three beans, Sydney City

Iced coffee ($5.50)

I spent most of Sunday shopping in the city. I admit that I waste so much money on pointless things like clothes, underwear and food. But as a stereotypical girl, retail shopping makes me incredibly happy, even if followed by guilt two hours later. 

Once upon a time I had a real passion for fashion and was absolutely set on writing for fashion magazines. I still kind of want to do this. I wouldn't mind it. But writing about food and learning about all things food is a much greater passion.

Anyway, during the shopping trip a friend and I stopped for coffee at three beans, a gorgeous, kitsch cafe in Westfield Sydney. My iced coffee was surprisingly good. The ice cream was creamy and the coffee was not overly bitter or sweet; just perfect. The bottom floor of Westfield Sydney, where the cafe can be found, is packed with youth culture. The cafe itself hung its menus on a washing line, had an array of odd vintage chairs (and tree stumps) and artsy little tables. Super cute.

three beans, Westfield Sydney

Barmuda, Newtown

Chargrilled polenta with zucchini, spinach and napoli

Local Planet: potato cake, mushrooms, eggs (cooked to your liking), chorizo, roasted tomato and toast

I went here for lunch on a Friday with a friend, following extensive googling and researching of cafes in Newtown the night before. I picked Barmuda as it had pleasant reviews and mentions of the menu had got my tastebuds buzzing.

The cafe can be found in Australia Street, meaning that the atmosphere is relaxing, without the hustle and bustle of Newtown's infamous King Street. 

It took us a while to pick what we wanted because the menu is extremely long, and we were too busy catching up. The waiter came to us on two occasions asking if we were ready, which we weren't. And when we finally decided we ended up having to wait 10 minutes before our order was taken. 

On the other hand, our coffees came out promptly and was a nice blend. However, both coffees were served lukewarm, which dampened our overall perception of the coffee.

The food was a bit slow to come out, but well worth the wait being the best lunch meal I have had in a long time, with a value-for-money portion. I ordered the Local Planet but with chorizo instead of baked beans, and the waitstaff happily accommodated my request. The chorizo, potato cake and mushrooms were perfectly seasoned and bursting with flavour. The scrambled eggs were slightly cold when I got to them but the quality of the rest of the elements meant that this didn't, if not only slightly, worsened my perception of the dish.

My friend ordered the chargrilled polenta and zucchini with napoli. He told me that it was scrumptious and that he was glad he had ordered it, given his initial craving for buckwheat noodles.

So, anyone want to come with me to Barmuda in the next couple of weeks?

Barmuda, 283 Australia St, Newtown

Envy Cafe & Gallery, Summer Hill

 Hotcakes with strawberries and maple syrup

Pear and raspberry bed with mixed berry compote and ricotta

I am still well-behind on the documentation of my gastronomic adventures- I apologise. In between working, tutoring, a visit from my brother and father and university starting up again on Monday I have been either busy, tired or just plain lazy. But alas, I am now in the mood to procrastinate, and ignore the assignments that already seem to be piling up.

If you ask Summer Hill regulars what their favourite cafe is in the suburb is, it is highly likely you'll get either Plunge or Envy as an answer. The two cafes are great places to visit for coffee, a meal or treats for their own unique reasons.

In Envy's case, the popular haunt is excellent for a long breakfast or lunch in either the cosy front room, picturesque outdoor courtyard, or the adjacent enclosure decked with works by some of Vietnam's top artists. In terms of coffee, Plunge definitely takes the cake, but, having eaten at both, Envy comes out on top in the food category. I can't decide who best satisfies my sweet tooth.

My friend and I sat in the courtyard, on what was a rather warm day for winter (yet nothing compared to what the start of August has offered). I was served a skim chai latte that lacked flavour and was lukewarm. I deeply dislike coffee that is not hot because a) the aroma and thus the taste is not as strong and b) I have a tendency to consume the drink very quickly. Good coffee is that which is able to be relished.

