Review: Brasserie Bread Cafe

1737 Botany Road
Banksmeadow

Mon - Fri: 7am - 3pm
Sat - Sun: 8am - 2pm
Public Holidays: closed

Squeak and I were making the trek to Croquembouche at Banksmeadow to order some Christmas treats so we thought we'd pop into Brasserie Bread for a shot at breakfast.  Whenever Squeak and I think of the name 'Brasserie Bread' memories come flooding back of the first ever time (many, many moons ago) we tasted the sinfully warm caramelised garlic bread with melted parsley butter poured over the top - courtesy of Danks Street Depot.  Anyone who can concoct such a bread really does deserve a visit.  Squeak and I had dropped in (and 'dropped in' is a euphemism for driving significantly out of our way to a rather industrial part of Banksmeadow) some time ago, but were not overly fussed by the variety of options on the cafe menu.  This second visit proved more fruitful.

Review : Marrickville Road Cafe

212 Marrickville Road
Marrickville

Mon-Sat
07:00-16:00

Sun
07:30-16:00


So the quest continued. Buggles and Squeak had once again decided to forgo our Sunday morning ritual of breakfast at Bar Mattino (and now occasionally fouratefive), to once again see what our local suburb, Marrickville, had to offer.
We had recently read quite a good review of Marrickville Road Cafe & wondered if finally there was a local that might just cut the mustard!

And so it was that Buggles and Squeak ventured to Marrickville Road in search of sustenance.

Review: Fouratefive

485 Crown Street
Surry Hills

M - F   7am - 4pm
Sat      7:30am - 4pm
Sun     9:30am - 2:30pm


Fouratefive has recently received much fanfare from a variety of food writers so Squeak and I decided to see if it really could withstand the Bar Mattino comparison test!! For us a cafe worthy of a return visit must offer some of the usual breakfast suspects (and do them well) and it must offer something different to the run-of-the-mill. We also like to see a cafe offer some organic fare - but you can't win them all the time. Fouratefive in Surry Hills, on paper, seems to tick most of the boxes.

Review : 2204

106 Addison Rd

Marrickville

Mon-Fri: 6am-5pm

Sat-Sun: 7am-5pm

Buggles and Squeak had been hearing a lot about this new cafe/bar on Addison Rd. A new cafe is always exciting news as the Marrickville area is generally pretty devoid of good ones.

We had heard many different things about 2204....that it offered tapas on weekends, served good wine with cheese platters, that it was a great little bar...it was becoming the stuff of legend to the cafe/bar deprived folk of Marrickville.

So late on a Saturday afternoon we finally decided to pay a visit....

Review : Breakfast & Beer

117 Vincent Street
Daylesford, Victoria

Sun-Mon & Thurs 9am-10pm;
Fri-Sat 9am-1am

On our final morning in Daylesford we decided to head to Breakfast & Beer for our final Victorian meal.

It was a very sad day indeed for Buggles & Squeak, we needed a good, hearty breakfast in order to board the flight back to Sydney & the real world....Breakfast & Beer delivered.

Review : Sweet Decandence at Locantro

87 Vincent Street
Daylesford, Victoria


Open 7 days 9.30am - 5.00pm

While walking the main strip of Daylesford, Buggles & Squeak spotted some plump looking scones in the window of Sweet Decadence at Locantro....we decided there & then that we would visit for breakfast the following morning......and so we did.

Review : Don Vincenzo

301 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy

Daily 7.15am-10.30pm

After settling into our North Fitzroy digs we decided to head out for some lunch. We hit Brunswick Street & finally settled upon Don Vincenzo.
It didn't look particularly appealing, but we were hungry & quite frankly didn't fancy walking the length of Brunswick Street.
However, perhaps we should have....

Review : Platform 7 (Re-Redux) - CLOSED

4 Burrows Avenue
Sydenham
(opposite Sydenham Station)



Monday - Sunday 5.30am - 8.00pm


Buggles & Squeak were very excited to read the following on Platform 7's Facebook page;

"Platform 7 Cafe is proud to introduce our new chef Ned Thomson as our new head chef. Ned brings our menu to a whole new level! Try out his tender roasted pork belly with sweet potato mash served with a rocket, apple and caramelised onion salad!"


