Harry's, Bondi (11 Sept 2016)

2/136 Wairoa Ave, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
http://harrysbondi.com.au

When Harry Met Bondi

“Harry’s Bar & Dining does its best to honour locally sourced produce by creating honest and elegant fare and using fresh and organic ingredients where possible. The menus created by Chef, Bryan O’Callaghan reflect the availability of produce, incorporating house made items and unique flavours, allowing all elements to shine.”

Every time I've driven past this cafe it's always been busy and today was no exception. Parking in Bondi is more than a challenge and the Festival of the Winds combined with the Sunday Markets made it extra tricky in finding a spot within the same postcode. Service is switched on and needs to be to keep up with the popularity. They're pretty friendly as well. Golden Latte ($5) with house-made almond milk, tumeric, ginger, honey was very nice and had a sort of almost carrot taste to it for me. @plus1guest was pretty happy with his Latte ($4) and the Purple Reign Smoothie ($9.50) with lots of healthy blueberries, banana, almond milk and tahini. 

Ricotta Hotcakes (menu states allow 15 mins) with blueberries, double cream, lemon balm & maple ($18) is probably one of Sydney's most instagrammed hotcakes. So pretty and a yummy soft moist hotcake although they should say Hotcake not Hotcakes on the menu. Would have loved a bit more maple syrup on the side to pour over. They say allow 15 mins but took over 30 mins so keep in mind when they're really busy. Coconut Chia Pudding ($18) with house-made granola & berries was well-presentated. Very nice granola although I found it too dry overall as a dish and would have preferred with a cup of milk or yoghurt to add some much needed moisture or even some juicy poached pears or caramelised peaches would work really well to help lubricate the palate. We had a 30+ mins wait today for a table but next time I'll have to remember you can book via dimmi to hopefully save some time.

Revolver Café: Café, Annandale (13 Aug 2011)

291 Annandale Street, Annandale NSW 2038

Phone: (02) 9555 4727

http://www.revolver.com.au

Brunching with the locals

“Our aim was to create a space that was like no other. To offer more than your typical cafe style food and coffee. To create a space that was in every inch and detail in some way a piece of me and what I love and to bring it all together in a timeless warm environment that makes people feel like they are at home not at a cold or clinical cafe.”

A casual brunch catchup with friends organised by Madam Wu from Music Munchies Review brings me to the popular Revolver Café nestled in the leafy suburb of Annandale. I was happy about all the free street parking in the area and the cafe seemed to have a nice community local feel. The decor was interesting and homely and the service friendly even though being very busy. The down-to-earth owner Rodney Jones was on service organising tables for customers and seemed to keep his cool and smile even under pressure. The Coffee ($3.20) and House made spiced chai ($4) were pretty good and the refreshing Watermelon and passionfruit juice ($5.50) was a nice combination — I wished the chai was bigger though. All the dishes ordered seemed quite reasonably priced for the quality.

The Lemon myrtle cured, house smoked ocean trout on sweet corn rosti ($15.50) flavours were enjoyed along with the Scrambled eggs, roast tomato, avocado & danish fetta & toast ($14.5). My Ricotta hotcakes with berry compote & maple ricotta ($14.50) were nice and plump in size although I had dish envy as I gazed at the Revolver Big Brekkie ($16.50) which came with everything you'd want to fill an empty stomach including crispy bacon. Perhaps throw a hash brown in there like Baffi & Mo to make it even more awesome. Chefs Eliot Richy and Rebecca Chippington seem to be doing a great job in their tiny open kitchen space and if you're interested learning more about the making of the Revolver Café then check out the Journey album floating around for some historic photos and newspaper clippings of how it came to be. There definitely seems to be a bit of heart and soul about the place that keeps the locals coming back for more, I certainly can't wait to return.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly service, Interesting decor, Lots of street parking, Tasty dishes, Pretty good coffee, Prices seem reasonable for the quality

CONS: Expect to wait for a table when busy, Limited space on the small tables

MUST TRY: Revolver Big Breakie if you're hungry

DAMAGE: $76.90 for four

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Coffee ($3.20), House made spiced chai ($4)

Watermelon and passionfruit juice ($5.50), Coffee ($3.20)

Lemon myrtle cured, house smoked ocean trout on sweet corn rosti with chilli capsicum relish & avocado ($15.50)

Scrambled eggs, roast tomato, avocado & danish fetta & toast ($14.5)

Revolver Big Breakie: Two eggs baked in our housemade beans, honey cured bacon, roast tomato, mushrooms, pork fennel sausage & toast ($16.50)

Ricotta hotcakes with berry compote & maple ricotta ($14.50)

Whoopsy daisy — that's what happens when you try and share some of the hotcakes

Table water, Bill $76.90 for four people

Chefs Eliot Richy and Rebecca Chippington — amazing what they achieve in such a small kitchen

Homely decor

Lots of tempting cakes on display

Decor and cutlery

Framed saucepan and retro salt and pepper shakers

Every café should have a mantlepiece for the crystal ware

Fireplace inside and community notice board outside

Cute tea cups

Toilet decor and window

Journey album

It's all in the name

Owner Rod Jones (right) greets one of his favourite customers

Dog friendly (outside)

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