Inner West Archives - Page 6 of 6

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

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

Nan’s Place: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Zetland, Sydney

November 9, 2013 / Inner South East, Sydney, Sydney Food, Zetland / 0 comment

The rumour mill has been spinning with whispers that Nan’s Place, a new café in Zetland, serves up food like your nan’s but only (gasp) better and with a twist. Never one not to investigate a promising food rumour, Baby Lukas, my husband and I decided to check out Nan’s this past Saturday.

Looking into Nan's from the outside. — Looking into Nan’s from the outside.

Expecting gaudy, lacy tablecloths on which comfort food like heavily buttered scrambled eggs are served, the first thing that strikes you as you walk up t0 the understated corner café, is a reminder that this is the inner-city: Nan-inspired it may be, but the décor is trendy with food offerings to match.

The interior is small, with a main circular table for communal eating. We decided to eat outside, next to a family enjoying what looked to be a dynamite breakfast. Plus, we figured if Lukas started acting up, his noise would blend with the other kids’.

Looking at the menu, I was intrigued by the offerings and knew I had to try the Half Ruby Grapefruit, Coconut Sugar and Toasted Almonds ($6) with Brickfield’s Sourdough Toast with Preserves ($5). Like any clever wife, I convinced my husband to order another dish I wanted to try: Poached Rock Chic Hen Eggs ($10) with Tuscan Kale, Green Garlic and Garden Herbs ($5).

Poached eggs ($10) with Tuscan kale, green garlic and fresh herbs ($5). Photo by Emily Staresina. — Poached eggs ($10) with Tuscan kale, green garlic and fresh herbs ($5).

Brickfield's toast with butter and strawberry jam ($5). Photo by Emily Staresina. — Brickfield’s toast with butter and strawberry jam ($5).

Ruby grapefruit with toasted almonds and coconut sugar. Photo by Emily Staresina — Ruby grapefruit with toasted almonds and coconut sugar ($6).

While we waited for our food, Baby Lukas made friends with the kids at the next table, as well as the dog tied to the post nearby. By making friends I mean stealing their toys, attempted food theft and pulling the poor dog’s tail. The staff weren’t phased by weaving between children to deliver breakfasts to patrons, which was nice to see, and were more than happy to interact with them in between orders.

Our food came, and I’m pleased to confirm the rumours were true: served on mismatched plates (just like at your grandma’s!), the food was fantastic. The eggs were poached just right (runny but not liquid) and the strawberry jam had real chunks of berry. As for the coconut sugar on the grapefruit – well, let’s just say there’s no going back.

The boys eating breakfast. Photo by Emily Staresina. — The boys eating breakfast.

The one thing missing from making this a total coup was that there weren’t any highchairs, which meant that we had to take turns eating. No big deal, as any seasoned parent knows, but worth considering if you can’t do without one.

Last bite: if you’re looking for a fabulous new kid-friendly café where the food is great and your kids are treated well, look no farther than Nan’s Place.

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.

Nan’s Place
2a Portman Street, Zetland
Phone: (02) 8084 0731
Prices: $$
Hours: Tues-Fri 6:30am-3:30pm and Sat 8am-3pm
Get Directions

St Jude: Baby-Friendly Cafes, Redfern, Sydney

July 31, 2013 / Eastern Suburbs, Redfern, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

If you’re cruising down the Redfern side of Bourke St, do not pass the non-descript building that houses St Jude without tasting at least one of their delicious dishes. Whilst it’s a super busy tiny slip of a café, the outdoor tables make for a baby-friendly place to brunch.

St Jude: baby-friendly cafes, Redfern, Sydney, via brunchwithmybaby.com — St Jude exterior. *Photo by Emily Staresina*

St Jude’s brunch offerings are enough to please—and quite possibly impress—even the most seasoned Eastern Suburb gourmand. Neither Lorin nor I, nor Baby Lukas come to think of it, are vegetarian, but today we sampled two of St Jude’s vegetarian offerings. (St Jude isn’t a vegetarian-only café, but breakfast for us usually includes the delicious and revered pork in one format or another, so for us both to try a veggie-only breakfast, and to be fully satisfied, is a testament to St Jude!)

