Costa Azzura Revisited - Fairy Meadow NSW

The penne with prawns turned out to be appetising and full of flavoured sauce.  Thin shaves of Parmesan topped the act.    A fresh grind of black pepper lifted the game from an already well done offering.  It was not overly rich with the tomato based sauce - just right!  Serving was not over loading but good enough to saviour as a starter.

As a friend  remarked on Facebook, "Now, that is what I call a real pizza!"

A serve of salad that has it all in my mind - salty, sour, savoury and Unami.  The sun dried tomatoes were luscious, the Fetta was solid and the greens soaked in the dressing.   And the salty temptations on top.....

Three wafer like layers balanced like a flowering bloom that has been garnished with love.   Each of us took a layer each.  The result  - light, crispy and full of various sensations.  An excellent way to tease the palate at the end of a three course  meal -  it mellows the heart, it lightens any burdens and pleases the mind.

We had a Toblerone cheesecake slice when the Tiramisu was no longer available from the kitchen pantry.  And what  a good alternative choice.  The strawberry on top off set the light creaminess.  The wafer was a visual focus point.  I loved the nutty feel and taste in the main body of the cake.   When shared amongst the three of us, it was not gluttony but a pleasure.






The Costa Azzura Italian Restaurant is located at 71 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow NSW.
Opening hours are from 5pm every evening except Mondays.
Contact + 61 2  4285 4520

The Blackwood Pantry - Cronulla NSW

All systems go at the barista bar.

Chef Rob Lechowicz comes with pedigree to the Blackwood Pantry, in Sydney's iconic shire - Sutherland - and great Aussie beach hub, Cronulla.   Call it lifestyle, name it personal achievement, for Rob is part of a three person team behind this delightful easy going village gathering point with a buzz and culinary adventure.  Rob, together with Paul Pisani and Daniel Sorridimi, has collaborated on a menu with careful harmonised ingredients that bring out their best in taste and culinary outcomes, as well proving an optimal and practical selection of alcohol offerings, teas and coffee blends.

Brewtown Newtown lost Sam Cornish to man the exacting barista quality at Blackwood Pantry - and it shows.  Roasted beans are sourced from Artificer, Reuben Hills and Edition, so there is no lack of lack of choice. 

Chef Rob was the Executive Sous Chef at the Greenhouse in London and the Premier Chef-de-Partie at the Chateau Cordeillan Bages in Pauillac - both are establishments blessed with two Michelin stars.  On the day of visit, Rob can be seen focused intense at his passion behind the open kitchen counter, a vibe that spreads to his hard working staff, who maintain a friendly interactive despite a busy afternoon.  They do not insist on a customer ordering at the counter as many other cafes do.  When they ask how everything is, it is not perfunctory but with an effort to know how and why, in a natural way.

It did not take long to be served after deciding and ordering. 

The menu pricing is attractive.  Kids can have their crispy chicken and chips, plus even Paddle Pops! Or an interesting fruit salad.   Not for them, though, the cocktail on a pineapple, lychee, coconut and mint Slushee.  French toast comes with white choc....and wait, there is also ginger and poached Sichuan peaches.

One of the best things I settled for, not wanting anything too strong at this time of the day, was to ask for the salted caramel milkshake, with an awesome idea of having honeyed pop corn on this  - it did awake the child within me.  The young lady who brought this amazing creation to me was as delightfully astounded by the milkshake as me.

A signature dish, the Buddha Bowl is popular with the fairer gender. Toasted almonds, lemon squirts and a buttermilk dressing are sprinkled over the essentials of Quinoa and kale, strengthened by roasted cauliflower and pickled red cabbage.  I am not sure of this myself, although I acknowledge the good resulting texture  - perhaps it is just too green fro my taste.   

I prefer the Morning Glory (not the stir fried veg as common in Vietnam) which has a solid base of Tandoori roasted sweet potato and chorizo slices to hold up kale, a soft boiled egg, avocado and pickled red onions, before being dressed by goat's cheese.   Yum, heavenly and healthy...

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Miss Piggy when served, above and when devoured by me, below - one of the most tasty crackling pork belly, in generous portions as well, accompanied by dollops of goats cheese, Chimichurri  sauce, rocket and roasted  peach slices.   All served on a toasted Ciabatta.  The green sauce from Argentina goes well with grilled meats as many ranchers and ranchers at heart will tell you.

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Roasted rib eye is given an Asian theme, with pomegranate, Thai basil, Spanish onions and eggplant.   Lamb shoulder is Dukkah glazed and given a garnish of lime, basil, grape, zucchini and green apple.  These softens the character of the meat whilst also providing more balance on the taste. 

 Looming prawns are served with tomatoes.  The ever present eggs is given a poached treatment Turkish style accompanied by Paprika, mushrooms and yoghurt, a delicate combination for those who want to have light but yummy.

Daily delights at the front counter - but there are also salads, cured stuff and perhaps less sugary stuff.

