Brunswick - here we go again!

mmmmm

Funnily enough today I ended up in Brunswick ! It seems to be my second home at the moment... (three times in a week may be a little excessive though!) Today my business was a catch up with Corrie - I am so jealous of her current location : a hop, skip and a jump to Princes Park and only a block away to an array of yummy  cafes, bars and cool shops and of course East Brunswick, where my heart still is...(or at least half of it). I have decided the month of April  will be my reminiscing month - its been all about Brunswick!  



This morning I am  given free rein on choosing a location to go.. and I really can't decide... I toss up Wide Open Road http://www.wideopenroad.com.au/, a rather new cafe and where I had takeaway from recently and it was rather lovely.. and I'm sure Darby would get a kick out of the Shopping Trolley suspended to the wall!! I will come back here again!
Instead  we head to what used to be Toby's Estate headquarters http://www.tobysestate.com.au/before they relocated to the wonderful espresso bar in the city. It is now trading as the Brunswick Food Store, a warm new cafe serving Middle Eastern offerings,  but luckily for us they still serve what is becoming my favorite coffee brand... Toby's Estate! (And after a little research on my friend google I find  out the room next door is still set up as the Toby's Estate Barista school -I had a sneak peak and it looks very  very impressive!) Might just have to enlist myself in a course! I may not have a coffee making gene in me, but I'm willing to learn.. and you cant say I'm not passionate about the stuff..

We order our coffee and a muffin to share.. It may possibly be the biggest and maybe even the best muffin I have tasted..(I didn't get to taste much as Darby managed to get through most, sharing small segments  with Corrie and I) White Chocolate and Raspberry... classic combination .. because it works. Yummy crispy top and light as air middle, big white choc chunks that had cooked and caramelised.. with that sweet but tart balance of the raspberries.. Just about food heaven...Ill be going back on the hope of one of those muffins alone.


Toby's Barista room



The coffee I had was superb, the familiar taste I am loving so much at the moment! I tend to find Toby's Estate coffee always quite strong, (this is a very good thing) - it is bold and rich and completely overwhelming! Fall in love every time!  





After my coffee experience here, I think I can still do another one, so on the way home I stop into Rays Cafe. I have had a few people at work talk about this cafe as an institution... and its their place to go to when in Brunswick.. So I thought I better try!  Darby and take a seat at the communal table at the front, the place could quite easily transform into a bar at night, it has a very dark, edgy feel to it! People smoking out the front (not cool), waitresses dressed in numbers I could never get away with and lots of exposed brick and wood, to give it that earthy dark look.  It seems to be where all the cool Brunswick kids play... and I am feeling quite self conscious like a very very dowdy housewife here! I order a Soy Piccolo and Darby (dressed as Woody from Toy Story ) happily plays..The music seems to be part star wars.. part Muse.. and I do feel very out of place.. In saying that the staff were really friendly .. and as always Darby wins them over with his charm and sweetness!



My Piccolo



My coffee comes and it is really warm, almost hot, this is good as it  enforces me to sip slowly and enjoy every gulp, rather than my usual guzzling method. It has a slight bitterness up front but a lovely finish... full of fruitiness...mmm the coffee here is good, I just don't think this is the place for me.. I'm not part of the band! The next night I was in East Brunswick again for a raucous dinner with my cousins... cheap Thai food and ice cream Gelobar from  .. a classic  combination!......
As we come close to the end of April,  I think Ill go easy on my Brunswick obsession for awhile...and start exploring some uncharted territory! Anyway as they say abscence makes the the heart grow fonder!

Can you believe I am up to 43 places now! 57 to go! Woo Hoo

Until next time xxx





Stephen Pondering
over
his flat
 white!



 PS - I better make a special mention as I said  I would include a pic for my colleague.. Every month we go out for coffee.. (seeing as now I am the connoisseur) and every time I chose Elevenses in Little Collins St  http://www.elevenses.net.au/! Why would I go anywhere else! Its close by, it has wonderful and friendly staff and the coffee is amazing! And That Tiger Toast is pretty darn tasty too!





Royal Treatment

Surely Thursday was going to get better.... A day off with Darbs,  A catch up with Aunty Corrie and our car back to do or go anywhere we wanted!

 It was slightly better , although I have decided that  this week is a write off.. my cold is still lingering (go away already) and the slight tightness in my head in the morning turned into a full blown splitting headache later in the day! Maybe my caffeine addiction is taking its toll on my body !! (I really hope not.. or there goes my entire  blog!!)

I'm looking at it like a small bump in the road and Ill be back firing to go next week!

Anyway today I tried to achieve some balance in my life ... this is my little goal for the month of March! ! It may be the Holy Grail but I will try and get it!

A wise person said to me today that it was time that I take it upon myself to  reach out for help, allow people in my life that want to help, and take those offers no matter how big or small. (Basically say yes to everything!)

I'm a very resilient person and I can take alot of baggage on board.... but from time to time its ok to seek assistance! Now I'm sounding like the shrink!!!

Okay psychology lesson aside and onto the stuff of importance.... did I get to the Duchess of Spotswood after my last 2 failed attempts! The answer is yes! Was it worth it?? Yes Yes Yes..... 

Corrie, Darby and I headed here on Thursday morning for a coffee hit! I adore the posh  English feel of the  place, with a gorgeous chandelier hanging from the ceiling , the very clean white walls to the hardwood floors and antique furniture! ! It is a very friendly and inviting cafe. The menu also looks amazing.... White anchovies with Scrambled eggs... mmmm . Next time we will leave ourselves more time so we can eat!

Darby did order himself  a delicious Vanilla bean and chocolate centred biscuit! I only had a few crumbs, but they tasted just how I like (very vanilla).

The coffee we ordered  showed  no signs of the sick coffee machine earlier in the week. Our cappuccinos were  served in pretty green and blue pastel cups! The coffee was lovely and smooth, very easy to drink... Although our visit was short... I know I will be back again soon. The 3 minute drive from home will always be worth it.



Out the front of Nabiha! How cool!



With our new found freedom with our car back, the world feels like our oyster! Asking darbs where he wants to go! The first thing that comes out of his mouth is K-MART!!!! (followed closely by BIG W!)

So Darbs and i did a deal (and shook on it!) We would go to Kmart and then to get a coffee!! It worked a treat... he was phenomenal!!! The persuasive bargaining worked. In a normal world this never happens, so I am grateful!

After our little trip to Kmart, we headed next door to what will become a new little favorite- Nabiha in Moonee Ponds. I had a takeaway from here a few weeks ago and it was divine!



My coffee with Maisy watching over!



We sat down as I was starving.. i thought i was going to pass out!! Coffees and babycino ordered super fast... now on to teh menu. Everything looked so good, I had trouble deciding what i wanted! I cant believe they create all this food in a tiny makeshift kitchen. I settled on Fruit toast, with Ricotta, flaked almonds, cinnamon and drizzled with honey. It was just what I needed to bring me back to life and send my headache packing!

I also loved Darby's babycino cup! It was a tin cup designed by an African community.. just beautiful and unique! 

The girls who run this cafe are soo friendly and inviting, I felt like I was given royal treatment!  I will be recommending this place to everyone I know... it  was a wonderful cafe experience!  So glad its close to home as I have a growing list of places that are out of this world!!! 

(better than having none at all!)

Until Next time xxxx



PS - Congrats to Laura and Steve on little Georgia! I cant wait to meet her!! Go away Cold!!!

The coolest Babycino cups ever!!