The Laughing Goat Cafe @ Kogarah

A cafe that has been on my hit list for quite sometime turned out to be one of the best breakfasts I have had in a long time...and to imagine that it is in my neighbourhood this hidden gem is going to see alot more of me! Why haven't I been sooner?

 

 

 

Tucked inside the Southern Antiques Centre on the Princess Highway at Kogarah (across the road from Jubilee Oval) The Laughing Goat Cafe is a welcoming spot for everyone including being pet friendly.

 

 

Inside, the uniqueness of the decor is a bit hit.  I enjoy sitting back and looking at all the unusual light fittings and antiques dotted around the place and can't wait to go poking around the antique centre afterwards.  Many pieces take me back to my childhood days.  It's a fun space!

 

 

 

Being a week day (Friday) it's on the 'quieter' side, but that's not to say that there wasn't a steady flow of customers. It is nice to sit and chat to Jenna, who owns/runs  the cafe with her Partner Todd (who I meet later on).  Weekends it gets very busy for brunch and lunch goers.

 

Jenna tells me that they are planning some events later in the year.  I'm keeping my eye out for them.

 

We happen to be celebrating my friends birthday today too!

 

So she starts with a chai latte and tells me she really likes it and who doesn't love a tiny teddy with your coffee.

 

 

 

I go with my usual skim cappuccino served in a big cup. 

 

 

The menu is very appetising and  birthday girl goes with Eggs Benny with smoked salmon and avocado. Th homemade hollandaise is perfect - It is always about the poached egg and hollandaise sauce that makes this dish what it is!   This was done perfectly.

 

 

 

I go with an unlikely suspect of the Pesto Scrambled Eggs with a side of bacon (because well....bacon!). This dish is surprisingly excellent.  The pesto is mixed through the eggs and they are fluffy and light and very refreshing.



 

 

The Laughing Goat Cafe is a perfect place for breakfast, brunch or lunch or just to grab a coffee.  The cafe are using coffee beans from Black Poison and it's pretty decent cup of java.

 

 

Before checking out the antique centre before heading off, ensure to peruse the vast selection of baked goods from the glass cabinet.  All homemade, there is a sweet selection for any palate.  We decide on a piece of the rocky road that is decadent and sits on a Golden Rough biscuit base.  We take that home for afternoon tea (which may have been more elevensies than arvo smoko!).

 

 

Apparently the Laughing Goat burger is pretty good too (even being compared to a certain famous burger over the bridge in Sylvania).  I am eager to return to give it a go.  Keep up to date with upcoming events too on Facebook as they have mentioned a burger night or two.

 

Looking forward to coming back very soon. 

 

 

 

 

245 Princess Hwy

Kogarah 

Cuckoo Callay @ Newtown

 

After months and months of Cuckoo Callay at Newtown high on my list I finally brunch there this past weekend.  I also got to meet (finally) the delightful Mel (ex food blogger from The Adventures of Miss Piggy).

 

 

 

Our table is in the corner down the back of the cafe, it's cosy and snug sitting next to other diners.  If you are wanting privacy or space, this is not the place for you.

 

Mel starts with a pot of tea.  I love the tea pot

 

The Aeropress is a process that allows the barista to 'dictate the terms of the extraction'.  Here, at Cuckoo Callay they brew for one minute before pressing it, yielding rich flavour with lower acidity and no bitterness. (Their words).

 

 

 

this was fruity and less acidic, however I think I need milk in my caffeine, but if you like experimenting and/ or changing your caffeine hit up. This is good.

 

I always have food envy.  I look around at what other people are eating, decide on a dish, look at the menu and inevitably change my mind and then wish I had gone with my first option.  Here I did look around and changed my mind a few times but didn't have food envy....I was delighted with my dish.

 

#Hashtag, Boom, Bam!* (yes it's that on the menu!), Jerusalem artichoke, chat potato and spanish onion has served with roast beet puree, parsnip cream 63 degree poached egg and either bacon or haloumi.  I went with haloumi.

 

This was GOOD. The saltiness (and squeekiness) of the halmoui was perfect with the gentle flavour of the Jerusalem artichoke (and I think this is the first time that I have tasted it). The beet puree is earthy and slightly sweet.  Can never go wrong with a runny yolk soft egg. Crackin' dish.

Mel decided on the Porked* which crispy pork, chargrilled broccolini, manchego and mustard sauce and a 63° egg on sourdough

 

Okay maybe a small amount of food envy, but she was kind enough for me to have a taste (and vice versa). 

