The Alexandra Hotel – Leura

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019Leave a comment

Fancy a getaway only 1.5 hours away from the Sydney CBD in the picturesque town of Leura? Look no further as we have the tips for you!

It’s hard to visit Leura without spending a small fortune, as there’s a number of extremely expensive lodgings and restaurants in the town and surrounds. However, we will point you to somewhere that is extremely good value for money at high quality.

The Alexandra hotel, established 1903 is the only licensed hotel in Leura and a short stroll from the mall. It is an old quaint boutique building with ornate trims and stained glass windows.

The hotel is sectioned off into a number of areas, with a sports bar and lounge bar (with floor to ceiling bookshelf). There’s also plenty of space for a party or function.

There is also plenty of outdoor space to enjoy.

The hotel is right beside Leura train station, but the noise isn’t obvious at all. The hotel aptly has has a railway theme to it, with the outdoor bar in the beer garden called “platform 3”, and a Leura Rail sign featuring in the dining room.

We also stayed in the hotel. It was a comfortable heritage room with vintage furniture, double bed and modern bathroom. The rooms have old world charm with some modern convenience including the addition of a/c and tv. The room opens onto a balcony with a nice outlook of the hotel’s backyard beer garden and out to the valley below.

The hotel is a great spot to dine, whether it be lunch or dinner, pull up a stump at either of the two beer gardens for a causal vibe or for proper sit down meal book a table in the dining room, named “Redfern Bistro”.

There’s something for everyone, casual food including burgers and pizzas, with the pizzas made in the wood fired oven in a traditional manner by Marco Marano.

The summer menu, prepared by chef Anna Borna features modern Australian gastro pub food, beautifully cooked and presented.

We were seated in the dining room and ordered a glass of bubbles.

Their Garlic bread made on a house baked baguette and is topped with melted garlic and parsley butter an ideal start to the meal.

This came out with the confit mushrooms dish, a tasty vegetarian opttion. Pan fried portobello and button mushrooms cooked in olive oil with rosemary and lemon with feta, almond and coriander dukkah (gf).

Other entrees on offer include oysters, pate, calamari and baked haloumi.

For the mains, the Pan roasted duck breast instantly piqued our interest. The meat was cooked to perfection, skin nicely seasoned, served with duck fat potatoes and rustic heirloom carrots. It’s accompanying home made Peking duck citrus sauce was brilliant and kept us searching the plate for more of it.

From specials board, we couldn’t go past the pan fried and seared ocean trout. This was a splendid fish dish, the skin salted, nicely rendered and crisp. The flesh was perfect; a lovely pink orange hue, flakey and melt in the mouth followed by the beautiful flavour of the fish. The sauce was a delicious combination of smoked paprika dill and grapefruit veloute, served with roasted potatoes, charred leeks, broad beans, peas and cherry tomatoes. Perfect Bistro fare and one of the better fish dishes that come to mind, highly recommended.

Whilst we were extremely satisfied at this point, we had to go with the dessert option on the specials menu, the banana spilt. Here it is the classic dessert that has been pimped up with two bananas, deep fried in a Moreish crisp salty batter. This has been placed atop a butterscotch sauce and served with vanilla bean ice cream. So tasty, it was irresistible .

It is worth driving up to the Blue Mountains for the charm of this beautiful old pub alone and the scenery in the area is an added bonus.

The Alexandra Hotel is well located a short stroll from the boutique town of Leura and a short drive to the tourist sights in the area. Book a room and make for a short getaway.

We would like to thank the Alexandra hotel and staff for their hospitality and Spooning Australia for the invitation to dine.

https://www.alexandrahotel.com.au

Agrarian Kitchen – Tasmania

February 18, 2019February 20, 2019Leave a comment

We went to the Agrarian Kitchen after visiting Mona (Museum of Old and New art). From one quirky establishment to another, Agrarian Kitchen has set up in an ex mental asylum and this time we were committed. The fit out was impressive, keeping many of the original ornate features and sprucing them up.

The dining room had plenty of natural light and a good playlist contributing to a great dining atmosphere.

Once seated, it didn’t even register what this building previously housed. The service here was impressive from the start, with many of the waitstaff greeting us on the way in and showing genuine enjoyment for the restaurant.

