Peppermill Brasserie

Address: Shop 2, Centennial Plaza, Sharp St, Cooma NSW 2630
Tel: (02) 6452 7222

I don't have any photos of this cafe, but I kept their business card because I do recall the superb service I received, the well-executed coffee and meals.

I was randomly driving to/through Jindabyne which is near the NSW Skifields and stopped here for a break from the monotonous driving.

If you are in the vicinity, stop by Peppermill for a good coffee & cafe-style lunch. It sure beats the obligatory Maccas drivethrough or dodgy servo coffee which comes out of a drip tray.

Izakaya Chuji (Melbourne CBD)

Address: 165 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Tel: (03) 9663 8118
Opening Hours: Lunch - Mon to Fri 12pm to 2:15pm; Dinner - Mon to Thur & Sat 6pm to 10:15pm; Fri 6pm to 11:15pm.
Website: www.izakayachuji.com

If you are looking for a Japanese beer snack appetizer style menu, this is a viable option in the Melbourne's CBD.

I went here on recommendation by a friend, it certainly has the variety in the menu to please, but I can't recall  anything being standout or worth raving about. I'm not a drinker, so maybe my lack of beer tainted my tastebuds or ability to taste the point of difference.

Ricaro's Cafe

Address: Jamison Plaza, Macquarie, ACT

Tel: (02) 6251 2666

Opening Hours: 7 days, for Breakfast - Afternoon Tea, close 5:30pm. 

Website: www.ricardoscafe.com

This place is definitely a little gem in Canberra's suburbs. Located inside a busy shopping plaza, I totally had no idea it existed - for 3 years! It is just bustling with atmosphere and all the staff were super patient & nice. That dessert cabinet is a bit Willy-Wonka-meets-the-Mad-Hatter! Absolutely love it - very Adriano Zumbo, or maybe better! I was there for salty treats (i.e. lunch) so didn't get to sample the desserts but honestly I'd had a very hard time choosing between the thing that looked like a bomb and that pineapple-looking meringue thing.

Below: Wagyu Sliders with Truffle Fries. Saw this on the menu and I knew I was a sucker. The fries are drizzled in truffle oil and shaved parmesan is added to give it more aroma & bite.  Also pictured is the 'Tony Montana' Foccacia with Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Avocado & Cranberry sauce - it works!

La Cantina

Address: 4 Iluka St, Narrabundah ACT 2604
Tel: (02) 6239 5556
Website: http://www.la-cantina.com.au/

A highly recommended Italian restaurant, carefully tucked away in Suburban Canberra.

Sauces are made with warmth, heart & soul and true to the traditional flavours respecting produce and cuisine.

I had the gnocchi which was a bite-sized,  more doughy version, but it was the Neapolitan sauce which brought the texture alive.

I enviously eyed off my dining companions' marinara & pizza - both of which looked more than palatable.

Reasonably priced, quiet, white tablecloth location perfect for catching up with old friends over a bottle of wine. Highly recommended as a Canberra destination.

Brasserie Bread Co.

Address: 1737 Botany Road, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Highly rated: Banana Pancakes, Olive cob loaf (from takeaway bakery). To be honest I've never been a pancake fan - but I was assured I'd like this rendition. And boy was I proved wrong! The pancakes at Brasserie are light, fluffy (might I suspect they are fried to obtain the slightly crispy, airy texture) and taste fantastic with the maple syrup, shaved coconut & banana pieces.

 Pictured below: Croque Monsieur - appears to be their signature dish because they kept featuring how to make it in instruction pamphlets across the cafe.

I also purchased some sweet pastries as a gift, namely the blood orange chocolate eclair which intrigued me. The cream was a bittersweet blood orange filling to the eclair which was classically topped with a chocolate stripe.

A handy (and dare I say trendy) breakfast place that does not disappoint.