The Point Milk Bar - Bulli NSW

Fettuccine with king prawn, chorizo and Parmesan shaves.



The owners of the Austi Beach Cafe, I am told, run the Point, located around half way between the beach at Sandon Point
and the Princes Highway in Bulli, just a short drive north from Wollongong.   Tucked away in a rather residential area, it is open for breakfast and lunch like most of the proliferation of cafes in the Illawarra.   The rains had subsided when a mate and I wandered there not long ago.

I chose the black board special of fettuccine with Chorizo, King prawns and Parmesan.  I did find this uplifting in both texture and taste - good value in pricing and combination of ingredients!   The menu may not be extensive but rather practical in options. 

Pulled lamb sandwich.

There is an ice cream/gelato bar, with a small display of sandwiches, quiche, friands and the like. Kids have access to some stuff from the cafe to preoccupy their attention.

Only one staff member was covering the cafe when we were there.    The coffee may not have stood out (the Illawarra is very competitive in this aspect) but the juices and shakes are all right.  The view from the cafe opens up to a road junction and houses.  Vehicle parking is by the road side.  Amongst the people I know, there is a perception that prices for things are higher here but it is up to each individual to visit and check out.



The Point Milk Bar is located at 40 Point Street in Bulli NSW, with the nearest cross road being Southview Street.
Contact + 61 2 4267 2850

George Town and more - February 2016

The Kai Tan San - Cantonese ribbon twist egg dough biscuits.  Green Lane, Penang. 
Photo credit : S.K.Teoh

Call this the Bubur Chacha or the Pungat, it is a vegetarian dessert only made to celebrate the close of the Lunar New Year festivities.  Baulkham Hills, north-west Sydney.

Baked Fujian biscuits and snacks - the Chinese providers and bakers from Penang and Perak now do face competition, have adapted to modern technological processes and have consumers at every age. 

Changi Singapore Airport knows how to captivate for the Lunar New Year of the Red Monkey.

Barista cafes are sprouting up in the colonial quarter of George Town, Penang.

A mate and I anticipate over our natural banana leaf plates, as the restaurant crew place dollops of pickled vegetables and spicy condiments.   The Kerala Restaurant, New World Park, George Town.

Valentines often fall close by to the start of Lunar New Year.

Pork jerky on display - popular amongst the southern Chinese, it is a treasured gift for families and relatives during the festive period.

Mass movements of people occur preceding and after the start of the Lunar New Year in East Asia.

Possibly not so healthy, but hell of yummy - the Choon Pniah or deep fried spring rolls.  

Mee Jawa, simmered in a spicy gravy with potatoes, tofu cubes, prawns and a squeeze of lime.

Typical coffee shop scene in Penang Island - for breakfast, brunch or lunch, you can have your choice of several street food offerings, each priced under one American dollar.

Not for the uninitiated - the Chee Cheong Fun, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and accompanied by tasty Hoi Sin and chili sauces.

Soy sauce stirred egg noodles with Char Siew cuts, veg, pork dumplings and a serve of vinegar infused green chili rings.

Wide flat rice noodles are cooked on a hot wok and garnished with meat cuts, eggs, prawns, veg and a corn starch finish.

Busy, busy.

This young kid knows how to multi-tasks in taking care of Daddy's food stall and catch up on his Smart phone.

Making fresh pastry on the spot.

Making Roti filled with love.

Nothing like a reunion over an eight course Chinese dinner.  The Tropicana Chinese Restaurant, Klang Valley outside Kuala Lumpur.   
Photo credit: Not determined

Sonoma Bakery Cafe - Waterloo NSW

Sonoma breads use simple ingredients like sea salt, sourdough starters and organic flour.  Their signature creations are the Sonoma Miche, with a stand out caramelised crust and the Sonoma Mission, with a contrasting inside of custard feel covered by a golden chewy crust outside.   There is also the pervasive and unique smoky flavour.....

The inspiration for Sonoma bread came from the delights of wood fired ovens and naturally fermented ingredients.   A hundred year old mixer from Bellata NSW came into the picture, together with some California influence in the form of American Allan Scott.  Bellata lies in north central NSW between Narribri and Moree -  and was the home base of the Sonoma founder's grandparents.

Standards like soy and linseed plus walnut fig and raisin are available along side an eleven seed loaf and a Kalamata olive and herbs combo.   The bite and look of the various breads here do stand out as being different.

Muesli cookies are lovely to me but you can also have other options like raw natural, spelt, maple and almond plus honey and spice combinations.

Coffee blends are divided into body and spirit labels.  The former, which I prefer, is stronger, taste more nutty and earthy, suitable for milk based orders and has a buttery and velvety body.  The latter has more complex sensations, with more of cocoa and fruity after taste, so they tend to be more acidic and body smooth.   The Single Origins are from Ethiopia, Kenya and Guatemala.

Sonoma has come a long way since 1997, when founder Kerry Connole began his operations with sons Christian and Andrew.   Along the way was a stall at Paddington markets in inner suburban Sydney.  Perhaps a key development in the Sonoma story was son Andrew's sojourn to and stay in California with Chad Robertson, an icon in sourdough.