The interior is a little small, with the cozy booths lining the far wall making for comfortable baby seating. The handful of outdoor tables are ideal if you can get one—especially given the ridiculously nice winter weather we’ve been having!

This Saturday morning, we descended upon St Jude’s in a bit of hurry (with Baby Lukas possible ready to implode due to it being nap time). We were initially seated at the world’s smallest table but another waiter took pity on us and moved us to a larger table the second he was able to.

Choosing from the menu was hard, but we both struck gold. The Sweet Corn and Pumpkin Fritters with Avocado Cream, Poached Egg, Hollandaise and Baby Spinach ($14.50), sampled by Lorin, was a dynamite choice, and one worth getting, even if you don’t think you’re a fritters kind of bruncher. I went for the Avocado Smash with Salsa, Fresh Spinach and Feta ($14.50), which Baby Lukas and I pretty much fought each other for. Luckily for us, the servings were more than generous.

Last bite: If you’re looking for a baby-friendly café where you can sit outside and enjoy these ridiculously sunny Sydney winter days while sampling some of the tastiest brunch this side of Bourke St, St Jude is the place for you.

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

St. Jude
728 Bourke St, Redfern 2016
Phone: (02) 9310 3523
Prices: $
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-4pm
Get Directions

Grandma’s Little Bakery: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Alexandria, Sydney

June 26, 2013 / Alexandria, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Looking for some comfort food that reminds you of grandma’s cooking? Look no further than Grandma’s Little Bakery, a cute, kid-friendly restaurant, café, bakery and store in Alexandra, where their tagline proclaims it’s “just like home”.

With winter undeniably here and it being my last day of maternity leave, I was in desperate need of comfort food. Grandma’s Little Bakery, which had always caught my eye en route the airport, seemed the natural choice, my two men—Baby Lukas and husband Lorin—in tow.

The mouth-watering smell of home-cooked soup and the cheery red-and-white polka-dot table cloths greeted us the second we walked through the door. This being Alexandria, however, Grandma’s Little Bakery is positioned within a warehouse-like building, so it ticks the “little bit trendy” box too.

When I think of comfort food, I think of macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, soup—basically anything warm and cheesy and full of carbs. Grandma’s Little Bakery doesn’t disappoint and you must try the Traditional Chicken Soup ($12.50). The menu here also offers some non-standard comfort-food fare, such as the Couscous Beef Kebab Salad ($12.50), which I just had to try—and I’m glad I did (the picture should say it all).

After we ate (Baby Lukas, occupied with a piece of sumptuous chicken from the soup, let us finish our meals) we took a little tour of the bakery and shop, located just behind the pay counter. Dozens of frozen soups, strudels and jams were neatly aligned on the wooden shelves, ready-made for some of grandma’s comfort food to be enjoyed in—well—the comfort of your home.

As with all good comfort food, my food (and time) at Grandma’s Little Bakery was a great distraction from the realisation that this was my last day of maternity leave. You really can’t ask for more for a place that promises to deliver its wares as being “just like home”.

It’s worth mentioning that there’s an indoor playground area for toddlers and older kids, so boredom won’t be a factor at this Grandma’s!

Last bite: If you’re looking for some comfort food in a trendy but not too-trendy-for-itself venue that’s kid-friendly, Grandma’s Little Bakery in Alexandria is the go.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Grandma’s Little Bakery
42 O’Riordan Street
Alexandria, NSW 2015
Phone: (02) 9690 0069
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-4pm
Get Directions

Kitchen By Mike: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Rosebery, Sydney

June 15, 2013 / Eastern Suburbs, Roseberry, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Kitchen By Mike is a baby-friendly brunch find. In fact, it’s a Saturday morning staple with my family. It’s such a great little find that I almost don’t want to share it. Almost.

This Saturday morning, like all Saturdays, Baby Lukas and I rocked up to Kitchen By Mike’s to meet my husband, Lorin, his cycling mates, and his cycling mates’ partners and children. The place is an old warehouse, so not only is it large enough to accommodate a dozen prams, it also fits all the mens’ bicycles and related gear.

