The Botany Bay Hotel, Banksmeadow (3 Dec 2016)

1807 Botany Road, Banksmeadow NSW 2019
http://www.botanybaypub.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/botanybaypub/
https://www.instagram.com/thebotanybayhotelsydney/

Pub life since 1865

Pretty amazing to think this pub has been going since 1865. I've always thought this was an old man's pub but their Facebook advertises the place is under new management and has new food. There was a 21st birthday booked upstairs so they must be attracting some of the younger crowd. Gin & Tonic ($7) was reasonably priced and served by friendly bar lady. Southern Fried Chicken Wings with buffalo aioli ($16, 5 pieces) had a crispy and tasty coating and was generous enough to share. 300g Grass Fed Sirloin Steak with dianne sauce, steamed vegetables and mash ($24) was cooked medium rare as ordered and had a pleasant smokey chargrill flavour. Vegetables were nice. Perhaps a bit on the pricey side I thought considering the location and dish presentation but I guess being grass fed would make it a more premium product. 

Handmade sausage rolls with chips ($5 kids menu) is a generous serve and great value. Grilled Chicken Tenderloins with chips ($6 kids menu) is also a decent size with well-seasoned chips. The Kids Menu mentioned free ice cream with ice magic but unfortunately wasn't available at the time which was a shame. The Deep Fried Golden Gaytime on the dessert menu was also not available which would have been great to try. There's plenty of seating both inside and out in the pleasant courtyard. For a saturday lunch it wasn't busy at all, actually pretty empty but that made it less stressful having the kids run around which was a positive. 

The Kiosk, Sydney Hospital, Macquarie St, Sydney (19 Aug 2016)

8 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/SHSEH/history/volunteers.asp

Volunteers in the wall

I've lived in Sydney for 45 years and this would be the first time I've ever walked into this shop even though I've passed by 1000s of times. Seems like it's been around for decades. Prices are cheap and the menu limited and basic for a quick bite or snack. Balfour's Beta Bake Large Sausage Roll ($3.50) with Tomato Sauce ($0.20) is pretty large. Reminds me of my primary school days when I ate sausage rolls and meat pies for lunch. Interesting and weird to see 'water' is listed as the main ingredient on the back. Not quite sure how that works? There's no seating for the hole in the wall but the courtyard inside the Sydney Hospital is quite nice just around the corner. Proceeds are donated to the Sydney Hospital which is such a nice idea.

Bourke Street Bakery: Tarts and Sausage Rolls, Surry Hills (21 Nov 2010)

633 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

http://www.bourkestreetbakery.com.au

Timing is everything

Bourke Street Bakery is one of those bakeries where you'd be hard pressed not find something you'll love to eat which will also bring you back for more. Being so popular timing is everything to avoid long queues and chaotic ordering in the tiny shop — which seems never possible. Today I was very lucky with only a few seconds waiting as staff tried to be as efficient as possible. The Pork and fennel sausage roll ($4.50) with tomato sauce ($0.20) was warm, flavoursome and decently sized. It's a premium price for a sausage roll but was packed with flavour and you could actually see the ingredients used inside. Your fingers do get a bit greasy from the pastry when picking it up so a knife and fork will keep your digits clean. I'm a fan of the Rhubarb and almond tart ($4.40) which has a nice thin pasty base and lovely moist rhubarb on top cooked to sweet perfection. Again a premium price for a tart but it's a premium product too. For those in the city the sister company Central Baking Depot sells similar tarts but I've noticed there's not always the same variety available which is a shame.

It's easy to see why Bourke Street Bakery is currently one of the most 'liked' places in Sydney making it No. 1 on Urbanspoon's Best Cheap Eats in NSW and also No. 1 restaurant. Join the queues to find your next favourite morning or afternoon tea snack.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Tempting choices of tarts, pastries and bread, Quality rather than quantity, Other locations around town, Freshly made

CONS: Long waits in queues when busy, Some items can sell out early, Not the cheapest but I think still reasonably priced for the quality

MUST TRY: Rhubarb and almond tart, Pork and fennel sausage roll, Anything else that takes your fancy

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Pork and fennel sausage roll ($4.50) with tomato sauce ($0.20)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Rhubarb and almond tart ($4.40)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Menu board

Outside seating — if you're lucky

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