Deli & Dine Wollongong NSW

When You Next Eat Out

It is lovely when a food outlet has a staff member asking you how the meal went. This has been the practice in many mainstream establishments in the greater Sydney basin, but to observe it being carried out in a Chinese Malaysian culinary outlet recently was most welcome. 

On the other end of the spectrum is the increasing tendency of Chinese restaurants, whether for dinner or yum cha, to ask for tips when a customer pays the bill at the counter. The staff member unabashedly asks the customer in the face. We are not the USA. Customers are willing to pay tips but not when pressured. Tips given are a voluntary token of appreciation for good service, not to burden customers who already pay a higher average cost for dining or lunching in Australia.

Are the tips collected shared amongst all staff members working that day or evening, or are they scooped up by the boss owner?

And then there are now tips asked for in Uber services - are these for the driver with still a percentage cut for the company?

The restaurant trade is not easy to run and there are heavy rental and high labour costs in a market as small as Australia's. Food outlets do provide much appreciated employment and income for youngsters and young adults who are forced to work on a casual and part time basos, to pay for costs of living and study.

Many of the kitchen and wait staff who labour to provide us a satisfactory dining experience are said to not even receive the official minimum pay per hour, not to think of superannuation. 

The bane of many eating and food businesses are high costs of franchise, venue rental, renovation requirements in shopping centres and the seasonal nature of revenue spikes. Although some capital cities have become more vibrant at night, the absence of night shopping (except for one or two evenings a week) does not encourage regular daily dining revenues. 

The operational costs of cafes are set off by getting volume in coffee and quick breakfasts in early mornings. Very few cafes are open after sunset, except in family run businesses in immigrant suburbs.

So called fine dining places do charge more than a quid for creative and unusual dishes, a remarkable setting and with excellenr wait service ( with more than the question of how your meal went). Corporate and government credit cards do go to pay for such establishments, with the ultimate costs borne by business customers, taxpayers and a rising cost of living for all.

#yongkevthoughts

The State of the Barista Coffee Business

There are single origins and blends. Is the Australian retail coffee sector waiting for a shake up, more innovation and a less fragmented industry framework?

It is reported there are at least 650 micro coffee roasters for a nation with a population less than that for the greater Tokyo region.

The retail coffee business is said to be only growing at 5 per cent per annum. More players are entering an already crowded field that is crying out from a possible bubble. Some apply social media to enhance marketing and presence in a competitive field.

If you are a barista cafe owner, do you still depend on early morning turnover and the brunch margins? Labour costs make you think twice of offering cuppas at midnight, like they do in Asia. The multi business model of having a licensed bar on your rented premises is attracting customers, but it depends on which market you are operating in.

Coffee beans are a commodity in world trade and are subject to the vagaries and volatility of supply and prices. The question of minimum pay for workers in cafes, especially those working part time and on a casual basis, can raise its ugly head. For the business operator, there is a constant and hawkish need to monitor margins and costs.

It can be said that if you do well in three important things at your cafe, your regular customers can be relied upon. Your coffee has to stand out in bean taste, espresso texture, coffee varietal, body, serving temperature, crema consistency and roast freshness. You need to have an addictive food item, savoury or sweet, on your cafe display shelf or menu. And you need one engaging personality based in your cafe to close the deal.

Running workshops on creating coffees, holding community catch ups and offering different styles for cold and warm weather are useful options, but require resources with which sole proprietors can ill afford.

The strength of the barista business can be its weakness. 

We love the fact that many in the coffee business at street level can shape their own parameters - unique, focused, hipster or down to earth.

Having coffee can be like in the perfume business - reflect on the aroma, the elegance, the reliability, the special moment. Once a particular offering captivates you, you as a customer will return for more.

At the same time, how a barista prepares
from the same blend (say Campos or White Horse) can result in different nuances on the tongue. This also echoes the different skills in making the cuppa.

It has been beneficial for serious coffee lovers in Australia for the market to break away from straitlaced processed coffee from the supermarkets, commercial fast food like chains and bland ground bean blends. The significant influence and inspiration from Italian espresso making is much appreciated. 

Are consumers tending towards consuming more bold coffee on a daily basis? Will there be more negative health pronouncements
for your customers having their fourth cup for a single day? Is there an opportunity for more cooperation by the disparate spectrum of players?