I regularly consult the pear and raspberry bread on days when I feel like indulging. The sweet bread is the perfect consistency, usually expertly toasted, and served with a fresh compote (which really just tastes like well-made jam) and ricotta. There is also the option for banana bread with honey and ricotta. I didn't get much of an opinion from my friend on her hotcakes, but they were gone within a couple of minutes, if that says anything.

One thing that turns me off Envy, and sees me visit Plunge most days, is the service. The staff are not in the least attentive. During most of my visits I have had to indicate my interest in even coming across a menu. Orders are usually taken quite a while later and the time between ordering and then receiving both coffee and food is abnormally long. But then again, the gorgeous setting among Vietnamese art and the lush courtyard almost tempts you to stay for a long time.

Envy Cafe & Gallery, 109 Smith Street Summer Hill

Shortlist, Darlington

Chorizo and goats cheese "sausage roll" ($7) after a few bites

Last Tuesday, a friend and I caught up over coffee and good food at this little gem. (Yes, I have finally got my posts back on Sydney grounds). I ordered a chai latte and the featured "sausage roll." We visited Shortlist given my friend's argument that it served the best coffee in Darlington, as well as delightful food from a long cafe menu. He did not let me down. The crisp pastry of the sausage roll combined with the slightly sour taste of goat's cheese and the spicy and smokey chorizo to create what was a "party in my mouth" (my academic vocabulary has certainly decayed during these 8 week-long holidays). My chai latte was equally gorgeous. My friend had a latte- thanks to Little Marionnette Coffee- that he said was sublime. 

The decor at this popular haunt for university students is quite trendy and reminds me a lot of Cronulla's Grind. It features antique little tables and stools, blackboard menus and pretty flowerpots. Overall, the place is quite rustic.

My friend lives literally 5 houses up the street, and I must say that I am extremely jealous.

Shortlist, 258 Abercrombie Street Darlington

Rivermark Cafe, Port Macquarie

 Bacon and eggs on toast

Ciabatta BLT with field mushrooms and pesto drizzle

On occasion I will go to a restaurant where the food is that good that I rush to take photographs as to avoid needing a bucket for my saliva. The best restaurants and cafes thus end up with unflattering images that do no justice to the food (case in point: Fusion 7). Such is also the case with Rivermark Cafe.

My father and I ventured out to this great family haunt on a freezing Friday morning, again, not the best winter dining venue given its position literally on the riverfront. 

My father ordered the bacon and eggs, which was rather small in portion but so priced. He wasn't THAT hungry, needless to say, he described that his breakfast left him wanting more.

I, on the other hand, ordered the BLT on ciabatta, with field mushrooms and pesto being two irresistible favourites. Rivermark did not fail to impress. The poached egg left a melt-in-your-mouth experience, the field mushrooms and tomato were deliciously juicy, the bacon expertly crunchy and the pesto drew all ingredients together.

Rivermark offers extensive and varied menus for both breakfast and lunch and is suitable to young children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. The cafe also boasts a display cabinet brimming with tempting sweets and the always perfectly brewed Merlo coffee.

Prices are decent, I have never had a bad meal, and the atmosphere over looking the Hastings River on a warm, sunny day is the perfect pick-me-up. 

The only downside to Rivermark is that to place an order one must approach the counter; tap water is also self-serve. Nevertheless, this is a choice of service and not necessarily a downside for all.

I find that Rivermark Cafe is the most consistent cafe in the Hastings region, with a value-for-money, tastebud-tantalising and fulfilling dining experience a certainty.

Rivermark Cafe, 261 Hastings River Drive Port Macquarie

Bitter Sweet, Port Macquarie

Bitter Sweet Cafe's sticky date pudding and latte

I had a delightfully sweet experience at Bitter Sweet Cafe earlier this week. I also ate there yesterday and will be again tomorrow morning so there is more praise to come.

My friend and I went out on Wednesday night, got home at an unearthly hour and decided in the morning that nothing could wake us up better than a scrumptious dessert at this incredibly busy (for good reason) patisserie. 

We both chose the deliciously rich and moist sticky date pudding ($7.50), served with ice-cream, caramelised dates and a smooth and tantalising caramel sauce.

