Counting Sheep….One, Two (make mine Black)

by dddelish

two-black-sheep

It doesn’t exactly count as a café, but Two Black Sheep knows just how we like it, when it comes to coffee.

This perfect little quick-stop can be found just outside Town Hall station, in the underground pass on the way out to George Street.

There’s not a lot on offer here, but at 8am on a weekday, all I really want is a good strong caffeine hit to get me going. The little cookie they provide with your coffee is also a nice little cheat treat, and it changes with every cup – one day coconut, another day choc flavoured, the next day..? Who knows, surprise us!

This place uses Single Origin coffee beans, creating a nice point of difference from a lot of other coffee shops.  Meaning, you can ask for your bean of choice, for only an extra 50 cents per cup (make mine Columbian please!)

No time to eat breakfast today?  Don’t worry – they will make you toast here too.

Plus, there’s a nice selection of cakes available, and some more healthy alternatives that don’t go astray.

They don’t do a lot, but what they do do, they do very well. Well enough to be City Of Sydney’s business awards winner for 2 years running. And certainly well enough to create significant crowd congestion leading out of Town Hall (apologies to all of you who aren’t a “Black Sheep” – yet!)

For all those daily commuters still in the dark, you can stop counting and wake up now.

Two Black Sheep in my opinion is definitely worth a try.

3.5 stars.

Love DD 🙂

ARE WE READY TO “ZUMBO”????? (YES PLEASE!)

by dddelish

It’s hard to believe that so many people in this beautiful city of ours remain completely ignorant of the bliss that is Zumbo Patisserie.

If you are one of these people, prepare to be enlightened! (I mean that in an informative way, your waistline however, may not exactly forgive me after this post!)

Zumbo Patisseries are popping up in convenient inner and Northern Sydney locations and no doubt it is only a matter of time before they spread their wings a little farther. Please do, Adrian! We love you!!

Zumbo Patisserie is pure delectable edible art! So much colour, so much taste, and a fantastic variety of cakes I dare say you won’t find the likes of anywhere else.  (Birthday soon, anybody?)

But let’s not stop at cakes.

Let me tell you, there are macaroons, and then there are Zumbo Macaroons! If you thought you’d tried every flavour out there – think again. I guarantee you, Adrian has something you haven’t seen before.

So just where can you find a Zumbo Patisserie? For those that think Circular Quay is out of the way, let me take you to QVB.  Ground Floor – Market Street side. The friendly staff will be more than happy to serve you!

Any complaints? Ummm, hmm.  Well, Adrian, I looooveee my V8 caramel, but it wasn’t there today. Rest assured, I was told, it will be back again. In the meantime, I will enjoy your V8 vanilla instead! 🙂

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy!

And of course, I’m willing to share…enjoy the pics! 🙂

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Love, DD 🙂

There’s one Pitt I love, and it’s not Brad! Let’s talk COFFEE…

by dddelish

When it comes to coffee, I try and avoid the big chain brands…. they’re more about their name, than the product they are selling to the consumer.  When on the hunt for a really good coffee I like to look for “back-street boys”, and trust me there are some unbelievably good baristas out there, if you know where to find them.

There are some sure-fire giveaways of a good café. If you have to stand in line, be glad – you know you’re onto a good thing. When they advertise the brand of coffee they use, again, you know it must be good (never drink coffee at a café that cannot/will not tell you what brand of coffee they are using – you can be sure it’s cheap and nasty).

Of course, if you are going to have your coffee “in”, the café scene is just as important. We all like that trendy vibe that’s still just a little discreet – a warm buzz to surround us. A free newspaper or two. And without a doubt, we like the staff to be friendly. 🙂

Let’s not forget the menu.  So, just what do we want?  Let’s see:

  1. Variety
  2. Healthy eating options
  3. Generous portions
  4. Enticing to the “scentses”
  5. Value for money.

Why is value for money last you say? Well look at it this way. Go to McDonalds, they have the McCafe. It’s value for money. Apparently. So if value for money is first on your list, I’m sure you will be happy there. As for me, not so much.

Let me welcome you to one of my many hidden gems. Today we are going to – Coffee Pitt. 🙂

It ticks all of my boxes in a very BIG way.

If ever there was a coffee master, then this guy is the best. Combine talent with Toby’s Estate coffee beans, and you have a hit. Be prepared to wait, there are almost always queues, and for good reason. There is a technique to the way they make coffee which is seldom seen elsewhere – and all of the baristas are equally capable. Each coffee is accurately measured to give you that full coffee flavour, and if you ask for half a sugar – then you will get exactly, half a sugar. Not a crystal more, or less. The milk is heated to perfection, and it couldn’t be any creamier. The coffee is carefully stirred before the milk is poured, and topped with hearts of love. (Love it!)

Even better – get a coffee card. Every 7th coffee is free (Bonus!)

As for the menu….  I could easily eat breakfast there every day. The serving sizes are so substantial that you can share it with a friend, and you will both be equally satisfied. For less than the price of a visit to McDonalds.  And not to mention, your meal will be so much healthier!

If you’re a takeaway person, who still needs breakfast – do the coffee and raisin toast special. Five dollars will get you a large coffee and a slice of the thickest, tastiest raisin toast around – with butter of course. Mmm mmmm mmm.

