Pure Bronte Pistachio, Bronte Beach

Have stumbled upon a winner, Pure Bronte Pistachio, a newbie on the cafe strip at Bronte beach.

Strange name but dig a little and you find out this cafe is also a gelato bar named in honour of a town called Bronte in Italy that revels in it's biannual pistachio harvest. Low and behold a lovely gelato fridge with flavours such as Blood Orange and Piemontese Hazelnut. On checking their website I found they offer kids in uniform two scoops for the price of one!

Tastefully decorated with fresh bright colours, this cafe has the best views of the beach on the strip. It is totally open to the street front and raised up to a decent height so that passing cars are inconsequential to the view.

But the food and drink is what makes or breaks a place and this cafe is a breath of sea air on a strip of mediocre cafes. We sampled the spelt fruit toast with honey and vanilla spiced ricotta and the bacon and egg roll with home made tomato chutney. Both were great however Paul thought the chutney a little sweet and would have preferred HP sauce....

The menu boasts gluten free options, organic beef and free range chicken. Burgers seem to be a specialty - something to try next time.

The coffee was excellent - a blend called Virtigo (see website for roasting details!). I enjoyed a great iced coffee. First sip was typical smooth espresso and by the end was beautifully enhanced the dollop of home made vanilla gelato.

Stella had a babycino with a difference - the marshmallow came toasted. Great idea but not very sensible putting it on a sharp souvlaki stick!

The cafe has a high chair and plenty of outdoor tables. We sat indoors on the real 'high chairs' to enjoy the view.

I noted the fridge did a nice range of beers for anyone wanting a cool one with their burger; Peroni, Corona, Cascade and Pure Blonde to be exact.

Service was swift and friendly and I noticed the place was constantly being wiped down (perhaps to keep away the flies?!). Full marks for bringing a bottle of water to the table as soon as we sat down.

Will be heading back here soon to sample the Pure Bronte Pistachio.

www.purebrontepistachio.com.au/

285A Crown Street, The Winery & Pieno Cafe

This new complex on Crown Street is an impressive space. You can indulge in a little gourmet food shopping at Thomas Dux Grocer (Stella loved the long ramp) or check out Sam the Butcher's ode to organic meat at his new flagship store.

The Winery by Gazebo is as gorgeous as touted with eclectic decor, a jungle wall, flamingos, cool music and an upstairs salon which would be perfect for a private party. It has a cool outside area which would be great for letting the kids run wild. I recommend sticking to a glass of wine and a bit of cheese though as the food sampled when I went with a big group was not very good.

The Winery does keep child friendly hours opening from 12pm during the week and 3pm on weekends. Not sure if they have high chairs. www.thewinerybygazebo.com.au

We did enjoy a breakfast at Pieno cafe next door where they do have high chairs. Italian inspired cafe fare with breakfast panini with prosciutto and provolone etc Of course I couldn't go past trying the Blueberry Gridle Cakes. They were good but a bit too 'cakey' for me - I prefer hotcakes.

The coffee was excellent; a Melbourne roast called 'Five Senses'. The Babycino needs some work - more suited to a 6 year old; all hot milk in a glass.

Plenty of space for prams and high chairs provided. Open 9am - 5pm.

Parking in this area is tricky but not impossible.

This blog has pics of menu and good pics of Pieno: http://simonfoodfavourites.blogspot.com/2009/09/pieno-breakfast-surry-hills-5-september.html

285A Crown Street Surry Hills

Clodeli, Clovelly

It's taken me a while to write our local up. Perhaps because I take it for granted. Clodeli is an excellent cafe cum deli just down the road from us. We've been calling in for coffee and treats since Stella was just a few days old.

It's buzzy, light and airy, and very child friendly. They have a stack of high chairs and kids and their families are probably 60% of the clientele. There is ample space for prams outside, and inside if it's not too busy.

The Allpress coffee is expertly extracted and the babycinos are spot on with just the right amount of froth and warm milk. If you've had too many shots for the day, I can recommend the chai - it's real, served in a teapot with honey.

The food is thoughtfully prepared and fresh. The breakfast/brunch menu is broad and interesting with dishes such as Greek inspired home baked giant beans and goats curd, buttermilk hotcakes with banana, walnuts and maple syrup, and a breakfast tagine. The lunchtime mezze plate (vegie and meat options) is a generous selection of goodies from the deli.

