It's all about the coffee, coffee, coffee...

Regular coffee $3.50

Now that Salvage has a competitor right next door it's about time I posted something about this little coffee shop. I frequent this place often enough that people would say it's my local. A small space "salvaged" by three hombres (Dan, Matt & Toby), it's a little rough around the edges but an absolute charmer once you give it go.

Cold brew $5 - perfect for the hot days

What keeps me coming back? There's just something about their coffee that I love. I think it has something to do with the level of acidity? Or maybe the skilled baristas? I'm no expert but whether it's a skim cap, piccolo or a cold drip I am always happy with how it tastes.

Croque madame $14 - weekends only

Their all day menu is scribbled on a black chalkboard which is extended on the weekends boasting some interesting dishes. As Toby puts it -  "Chef Dan works magic in the Salvage kitchen. Innovative, forward thinking and full of flavour". Kudos to the Chef who now runs pop up dinners there. 

Smashed avo $12 + poached egg $3

To name my favourite dish here is almost like telling people which one is your favourite child. I definitely can't go past their smashed avo with roasted pine nuts and lightly seasoned sliced tomatoes. I always get a poached egg to add that extra ooze factor.

Croque madame $14 - weekends only

I also can't go past the croque madame. The best thing you could eat to sort out that hangover or just to be naughty. It's an indulgent buttery toastie with gypsy ham, melted gruyere cheese, dijon and that bechamel sauce. You'll find a poached egg too - Hello waistline :)

Beetroot cured salmon $17 + poached egg $3

Other dishes show off Chef Dan's skills with some pretty neat plating and clever creations. The beetroot cured salmon is refreshing and perfect for summer (maybe minus the egg) and every now and then different versions of the eggs benedict make an appearance.

Southern benny special $20

Conveniently located near Artarmon station you can't miss the crowd here on a sunny day. I'm not sure what happens when it rains as it's mostly outdoor seating. The guys and gals are friendly and their love of coffee and good food shines through. I think I might resist from trying out next door just a little longer (promise the boys didn't pay me to write this!).

In a nutshell  Breakfast Coffee ●●● Food ●● Service ●●● Price $$($) Atmosphere

♥♥ Everyday until 2pm, Sundays midday  Regular $3.50, Artificer Coffee Modern Australian Friendly, fast Toastie $8 Good vibes, busy

Salvage Coffee - 5 Wilkes Ave, Artarmon
http://salvagecoffee.com/

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Breaking the Moroccan fast

I was so excited when I heard Out of Africa was doing brunch on weekends. What exotic flavours will I be treated to?  My last experience in this African oasis was pretty good, sharing many different delicious dishes for dinner.


A stranger to Moroccan breakfast cuisine, I wanted to try everything from the breakfast menu. Wishing that I could I had to settle on one option from each category "breaking your fast", "breakfast tajines" and "sweeter breakfast".

Moroccan breaking of the fast tray $14

So I broke my fast with the Moroccan breaking of the fast tray. I could've gone the eggplant breakfast stack or the deep pan potato omelette they call a tortilla but the Moroccan bread intrigued me. It was like a Malaysian roti just flat and loved it with a bit of feta, caramelised onion, rocket and quail egg. The orange segments made it taste lighter and fresh.

Merquez sausage tajine $16

In winter I think we all love a nice warm baked eggs. Very similar are the Moroccan breakfast tajines, slow cooked savoury stews with eggs thrown in cooked your way. Torn between the 4 cheese, seafood and merquez sausage options, I ended up ordering the latter with medium done eggs. I scooped the contents of the tajine with my khobz (a type of Moroccan bread) enjoying the combination of flavours.

Rghati with caramelised peaches $12

On the recommendation of the waiter, rghati was the lucky choice from the "sweeter breakfast" section. Described as layers of soft dough fried and folded into crispy parcels in butter and honey I could only imagine how decadent this would be. Served with caramelised peaches and more honey this was unimaginably delicious. Definitely a plate to be shared.

Moroccan coffee $4.90, Acai smoothie $6.50

Keeping with the Moroccan theme, I tried the Moroccan coffee served with cloves and a cinnamon stick. It tasted a bit diluted with the frothy milk. There is the option of Arabic or regular coffee or hot chocolate if you don't like coffee.

Mixed berry & pomegranate frappe $6.50

If you're looking for something different to juices, the acai smoothie is rather delicious. The mixed berry and pomegranate frappe is really refreshing with bubbles instead of crushed ice.

Moroccan green mint tea $5.50

I had to finish my meal with the traditional Moroccan drink of choice - Mint tea. I don't know what was stuffed in the teapot but the waitress showed off some skills as she poured it from a height to aerate the tea and create a froth. After three rounds of this I was treated to a beautifully aromatic tea that was easy to drink although it was very very sweet.

Hassan M'Souli with his daughter

Owner and Celebrity Chef, Hassan M'Souli introduced Moroccan cuisine to the northside of the bridge over 25 years ago and he is doing something very right. His version of soul food combined with the African theme style and great service has created a fan out of me. Worth checking out their weekend brunch if you are looking for something unique to start your day.