#yongkevthoughts

#baristacoffee

Hong Kong - Barista Journey

Have your cuppa at the Star Ferry Pier, Kowloon side  -  % Arabica Cafe.   Strong, flavourful and with character - I liked this one best on a recent visit.

The KnockBox Coffee Company is pulling people in at all hours with its artisanal style and produce.   We sampled two flavours
- nutty and fruity - and I preferred the former choice.   The place is small like a London UK cafe but offers seating beside the wall that goes deep in.    Owner and founder Patrick Tam is a self-made man with his own flavour of artistry and skill.   He was one of the first Q-Graders in Hong Kong


Located at 21 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon (photographs above and below).

The Cupping Room is sited on the ground floor at 299 Queens Road Central, Sheung Wan, not far from Central Hong Kong Island.  Best to use the MTR station for access, the cafe is in a rather characteristic suburb with ambiance, all types of small businesses and a feeling of old Hong Kong.   

The Cupping Room has a breakfast and brunch menu - I tried the Eggs Benny and I loved it!     The coffee, a Melbourne  inspiration,  was to my taste lighter than I anticipated and with a creamy after feel - I initially recalled Anthology cafe in Brisbane CBD but that had an oomph about it.   Still, in 2013, the Cupping Room was the home of the winner of the Hong Kong Barista Championships.

Brew Bros, at 33 Hiller Street, is around the corner from the Cupping Room in Sheung Wan - mind t,he steps on the lane as you approach this cafe.   That morning we dropped by, there were eager and young men behind the counter.  The layout reminded me of cafes in the colonial quarter of George Town, Penang island.  The blend served that day was not bold enough for my preference. (photograph above)



Coffee Academics has its home base in Causeway Bay on the island side but we had a rushed stop by between chores at the Tsim Sha Tsui on the morning before we flew back.
A spin off of the local coffee company Habitu, it has a contemporary layout that has affinity to office lobby blocks or airline outlets.



I could not imagine Starbucks reinventing itself and redesigning its customer experience and offering a different level of artisanal coffee experience.   I had to eat my words when we bumped into the outlet at Tai Koo Shing CIty Plaza IV.    Photographs are below.The cold drip served, after having been brewed at least 48 hours, was a refreshing experience that I enjoyed.

Snaggletooth Food and Drink Joint Fairy Meadow NSW

Cronuts in a basket.

I was tipped off about a new cafe in the suburb  -  the place had been relaid out, giving a different feel from the previous operation and that the coffee was good as well.


Open every day, it has added to the ambiance in Fairy Meadow, a normally working class suburb  transformed over the past two years into something more to visit.  With its Italian-Australian flavours in shops, schools and community,  this small area north of  Wollongong city centre is now comparable to Haberfield in Sydney's inner west, although not so heavily ethnic.   It does have a beach to its east, not far away and even a rail station that once had the risk of losing its unique name to the suggestion of "Innovation".    That name change proposed to NSW Rail did not transpire, but the more significant matter of having a more viable commercial hub is happening as I write.

Breakfast omelette.




Toby the owner-operator may have a nick name that relates to this cleverly named cafe - Snaggletooth.    Already a few weeks into business, one thing stood out to me - the generous servings of food served.   I must say it is wholesome food for customers.  The menu is also extensive.   There are little touches that mean a lot to me - avocado delightfully waiting to be uncovered below your Eggs Benni.   Snaggletooth also opens early for the commuter and the physically active.

Toby's Estate is the blend for the cuppa  - they not be overly bold for the strong hearted in preference, but good enough for me to stand out in my skim Picollo, when I first went there with a mate.   The cafe is close to supermarkets, a sporting ground used often by schools and is a useful pick me up amongst your trip to do the chores.    There are various forms of seating with a wide store front looking out on the Princes Highway.   


Snaggletooth literally means a projecting, broken or unusually shaped tooth.   If this is to indicate a suggestion to do something different and positive fro Fairy Meadow and the Illawarra Coast, why not?   The cafe may not look totally hipster but there are other markets waiting to be attended to as the art of coffee consumption spreads beyond the twenty somethings.    It must be said the quality of the food provided must be recognised as an important factor -  not just in the sourdough, but across all lines offered.    Do not just depend on the coffee, no matter how romanticised it can be.

