GG Espresso: Coffee and sandwiches, CBD Sydney (13 Sept 2011)

55 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.georgegregan.com/espresso/ggehome.html

Decent coffee with choc flakes

“The success of the business is based on the company’s commitment to quality and service and its customer guarantee – GG espresso will unconditionally replace or refund our customers purchase if they are not fully satisfied”

If you’re a fan of Allpress espresso, or George Gregan for that matter, then GG Espresso seems to be giving the coffee bean justice with their coffees. Both the Cappuccino ($3.50) and Mocha ($3.50) were topped with flakes of chocolate making a difference over your stock standard powdered chocolate. The coffee flavour was roasty with decent depth of flavour and not particularly bitter. The mocha had a good balance of coffee and chocolate. The GG Chicken Club ($9.50) was set in nice tasting bread and fairly decently sized although most club sandwiches I've come across seem to have an extra slice of bread in the middle like I had at Bistro 44. The BLT ($9) was also nice and flavoursome. If you’re after a quiet place to have a meeting then the acoustics aren’t particularly favourable. With hard surfaces all around and a loud banging coffee machine nearby you’ll be challenged to hear each other in a group of four or more depending how busy the place is. Also watch out for the small steps leading up to the café area. I misjudged my stepping twice on this particular visit and again on another later visit.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Decent coffee with real chocolate flakes, They refund or exchange the coffee if you're not fully satisfied, Sandwiches tried were quite nice

CONS: Watch out for tripping on the small steps, Acoustics can get quite noisy, A bit hidden so you might not stumble across the place — I never knew it existed until a friend mentioned it

WORTH TRYING: Mocha and cappuccino

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Parkers Organic Raspberry and Apple Juice ($4)

Cappuccino ($3.50)

Mocha ($3.50)

BLT ($9)

GG Chicken Club ($9.50)

Bill $26 for two people

Menu board

Breakfast menu

Lunch menu





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Kelly’s on King: Irish Pub and Bistro, Newtown (19 June 2011)

285 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042

Irish hideaway in Newtown

Some casual birthday drinks brings me to Kelly's on King which extends over 2 floors including a renovated courtyard and terrace for smokers. The live music sang all the tunes you'd probably want to sing along to and if you're the adventurous type or drunk enough you might be inclined to start up the dance floor moves precariously positioned next to the front entrance. A poster promotes the kitchen food has changed and includes most of the pub grub basics you'd be after in a pub like this. The Hand cut chips ($6) are homemade and quite nice with flavour and have a decent crunch. The rustic looking Club sandwich ($15) was quite filling although I'd probably try one of their steaks next time. You'll find Guinness on tap and Bulmers Pear Cider which is quite refreshing. My Gin & Tonic was served in quite a small glass so it doesn't last long. There's a machine for self-serve Hot Nuts which I didn't see being used but wondered if they'd be any good.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Casual and cosy atmosphere, Live music, Drinks seem reasonably priced compared to other bars although spirits are served in a very small glass, Affordable bistro menu, Terrace available for smokers

CONS: Small glasses used for spirits, Music can get quite loud and the place crowded, Expect to see some daggy dancing

WORTH TRYING: Hand cut chips

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Hand cut chips ($6) — pretty cheap and quite tasty

Club sandwich with chicken, bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato, cheese and bbq sauce served with chips ($15)

Gin & Tonic — served in a little small glass, usually plastic when later in the night

Hot nuts machine

Downstairs seating

Live entertainment

A selection of beers on tap including Bulmers Pear Cider

Pool Comp poster

Downstairs courtyard

New food, New Kitchen, New sunny courtyard


Eat Do See lifestyle video — gives you a good idea of the courtyard and atmosphere of the place although watch out for the cheesy eating of dishes and dancing


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Bistro 44: Club Sandwich, Bankstown (16 Aug 2010)

44 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148
http://www.bistro44.com.au

Little gem in Blacktown

Blacktown hasn't been high on my list of places to visit for food but a work related visit to the nearby Pegasus Print Group is an opportunity for me to pick somewhere for lunch. Having no recommendations in mind an Eatability search comes to the rescue highlighting Bistro 44 with a promising score of 8.4 after 17 reviews. My Bistro Club Sandwich ($11.50) comes with tender chicken, bacon rashers, aioli, fried free range egg, crisp ice-burg [iceberg] lettuce, avocado, fresh tomato and battered fries. Quite a substantial offering for a reasonable price and all washed down with an Orange juice ($3.50 bottled) — I'd happily order again. Unfortunately I arrived near the end of lunch service so the fresh juicer was cleaned up already. The chips were tasty and crisp and the sandwich had a good balance of ingredients and enough moisture to remain juicy with every bite. I loved the touch of the cute olive stuck on top — so 70s.

Service was efficient and friendly and the seating area was clean and cosy. Quite a rare find I assume in Blacktown amongst the kebab and pizza shops and streets lined with discount pharmacies, cheap shoe stores and money lending joints. I'll probably be using this club sandwich as a base to compare to all others I try. If you love Blacktown then be sure to pick up a I Heart Blacktown t-shirt across the road from the Blacktown Visitor Information and Heritage Centre.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Clean, Efficient and friendly service, Reasonably priced, Decent quality, Organic free-range eggs, Art on the wall, Toilet available at the back, Free parking station nearby

CONS: Not much other food variety in the area it seems

MUST TRY: Bistro Club Sandwich

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Bistro Club Sandwich with tender chicken, bacon rashers, aioli, fried free range egg, crisp ice-burg [iceberg] lettuce, avocado, fresh tomato and battered fries ($11.50)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Orange juice ($3.50 bottled)

Certified organic free-range eggs used from Chanteclair Farms

Service counter and street view

Seating

Outdoor seating

Outside

I Heart NY was so 90s — now there's I Heart Blacktown t-shirts

Max Webber Library across the road

Nearby free parking

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