Swell Coffee Cafe - Wollongong NSW

What do these following cafes have in common, just to name a few in the Illawarra region of NSW......

Barlissimo at Gwyenville
Big Star Cafe at Coledale
Throsby at Kembla Street, Wollongong CBD
Taylor's Healthy Grocer at the GPT Shopping Centre, Wollongong Central
Cafe Ventito at Figtree
Nourished @ Bally in Balgownie Village
Salted Cafe at Shellharbour
Little Blowhole Cafe at Kiama
Earth & Soul Cafe at Woonona

All of them stock Swell Coffee blends.

Take away blend packs with source indications are the Colombia Decaf, Ethiopia Sidamo , Nicaragua SHG, Sumatra   Mandheling and  the Sulawesi Toraja.    Blends which acknowledge Illawarra lifestyle and hubs are  are the Laneway, Northbeach and Sharky.

Swell Coffee operates a cafe  in the heart of Wollongong city centre.

There is an outdoor seating area at the back, looking over a lane, once you get past a small front entrance. The weekend we were there, it was buzzing with people, some having toasties or salads.  I reckon the coffee is what customers first go for and then they catch up with mates and family.   The food menu at this cafe is limited.

The cafe stocks Fair Trade or Organic Decaf for in-house consumption.  

Swell Coffee has been ten years in the making and now caters for party functions with delivered options like finger food, Canapes, cheese platters, nuts and chips, salads and Charcuterie.   Some may enquire about their training school sessions.   Worth a checking out... 



The Swell Coffee Cafe is located at the rear of 135 Crown Street, Wollongong NSW, with access to the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
Opening hours are from 7am to 3pm on week days and from 830am to 1pm on weekends.
Contact +61 2 4229 5579

Textbook Boulangerie-Patisserie - Alexandria NSW

I could not believe my eyes.  Stepping into a bright, spacious dimension (it seemed to me like the first part of a contemporary hall),  I was immersed by the lightness of it all, then the colours of the displays and finally by the warmth of the set up.  Call it Scandinavian in feel and design, name it contemporary  - I embraced it like a kid in a sophisticated and yet easy feeling at home atmosphere. This is the Textbook.

Located at a busy part of Botany Road, Textbook is just off the street and below some apartments. 

Inside the chicken and mushroom pie.

There are no issues with seating - there are canteen styled tables for talking to others, there is the garden setting outside and there are smaller coffee atmosphere chairs.  

When you look out to the open bakery and preparation space, perhaps it strikes you about the expansive flatness of that section.  To me, this perspective did bring out the delicateness and uniqueness of each baked item so much better  - the interim Alice in Wonderland like colours of the cheesecakes and desserts came out better to the eye of the passing, curious customer. The brown contours of loaves and croissants contrasted with the white surface.  Lighting levels added to the experience.

Nevertheless there is a sophistication beyond the so called Wonderland colours.    Even the pastel colours of my Asian themed dessert of mango, Kaffir lime and coconut infused white choc already suggested a finesse and attention to detail before I even had a small spoonful bite of this.   I was positively struck by the roundness of this creation, like a quality pottery mix ready to be shaped further and still held by two miniature side holders, all edible.

The vibes are contemporary Australian, but with a cosmopolitan freshness that embraces so many relevant ingredients that combine into a harmonious whole.   And refreshingly, the desserts from Textbook are not heavy, but instead just provide a high level of satisfaction to the palate. 

Some of the display items are obvious visual pick me ups, like the blue lined cheesecake that pleasure you more like a China Ming vase, rather than something to be eaten and forgotten with.   

The granularity of the Speculaas (Dutch windmill cookie) crumble  surrounding the main portion of the Apple Crumble must be looked closely to be  believed. 

The so realistic Granny Smith colour of the cheesecake uplifted expectations, which was more than fulfilled.  

Apple custard mousse and a warm blonde Dulcey Chocolate Bavarois top the act.  Dulcey's notes are buttery and toasty which gradually progress to a flavour of shortbread with a pinch of salt - heavenly.

I would want to try the Caramelised Pear and Roasted Walnut  dessert on a next visit.  Chocolate Sable Breton is presented with the caramelised pear chunks and a white chocolate Bavarois - and then coated with a wonderful idea of roasted walnut crumble.  Sable refers to a French short bread cookie.

