Meet You At Molly's, Maroubra Beach

Name: Meet You At Mollys

Suburb: Maroubra Beach

Style: The Local

An ancient Chinese proverb says, “if you don’t like to smile, then don’t open a shop” Oh, how the Chinese are so very wise! I think the same could be said of the reverse. Molly is one of the friendliest café owners I have meet in a while, and it my line of writing you could say I know a thing or two. This café is relatively new to the area yet appears to be winning on the café scene! I’m a sucker for organic and fair-trade options and from the look of things so is Molly!

Over All Rating: Omn Nom

Average: Nom

Good: Nom Nom

Very Good: Omn Nom Nom

Food Recommendation: Try the “Perfect Breakfast” – egg, ricotta, tomato, avocado & soy quinoa toast! Yum! I added mushrooms to my meal, they were sautéed in balsamic vinegar, which was a surprise but defiantly not a disappointment. Anything with the Soy quinoa toast will not disappoint. My stance on breads is the more grains in it the better!

For a snack the spelt banana bread is exceptional, and with the price of bananas still thorough the roof, this calorie splurge wont break the bank, yet will fill the tummy with that good ole banana taste you have not experienced since last summer.

Atmosphere: Its just a short walk back from the beach, It’s a small café with indoor and side walk seating. The vibe is defiantly a bit Surry Hills hipster chic yet abundant with local flavor. I loved the details, like condiments served in old jars & hot chocolate in Max Berniner Hug mugs!

Intelligence ratio: 02/12, which is pretty low. I am not saying Maroubra is filled with dumb people, Molly's is more of social café then a reading, studying or working place.

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

Attractiveness of people: very good

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

Likelihood of picking up a date: Mid-morning this café is HOT mom central, so maybe you wont pick up a date but there may be some eye candy if that’s your thing. It’s a friendly café where people seem open to chatting and getting to know the other locals.

Bounce rate: I loved my Mollies experience! I felt welcomed like a true local; little do they know of my crafty blog intentionsJ If I lived in the area I would happily “Meet You at Mollys” anytime. If Molly’s is any indicator of café trends in Brah, then this local beach could quickly become a trendy café hub of Sydney.

Crumpet Cafe, Coogee

Name: Crumpet Cafe

Suburb: Coogee

Style: Dine in – Take away - Catering

Over All Rating: Nom

Key

Average: Nom

Good: Nom Nom

Very Good: Omn Nom Nom

Food Recommendation: Question – How many ways can you prepare a crumpet? Answer – According to crumpet café, 9! Including the “Brazilian Crumpet” topped with mango and ricotta, the “High Maintenance Crumpet” with salmon and fish roe. I went for the “Thinking Mans Crumpet”, basically your classic eggs Benedict served on top of a toasted crumpet. Although, a bit offensive to call it a “Thinking Man” portion wise I don’t see it filling many men I know plus, what does thinking or manhood have to do with poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce? “If this café was doing a theology degree, it would miss marks for not using gender inclusive language.” Says Scrambled

In addition to that, my well trained palette instantly identified the store bought hollandaise sauce and brut coffee. They also were really stingy on ingredient, the was nothing “big” or “fat” about the “My Big Fat Greek Crumpet” and for $13.50 a bit disappointing like the over all experience.

  

Atmosphere: We were welcomed by dirty dishes on the counter, so not the most appetizing way to start my breakfast. The décor is a bit random. It has a beachy vibe but then there also a picture of James Dean on the wall and mix matched textiles…It was also really understaffed. There was one girl who did the orders, cooked and made coffee. It was a bit dirty and disorganized for my taste.

Intelligence ratio: 1/5 (and that one was me and my computer)

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

Attractiveness of people: I give it one point for the picture of James Dean another point for my companion “Scrambled.”  So an unfortunate 2 out of 10 for attractiveness of people.

Likelihood of picking up a date:  Close to none, better luck heading down a block to Coogee Beach

Bounce Rate: This café gets a big A for effort but loses marks for lack of cleanliness and genter inclusive language. Crumpet Cafe could take a few tips from the other Coogge cafes if they want to improve their business and build a stronger cliental. If in the area and carving a creative crumpet then I may stop it, but its nothing to go out of your way for. 

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.

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.