Sydney Archives - Page 34 of 79

Sydney

Katherine Sabbath Cake Decorating Workshop

September 19, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life / 1 Comment

I’m such a lover of cake and all things sweet that I have been drooling over Instagram sensation and cake baker Katherine Sabbath’s extraordinary creations for quite a while now. I had the wonderful opportunity this weekend to take part in a hands-on cake decorating workshop with Katherine at Peters of Kensington (which is, as you’d expect from the name, in Kensington).

The workshop was to learn how to make Katherine’s signature Buttermilk Breakfast Cupcakes with maple buttercream, complete with cute chocolate eggs and fondant bacon.

The workshop was so much fun – with each task actually very easy to perform, and came together to make really fun looking cupcakes, even with zero cake decorating skills. It helped that Katherine was so gracious with her knowledge and time, giving us lots of individual help where needed to make our own Breakfast Cupcakes.

From the photos below you can see the steps we were led through to make the Breakfast Cupcakes. I really enjoyed the new ideas that were a bit more advanced than my usual decorating, but not so difficult that I wouldn’t be able to reproduce it at home if I had the time.

The cupcakes tasted as amazing as they looked. I certainly was popular when I took them home with me!

If you’re interested in attending a workshop like this, sign up for Peters of Kensington’s newsletter, as events are advertised almost exclusively that way.

September School Holidays in Sydney

September 18, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Looking for fun things to do these school holidays? Here are a few ideas worth exploring. Cheese and I will be going to a few of them ourselves, so we might see you there!

What: The Little Mermaid
Details: A re-telling with an Aussie edge.
Where: The Business Studies Centre, Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga
Dates: Sunday 20 September – Saturday 3 October 2015
Times: 11am and 1.30pm
Prices: Children $20 |Adults $25 | Families of four $80
Times: 11am and 1.30pm
Book: 1300 306 776 or http://www.tickets4Me

What: Carnival of the Animals
Details: Carnival of the Animals whisks you away on a thrilling circus escapade inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ delightful salute to feathers, fur and fins.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Dates: 19th September – 4th October
Prices: $44/$55
Times: 10:30am, 12:30pm
Book: Online

What: The Monkey Baa Theatre Company will be presenting The Secret Life of Suitcases.
Details: Puppets!
Where: Lend Lease Theatre, Darling Quarter Theatre
Dates: 28th September – 2nd October
Times: 11am, 1pm
Prices: $25pp / $90 Family 4
Book: http://www.monkeybaa.com.au or 02 8624 9340

What: Coogee Pavillion Nail Bar by the Sea
Details: Free manicures
Where: 169 Dolphin St, Coogee
Dates: Every Wednesday
Times: 9.00am-11.30am

What: Coogee Pavillion Dad & Daughter Day
Details: Free manicures for girls, photo booths and dress ups.
Where: 169 Dolphin St, Coogee
Date: 20th September

What: Cranky Bear
Details: Cranky Bear is a rollicking cabaret-style show by Patch Theatre Company for 4-8 year olds packed with music, laughter and mayhem.
Where: Seymour Centre, City Rd, Chippendale
Dates: 22nd – 26th September
Times: 11am, 1:30pm
Prices: $22pp
Book: http://www.seymourcentre.com/events/event/cranky-bear/

What: Sydney Fringe Festival Kids
Details: Fun events and shows for the whole family such as The Great Big Story Book puppet show.
Where: Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Dates: 19 – 26th September.
Book: http://www.sydneyfringe.com/whats_on/search/genre/kids/

What: Australian Museum Wild Planet Activity Room
Details: The museum has a new exhibit open called Wild Planet. Enjoy wild activities related to the new exhibition such as making a hanging animal mobile to take home, dressing up and taking part in group art activities.
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Sydney
Dates: 19 September to 5 October 2015
Times: 10am – 3pm
Prices: $5 per child (children under 16 have free general admission to the museum).
Book: Not required.

What: AGNSW Kids Festival
Details: Music, performances, film, artmaking activities and tours that the whole family will enjoy.
Where: AGNSW, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney
Dates: 20 September – 2nd October.
Prices: Free
Book: See individual activities. Some are drop in, other require booking tickets.

