Bar Pellegrini Cafe, Wollongong

I was on a quick drop by to Wollongong CBD to change some currency and had to have a fast bite. Walking past Keira Street, I passed in front of the Pellegrini and reckoned that may be a good choice. I have observed the coffee drinkers and breakfast eaters on early mornings at this place, with high ceilings and looking like it could have been in Leichhardt olr Haberfield in inner city Sydney. There was only one person at the counter, but he half-smiled and organised my request for foccacia laden with ham, avocado spread, tomato slices and garnishings. (image above)

I could sense the cafe was frequented by regulars. It had a modern feel behind the counter, but other parts of the location could be in for a bit of a face lift. The cafe suggested to me of a long house when one looked further inside, and so is sufficiently spacious. With dark trimmings and lots of wood, the place did offer some character. However, the last orders from the kitchen closed sharp at 2pm and it was mostly a morning and brunch business not open on weekends.

I could not help fascinated by the unusual plate clock displayed in the inner sanctum of the cafe (above image). The other thing that captured my attention was that this same business also operates a mobile coffee van around Wollongong and its surrounds.

The Pellegrini Cafe has been in business since 2004 and sits along the main strip of Keira Street in Wollongong CBD. The cafe accepts cash payments only and is licensed for alcohol. Food offered on site and also fro catering arrangements include fish Pieces with tartare sauce,
Chipolata Sausages, meatballs (with satay & sweet chili sauce), marinated chicken, lamb skewers, spinach and ricotta pastizzi, cold antipasto platters and a selection of cakes and desserts.

Return to Freshwater Beach, NSW

An Arvo at Pilu's

With two private function rooms, excellent food and cuisine of Sardinia and a location right spot on overlooking Freshwater Beach along Moore Road at Harboard, on Sydney's northern beaches, there is much expectation when you step into Pilu's Restaurant. You can choose seating inside, on a covered verandah outdeck, or below in garden settings, with the ocean breeze and smell of sea and sand up the nose. There is a selection of both Italian and Australian wines. The decor is retro beach house, painted an off shade from white and reminding me of lazy summer days in tropical climes. You dine and have a view over a small bay surrounded by cliff top houses and much activity on the rather sand-powdery beach.

Selections a group of us had to celebrate Charmaine's birthday earlier this month included:

Salt baked New Zealand King salmon, replete with saffron kipfer potatoes, baby leeks and beetroot puree.

De-boned quail wrapped in pancetta, stuffed with chicken livers, fennel and tarragon.
Saffron flavoured spagettini, graced by Queensland spanner crabmeat, crispy guanciale and breadcrumb pangrattato.

Slow cooked Coronga lamb fillet, accompanied by olive and almond salad and cous cous.

Gus found in-grown hairs under the crackle of the deliciously outstanding suckling pig - apparently this is a natural feature of the black variety of swine used for this dish. Jeanette from Perth had to deal with a rather hard serving of an otherwise very juicy and tender selection of cuts on a similiar dish. I am not a fan of sausages, but could not resist the Sardinian version of the pork sausage served.

Going at Gerroa

From Gerroa, one can take in the sight of stunning Seven Mile Beach, on the south coast of NSW, empty, inviting and beautiful. Gerroa is centred on a collection of homes facing a bight.

Around Gerroa Beach and Village, one has a choice of day excursions to the Belmore Falls, the Minnamurra Rain Forest, the Saddleback Mountain Lookout or the Barren Grounds Bird Observatory. Two vineyards, the Coolangatta Estate and the Crooked River Winery, offer a change from beaches, dairy downs and cycling/running activities. I recommend Werri Beach, which come with sandy stretches, good surf waves and caravan parks. There are also tidal pools to consider at the southern end of Werri Beach. The Gerroa Boat Fishermen's Club provides a great weekend lunch of seafood themes.

From a related website, fishermen note:
"Marlin, yellowfin tuna, kingfish, mulloway (jewfish), snapper, flathead & morwong are all within easy reach from a boat launched at one of the boat ramps. Seven Mile Beach is famous for its whiting during the summer months as well as bream, tailor, salmon, flathead and mulloway. Crooked River is a popular place for prawns, good size bream and flathead.

Black Head, Gerroa, has a car park and tracks leading to the rock platform below which is a good spot for catching bream, kingfish, snapper, drummer, trevally, salmon, tailor and groper. However, be very careful, as the waves can be dangerous. Werri Beach is a very deep beach with snapper to 6kg and whiting to 1kg to be had plus Australian salmon galore at times."



The local association fair (above) held on 1 October 2011 - there was a variety of handicraft, well loved books, scones, toys and curry puffs on offer to visitors. I was taken by Daniel to the local grocery along Stafford Street, and later dropped by his house, where his wife Yet Lan had created a diverse and attractive garden. It was delightful to have tea with them and their other visitors, Viviana and Michael.

Nearby Gerroa, the Seven Mile Beach was the take off point for Charles Kingsford-Smith in his successful aviation crossing of the Tasman to New Zealand - the first in the world. On a good drive, Gerroa and its nearby sister village of Gerringong are only a 35 minute drive south from Wollongong. The population is indicated at around 500, but that belies the potential of this coastal delight - with its wide, sweeping bight, holiday homes and iconic Aussie lifestyle.

The Gerringong Deli & Cafe, NSW

A rich omelette on a lazy Saturday morning (above). The Gerringong Deli & Cafe, at 133 Fern Street, the main strip that goes through the business hub of this South Coast village, was busy with many brunch or breakfast customers by 9am. The winds were howling outside, and one could view the open ocean bay if you stood outside the deli and cafe. Inside, it was cozy half-light, with the feel of a souvenir shop, an active crew and the aroma of something baking or cooking. My choice of omelette was richly rewarding - feta cheese, good old Aussie bacon, rocket, tomatoes and smoked salmon, laid out on organic battered yolk and whites. Maybe it was too wholesome for breakfast, but it was comfort food on a rather weather-confronting day.

Coffee and a newspaper(above) - in this case, the back page of the weekend Illawarra Mercury before the NRL Grand Finals the next day. There is a good selection of modern Australian and baked stuff in the deli & cafe, with outdoor seating optional.

The view of Fern Street (above) from the Deli & Cafe. I was also fascinated by the ambiance and display from the shop next door, called MAS, which evoked of Paris and the French countryside.

Gerringong pretty much is a quiet haven after lunch time, but the Deli & Cafe remains open every day till 530pm. Gerringong and its sister seaside neighbour, Gerroa, are situated between Kiama and Berry, and worth a diversionary tour and drive. Allow yourself around 2 hours driving if you are coming from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.