Sydney Archives - Page 45 of 80

The Grounds of Alexandria: Meet Kevin Bacon Over Brekkie + Sydney Park

March 12, 2014 / Alexandria, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Food / 2 Comments

For a long time, whispers about an inner city cafe with a pet pig had been reaching my ears (and clogging up my Facebook stream), even while I was living in New York. On my return to the homeland, the first place I was dying to check out for breakfast was The Grounds of Alexandra. This family-owned and operated cafe was built within an old pie factory from the 1900s, retaining the rustic charm while serving up speciality coffee and wholesome food. The Grounds opens up into a garden filled with heirloom vegetables and herbs, which are picked every morning and used throughout the day in the cafe. Be sure to plan your visit for the first weekend of the month, when The Grounds hosts a market filled with fresh produce and other goods.

A big draw for The Grounds is its star, Kevin Bacon. The pig. This Kevin Bacon resides in a little petting zoo for kids, along with chickens and a sheep. He made headlines last year when he was pignapped (along with Bradley the lamb), turning up at an animal sanctuary in Victoria. Luckily for us, Kevin is fully recovered from his ordeal, and is back, along with Bradley, at The Grounds.

The Grounds also features a little playhouse or kids, fenced in (yay!), with a slide and little climbing wall. Considering the wait time for a table, this playhouse and the animals are saviours for parents of itchy-footed toddlers.

Our party included one small toddler, one medium toddler and one preschooler — and The Grounds had something to suit everyone. A cute kids’ menu suited the preschooler (who ordered the burger and fries), hot chips and a kid-sized smoothie for the toddlers (the soothie came in a jar shaped like a bear. The cuteness!!). The adults ordered the Avocado Smash (with poached eggs), Asparagus and Herb Frittata and Salmon with Quinoa. I didn’t note down the exact names of the dishes and prices, and then sadly realised they weren’t listed on their site (d’oh!!). The food was all absolutely delicious, from the smoothie and hot chips, to the famous Avocado Smash.

After our meal, we spotted a gelato stand in the cafe grounds, and ordered a scoop of Pavlova Gelato ($4). It was so good we went back for seconds.

The kids were all going a little nuts after having to sit down for lunch, so we drove down the road to the playground at Sydney Park. The playground is huge, and has great features for kids aged toddler and up, including the rope bridge below, huge slides, swings and a giant sandpit.

Last Bite: Delicious food, fun for the kids, and a nearby park. A perfect score.

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

The Grounds of Alexandria
Building 7A/2 Huntley St,
Alexandria NSW 2015
Phone: 02 9699 2225
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat & Sun 7:30am-4pm
Get Directions

Sydney Park
Barwon Park Road
St Peters, NSW, 2044
Entrance to the car park is off the Princes Highway, just after the turnoff to Sydney Park Road (just after the big chimney stacks)

Clubhouse: Kid-Friendly cafes, Rosebery, Sydney

March 10, 2014 / Inner South East, Roseberry, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

When friends suggested we meet for breakfast at the Surf lifesaving Clubhouse in Rosebery, my first thought was, “huh?”. Rosebery isn’t known for its beaches but what awaited us at the Clubhouse was a fabulous, kid friendly surprise.

Right on busy Botany Road, the Clubhouse is hard to miss. It’s got an inviting patio with lots of sun-safe umbrellas and comfy cushioned seating. Inside, however, you get more that you expect: a well-appointed wood interior with murals representing the great surf lifesaving traditional in Australia. It’s one of those places that somehow strikes the balance between casual day eating and more sophisticated (but cozy!) night/bar eatery.

And then there’s the menu. I ordered the B.R.A.T (bacon, rocket, avocado, fresh tomatoes, aioli, $14) which is pretty much the best BLT-esque breakfast sandwich I’ve had in years. Lorin ordered the Smoked ham & eggs Benedict on brioche ($20) and his only comment before he proceeded to devour the dish in under five minutes was that the eggs were poached to perfection. Baby Lukas ordered some banana bread ($4) which also managed to be a knock out being surprisingly light and fluffy. Echo after echo of “yum” from Baby Lukas confirmed this assessment.

Smoked ham & eggs Benedict on brioche ($20)

Another thing that blew us away was that upon arrival, Baby Lukas was given a “little nippers” goodie bag full of crayons, paper and stickers, which amused him for a good 15 minutes. Which, borrowing the concept of dog years, translates into roughly an hour in restaurant time.