What: Spot On Children’s Festival
Details: Live theatre, quirky circus, sensational storytelling, marvelous music and far-out films.
Where: Riverside Theatre, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Dates: September 29 – Oct 4
Prices: Both free and ticketed events.
Book: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/category/whats-on/family/spoton2015/

What: Blinky Bill movie
Details: An animated retelling of the classic Aussie story.
Where: Look up your local cinema for details.
Dates: In cinemas now

What: Peppa Pig meet and greet at ToysRUs
Details: As well as meeting Peppa, ToysRUs are running a promotion where you can buy $40 or more of Peppa Pig products and receive a free Peppa Pig DVD.
Where: Retail Supa Centre, 1C Todman Ave, Kensington
Dates: Thursday 24^th September
Times: 11-11:30am, 12-12:30pm, 1-1:30pm
Prices: Free

Anything Goes: Sydney’s Best Musicals

September 14, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

I grew up watching famous old musicals on TV with my grandmother like Show Boat and Singing in the Rain. With a childhood filled with tap dancing and ballads, it’s not surprising that I love classic musicals such as Anything Goes.

Cole Porter’s de-lightful and de-lovely musical comedy, Anything Goes, is playing at the Sydney Opera House until 31 October.

Winner of three Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival and Choreography during its most recent Broadway revival, Anything Goes is pure fun from beginning to end. It also contains some of musical theatre’s most memorable songs including You’re The Top, I Get A Kick Out Of You, and of course the title song, Anything Goes.

In the Sydney production of Anything Goes, Australian stars Caroline O’Connor and Todd McKenney steal the show. O’Conner’s voice is magnificent, and McKenney is unrecognisable in his hilarious role.

For an evening of pure escapism and divine entertainment, I’d highly recommend seeing Anything Goes. Tickets are on sale now at the Sydney Opera House.

Thanks to Nuffnang for tickets to see the show. All opinions belong to me, thanks to my musical-loving grandmother.

Best Sydney Day Trips: Bondi Beach With Kids

September 13, 2015 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney / 2 Comments

I usually say that Bondi Beach is for tourists and avoid it like the plague. The massive crowds make me super frustrated and trying to find somewhere to park makes my husband homicidal. Bondi does, however, have a lot going for it – there’s a reason it’s the most popular beach in Sydney, after all. If you’re prepared to brave the crowds, you’re in for a bit of a treat.

Getting there
You have two options – drive or catch the bus. Driving is faster and pretty easy, but parking is crazy, particularly on weekends. We’ve never not found somewhere to park, but it can often be a good 20 minutes walk from the beach. Catching the bus obviously means no parking, but the queues to catch the bus out of Bondi can get out of control. Either way, be prepared and allow lots of time on both ends.

Where to eat
This is always my first thought when I go basically anywhere: “What is there to eat?”. Bondi is full of great dining options, depending what you’re in the mood for.

Something fancy: Bills
Bills has the most mazing ricotta hotcakes. They are also super kid friendly, but a bit on the pricer side. Read the full review here.
Bills Bondi: 79 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Something fast: Harry’s Cafe de Wheels
Makers of delicious pies, this is my favourite option when we want to grab something and keep walking. Their pies with potato and mushy peas are legendary, and also make for a cheap lunch.
Harry’s Cafe de Wheels: 2/152 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Something away from the crowds: Paradise Road Diner
This is a new place that just opened. They serve basic bagels, burgers and breakfast dishes, with old school milkshakes. Reasonable prices and far from the tourist crowd. The vibe is relaxed, the staff friendly and welcoming to small children.
Paradise Road Diner: 296 Campbell Pde, North Bondi

Something with a view: Lamrock Cafe
Lamrock Cafe serves really solid breakfast and lunch meals with a killer view. They have a big menu with all the brekkie dishes you’d expect (think pancakes, eggs and “big breakfasts”). Friendly staff, a bit squishy and service can be a bit slow. The price you pay for breakfast with a view. Read the full review here.
Lamrock Cafe: 72-76 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Something sweet: Gelato Messina
There are lots of choices for ice cream in Bondi, but our favourite is Gelato Messina for their busting-with-flavour inventive creations. A “tiny” scoop is the perfect size for kids ($4). My favourite flavours are Salted Caramel with White Chocolate Chip and Yogurt Berry.
Gelato Messina: 6/61 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Where to swim
If you have older kids, head to the flagged section where the life guards are on patrol. Bondi gets big rips so it’s not safe to swim in the surf outside of this area.