   

Saint-Honore, graced with Chantilly cream and dazzling with a raspberry red finish.

An engaging and enthusiastic guy greeted me at the counter and commenced the journey of knowing Textbook better.  There are so many things to begin with.  I asked him which is a top selling favourite and he readily recommended one.  He reminded me to consider taking a whole cake back.   The beef pies had finished by mid day but he got the last chicken one for me. He made the coffee, he made the day!

The windows at Textbook are broad and welcoming, one side over looking an inner courtyard and the other to Botany Road.

If anything else to add, we enjoyed looking at the buzz and energy of the staff working hard with flour, dough and added steps.   Go early first thing after sunrise and you can dwell in the aromas of baking bread.  

The Marie Antoinette blend of coffee is more smooth and mellow than just strong.

There are generous sized sandwiches, sourdough slices, savoury beef pies......especially relevant for a cool winter's morning.    You can ask for a freshly prepared concoction or pick up something just waiting for you.   There are special things the crew makes apart from the usual menu, like Bruschetta, Hot Cross buns for Easter and other seemingly decadent things to be thankful for....

John Ralley is the Patissier and Steve Anderson is the Pastry Chef behind Textbook.

I was curious why a patisserie with such a wonderful set up - and a range of creative baked outcomes - has such a simple name - Textbook. On one hand, it is effectively simple to recall the name of this magical discovery. On the other, the delights one finds here, fresh from the oven, can be said to be far from my preconceptions of a straight line and rigid " textbook approach"- it can be easily seen and tasted that the creations on display are literally far from this meaning of the textbook approach.

The shapes, patterns and curves of the cheesecakes, breads, pies, desserts and other items are at the same time seemingly both random and precise.

The positioning of a garnish, or decorative item on the smooth surface of the primary component of an offering, is art like and intended.   For example, this can be observed in the graceful ballerina like curve of a feather like topping, the geometric lines on the surface of a well baked dough and in the apparent confusion of yummy baked gravy inside a pie.

On balance, I finally got it - it is the preciseness of their preparation technique and presentation that got John and Steve to utilise the phrase "Textbook"!

My impressions of the Textbook Boulangerie-Patisserie:
Ambiance: 4 out of 5
Customer Engagement: 4 out of 5
Culinary Delight: 4 out of 5
X Factor:  4 out of 5
Overall:   4 out of 5


Recommended menu choices:
Apple Crumble.
Brioche buns, fluffy and inviting with citrus and raisins.
Shakshuka baked eggs.
Caramelised pear and roasted walnut dessert.
Chicken and mushroom pie.
Almond or chocolate croissants.
Kaffir lime, mango and coconut flavoured white chocolate dessert
Chocolate Eclairs
Cruffins that regularly change flavours

Kaffir lime, mango and coconut flavoured white chocolate dessert.

The Textbook Boulangerrie Patisserie is located at 274 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW.
Opening hours are from 7am till sold out every day (except closed on Mondays)
Contact +61 2 9699 6196

 

Hale & Hearty Healthy Eatery - Waterloo NSW

Matcha option in pancakes with the frills and a dollop of coconut ice cream.   The pancakes were only slightly sweet.  The side servings of ice cream and Lychee contrasted with the nut offerings.

The protein boost, free range, gluten free, lactose intolerant, vegetarian, vegan, diary liberated, grain salad preferred  - the health booster dream is actually here, all within a cafe experience.  In line with food and drink outlets centring around a barista, you can dine in or buy prepackaged products.  Hale & Hearty Healthy Eatery has opted to be located in the burgeoning residential suburb of Waterloo in inner south Sydney.

The more boisterous young man at the counter gives a flourishing hello and smile.   He breaks the possible ice - and any hesitancy by the customer like me in wondering how to approach this different place with different offerings.    The other wait staff looks tired out, possibly from an early start to a busy day, but breaks out of his apparent shell when I chat with him.  

