100 Espressos - Wollongong NSW

One late morning, Craig and I were having an early lunch when he decided on a fun experiment of doing a list.


A list?  Craig asked me how many cafes I reckoned are operating on the Illawarra coast from Coledale in the northern villages to the southern city limits of Wollongong itself. Wollongong, south of Sydney and separated by the Royal National Park, has an indicative population of 292,388 in 2016 reports.    It is the 11th largest urban conurbation in Australia by latest count, behind the Sunshine Coast in south-east Queensland but ahead of Hobart, Tasmania; Darwin, capital city of the Northern Territory; and Cairns in northern Queensland.

The Scratch Coffee Co. at 173 Wentworth Street in Port Kembla NSW.

For a regional hub, I previously thought it would be around 60 cafes for Wollongong.  Craig and I went to work, writing on napkins whilst enjoying the modern Aussie breakfast dishes creatively made to accompany the more than 200 blends of coffee available on this continental island, with a current national population of 24 million.


The results after half an hour of Craig and I listing on napkins turned out to be more than 100.   The results are provided at the end of this blog write up.*   I only know of one cafe that closed in Thirroul in recent years, but again I am no expert, only a consumer and visitor to cafes.   My burning hot questions are then these:


1. What does each operating cafe do utmost to attract and retain their customers?

At All & Sundry off 383 Princes Highway, Woonona NSW.

2. How does each cafe owner differentiate his or her business from the others, especially in an increasingly competitive environment?   Can it be having a unique and attractive coffee blend, keeping the target customer demographic engaged or providing secondary requirements like unique food?


3.  What key factor does each cafe owner/operator attribute to bringing success?  Is it business location, coffee blends, keeping costs to a minimum,  regular patronage, interior decor and projected ambiance, changing regularly to sustain interest or the very model of the business itself?

Buck Hamblin is located at 260 Lawrence Hargrave Drive in Thirroul NSW.

4.  Viable cafes do achieve a baseline of revenues, product turnover and minimal expenditures.    What do cafe owners view as the most risky threats to their business?


5.  What is the next big thing each cafe owner plans for the future?


I invite interested parties to send me much appreciated feedback by making comments in response to this blog.  Please let me know if I have missed listing your business or favourite cafe.

The Broken Drum Cafe is near Woolworths in Fairy Meadow NSW.

The cafe business can be like living in a small village, where a network of baristas, cafe owners and coffee suppliers can interact and know each other well.   There are people who have come from the capital cities, there are innovators who know their market and customers and there is the supply of staff in a pool from a university town like Wollongong.   Several cafes are especially active on social media.  Many provide cakes, others savoury dishes from a kitchen and several have both.


When Cafe Pellegrini came to Wollongong from Melbourne, it was a landmark event, but that was so many years ago.    In the past ten years, the sector in Wollongong, and really around Australia, has transformed significantly, got attention from the world and now set the benchmarks in many aspects of the art and trade.

Hevan Espresso is at 181 Princes Highway in Corrimal NSW.

Are most cafes in Wollongong making money?  Are they making enough to project their individual businesses to the next stage?  Are the mostly twenty something year olds working in such cafes only putting a temporary stint to earn side money while they make other plans for their career?   Most cafes in the Wollongong area close by 2pm.   Some have licensed liquor bars, many make big breakfasts and smoothies seem to be always available with the coffee.


The demographics of customers can change with each hour of the cafe being open.   There can be a parade of train commuters, dawn cyclists, tradies, pensioners, young mothers, grandparents, kids after school, hipsters, gender-based groups and coffee devotees.   They have made the cafes an integral part of their routine, to accompany their other activities around town or the suburb.   

White Rabbit Cafe is at 2/50 Grey Street in Keiraville NSW.

Cooler temperatures in winter can make them yearn for properly made hot cuppas, while the iced lattes feature more during days of sweltering summer heat.   Many cafes in Wollongong close on weekends and yet some are beginning to lure customers seven days a week.   Some cafes are small, others have two shop fronts and yet others are not visible from the main strip.  Many cafes commenced business with an emphasis on coffee, yet there are some now that are adjuncts to existing restaurant operations.


Several cafes make extra effort to create an experience for the customer, whether it is in the quaint accessories, the thoughtfulness in creating the walls or in the lay out for flow of spaces, private or for groups.  Do the baristas engage in meaningful conversation that makes people want to return?    Is there easy access through private vehicle parking or by good public transport?   Are opening hours suitable for customers?

