SOL Botanica, Vaucluse (18 March 2018)

Old South Head Rd & Laguna Street, Vaucluse NSW 2030
https://solbotanica.com.au/
https://vaucluse.markmoran.com.au/sol-living/
https://www.instagram.com/solbotanica/

Completely gluten free menu

I love the idea of this restaurant having a 100% gluten free menu so it's sad to hear the restaurant will be closing on Sunday 25 March. With such an extensive menu there was always so much variety to please. On this visit the weekend before the closure there was no availability inside the restaurant for a spontaneous lunch visit but they were able to thankfully accomodate us on one of the tables outside Harry's Cafe near the foyer entrance. Such a lovely space with a magnificent high ceiling and comfortable seating. There was even a pianist that started to play as our dishes arrived. 

Oysters are an obsession for me and 6 Freshly Shucked Sydney Rock Oysters from Clyde River Ewan McAsh ($22) were shucked to order retaining much of their brine and flavour. The Asparagus Salad with Buffalo Mozzarella, Zucchini Flowers, Mint, Capers, Snow Pea Leaf ($21) was Nut Free, Grain Free, Vegetarian and of course Gluten Free. A very nice tasting combination of ingredients for a light brunch option. Whitebait & Sweetcorn Fritters with Zucchini, Dill, Cashew and Curry Leaf Aioli ($21) was Dairy Free and Gluten Free with a nice crisp on the outside and a tasty filling that pleased. Hand cut chips with sesame and fennel salt ($10) was Vegan, Nut Free and Gluten Free. Big chunky cuts that was a decent portion for sharing. Service was friendly and helpful and overall a very pleasant experience. I really hope the next restaurant is able to remain an inspiration for some tasty gluten free dishes.

Taste Test: Piranha Chicca Chips (12 July 2011)

17 Elizabeth Street, Campsie NSW 2194

http://www.tixana.com.au

http://www.piranhacorp.com.au

New chips with flavour bite

Thanks to Piranha for providing me samples of their new Chicca Chips to taste test. The chips were met with positive feedback. I made everyone try them in ascending order of flavour and spice starting from the plain style Original then Lime & Sea Salt, Italian Supreme and finally the most flavoured Chilli Cream Cheese. I liked the crunch factor and likened them to a prawn cracker. They seemed to retain their crispness for a fair amount of time once taken out of the pack. All the flavours were quite distinctive and matched their description well. I thought the original flavour would lend itself well with some guacamole dip as an entertaining snack.

Other reviews of Piranha products:

• 12 July 2011 - Piranha Chicca Chips

• 1 August 2010 - Piranha Party Pack Competition

• 29 June 2010 - All Piranha Golden Hash Potato Grill flavours and Soy Snack Mix

• 14 June 2010 - Golden Hash Potato Grill Sea Salt

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Gluten free, No artificial flavours or colours, No preservatives, 100% Australian owned

CONS: Hard to stop at one

MUST TRY: Dipping the Chicca Chips in a dip like guacamole

—

Original

Lime & Sea Salt

Italian Supreme

Chilli Cream Cheese

Tasting table

Taste Test feedback:

Liked It: 13 people

Love It: 5 people

Taste Test comments

View Larger Map

Product Sample: Thomas Chipman Organic Sweet Potato Chips (20 Apr 2011)

Factory 45, 64-86 Beresford Road, Lilydale VIC 3140

http://www.chipman.com.au

http://yarravalleysnackfoods.com

New sweet potato variety

Thanks to Yarra Valley Snack Foods for sending me a generous box of 12 packs of the new Thomas Chipman Sweet Potato Chips which I of course shared around the office. I think I still prefer the Beetroot Chips but these were quite well liked. From the taste testers I had around at the time the one thing that most people noticed about these chips was they seemed to feel a bit oily when you picked them up. Each packet was listed as serving 3 people so you'd have to keep this in mind. I did feel a little full after eating a few handfuls so certainly one to have in moderation to keep the fat content to a minimum. I believe sweet potato is regarded as a healthier alternative to the normal potato so if you're already a fan of the Thomas Chipman range then you might want to check out this new variety to see how it compares.