They weren’t without error, but dealt with the situation well. An incorrect dessert, which cannot entirely be attributed to the waitstaff, as there was two puddings on the menu. This worked out in our favour as we were rewarded with an extra dessert F.O.C.

With an emphasis on fresh, seasonal and local ingredients, with staff foraging the restaurant garden for ingredients. Each dish was presented nicely with an emphasis on sharing. The flavours and textures of each dish were very notable.

There were plenty of potatoes on offer around town, the Agrarian utilising this ingredient for their potato scallops/cakes, which had a nice crisp batter, and each scallop had a slice of locally sourced potato which they served with a tasty house made tomato sauce.

The pear, prosciutto and stracchiatella was beautifully presented, and a nice cool dish for summer. This dish had a great combination of flavours the sweetness of the fruit, saltiness of the prosciutto and creamy texture of the stracchiatella.

The farmer’s cheese dumpling was a singular pastel yellow in colour, with a souffle like texture with zucchini, olive and parmesan adding a good hit of flavour.

The pick of the bunch was the half wood smoked duck to share. The duck itself was tasty enough on its own, the skin so crisp, so good there was none to spare. It was served with a range of condiments to enhance the flavours, including mustard pickled cherries, which happened to be in season and the sweet damson plum sauce, both combined very well with the duck. The was also served sides including the deliciously crunchy roast russet burbank potatoes and an aussie favourite beetroots with shallots in red wine vinegar.

After this, we decided to share desserts and the salted honey ice cream and fennel pollen was a simple sophisticated dessert which went perfectly with the Belgrove Rye; a locally distilled craft spirit.

A great brunch or lunch venue not to be missed, the restaurant is bright, the service great and the food enticing.

Arnott’s Sundaes now at Event Cinema Gold Class

February 17, 2019February 17, 2019Leave a comment

Out goes the choc top for us as we now yearn for more Arnott’s biscuits sundaes at our next movie date.

We had the pleasure of attending a screening of ‘What men want’ at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction in their Gold Class cinema to celebrate Event Cinema turning Arnott’s Biscuits into ice cream sundaes! And it’s not just what men want, everyone wants these sundaes.

The iconic biscuit brand, that has been in operation over 150 years now features as one of the key ingredients in a new range of sundaes available to purchase for those heading to Gold Class cinemas.

Arnott’s teamed up with the cinema, working with each other to identify most popular ice creams and biscuits to develop a range of biscuit themed sundaes.

Image – original spin

Featuring the ever popular Tim Tam, Mint Slice, Monte Carlo and Caramel Crowns, you can purchase a mouthwatering sundae for $25 and have it delivered to your reclining couch before, or during the film. This sundae is served in a glass almost bigger than ourselves. The glass is filled with three scoops of creamy ice cream carefully placed, topped with the Arnotts biscuits, in house made hot fudge sauce topping, whipped cream and waters or dried fruit (depending on the option selected). The favours and textures certainly work well together and the sundae has brought back a feeling of nostalgia where you can share your ice cream sundae over a movie and it has brought our favourite biscuit classics to the fore.

Whilst they may not be good for your waistline, they are certainly good for your tastebuds and level of happiness upon consumption. You’ll love the richness, decadence and texture of the sundae and we’re sure that this will satisfy that sweet craving.

With four indulgent flavours to choose from:

•Classic Tim Tam: scoops of creamy vanilla bean and chocolate obsession ice cream, warm chocolate fudge, waffles, malt crispy bits, Tim Tam biscuits, whipped cream and a cherry on top;

Image – original spin

•Minty Mint Slice: scoops of choc mint and chocolate obsession ice cream, warm chocolate fudge, Mint Slice biscuits, chocolate malt crumble, choc coated wafer crumble bits and whipped cream;

Image – original spin

•The Full Monte Carlo: scoops of creamy vanilla bean and berry ice cream, Monte Carlo biscuits, raspberry crumble, strawberry coulis, vanilla malt crumb, fresh strawberries and whipped cream;

Image – original spin

•Salted Caramel Crowns: scoops of rock salted caramel ice cream, salted caramel popcorn, malt crumble, Caramel Crown biscuits, warm caramel fudge, whipped cream, honeycomb, classic wafers.

Image – original spin

Arnott’s Sundaes are available now at all Event and BCC Gold Class Cinemas across Australia.