 

This was a lovely brunch and I am keen to come back for more.  It does get busy and expect to have to wait for a table...but it's worth it.

 

I always have an excuse to eat cake! Words to live by....

 

 

Cheekiness - wise words from Buddha.

 



Breakfast at Devon Cafe

So many reviews and so many visits this little cafe has had over the past few months but I was still eager to have an early mid week breakfast here.  Devon Cafe is a lovely little spot on Deveonshire Street near Central Station.  It was empty when I arrived, yet by the time I left it was full.

 

I sat on stools and bench overlooking the street and sipped on a good skim cappuccino while I waited for my breakfast.

 

The carnations made for a bright outlook!

 

 

 

I went with Two chicks in basque, which is a bowl of delicous, soft barely set eggs in a bath of a rich tomato based piperade topped with fresh, bright green pistou with a dollop of goats cheese.  My slab of charred sourdough was perfect dipped and scooped into the saucy mess.  The eggs are still slowly cooking in the hot sauce and oozing through it.  It's the perfect breakfast combination.

 

Two chicks in basque

 

 

Definitely on the list to return for more of the lovely looking menu.

Brewtown Newtown

Brewtown Newtown - the new hip cafe on the Newtown scene causing a stir (for good reason).  Found in an old brick warehouse down a narrow laneway off King Street this cafe is buzzing on a Sunday morning (as it is most days).

We arrive at around 10am but are lucky enough to get there just at the right time to score a seat at the communal bench at the front.  A few minutes later would have left us queueing up outside.

 

I like the complimentary glasses of sparkling water to start with while perusing the menu.  The whole menu is available all day including lunch for breakfast/brunch.  Perched at the communal table, although full, doesn't make me feel crowded or intruded upon.  It's a nice homely feel.  Papers strewn across the middle, everyone just chatting amongst themselves, having a leisurely breakfast.  Even though it's busy I didnt' feel like I was being rushed out. 

 

I'm taken by the display of cronuts on the counter but decide that I'm better off eating a  off the menu first. 

cronuts

 A skim cappuccino for me and it's good. 

 

Offering a seasonal paddock to plate style menu my friend M is drawn to the corned beef hash with garden peas, poached egg and parmesan crumbs (this girls is obsessed with peas!) she also goes with a side of Canadian bacon (being a girl from Quebec living in Dubai vising Oz she needs a slice of home (along with getting a pork fix wherever she can on this trip LOL)

 

I end up going with the Elvis burger, which is on the lunch menu.  I did consider tasting something that hasn't been widely reviewed, but alas a savoury cronut, bacon and cheese just grabs me.  I can't help myself.

 

This is delicious, however the savoury cronut is too oily and bit much for me.  The beef patty is juicy and full of flavour.  The chunky chips are crispy, hot and delicous and dipped in the awesome relish (I want more of that!).

 

After a bite head upstairs to Stanley St Merchants for a spot of shopping.

 

I'm eyeing off those cronuts on the counter as we leave....but they will need to wait for my next visit.

 

 

Hunter Valley Weekend Getaway. more wineries and more cheese

Our last day on our long weekend getaway and we are sad to be leaving, to the point that we actually discussed staying another night!  But no we are staying with friends tonight in Newcastle tonight and I feel that we will be going away again soon.

 

Researching breakfast locations we came upon Emersons Cafe and Restaurant at Adina Vineyards (originally called Emersons at Pokolbin they have recently moved from Pokolbin to Adina and subsequent name change) in Lovedale.  After packing up and checking out I drove over to Lovedale (I was designated driver today) and we got to see another area of the Hunter Valley.  Next time we may do some wineries on this side - or I would love to do the Lovedale Long Lunch.

 

We are the first to arrive.  Either we are early or everyone is sleeping in after ANZAC day.  We sit out on the patio overlooking the vineyards.  We quite like the look of the accommodation.

 

Mr C goes with a banana milkshake today and I stick with a hot chocolate.  It's hot, creamy and very chocolatey.   

breakfast beverages

 

Of course any foodie does menu research and I knew what I was going to have for breakfast before we even came away for the weekend.

 

Corn cakes with smoked salmon, avocado and dill creme fraiche.