Eggs Benny with salmon, wedges, avocado  and veg.

Snaggletooth visited is located at  19 Princes Highway,  Fairy Meadow NSW, near the corner with  Cambridge Avenue and opposite the set of lights with Daisy Street.

Yarnsy's Cafe - Tarrawarna NSW

Jarris Shead and Thomas Bailey got their act together and in this new year have come up with an ambient and hipster venue for coffee and brunch.    Village like, inviting even from passing by and with a useful outdoor space in front, one feels like dropping by a mate's in a quiet suburb north of Wollongong city centre.   The local bus does drop by as well along meadow Street and you can do your chores near by after or before your cuppa - the post office, Criniti's veg and fruits, etc.   Yarnsy's is not far from the roundabout in Tarrawarna, where you may be familiar with the Dusk Cafe already.

I observe the extra effort with use of carefully thought of ingredients -  that captivating pomegranate, the whole sliced in half;  the colour of the beetroot smash, contrasting with the avocado wholesome green;  crushed nuts with texture on your palate;  marinade of meats;  the way the garnish is presented and comes on your plate; and the robust, daring cuppa from Toby Estate's blends.   Watercress, Papetas, art pieces, flower petals....they all add to a comfy blur of a good feeling.   



Mates and regulars gather on bigger tables outside, behind or in front of the counter.    People dropping by seem to know each other and feel relaxed coming in.    It can be compared to a house party, but a rather well behaved one.    If you come by your two spokes, there is so much choice in parking your transport wheels. 

Scratch Coffee Co, Port Kembla NSW

On the main thoroughfare of what locals call  "the Port", or Port Kembla, south of Wollongong, a contemporary cafe has been operating near the iconic Tonito's patisserie and opposite the Foundery.   Further down and not far away is the coast and Port Beach.   


Scratch Coffee Co. opens early every day and Duanne is there at the counter with a lively female colleague who is engaging with the customers.  On a first visit, we encountered Peter, often accompanied by a lively child with bright eyes and an enthused personality  - I first got to know them  at a northern suburb cafe.   It is always a pleasure to chat with Peter and his enthusiastic family member.

Peter pointed out the spanking new grinder at the front of the cafe.   It shows the quality of a cafe set up and delivery when you have in-house ground blends and flavours.  Filters, blends, single origins and espressos are available in roasts.   The food offerings that day were limited to cakes and pastries, but they were presented lovingly in a low rise shelf and glassed display.    


The regulars were already there, a lady with a lap top and earnest look in focusing on the internet,  twenty somethings dropping by and a whole potential of the nearby residents.   Bluescope staff work in the nearby adjacent surrounds and in summer, the beach especially attracts weekend visitors.

Your Cuppa provided on ceramic.

I loved the coffee blend that morning - strong, flavourful and with an unusual overlay on the palate.  We could not resist another of Duanne's unique options - espresso served in a waffle.The espresso we requested was bold and infused into the rather strongly textured waffle fold.   


There is a bonus in this kind of serving - the waffle gave me a second chance to saviour the aroma of the espresso.  At the end of it, there is a quality chocolate at the waffle base, from which hints of it came through to the senses the further I finished the coffee.  

Scratch Coffee Co. is located at 9/173-174 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla NSW.
Opening hours are from 630am to 400pm on weekdays and from 800am to 400pm on weekends.
Contact   + 61 410 887 088

George Town - Barista Coffee

The earth oven used for toasting bagels at the Mug Shot Cafe, located at 302 Chulia Street.





There are more than just yummy street food, innovative wall murals and Victorian age architecture in the UNESCO Heritage quarter of George Town on Penang Island.The palate needs sustenance after walking around for half a day past quaint lanes, busy markets and busy streets.   

For a coffee devotee, you would have tried the local versions of Teh Tarik, Kopi-O and white coffee.   Australian visitors would resist going into Starbucks but may sample the cafes run by Hudson's from Perth or the Coffee Bean franchise chain shops at shopping centres.......but what about real barista made unique coffee blend cuppas?

Sighted in the UNESCO Heritage Quarter of George Town, Penang Island - Wheeler's Coffee.

