Barzura, Coogee Beach

Name: Barzura

Suburb: Coogee Beach, South

Style: Classic beach café & ristorante bar

Over All Rating: Nom

I have added a new rating system to the review, the key is as follows. What are your thoughts?

Average: Nom

Good: Nom Nom

Very Good: Omn Nom Nom

Food Recommendation: I really love this café and I have been here several times so it pains be to say that the food is so average. Unfortunately the same goes for the coffee. Although my friend “Scrambled” raves about the grilled tomato because they so sweet. Their breakfast menu consists of the classics, where I enjoy a bit more variety and adventure. However it does suits the laid back style of the area.

Atmosphere: What this café has going for it is LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! When I am looking for a Coogee café I would normally start with purse down Coogee beach road, although lets be honest. When it comes to atmosphere this beaten path is a bit familiar. Located on the far south end of the beach is Barzura. Its like a Kookaburra perched on a tree over looking the ocean, though its song is much sweeter! You have the choice of inside or outside seating and both are completely different experiences. When outside you really feel like you are at the beach, the sun, the fresh air + amazing view of the waves and sand! Inside is a rustic restaurant that celebrates the heritage of the area!

Intelligence ratio: 4/45…and 2 of those people were me and “Scrambled”. It’s a café meant for relaxing, not studying or working.

Number of people with book, glasses, newspaper / total number of people

Attractiveness of people: Good. It’s an older Eastern Suburbs crowd, so not really my taste.

(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Baby Blues: This Coggee beach café is prefect for families enjoying a day at the beach. There is heaps of space for a pram + it’s a spacious café inside and out, so your wont feel like the kids are bothering your neighbors. Eastern suburbs mums would be at home in this little cozy cafe.

Likelihood of picking up a date: It’s a older Eastern Suburbs crowd, so not really my taste. Although, with such an amazing view its easy to spot tanned beach goers, so if you head down to the beach your efforts might be more fruitful.

Bounce rate: On a sunny day I would happily bounce back to this café for the atmosphere & view!

Toast, Surry Hills

Name: Toast Café

Suburb: Surry Hills

Style: Modern Industrial chic

Food Recommendation: If there are 3 words I love to hear when I walk into a café, then there are def 2 words a customer should never hear, “No Alterations”! I don’t consider myself a picky person, today I just felt like getting my eggs Benedict scrambled instead of poached. The waiter made it very clear that or any other “alterations” were completely out of the question! Haha, I did not realize it would be such an outlandish request…none the less the food was excellent! Toby’s Estate coffee is always a winner! The tea comes in a square metal pot big enough for about 4 cups. I always appreciate when cafés don’t skimp on tea, because honestly it cost about 2 cents to make, even though they charge $3 or more. In honor of the name I figured I better try the “Toast”! Wood fire sourdough, Soy and Linseed + Gluten free options, yummy! Or for something sweeter there is French toast with caramelized banana and berries! The chocolate berry muffins are too good to pass up, which is why “Muffin” got one take away! We are suckers for homemade sweets!

Atmosphere: The décor was a great mix up textures! Wood, metal, brick, paint…it all worked! The high ceilings make the café feel very open. I loved the birdcage chandelier; it brought everything together in organic way though it was contemporary and clean. Located next to central, but nicely tucked away on a quieter street, it is a nice place to take a break form the realities of life. On a warm day try sitting outside!

Intelligence ratio: 5/21

(Number of people with book, glasses, newspaper / total number of people)

Attractiveness of people: Average, although we brought it up!

(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Likelihood of picking up a date: I could make something up, but to tell you the truth I was not paying too much attention today. I was deep in conversation with some of my favorite friends; Frittata, Scrambled & Muffin!

Bounce rate: Since the café is not willing to cater to my needs I don’t know how soon I’ll be back. They have lots of Gluten Free options, which is super trendy at the moment. And very convenient for my new friend who we will call “Frittata” who accompanied me today, who eats a low GF diet. The café was a total win in that regards, but it might need to loosen up a bit! Customers should have the right to have breakfast any way they want it, because like toast, patrons should never get burned.

Well Co & Wine Bar, Glebe

Name: Well Connected

Suburb: Glebe

Style: Internet café and Wine bar

Food Recommendation: There are 3 words that warm my soul unlike any other, All Day Breakfast! In honor of my friend Florentine who could not be with me (Benedict) today, My new friend who we will call “Sunny Side” both got the eggs Florentine. Poached eggs, spinach and hollandaise sauce over fresh Sonoma sourdough! Yummy! It simple and well cooked, but nothing special.