There is a cake cabinet in which the star attraction is the decadent and addictive chocolate cheesecake brownie.

One wall of Clodeli is dedicated to stocks of gourmet goodies from olive oil and paprika to muesli and Pat and Stick's ice cream. There is a selection of organic babyfood if you're caught short.

Although there is no play area, there are a few books and toy, and paper and pencils are available. The toilet is large and equipped with a good change table.

The staff and owner obviously like children and aren't at all phased by the number of babies and toddlers and their accompanying paraphenalia who pile in every day. Clodeli often looks hectic but you never have to wait long for a table. Parking might be an issue for anyone needing to drive - try our street just opposite.

Clodeli Fine Foods www.clodeli.com

210 Clovelly Road, Clovelly

Open seven days til about 5.

Favoloso, Bronte

Favoloso is an stmospheric cafe/deli tucked away in the hinterland of Bronte away from the beach hordes. It's a gem; a good Sydney cafe with a distinctly Italian flavour. That means everything is optimised for taste, from the oregano laced scrambled eggs to the Mediterraneo panini with prosciutto. There are lots of choice Italian ingredients like fresh basil, ricotta and provolone dotted through the dishes.

The cafe has an excellent store selling gourmet favourites like A&C smallgoods, Maggie Beer ice cream and Iggys bread, and a quirky selection of Italian kitchen gifts. The La Nuova Era coffee is good, as is the babycino and there are several high chairs. There is space for prams around the four outdoor tables. Inside is a bit trickier with less space and steps leading up to the cafe area.

There are a few books and toys for the kids but best bring your own. Parking can be tricky on the weekends and after school with cafe patrons, residents and people queuing up for Iggy's bakery across the road.

The owners write on their website that the cafe is inspired by the Aeolian Islands off Sicily. We haven't sampled any of their main lunch dishes which is presumably where the Aeolian influences kick in. Favoloso puts on dinners and cooking classes - I am just about to sign up to the e-newsletter.

43-45 Belgrave Street (cnr with Murray), Bronte
www.favoloso.com.au

Visited Sunday 22 November 2009.

Faheem's Fast Food, Enmore

Once upon a time Stella loved spicy food. During one short stay at the Children's Hospital when Stella was 14 months, we snuck her out for a bite to eat at Java. a local Indonesian restaurant in Randwick. Much to our delight, she loved the beef rendang.

Since then, we've given her Thai curries, satay and chilli con carne, all equally enjoyed. Recently however Stella's tastes have changed and she's a bit more fussy.

Last night (if you can call 5.30pm 'night'), we took Stella to Faheem's Fast Food in Enmore, a fantastic tasty Pakistani curry house. We've been before and she loved the selection and general mess of rice and sloppy curries. This time she was just in it for the rice and naan bread.

Faheem's is known as a cheap and easy no frills dining spot frequented by taxi drivers. It's a formica and fluorescent light kind of place but the curries are fresh and they don't leave you feeling full of ghee afterwards. The main attraction is the tandoori oven which produces fluffy naan, chicken and fish tikka' and spicy seekh kebabs.

Although the menu is full of chicken, lamb and beef dishes, including the Haleem beef curry which has been cooked for 48 hours and the more adventurous 'brain' curry, the vegetarian options are great. Lots of eggplant, potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, lentils and paneer (white cheese).

The drink selection is interesting with Pakistani sodas, mango juice and a lovely thick mango lassi which Stella loved. Not a place for alcohol, so leave the beers at home.

It doesn't seem as cheap as it once was but at no more than $12 a dish, it's hardly going to break the bank.

The eating house has a couple of Ikea high chairs and plenty of space for prams if you go early. There is also a convenient car park round the back off Edgeware Road from which you can access the back of the restaurant.

While this probably isn't a great option for toddler if she's gone off her spice, it's tasty for the parents.

Faheem's Fast Food, 196 Enmore Road, Enmore

Yum Cha without the wait, Kingsford

When the sun doesn't shine and there is a chill in the air, yum cha is a great way to spend a Sunday lunch. The eye sore that is Souths Juniors on Anzac Parade just past the Kingsford roundabout is home to a great yum cha place which is fresh, well-priced, kid-friendly and without queues.

The Imperial Peking is a few floors up with great views toward Botany Bay and the airport, good for the planespotting toddler. It has plenty of high chairs and food comes quicker than you can gather up the chopsticks.