I sensed vibes of potential and actual camaraderie between staff and customers.  Is there an evolving brotherhood and sisterhood?   I am not to be distracted from the food on display on the counter, for importantly is the message to consider quality proteins and amino-acids as part of our regular intake, especially if  you are a gym frequenter and are into toning or buffing up your body.   This latter vibe is not pushed in my face, but I do see interested customers walking in and exercising their choices in this space.

The cafe is not big but with outdoor seating as well. Open throughout the day, I view it as being on the quiet side of Danks Street, in proximity to Coles.   My first instinct was to try the pancakes - and they have at least five varieties here, with bananas and walnuts, blueberries and coconut, Tiramisu, Carrot Cake and grass fed crispy Bacon.   The pancakes by HAH are made with the three coconut bases - oil, sugar and milk - with rice flour.  When served they are drizzled with either coconut yoghurt or Canadian maple syrup.

Four breakfast bowls were the centre piece of breakfast - two of them Paleo Granolas, one with Cacao; with the others being Acai and Hulk Breakkie.  What caught my attention more was the diverse array of boost additions, if you please, offered by HAH:

Yacon root is from the Peruvian ground apple tree and the tubers are composed mostly of water and Fructooligosaccharide, which implies a very low calorie level when consumed and a prevention of build up of excess sugar in the blood stream.  It is said to also offer prebiotic elements and have high levels of potassium.


Wakame or edible seaweed is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, especially vital for vegetarians, with high proportions of Thiamine, Iodine, Niacin, calcium and sodium.  Traditions in east Asian medicine look upon this weed to promote menstrual regularity, reproductive organ health, blood purification, promotion of good skin and hair and intestinal strength.   Some quarters claim that it also helps reduce fatty tissue in the body.


Flex seed cannot be consumed much by themselves, but are noted to be rich in magnesium, phosphorus, Thiamine, dietary fibre and Omega-3 fatty acids.


Hemp powder is very digestible, does not contain Phytic acid (like in soy)  and said to have all nine of the essential amino-acids for the body. It also has Vitamin E, trace minerals, fibre and polyunsaturated essential fatty acids beneficial to the body.    Some see this as an alternative to protein powders.   It is said to thereby promote cardio-vascular health, strengthen the immune system, skin, tissues and bloodstream of the body.


Maca does have high natural sugar levels in its calories but otherwise is a rich source of potassium, manganese, Vitamin B6, iron, copper and Vitamin C.   It has low levels of saturated fat and sodium.


Camu Camu fruit from the Amazonian region is also utilised for medicinal purposes; contains heaps of Vitamin C, Flavonoids and Potassium; offers amino-acids like Serine (breaks down bonds in proteins and Polypeptides) , Valine ( enhances health of nervous system and cognitive functions);  and Leucine (promotes muscle and bone tissue growth) ; plus containing two acids - the antioxidants Gallic and Ellagic.

Yes, there are burgers, blokes - slow cooked pork, beef, grilled chicken, Argentinian steak, vegetarian.....

Favourite ingredients here are avocado, shredded carrots, mushrooms, spinach, Holoumi, pulled pork, poached salmon, coconut yoghurt, crushed walnuts  and Chia seed pudding.  These are all used by HAH.

 Many trendy cafes are offering similar items for brunches and breakfasts.   They add flavour, they enhance the experience and much is local produce to reflect the slow food movement.  In line with these trends, there is the inevitable coffee...

HAH is aligned with beans from Di Bella Coffee from Brisbane.  Its choice for the cafe customers is the Nero Di Bella, a full bodied and thereby robust in sensations dark roast.
The strength shows even in my iced latte, an optimal selection I reckon for still warm afternoons when a final pick me up for the day may be necessary.

Now what is the 7.2 Greens smoothie?   It is a star offering by HAH to underline the alkaline diet, in the understanding that such a more slightly alkaline proportion in our body pH contributes to better well being and better health.  I am explained to that this incorporates going for moderation as well, especially in the intake of alcohol, meats and fats; avoiding salt and sugar laden foods; eating more veg and fruits  (especially in our contemporary society) ; and ensuring one's body is well hydrated.    Well, it does make sense....I note that there is crispy bacon sourced from grass fed animals at HAH.

A significant focus by HAH is in adopting naturally sweetened stuff only and nothing more. 

