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.

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

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