Image – original spin

Whilst you’re there, you’re also able to order popcorn, food and drink and candy. The food and drinks are delivered to your chair and Gold Class makes for a luxury cinema visit.

Thank you to original spin for the invitation to attend, to Event Cinema for hosting and Arnott’s for the collaboration.

Rosenbaum and Fuller @ Bondi Beach

February 16, 20191 Comment

This cafe is in a busy area in Bondi off Hall street where there’s heaps of cafes to try. Rosenbaum and fuller has only been open a few months and trying to pave their way in a busy industry. We visited after finding this via Instagram and liked the idea of its vision with an ethical and sustainable supply and use of fresh organic ingredients.

It is a cafe by day and restaurant by lunch and dinner, they often have live music in the evenings with some dinner specials.

We like the set up of the space, it is nice decor, ambience and the kitsch features, like the hanging bouquets and alcohol bottles. The pottery cups are also a nice touch.

The service was excellent, the waitress was very helpful and personable and dealt well with our many questions.

We really enjoyed our meal, although only 2 of the party ordered since the menu online differed to what is actually on the menu when you arrive (and some of us decided what we wanted before we arrived and they didn’t have it). In addition, the printed menu is a bit vague, ie “avocado on toast or mushrooms on toast”. In reality, the food is far more creative, interesting and enticing than the menu suggests. So we recommend taking a punt and giving something a go because it is better than it sounds.

We had the gnocchi with mushrooms, kale, potato and a poached egg which was super delicious.

The roasted granola was lovely and came with a huge serving of coconut yoghurt and berry compote. Quite a good choice for vegan diners.

The coffee is good – they use edition roasters. There’s tea and other drinks and well as some brunch cocktails and alcohol at lunch and dinner time.

We like the cafe and hope to see them do well.

13 O’Brien St, Bondi Beach NSW 2026

rosenbaumandfuller.com

Celebrate the ‘month of love’ @ The Ternary

February 14, 2019February 14, 2019Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day is on February 14, but we all know it’s more important to share the love each and every day.

Do you have plans for a romantic outing during this season of love?

Why not visit The Ternary, In the Novotel Darling Harbour for their “month of love”, as they hold a $75 three course meal, designed to share with that special someone. To add to the experience you could even book a room.

The location is wonderful and if you come early, you can see sweeping views of the harbour panorama from the the main dining room windows. At night, the harbour is beautifully lit up and fireworks visible on weekends.

The space has high ceilings and white washed walls and modern simplistic features forming the Ternary. There’s also a lounge by the fireplace to get you in the mood for romance.

We were here for the month of love dinner and were seated at the open kitchen, designed to create an interactive dining experience where you can watch the chefs at work. We enjoying watching them and talking through their recipes.

The unique menu begins with a glass of Taittinger Champagne each and a special Cocktail ‘Mi Amor’, created by the bar staff – a four pillars shiraz gin based cocktail to set the tone of the evening.

The champagne pairs perfectly with the beautifully fresh seafood including prawns, oysters and calamari.

For your main course, you can select from a choice of Slow Cooked Beef Rib, or a whole Baby Barramundi. The beef rib falls softly off the bone and absolutely melts in your mouth. Served atop a creamy mash with sweet potato crisps and asparagus.

The whole baby barramundi has been lightly grilled and then baked in the oven, creating a soft, flavoursome flaky fish that is super tasty. This came with a wilted spinach and roast vegetables. It’s such a great fish dish, you may not want to share.

Image – The society group

We simply could not say no to the amazing dessert platter! A beautifully presented plate with a gooey chocolate fondant, the cinnamon covered chocolate filled churros are what dreams are made of and even better, they are served with chocolate dipping sauce. There was also the Eaton mess which sure to have you feeling the love. All desserts were great for sharing (or not) !

We had a few wines to pair with our food, such as a Shaw & Smith Savingnon Blanc with the entree, a Clare Valley Rose with the mains and a Bleasdale sparkling Shiraz to accompany the dessert. All wine matched perfectly, what better way to spend Valentine’s day with your perfect match.

We would like to show our gratitude to the wonderful chefs, hotel & restaurant staff and in particular the food and beverage managers Veronika and Tim. Their personable nature embodies the Ternary’s positive ‘can do’ attitude. They were so warm and hospitable and took time to get to know us, chat about the food and drink. We’re sure this high quality staff team would be a reason why the venue is so popular.

