The Grounds of Alexandria

David Chang knows the importance music plays in his Momofuku restaurant empire. So does The Grounds of Alexandria.

All you can hear inside the cafe is the loud clamour of cutlery against plates, the consistent reverberation of the patrons' conversation and the shuffling of the floor staff's hurried feet as they elegantly and flawlessly meander their way around the clusters of tables. If you're hanging around the register you'll also catch random people's names as the barista calls them once their take away coffee is ready. If you're ordering, feel free to use your alter ego's name, no one will ever know. Grab yourself a cup of orange or lemon infused water while you're at it.

Outside in the courtyard it's a different story.

In my opinion you don't come to The Grounds to put your name on the ridiculously long waiting list so you can snag a seat inside.

Instead you come here to lounge around on a communal table outdoors, next to some people you've never met before. You might even make some new friends. You come here to expose your pasty white face to the sunshine.

Look up, you're bound to catch a corner of the endless Australian blue sky or the dark looming heritage brick chimney of Alexandria Creative Park.

What I enjoy about being outside is the fact that I'm not cooped up in our one bedroom apartment staring at four walls. In this highly urbanised area in Sydney, I finally get to see some greenery and chickens. Especially since I've killed most of the plants on our balcony. Inner city Sydney dwellers take what nature they can get. 

The courtyard has strategically placed speakers throughout. Whatever corner you're sitting at the music hits your ears and when you're talking with your friends, it falls away to the background. A sometimes mellow and often funky soundtrack to your dining and social experience. The music varies, I've heard Damien Marley, Angus & Julia Stone, house music, chill out, hip hop, soft rock, alternative and even some golden oldies (the cool retro tracks).

On my own, the music pulls me in and takes my focus away from whatever I'm doing, be it texting, reading a book or surfing my iPad. Instead  I stare aimlessly at people, observing what they're doing and if they are within hearing distance, what they're talking about.

One of the conversations I overheard recently was an American chick telling her friends how much she loves Sydney. The sunshine, the great weather (I wonder, was she here last monsoonal summer?), friendly people and most importantly the great quality and variety of food. She said only when she travels is she able to relax and reflect on how good she has it here in Sydney. 

Hear hear! I raise my cup of freshly ground fragrant coffee and salute her. Here's to a fabulous spring and summer. Enjoy every moment of it.

Los Angeles: Intelligentsia Coffee

When we hit the pavement on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice we came across Intelligentsia Coffee by chance. 

I was glad to find yet another coffee roasting house (thank you California) that took its coffee seriously and pumped out a tasty, fragrant brew. 

  

I was also glad to be proving wrong the misconception that there's bad coffee in America. Quite surprising really, this misconception, considering Americans are serious coffee drinkers. Throughout our trip in the USA I came to realise that its (coffee) is just different. Americans even have different coffee percolating apparatus that I am ashamed to say, I had never seen before until this trip. But then how many Americans can say they have the ability to make Greek coffee with just the right amount of crema? ...but I digress.

It was good to see a decent range of organic teas on offer as well. A hoorah to the past, a throwback to the good ol' days when America was under English rule. It seems one of the main reasons why coffee became so popular in the first place in the States was to stick it to the British once America became independent. They created their own coffee culture by relinquishing the culture enforced by the British during their rule.

This place was cool. The vibe was relaxed. The coffee was great. The crowd was varied and tech savvy, casually flicking through their smartphones while they lined up patiently. Hipster-ish even. Damn those head sock wearing hippies, they're everywhere and they find all the cool places!

What I didn't know then, was that Intelligentsia started out in Chicago, later opening up shop in Los Angeles and New York. Coast to coast domination.

If you're looking for an urban oasis with good coffee in Venice, check this place out, but be prepared to line up during peak times...which seems to be like all the time, at least the whole hour or so we were there.

Los Angeles: Alcove Cafe & Bakery/Big Bar

Big is not always better. The coffee mugs are almost the size of my head - and I have a big head. Surely when it's such a big coffee it can't taste good? And it doesn't. Because its so huge, they have to make it really hot, so it burns my tongue on the first sip. Then it cools really quickly because of the massive mug and it's a puddle of bad tasting coffee / luke warm toilet water.

The breakfast is gigantic, with what looks like a whole pan of re-heated roast potatoes as a side to Chris' breakfast panino. The potatoes don't look appealing, I don't even attempt to try one.