Their emphasis on organic sourcing and a then rather unconventional way of baking have remained their trademarks and reputation.   Retail outlets are not large and remain true to village and neighbourhood embracing roots.   Such an ambiance do go well with the inner city and beach locations in which they are currently located.   They contrast with other commercial players in this space - oh no, I would not want to pick a loaf from Coles or Woolworths again...

The Petit Bretton butter cake or more correctly, the Kouign Amann, is more for sugar loving devotees, with creme patisserie loaded between layers of sugar,  butter and flaky pastry.   I like the cherry cheesecake strudel, although there are other favourites like the almond croissant,  Pain Au Chocolat, hazelnut brownies, banana loaf slice, quiche and the fruit Danish.

There are seven outlets in the greater Sydney area, but mainly clustered in the city centre and on the sea board side, including Balmain, Bondi, Woolhara, Paddington, Glebe and Rose Bay.


Sonoma Bakery Cafe Waterloo is located at 2/9 Danks Street in a suburb not far from Oxford Street in Darlinghurst and Moore Park.
Telephone: +612 9699 1920
Opening Hours are from 630am to 3pm every day.


 

It was the Night before Easter

Tradition tells us more than two thousand years ago, a wandering couple could not find a place to rest for the night. There was no shopping, no seafood to rush for, no traffic jams, no rich sugary snacks, no holiday, no hams and the most important gift was already with them, but yet to come. The only lights were the stars in the night sky. All they had was sheer determination, hope and purpose. And they were turned away at many places along the way.

Even then this couple found a barn and their infant was born in such unassuming circumstances.

Fast forward around three months and two thousand years later. The Bunny and Bilby chocolates are wrapped in paper gold like glint and wait on shop and supermarket shelves.   The climate turns to cooler in the southern parts of continental Australia.  Many families are looking forward to a four day weekend.  Many are planning driving trips across some corner of this vast land.  Some families catch up, some others go camping.  The air is nippy in the evenings, the colours of the sky change.

These two important religious dates in Western civilisation calendar - Christmas and Easter - are significantly celebrated in nations with an inherent Western Christian civilisation.  In Australia, they are the biggest holiday periods of all - also helped by the warmer, summer period in which they fall on the calendar, in contrast with the Northern hemisphere winter.  Christmas in this Great Southern Land is associated with surfing, beach sleep outs, barbecues and dressing down.  Easter sees the arrival of cooler nights, fresher air outdoors and a divide between the first and second school terms.

The festivals are religious inspired but are they fully marked according to the rituals, requirements and regimes of Christianity in all its varied forms?  Maybe not by everyone who professes to be Christian - and especially not with rising non-Christian demographics who now call Australia home.  The latter group do get caught up in family gatherings, shopping sales and seafood rush that the media popularise and mainstream society enjoys. The question is whether the religious meaning may have been under played in all this rush for gift spending, travelling and generally creating fun for the kids.

Why do we have Easter eggs, when they signify the arrival of spring, hope and renewal, in a land of falling brown leaves and drop in temperatures?  Why do we have cut pine trees to place in our houses when the flora is verdant and blooming outside?   Do we still take care of boxes on the day after Christmas?   Why do otherwise sane individuals spend so much on shopping after Christmas, when one has enough gifts shared and exchanged the day before?  Why do sales of chocolate hit a peak to mark an occasion with hope for mankind and nothing to do with sugary stuff and cacao?

Many people make travel plans around the Holy and Easter weeks.  More often, strikes at airports occur then than at other times of the year.   Late March and April sees a synchronisation of almost comparable moderate temperatures in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.  So commercialisation strikes again, with cruises, getaways and back packing plans all becoming reality.  

The origins of pre-Christian festivals may explain the timing of Christmas and Easter.  However, there are different opinions on this matter.   The reference in the Bible to shepherds attending to their flock of sheep when the infant Jesus was born can suggest it was already spring time, instead of early winter.
On the other hand, the Gospel of Luke states that the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary at the time of the spring equinox, which is in March, and so a birth in late December is logical.

The Romans had an important festival called the Saturnalia celebrated in late December.   The Jewish Passover almost coincides with Easter.  The Bible does not mention any specific calendar dates for the birth and cruxification of Jesus.

To me, the more significant matter is that both key occasions are acknowledged and not so much as to when.

So when you look at the full moon tonight, the least thing you can do is to remove yourself from the trappings of modern day conventions of  festive occasions. There is more than meets the eye.

Lox, Stock & Barrel Deli Diner - North Bondi NSW

Timing is all it takes to get a table - most popular inner Sydney cafes face this scenario.

This deli diner is located not far from a junction between Glenayr Avenue and Curlewis Street - in a North Bondi village hub a few blocks away from the touristy strip that is Campbell Parade at Sydney's Bondi Beach.   It had been a glorious day near the waters, with the usual crowds, decent surf and pretty colours of the ocean that way.  We were looking for a feed, a late lunch.  Saturdays can be full of activity in the Bondi Beach area, especially the Farmers Markets at the Bondi Public School grounds - and now all we wanted was to sit down for a meal.