Eating dessert for breakfast is completely normal at Bitter Sweet. With a display cabinet full of treats to suit anyone and everyone, it is really hard NOT to develop an overpowering sweet-tooth.

On a less positive note, I do not fancy Belaroma coffee. While the coffee always meets standards for that drink- may it be a cappuccino, latte, ristretto, affogato etc- it is bitter and fails to compete with other blends available at Port Macquarie restaurants and cafes (my favourites are Campos, Peak and Merlo).

Bitter Sweet Cafe, 48 Watonga Street Port Macquarie

Caramels, Lake Cathie

Last week I ventured down to Lake Cathie for my first visit to Caramels, a friendly cafe attached to a Woolworths complex. Much to my parents dismay, I have quite expensive taste when it comes to food, the atmosphere and surroundings of the cafe- being a car park- didn't make Caramels my first choice for meeting with a friend. Needless to say, the welcoming cafe offered nice food and coffee, a varied menu that made it hard to choose and friendly service.

I absolutely love when cafes serve coffee with something on the side as, in my opinion, it signals a cafe's care for their customer. It would be interesting to know what other cafes, perhaps somewhat unusually, offer on the side- I have witnessed Tiny Teddy biscuits, bullets, a Jatz biscuit, biscotti and now a freckle.

On another note, I only took to chai lattes this week; the one I had at Caramels being the first in around two years. It was nice enough to convince me that I like chai and has translated into me drinking at least one every second day this week.

Mexican crepe with sour cream, salsa, guacamole and a side salad

The food at Caramels was ordinary, but still worth the money. My Mexican crepe was not what I was expecting, filled with mince and lacking traditional Mexican spices and red beans. The side salad was nice- with juicy roma tomatoes, cucumber three different types of capsicum and spinach- yet a poorly matched accompaniment for the crepes. While the meal was uninspiring it was not horrible. If I ever found myself hungry in Lake Cathie I would revisit Caramels.

Caramels, 1613 Ocean Drive Lake Cathie

The Fat Fish, Bonny Hills

Minted lamb burger with tzatziki served on turkish bread with a side of fries

Lightly crumbed chicken burger on Turkish bread and served with avocado salsa and salad

I visited the Fat Fish restaurant and bistro with my grandparents for lunch on a cold day last week. I am going to start by saying that although this restaurant as the optimum position for summer, it really isn't the best for winter. Positioned almost literally on Rainbow beach, the sea breezes were unbearable for unaware diners who chose to sit on the balcony.

I am in LOVE with the breakfast menu, especially the breakfast bruschetta. The lunch menu, on the other hand, has not changed since summer and includes the likes of a frittata, burgers, prawn and caesar salads, crumbed or grilled fish and chips and coriander potato cakes. I never really order burgers when I got out, but had tried everything else really, so went with the chicken burger (replacing the chips with a side of salad, of course). 

Like most cafe burgers, it was impossible to eat this as an actual burger due to size and construction. Moreover, the chicken was dry, the use of lettuce was a bit excessive and, apart from the spicy avocado salsa, the meal was not that flavoursome. 

The coffee here is okay (I had a skim cappuccino), however it did take them a while to bring out our coffees- an estimated 20 minutes.

Overall, I don't think this place is the best for winter, but do recommend it for a lovely summer's breakfast or a coffee get-together overlooking picturesque and family-friendly Rainbow Beach.

The Fat Fish also serves dinner that I am yet to experience

The Fat Fish, Beach Street (Bonny Hills Surf Club)

Espresso Train, Summer Hill

Today I spoiled myself at Espresso Train, also in Summer Hill.

I had my 'bad' day a week early and ate the most divine Apple and Blueberry homemade muffin. For $4.50 it was a bit exy, but in terms of taste it is definitely on a level playing ground with my guilty pleasure blueberry muffins from Crema, Port Macquarie. 

They serve Toby's Estate coffee. It is okay, though not my favourite (Plunge serves my highest rating coffee so far- Coffee Alchemy). 

The two owners are a mother and daughter team and know most of the customers' names off by heart. Not mine, as this was only my third visit, however, it definitely will not be my last.