Last bite: If you’re for a kid-friendly place for brunch and are bumping about the far Eastern suburbs, visit the Clubhouse . You and your children will leave happy.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No, but kids won’t starve

Clubhouse
789 Botany Rd, Rosebery NSW 2018
Phone: (02) 9669 2828
Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-late
Reservations
Get Directions

Date Night in Sydney

March 8, 2014 / Australia, Sydney Life / 2 Comments

On our recent trip back home to Sydney (another post on that coming later) Alec and I had a special night – our first away from E. Not Alec’s first time away overnight, but definitely my first, and our first together. Monumental! And all thanks to my wonderful parents who volunteered to baby sit their granddaughter even though she had a fever that required them getting up through the night and then my mum sleeping with her the rest of the night. Bless you Mum and Dad, you’re the best!

It was so wonderful to have some time with Alec to reset our relationship and to spend a bit of time enjoying Sydney again together. I found a great deal on a hotel we stayed at for my 30th birthday in The Rocks – the Langham (it used to be called The Observatory Hotel). The hotel is a beautiful old-school place, really luxurious and comfortable at the same time.

We kicked our night off walking around The Rocks, picking up treats for later at the Guylian Chocolate Cafe, and then with dinner at Pony, a restaurant that wasn’t there last time we were in town, and was absolutely amazing. Really delicious food (my ricotta pasta was perfect), kick-ass cocktails, and a fantastic vibe that was upscale trendy without being too try-hard.

Something that really struck me on this trip back is how much the food culture in Sydney has changed. There are lots of really hip new cafes and restaurants around town now – and all throughout the suburbs – which made for some culinary adventures that reminded me of how amazing Australia’s produce is.

After our delicious dinner and potent cocktails, we head back for an early night and rented a movie (we never get to watch movies anymore!).

The following morning, after breakfast at the hotel restaurant, we dropped by La Renaissance Cafe (the place to go for French pastries) to pick up treats for my parents, then head back on home.

One thing to be said for being back home, it’s great to have some more than willing babysitters!

The Teahouse Camellia Gardens; Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Sutherland, Sydney

February 26, 2014 / Caringbah, Sutherland, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Secreted away in Sutherland is The Teahouse Camellia Gardens. Follow winding roads and walk through beautiful gardens to find your way to the Teahouse, a tiny oasis of gentile calm in the Shire, where you can wisle away an afternoon elegantly, drinking tea, nibbling scones and looking over the lush gardens below. Or, if you have a small child, briefly enjoy this experience, and then use the playground next to the teahouse to wear them out.

Bookings on weekends are advised as the Teahouse is a popular spot for parties and baby showers. We arrived without a booking and did have to wait a while for our table. The Teahouse is laidback, with service a bit on the erratic side. We had arrived on a busy day, which may explain the service (I like to give the benefit of the doubt!).

As a popular family destination, the Teahouse features a large kids’ menu, with breakfast options (such as the Scrambled Eggs & Toast, $6.50), lunh options (including cooked “meal deals” for $10.90, or sandwiches from $4), and snacks and beverages, like kiddie shakes ($3.50). Since Missy E is a picky eater, we ordered her the shake, a juice popper (we were using sugar to combat jetlag at this point), and a bowl of Beer-Battered Chips ($5.50).

The rest of our party ordered various items from the lunch menu. Unfortunately, since it was such a busy day, many of the items were sold out, including the only vegetarian option. The staff were happy enough to make me a salad sandwich however (as long as it was on their only remaining bread, foccaccia). Other dishes ordered included: Crisp Beer-Battered Flathead Fish & Chips served with Salad & Tartare Sauce ($18.50), Salt and Pepper Calamari with a Papaya, Green Mango, Cucumber Ribbons, Bean Shoots, Mint & Coriander Salad topped with the Teahouse dressing & Lime Aioli ($18.50),and the Teahouse BLT, with Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayonnaise served on Thick Cut Toast & Chips ($14.50).

While it was a bit of a wait to get the table, and we were warned that the meals might be slow, they actually arrived very quickly. The chips were crisp and cooked all the way through (yum!), the sandwiches served with fresh produce. It was a solid meal — nothing outstanding, but nothing bad either.

Desserts were another matter — and to be expected from a teahouse. The scones ($4) and mini pavlovas ($8.50) were absoutely spectactular. We would absolutely come again just for afternoon tea.