There are cafes and cafes in Penang and one cannot possibly have even the best of it all on one visit to the island.     There are unique non-coffee competitors as well - Ais Kacang, Cendol, Rosewater syrup,  cooling Cantonese herbal drinks, barley drinks and more.    So how do you size up and conquer the barista coffees available in George Town?   


One technique is to go by location.  There are several streets you want to walk by to explore.  Use the cuppa to break the regime and perk up when required.   Coffees go with a meal and are great to counter balance the variety of street foods available in Penang.    Having a shot at a cafe seems to be the preferred way to get to chat and relax after hours,e especially at night, in Malaysia.  Unlike hipster espresso outlets in Australia, which close mostly by 3pm, here in George Town, you have extra hours to check out more cafes.

Twelve Cups at corner of Bishop and Beach Streets.  12, Whiteaways Arcade.

The strength, texture and flavour of the ubiquitous coffee blends can be your guide to chalking up your visits to George Town cafes.  For this, you have to do homework even before hitting the road.   Social media,  internet, talking to real people.....all these helps.

Having said all this, may we be reminded that George Town is a very navigable, friendly and rather small sized area to conquer.    Do not be the eager early riser though, for most cafes open later than what you are used to perhaps in Western countries and cities.   Retail business opens late till night so do keep in mind a different commercial culture.

The gates were closed on the morning after the big festive eve of the Birthday of the Jade Emperor of Heaven.The V Cafe at Sekeping Victoria with an address of 164 A and B, Victoria Street.

The offerings of creative breakfasts, cakes and brunch can figure prominently in your coverage of George Town cafes.  For example, pancakes and Japanese stuff are the surprise at Gudang Cafe, located at 5 Armenian Street Ghat.    


At China House, founded by a Kiwi couple, its Kopi C Cafe starts with fifty varieties of cakes made by the Beach Street Bakery;  China House, interesting enough, has two entrances/exits, one at 183-B Victoria Street and another at 153-155 Beach Street.  You not only can listen to live music at China House, but play Jengka, relax with your sketching skills and also have proper meals there.   There are various sections in the long and deep terrace, a good place to explore for kids, adolescents, families and hipsters.


And we must not forget ambiance, a very broad term which can cover a spectrum of impressions, feel and comfort.   It can be the peel in the wall, the bare ceiling, the types of lighting, the architecture, the odd kitchen equipment or the engagement by the baristas or staff.    


One Monday morning, we found ourselves sitting at a small canteen styled table, cozy by itself, as I found the environment as if visiting an aunt in a George Town styled town vintage terrace house  - only later did I realise the shelves surrounding our table were stocked with wares not related to the coffee business, but part of the model of a cafe and retail outlet.So there you go, you need not just pump out the coffee, you can spread the risks by offering art, clothes, conversation, specialty dishes and more.


Some cafes do look cluttered, but hey then it is supposed to look earthy, realistic and lived in like a home space.    Wooden panels, blackboards, metal interruptions and rustic looks of cafes  in Wollongong are complemented with weaves and crafts of natural materials, heritage icons and stores of grain and beans in George Town.     There seems to be variations of space, several cafes are spacious, most are small and a few even are warehouse sized.   

Gudang has an airy feel, is spacious and is easily reachable when you do the George Town Heritage Walk 9 or cycle or motor bike)

Chairs and other seating options are varied in George Town cafes, from sleek modern to stools, from smallish wooden contraptions to IKEA like foldables. Of course, there are the individuals who park themselves on a regular basis to attend to cyberspace and social media.    How do these cafes cater for them?   


Penang heritage terraces date from  the 19th first half of the 20th century.  Many of the cafes in George Town are housed in romanticised buildings that have aging roof tiles, bare unpainted walls and high ceilings.   When the colonial rent control policy was stopped by the State Government,  many people residing on relatively cheap rents had to relocate, freeing up the heritage buildings for other commercial purposes.  UNESCO came in with a significant declaration of a world heritage site for George Town (co-jointly awarded to Malacca as well) - and the rest is history, with a blooming in developments of hotels, cafes, museums and tourist arrivals (now significantly and increasingly via ship cruises).