I reckon the HAH philosophy can be adopted in our own home routine and regime in the kitchen and shopping habits.

The message we took away from HAH is perhaps surmised as "You can have your healthy cake....and enjoy eating it too."


My impressions of the Hale & Hearty Healthy Eatery:
Ambiance: 3 out of 5
Customer Engagement: 3.5 out of 5
Culinary Delight:  3.5 out of 5
X Factor:  3 out of 5
Overall:   3.25 out of 5


Recommended menu choices:
Hulk Breakkie Bowl with Goji berries, coconut, yoghurt, avacadoo puree, protein powder and blue berries.
Acai Bowl with Cacao nibs, almond milk, frozen banana, Paleo Granola and Goji berries. 
French toast on sourdough with blueberries, pumpkin seeds and grilled banana, drizzled with Canadian maple syrup
Marinated Avocado





The Hale & Hearty Healthy Eatery is located at 24 Danks Street, Waterloo NSW, nearer the junction with the main highway.
Dine in or takeaway.
Opening hours are from 7am to 5pm on weekdays and from 8am to 4pm on weekends.
Contact +61 2 8399 0255

 

Devon on Danks - Waterloo NSW

Crab Pasta, with fettucini luscious tasting sauce, cherry tomatoes and tender shell meat of the Blue Swimmer Crab.

Location of the Devon on Danks is particularly local friendly, but only if you are one of the nearby residents in what has been recently proclaimed as Australia's most densely populated suburb - Waterloo! If you come from outside the area, vehicle parking opportunity can be distressing, especially when the nearby Hillsongs Church congregates on weekends.  

Having said all this, Waterloo is indeed relatively near the Sydney city centre (by Australian standards)  - and probably houses a demographic of the most twenty somethings working in finance or IT, and is just a scooter ride or bus ride away from the financial district.   Oh yes, the NSW State Government has decided to build a new rail station here as well instead of near the Sydney University Campus in Camperdown.

Talk of location, location, location....

And if you are chalking up the hours, looking at systems and software, playing with options, hedging and futures, you most probably won't cook.   The kitchens in most Waterloo apartments are not what the Poh Ling Yeows and Nigellas of celebrity shows and cookbooks would be happy with. Most likely you have left the family nest only recently - and the night hours are precious for socialising after extended hours at work.  You are relatively open to fusion food  and secretly long to escape the cuisine of the parents.

Welcome to Devon on Danks.

Pretty looking Cronuts but best to eat them fresh.

Everyone knows by now that this Devon is related to the original Devon near Central station.

The space here however is much larger and one feels like stepping into  a long house styled canteen area.   The walls and ceiling are strikingly bare.  It reminded me of being in a 1960s built warehouse sited on a rural corner of the Malaysian Peninsular - I expected to see godown workers, bags piled high.   I nevertheless love the high ceiling aspects, with people below huddled around smallish wooden tables or raised bar seats.  The kitchen is placed partly hidden away to the left side of the entrance.  I could not make out much of the metal looking facade and pendants placed imposingly over the smallish front entrance.

Instinctively I was looking for my Breakfast with the Sakumas - it is on the DOD menu as well, but I was distracted by another fascinating French toast variation, the Corned Beef Cubano, Cronuts and the pasta.  

I admit to having a fondness back at the Devon Cafe for the fresh chili Angel Hair pasta served with a Coriander zesty herb crumb, garlic oil and Blue Swimmer Crab, but there is  no encore here for the "Crab Gone Chili"  for this dish at the DOD.  Instead it is replaced by a Fettucini based Crab Pasta, which though heavier on the palate, is rewarding enough for me.

The Cubano at first had my impression of being the silverside corned beef with chips on rye bread, but DOD's version has fanciful trappings of Chilean pepper Pipparas,  thin sliced Italian Pancetta, Gruyere cheese and the Manchego.  Manchego is made from the milk of ewes and originated from La Mancha in Spain.

A suggested offering back at the Devon is the Little Lost Bread, more dessert than breakfast, with a serve of coconut flavoured ice cream, rum cooked pineapple, fresh coconut shaves, pineapple gel and roasted coconut chips over a Pina Colada soaked French toast.   Imagine walking over to a high level business meeting after having this in the early morning...

