Deja Brew Cafe, Bondi Junction (5 Dec 2018)

50 Waverley St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
https://www.facebook.com/DejaBrewBondi/
https://www.instagram.com/dejabrewbondi/

Japanese influenced menu

New kids on the block taking over the old Roomie Cafe site. It may be located on a very busy traffic corner with limited parking in the area but the bubbly friendly service and great coffee using Five Senses will hopefully keep the locals happy. The Japanese inspired menu looks interesting offering something different for the neighbourhood. Cappuccino ($3.80) using Five Senses is very enjoyable and made well. Free range scrambled eggs and toast ($11) uses a yummy sourdough from Butler & Bentley. The portion of toast overshadows the egg but OK once spread out. A bit of shichimi togarashi on the egg wouldn't go astray and would fit in nicely with their Japanese themed menu. Seating, table setting and garden landscape is pleasant although can unfortunately become exposed to the wind and wet weather. It's a challenging spot but they seem to be making the best of it and I hope they do well.

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.