What first attracted me to Romanas was that little Campos insignia affixed to their sign; in addition, an almost full cafe on a Sunday morning was a promising sign as well! Romana’s have 4 tables outside and capacity for about 30 inside and almost of the seating space is taken by 8:45am. Balmain residents and […]

There is always that one place that you hold dear, one place, that you keep coming back year after year. That place for me is Seachange which is located opposite Dee Why beach on Sydney’s northern beaches peninsular. I lived in Dee Why for 7 years and quite often found myself grabbing a lunch, breakfast […]

Having spent 7 years on the Northern Beaches, I was drawn to the site of Pilu many a time. Back at the start of the 21st century, the name of the restaurant was Freshwater, which attracted diners with its modern Australian fare, and made them feel comfortable in a renovated and converted Federation boat house. […]

Maldini’s Caffe (Shop 50, 9-11 The Boulevarde, Strathfield Plaza, Strathfield, NSW, 2135) Venturing into Strathfield is like being transported into the heart of Asia. Koreans, Chinese and Indians dominate the landscape yet impart a very cool vibe on a Saturday evening. It’s crowded but not uncomfortably so, people going about their grocery shopping, many others […]

Tropicana Caffe- 227 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW(Mon-Sun 5am-11pm) Tropicana Caffe is big and noisy, and has no pretensions of being a quiet little intimate cafe to perhaps have a first date, or for a couple to enjoy a cosy breakfast or lunch after a hectic week. Tropicana Caffe has been a mainstay of Victoria Street, […]

On a beautiful evening, I am drawn to the golden rays of the setting sun hitting the rustic provincial/country furniture that adorns the sidewalk outside Kawa. We have a penchant of arriving just before closing time, perhaps subconsciously testing the service staff and barista to see what they deliver to the last customers of a […]

Little Marionette, 1a Booth Street Balmain(Mon-Fri 6:30-4, Saturday 7-4, Sunday 8-4) Pulling up opposite Gladstone Park in Balmain brings back memories. My first job out of university was based Balmain. Even 13 years ago Balmain was trendy but fast forward to today, and on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Balmain has transformed from village trendy to […]

Newscaf – 267 King Street Newtown(Open 7 days) With my iPod touch cuing up Bob Marley’s Legend album I take a seat at Newscaf in Newtown. It’s a tall order coming to Newscaf a day after having sampled the wares over at Campos, but my palate is fresh, and I am ready to see how […]

Campos Coffee – 193 Missenden Road Newtown, NSW, Australia (Mon- Fri 7:30-4 & Sat 8-4) It is with some trepidation when one steps into the coffee institution that is Campos Coffee. For one it is never empty, I can attest having been here mid morning on a Tuesday, mid afternoon Thursday and on a crazy […]