Earth Walker & Co General Store is sited at 749 Lawrence Hargrave Drive in Coledale NSW.

The One Hundred and More Cafes in Wollongong area, NSW - February 2017*

This list is in no particular order of ranking and does not include franchise chains.

Northern Villages

1.    Earth Walker, Coledale
2.    Austi Beach Cafe, Austinmer
3.    Fireworks, Austinmer
4.    Bread, Espresso &, Thirroul
5.    Fin Box Board Store Cafe, Thirroul

6.    Honest Don's, Thirroul
7.    Seafoam Cafe, NSW Rail Station, Thirroul  
8.    Cucina, Thirroul
9.    Buck Hamblin, Thirroul
10.  Gidgets Cafe & Bar, Thirroul

11.  Beanstalk Cafe, NSW Rail Station, Thirroul
12.  Tin Shed Cafe, Thirroul
13.  Jose Jones, Thirroul
14.  Stokes Lane, Bulli
15.  The Point Milk Bar, Bulli

16.  One on Park Cafe Kiosk, Bulli Beach
17.  Ruby's Bulli Beach Cafe
18.  Gelato Emporium, Lookout Point, along Motorway, Bulli


Northern Suburbs

1.     Four Little Beans, Woonona
2.     Cafeli House, Woonona
3.     All & Sundry, Woonona
4.     Flat White For One, Corrimal
5.     Franks'N' Beans, Corrimal East

6.     Hevan Espresso, Corrimal
7.     Manjit's Cafe, Corrimal
8.     Coast Cafe, Corrimal
9.     Coffee Guru, Stockland Shopping Centre, Corrimal 
10.   Cafe Angeli, Corrimal 

11.   Drift Lounge, Corrimal
12.   Luna Espresso, Corrimal
13.   Green Bean Play Cafe, Corrimal
14.   Dusk Cafe, Tarrawanna
15.   Yarnsy's, Tarrawarna

16.   Bill & James, Balgownie Village
17.   Urban Grind, Balgownie Village
18.   Nourished at Bally, Balgownie Village 
19    Broken Drum Espresso, Fairy Meadow
20.   Two Doors Up, Fairy Meadow

21.   Patiscceria Massimo Papa, Fairy Meadow 
22.   Reay's Place, Fairy Meadow
23.   Triangle Cafe, Fairy Meadow
24.   Staggletooth, Fairy Meadow



North Wollongong

1.    Delano Specialty Coffee, Montague Street
2.    Rush iC Cafe, Innovation Campus
3.    The Matchbox, Innovation Campus
4.    Diggies Cafe, Cliff Road
5.    My Pantry, Cliff Road

6.    The Northbeach Pavilion, Cliff Road
7.    Cafe at the Lagoon
8.    Mud Cat Cafe, Novotel North Beach
9.    Connie's Cliff Road Cafe
10.  Aqua Cafe, Cliff Road

11.  Bluorange Cafe, Cliff Road



West of Wollongong City Centre

1.    Rush, UOW Main Campus
2.    Rush 2, UOW Main Campus
3.    The Yard, Building 7, UOW Main Campus 
4.    Panizzi Cafe, Library, UOW Main Campus 
5.    Urban Grind, URAC, UOW Main Campus

6.    White Rabbit Cafe, Keiraville
7.    Zanders Cafe & Dessert Bar, Keiraville
8.    Giddy Goat, Keiraville
9.    BarLissimo, Gipps Road
10.  Espresso Warriors, Keiraville



Wollongong Harbour

1.    Bombara Seafood, Endeavour Drive
2.    Levendi's, Cliff Road 
3.    The Green Room City Beach Cafe, Marine Drive

  

WOLLONGONG CITY CENTRE

CROWN STREET

1.    Lee & Me, Lower Crown Street 
2.    Lower East, Lower Crown Street
3.    Sopranos on the Mall, Crown Street
4.    Patiscceria Massimo Papa, near Crown and Corrimal Streets
5.    Beast & Bread, GPT Shopping Centre, Keira Street

6.    Sugar Cube, Lower Crown Street 
7.    Mr Crown, Crown Street
8.    Quay Canteen, above the Square Cafe Restaurant Bar
9.    Square Cafe Restaurant Bar, midway along Crown Street Mall
10.  Quotes.Cafe