 

corn cakes, salmon and avocado - the flavour combination

 

Loved this dish.  The corn cakes are little pancake type of cake laced with corn kernels.  The layers of smoked salmon, avocado are fatty and rich with a big dollop of dill creme fraiche.  I'm not a fan of dill but this was perfect.  My only gripe was that the bottom corn cake was burnt on the bottom (and maybe it was 'hidden') and I couldn't eat it.  I did contemplate asking for another one but I was so full it didn't really matter.

 

Mr C had the Barry Brothers thick cut bacon, mushrooms, spinach, poached eggs on sourdough with a side of sausage.  He was very happy with this dish, particularly the thick cut bacon.  It look awesome and yes he shared a bite of the bacon with me.

 

another big breakfast

Satisfied and happy we headed to our first winery of the day.  Tempus Two again. This time for wine tasting. 

 

We headed into Meerea Park Wines for a few tasting.  These were lovely wines but a bit out of our budget but we did indulge in a bottle of 2011 Verdelho.  The collection is growing fast!

 

Next door at Tempus Two we are tasting a few wines Mr C was struggling a bit at 10.30am after a big breakfast. I think we need to have a break in the Smelly Cheese shop before tasting more.  Mr C sits. I browse and drool.  I could so go some gelato but still to full from brekky.

 

Oh for the love of cheese.  I love cheese.  Cheese loves me. *sigh*

 

 

Across the road we road test McGuigans wines.  Yes they are a bit mainstream vineyard but Mr C wanted to check them out.  I'm always up for tasting anywhere and a chance to check out the Hunter Valley Cheese Company that have their shop on site.

 

 

It doesn't matter how much I have tried this weekend I just can't seem to get into the semillon wine.  Hunter Valley is famous for their semillon.  I want to love the lemon and lime acidity of this lovely grape but my palate just won't let me .  On saying that we did end up with a couple of bottles in our stash from two wineries.  After so many tasting alot of these wines have blurred so I'm looking forward to tasting the ones we bought. I hope I made the right decision.

 

We did fall in love with the McGuigan 2012 Noon Harvest Merlot.  Mr C's favourite wine of the weekend.

 

You can also go on a horse and carriage ride around the vineyards from McGuigans.

 

 Next door the cheese was calling my name. 

You can view the maturation room.  Where all the baby cheeses are growing into cheese that you can eat! 

 

 

 

All the baby cheeses

 

Hunter Valley is known for their soft cheeses and the tastings do not disappoint.  I have fallen in love with the marinated feta...but unfortunately out of my price range today (as I as purchasing from Binnorie later on).  Next time though...that marinated feta is mine! ......and a bigger budget for cheese!

 

 

 

We hit the road and make a slight detour to Tyrells Wines.  Why not we are driving past and have half an hour to spare. Any excuse right?

 

 

The estate is beautiful and has old buildings, beautiful grass and flowers overlooking the vineyards. 

 

We could get used to this. 

 

Tyrells tasting list is vast  and it be it becomes a bit hard to know exactly what we like and want to taste - but we do end up with another bottle of wine!  This is a Brokenback Shiraz.

 

Our last foodie stop in the Hunter Valley is at Binnorie Dairy (across the road from Blue Tongue Brewery).  Soft cheese heaven.  We taste the whole menu.

 

We start with the Goats Cheese Log, Buche de Chevre (which is covered in vine ash), Chevre with dill, fromage frais with herbs and garlic, marinated goat fetta, marinated fetta (a cow feta), labna with chilli, rosemary, garlic and olive oil, a single cream brie and the washed rind. We also taste the Cheddar which is shipped in from  down south (okay I forget where? bad blogger)

 

I also taste the apple and rosemary paste.

  

all the cheeses waiting to be eaten

 

The cheeses are smooth, creamy and grassy and I am enjoying each and every cheese.  So hard to decide which one's to buy - I want to buy them all.  So I make the hard decision and end up with the Marinated Feta, Labneh, Chevre with dill and a pot of the apple and rosemary paste.  You can purchase Binnorie products at various locations in the Hunter Valley (and around the State) however at Binnorie itself is the best option.  Better prices and you get to taste the their range.  (Hint from a friend: if you are visiting on a day where there is no one around, knock on the door (or glass) and someone will come help...they maybe out the back making the cheese)

 

We make a brief stop at Travertine wines to purchase a case of the 2009 Shiraz and bid our farewells to the Hunter Valley.

 

Below is our stash that we ended up with between us including a case of the 2009 Shiraz and half case of the Moscato from Ballbourneen.  We are looking forward to a winter of good wines!