Smaller kids will love splashing in the waves in the north end of the beach as they roll onto the shore. The area is partially protected by Ben Buckler headland, making the waves smaller. Kids can sit on the sand banks with small waves rolling up to their feet.

At the very north end of Bondi Beach is a free, outdoor children’s pool The graduated pool has no waves, so is very safe for children to swim. The shallow end is particularly great for young toddlers and preschoolers.

Where to play
Bondi Beach Playground is right behind the beach promenade, giving it one of the best views of any playground in Sydney. It’s fenced and gated, with decent shade. Nearby is the Bondi Pavillion where you’ll find toilets and change tables.

Kids will also love climbing the rocks behind the Bondi Beach Children’s Pool, scooting up and down the promenade, and, if they’re either in strollers or strong enough to scoot or walk longer distances, attempt the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk (picture above of Tamarama Beach, along the walk). Note: the coastal walk has lots of stairs.

Enjoy your trip to Bondi! Where are you planning to visit now the weather is warming up?

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Shangri La Hotel Afternoon Tea: Sydney’s Best High Teas

August 9, 2015 / CBD, Sydney, Sydney Food, The Rocks / 7 Comments

A very happy birthday to me! I love to celebrate with high teas, so the family and I head to the Shangri La Hotel Lobby Lounge on this birthday to try their Traditional Afternoon Tea. The Traditional Afternoon Teas are priced at $42 pp, $52 pp with a flute of Chandon NV Brut and $65 pp with a flute of Perrier Jouet Brut Champagne. (They also offer a Wickedly Chocolate Afternoon Tea which I will try next time.)

The Lobby Lounge is a relaxing venue. Not as posh or filled with character as many of the other tea venues, but instead very laid back and relaxed, while still being chic. Afternoon tea here is a quiet, refined affair. Small groups gathered to sip tea and munch on treats – more of a sedate crowd than the large groups of hens and birthdays you often see at many afternoon teas.

There was a bit of a mix up with our reservation and they prepared one more afternoon tea than we needed. It was a bit confusing but they were extremely gracious about the mix up, and gave us the extra tea service anyway. Very kind.

Included in the tea is your choice of tea and coffee. I believe it’s not limited to just one tea or coffee as my parents both ordered one of each and we weren’t charged for the extra pots of tea. I appreciate little things like that, it makes the tea feel like good value rather than getting the bill and finding unexpected charges having added up.

Our afternoon teas arrived on large platters, very impressively displayed. My dad has some dietary requirements which they were more than happy to accomodate with zero fuss, and my afternoon tea was vegetarian – exactly the same as the Traditional Tea except for the sandwiches.

One of the main reasons I was so keen to try this afternoon tea is because I wanted to sample delights from the hand of renowned pastry chef, Anna Polyviou. I have to say, they did not disappoint.

The afternoon tea is served in 3 layers. Sweet on top, savoury in the middle, scones on the bottom.

Top layer: Sweet

Tropic-Anna: Coconut dacquise, white chocolate disc, coconut and Malibu crème, tropical fruit compote, popping mango pearls, baby coriander. This was one of my favourites. Light, citrusy with a hint of coconut. Amazing.

Carrot cake: Carrot cake rice bubble and hazelnut crunch layer, Apricot and carrot insert jelly, praline cremeux, caramel glaze, and yellow graffiti. Finished off with orange and milk chocolate discs. This is a dessert Polyviou is well known for, but as I’m not the biggest fan of carrot cake, I enjoyed the others more.

Rhubarb and Ginger Pudding: Rhubarb and ginger cake, whipped cream baby celery on top, custard sauce. My other favourite. Simple and so delicious.

Berry Me: Vanilla panna cotta, raspberry jelly, biscuit crumbs, mixed berries, meringue kisses, yoghurt and strawberry macaron, baby basil. A very delicious, creamy affair.

Middle layer: Savoury

Tart: Caramelised onion, goats cheese, tomato and baby basil salad. Delicious! The basil salad was unexpectedly cooked inside and was delicious.

Traditional Sandwiches: Roast pork, Vietnamese salad roll; Chicken and celery sandwich; Salmon, cucumber and cream cheese, salmon roe, sandwich.