We couldn't wait to sample the goods on Ned's 'new menu'. We headed down for lunch Saturday afternoon.


However, as we attempted to place our order at the counter, things began to unravel.

Review : Revolver

291 Annandale St
Annandale


Mon to Sun 8am - 4pm
 

Annandale is one of those suburbs that has long appealed to Buggles & Squeak. We have had quite elaborate fantasy scenarios of the sort of house we would have there & how great it would be to be in walking distance of some of the great cafes on offer. Unfortunately, we will never be able to afford to live in Annandale, so we hop in the car & head over to Revolver for a late morning breakfast.
 

Review : Platform 7 (Redux) - CLOSED

4 Burrows Avenue

Sydenham
(Opposite Sydenham Station)


Monday - Sunday 5.30am - 8.00pm


Platform 7 is now full service cafe.
Of course it was time for Buggles & Squeak to pay another visit.

On this cold election day morn, we decided to pop over to Platform 7 after casting our vote.

Review: Platform 7 Cafe - CLOSED

4 Burrows Avenue

Sydenham

(Opposite Sydenham Station)

Monday - Sunday 5.30am - 8.00pm


So, as anybody who has driven through Sydenham knows.... there isn't a great deal there (other than desperate inner west residents wanting new, funky cafes!) There has been the relatively recent opening of Rosa's Kitchen (which even though we've been again, still hasn't managed to hit the spot with us), but now Platform 7 has opened and given us a ray of hope.

Review : Cafe New Deli

181 Marrickville Rd
Marrickville

Buggles and Squeak have a favourite breakfast/lunch cafe and that is the wonderful Bar Mattino. So every cafe we visit is measured against it.

Did Cafe New Deli measure up?....

Review : bangbang

113 Reservoir Street

Surry Hills 2010
 
M-F 8 am-4 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am-2 pm
 
So what do Buggles & Squeak do when they fancy 'Welsh Rarebit' for breakfast on a Saturday & Bar Mattino  is closed? A desperate search for an alternative ensues!
The search for more 'Welsh Rarebit' in Sydney has been a long one for Buggles & Squeak, at long last we thought we found one.

Review: digi.kaf

174 St Johns Rd,

Glebe


M-F: 7-4
Sa: 8-4
Su: 9-3


digi.kaf is a bit of an old favourite with Squeak and I. Sometimes amongst the monotony of many Sydney cafes it is refreshing to come acrosss a place that serves interesting breakfast options.  Don't get me wrong, we love the old fave's as well as anybody (if done well) but really a bit of variety is needed also. digi.kaf is the place to go if you are after something a little different.


digi.kaf is off the main shopping strip of Glebe, on St Johns Road, and it really is a pleasant little spot.  Walking in, the service is always quite friendly, especially by the gentleman we assume is the owner. Welcoming, but not intrusive. You can sit in the front area, or up the stairs towards the back where they also have an internet cafe.  On the one time we've used that service, the prices seemed pretty reasonable.

Review: Rosa's Kitchen

288 Unwins Bridge Road
(Cnr Park Road)

Sydenham


The brightly coloured paint used to coat the outside of Rosa's Kitchen symbolised the burgeoning hope of many Sydenham/Tempe residents that the culinary wasteland that exists in this region was soon to be fertilized. Peeks in the shop window prior to opening had many wondering if it were to be a cafe, or a gourmet food store... things were looking very promising.

Squeak and I thought we'd pop in to see if all of this hope was to be fulfilled. What we discovered was certainly a spark of hope, but certainly tempered with some disappointment. This is a place that seems to not be wholly focused on what it wants to be, and there seems to be a lot of unfulfilled potential. 

Review : Danks Street Depot (Dinner) - CLOSED

1/2 Danks Street

Waterloo NSW 2017

Cafe & Bar

Monday - Wednesday 7:30am - 4:00pm
Thursday - Friday 7:30am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday & public holidays 9:00am - 4:00pm





Buggles & Squeak originally had a reservation for the 'Flinders Inn', but after a day of visiting family & playing with puppies, decided that we wanted something a little closer to home & without parking hassles. We therefore cancelled our reservation at the Flinders & headed instead to 'Danks Street Depot'. We have been regulars at Danks Street pretty much since it opened, we have visited often for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Our last visit was for dinner about four weeks ago & it was most enjoyable.

