The Boathouse, Palm Beach

After my last 8 week challenge, I’ve seen and loved the results that the high intensity training can give. But there is still a part of me that would love to just get a little normal cardio in. I’m not one that loves running as such, so I’ve decided that I’ll add in a few walks over the weekend to get that part of me out of the way.

So, a visit to palm beach was made for the walk up to the lighthouse. Though, it was short, the hill was steep. Healthy? Perhaps not so much when I was puffing mid-way, but it’s a sign that I have made the right choice to incorporate some cardio into my training.

BUT what is an adventure if there is no food involved. A visit to The Boathouse was on the list. Life is all about balance.

While there were clear blue skies and a great amount of sun, the late morning still had quite a cool breeze. Sitting at the back, we faced the jetty hugging our warm beverages, as we waited for our food to arrive.

Fried eggs with bacon and roast tomato $19 | pork sausages +$4

Everything looked so good, what should I order? I opted for going a little cheeky and ordered the fried eggs with bacon and roast tomato and threw in a side of pork sausages for good measure. Two eggs, the top was overcooked as I suspect sitting under the heat light may have cooked it, the second offered me a little runny yolk. The bacon crispy, the pork sausages a little on the salty side, and the roasted tomato help break up the dryness.

Whale Beach Museli $17

The museli bowl looked simply delectable, the colours so vibrant making the chilly winter morning almost look like summer (in the photos).

Lighthouse

With brunch done, we walked up the steep heel (because I’m the type of girl that would slip, fall and break her head) over the narrow stairs that was over packed with people. The weather had warmed up, and the view was breath taking. It was a perfect winter’s day.

Palm Beach aka Summer Bay behind me

Have you got any nice and pretty walks you would recommend me, of course with good eatery close by.

I hadn’t intended to do any video footage, but decided to try my Nikon D5000  for video footage, so got a little “creative” and didn’t manage to get enough to make a better video. But check it out anyways.

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Ms Murrays, Sydney

My dear cousin PC is getting married! And what is more exciting than going wedding dress shopping, and what is even better is killing a bird with two stones. So, I mentioned that we should eat before tries on her dress (as she has already chosen her dress, and we’re going to confirm this is the one).

And that was when I took the opportunity to pop into Ms Murrays, the café I have been meaning to visit since it first opened. We braved the weather that Saturday morning, and found us sitting inside the cozy little café.

Hot dark chocolate $4

Bright lights created a very inviting ambience; the staffs were friendly and helpful. Despite such horrid weather, they were still buzzing with people.

House yoghurt $13

Miss ST ordered the house yoghurt and we were all silent, appreciating one of the most beautiful breakfast bowls we’ve seen so far. Miss LL arrives just in time, and does not require a menu and states, “I’ll have what she’s having.” Greek yoghurt, toasted oats and iced fruits sit on the coconut chia pudding. The colours are simply so vibrant it coloured our day.

Bacon and egg roll $7

Soon to be cousin-in-law, Mr JJ ordered the bacon and egg roll. The ever so understanding person he is, even moved the bun so I could capture the inside. My only assumption is he enjoyed it, as it was gone before I knew it.

Fish burger $15

Cousin PC was in fish burger heaven, every bite she had she only had compliments for the burger. Making me a little food envy, and that I even stated “I have to be back for this burger and the nutellla french toast.”

Eggs your way $10 (+ chorizo $4)

I had scrambled eggs with a side of chorizo, I loved how there were pepper sprinkled on top of my toast, as it gave it that pepper kick with my tasty eggs with chives. Chorizo, could you ever go wrong?

Chai latte $4.50

I found all their dishes were quite generous with their prices. It is quite unfortunate that the very next week news broke that Ms Murrays will be closing due to the building owners are selling the site, therefore they are forced to close down.

Cold pressed orange juice $6

Unfortunately, I did not get to pop back in - but I do hope they find a new location and reopen!