After indulging on scones and pavlova, buy a bag of duckfood for 60c from the teahouse, and wander through the gardens to feed the feathered inhabitants. They’re well-used to visitors and are not overly concerned about the smallest of new friends, especially when they come bearing food.

Last Bite: The Teahouse is a delightful way to spend an afternoon with kids.

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

The Teahouse Camellia Gardens
President Ave,
Caringbah South NSW 2229
Phone: 02 9540 2018
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Sat & Sun 9am-5pm
Get Directions

The Palms Cafe; Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Stanwell Park, Sydney

February 11, 2014 / Southern Sydney, Stanwell Park, Sydney, Sydney Food / 1 Comment

In the heart of scenic Stanwell Park lies an unassuming little cafe: The Palms. Drive too fast around the bendy road and you’ll miss it completely — much to your own detriment, as it’s a perfect spot to grab lunch with family.

We dropped by on a Friday afternoon. The cafe was busy with couples and families with young kids (perfect!). Nothing special for the kids — just friendly staff, fast service and really, really, really good food. The cafe features all-day breakfast, hearty meals made with fresh, local produce, and devonshire tea and cakes baked fresh on the premises.

Our party ordered the Fish of the Day ($24), Homemade Meatloaf (potato mash, tomato jam, salad & turkish bread, $18.50), Slow-roasted Honey Mustard Beef on Damper (mustard dressing & fresh coleslaw, $17), The Palms Big Breakfast (smokehouse bacon, old english pork chipolatas, tomato, mushroom, hash brown, fried eggs & toast, $20), Sweet Corn & 3 Cheese Fritters (usually comes with chorizo but I swapped it for avocado, tomato & spinach salad, $17), and Bluberry Banana Bread (with ricotta and strawberries, $8).

Every meal was perfectly prepared and presented. The waitress was extremely flexible with our picky eaters, offering substitute items for things that weren’t wanted (the first time I’ve ever encountered this!). My sweet corn fritters were bursting with juicy corn, and the salad lightly dressed — a perfect combination that left other members of our party with food envy. Miss E wasn’t overly hungry and snacked on bread, refusing to even try the delecatble blueberry banana bread.

The Palms Cafe is in a perfect location for lunch on the way to or from some fun outings in the Sutherland/Wollongong area. A few minutes further down the road and you’re at the beach. The cafe is also only a few minutes from Symbio Wildlife Park (check out our blog post for more info!).

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

The Palms Cafe
111 Lawrence Hargrave Dr,
Stanwell Park NSW 2508
Phone: 02 4294 3371
Prices: $$
Hours: Open Breakfast & Lunch Thurs-Mon 9am-4pm
Get Directions

Symbio Wildlife Park; Helensburg, NSW

February 11, 2014 / Helensburg, Southern Sydney, Sydney Food / 3 Comments

Nestled in the quiet suburb of Helensburg lies Symbio Wildlife Park, a tiny zoo that makes for a great afternoon of wildlife encounters — particularly for little kids. Symbio boasts “we’ll get you closer”, and there are indeed opportunities to get up close to lots of animals. The grounds are spacious and well-kept, and the animals all healthy and happy looking. No sad depressed animals in tiny enclosures here.

We arrived just in time for the koala talk. It was an informative session with lots of great info that I didn’t know about the koala. It was a little over the heads of the littler kids though — better for older kids and adults, as the tiny tots were getting restless. The talk usually ends with the opportunity to touch a koala, but our koala was a newbie and people-shy, so no pats for our sad toddler, despite her repeated exclaimations that “he’s so cuuuuuuute!”.

The biggest hit for all of us was the walk-through kangaroo enclosure — a large paddock filled with kangaroos. We had bought bags of animal feed at the entrance so we were ready to get up close and personal with some Aussie icons. The kangaroos were extremely docile — I would imagine because they’re so used to lots of people being around them. They were very happy being touched and would munch the grass off your hand, tickling your palm with their teeth. We showed Miss E how to feed them carefully, and pretty soon she was able to feed them on her own.

The goats also were excited to be hand-fed — they were in an enclosure that they were desperate to escape in their enthusiasum for our grass-like food. These super friendly goats were actually very gentle, and E was able to feed them without loosing any fingers.

There were actually a lot of animals roaming wild, but they kept their distance from us (good call, toddlers are notorious animal-chasers). We spotted peacocks, ducks and cockatoos cheerfully roaming the grounds.

As well as having standard farm animals, the zoo is home to a few exotic creatures like a Sumatran tiger (who was MIA when we visited his enclosure), red pandas, crocodiles, adorable marmoset monkeys and meerkats.