Review : Buppa's Bakehouse - CLOSED

**UPDATED ENTRY**

Visit Three (don't judge us!)

482 King Street
Newtown


Buppa's Bakehouse is now CLOSED.





Frankly, by this stage you should be well aware of the elicit affair Squeak and I are engaged in with Buppa's Bakehouse. This week we made it a Ménage à trois. with 'Cooty' (aka Squeak's mum). If you cannot figure out why we are trying to convert the world yet... just look at that picture! Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie. If anything can sum up these American baked delights, this would have to be it. Who knows what is in the base... Oreos??? All we know it is very, very good. The texture is like a light cheesecake, but it is chocolatey and peanutbuttery with chunks of peanut and chocolate flecks throughout. To top it off.... Hersheys Chocolate sauce.

I went for the Key Lime Pie. It is one of those things that we always hear about in American movies, so when I saw it on the menu, I had to go there. Once again... the base. I'll be up front right now. This is the second time I've had it. There - I've admitted it. The base, once again is delightful. It is very buttery, and delicious. It is slightly different this time however, as last time the base had this gorgeous spiced flavour that made me wonder if it had been made with ginger nut biscuits. So... this time it was different, but that really is testament to the fact that the goods at Buppa's evolve and are slightly different each time... that they are made fresh... not from a production line. So who can complain? It is like a lime cheesecake, and has a real lime tang to it which works well with the butteriness of the base.


So yes... we know. We have nobody but ourselves to blame for our girths... but you should be proud... Squeak did walk past last week without buying anything. We are trying to develop our own '12 step program' for Buppa's Bakehouse. Is it still a problem if we limit ourselves to once a fortnight?
Just one day at a time. Just one day at a time
Buggles




Visit Two

UPDATE: (sorry no pictures - it was a spontaneous visit)
After an 'out of the ordinary' morning movie, Squeak and I thought we'd pop back into Buppa's Bakehouse for a spot of cake and coffee.


This time, Squeak writhed and turned as she tried to make up her mind, but finally settled on the Black Bottomed Pecan Pie. I certainly can see why, it looked absolutely delicious! The fact there were only two slices left does always bode well also.
This pie was amazing. There is no other way to describe it. The pie crust was flaky and light, and didn't detract from the rich, caramelly/ custardy(?) filling, embracing the plump sultanas and topped by caramelised pecan nuts. There was also a bourbon infusion that really just set the whole thing off and made the whole tart cohesive. Squeak was in some sort of pecan heaven murmuring things about buying a whole tart (ostensibly to share the experience with others - but just quietly, I'm not too sure her plans are for sharing!) I tried a mouthful (or three) and can assure you that Squeak will have a fight on her hands to keep it to herself.


I opted for the Apple Spice Cake with (once again) that all important thick icing. It was just what the doctor ordered - well.... maybe not the cardiac doctor. The cake was moist and light, and the cream cheese icing was spiced with cinnamon. It was truly delicious... but to be honest I rarely concede that Squeak chooses the better dish... but today, I will admit to some pangs of dessert envy.


Unfortunately waistlines.... we will be back!
Buggles


(P.S - read on below to relive our first experience! Yes, I know... it was just a couple of weeks ago.)

Visit One
There are some things that I just know get Squeak excited. That's why, when I read about a bakery that opened dangerously close to us, that also specialised in North American baked goods.... I knew our waistlines might have some trouble in the near future. When Squeak suggested a trip to Buppa's Bakehouse was necessary to reward ourselves (in advance of the housework yet to do)... I grabbed the keys and off we went!


Buppa's Bakehouse sits at the southern end of King St (ie. towards St Peters), which means that it isn't too far to wander down from the station, and it also means the chances of getting parking nearby are slightly increased. When you enter the store, it is simply, but stylishly decked out, and everything draws you to the display stand. There wasn't a lot left when we got there, but in our 30 minute stay, Buppa already had a new batch of Monkey Muffins out of the oven and onto the display trays, and an Apple and Blueberry Pie was on its way also.