Atmosphere: From the outside you could quickly pass by this place by, but inside you will not be disappointed! Up stairs it has balcony seating outside, and the rooms that with a variety of seating options! The eclectic feel fits well the Glebe vibe! The atmosphere, service and food were relaxed.

Intelligence ratio: It’s the type of place you could stay for awhile to study, read…maybe even blogJ Glebe point road is strategically located next to Sydney Uni given this Sydney café a solid intelligence ration of 39/50. The highest I have found yet.

Attractiveness of people: average

(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Likelihood of picking up a date: This is definitely the place many people would frequent or hang often, whether for a glass of wine, a tastey brekki or the free Wifi. So if your proactive you just might score a date. This Glebe café lives up to its name, “Well Connected”, because it you hang around long enough you will become just that. If you do manage to pick up a date, San Curros is next door if you want to indulge in some Spanish sweetness with your new senor or senorita!

Bounce rate: Well Connected is seriously sweet as Winnie the Poohs honey! Like Tigger, Sunny Side and I would happily bounce back to this Sydney Cafe with a book or laptop! Over all great atmosphere, average food.

Le Monde, Surry Hills

Name: Le Monde

83 Foveaux St

Surry Hills NSW 2010

Style: Rustic Modern

Food Recommendation: In Surry Hills is as much about where to eat, as it is what to eat! If you’re a fan on fungi then you will love the pan-fried garlic mushrooms on sourdough! Also, they give very generous portions of Sonoma bread, WIN for the lips, FAIL for the hips! The highlight of this café is really in the food because service and décor were a bit underwhelming!

Atmosphere: It is limited in outdoor seating, but there is plenty inside, though I would not say it is “spacious”. Tables are close together so don’t eat too much or you might knock the tap water over on your neighbors as you squeeze through to your seat. It has a modern classic feel, which contrasts the vintage background of the Surry Hills café scene.

Intelligence ratio: Great food, but not a place you would sit too long with a book or newspaper (even though the name Le Monde was taken from the leading daily newspaper in France). So the intelligence ration was a bit low. Only a 5/30

Attractiveness of people: Good

(low, average, good, very good, excellent)

Likelihood of picking up a date: I would have to say that this Sydney café really caters for couples, and seating wise there is not too much space to hang around. So I don’t think it a place that singles will mingle. However, on the bright side Sparkle Cupcake bakery is right up the street, so you can drown your sorrows if a overly prices Black Velvet cake the size of a cup! Which is a must to hit up like these cool cats.

Bounce rate: For something different Le Monde is a great place to stop in Surry Hills, it is off the beaten trail of Crown Street cafés. You could say it is the road less trodden. Although with its clean fresh cuisine, the path could get worn in as more and more people venture away from the main street to search for new jewels that are not on the Crown.

Bourke St Bakery

Name: Bourke St Bakery
Suburb: Surry Hills
Style: Trendy Bakery

Food Recommendation: If you hit up BSB make sure you get the a coffee, I think is some of the best in Surry Hills, and lets be honest Surry Hills has a lot of great coffee. I recommend the quiche! It is baked to perfection with soft fluffy eggs and a crispy crust! If you’re felling a little sweet you cannot pass on the flowerless chocolate cake or chocolate croissant!

Atmosphere: I loved the outside atmosphere; it can be a bit of a struggle to get a table, but takeaway is a great option as the park is not far away. It has that shabby chic feel, like a well-worn coffee table you cannot part with. It’s a bit tattered on the edges, but its character is more than a new one.

Intelligence ratio: 17/31
(totally number of occupants/ to people with a book, newspaper of glasses)

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

Likelihood of picking up a date: Well, being that I (Benedict) am recently single, this section will be getting special attention in the next few months! There were lots of singles around; I give extra points for those with dogs. The open, out door environment makes it easy to mingle with others. Also, it is rare that you would go to BSB without waiting in line for a considerable amount of time. Which means those who frequent it know the value of commitment! An admirable quality for a potential mate☺ Plus you just never know who you will get the pleasure of standing next to in the 20 min line. So put on your nudies and high tops and head down to BSB and strike up a convo with the person next to you, you just never know what could happen…

Baby Blues: Great place to bring the kids, they can hang outside in the shade and play with the dogs. There is a little park across the street which is a plus because if they are short on seating you can go there with take away. Also Surry Hills park is about a 5min walk and it has a play ground…which can be entertaining for more than just the kids. I’ve resolved that I’m never going to be too old for the swings (except maybe the one with the little leg wholes, they hurt).

Bounce rate: I’ll be back! The coffee is worth the wait! Its good to have an idea of what you want to order before you get inside as there is a bit of pressure to order quickly because of the line! I also may venture in the coming weeks to Alexandira to see how BSB there compares!