Lox, Stock & Barrel has built its reputation on being a delicatessen and based on this philosophy, they are careful and focused on the organic ingredients they utilise and harness for their culinary creations.    Capers, cream cheese, kale, pickled onions, dill creme and smoked salmon are pervasive in each menu offering.  There are several options for vegetarians like Fattoush,  a mix of spices, nuts, raw veg and herbs, all with a dressing of Tahini, olive oil and lemon.  A lovely breakfast item is the Lock & Load, with smoked Lox, hash plus a lime and creme Fraiche dressing.

It definitely adds tot he lifestyle that is real and perceived in a suburb called Bondi.

The deli diner is  also seen as reflecting a lifestyle from upper side New York with Jewish inspired briskets...

Salmon salad, just right for a summery afternoon.

Even it was a Saturday arvo, we were quickly shown a table and a baby chair seat for Bubba Alyssa.
It was a communal table but  I loved this opportunity to interact with other customers.   The wooden tables led to a rustic feel.  I savoured the atmosphere, as if I was in a family home, as the kitchen was abuzz with working staff and their counter a stone's throw from where we sat.

The lovely young lady attending to us and with a stand out dress knew how to deal effectively with young kids like Alyssa, putting her face down to the infant's level when speaking to Alyssa with a smile.   The coffee was satisfying, a good pick me up for us as we had walked up from the beach.  The kitchen supervisor was nice to make an exception to make a special fluffy and yummy omelette for Alyssa.  Oh yes, there is also a dedicated kids menu.

The action and care inside the transparent kitchen  - all hands on deck!

Sandwiches play a big part in the day time menu.  Pastrami, yes.  I would also try the creme cheese bagels on a next visit.  What about brioche scrolls?  Thoughts are so tempting just to have them for breakfast or late afternoon tea here.  Loaves to buy home include the ginger, honey and pear  versions or those with orange, fig and walnuts.  

You have several choices when eating in -  poppy seeds and spices, plain, sesame , onion or wholemeal.    After making a decision on this, you can combine them with Wagyu corned beef or avocado with rocket, tomato, onion, lemon and cucumber.    Many first timers just succumb to the smoked Lox bagel, laden with capers, onion, rocket and cream cheese

The drinks menu provide a variety of Rabbit Hole organic teas and Rebel coffee blends.  Its beach suburb location also makes it compulsory for LSB to serve cocktails and beers....

11

The grilled spiced Albacore Tuna on Panini, with cucumber, jalapenos, Miso dressed slaw, bean sprouts and onions.

  The signature dish for breakfast here is the Bowlarama - a sensational combination of avocado, kale,         seaweed, poached egg, Hommus, home made fermented veggies, all placed on sprouted quinoa toast and drizzled with a Miso dressing.   A definite must try for me!

   

A lighter choice is the Zucchini omelette, garnished by jalapenos, Parmesan cheese, spinach and a sprinkling of almonds.

    If you have a more sweet tooth, the Brioche French toast is a good start for lazy mornings - with a raspberry compote, rhubarb and generously accompanied by a vanilla and cinnamon flavoured ice cream, wicked but delightful.

Apart from the above, an ancient grain Gronala and Bircher Muesli is of course available.....

For those preferring to check out LSB at night, two mains stand out - the corn fed brick chicken and the Cowra lamb ribs.   There are also two main platters to ponder over - one  with Aussie grown olives, three daily dips, pickled and fermented vegetables on sourdough with sides of bagel crisps - and another providing smoked trout, beetroot cured trout, egg salad, three dips, chopped liver and olives on your bread of choice with sides of bagel crisps as well.

Dinner dessert has two highlights -  the coconut flavoured Panna Cotta and the twice baked chocolate and salted caramel Souffle, garnished by roasted hazelnuts and a Halva Semi Freddo.

For a quick drop by, do try the free range Holmbrae chicken, swirling with egg noodles and root vegetables.

The Moked Turkey Breast on toasted Challah - garnished with rocket, cucumber, Swiss, cranberry mustard and onions.

Tables are placed tightly against one another in a relatively small outlet.  Does it seem often having no place to sit down, especially on weekends and public holidays?   I suggest take some time to explore the neighbouring shops, unless you are a local resident, in which case , a a takeaway is a good back up plan.  Yes, there are only forty seats for meals.

LSB occupies a good location, feels like a village gathering and the ocean is tucked away down the road.   I can say goodbye to the kitchen staff as we leave and they enjoy that.  There is pavement seating but to me, nothing beats being inside on a really warm day.

So it can be American east coast, Aussie eastern suburbs and with a good culinary reputation based on traditional recipes and a modern outlook.  Overall, the ambiance is care free, family friendly, hipster attractive and with an interesting larder variety.

Lox, Stock & Barrel is located at 140 Glenayr Avenue, a few roads inland from Bondi Beach's Campbell Parade.
Opening hours are from 7am to 330pm every day and from Wednesdays to Saturdays for dinner from 6pm to 1030pm.
Contact +61 2 9300 0368