We thoroughly recommend the month of love dinner, or any other visit (we did note the 500g Balmain bug dish!!). We suggest you make a booking to avoid missing out. They are still offering their regular A’la-carte-menu as well.

The Ternary

Novotel Darling Harbour

100 Murray St, Pyrmont NSW

https://www.theternary.com.au/

Seafood buffet brunch on every Sunday @ Hyatt Regency, Sydney

February 10, 2019February 12, 2019Leave a comment

Sailmaker Restaurant can found on the ground level of the Hyatt Regency Sydney. Pass through the grand lobby with marble floors and high ceilings past the bar and up the stairs.

The Hyatt is an expansive hotel, just off Sussex Street on the CBD side of Darling Harbour. Under the Hyatt banner for approx 2 years, it is a sophisticated hotel with amazing dining locations including Sailmaker restaurant and also Zephr rooftop bar. Sailmaker, named after the original purpose of the building, creating sails for boats in the 1800’s has a long history in the area and we love that whilst dining, you can look out over Darling harbour and all of the boats. Sailmaker restaurant has a large open dining area sectioned off into two areas.

Sailmaker Restaurant are offering a new Sunday Seafood Brunch with limitless Chandon sparkling wine. It is available every Sunday from February 3, from 12pm – 2pm for $78 per person. There was also some great live music adding to the ambience, with the duo playing an excellent selection of songs.

There was a great spread on offer. The cold seafood bar immediatly took our interest, it was stacked high with amazing oysters, mussels, marinated baby octopus, smoked salmon and fresh prawns to gorge on. The seafood accompanied by a variety of dressings. This is certainly somewhere you can get your seafood fix.

They have a egg station with the staff cooking made to order omelettes, with additions of your choice including prawns and crab. They also do a great salmon benedict.

For those with a sweet tooth, the chefs can also make you waffles and pancake to order and there are also plenty of delicious pastries on offer.

It’s not all seafood, head over to the main buffet, for an impressive selection of hot food to insatiate your appetite; A huge succulent roast pork was pefectly cooked with crisp crackling and the impressive lamb pie is a must.

Fill up your plate with some of the roast vegetables and fresh salads; eggplant and bocconcini, kale or cauliflower, as well as bacon, hash browns and more.

There’s an overflowing cheese platter, charcuterie and breads, honestly we were in food heaven.

We thought we were finished, there was the dessert buffet to explore, we did have to channel our dessert stomach. The offering on display included; Brownies, lemon tarts, marshmallows, coconut slice, macaroons, a few beautiful cakes and a fruit platter.

It’s honestly best to try everything! Accompany this with a coffee and it’s the perfect end to a fabulous meal.

We would like to thank the Hyatt Regency for the invitation to dine and the hospitality provided.

Sailmaker at Hyatt Regency

161 Sussex Street, Sydney New South Wales 2000

Phone: 02 8099 1234

Ubud – for wellness, art and culture

February 3, 2019February 6, 2019Leave a comment

Ubud, is an area about 1 – 1.5 hour from the hustle and bustle of Bali’s prime tourist destinations of Seminyak, Kuta and Legian. It is between the mountains and ocean in a forest location, known for its wellness retreats, cultural and artistic centres.

There’s always a swarm of tourists (the area made famous partly due to “eat, pray, love”) visiting ubud and as such you’ll find there’s plenty of yoga retreats, shops and bustling cafes. Tourists also enjoy visiting the nearby rice paddies and monkey forest.

We did not stay overnight in Ubud, but there’s plenty of hotels, wellness retreats and villas if you choose from. We took a day trip with a driver, which is recommended if you’ve done your research and know where you want to go. Otherwise booked tours can often take you to an array of craft shops, to try and make a sale or two, which may not interest you. A private driver for ten hours should set you back about $500 000 rupiah (or AUD $50) for the car, driver and petrol. We made a list of where we wanted to visit and he took us there, waited and continued on.

