John Montagu

Address: 144 Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Trading Hours: Monday to Friday 7am — 4pm; Weekends 8am — 4pm
Website: www.facebook.com/johnmontagusandwiches

(The real website will be up soon!)
Email: hello@johnmontagu.com.au

I haven't lived in Sydney for awhile, however was invited by a friend for a get-together at his new cafe. It was all so mysterious I didn't even get the name of the cafe, just a street address and assurance good coffee and street parking was available (these are 2 very important things for me!).

Honestly had no idea who or what a 'John Montagu' was and in preparation for this blog post had to google to see if the cafe had put anything up to make my life easier. Fortunately, for us modern folk Wikipedia quickly comes to the rescue as the top google hit to explain that "John Montagu was the 4th Earl of Sandwich..."

I was d-ungry (dangerously/deliriously hungry) and was told that the beef cheeks would slow me down, so that was my choice: 

Pictured above: Beef Cheeks (closed) sandwich: 12 hour beef cheeks, cheddar, sauerkraut, spanish onion, house glaze on white bread. 

Most of the meals/sandwiches at this cafe are served open style I am told however the beef cheeks is served closed. I recommend to eat it with cutlery as the sauce and buttered bread makes it slightly difficult to pick up, and eat it quick before the juices soak through. That being said, it is both a delicate and substantial meal - there is some evil saucery happening in that kitchen! Upon quizzing, the chef is actually trained in French cuisine - and this is definitely apparent in the depth and texture of his sauces. My hats off, also to the chef who is slicing beef cheek to be placed in a sandwich - this is no mean feat to try to make look palatable! 

Pictured below: Maffra Cheese & Sage Toastie with ham - The sage gives it a fresh, yet slightly salty hit - a moorish yet satisfying taste in the mouth. 

Also of note is the 'daily pastries'. I had the banana bread (not pictured) - it is baked with no butter and simply devine. It is not the size of your head, food-coma inducing, nor too sweet, which suits me just fine after a beef cheek sandwich!

There is a selection of drinks available - I do appreciate the iced teas with non-pedestrian flavours and less sugar. I'll be back for the Elderflower and Mint Soda next time :) 

If I sat there any longer, I literally could have tried the whole menu. The portion sizes are just right and prices reasonable. While the skeptics may think this is just a plug for someone I know - let me just say you probably wouldn't want me at your restaurant because I am an extremely discerning customer and it takes a lot to actually impress me. 

 
John Montagu has only been open for 4 weeks at the point of this post, however I can see it quickly catching on and with the limited seating, recommend you try it for yourself before it becomes the next queue-into-the-next-suburb brunch destination.

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!

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.

Cafe Portofino (Brisbane)

Address: 650 Brunswick St, New Farm QLD 4005
Tel: (07) 3358 4002'
Email: fabio@morganti.com.au

A best-kept secret in the trendy part of Brisbane - authentic Italian sweet delights and with a strong coffee if you are so inclined.

The overall vibe is quite boutique, flavours are not overly sweet (more a bitter, dark chocolate is used) so definitely caters to the more traditional European tastebud.