At DOD, the Devon kitchen has continued to whip up one more variation of the French Toast.

This interesting variation of the French toast is infused with Italy, France, Nippon and China.  Lost in Zen Garden sounds more like a flower arrangement, but that is the whole point.  The Matcha flavoured soil, Yuzu citrus fruit curd, vanilla and olive oil ice cream, Mandarin bites and the Meringue (light, airy and sweet!) detract from the basis that you are even consuming French toast.

Vegetarians (and even those who are not) may just want a healthy blast with ancient grains, fruit and fibre.  In this instance I recommend the Yogi Bowl, which has Goji berries and puffed Amaranth grains,  in addition to the usual parade of seeds and nuts, Chia, fresh fruit cuts, mixed Quinoa and yoghurt.

My attending wait staff was socialable and the food did come out efficiently.  There was a buzz at lunchtime, many groups of girlfriends, families, several couples, working professionals and tourists.   I eyed a neighbouring table's serve and it did not disappoint - it looked good.



My impressions of the Devon on Danks:
Ambiance:  3 out of 5
Customer Engagement:  3.75 out of 5
Culinary Delight: 3.75 out of 5
X Factor:  3.5 out of 5
Overall:  3.5 out of 5


Recommended menu choices:
Cronuts for a snack eaten fresh
Breakfast with the Sakumas, for a wholesome breakfast (also available at its sister outlet, the Devon Cafe in Surry Hills NSW) - 63 degree poached egg, smoked eel Croquette, Miso grilled King Salmon, radish petit salad and Kewpie Mayonnaise.
Crab Pasta for lunch, utilising shredded meat of the Blue Swimmer Crab, chili, cherry tomatoes, garlic and Fettucini.

Devon on Danks is located at 2 Danks Street,  Waterloo NSW.  It is sited opposite the Hillsongs Church across the small roundabout.

Opening hours are from 730am to 330pm every day.
Last kitchen order around 3pm. 
Contact +61 2 9698 7795

 

Pilgrim's Vegetarian Cafe, Cronulla NSW

Can strictly vegetarian food be yummy, exciting and healthy at the same time?   The broad answer is perhaps - and it does depend on the preparer and the ingredients offered.  

Hummus, beetroot, Taboulleh, Mayonaisse, mushroom, roast herb potato and Southern Highlands NSW free range eggs.   These are used by the Pilgrim's Vegetarian Cafe to add taste, offer diversity, uplift texture and provide passion to the vegetarian space.  Unlike East Asian veg cooking, which can be deep fried, or Indian, which utilises much yoghurt, modern Australian versions emphasise of freshness, rawness and use of tasty mixes.  Throw in fit looking and energetic customers,  walk the talk, talk the walk and that is the vibe one may get at Pilgrim's.  Walk up the stairs from street level and you come into a bright space with vistas of what can be.

People look relaxed at Pilgrim's here, with lots of group chatter or individuals doing personal down time with or without their smart devices.   The Cronulla cafe on the first floor offers panoramic views and spacious (though no outdoor) seating.  The business has been around for 36 years and seen all the trends in veg eating. 

My serve of Harvest Burger.

Can you readily at home already make the stuff offered at Pilgrim's? Maybe one can, perhaps it is not worth the hassle of having so many ingredients and yet just using a little of each.  In my view, it is the clever combination of ideas, choice of stuff, harmony in the bite and the diversity in the combination that matters at Pilgrim's.   Are the creations then enhanced by sweetness, sourness, neutral flavours or more?  Is there a balance of all essential elements of nutrition?  Does the customer want more on a return visit.....

Standards like buttermilk pancakes, Granola and baked beans are found throughout the menu, with fruits, grains and greens.    And the single origin barista made coffee.  An interesting feature of Pilgrim's us that their menu has inspiration from multi-cultural Australia  - you have the USA, Indian, Greek, Italian, Lebanese, Spanish, Mexican, Moroccan and more.


In my perception, the words tofu and burger can be contradictory, but at Pilgrim's, there is a Tofu Burger, garnished by a peanut sauce, fried onions, tomato slices and lettuce, served with a rice salad and with a marinade for the soybean cake. The Tofu Burger challenges the build up of taste from a bland base -  how do you add character, variety and a memorable bite? Does one risk over whelming the gentle nature of the soy bean cake?   Does one get an uplift and a crunch?