A surprise standout was an albino echidna — something none of us had ever seen before.

Symbio Wildlife Park is a great way to spend a few hours entertaining kids. I would recommend lunch at a nearby fave, The Palms Cafe, for delicious food before exploring the park.

Symbio Wildlife Park
7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr,
Helensburgh NSW 2508
Open daily, 9:30am-5pm
Phone: 02 4294 1244
Prices: Adults $27, children 3-15 years $15.

Anna’s Shop Around the Corner, Kid-Friendly Cafes, Cronulla, Sutherland Shire, NSW

December 6, 2013 / Cronulla, Sutherland, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

If you have always wanted a café where as soon as you walk in you can relax and the staff address you by name then look no further than Anna’s Shop Around the Corner. A bit of a Cronulla institution, and recent winner of the Sutherland Shire Local Business Awards for Best Café 2013, Anna’s Shop Around the Corner is a great kid-friendly café.

Anna’s Shop Around the Corner - #kid-friendly #cafe - #Cronulla, #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com — Anna’s Shop Around the Corner – Interior. Photo by Katia Barker

The décor is homely and informal, with walls of second hand (and some new) books for you to read whilst you dine, and sold at discount if you can’t bare to put yours down. Although dining with kids means you will most likely be choosing from the extensive kids book section to keep your little people entertained.

It was just myself, Jenson and Isla today so being outnumbered with children to parent ratio lunch could have ended abruptly, but pleasantly I was able to finish my tasty BLT Wrap ($7.50) and Small Coffee ($3.00). Jenson meandered through his Blueberry Bagel with Ricotta & Honey ($5.00) and Kids Banana Milkshake ($2.50) however we ended up packing half to take away with us.

Little elements like a marshmallow and a few smarties with the kids drinks show the owners really care and are welcoming to children, and there is plenty of kids artwork proudly displayed throughout the café which is a nice touch.

Last Bite: Anna’s Shop Around the Corner is a welcoming kid-friendly café serving tasty food and great coffee. Munro Park is right outside and Anna’s Shop Around the Corner will package up your food for picnic style dining if you prefer – bonus!

Highchairs: No
Stroller storage: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No
Kids’ menu: No, but kids won’t starve

Anna’s Shop Around the Corner
Shop 6, 138 Cronulla Street, Cronulla, NSW, 2230
Phone: (02) 9527 7090
Price: $
Hours: Mon-Sun 6:00am-6:00pm
Get Directions

Hospitality Establishment, Kid-Friendly Cafes, Caringbah, Sutherland Shire, NSW

December 1, 2013 / Caringbah, Sutherland, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

On a chilly Saturday morning we had a craving for bacon and eggs without much fuss so we decided to head to Hospitality Est. in Caringbah to fulfil our needs. The spacious interior and welcoming staff are the first impressions you get when entering this kid-friendly café. Tables are well laid out, there is a play corner with books, colouring and assorted toys, plus a big comfy lounge to house plenty of children if sitting still at your table isn’t happening.

We made sure we arrived in time for brunch, so the breakfast menu was still available and took our picks from the menu. I chose the Breakfast Panini ($10.50), Ross the Standard Bacon & Eggs ($11.50) and pleasingly Jenson was also well catered for with the ‘Little Est. Menu’ Ham & Cheese Melt ($3). This kid-friendly café has put some thought in to caring for the little ones, with a clever play on their name for the menu and all options under $6. Large coffees warmed up the adults ($4) and the signature milkshake order was not going to be missed. At $2.50 for a small size, this is the most affordable milkshake for kids I have found to date.

Hospitality Est. - #kid-friendly #restaurants - #Caringbah, #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com — Breakfast Panini ($10.50)

Jenson loves reading, so he selected a book and surprisingly waited quite patiently for our food to arrive. (Although he did nearly take out the waitress running back to our table when he realised his milkshake arrived). Little things like bringing the milkshake out first are the things which really add to a kid-friendly experience.

Hospitality Est. pleasantly surprised us. As soon as you enter you feel like you can relax, and turning up with a big group, or with several spirited children, would not be a problem. It can also accommodate several strollers, just what every family or parents’ group is after in a kid-friendly café!

Last Bite: Hospitality Est. serves good quality, no fuss food for breakfast and lunch in a relaxed atmosphere. Food arrives fast, which is important when dining with little people. We’ll be back soon to try out the lunch menu!