11.  Yum Yum Cafe & Bakery
12.  Swell Coffee
13.  Glass Alley Coffee
14.  Town House Chamber
15.  His Boy Elroy

16.   Kurtosh House No.5, Globe Lane
17.   TLC Cafe, behind Lee & Me

BURELLI STREET

1.   Terra Mia
2.   The Social, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC)
3.   Kafe on Burelli, Wollongong City Council
4.   Santana Coffee
5.   Crafted Espresso


CORRIMAL STREET

1.   Litani's Mediterranean
2.   Marco
3.   Il Mondo Del Cafe
4.   Gigi's, corner of Market and Corrimal Streets
5.   Deli &  Dine, on Market Street next to Gigi's
6.   Lili-J Cafe, Corrimal Street south, opposite the Wollongong Golf Club


KEIRA STREET

1.    Cafe Pellegrini, Hotel Illawarra, Keira Street
2.    Happy Barista Espresso Bar, Keira Street 
3.    Bull & Bear Cafe, Keira and Victoria Streets
4.    Opus Coffee Brewers, Keira Street
5.    The Living Room

6.     Keira Street Cafe 
7.     Cafe Adore


WOLLONGONG RAIL STATION/HOSPITAL

1.     Lettuce B. Frank, Crown Street near NSW Rail Station
2.     Sandy Goodwich, Crown Street near NSW Rail Station
3.     Meni  Cafe at Picadilly Centre, Crown Street
4.     Crown Cafe & Catering, Wollongong Hospital



OTHERS

1.    Little Stompers, Kenny Street
2.    Emporium on Swan, Swan Street
3.    Zac's Cafe & Bistro, Church Street
4.    Panizzi Cafe, Princes Highway
5.    Prufock Espresso Bar, Atchison Street

6.    Bostons Espresso, Atchison Street
7,    City West Cafe, Market Street
8.    Ground Cafe, Kembla Street


South of Wollongong City Centre

1.   Portobello Espresso Bar, Mangerton 
2.   Lechappe Cycle Cafe, Keira Street
3.   Scratch Coffee Co. at Wentworth Street, Port Kembla
4.   The Foundery  at Wentworth Street, Port Kembla
5.   Seascape Cafe, NSW Marine Police Centre, Port Kembla


(Latest count here = 118 cafes)

Truth and Tolerance

The twisting of truth and the manipulation of tolerance, I reckon, are two key threats to human dignity and world peace as we enter into the new year.   These two factors synchronise with the continuing trends in dehumanisation and marginalisation of the work, social and life experience for individuals.   

They underlie many of the critical factors causing contemporary major issues today.   

We have developed an environment where human interaction is lessened, dealing with artificial systems have increased and our individual privacy reduced.   

Our sanctity can be violated without us knowing,  our movements are being watched or monitored increasingly and influence forums can dictate to us without understanding better our concerns.   

Many of us are brainwashed into thinking that drugs and other forms of manufactured addictions can make us happy, but not the development of our inner selves.   Society seems to want us to rely on something and anything outside ourselves for calmness and happiness - do we not see this as a fallacy imposed on us as  a means of control?

Things and services come to us increasingly hidden from source  - and it is not just the food supply chain.   

The irony is we do have better means of communication and yet so called modern society has seen a fall in rewarding human contact.   Be honest - apart from family, one spends more meaningful time with smart phones, cyberspace and machines than with other human beings.    Even if the world population has increased by leaps and bounds, most people to us are just a blurry mass of passer-bys in transit or in the digital media.

Therein lie the seeds for the powerful and the hidden to continue exerting control, without most of us realising this.



Tampering with what is Truth 

Social media can more efficiently reinforce what like minded people already want to believe, as they network in repeated and regularly utilised channels.   

Like minded individuals are linked together in cyberspace according to various factors - age demographics, religious affinity, social ladders, financial ability, health requirements, mobility channels, primary social interests and more.   

Like any human invention and action, the evolving world of new communication tools can have double edged sword effects.   False news has already permeated Facebook posts, but this is only the latest in a series of like events on the Internet, like tampering of photos;  stealing of identity, funds and personal data;  abuse and bullying in cyberspace and other matters that bring up the worst in human behaviour and soul.

Manipulation of truth is for convenience for the powerful - call it "fake news" when it suits them.

Individuals no longer need to be physically present to expound ideas, argue a case and lead many.   Most no longer assess a leader in the flesh to make up the mind to follow, support or rebel.