Some places to visit

Handicraft markets

The markets are great to visit, with many stores selling basketry, batik (Indonesian print), ceramics and more

Seniman Coffee

Seniman Coffee is a speciality coffee and design studio selling a range of coffee. From espresso to iced lattes, you name it, they’ve got it. They even do cold brew, pour over, syphon and you can watch the masters at work. If you’re not sure what to have, there’s a coffee tasting platter to try. Seniman means artist and the baristas here are certainly that. Your coffee comes out with some beautiful latte art, water class and shortbread which was nice and buttery. We also tried a “Jamu shot”, which apparently can do numerous things like reduce inflammation, prevention of cancer and cholesterol. Wouldn’t that be good!

Take a sip of your coffee as you relax back on your rocking chair. There’s a free wifi and the staff are super nice too. It’s also a workshop and they sell products like coffee instruments, glasses and beans which they can grind for you.

Yoga Barn

The yoga barn offers classes, workshops, retreats in a large serene environment, perfectly suited for you to find enlightenment and relax. With five studios catering to a range of levels, accomodation, cafe and spa, this is super popular in Ubud.

Tegalong rice terrace

This area is famous for tourists, flicking to the area for a walk around the beautifully lush green rice paddies, where local workers are busy on the crops. Walking higher than the paddies offers scenic pictures and the opportunity to ride a “giant swing”. It’s only a minimal entrance fee so bring small change, but lots of shops charge a small fee too, for a photo on their swing with the paddies behind. Take a walk through the paddies if you’re keen, just be prepared for for a decent walk and bring that insect repellent.

Monkey forest

This is right in the heart of Ubud with over 700 monkeys and three temples. Only go if you’re not scared of animals, as they’re very confident monkeys here! It’s possible to buy bananas, but beware they’ll grab anything they think looks appealing from you including jewellery and sunglasses.

Tegenungun Waterfall

Another popular tourist destination for its scenic waterfall. Again, a small entrance fee and numerous cafes and shops around. Walk down the trail and see the cascading falls for a beautiful photo and enjoy the peaceful serenity.

Bebek Tebaksarik Resto

This Balinese restaurant is located in the heart of Ubud in a floating gazebo with a beautiful outlook of the rice fields. The decor is bright and colourful amongst bamboo furniture. Staff are exceptional and provide excellent service. The food is upmarket Indonesian food at reasonable prices and we enjoyed our lunch here. It’s populartlity is evidence alone of its quality. We had the driver take us but you can get a free shuttle bus from the Ubud area.

In summary

Ubud is a lovely and super interesting place where you can enjoy art, eat, relax and find wellness. This list is really just touching at the surface, so enjoy our tips and read around before your visit.

Where to go in Bali

February 3, 2019February 9, 2019Leave a comment

Bali is an amazing place to holiday if you love a nice resort, good food, and a relaxing holiday! It is only a 6 hour flight from Sydney Australia, so it’s also great if you’ve only got a short time off.

If you have made the decision to travel to Bali, first task is to decide which area you want to stay. The main spots for tourists and the areas which have heaps of hotels are Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. That is also more broadly in order of their price. These are all 30mins – 1 hour away from Ngurah Rai International airport (pending traffic). Other popular areas include Ubud, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua and the up and coming Canggu.

Kuta

Kuta is generally cheaper than the other locations mentioned, it has heaps of pubs and there’s always plenty of tattooed up Australians in Bintang singlets. That may be a little bit of a stereotype and you certainly can find nice hotels there too. Best suited to those looking for a bit of a party or the family looking for a cheaper trip, close proximity to the shops and waterpark.

Legian

A little further north than Kuta is Legian with plenty of resorts, smaller hotels and numerous shops, restaurants and bars. We find this to be a bit nicer, also quieter and a bit further from the party atmosphere. Best suited to those wanting a more laid back vibe.

Accommodation wise, we did want to stay in Seminyak, but I was with a friend and we required twin configuration. All the super nice sophisticated places in Seminyak did not offer that. So we went for the Padma hotel in Legian. A huge resort with everything you need! Big rooms, three pools, daily activities, buffet breakfast and more. See our blog on the Padma.

Whilst in Legian, we mostly ate in the hotel as well as a few places in Seminyak as mentioned below.

Mugshot coffee

Mugshot is a coffee shop close to the beach in Legian. Serving proper quality coffee and has some good brunch offerings, if you’re not at a hotel with an all-inclusive buffet, we recommend you visit here. Even so, make sure you do pop by for a coffee at least. Staff are super nice and the barista has amazing latte art skills.