I had vegetarian sandwiches instead. I’m not sure exactly what was in them, but they were light, with very fluffy, fresh bread, and light, tasty ingredients like sweet potato, cheese and cucumber. Really good.

Bottom level: Scones

Buttermilk and vanilla scones, Buttermilk and tea raisin scones, Clotted cream, Mixed berry jam. The scones were on the flat side, small and dense, rather than the large fluffy ones you often get in high teas. They still tasted great, but were more like an American biscuit than a traditional English scone. The jam was flavourful but a bit on the runny side, and the cream was thickly whipped.

I highly enjoyed the Traditional Afternoon Tea – in particular the surprising, innovative desserts. I will absolutely be back to try the Wickedly Chocolate Afternoon Tea next time.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No.

Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Lounge, Shangri La Hotel
176 Cumberland Street,
The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9250 6000
Prices: $$$
Hours: Daily 1pm-5pm
Bookings are essential. Please call (61 2) 9250 6000 or email dine.slsn@shangri-la.com
Get Directions

Babies Proms: Tubby the Tuba – Sydney’s Best Shows For Kids

August 8, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

As I’ve written about previously, our family loves the Babies Proms at the Sydney Opera House. This week we very happily trotted down to see the latest one, Tubby The Tuba.

Tubby The Tuba is a lively performance to introduce children to different orchestral instruments. The special nine-piece proms orchestra (comprising a bassoon, flute, piccolo, tuba, two violins, viola, cello, trombone and xylophone) entertainly educated their tiny audience on what the role of a conductor is, what each instrument is and what it does, and the basic concepts of how instruments work together.

Musical terms like melody, tempo and rhythm were covered in a manner that was simple enough for little kids to grasp and absorb, and in a fashion that was fun and engaging.

This is really where Babies Proms shine in children’s entertainment. They carefully blend education and entertainment together to create the perfect show for young children with short attention spans. The shows drip advanced terms and concepts like bread crumbs to their eager audience to nibble on while they’re enjoying dancing and singing, resulting in the kids leaving, thoroughly entertained, and not even realising that they’ve just learned something pretty significant.

After the introduction to the orchestra, it was time for the musicians to tell the story of Tubby the Tuba. Based on the classic 1941 children’s song (also called Tubby The Tuba), the story tells of a tuba who wants a melody of his own. As with all stories, the enjoyment often relies on the skills of the re-teller, and the conductor leading the narrative was masterful in his acting, singing and stage presence.

The performance drew to a close and the musicians came down to meet their young fans and tell them a bit more about their instruments. Getting up close to the instruments and performers is always a highlight for the kids in attendance.

We were all pretty hungry after our musical morning, so we grabbed a $7 kids lunch box from the cafeteria inside the Play House and picnicked with friends in the sun. With the Sydney Harbour Bridge on one side, and the Opera House on the other, we were in for quite a view.

BABIES PROMS: TUBBY THE TUBA
Showing: 5 – 16 August 2015
Suitable for children ages 2 – 5

Tickets on sale from the Sydney Opera House.

Pin it!

Thank you to the Sydney Opera House for providing us with tickets for reviewing purposes. As always, we are their biggest fans and opinions are my own.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Theatre Review: Matilda The Musical

July 31, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

Growing up, Matilda, by Roald Dahl was one of my favourite books. I adored the clever girl who stood up to bullies and loved to read. I never in a million years thought I would see the story come to life before my eyes the way it does in Matilda the musical, the award winning show that has just opened in Sydney.

Matilda the musical masterpiece was created by the Royal Shakespeare Company, with original songs by Aussie Tim Minchin. It opened this week at the Lyric Theatre and I was privileged to see their third performance – notable as, for the children in the cast who performed for us, it was their very first performance. The lead role of Matilda was performed by Georgia Taplin (one of four girls who share the role), making her musical debut in our performance. I’m sure the kids were brimming with nerves, but I’d never have guessed it. The kids were truly the stars of the show and shone as seasoned performers.

If you’re not familiar with the story of Matilda, it’s about a little girl who is born to parents who don’t want her. The underlying heart of the story is Matilda’s desire to have parents who love her. She is blessed with super intelligence (reading Tolstoy, in Russian, at age 5), which brings her to the attention of another soul who wants to be loved – her kindergarten teacher, Miss Honey. They bond together as kindred spirits despite the best efforts of the school’s insane headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, to make their lives miserable.