They just can be in the comfort of sitting on their bums and tweet, blog, Instagram, WhatsApp.....     The ease with which freedom of expression can be carried out in this world of cyberspace already has governments of various shades earnestly watching and taking action of various kinds, whether good or not so good  - who am I to judge?

Conventional media like television has actively resorted to embracing social media for sourcing of material and discussion.   

The new technology is a commercial marketing tool, but also allows the proliferation of more diverse opinions, to such an extent that unsuspecting, not savvy and uninformed audiences can get caught up in a mish-mash of over loaded data and information.   If there was an old Tower of Babel in the proliferation of a thousand languages,  there is a now a new age Babel in the blooming of shared thoughts.

The use of smart phone apps has kicked out slower processes like emails, provided more responsive gratification, made a reality lightning sharing of images and facilitated easier duplication of messages.   

Almost everyone with a smart phone spend more time near their mobile gadgets than with their loved ones, or with Nature.   

There is only limited time available in a day and there is an opportunity cost in paying attention and in using any one of the wide array of so called personal machine options for work, entertainment, money making and social interaction.   Broadcast media learnt this many years ago with the arrival of You Tube.

The rise in distortion and manipulation of facts can be countered with more options to validate and verify, but not just through social media.  Effort and human discretion using our intelligence are still tools to mitigate the risks of being sucked in with untruths, half truths and propaganda.  Reflect on how wars are started, election outcomes have consequences and regulators are hoodwinked or prejudiced.

The contemporary danger is that the rabble can be aroused much more easily and faster even before truth is separated from the selective lie.  

When truth is tainted, our own tolerance levels change - we can become hardened, softened or confused.



Toleration has Boundaries

Rising intolerance can be nurtured by those in power for their own personal, social and religious agendas.    Rising intolerance can also grow due to poor management of expectations.

Western civilisation, I am taught, liberates the common man and woman in many democratic ways  - we are nurtured to have ethics and respect for our fellow human beings. Every one has a powerful individual vote as a citizen and the age of technology is supposed to provide more personal freedoms.  Really?

Other civilisations do not put the individual on a pedestal, but emphasise the significance of a greater devotion to the community above the individual needs.   So toleration for individual  opinions is managed in the context of whether it contributes to the greater good.   But what is greater good, it can be subjective to many in societies encouraged to express and discuss.

The worst experience for any of us as a modern person is to have a specific party pronouncing this and behind our backs, actually doing something else.   Our expectations have been put high and then delivery and outcome is far from the promise.

When we lose belief in the way specific institutions have treated and betrayed us, or done nothing to try resolve socio-political matters, we lose heart.  A collective disappointment will affect our tolerance levels, whether in a village, town, province or country.




Speed and Accessibility

These are nothing new in the landscape of human history.   What is different now is the speed of communication and nature of influence.   When shared information can be  spread and emphasised in seconds, the dynamics of influence work more effectively to spread planned opinions through lightning speed multiplier effects.  

Human society is once again on the cusp of change from the previous socio-political order.   Many current world wide organisations originated from the aftermath of the Second World War and the period of domination by the USA in the socio-political landscape.   

It is surely logical and timely for the emergence of frameworks and structures in a new world order.  Isn't this the lot of mankind as history marches on?




The New Human Longing

What appreciates in value to the human being experience are longings for more natural and sincere experiences.

If we can create businesses that cater to providing better humanisation of experience, especially for infants and the elderly, this may be the clue for potentially rewarding activities of the future.   Artificial mechanisms can lower cost but does not provide the total optimal solution for human needs.

Imagine an increasing reality of human beings being surrounded by software, systems and artificiality in most aspects of life.  It can be cost effective but also lead to a person's heightened vulnerability of being undermined by invisible lights, hijacked by new vulnerabilities and given less personal freedoms.

One bad day the whole dependency by the world on cyberspace clouds, intelligent software and Wi-Fi will be hijacked by those who already know the art of manipulating truth and have their own views of the world.   

Human society is not infallible - contemporary society has relied too long and too much on petroleum for example without doing much to wean off.

Skills to develop and support a more automated, virtual environment will be in demand.  So will be in increased demand for skills and approaches of those individuals with talents for better inspiring, interacting with and influencing inner human needs -  as opposed to just fulfilling material and physical wants.

Are you ready to utilise these coming opportunities?   What are you doing to retain your own personal self-worth and unique integrity?   Every individual has her or his tolerance boundaries - are yours being manipulated?

Bombara Seafood Wollongong NSW

No longer are you required to collect your own cutlery like some years back.

