Sappho Books, Cafe & WIne Bar

Name: Sappho Books, Cafe, & Wine Bar
Suburb: Glebe
Style: 2nd hand books

Food Recommendation:
Florentine: We both ordered baked eggs. This was my first experience of baked eggs, but I really enjoyed them. I didn't love the choices on the menu. There wasn't much variety. They only had two egg options...that's just not enough. The coffee was very good...Toby's Estate. Not the type of place I felt comfortable rearranging any item on their menu. The disappointment was with the limited selection.

Atmosphere:Florentine: Loved it. I appreciate the unexpected...walking into this bookstore I didn't think that the above picture is what it would look like out the back. The back courtyard was very fun...loved sitting back there. It was a bit like a jungle. I have an obsession with 2nd hand books...so i loved the book shop...it was my favourite part of this one.
Benedict: This was the type of cafe you could stay all day and feel welcome! Enjoy good coffee, read a book, make a friend! I enjoyed the little surprise around every corner, especially the unique pictures of people on the table numbers!

Intelligence ratio: 20/24 (again...its a bookstore)
(Based on number of people wearing glasses, or having book or newspaper in their possession compared to the total population)

Attractiveness of people: Good
(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Likelihood of picking up a date: I suggest hanging around in your favorite book section and striking up a conversation with some with similar interests. You just might get lucky.
I walked away with 3 vintage vinyl records (Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsten, and The Rolling Stones) So It was a score for me!

Bounce rate: I might not come back much for the food, but I will return for the books for sure.

Find them:

Alchemy, Crown St

Name: Alchemy Cafe Restaurant
Suburb: Surry Hills
Style: Polish Cafe

Food Recommendation:
Florentine: I enjoyed the food. It was classic enough, but brought in the Polish influence. I had a fritter with a poached egg. I enjoyed it. The coffee wasn't the best, but I have had much worse. Everything was nice, but not amazing.
Benedict: I enjoyed the above average selection of fresh fruit juices.

Atmosphere: Florentine: I really liked the staff. They were so nice. It felt very family run. There was a nice little area to sit out front and a fun table in the window. It isn't trendy. Did feel like I could sit there all day and no one would mind though, but not the most welcoming or comfortable place.
Benedict: I have to give this place some credit as it is like a feather weight competing in the big league of crown st cafe's. I felt welcome and relaxed and the food was enjoyable. This place has some work to do when it comes to design and creativity, but I think over all it is a good cafe!

Intelligence ratio: 2/7
(Based on number of people wearing glasses, or having book or newspaper in their possession compared to the total population)

Attractiveness of people: low
(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Likelihood of picking up a date: not much.

Bounce rate: It has a few things that I want in a frequent place...but I would like something a little cooler...and maybe comfier seats.

The Book Kitchen, Devonshire St

Name: The Book Kitchen
Suburb: Surry Hills
Style: Modern

Food Recommendation:
Florentine: They are organic/free range. I had a very standard meal of scrambled eggs and sourdough...not very brave, but tasty. It was fancy, but not so much that it felt untouchable.
Benedict: You could tell that this place prides its self on quality food and coffee, both or which I greatly enjoyed!


Atmosphere: Florentine: It was very modern and clean. It was cool, but I prefer my cafes a little cozier. It was a bit cold and impersonal for me. But there were lots of books which is a big positive. The books were about cooking...which I don't do so I wouldn't but them, but it is always nice to have them around. We sat at a communal table in the middle...it was nice.
Benedict: I agree, not my favorite. Normally I don't mind crowded because it makes a place feel cozy and desirable, but because the atmosphere was cold, it made sitting close to other people feel a bit awkward. But I loved the idea of books everywhere, although I would not have felt comfortable browsing the shelves or sitting down for a long time enjoying one.