In a nutshell  Breakfast Coffee ●● Food ●● Service ●● Price $$($) Atmosphere

♥♥ Weekends from 9am  $4.90 Arabian or Moroccan Moroccan cuisine Friendly, accommodating Moroccan bread basket $9 North African theme. Suits all

Out of Africa - 43-45 East Esplanade,  Manly 
http://www.outofafrica.com.au/


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I used to wonder why people took their birthday off from work, sacrificing 1 out of the 20 days of annual leave allowed each year. This year I decided to be one of them as my annual leave doesn't accrue anymore. Now I wish my company just simply gifted us with a day off, now that would be a great present!

Me, myself and brunch!

Ocean views and the sound of waves are a few things that I love (that's non food related) so I treated myself with a visit to Balmoral beach and brunch at Bathers Pavilion Cafe. The drive was a dream run with no peak hour or weekend traffic and I found a free 2 hour parking spot right near the beach first round. #winning

Bathers Pavilion Cafe on a winters day

Even better, there were no queues and plenty of tables although none available by the windows. I chose a small round table just back from the window but still with a beach view.

After ordering I did the unthinkable - I pulled out my work phone and checked my work email. Why did I do that? My stress levels rose as I proceeded to respond to an email I found unacceptable. It was at that point a window table became free and I asked if I could move. As the waitress started moving my stuff, this rather short round lady pushed through, sat down and huffed that she was promised a window seat. How rude.

My waitress was polite and I didn't want any trouble so I just stayed at my table. Wow, I didn't realise it was such hot property. I later hear their waitress advise she had already reserved another table for them. Lucky for me this distraction let me discard that draft email reply.

Mushroom & spinach tart $22

Trying very hard to eat slowly and savouring all the flavours, I tucked into my meal. The chive hollandaise was perfect - light and fluffy. The eggs, liquid gold. Tempted by a nearby glass of champagne I was good and had a green envy fresh juice to complete my brunch.

Rocky point

Bathers' never fails me for a good brunch experience and it was nice the sun peeped out during my walk along the beach. I even found a $2 coin! I think I might do this every year. No traffic, no brunch queues, ocean views and eating my favourite meal of the day #winning

Do you take a day off for your birthday?

My lucky gold coin

Read my Bathers Pavilion Cafe review post.

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A friend of mine is back in town for a few months working at Concord Hospital so I took that as a mission to find a new brunch place for a girly catch up. Just eight minutes from the hospital, the Little Tarte has an all day breakfast menu and a display of the most delicious looking sweets.

Lemon meringue

Bathed in the sunlight on the corner of Tennyson Rd and Edwin St, this cute cafe is directly opposite Breakfast Point. Small and intimate, you can sit on the bar stools by the windows looking out or outside where you can entertain your pet(s) or if there is a spare seat, join the large communal table inside.

Large cappuccino

The three of us sat at the end of the communal table engrossed in the latest dramas, so much that we didn't even realise it was order and pay at the counter service. By paying at the counter your eyes get to feast on an array of little tartes and scones, yummy! Maybe this is on purpose?

Corn fritters $15 additional fried eggs $3

The breakfast menu has nine choices covering both sweet and savoury and for the hungry or not so hungry. I was the hungry one and couldn't decide between the Sauteed wild mushrooms bruschetta $15 or the Corn fritters. I got the latter with extra fried eggs which was a perfect combination.

Scrambled eggs $10.50, additional smoked salmon & spinach $7

If you like to make up your own breakfast plate there is an option of fried or scrambled eggs on sonoma toast plus additional sides of your choice. Here the scrambled eggs was a huge mound of fluffiness covering almost half the plate.

"Curiouser and curiouser" ~Alice

Last Sunday we tumbled down the rabbit hole into a magical world of delectable delights at Ananas' Mad Hatter's champagne brunch. The French inspired roaming buffet meant that you could eat whatever you liked and as much as you pleased. The edible garden was the epic centre piece showcasing the talents of inhouse Chefs - Neil Martin, Yves Sherrer and Neil Fooding.

Yves Sherrer - Executive Pastry Chef

Around every corner, up high, down low, the food discovery was exciting. There was a seafood station (all you can eat oysters!), housemade charcuterie and cheeses, pastries and a pasta station where pasta was cooked to your liking. The hot foods included roast pork with apple jus, roast lamb, crispy prawn cutlets, pumpkin and ginger soup, crispy bacon and herb field mushrooms. The edible garden was the highlight, full of sweet surprises - chocolate ganache carrots, passionfruit flavoured chocolate teacups, little tomatoes filled with some sort of liquor and chocolate cookie soil to name a few.

What's a brunch without some Moet or a breakfast cocktail? Also available was juice, coffee and tea

Food stations were scattered around with delicious french inspired creations

The edible garden ♥ Full of surprises, not everything was what it seemed!

Thinking about going? Ananas hosts these themed champagne brunches once a month and it's not just for the ladies, I did see men there too. See Ananas photos from the event here.

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