Bean Tree Cafe, Bondi, 13th May

Well, occasionally even your faithful Brunch Clubbers get it wrong. After doing our research (via our competitor websites - Urban Spoon and Eatability) we agreed to try this apparently fantastic brunch spot in Bondi. Even better becasue we had a visitor from Germany who was only in Sydney for a few days. What could be better? Brunch, Bondi, sunny weather and exotic company?!

Alas, we were a little taken aback by the humble little cafre called Bean Tree. It is a non-descript tinly little coffee and snack place several blocks back from the Beach with no views and, well, no ambience.

To be fair though, it wasn't pretending to be anything other than that. So, we had to swallow our pride and just order some fairly simple affiar. The coffee though, it has to be said, was good.

Highlights were the company as always and the lowlight was a very humble pass on the quiz.   

  

Big Brekky

This morning we were but two as Vice Toff was being strategically planned (hope he's ok) & I stayed over at Sal's in Peter's Ham. So we decided to just pop  across Stanmore Rd to one of our favoured previous Brunch club cafes which we never blogged.

This spot on busy Stanmore Rd has outstanding food and a lovely backyard which makes you feel like you are literally in someone's home. It was competitive to get a table this morning but we managed to share a table with a lovely trio (see last pic) who were also doing the quiz this fine Saturday morn (we eclipsed their score of course with a mighty 17/20 - very impressive without the genius - despite not knowing the EPL team Bolton Wanderers). We were also assisted by an outrageously camp and flirtatious waiter who was highly entertaining.( see attached flirtation picture).


Food, as mentioned, was really top-notch. My big brekkie with bacon, eggs, mushrooms, potato, spinach and tomato was an exquisite combination. Sal also squealed delight with her corn fritters (see pic).


ANDREW SAYS: Highly impressed. If only we all had a cafe like this one on our doorstep like Sal. 4.5 GOLDEN EGGS

SAL SAYS: Consistently good food from the local. Love the new audaciously flirty waiter. Very funny. 4.5 GOLDEN EGGS

STRATEGICALLY PLANNED BRAD SAYS: Help! Come rescue me!

Indigo Double Bay

This week we decided to go up-market after a last minute decision to change our brunch club from Ripples Chowder Bay, due to its restrictive 8am to 1030am breakfast hours, into the heart of exclusivity, Ja'mie school girls, big hair, expensive bling bling & South African accents.

Arriving slightly late to our table in the middle of Cross st (kudos for that idea Indigo), I announced I wouldn't be making any derisive comments about the Double Pay experience but egged on by the famous sharp wit of the Lawrance sisters and the Vice Toff's aristocratic aspirations, it was not long before we were all participating in a running commentary on the ubiquitous designer sunnies of the clientele as well as the big boofy VO5 hair. A few deeply tragic  Ivana Trump styles led us to conclude that these women clearly are hated by their hairdressers, perhaps because they don't tip?

   Apart from our firing on all cylinders commentary, we had a great morning. Many many laughs. Sal and Susan Jane (our regular and cherished guest) had two guests along Bill & Julie who were loved by all.  Please come again! Topics canvassed included Bob Brown (did someone seriously compare him to Nelson Mandela?), the carbon tax, experiences in Africa and recounting tales from Ida & Jack Lawrance's wedding anniversary the night before.

     Turning to the back page to do the quiz we ecstatically discovered that the Herald has finally got our letter of protest and restored the questions to 20. This week we managed a very impressive 18/20. I guess the only downside is it may be more difficult for us to get 100% with the extra 5.


ANDREW SAYS: Despite this suburb directly reminding me of Ja'mie Louise King (see top photo in case you've forgotten), I surprisingly really enjoyed it. The food was beautifully delicious, if a good $5-$10 more expensive than our usual brunchclub cafe. Heck, I even bumped into two Lampe cousins. 4 GOLDEN EGGS


SAL SAYS: I miss the truffle infused eggs. Great service from the Scottish and Irish backpackers. 4 GOLDEN EGGS


BRAD SAYS: Darrrlink! I love it. My people love me and I love them! 4 Golden Eggs.

