Zona Azzurri Restaurant Pizzeria, Alexandria (30 June 2018)

160 Bourke Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015
https://www.zonaazzurri.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/zonaazzurri/

A taste of Italy in Alexandria

I've now been twice to this Italian restaurant right next door to Ultra Football since January when I first heard about it from my friend Josie. First time checked out with my brother for dinner and the second time with the wife and kids for lunch. Both times have been good experiences helped very much with the friendly and welcoming Italian service.

Always love to start with a Negroni ($16) to help calm the nerves. Kid's Ham pizza with tomato, fior di latte (cow's milk, mozzarella style cheese), ham ($15) was good as well as the Ortolana pizza - seasonal vegetables, fior di latte, EVVO ($24). Be sure to get some of their chilli oil to add a great chilli kick. Kid's Ragu ($17) was very good and enjoyed by Miss 6 year old. Served with all the elements separated as ordered.

On my previous visit Linguine al cartoccio - flat pasta served with our own selection of seafood tossed in cherry tomatoes ($32) came with a tasty sauce and nice seafood. A more generous serving of pasta in the dish would have helped to use up the lovely sauce and make it a more filling dish. Diavolo pizza - tomato, fior di latte, spicy sopressa, basil ($21) had a nice soft pizza base and tasty topping. Add that extra hit of chilli oil to make it even better. For dessert tried their Tiramisu - Traditional Italian Style ($11). Good flavour although was expecting the more rustic 'traditional italian style' of presentation when served on a plate rather than in a glass. Panna cotta ($12 menu special) had good flavours although texture was a bit more on the firmer rather than wobbly side.

The Preview: Cafe, Forestville (11 June 2018)

4/51 Arthur Street, Forestville NSW 2087
https://www.facebook.com/previewcafe/
https://www.instagram.com/preview_cafe/

Long standing local gem

Great to see a cafe menu with everything under $20. Have visited this place a few times and it's always been a good experience with friendly service, nice coffee and tasty food. It also makes for a good pitstop when visiting the Davidson Park picnic area down the road. Piccolo ($4) and Cappuccino ($4) using Gabriel Coffee were enjoyable. Cereal of the sugar gods aka Froot Loops ($5 kids menu) was a first for the kids but best I keep that one away from them even though I used to have it as a kid. Scrambled Eggs on Toast ($8 kids menu) was nice on a good sourdough. Chicken Salad - seared chicken with sweet potato, quinoa, beetroot, cherry tomato, hummous, roasted cashew, herbs, chili and a poached egg ($18) was a great salad with a good amount of tasty dressing, a perfectly poached gooey egg and plenty of lovely fresh rocket with crunch and bite which I think probably should also be listed on the menu ingredients. On a previous visit the Roasted mushrooms on sourdough with goats cheese, two soft boiled eggs, parmesan & toasted almond crumb ($16) was very tasty and the Granola Bombe with fresh summer fruits, toasted granola, yogurt whip & mango compote ($14) add Acai gelato ($4) was also yummy. The locals certainly are blessed to have this local gem and I'm still not quite sure what it's called The Preview.

Bik's Cafe, Botany (3 June 2018)

1120 Botany Rd, Botany NSW 2019
https://www.instagram.com/biks_cafe/

New cafe in the heart of Botany

This place used to be Snow In Summer and the new owners have retained some of the abundant greenery that existed before and are fast becoming a local gem with their friendly and welcoming service. I've been twice and the barista (ex-Botannix Studio Cafe) is doing good job with Single O coffee. Cappuccino ($3.50) using 'Killer Bee' was nice and the Babyccinos are free although if served in a non-breakable cup would make them better. Loved my Soy Chai Latte ($4.50) using Prana Chai with a good hit of flavour just the way I like it. Coco Pops and milk ($4 kids menu) such a childhood favourite and the strawberry on top adds a healthy touch. Dish envy happening with the Tiramisu French Toast ($9 kids menu) which unfortunately isn't on the grown ups menu but definitely should be. Order it for the kids even if they don't want it so you'll get to try it 😉 — so yummy and delicious. Chicken and chips ($6 kids menu) was another dish envy dish and a decent portion with crispy chips and tasty chicken that's sliced and ready for the kids to eat. Great value for the size and quality.

I was happy with the 'Eggs your way' scrambled with Sonoma toast ($9.50) and added avocado with lemon ($3) although would have preferred the avocado to be served out of the skin so it's prepared and ready to put on the toast. Salmon Bowl with crispy skin salmon rested on buckwheat noodles, charred shallots, pickled ginger & cucumber with toasted sesame dressing and crispy onion ($18) was a tasty combo and some crispness achieved on the skin. I think there's potential to cook a bit more medium rather than medium well to retain some extra moistness in the salmon. GF Fritters - pumpkin & zucchini fritters with avocado, coconut labneh & poached eggs ($15) was a tasty dish with a perfectly gooey egg. The chunky pieces of pumpkin give it a bit of veggie meatiness. Backyard Veggie Saksuka - 2 eggs, seasonal vegies, asparagus, marinated feta baked in a case iron hot plate with crispy baguette ($16.50) was also tasty and a good winter warmer. For a good behaviour sugar hit there's Mini cupcakes ($2) to tempt the little ones which I'm sure they'll spot like mine did. There's a fair amount of seating and potential to expand further out the back area. Definitely one of those cafes I wish was closer to home.