After a quick trip to the counter to order food, Baby Lukas and I made our way over to join our over-spandexed men who were sitting at one of the large share tables. The share tables are great and almost ensure that you can always find a place to sit. Plus, you pay for your food and drink on ordering, which makes for quick getaways (necessary when Baby Lukas nuclear reacts mid-way through brunch, a common event).

Kitchen By Mike - Kid-friendly restaurants, Roseberry, Sydney, via brunchwithmybaby.com — Ordering food

What really makes Kitchen By Mike a great place to brunch is that the food is fantastic. The menu is simple but the ingredients and combinations are mouth-watering. Try the Eggs Benedict: it will redefine (and potentially spoil, in a good way) the dish for you. At the very least it will keep you coming back for more. Today even Baby Lukas tried to get into his dad’s hollandaise sauce when I wasn’t looking. If sweets such as pancakes are your thing, try the Sourdough Pancakes with Lemon Curd. It’s a foodies delight.

The food comes out quickly, but for impatient toddlers, there’s a shop adjacent to the café, which sells very cool Koskela housing décor, and includes a kids’ area for play. Well, at least I think it’s for play. No one ever tells us not to play there, and today was no different. It’s also a great place to take out-of-towners. They’ll be very impressed!

Today, Baby Lukas was a model baby: no quick exit was needed, and we were able to enjoy our meals at our leisure. On our way out, I saw someone else being served the Eggs Benny, and the only thought I had in my head was “can’t wait until next Saturday!”.

Last bite: If you’re looking for a go-to baby- and toddler-friendly brunch place that serves delicious food, has easy parking a big space for kids to play, Kitchen By Mike is the go.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes. There’s a ramp. Street parking is also easy.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No.

Kitchen By Mike
85 Dunning Ave
Roseberry, NSW 2018
Phone: (02) 9280 0999
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm
Get Directions

The Grounds of Alexandria: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Alexandria, Sydney

June 10, 2013 / Alexandria, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Food / 0 comment

The Grounds of Alexandria is about as kid-friendly a place to eat as you can get: in addition to its indoor dining, there’s a large outdoor garden area with lots of space for prams and careening toddlers. Oh and there’s a pig. Called Kevin Bacon.

The Grounds, as the locals affectionately call it, is an oasis in the inner city known for its coffee (they’ve got a research and testing facility on site) and sustainable food practices (they grow their own herbs and seasonal produce). It’s more a destination spot than just a restaurant, café and bakery. And did I mention they’ve got a pig? Kevin Bacon.

On a gorgeously sunny winter day, I ventured out with Baby Lukas to meet a friend for lunch at The Grounds.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Baby Lukas has been known to nuclear react at this time of day, and The Grounds is perfect for this potential situation: the amazing rustic outdoor garden, nestled amongst produce grown for the café, means that screaming, misbehaving and bored children blend into the scenery instead of standing out. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, including a gym for kids. Oh, and did I mention the pig Kevin Bacon?

The Grounds of Alexandria: Kid-Friendly restaurants in Alexandria, via brunchwithmybaby.com — Many places for kids to explore

Once you get over the gorgeousness of the place, the takeaway menu (only available to those eating in the garden) presents mouth-watering options. On today’s outing, I chose a Chicken Burger with Chips, and I can’t recommend this unique burger enough. Don’t ask questions, just order it. You won’t be disappointed.

Baby Lukas kindly waited until I had shoved a few bites into my mouth before deciding to nuclear react, which is about when I played my trump card: off to visit Kevin Bacon. The pig. Needless to say, it worked a treat. Lukas was smitten and I was able to shove the rest of my delicious meal in my face. Happy ending indeed.

Now the one thing I would recommend is getting there early. The Grounds attracts the hordes, and even though the outdoor area is large enough to almost always find a place to sit, the queues for ordering food can be daunting.

Last bite: If you’re looking for a kid-friendly eatery and destination that offers more than just food and excellent coffee on the menu, The Grounds is the place to be.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No. Lots for kids to eat off the menu, though!

The Grounds of Alexandria
Building 7A, N0.2 Huntley St
Alexandria, NSW 2015
Phone: (02) 9699 2225
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am-4pm