SUSAN JANE SAYS: I will never have VO5 hair. Please shoot me if I do!   

Cornersmith, Illawarra Rd and Petersham Road, Marrickville

great museli with poached fruit and nuts



Definitely very Marrickville

CORNERSMITH

Very innovative, listing latest produce being used and what is being pickled or made into chutney.  
I really enjoyed this
funky brekkie spot.
I particularly liked the brown paper stuck to the door, so you could put your name down with the number of people waiting, clever idea, if you had to wait which I didn't.
The service was friendly and the food was good. I had
the museli and it was first class and we also tried the rye toast and homemade ginger marmalade.  The poached eggs where served with interesting salads which was slightly unusual - although seems to be a coming trend.





I seem to be having trouble with moving my photo's around my blog, anyone else suffer this problem?










Not quite the brilliant quiz masters like last week but a respectable score of 12/15.

ANDREW:Yes I was particularly grumpy and tired this Saturday due to dinner and late night karaoke with my students, so I can't really remember this morning. Food was different and I liked it but can't remember what I had...3.5 golden eggs

BRAD:

SAL:  3.5 golden eggs.

Ripples Olympic Drive, Milsons Point



Sydney's Icon which my grand
father worked on as an engineer



A sparkling morning for brunching overlooking Sydney harbour - perfect location well chosen Andrew!!  What a great spot guests from Canberra and Coonamble at brunch club this morning, and the food was excellent. Ripples breakfast a version of the big brekkie with hash browns looked good and the smoked salmon with avocado and ricotta was perfect.  

It must have been the extra brains around the table this morning and we were all in fine form with a perfect score for the Good Week end Quiz!!

Conversation flowed  over the news headlines about Bob Browns retirement from the Senate and we moved on from there discussing the Exotic Marigold Hotel film which some of us had seen and enjoyed. Outsourcing aged care what a great idea.

SAL: 4 golden eggs, loved it.

ANDREW: Full marks. 5/5. Is just such a beautiful Sydney experience. Thank you to my long-loved Kath Bayliss for suggesting this location. I'll definitely go wherever she suggests in the future. On another note, Granny Bear had to be reparked again this morning and her meter paid. Never a dull moment when Granny Bear comes to town.

BRAD:



Well known Canberra Identity visitng Brunch Club

Mother & Son



COMING THIS SATURDAY

This Saturday we will be here; Check out this sneak peek;

http://www.ripplesmilsonspoint.com.au/

Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jill's Cafe, (George St, Windsor) 31st March

What a shocker! It's all our fault of course but we weren't prepared for food quite this horrid. And to have come all this way?!

Like all good brunch-clubbers we had researched and were heading to the well-reviewed 'Long Black' cafe but found it closed on Saturdays (why??) so quickly improvised to find the only half-decent looking cafe on the Windsor George Street Mall. The street is fabulous with its colonial charm but the less said about the food the better. Rubbery eggs, flaccid bacon and ghastly coffee. Never go here!

Ratings:

Sal: 1 for trying!!

Andrew: 0 and even less for the polo which to me was like private school meets apartheid. Where's Trent Oldfield where you need him."
Brad: 1

Quiz: a pathetic 8 out of 15 too.

The day, however, was redeemed by a picnic lunch at the Windsor International Polo Competition between Aus and South Africa. No, brunch-clubbers, this was not coincidental. This part of the plan did pay off. While one of our number (see picture) was non-plussed by the apparent pretensions pertaining to such an event, the rest of us had a wonderful day in the sunshine watching the GGs at their best. Reunions abounded, divots were restored and a grand day was had by all. Windsor, you redeemed yourself. We shall be back.



Jean and Andrew




Jean, Susan Jane & Andrew



Sal and Brad having a great day!!