Other Thomas Chipman products tried:

• Sweet Potato Chips (20 April 2011)

• Organic Beetroot Chips (19 Sept 2010)

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Tastes pretty good, Certified organic, Gluten free, No artificial flavours, colours and additives, Australian made and owned, Nut free

CONS: More expensive than normal chips, Feels a bit oily to the touch, Seems to be quite high in fat content

MUST TRY: Other Thomas Chipman chips

—

Thomas Chipman Sweet Potato Chips

Facts

Nutritional information — keep in mind it's a serving of 3 so if you eat the whole pack then there seems to be quite a bit of fat content

Taste test results:

Don't like it: 1 person

It's OK: 3 people

Really good: 2 people

Box of samples

One Six Nine Café: Royal Apple Pancakes, Randwick (30 Apr 2011)

169 Alison Road, Randwick NSW 2031

http://www.onesixninecafe.com.au

Nice brunch at a bargain price

A Jigocity bargain deal ($14 worth of Breakfast or Lunch for only $5) brings me to revisit One Six Nine Café for a morning after post Royal Wedding brunch. I notice the courtyard is now open but due to wet weather sadly isn’t being used. My Hot chocolate ($3.50) arrived piping hot which made it a little awkward to pick up in a glass but had good depth of chocolate flavour. I love it when you get a marshmallow on the side as an extra treat. Bananas are too expensive at the moment so I’m suspecting that’s why the banana smoothie wasn't available but the Mixed Berry Smoothie ($5.50) was good with noticeable amounts of honey.

Continuing the royal theme I felt compelled to order the special of the day of Royal Apple Pancakes with honey and ricotta ($12). Nicely presented with cut strawberries that resembled crowns it wasn’t quite what I was expecting but was good. Plenty of apple within the fritter-like pancake mix which kept it moist and full of apple flavour. The Omelette with basil and goats cheese ($12) was quite substantial — I’m suspecting at least 3 eggs were used. Flavours worked well together and the side of avocado ($3) was fresh. There’s a small kid friendly play area on the side which seems well-known to revisiting kids. The service was friendly and atmosphere relaxed although I’m thinking the kid that rode his scooter through the café should have perhaps been disciplined by his mum.

Other visits to One Six Nine Cafe:

• 30 April 2011 - Mixed berry smoothie, Hot chocolate, Omelette with

goats cheese and basil,

Royal Apple pancakes

• 25 Sept 2010 - Chicken Club Sandwich, Eggs & Toast with Bacon and Haloumi, Fresh juice

• 19 August 2010 - Cafe opens

• 18 June 2010 - Promotion

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS:

Friendly service, Lots of gluten-free options, Clean and simple décor, Small kids play area, Courtyard at the back, Reasonably priced, Casual atmosphere

CONS:

Table supports can get in the way of leg room, Pancakes aren’t on the normal menu, Kids can make it a little noisy when left to their own devices

MUST TRY:

Hot chocolate, Mixed Berry Smoothie

—

Hot chocolate ($3.50) — Gotta love a side of marshmallow

WORTH TRYING :-)

Smoothie with honey, yoghurt and milk with mixed berry ($5.50) — Lots of flavour

WORTH TRYING :-)

Omelette with basil and goats cheese and sourdough toast ($12) with side of avocado ($3)

Royal Apple Pancakes with honey and ricotta ($12) — I'm hoping normal pancakes with a mixed berry compote make it to the menu one day

Inside seating

Courtyard when wet weather permits. I reckon a wall of hanging herbs would be pretty cool like Greenhouse or some colourful wall art or larger potted plants

Window drawing — I like

Cute signage to toilet and courtyard

I'm not a fan of table supports that restrict feet sitting flat

I like casual blackboard facts although I'm not actually sure what FAKT stands for

View Larger Map