Blackwood Pantry, Cronulla

So, who actually still remembers how to blog… because I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten. But I guess blogging is like a diet, you can never start too many times.-__-”

I have had Blackwood Pantry on the to-eat list for a while now. Ever since the Instafoodie event about 7 months ago. So I muscled down, and dragged some friends with me for the long drive down to Cronulla. Leaving the house at 8am in the morning was a brilliant idea, as by the time we got down there the area was already buzzing. We managed to score the last free table, so luckily didn’t have to wait to fill our already grumbling bellies.

Coffees from The Grounds to start, $3.50

Fremantle Grilled Octopus, $24

Slow cooked octopus, spiced carrot hummus, chickpea, toasted pumpkin seed, Dutch carrots, paprika oil and Fennel salad. The octopus was a little too salty for me, but otherwise it was so tender and juicy. The carrot hummus went well with the tentacle. Definitely recommend this dish.

Tigers Milk Salmon ceviche, $23

I was torn when I saw this dish being placed in front of me. 1) It looks amazing. 2) It looks tiny. This dish really does taste as amazing as it looks. The salmon had a certain creaminess to it. If you’re made of money, and also trying to avoid a carby dish, this is it. It was worth the try, but I think next time I’d order something a bit more substantial, especially after driving more than an hour!

Morning Glory, $20

With scrambled eggs, chorizo, tandoori roasted sweet potato, kale, pickled red onion, whipped goat cheese and avocado, this dish did well to help fill out my stomach after the salmon ceviche. The sweet potato was a real treat! Nothing I’ve tried before, and I might have to give it a whirl at home.

Blackwood Pantry might just be worth the drive down! The vibe and decor are awesome, and the staff are all smiles and its a really nice place to start the day!

Blackwood Pantry
5/33 Surf Lane, Cronulla

The Wooden Whisk, St Leonards

I forgotten how I found out about this place, but I’m always on the look out for brunch destinations North of the CBD. I made the effort to come to The Wooden Whisk on a rainy Saturday morning, with the promise of good food, and 2 hours of free parking at the Pole Ln carpark nearby. Luckily the rain cleared up for us on our walk to the cafe.

Coffee; a must.

 
Kale Crave: Kale, cucumber, apple, mint, $6.20

Mr. Auie has been ordering these kale juices pretty much every time he spots them on the menu. Not sure if on a health bender or just trying to look like it. But it is reported to being one of the better mixes that he has tasted as of late; refreshing way to start the morning.
I’m pretty sure the kitchen staff were partly psychic as we got both our orders of coffee and juice within, dare I say, one minute of ordering them. The way to a brunch eater’s heart is coffee on demand!

Wooden Whisk Breakfast, $16.90

Two free range eggs, bacon, sausage, sautéed mushrooms, tomato, black pudding, Spanish style beans, toasted sourdough. Perfectly sized big breakfast with a good variety. These days a lot of places just seem to try to cram a plate full of anything they can think of and call it a big breakfast, and it usually leaves you aching for something else. This one however, had a lovely mix of goodies and left you comfortably full.

Sautéed Field Mushrooms, $15.90

Served with garlic, truffle butter, marinated feta, smoked pork, poached egg and toast. Stupid me, for some reason blanked out and didn’t registered that smoked pork would be similar to bacon. My mistake was Mr. Auie’s gain, as he is bacon fanatic.  But aside from the slight brain fart, the rest of the dish was delightful. I wish I could say I could tell there was truffle in the butter, but I guess my palate just isn’t that refined enough to tell. The egg was poached to perfection, and there was enough that Mr. Auie could have a large portion and the plate was still not clear by the time we were both full.

 

We would definitely make this a regular haunt. Quick service, attentive staff and good food. Can’t wait for a next visit. I hear good things about the sweets.

 

The Wooden Whisk
Shop 8, 38-46 Albany St,
St. Leonards, NSW 2065

The Grumpy Barista, Petersham

The sacrifices I make for good food! This place isn’t open on Sundays so I skipped my Saturday exercise routine to make it (feeling super guilty). But it was definitely worth it!

Cronuts on display

Cuppaccino

Avocado smash with Fetta ($9.50)

Chicken, rocket, pumplin, aoli sandwich ($8.00)

Cronut – Cookies & Cream with Nutella syringe ($5.00)

 Cronut – Rose petal ($10.00)

The Food Zoo experience: A lot of the sandwiches are pre-made but still taste quite fresh. Absolutely LOVED the cronuts though. Fueling my total obsession with nutella I just cold not resist the cookies and cream cronut with nutella syringe. The cronuts are custard filled which make it taste less rich and oily which means… You can eat more!

 The Grumpy Barista

110 Audley Street
Petersham

Piccolo Me (Nutellagato), Sydney

Yes, yes this is a special post for my lunch trek to Piccolo Me at Castlereagh St! It’s just off the main road at the top of Martin Place but you can’t miss the bright yellow logo outside! After my constant badgering on Instagram, Roy kindly invited me to sample the Nutellagato (affogato variation with Nutella ice-cream).

Nutella and banana roll ($6.50)

The Nutellagato – Before (complimentary)

The Nutellagato – During (complimentary)

The Nutellagato – Ready to eat! (complimentary) 

Pulled pork & rocket wrap

The Ricky Ricardo – Salami, tomato, cucumber & provolone dolce ($8.00)

The Food Zoo experience: The lunch wraps/salad options are on the lighter side so you know you’re not going back to the office for a food coma. It also means more room for the nutella bomb or *drumroll please*…. The Nutellagato! A double ristretto shot + Nutella ice-cream. I love all things nutella so needless to say I will be going back for more! For those who are wanting to try it out, the Nutellagato is available starting August 11th at all stores =)

Piccolo Me

1 Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000