Seminyak

Seminyak is lovely and a place where you’ll find the more upmarket resorts, beach clubs, and plenty of villas. The restaurants and shops are generally high end and you’ll be paying prices close to that of Australia. But it’s certainly a great spot. Best suited to the socialites and instagrammers, or anyone with a little bit more cash.

Some places to stay (amongst hundreds of others) include:

The Haven

The Seminyak Beach Resort and spa

Courtyard by Marriot

W Bali
Double-Six

Anantara

Places to eat

The Junction House

The Junction House is right opposite Seminyak Village and is a 2 story premises serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We visited here 4 years ago and it has undergone stylistic renovations. A cool house style, with trendy art and cane and plush chairs. We visited this time for lunch and tried the tuna carpaccio and ceviche, as well as a spinach salad and chicken bites. The price was good and servings were generous. I also love their latte art designs. Service was friendly and efficient.

Sardine

An amazing seafood restaurant in rice paddies, but in Seminyak. Beautiful clean white tables and cane furniture. Impeccable fine dining style service. The seafood is extremely high quality, but expect to pay higher prices.

Other restaurants: Naughty Nuris, Mamak, Bikini Bar, Clean Canteen, Mozarella, Barbacoa, Merah Putih, Mamasan

Beach clubs: Potato Head, Mozaic, Cocoon, Ku De Te

Canggu

Canggu is an area that has been developing quickly since we visited three years ago to today. A trendy coastal town, not dissimilar to a smaller version of Bondi beach. A resort area with plenty of spots to surf, healthy cafes and coffee haunts. Travel north from Seminyak and you’ll find yourself in Canggu in about 15 minute. Best suited to the surfer, hipster or bohemian babes.

Eats: Deus Ex Machina, Betelnut café, crate café, Ruko cafe

Beach Clubs: Finns VIP Beach Club, The Lawn

Ubud

If you’re looking for a more wellness style holiday, then perhaps Ubud is your thing. It is over an hour drive from the main towns of Bali, so you can do a day trip or stay in the area for a longer stay. Best suited to the yoga and wellness enthusiast. See our blog on Ubud here:

Where else to check out

Waterbom park
Bali safari park
Tanah lot
Nusa Lembongan
Uluwatu temple
Seafood in Jimbaran
Surf breaks in Uluwatu
Uluwatu is awesome: see our blog here

Tips

Money used is Indonesian Rupiah
Tap water is not suitable to drink
Appropriate clothes needed when entering sacred areas
May-September is the best as it’s dry season
English is widely spoken

Bear With Me

January 31, 2019January 31, 2019Leave a comment

Thanks to the knowledge of my hip little brother and trendy girlfriend, we found this cafe in South Hobart and were pleased to find it open on Australia Day, especially when pretty much everything was closed.

We enter into this good sized cafe with a little lounge area and the front, and plenty of tables inside and a huge shared table where we sat. The space is fresh and modern with lots of greenery and the ambience is buzzing and it has a really positive vibe about it. Our waitress was excellent and very hospitable.

We would say that the food could be describe as creative twists on dishes you know with lovely flavour combinations and everything that hit our table was enjoyed and devoured by all.

Always a fan of ordering granola, this is possibly the best we’ve had. It is far more than your typical granola. With Macadamia and Wattleseed granola, served with Waiora Natural Honeyed Yoghurt and fruits – the fruit gels were incredible!! We could have demolished a few plates.

We loved these Peanut Butter Salt and Pepper Tofu Gua Bao buns – with shaved cabbage and mustard cress and burnt chilli mayonnaise, roasted peanuts and cucumber. We enjoyed this vegetarian dish and were impressed at its quality of flavours.

Our friends sampled the eggs Benedict, sitting on a crispy potato rosti flavoured with thyme, crisp apple and smoked master stock braised ham hock. This was a great choice.

The breakfast salad would normally be my go to so I’m glad one of us got it; with grains, roasted nuts and seeds, kale, broccoli and avocado, pomegranate, beetroot, hummus and olive oil dressing. Add a poached egg and hot smoked salmon and you’ve got a healthy dish that is inspired.