The main reason we were going is because of Squeak's penchant for all things lemon and all things with a chocolate and peanut butter combo. These are two things she believes the Americans do very well. Unfortunately, on our visit, these things weren't featured - apart from the Peanut Butter Choc Chip cookies ($3 each - pictured above).

I order the Blueberry Cheesecake ($6). It looked good, although I will admit to feeling intimidated by the size of the portion. Baked cheesecakes can be a bit too rich, or a bit too sickly sweet, so I fully expected to either leave half of it, or go home ill. I did neither. It is difficult to describe how something as heavy looking can manage to be quite 'light'.
Don't get me wrong, it still had that 'baked cheesecake' texture to it, but it escaped being too dense or cloying. The filling was deliciously creamy, and definitely not too sweet. The base was a triumph- and we all know how integral a base is to any cheesecake experience! (Note to Squeak who tried suggesting that she would make me a 'baseless' cheesecake one day...)
It was darker than most bases I've seen, and it was buttery and crumbly, but once again, not heavy. The blueberry glaze/jam that topped the cheesecake, was perfectly complemented by the fresh blueberries that topped it all off. They both added dimensions of sweetness and moisture that set the whole thing off perfectly. Often a cheesecake can leave you wishing you hadn't gone there.... (well, for me anyway), but this one didn't.

Squeak, despite missing out on all things peanut butter or lemon, was keen to try the cake called 'Rabbit Food' ($7). This gave the whole name an entirely new and pleasant connotation. There was nothing green, leafy or unappetising about this 'Rabbit Food'. It looked like everything a carrot cake should be - moist, and (let's face it - the most important bit of all) it had a nice thick layer of creamy icing. Upon arrival, and closer inspection, we could also see lots of nice chunks of fruit and real carrot!


This is one thing that Buppa will proudly let you know. There are no 'fake' anything's in her baked goods. No added preservatives - other than the alcohol in vanilla - and certainly no artificially dyed substances pretending to be carrot.


Squeak tucked in, and was really impressed by how moist the cake was. The flavour was spot on - with that all-important spicing. The icing was good - but Squeak felt was perhaps a bit too sweet, and I'm with her on this one. We love a good carrot cake icing - but it has to hit the right note of cream cheese, or lemon tang. This one had a hint of cream cheese, but was perhaps overwhelmed a bit by sweetness. The star here was the cake itself.


Watch out for the arrival of Ben and Jerry's ice cream in the next few weeks. Buppa's Bakehouse is one of the only stores around Sydney that will be selling it. We are certainly looking forward to it - although, once again, our waistlines may disagree.

We loved this little place. The service is very friendly and the cakes are great comfort food. There is something really warm and inviting about a place whose owner is so proud of her creations, and bakes everything in the kitchen just behind the counter. It's all fresh - and this all translates onto the plate.
We'll certainly be back - perhaps next time with our young niece Holly (who likes to whip up a baked good or two herself!)
Buggles

Review : Post Cafe

274a Marrickville Road Marrickville
NSW 2204

Mon - Fri 6am - 5pm

Sat - Sun 7am - 4pm



How do I start this review? Buggles & Squeak were after breakfast close to home, so we thought we would try Marrickville as opposed to our usual spots of Newtown, Surry Hills, Glebe etc. This as it turns out was a mistake.
We had been to the Post Cafe on other occasions & while the food was never spectacular, it wasn't awful....until today.

Review : aboutlife

605 Darling Street
Rozelle, 2039

Mon-Thurs 6am-8pm
Fri 6am-7pm
Sat & Sun 7am-7pm




Buggles & Squeak have gone organic, so it stands to reason that we would do our weekly grocery shop at an (almost) totally organic supermarket - aboutlife.

I'll begin by saying that shopping at 'aboutlife' is incredibly stress free, there are no crowded aisles, no queues for the checkout, instore toilets....it is all very civilised.

Review : Big Brekky

316 Stanmore Rd

Petersham
NSW 2049
Mon-Sat 7am - 3pm
Sundays 8am - 3pm
Public Hols 8am-3pm

Buggles & I always do Sunday breakfast before heading off to 'Aboutlife' for our organic grocery shop.

We arrive at Big Brekky & it didn't start well. As we waited to be seated we were approached by a rather surly waitress, we requested a table for two & she pointed in the general direction of a vacant table. At no point did she feel the need to speak.