Ms Murrays officially closed on 21st June 2016

Buttermelt Cafe, Strathfield

It’s been a while since I met up with Miss AC, and the only time we really get to catch up is when we’re both on uni break. So, we quickly scheduled our calendars to coincide as soon as break started. And so, this is how we found ourselves sitting in Buttermelt café.

Chai tea $4.50

My chai tea did not come with a cup, and being the kind soul she is Miss AC got up to ask the wait staff for one. I sat and watched, and she came back all jolly letting me know that it would be on the way.

Flat white $3.50

“You do know you asked another customer right?”

“Huh? No,” She turns around and sees the guy in the black tee standing at the counter, waiting for coffee, “Wait, no, really? But…”

“Yeah, no.”

“OMG! That’s so embarrassing!”

She never fails to amuse, never.

Salmon benedict danish $15.50

She jumped from one item to another on the menu, not sure which she wanted but ended up with her very first choice, eggs benedict. Runny poached eggs is a hit and miss, as the table next to us had beautifully running eggs and the eggs on Miss AC’s were overcooked but she enjoyed her hollandaise sauce, scraping her plate clean.

Bulgogi kimchi pullover $14.50

I, on the other hand went with their lunch menu and had the bulgogi kimchi pullover. The bulgogi beef was sweet, but with that added kimchi gave a nice spicy kick to the dish. It was a very morish dish, and perfect for winter.

Brioche french toast $14.50

I’ve heard about their pancakes, mainly from Sonia from jayesslee, however the pancakes are only available after 4pm. There are breakfast buttermelt pancakes or the French toast brioche. We opt for the French toast. I am personally a little over brioche, but I’m glad that this didn’t have too much of that buttery taste, and felt a tad healthier to eat. Thickly cut and topped with mascarpone cheese, strawberries and mixed berry Canadian maple. We were digging in for more.

Would I be back? Perhaps, only because I am intrigued by their pancakes – so hopefully I’ll be around Stratty one afternoon, after 4pm…

Have you ever mistaken a fellow patron as wait staff? I’d love to hear your story!

Gertrude & Petunias, Kensington

My family and I always seem to struggle deciding where to eat all the time. But Gertrude & Petunias popped into my aunt JS’ mind when we were deciding where to do our catch up. It’s a café I always drive past and every time I tell myself that I will be there… one day. And I guess that one-day eventually came.

The décor is simply beautiful; we both step in and are instantly feeling at ease at the small cozy French-like café. Mirrors adorn the wall as you step in, the counter has a glass cabinet of pastries which I am going to return and try.

The chai tea came out on a silver tray, the tea could perhaps have a little more spice, but it was still nice. And it was made just how I like it, my soymilk frothed with the leaves.

Steak Sandwich $14

The kitchen is small, hidden behind the tall counter filled with sweet goodies. There was a little wait on my steak sandwich, but if you’re at a café you’re obviously not in much of a rush to leave. The thickly sliced bread is toasted well, the caramelized onions were a little too mushy. There is no tomato sauce on the sandwich, so if you would like some remember to ask for some.

Beetroot quiche $14

For some reason, my aunt’s quiche was not ordered. So, while I was eating my sandwich, we both calculated the total and it did not seem right. Thankfully, the quiche does not seem to take as long. Being a little experimental, my aunt chose the beetroot quiche.

So red

“There’s so much salad…” my aunt started.

“It’s like the quiche is a side!” We both said at the same time.

But I will be back to try their pastries, perhaps not on a weekend as I can imagine how busy they would be.

I love to people watch, and as my aunt and I caught up I could not help but notice a sweet old couple sitting outside. He looked after her so well, parked her wheelchair and sat on the other side, until the table next to them left did he move to be by her side. This little local café felt so warm with just the sight of an elderly couple enjoying a cup of coffee. It is just so rare to pop into a café and see an elderly couple there enjoying a cuppa alone and appreciate each others company.

Do you ever drive past places thinking you would go there one day, yet when in need of a place to go – it never pops into mind?

Gertrude & Petunias

61 Todman Avenue,

Kingsington