House (Wentworth Rd Vaucluse) 14 Feb 2015

Having been some time since any member of the Club had been to Vaucluse House, our memories were somewhat faded all be they somewhat rose-tinted. Heading across on this saturday morning there was always the slight fear of thwarted expectations and the dreaded prospect that this might be a little too touristy for our brunclclub tastes. Well, we need not have been concerned. Vaucluse House remains one of the gems of the east.

Beautiful surroundings amid gorgeous gardens and situated amid a nationally listed historic building the cafe/restaurant is situated in a separate building overlooking the gardens and the main building. We couldn't have asked for a better brunch club experience.

The service was excellent, the tables were generous (always a plus for we stoic broadsheet newspaper readers) and the food was excellent too. True, it is a somewhat limited menu but that was a good thing because the dishes they serve they serve well.

The smashed avocado and the corn fritters were both hits, as was the coffee. Helped by our guest, Peter, the Club scored a respectable 17 in the quiz too. Huzzah!

RATINGS:

Brad: I'm a huge fan of the Wentworths (not necessarily the member for!) and I love this place, so I was always going to be happy. However, the avocado dish with egg and pecorino was srummy. I give this a 4.5 golden eggs. One of my top pics.

Sal: Hear! Hear! Full marks all round. Reminiscent of my squatocracy days. 4 effortless golden eggs.

Peter: So nice to be back and what a wonderful day. Not sure I am allowed to vote but I give it a distinction (17/20).

 

Sturt Gallery Cafe (Mittagong) 31 Jan 2015

Brighton the Cafe (Petersham) 17 Jan 2015

Having recently moved into the area, and having spotted this venue on his regular jogging route, one of our members felt compelled to summon the Brunch Club to 'Brighton on Corner' cafe.

It promised much. Nestled amid the beautiful tree-lined streets of north Petersham, not far from the village Park, this cafe had pleasant decor, plenty of space, seats inside and out, seemingly groovy waiters and a short but satisfactory menu.

This was all an illusion.

In short, Brunch Club fans, the coffee was ok (just) but the food was a complete disappointment. Bland, basic, underwhelming, tired and tasteless. I know this sounds harsh but we have four different meal and each, without exception, was poor. This can be confirmed by the fact that no one complained until after we had left at the end when we all secretly confessed to each other our disappointment.

This 'dud' of a cafe seems ironic because it was actually one of our best brunch club gatherings, in the sense that the conversation flowed from Plato to Bacon (of the philosophical kind), History to employment, politics to movies. Thanks to our extended gang - Mark, Michael and Pete.

RATING: Dud!

QUIZ:  17/20

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.