Convinced? Thought so. Next time you’re in Sydney CBD, take a little stroll towards the corner of Pitt and Liverpool Streets, you’ll find Coffee Pitt not so far from here. It’s well worth the visit.

Love DD 🙂

Let Me Entertain You…

by dddelish

Hello Moore Park! Summer is here, and what better way to enjoy your Saturday than with a pleasant visit to the Entertainment Quarter village markets. I go there a lot, and have been going for many years.

One thing I enjoy is the food stalls that pop up. Nothing better than grabbing a bite and having a coffee while sitting at an outdoor table watching kids having fun on rides, and designer doggies of every description gallivanting around you.

Food stalls come and go, for various reasons, and some stay on for years. A particular favourite of mine is the little home made crepes stand. A fast and tasty treat cooked in front of you and always lovely to eat. Simple savoury or sweet crepes (I love the cinnamon sugar) at a reasonable price and consistently cooked well. These crepes are my ‘go-to” meal of choice when I just want a nice light dish, or a delicious side to go with my coffee.

I rate the crepe stand at 3.5 stars (out of 5 stars).

If you’re looking for a more substantial meal, then you can’t go past the Portuguese Chicken Burger stand. Great value for money and it will certainly fill you up! There is a selection of reasonably healthy pre-prepared salads, and the chicken burgers are freshly cooked while you wait. I prefer to stick with the salad and chicken, rather than the burger, although my company always opt for the burger. If I had one complaint it would simply be – go easy on the dressing! A bit overpowering at times.

I rate the Portuguese Chicken Burger stand as (3 stars out of 5 stars).

Another tried and true food stall which I love, is the Gozleme stand. They’ve been around for years, and I believe they will continue to be, because they always provide a quality home made gozleme at a realistic price. This is a great meal to share with your partner or amongst your kids. It’s fresh, healthy and very substantial. It’s traditional Turkish takeaway food at its best.

I rate the Gozleme stand as (3.5 stars out of 5 stars).

During my most recent trip to the Entertainment Quarter village markets I was delighted to see a new food stall had opened up. The aromas emanating from their stand seemed enticing, and not to mention the crowds – that’s always a good sign. I decided that the new Mediterranean Street Food stall would be my choice for lunch that day, as did so many other people. It was a long wait to be served. And slightly confusing as there was no clear order about where to stand to be served by turn. But that was ok, I decided the food must be worth the wait. So I waited. Finally I was served, only to be told that there was no more pita bread. They had run out. Never mind. I will take the chicken and salad with chips. No. There is no chicken. In fact, there is no pork either. Well the lamb kofta is fine, in my opinion – I really enjoy a good lamb kofta. And I really enjoy my greek salad. Shame about the pita bread – I looove pita bread.

I paid for my order, and was quite disappointed to find that I was still expected to pay the same price for my meal, even though a key ingredient (the pita bread) was missing. Slightly rude to say the least. I assumed it would be substituted with additional inclusions to make up for the cost, but if asked, I would have opted for a price reduction. To my disappointment the substitution, when served, appeared to be an extra amount of plain green leaf salad. Did I say salad? I meant green leaves. With a slice of onion. Dry, tasteless supermarket home brand green leaf mix.

My “kofta” was equally as tasteless. Those of us in the know understand that kofta is made from various herbs and spices to create a unique and delicious meat patty which is always a family favourite. Again, onion appeared to be the seasoning of choice in this kofta. I am not even sure it was lamb. It tasted like a humble beef patty to me. A hamburger patty. Not kofta. And where was that lovely rich olive oil you expect with your Mediterranean food? Nope. Not there. A cheap vegetable oil substitute seems to be what they used. Not to mention the meat portion size for the price was shocking.  Very small.

Did I mention there was no cutlery? Well there wasn’t. They ran out. And sent me to the neighbouring stall to take some of theirs.

The dish was topped off with a few sweet and white potato chips, which were equally as tasteless and very greasy. The whole thing was smothered in a thick serve of what should have been Toom or Tzatziki, but again, was a poor substitute.

So what did I do with this very expensive, tasteless lunch? You guessed it – the majority of it ended up in the bin.

The retailer needs to learn that if they want to keep customers coming back, then provide us with quality food and a satisfying portion for our money – especially at the prices being charged. Go easy on the oil – and please, it’s “Mediterranean” – use olive oil, good olive oil and provide a real salad. Anyone can throw a few green leaves on a plate – but that does not a salad make.

I rate the Mediterranean Street Food stand as 2 stars (out of 5 stars).

Let’s go outside the Village Market now, where you will find a new Entertainment Quarter favourite of mine. The Tella Balls Dessert Bar.

Be prepared to be Deelighted!

Traditional old fashioned milk shakes are something out of the 1960s, and the gelato is sublime! If that isn’t enough – the delectable cakes and donuts are just to die for! Be warned – enter at your own risk. Your  taste buds will thank you, but your waist line may not! And it doesn’t break the bank either – very reasonably priced quality products. Definitely one to do with the family.

I rate the Tella Balls Dessert Bar as 4.5 stars (out of 5 stars).

Thanks for reading. Until next time.

Love DD 🙂