The views are still lovely, offering different moods of the sea, escarpment and weather.  You can check out the surf from a vantage point or feel the breeze on your face and hair at the verandah.

Vehicle parking can be a pain at certain times of the day and night, especially during summer.   On Friday evenings in summer, there may be an outside food fete near the Lighthouse area.

The servings are generous, especially the platters, whether in the classic modern Australian style or those with a decidedly Mediterranean influence.  

Get dirty with your fingers, ask for any crab clamps, dig into the variety of sauces and cool down with wine or beers.   You may even come across an acquaintance, neighbour or good mate.  Families and couples, visitors or locals, they are all here.

Bombara Seafood is located at  the upper floor of the Fishermen's Coop Building at 1-2 Endeavour Drive, Wollongong Harbour, NSW.
Contact +61 2 4229 7011
Opening hours are from 7am to 10pm every day.

An independent review by Kevin Yong

My dish recommendations at the Bombara Seafood,  Wollongong Harbour are as follows:

Cob loaf of organic olive and rosemary bread slices served with hazelnut and balsamic butter.

Grilled fish - your choice of Barramundi, Atlantic salmon, John Dory or Snapper.

Sizzling prawn hot pot.

Hot and cold seafood platter for two with an upper tray of Moreton Bay bugs and lobster; with a lower plate of fresh and battered salt and pepper prawns, grilled Snapper fillets, salt and pepper squid, smoked salmon rolls, oysters Kilpatrick on the shell, dipping sauces and chips.

Bach Dang Canley Vale NSV

Roast quail  - I loved this but it was pricey.

Sunday evening and the restaurant was well patronised, many tables with birthday celebration gatherings.  The several young staff were quick on their feet, spoke a variety of languages including Vietnamese and English and were well dressed.    In a two shop space, the interior was modern and you could see the street outside through windows.   There is easy ground level access from the street.


Welcome to Bach Dang, understandably an institution amongst the Indo-Chinese Australian community and which has been serving food for many years.  Even those outside this community have ventured here and generally provide a positive experience of this restaurant.    I could hear Teochew being spoken, this is a language of southern China, especially amongst Bach Dang's diners.  


Most tables had steamboat going.   It was a boisterous atmosphere, with smiling grandparents doting over their exuberant grand kids, with bearded brown haired hipsters seated beside their doe eyed black haired angels.   Even on one wall were letterings announcing a birthday for some captain !   We looked out for the cakes - one was outstanding traditional, nothing like what we expected.  It was round shaped but did not have sponge or cream, perhaps jelly like layers but I do not really know. 


The steamboat had a most satisfying flavour, not too plain and not over spiced or chillied out.   It is the integrity of the stock in the soup and it had a bit of a twist with a light sourish feel, like as if tamarind was used.   The fish slices are tender, juicy and fresh.   Steamboat is communal eating - and Bach Dang echoes this best.   There is an emphasised family atmosphere but I did not feel crowded in in the spacing of tables.   There are option in varying cost levels of set menus.


For entrees, we had quail, one of my favourites and Bach Dang more than delivered.  Crunchy, with the right notes of meat marinated just right.   Service is friendly.  Two of my mates who used to be in Wollongong grew up here - and they still have fond memories of Bach Dang.  I observed steamboat is popular in the Teochew heartland along the south China coast ( Shantou, not far from Hong Kong)  and Bach Dang does justice to this tradition.    The Teochews migrated to Vietnam before the latest phase settling in Australia.

Seafood steamboat.

Vegetarian, meat and seafood  - Bach Dang has these three pillars in its menu.




Bach Dang  is located at  46 Canley Vale Road, Canley Vale, NSW, near the Rail Station.
Contact +61 2  9727 9931
Opening hours are open from 10am to 10pm every day.

An independent review by Kevin Yong

My dish recommendations at Bach Dang, Canley Vale are as follows:

Catfish bathed in caramel sauces in a clay pot.

Chao Gio Do Bien  - deep fried spring rolls stuffed with seafood and they taste as well as they look!

Crabs with vermicelli in a hot pot.

Chao Tam - those battered prawns served on petite sugar cane sticks.

Steamed oysters for starters.

Roast quail or pigeon.

Steamed fish with ginger and shallots.

Chicken wings stuffed with pork.

Pipis stir fried with XO sauce.

Braised Chinese Broccoli with oyster sauce.

Avocado, Jackfruit or custard apple smoothies.

 

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.