Do we cover cafes that are most "Instagrammed", is that a wise choice?  In the end, to hark back to my question as to how best to cover these numerous cafes in George Town, I reckon the best is to just go with the flow.     If we go back to core values, it is the quality and style of the coffee made in front of you that matters most of all.   So to me perhaps the most significant development in the next stage for cafes here is in their surprising offerings.



Appreciation is expressed to Mr. Richard Liew, Mr. Philip Yeoh and a requested unnamed friend in the research, experience and opportunity leading to this blog post.




You may want to check out the other following cafes in George Town:

1.  Secawan 'n' Such at 205 Hutton Lane.


2.   Cafe 55 at 47-55 Stewart Lane.


3.   Pik'Nik Cafe, at 2, Argus Lane15-17 Nagore Road.


4.   Sitigun at 30 Nagore Road.


5.   Macullum Conneisuers at No.1 Macullum Street Ghat.


6.   DCOVA at Logan Heritage, No.4 Bishop Street.


7.   Budan's Brew Coffeebar at 2 Argus Lane.


8.  Bricklin Cafe Bar at  31A Gurdawa Road.


9.  Tavern in the Park, 125 Timah Road, Hin Bus Depot Art Centre.





For your reference:


Avenue -  Lebuh Raya

Close - Solok

Cup - Cawan

Ghat - Gat

Lane - Lorong

One Way - Sehala

Piece - Keping

Road - Jalan

Street - Lebuh

Element 6 West Ryde NSW

South West Ryder Big Breakky.

Within walking distance from West Ryde rail station and the Ryde Eastwood RSL, is  a gem of a cafe.  It is laid out in a contemporary style at street level, stereotyped small at the front  -  and I like the further option of more seating tucked away behind, over looking bush and providing some kind of a  private hideaway.   The Element 6 is located in suburbia, but has an ambiance like in a more hipster corner of Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong.   I understand that it has been running for around four years - and is the talk amongst my mates living in that north west corner of greater Sydney.


I quickly thought about Kin By US near Macquarie Centre and Big Tree House Cafe  at Calder Avenue in Rydalmere.   Perhaps I am comparing apples with oranges.  The menu offered at each of these three brunch and breakfast places are different, each offers a separate atmosphere but all do revolve around more than just coffee - it is the inter-weaving of ideas and ingredients, it is the philosophy of the owners and the diverse inspiration behind the food.   


The two of us tried iconic test dishes - a Big Breakky called South-west Ryder and a pulled pork presentation, garnished with tumeric potatoes, pickled carrot and apple fennel slaw.   I was impressed with both, in the careful and devoted manner in which Element 6 delivered contrasting and yet harmonious in texture, colours and utilisation of ingredients.  Pulled pork can be tricky though, it takes hours to prepare but can come out a bit saturated on the palate at times.    The servings of either dish eaten were generous. Some friends said it was even better when they first opened.   The menu is not overly extensive but I reckon we do not need too many listings.  There is a wooden adornment feel around the place but the cafe does stand out amongst its retail neighbours.

Toby greeted us that Sunday lunchtime and had a pleasant demeanour with him.  There were many lunching the afternoon we were there, but Toby carried on his work with a natural pleasant and fast manner.   Haha, there was perhaps more customer engagement from Toby than from the barista outside, who seemed over whelmed with his orders.


Element 6 also opens early each day, perhaps to catch the train commuter and fitness crowd.  At certain times, there can be a wait for tables, so be forewarned.   Still I understand that there is a regular crowd.   There are tables on the pavement but also a stream of takeaway orders.  The Stateside Iced Coffee is just nice for summery weather - and for tea lovers, do try the Sticky Iced Tea with Bon Soy.

Pulled Pork.

The Element 6 Cafe  is located at  65 Ryedale Street, West Ryde, NSW, near the Rail Station.
Contact +61 2 8021 2838
Opening hours are from 630am to 3pm every day.

An independent review by Kevin Yong

My dish recommendations at the Element6, West Ryde are as follows:

Element 6 Chicken Burger, with fresh herbs, Pepperonata, Element 6 Aioli and tumeric potatoes surrounding a marinated breast fillet.

French Toast with blackened vanilla bean creme, praline and seasonal fruit, with options for additions in ice cream and bacon.

Honeybee Smoothie, with cinnamon, banana, yoghurt, honey and ice cream.