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes
Easy access: Yes, although restrooms are located down a small flight of stairs
Change tables: No
Kids’ menu: Yes

The Hospitality Establishment
47 President Avenue, Caringbah, NSW, 2229
Phone: (02) 8521 7501
Price: $-$$
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat 8:30am-4pm
Get Directions

Three Williams: Kid-Friendly cafes, Redfern, Sydney

November 30, 2013 / Inner South East, Redfern, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

To borrow a phrase from our Kiwi neighbours, the Three Williams café in Redfern is sweet as. Why you, ask? Well, for starters, anyone who gets excited by good grub will appreciate the good quality offerings on serve and the cool, exposed-brick venue. And anyone with kids will appreciate the large interior and dedicated kids’ area. That combination, my friends, is why Three Williams is sweet as. On its second weekend in existence, we decided to try it out for breakfast.

The first thing we noticed was how large Three Williams is: even parents with prams the size of small homes will be able to find an out-of-the-way place to park the mothership. Another luxury not commonly found in Eastern Suburb dining establishments is that the tables are spaced out so that you don’t feel like you’re sitting in the person’s lap at the next table.

Next we noticed Willy’s corner, a large, on-the-wall chalkboard that just beckons kids to it. It took Baby Lukas all of two seconds to gravitate towards it and paint a few artistic strokes. It took him just a few more to start eating the chalk (sorry, Three Williams).

Willy's corner for kids. Photo by Emily Staresina. — Willy’s (pristine) corner for kids. It didn’t last that way for long! Photo by Emily Staresina.

So impressed were we with the kid-friendly fit-out, that by the time our food came around we felt like that was icing on the cake. I had the Scrambled Eggs on Toast ($10) with Avocado ($3) and a cheeky side of bacon ($4). Lorin ordered the Crunchy Brioche French Toast with Roasted Pecans and Maple ($14), which would please even the most discerning French-toastie. Surprisingly crunchy and sweet, it was a total hit with everyone, including Baby Lukas.

Crunchy brioche French toast ($14). Photo by Emily Staresina.

Yummy eggs on toast ($10) with avocado ($3) and bacon ($4). Photo by Emily Staresina

Last bite: If you’re looking for a kid-friendly place with great food, look no further than Three Williams. It may be a new establishment, but it’s one to add to the rotation. And do it quickly – it won’t be long before there’s a line for this place!

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Heaps.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes. Ask for it, it’s lots of fun!

Three Williams
613a Elizabeth Street, Redfern, 2016
Phone: (02) 9698 1111
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-3pm
Get Directions

Thuy Huong: Kid-Friendly restaurants, Marrickville, Sydney

November 24, 2013 / Inner West, Marrickville, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Sydney’s been dry and dusty for far too long, so we thought we’d take the first rainy day we got as an excuse to saunter over to Marrickville for some fabulous Pho. Marrickville is known for its Vietnamese food, so we knew we’d find something delicious – the trick was finding a kid-friendly restaurant, and walking by Thuy Huong sold us: it was full of kids!

Thuy Huong is a small place, especially when full, which it was on the rainy Sunday we were there. There’s no room for prams and space between tables is limited and I didn’t see a highchair. Baby Lukas was the youngest kid there, but there were at least a dozen children ranging from 2-8 years who were just so into their brightly coloured, steaming plates of food, so we knew this restaurant would be suitable for kids.

We ordered the standard Beef Pho ($8) with vegetarian rice paper rolls ($6) with peanut sauce. The food came quickly (a plus when you have a squirming almost- toddler) and smelled heavenly.

Delicious beef pho ($8). Photo by Emily Staresina.

vegetarian rice paper rolls with peanut sauce ($6). Photo by Emily Staresina

Though he was the youngest by a couple years, Baby Lukas also got into his food, slurping his vermicelli noodles and broth like a champion. We thought it was pretty good too. Lunch came with the standard tea you’d expect at most Vietnamese places.

Baby Lukas learning the fine art that is eating noodles off of chopsticks. Photo by Emily Staresina.

You can't get much more into your pho. Photo by Emily Staresina. — You can’t get much more into your pho. Photo by Emily Staresina.

Last bite: If you’re in the mood for Pho that the kids will also love, walk no further than Thuy Huong.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Limited. If you don’t need one, don’t bring one.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No, but kids won’t starve

Thuy Huong
304 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville
Phone: (02) 9558 4023
Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-10pm
Get Directions