The aptly named Mountain Burger says it all, for those hungry or with big appetites  - a mixed grain pattie is heaped on a toasted whole meal roll, with various delights like pineapple, cucumbers, fried onions, tomato slices, beetroot, sprouts, egg, lettuce and carrot shavings, then jizzed with what Pilgrim's call a special sauce.   This is one for the road for surf boarders after a morning out with the elements....

I enjoyed my Harvest Burger, a relatively light offering with almost similar stuff, except that there is no pineapple and egg.  I did appreciate the crunchiness of this burger, balanced with some raw green taste of the raw stuff and completed by the wholesome bread roll.

Next opportunity, I am going to try the Millennium Burger and the Bliss Burger.  The former has a curry lentil pattie, sweet chili sacuce and Tahini dressing instead,  whilst the 
latter is a wholemeal roll with Taboulleh,  peanut sauce, cheese and avocado with the mixed grain pattie, fried onions, sprouts and special sauce.

Surprise, surprise, there is also Mexican fare at Pilgrim's Cronulla.   Perhaps I should not be amazed, as the beans conjure up in my vision and understanding.   Tacos, Enchiladas, Nachos, Burritos, Tortilla bread, Jalapeno Salsa, they have it all.    Definitely there is no meat, but then you have alternatives in spicy red beans, spinach, re fried and spiced potato, brown rice and Ricotta cheese. 

My favourite would be the Tortilla wrap, containing my preferred stuff of Guacamole, spicy red beans, re fried and spiced potato and then garnished with Salsa and sour cream.  It echoes in me the joys of beach food, the freedom of teenage years, the collegiality of university and the informality of a family outing.  Owners Kelly and Anthony MacDonald hailed from Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, a place familiar with many Sydney siders on summer holiday.   I understand that many of the ingredients used at pilgrim's comes from this corner of Australia as well.

Sourdough is sourced from Berry Bakery.    Teas, wines and beers complement the coffee, Sangria and frozen Daiquiri available.    Taiwanese, Indo-Chinese and South Asian traditions may question the serving of alcohol with vegetarian.

Of course, for the purist, there is nothing like fresh green salad - Pilgrim's makes them with slices of Roma tomatoes, Fetta cheese, Lebanese cucumber, Kalamata olives, green capsicum, Spanish onions, together with locally grown variety of greens - and all splattered with roasted pine nuts and dressing.

The wait staff have a smile and the food did come readily.   The amount of menu choices above the bar and counter can be crowded on first reading but do contain a pertinent and interesting array of details  - even pies!   Guests can check out the goings-on around the junction immediately and beyond on to the park beside the beach.

Crystals drink - mango, strawberry and orange smoothie.

My impressions of Pilgrim's  Cronulla:
Ambiance: 3.5 out of 5
Customer Engagement: 3 out of 5
Culinary Delight: 3.5 out of 5
X Factor:  3 out of 5
Overall:  3.25 out of 5


Recommended menu choices:
Corn Fritters accompanied by chili jam, rocket, avocado and Fetta smash and roast tomatoes.
Pesto Sourdough, served with fresh egg mayo, fresh greens with avocado and roast mushroom, amongst other ingredients.
Breakfast Burger, a toasted wholemeal roll laden with with roast tomato, Mayonnaise, roast mushroom, avocado, melted cheese and fried egg.
Acai Bowl, filled up with roasted coconut, banana, strawberries, Granola and yoghurt. 
North Shore Plate, organic brown rice topped by a black bean brew and garnished by Guacamole, tomato salsa, sour cream and lettuce, with a side of toasted corn bread.
Mountain Burger.



Pilgrim's Cronulla is located at 97 Garelle Street, Cronulla NSW, opposite the park at South Beach.   BYO is for wine only at the Cronulla outlet of Pilgrims.
Opening hours are from 8am to 3pm every day. 
Contact + 61 2 9523 7580



Pilgrim's is also found at Huskisson and Milton on the NSW South Coast, around two hours drive from Wollongong NSW.