Not to be left to last was the amazingly fluffy lemon ricotta hotcake that deserves accolades. With creamy ricotta, fresh local berries, blackberry gel, crisp raspberries, ginger crumble organic maple syrup, it’s such a generous serve and incredibly tasty.

They also have kaffir like coconut chia pudding, and açai bowl as well as Brioche breakfast rolls and toasted croissants. The chocolate and raspberry croissant looked incredible. The bread is from Imago bakery and patisserie and we personally enjoyed the gluten free bread.

This cafe also has great coffee, using ona brand. They also have smoothies and even matcha lattes. The cafe is really a top notch spot and it’s a shame it’s not in Sydney, we’d be there every week.

Bear With Me

399 Macquarie St, South Hobart TAS 7004, Australia

The Bored Monkey @ Narrabeen

January 28, 2019January 28, 2019Leave a comment

The Bored Monkey is a large restaurant located over two floors on Pittwater road in Narrabeen. The restaurant downstairs is spacious and suits either a dining pair, larger groups and even a party. If you’re looking to have a function, there’s also a function venue upstairs. What a great place for a function, particularly when there is no minimum spend.

The Bored Monkey operates for breakfast on a Sunday, lunch from Friday-Sunday and dinner Tuesday-Sunday. They are soon to open a cocktail lounge upstairs with tapas to suit the early cocktail hour crowd.

The decor is casual and the restaurant feels comfortable, with a varied crowd of differing ages. Staff are warm and friendly and service was extremely efficient.

We would describe the menu as very approachable. All diners can find something that meets their taste. Whether it be a burger, steak, nachos, salad, pasta and meats, or something from their amazing range of seafood options, you will leave satisfied. There’s some dishes that would suit those with dietary requirements and also a kids menu. Kids under 12 eat free!

There’s a lunch menu for $29.95 or $25 for seniors. This is very good value for two courses (main and dessert) with a glass of beer, house wine or soft drink.

We really enjoyed the dinner menu, and feel that the food here is high quality. It would be categorised as modern Australian, featuring selections from the land, sea, grill and garden. On our visit, we had a few from each category.

For entrees, we began with a few Sydney Rock oysters, sampling a few flavours, the natural Kilpatrick, lime, soy, ginger and eschallots. The oysters were so nice and creamy and it is hard to pick a favourite.

These were followed by the sake scallops, which were cooked perfectly – three Victoria Bay scallops sitting in their shell, cooked with garlic, negara sauce, soy sauce and shallots, the were full of flavour and we just wanted to keep going back in for that sauce.

We also shared the Skull island prawns, grilled and served in their butterflied half shell, they were flavoured with a mild kick of chilli oil, basil, flakes of salt and freshed herbs.

Other entrée / tapas style dishes for you to select from include arancini, tequila poppers, pork belly, zucchini flowers and haloumi, to name a few.

For our mains, we decided to share the surf & turf which we chose Moreton bay bug as the seafood addition. A lovely piece of seafood beautifully cooked and flavoured, accompanying the grain fed premium sirloin.

We also enjoyed the Humpty Doo Barramundi , served with roasted capers, olives, fennel and noisette sauce. The barramundi had a lovely crispy skin and the fish was soft and flaky, just as it should be.

They also have salmon, mussels, marinara pasta, chicken and battered flathead, as well as a seafood platter amongst their extensive menu.

A variety of wine from the right regions and good range of beer on offer including craft beer on tap, with one of our favorites stone and wood pacific ale. There are number of inviting cocktails with many classics listed and a couple of interesting twists including the lychee martini and the salted caramel espresso martini. We had a refreshing mojito to accompany our seafood selection.

1304 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen NSW 2101, Australia

0299989899

theboredmonkey.com.au

We’d like to thank Josh and the staff at the Bored Monkey for the hospitality and to Blacker Media for the invitation to dine.

thewhereto

food | travel | lifestyle

Category: food

The Alexandra Hotel – Leura

Agrarian Kitchen – Tasmania

Arnott’s Sundaes now at Event Cinema Gold Class

Rosenbaum and Fuller @ Bondi Beach

Celebrate the ‘month of love’ @ The Ternary

Seafood buffet brunch on every Sunday @ Hyatt Regency, Sydney

Ubud – for wellness, art and culture

Where to go in Bali

Bear With Me

The Bored Monkey @ Narrabeen