The usual fare is on offer - lots of steamed and fried dumplings, noodles prepared tableside, fried calamari, plates of bbq pork and duck, custard tarts, and Stella's favourite do fu fa - sweet silky tofu.

It is open daily from midday and you don't need to be a member of the club to get in - just sign in at the door. Once you get past the pokie machines on the ground floor and up to the restaurant, the only reminder you are in a club is the widescreen Keno monitor up on the wall.

There is plenty of space for prams and a lift to get up there. The parking is also easy along Anzac Parade.

Yum Cha might not be the most nutritious food for todders but it's tasty and fun, and mess is expected. Not a great for vegetarians.


Souths Juniors 558A Anzac Parade Kingsford:

http://www.thejuniors.com.au/page/imperial_peking.html

Bellagio Cafe pic

Bellagio Cafe courtyard - sorry can't get this to the right post!

Bellagio Cafe, Waverley

Cafes have featured heavily in Stella's short life. In the beginning it was for me to feel sane and part of the world outside my four walls when she was screaming the house (flat) down. Now she is a babycino connoisseur. I always thought this was a sad yummy mummy thing but now I see the logic, the babycino is to buy time while mum/dad enjoy a flat white.

Naturally the cafes within a three kilometre radius of home have been tried and tested.

One of the best is Bellagio, corner of Bronte Road and Macpherson Street, Charing Cross (Waverley). They serve a great Campos coffee and the babycinos are free. For a long time they were also serving up lovely little madeleines of assorted flavours but a recent health inspection ended that. Sadly missed - Stella still looks for it.

What makes Bellagio special though is the outdoor section with bikes, toys, little table and chairs and house for toddlers to play in. The toilet has a change table, albeit in need of an update. In fact the toys could do with an update too. But who's complaining when you can get great coffee and a kids play area in one place.

The staff are kid friendly too and last time I looked there were also crayons and colouring-in books to help with rainy days inside. The inside has a good wide lounge along the wall - great for not-yet-rolling babies .

We walk there but parking looks difficult.

The food is good but not exceptional. The corn fritters are light and rightly packed with corn. Not sure about the tzatziki topping though. The last time I had the french toast, they were a bit stingy on the bananas with just a couple of slices. Brownies decent. The coffee is strong.
There are also good reading materials if you have a sleeping baby or preoccupied toddler.

Kokoroya, Maroubra

A good friend found a truly kid-friendly restaurant for us to try with our toddlers in tow - Kokoroya. It's a new Japanese place on Anzac Parade in Maroubra, pretty much next door to the Toy Library.

It's shiny and smiley. Big ticks:

• Friendly staff who seem to genuinely like kids.
• Opens at 530pm
• Kids area - more like a playpen with an inbuilt flat screen showing DVDs (Wall-E was on while we were there). The kids need to take their shoes off, nice and hygeinic if you had a crawler. Inside there are a couple of activity walls and boxes with Ikea train set and other odd bits. Could do with a some books. The classy thing is the cleverly positioned mirror above the enclosure which allows you to see who's in the playpen and what they are up to. Would of course be better if the whole thing was perspex so the kiddies can see you.
• Lots of big red high chairs (Ikea - the best).
• Toddlers at our table were given their own contemporary (plastic) eating set and to much excitement; plastic lidded cups with straws.
• The toilet was big and clean with a wall mounted change table.
• And importantly the food was great for everyone. Soft shell crab, little deepfried silverfish, chicken karage, tofu agedashi (Stella loves the silky texture), mini sushi rolls, tempura, a sweet and succulent pork belly and very nice fresh home made wasabi.
• For the non-drinkers there was a great list of mocktails. Two at our table enjoyed a lemongrass and mango concoction which was very lively, citrus-y and sweet.
• Asahi beer on tap and BYO wi

Kokoroya perhaps has other branches - I did notice a new shopfront near Danks Street Waterloo with the same signage.

Will definitely be going back.

Shop 1&2, 665-667 Anzac Parade Maroubra NSW 2035Phone (02) 8347 2226

Update 15/11 - A friend made a good point that Kokoroya is not cheap. It's not pricey but it is sushi. Expect to around $25 an adult, not including drinks. Also, if you want to keep an eye on the little ones, ask/book a table next to the play pen. Thanks for additional tips Dan....