Paramount Coffee Project, Surry Hills

It's no secret that I love brunch. It's borderline lunch time but you get to have your breakfast fix. Nothing cheers me up quite like it, I must admit. Paramount Coffee Project has been all the rage lately. I see people posting picture after picture of it on Instagram. The place is immaculate.So obviously, I just HAD to check it out.

Routine calls me to start off with a long black. This was undeniably a good cup.

This is a soft shell crab po boy! YES, I had it for breakfast. But no, I didn't finish the entire lot, I did however split it with my friend. I have a soft spot for soft shell crab. It's just dang tasty without the hassle of trying to yank things out of their shells. The batter was crunchy, there was coleslaw in there which I'm never really a fan of. It could've used something with kick, dibs on SRIRACHA! Came with some chips and pickles. The chips were waaay too salty. After one or two, you won't be keen for another, sadly.

Excelsior Jones, Ashfield

Last Saturday was such a miserable morning for me. I was given a new shift at work which is definitely something good, but NOT if it was around 13C degrees out and the heater in the pool is broken. It felt like the longest 4 hours of my life. Yes, seriously. After that, I got warm and cozy, then dined at Excelsior Jones. Excelsior Jones definitely made up for my sad sad morning. 

Someone seems to be shocked.

That place was packed and we had a short wait before we got a table. This is considering we rocked up at 2pm, imagine it during peak hour! The decor was really simple, minimalistic, and straight forward. There was an old, diner-y feel to the place. I thought it was great. 

Soy Cap- $4

Started my meal with a soy cappuccino- something that hasn't been on my regular list as of late. I've been leaning towards shorter drinks. It's not bad though. 

3 THINGS that make me so HAPPY.

Just thought I might talk about 3 THINGS that have made me very happy the past few days.

Macchiato- $3

My mornings have just been better lately. With one stop at Workshop Espresso on my way to uni, it makes all the difference. Dem mornings just seem less bleek. It's always between piccolos & macchiatos, I'd say, depending on my mood. It definitely gives you that boost you need to get through the day. Make sure you have some blue Pulse gum after, that's a must. Combo does wonders.

Hemingway's, Manly

Hemingway's is one of those precious gems that I wish I would've found earlier. It's located in right on Manly beach, undeniably one of my favourite beaches here in Sydney.* That's why I just had to bring my good friend Heish over when she visited Sydney. We were fumbling around Manly, undecided where to go for brunch. Then I remembered this place right opposite Manly beach, pretty cool and chill.

Suzie Q, Surry Hills

Tucked away in one of the quieter corners of Surry Hills, is Suzie Q. It's a cafe at the same time a shop that sells vinyl records. It's got a super chill vibe, some vintage or what people have coined hipster these days. The staff was ultra friendly, but not to the point that you'd feel awkward though- they're accommodating. It's such a great place to just hangout and have an ultra long conversation with someone you haven't seen in a while.  

See the records on sale? 

I love those vintage touches here and there too!

Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria

This place has been getting a lot of attention lately. I'm not 100% sure, but, I think they do roast their own beans in store. Well, this was the stop right after my friends and I hammered the 2 hour marketing exam. 4 essays, 2 hours, NOT enough time. My brain fully melted after. 

They've got this charming yard outside. But then, everybody is cooped up and dining indoors.

This table of pastries would greet you once you step into the cafe.

Bag of Beans, Tagaytay

A few days after touching down in Manila, I went to Tagaytay for a quick trip with my mum. She was furniture hunting and she never stops until she finds the PERFECT piece. Bag of Beans has long been in Tagaytay, its a cafe that offers really simple food, they have a couple of different pies to boast about, and good Barako* coffee.

Though it is located on a main road, there is a dining area down a flight of stairs. It automatically transports you to a serene dwelling. It's quite airy and native, if you will. 

What's a day without a good cup of coffee? Of course, I had mine black.

Gnome, Surry Hills

Brunch at a cafe is always good.

Last Sunday, I had a rather spontaneous brunch with two of my good mates. Generally, it's not very often that we get to hang out cause the stress from university work is sometimes just too much to handle. You should see Surry Hills on a Sunday, every single cafe is packed regardless of how big or small it is. There's a waiting line for every single cafe, and when you're a fair bit pressed for time, it might not be the best choice.

We were eyeing one of my favourites, Four Ate Five but the place was really swarmed with people. There was a small cozy cafe right across the street that seemed pretty good as well. There weren't a whole lot of things on their menu, just pretty much the basics were present. And on SUNDAY, they serve all day brekkie! 

Skim Cap, my thing.

Adara's Green Tea

Saz's Ice Coffee

Coffee and tea to start. When it comes to brunches and the cafe lifestyle sort of thing, you need some good coffee, duh. Sadly, this wasn't quite up to scratch. The coffee lacked that fantastic pungent aroma.

Reuben Hills, Surry Hills

Icebergs!

Bondi that sunny morning!

During a much needed break, my friend Adara and I first headed to Bondi for a swim at Iceberg's. It's such a lovely place and the weather was absolutely terrific. The thing was.. the pool was so chilly even though it was sunny, it was so cold it made my whole body numb. And it hardly went away even after swimming a fair number of laps.

I love how industrial the feel of place is.

After that gruelling swim, we went to Reuben Hills. It's the place to be these days! A lot of people will term the place hipster- it's hip and happening.