In the variety of teas,  apart from standards like Masala Chai, Jasmine and Egyptian Rose, there is a curiously named "Inhale, Exhale" option that contains the rather interesting combination of  flavours of fennel seeds, peppermint, lemon myrtle and nettle leaf.   So Byron Bay, perhaps?

 A jug of Sangria laced with peaches, mint and strawberry sensations, golden ale, Peronas, Poker Face label reds and whites, cider  - these are the easy options for a drink before the eat.  The Blackwood pantry reinforces the increasing trend in Aussie set ups for combining a more vigorous licensed bar instead of just captivating with the food.

On tap is the Newtowner from Young Henry's summer ale  - a must have.

Honeyed pop corn are lavishly topped over my salted caramel shake - wah wah!

I cannot wait to get back when I can!

The Blackwood Pantry is located at 5/33 Surf Lane, Cronulla NSW.  Not far from Woolworths and a block away from South Cronulla Beach.

Opening hours are from 630am to 4pm for weekdays (closed on Mondays) and from 7am to 4pm on weekends.
Contact +612 9544 4857
Bookings are not available, come as you are.







 

HAM - Cronulla NSW

Jamon baked eggs with avocado and toast.

With a two shop space, brothers Harry and Mario's deli cafe - HAM - feels like walking into your friendly regular for a cuppa and more.  There are baked stuff on display,  outstanding coffee blends and meals with a definite Mediterranean flavour and inspiration.  There is a homey feel with indoor plants, a rustic yet modern feel and seating of various kinds to suit your mood and preference.

To start the day, there are two breakfast plates available, one with Jamon Serrano and the other emphasising smoked salmon.   The Jamon or dry-cured Spanish ham from the sierras or mountains has a distinctive taste and bite on the palate when compared with softer ham varieties.

The most attractive of the HAM breakfast menu to me is in their wide choice in fibre grains, including Acai, Quinoa, smoothies, Granola and Chia versions.

A deconstructed Yeros for lunch time has a lamb shoulder lovingly cooked for twelve hours and then served with a quinoa Tauboli and Tzatziki dip on rosemary scented pita bread, garnished with tomatoes and garlic for an uplifting experience.  In contrast, there is a Persian herb Fritata  for light eaters, served with Tzatziki.  

For takeaway, there are home made loaf options in pear, banana with raspberry and apple with rhubarb.

The staff remain smiling and friendly despite a busy morning.  Service is fast and one is not kept waiting.

Maybe more people prefer to sit on the pavements ala Sydney style, but it is enjoyable sitting inside as well, watching two main counters and their activities.   The coffee blend of the day is written on a chalk board and mine was Ethiopian in origin - strong and flavourful.  The barista said, "Yes, I can do that for you", which underlined their customer engagement.   The lady staff taking care of the tables asked if there was anything else she could bring  - instead of just clearing the finished stuff. 

Pastizzi, which is the national baked icon of Malta, is found here with chicken, spinach and ricotta or chili con carne options , all accompanied by chutney.  This is not to be confused with the Pastitisio, a Greek lasagne creation - this has ingredients like shredded Parmesan cheese; tomato based Passata; beef mince; Penne Rigata pasta; bread crumbs; crushed garlic cloves; coarsely chopped onion and ground cinnamon.

For those on the run, toasties come with pork, turkey, ham, veg, salami and tuna, amongst others.  I am eyeing the ham hock with a fried egg roll and Cheddar sauce for my next visit!  I am curious about the Portuguese toast with a berry compote for breakky - is this a southern Euro version of the French toast?  I understand that yesterday's breads are buttered and then put butter side down on a pan to become golden brown before serving.

Cheese, dips, croissants and cured meats.  Wraps, Feta, salads, Ricotta and breads in the Mediterranean tradition.  The bay is not far away, walkable across the road and park.  The cafe and deli is sited within a fashionable hub that has access to Cronulla Mall with all its shopping, surfer lifestyle and village atmosphere.   Now I begin to understand why even Sydney siders holiday here, with so many things to do, from snacking on good old Aussie pies to savouring Greek and Italian culinary offerings.

Two illustrative offerings illustrate the expanse of the HAM menu.  Chicken pies, filled with mushrooms, herbs and roasted veg, recall visiting an aunt's home but wiht a Hellenic twist.  More complex is the Antipasto Platter from HAM, lavished with Burrata d'Buffalo ( fresh mix of Mozzarela cheese and cream), Jamon Serrano, olives, mixed marinated vegetables,  pistachio Pesto and Nduja spread on sourdough.  Nduja is of Italian inspiration in the world of charcuterie, it is just a spicy spreadable salami and used on sandwiches and even pizzas.

There is also a Breakky Panini stuffed with proscuitto, baby spinach, lemon Aioli and egg on the panini.  Do not mind the probable exoticness here - there is Worchestershire sauce on the lamb wrap! Plus you can have your Biercher Muesli as well.




HAM is located at Shop 3/17 Gerrale Street, Cronulla Beach -  a 45 minute drive from Sydney city centre.
Opening hours are from 7am to 6pm every day.
Contact +61 8521 7219
HAM also provides catering.