Opera House Forecourt, 17/08/13

Burnt Orange, Middle Head, Mosman. Sat 9th June, 2012

What a gem!

Thanks must go to our two friends, Andrew and Jenny, for letting us in on this Sydney secret. We knew about Ripples and the Gunners' Barracks but it was only today that we discovered and savoured the delights of 'Burnt Orange', perched on middle head overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Perhaps best described as Laura Ashleigh meets Australian Federation chic, the wide verandahs, enormous windows of this converted golf country club is warm and welcoming from the moment you emerge from the native bush that surrounds it to the moment you are kindly offered a seat and all the pleasure in between.

Perhaps the glorious sunshine helped (amid a gloomy wet week), but we (Sal, Brad and regular interstate guest, Andrew) all agreed this was one of the best brunch spots to date.

Highlights included:

* Excellent personal service. Attentive but not invasive.

* Wide tables (which allowed one to spread out the paper while eating brunch) - a rarity at too many cafes these days.

* Excellent food.

*Attached cottage gift shop where, among other things, you can purchase homemade (As in, yes, on site) marmalade. Which we did.

* Birdsong drifting up from the parrots in the eucalypts.

Ok, if we're sounding a little sappy and, well, Mozzman Mummy, too bad. When on the north side and amongst the locals.. let yourself go.

QUIZ RESULT:

Probably because of the sensory overload, we only achieved 16/20. Annoyed that there are too many popular culture questions and not enough of the traditional History, Literature, Geography. We may have to write another letter...

RATINGS:

BRAD: I can't believe I've driven past this one so many times on my way to Ripples. Burnt Orange 'kicks ass'. Sorry, don't know what prompted that gratuitous vernacular, but I do rate this place highly and will bring guests back here, especially international or interstate. 5 Golden Eggs.

ANDREW (Shelley): You did it again Sydney. Hard not to be impressed. A thoroughly delightful morning among friends, fine food, good coffee and beautiful vistas. 4.5 Golden Eggs. Can't give anything perfection outside Canberra.

SAL: A piece of Mosperson heaven what a delight. Large timber tables that you can both read the paper at, excellent service and my food  -  eggs florentine where excellent. Very good choice for anyone with a visitor in town. Top marks 5 Golden Eggs

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?"

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.