In the book, Miss Trunchbull is a menacing figure whom, as a child, I found frightening. In the musical, Miss Trunchbull is played with a comic edge that lets the show keep its light hearted feel rather than becoming a dark and despairing tale of misfortunate characters a la Les Miserables. Roald Dahl reveled in the absurd, and the musical is true to his magical story about the power of imagination and the anarchy of childhood.

The question parents are asking themselves is, “Should I take my child?”. While Matilda is a musical featuring children, it’s not a childish production. In the US theatre goers were required to be aged 6 and over for this show, which I absolutely agree with. The show features adult themes, complex storytelling devices such the show-within-a-show and a lot of fast dialogue, as well as the type of language that you don’t really want your kid to to be repeating out of context.

For a child old enough to understand Roald Dahl’s book, I would recommend this show as a must-see. I would also recommend this show to adults without kids, as I found it to be a fantastically entertaining experience. From the creative and inventive sets to the talented cast and energetic songs, this is a show that appeals to the child within us all.

Matilda is currently playing at the Lyric Theatre at Star City, Sydney. Buy tickets online.

A big thank you to Matilda’s major partner Qantas, who flew the cast and crew to Sydney and provided me with tickets for reviewing purposes.

A Family-Friendly Day At Coogee Beach, Sydney

July 7, 2015 / Coogee, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney / 2 Comments

As an inner city family, we spend a lot of time at Coogee Beach. It’s one of those hidden Sydney gems – not as popular as the biggies like Bondi or Manly, so it flies under the tourist radar. Today, as part of the Kidspot #ShareAustralia competition, I’m writing about our top three things to do at this gorgeous beach.

The Coogee vibe is laid-back, and the beach usually has far less bodies on it than the more famous ones. Given how stunningly beautiful Coogee Beach is, it’s surprising that it’s not swarming with sun-seekers all year-round.

Where to eat: Coogee Pavilion
We lunched at the newly renovated Coogee Pavilion. Their pizza is amazing and the Pavilion is filled with fun activities for kids, like the life-sized magnetic Scrabble board. (169 Dolphin Street, Coogee)

What to explore: The beach!
On the day we visited, there were free kite flying lessons on the beach, sponsored by the nearby Coogee Pavilion. Large sea-themed kites were set up on the beach and were as you’d expect, a magnet for all the children nearby. Friendly staff handed us a regular-sized kite on arrival and showed Cheese how to fly it. Within a few months she was off and running and her first kite was flying high.

Where to play: Coogee Beach Playground at Grant Reserve
A scenic stroll around the foreshore brought us to the Coogee Beach Playground at Grant Reserve (Beach st, Coogee).

This large playground includes climbing structures, slides, swings and more, set next to barbecues (perfect location for your next outdoor get together!) and nearby bathrooms.

After all the play, Cheese needed a rest, and actually fell asleep in the stroller as we walked along the boardwalk. Note to parents with kids who need to be strolled to sleep, this path, past the playground, is perfect for you.

This post was meant to have the top three things to do in Coogee, but I can’t leave out dessert …

The last stop on a Coogee day is always at Gelatissimo (1/258 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee) for some really fine gelato and sorbet (my favourite is the Mango Sorbet).

Coogee is one of our favourite areas of Sydney. What’s yours?

The Langham Sydney Afternoon Tea With Wedgwood: Sydney’s Best High Teas

June 4, 2015 / CBD, Millers Point, Sydney, Sydney Food / 1 Comment

The Langham Hotel has under gone a significant refurbishment, and is now lighter and brighter than ever before. The Palm Court at the London Langham Hotel is heralded as the birthplace of the traditional Afternoon Tea, so it has been on my list of “must-do” Sydney afternoon teas for a while.

Mother’s Day is always a good excuse for an indulgent high tea, and so it was the location for an elegant lunch (yes, even with my 30 year-old in tow) to celebrate, well, me!

The Palm Court at the Langham Hotel offers guests an exclusive afternoon tea experience with their new global partner, Wedgwood. The beautiful tea experience was heightened with the serving of Wedgwood specialty teas in tailor-made “Langham Rose” Wedgwood teaware.