Chubby Bacon and Sunny Egg Roll with Element 6 Aioli, House pumpkin chutney and onion jam.

Anthology Coffee Brisbane

Smashed avocado on sourdough with the 63 degree Celcius eggs.

Okay I have heard enough about not going for the Matcha waffles here.

However, a Wollongong based mate strongly tipped me off about trying the coffee at Anthology, which opened two years and have been earning accolades, which made me reflect on Ground Up in Toowoomba,  Proud Mary in Melbourne, Opus in Wollongong and Coffee Alchemy in Sydney.   The La Marzarcco Strada EP is used by Anthology as the main man, together with Mythos One grinders.

Anthology is within walking distance from George Street and not far from the Queen Street Mall and the Brisbane river side.   The cafe has a fresh and contemporary look, provides both indoor and outside seating and strikes me as spacious.   The food menu may seem limited, but I reckon here it is a matter of quality over quantity.   As with many contemporary cafes, the layout is one of openness, with the baristas and their machines playing a most important role.

As with any business success, crowds can make the customer perspective skewed if you arrive at the rush hour.  So to me, the trick is to wake up early, clear your mind at a reserve park and then top this up with Anthology coffee.   And this not just any blend that is fighting hard in a very crowded field in Australia.   Owner Adam Wang, who runs Anthology with wife Wai Yee, has a philosophy of providing a consistent surprise in the Australian variety of the coffee beans he utilises and so does not stick to one fixed brand in supply.

Blends used can be Drummer Boy from Geelong's Cartel Roasters, Daddy's Girl from Padre Coffee, Uncle Joe's, Dukes Coffee, The Mailing Room, Axil Coffee Roasters from Hawthorn, Proud Mary and Seven Seeds.   Anthology also emphasises the significance of choosing the right milk blend to go along with the already carefully selected coffee bean roast.   They utilise Bonsoy, Zymil and Maleny Diaries Jersey Milk.

And do not overlook the Cartel Special teas as well, if you are not a coffee fan.....

There is both outdoor and indoor seating with a two shop front facade.    One does not feel hemmed in like in an office lobby situation, nor a hipster  retro tight space in a really tight inner city suburb.    The look is fresh, punctuated by some sparing pots of plants, inviting interior floor space and an almost petite courtyard feel of sitting outside, though near the road.   I saw, again, the increasing trend of placing carefully presented toppings of pistachio, strawberry bits and edible flower parts on top of cream and more.

The female staff members  who interacted with us exuded enthusiasm in their way they went about things.    This adds to the whole experience  - people may just come for very good coffee,  but it is the so called icing on the cake that makes them committed regulars.   Granted that the scene in any cafe gets more intense as turnover of cuppas is important, it is how cafe owners and staff synchronise to provide a unique smooth encounter for customers that over rides all and brings in the positive uniqueness of the business.  For example, if you ask, the staff are observed for their willingness to detail more about their varied coffee selections.

Eggs Benedict Anthology style.

Both of us also looked forward to breakfast grub and we were not disappointed at all.    I had my usual test when visiting a cafe for the first time - the Eggs Benedict.  I note that the way Anthology prepares and presents its Onsen styled poached eggs is superb -   luscious, tasty and a class above.   SK had the smashed avocado on sourdough with the Onsen poached eggs.   Very careful thought has gone into the side ingredients as well - how the cherry tomato enhances, how the breads give contrasting bites and in the way they complement the main parts.

My impressions of the Anthology Coffee are:
Ambiance:  3.5 out of 5
Culinary Delight:  4 out of 5
Staff Engagement:  4 out of 5
X Factor:  4.5 out of 5  The coffee is just awesome smoothness, not overly bold, yet with rewarding flavour.  Also seek out barista David, besides Adam.
Overall Score:   4 out of 5

Recommended dishes from Anthology Coffee are:

Coconut Chia Pudding, with side fruit servings like blueberries and strawberries.
Salted Caramel Brownies.
Eggs Benedict, with a stand out 63 degree Celsius poached eggs.
Bacon and egg Paninni.









The Anthology Cafe visited is located at 126 Margaret Street, Brisbane, Queensland.

Opening hours are from  7am to 330pm on weekdays and from 730am to noon on Saturdays.  Closed on Sundays.
Contact +617  3062 7077