Intelligence ratio: 19/22 (it has book in the title)
(Based on number of people wearing glasses, or having book or newspaper in their possession compared to the total population)

Attractiveness of people: Very Good
(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Likelihood of picking up a date: Though the cafe was crowded with good looking people, it was not a very friendly or social environment. Chances of walking away with anything more than a full stomach and a book are pretty low. Although if it happens to be a cook book by Jamie Oliver, it would not be a fruitless effort ;)

Bounce rate: Florentine: I would go back...it holds a very special place in my heart...I made a very big decision while sitting at breakfast in this cafe...my life has not been the same, but I wouldn't frequent it either. Still looking for the favourite.

Find them:

Lemon Twist Cafe, Crown St

Name: Lemon Twist Cafe
Suburb: Surry Hills
Style: Citrus

Food Recommendation: The French Toast was very tasty.
Florentine: The food was very good. The portions were big, but not overwhelming...I felt very satisfied...but I might not eat for the rest of the day. My French Toast was beautiful...banana and maple syrup. The coffee was quite good. I was also very excited that they put ice in my water glass. The menu had a nice variety of options. We went with basics...but there were slightly more adventurous options on the menu.
Benedict: I loved that even the basic options had a little twist.

Atmosphere:
Florentine: This was my favourite part. They used the lemon theme very well. It was through everything...down to putting a lemon slice in the water glasses...but it didn't feel overwhelming. It was quirky and fun, but not strange. There isn't a lot of space, but we were sitting on a couch in the back which was very nice...did share our table with others, but It was a big enough space that it was uncomfortable. Always love sitting on a couch in a cafe. I thought the staff were great...very friendly. It wasn't the type of place that I would sit for ages though...wouldn't want to sit, just hang out and read.
Benedict: I 100 percent agree! I love Themes!

Intelligence ratio: 15/30 (I think at least one set of glasses was fake)
(Based on number of people wearing glasses, or having book or newspaper in their possession compared to the total population)

Attractiveness of people: Good (it is Surry Hills it has to be at least good)
(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Likelihood of picking up a date: Ummm...I dont know how to answer this question...Benedict?
Benedict: You could take advantage of the line outside the shop to start up a conversations, but once inside the cafe it was inhabited by couples! So maybe not the best place to pick up a date, but I would definitely recommend it for a brunch date or the morning after a good one ;)

Bounce rate: Florentine: I would come back, but I don't think it would be the place I would choose to frequent. It's not the one...at least not for me.
Benedict: This cafe is like the disappearing island from "LOST" it is a rare occasion to find it open, so when you do you should take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Picciolo Parade, Rozelle

Name: Picciolo Parade
Suburb: Rozelle
Style: Italian Cafe

Food Recommendation: The Piccolo Brekki.
Benedict: A perfectly poached egg (which is hard to find) on top a delicious corn fritter covered in hollandaise sauces and crispy bacon with sourdough toast. This café takes breakfast from Sydney and transports you to Italy. Although, Florentine commented that her grilled tomatoes we a bit too Italian favored for breakfast. I found that my generously sized meal was unique to the Picciolo cafe and does not disappoint as I could have stayed there and ate it all day. I HIGHLY recommend the Piccolo meal!
Florentine: I was less impressed. My scrambled eggs were a bit mushy, my toast was wrong, and the tomatoes tasted like they belonged on a pizza not my eggs. Coffee was decent.

Atmosphere: It may not look like much from the outside but if you walk through the main dining area there is a charming outside veranda adorn with little tables and pink table clothes. It was a bit of a tight squeeze to get to a table and I would not recommend this cafe for a private conversation as the music inside was much to loud and outside you were seated so closely to another table you could over hear parents reprimanding their children. Florentine: loved the outdoor area out the back!

Intelligence ratio: 10/30
(Based on number of people wearing glasses, or having book or newspaper in their possession compared to the total population)

Attractiveness of people: Average
(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Likelihood of picking up a date: A delightful old man seats you as you enter into the second outdoor seating area (I think this might have been Piccolo himself). If you’re into old, Italian men who make tasty food this just might be your pickup cafe. Florentine: I loved the little Italian man...he made the trip worth it.

Bounce rate: With so many cafes to still try it is takes a very special place to be in the consecration for a second visit. Food was defiantly this cafes stand out quality but overall don’t think ill go back for the people or atmosphere.