Baffi & Mo, Redfern

For a change, me and my friends decided to have brunch instead of the rather typical lunch/ dinner.

I love brekkie, and possible brunch even more!

As always, I was on the hunt for the BEST place to dine. Again. That's my job!

MOUSTACHE.
perfect for MOVEMBER.

It's got that chill retro vibe.
Really, really LIKE!

Apparently, Baffi & Mo is one of the top of the tops!

That only meant that we had to try it out!

Bar Biscotti, North Strathfield

Every Saturday, my friends and I head to bicentennial park and we EXERCISE. We do all sorts of crazy drills and routines. Pushups, burpees, box jumps, pull-ups, and the like. As a reward after each workout, we do go out brunch. This time we headed down to North Strathfield to have a look around and hopefully find somewhere decent to eat.

Meet Bar Biscotti.

I love the contrast of the brick wall against the bright red retro chairs
and also against the polished concrete floor.

We ended up at Bar Biscotti, it was a modern, clean, and airy cafe with a great atmosphere. There were all sorts of simple dishes on the menu. But if you know me well enough, you'd know that nothing seals the deal like steak. I ordered the steak salad just because that perfectly fit my craving for both meat and greens. And what would a lunch at a cafe be without coffee, right? I had a cappucino as always. It had a really frothy top that was just great! Plus, the coffee itself was notable too!

Aroma Festival!

Guess what?!

I went to the Aroma Festival over at The Rocks late July.

Cause really like coffee.

It's addictive.

I think it calms me down and relaxes me.

Plus I feel like an adult whenever I have it- shmo-phisticated.

Cafe CreAsion Macarons

I love the cold cold unfinished cement structure.

Well obviously I've been missing in action for more than a week ages already. No, I didn't travel or go on a crazy wonderful food trip, I was just literally swamped with deadlines, projects, and work. Yes, WORK. Just in case you didn't know, I work part-time as a waitress. Yes, a waitress and I'm damn good at it. Gotta love it when customers tip you well.

Lovely colorful macarons

Anyway, I should stop ranting and start writing about these ASIAN macarons. I just call them Asian macarons cause the place is run by Japs. Nestled in the labyrinth known as the city, there lies a Cafe CreAsion that particularly specializes in macarons. Yes, macarons. It's no secret that I'm a sucker for a good macaron. And I'm particularly fascinated when there are fabulously strange flavors such as the ones Zumbo creates! Click here, here, and here for my Zumbo misadventures!

Bangbang Espresso Bar and Cafe, Surry Hills

Bangbang on Reservoir.

Surry Hills is the place to be. The place is teeming with restaurants, cafes, and other foodie finds. It's my go-to place during breaks in between classes and day-outs as well.

View from the inside.

Gigantic headphone illustration up on the white wall.

So Bangbang opened sometime in 2009 and it's been thriving since then. It's owned by some renowned Brit DJ, and all over the cafe there's that street, retro hip vibe.

Got to love that tomato container.
Kitsch & Quirky

They're known for their breakfasts but it's such a shame since it wasn't an all-day affair like I was expecting. They had a very casual and relaxed lunch menu that's just typical of a cafe offering burgers, sandwiches, and salads with slight tweaks and modifications.

Four Ate Five, Surry Hills

I've had really time-pressed few days this week, plus, hardly any sleep last night. I'm not in the best mood, I was all panicky and all over the place this morning. I feel like all I want is my mother. I sound like a freaking 5 year old now. That is a tad pathetic. But anyway, let's skip to the point- Four Ate Five!

Four Ate Five has been crowned Sydney's Best Cafe by Timeout Magazine. It's a really simple, homy, feel good cafe, nothing showy or pretentious. It's the type of place where I could stay the whole afternoon reading a book, or writing a blog post. I went with my friends, and we just chilled. Which was just fantastic compared to the usual crazy chaotic fast pace that we are in.*

Ninyo, Katipunan

Hello, world!

The other night, I had dinner with ma maman et petite soeur at Ninyo. It's a small, quiet restaurant with pretty interiors. I loved how they had KOI (the goldfish) towards the entrance. And once inside, you are literally FLOODED with the smell of sampaguita (from the candles, not a plant. I would have loved it if the smell had come from a real, actual plant).

It was raining like no tomorrow outside and I was starving and reading Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex while waiting for my mom and sister to arrive...

I just want to make a plug for The Second Sex. I suggest that everyone READ it. I think it has changed my life (in terms of how I perceive women, including myself).

Anyway, are you ready for the photo flood?

Pumpkin soup cappuccino, with bits of hard bread inside

Bills, Surry Hills, Australia

This is BILL.
He's the King of Breakfasts.
I think he's brilliant!

This is one of the places that you ABSOLUTELY MUST GO when you're in Australia. They are famous for their all-day breakfasts! Especially their heavenly eggs and fluffy ricotta pancakes.

Daryl and her hot chocolate!:)

Merchelle and her Chai Latte & Honey!

My hot mug of coffee <3

First off, for drinks, Daryl had the Hot Chocolate with Callebaut. It was a rather different take on the traditional hot chocolate! If I remember correctly, she loved it to bits! Our epic friend Merchelle had the Chai Latte! May I just say that it was oh so good!:) As for me, I had the Bills Own Organic Coffee by Single Origin Roasters! I used to be such a coffee freak! I just had to have one, a skinny one!:) I LOVED IT!:)