I order the country breakfast: scrambled eggs, pancakes with fresh strawberries on top and a side of bacon. It was satisfactory. The eggs I could have scrambled a hundred times better with my eyes closed - they were a stiff mound of rubber. And the strawberries: not so fresh. At least not as fresh I've become accustomed to so far in the States.

Being also a bakery, they have a heap of baked goods on display, which I didn't try.

What I did like about this place were three things:
1. The massive outdoor courtyard with plenty of shade.
2. The area it's in (Los Feliz) as its a suburb I wanted to check out.
3. The people watching.

I guess that's probably the same reasons the Angelenos like this place too.

Next time you're in LA, steer clear of this place. There's way better places to have breakfast at.

San Francisco: Blue Bottle Coffee Co.

Another institution is Blue Bottle Coffee Co. A "micro roaster of organic coffee".

Have I told you how much I love my mate Mike? He's the one that recommended we check this place out, him and my Wallpaper* guide. Mike reeks of San Francisco cool (he earned it as he lived there for some months) and any general kind of cool; he's a kid of cool.

It was refreshing, after a string of bad coffee experiences in the States last time we were here 1.5yrs ago, to have access to not only decent, but delicious and organic coffee. More importantly it was refreshing to know there's Americans out there that enjoy a good cup of authentic joe. None of that chain mass produced Starbucks toilet water they proudly declare to serve as coffee. I'm talking about the real deal. Real coffee beans roasted with tenderness and love, ground delicately (or not) and the caffeinated goodness extracted in an entertaining manner usually involving industrial machinery in a warehouse style set up and an aroma so alluring, a crowd so trendy, that you're lured into their pleasure den called a coffee house.

Having started out in Oakland using a tiny batch roaster, Blue Bottle Coffee Co. is now a juggernaut with several branches having opened up and operating throughout San Francisco and New York. They still stay true and committed to their manifesto of roasting using only vintage tools, being environmentally conscious by using compostable bags and getting the freshly roasted beans to their customers within 48 hours.

The verdict? It was good, real good for America. So good in fact, that they had two stalls setup at the Ferry Building organic markets on Saturday and they were both pumping with massive line ups. San Franciscans love their Blue Bottle and so will I whenever I'm in San Fran.

La Banette

La Banette is a Food to Culture classic. One of my favourite boulangerie on this planet. It's not just about the food - I've had better pastries in Paris. It's the ambiance, it's the friendly smiles and "hello" and "see ya later" over the counter.

Originally started up in Avalon, they have premises in Glebe too. It's casual and it's at my doorstep so to speak - I aint travelling to Avalon. It was the stripped yellow and white awning that appealed to me the first time we came here years ago.

As you walk under the awning and through the dark entrance, not knowing what awaits you, you discover the delightful cabinet full of a myriad of sweet treats. Every time I come here I'm like Gretel stuffing my face on the witch's candy coated house.

You can even take a delicious loaf of bread home. La Banette has a great selection of sourdough, including a yeast free loaf.

Cosy, tight and jam packed full of sweet and savoury goodness.

My favourite is the cheese stick; it's in my nature to like long things. Crusty melted cheese layered over puff pastry and infused with chopped dill.

Oh yeah, this is the stuff dreams are made off.

They also do a mean almond croissant and great coffee. The barista knows his stuff and is super friendly, if you get the chance to chat with him. He came like third in a barista contest recently. Which makes me wonder...who came first and second?

La Banette
T: 02 8095 9688

St Jude

East Redfern is all the buzz. Ahem...it's not Redfern, it's "East" Redfern. Like the other side of the world where hobos don't wander or cause any trouble. Not since the horrific occurrence a few years back where some students were held at knife point in their third story apartment and tortured until one of them plunged to their demise off the balcony.

The locals don't talk about that freak occurence. I've said too much already. Anywho, on to happy things now.

St Jude opened its doors to the public on the third of January this year, it's the new kid on the block.

It has great things going for it, which this article covers here.

I love all those things plus it's leafy location, cool subdued yet bustling vibe, great coffee AND the pièce de rèsistance: they keep and serve their pastries warm. Simply crispy and delicious!! Again it's the simple things that bring me so much joy.

Latte and spiced apple pastry.


 Eco-friendly menu.



Funky place in a really pleasant location. Don't mind the creepy dolls. They were lost and just found their way here to rest their weary heads.

They have pastries, an extensive brekkie selection, sandwiches and salads for lunch. But remember: you don't make friends with salad. I hear their sandwiches are good, I'll be sure to hit them up for lunch one of these days.

St Jude
Corner Thurlow St & Bourke St
East Redfern
T: 02 9310 3523