Our server for the tea was lovely beyond belief. She offered our testy preschooler a hot chocolate and made it on the lukewarm side without being asked. Perfect not just for Cheese to drink straight away, but also in case of spills.

Since we visited on a weekday, it was a quiet seating. Our tea and then food were brought out quickly. I particularly enjoyed our server’s attention to detail through out the tea, ensuring that we were happy with everything and asking if there was anything more we could do for us. She also made an effort to engage with Cheese, and complimented us on how well behaved she was (lucky Cheese saved her tantrum for refusing to wash her hands in the bathroom!).

With one vegetarian and one regular diner, our platters looked exceptionally pretty with the added variety.

Starting with the savoury, I loved the pumpkin tart the best. It was just a delicious morsel of pumpkin and pastry with nuts for garnish. Next was the corn and avocado cornet (delicious) and the sandwiches. The sandwiches were sadly the only part of the high tea that I wasn’t happy with. All three were a kind of vegetable medley – it would have been nice to have a bit of variety like an egg salad, or cucumber. The bread was also kind of on the dry side and god stuck in my mouth. The fillings were fresh and flavoursome however.

The scones were my favourite part of the tea, along with the pumpkin tart. They were freshly made that day (not warm, but obviously not made long ago) and came with the most delicious strawberry jam and cream.

Desserts included a pannacotta with lychee, blueberry tart, sesame macaron and a kind of pistachio cake. My favourite was the blueberry tart, which was nice and tart rather than sickeningly sweet. I wasn’t a fan of the macaron as I don’t like sesame flavour in general, but Alec really enjoyed his. The panacotta was creamy and light, and the cake a dense chocolaty way to finish.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable high tea.

Wedgwood High Tea at The Langham Hotel
89-113 Kent St, Millers Point,
Sydney NSW 2000
Prices: $$$ (From $55 pp Mon-Fri & $65pp Sat & Sun)
Phone: 02 8248 5220
Hours: Daily 12pm–5pm
Get Directions

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, Sydney

June 3, 2015 / Inner South East, Mascot, Sydney, Sydney Food / 2 Comments

At Tartine in Mascot, the humble jaffle sanga is being elevated to new heights. “Tartine” literally means “open sandwich” and at this cafe, you will not just enjoy tartines with amazing toppings like double smoked leg ham, provolone, chives on sourdough, you can also indulge in a delicious jaffle, unlike any you’ve likely ever had before.

Chef and co-owner Anthony Telford has brought the French open sandwich to Sydney, along with his partner Amy Kirchhoff, who’s the creative behind the interior.

The food is simple and reasonably priced, with every item on the menu is under $10. The tartines are beautifully presented on Brasserie bread, which is one of our favourite local breads. Jaffles are stuffed with combinations like heirloom tomato, buffalo mozzarella, or even dessert options like nutella, banana and marshmallows.

Families are extremely welcome at Tartine, and we did see several babies and toddlers having lunch at the same time that we visited. There is plenty of outdoor seating, which is particularly good for strollers, and a large lounge area that can also accommodate a stroller.

We started with an English Breakfast Tea ($4.5 pot), Flat White ($3.50 small, $4 large), Hot Cocoa ($4).

When i asked for the hot chocolate for Cheese, the waitress very helpfully let me know that she would make it lukewarm for her, which we all appreciated. It came out with the most adorable kitty face, making Cheese’s face in turn light up with joy.

Next up was the food: Vegemite, Feta, Avocado, Sourdough ($9.50), Cheese Jaffle ($8), Herbed Cottage Cheese, Tomato & Avocado ($9.9).

The jaffles and tartine were so delicious. Wonderful bread supporting fresh, flavoursome fillings. My avocado was the perfect ripeness, and the combination with the cheese and vegemite was heaven for my tastebuds.

Cheese devoured her jaffle, as did Alec his. We fought over who ate Cheese’s crusts.

We still had room for dessert, so ordered the Apricot and Frangipane Tart ($4) and a Coconut Tea Cake ($4).

The tart was delicious – light and fruity, with the perfect crust.

The tea cake was dense and moist – what Cheese didn’t want I finished off for her.

We loved this hidden gem in Mascot and will be back frequently for more jaffles and tartines.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Tartine
635 Gardeners Road,
Mascot NSW 2020
Phone: (02) 9700 9847
Prices: $
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 8am-3pm, Sun 9am-3pm
Get Directions