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Another weekend. Another cafe.
Everyone I know is talking about Grounds of Alexandria. It is the current talk of the town for weekend breakfast, brunch and lunch spot. And possible one night dinner events happening soon. It was Queen’s birthday long weekend and I thought, why not…. let’s check this place out and see what the hype is all about. Is it really so amazing and is the coffee really that good?
The Grounds of Alexandria
This place is huge and used to be a four and twenty pie factory. It is not just a cafe but one that seems have a roaster and cupping area, a very big kitchen, a very impressive kitchen garden with so many different herbs and vegetables, an outdoor area which will be lovely in warmer weather and I spied a wood fire oven? There are also 2 coffee stations. One for takeaway and one for the dine in customers. Amazing layout.
The Grounds of Alexandria
This place was packed and buzzing. But I thought that it was a little too much if you are after something a little more quiet and slow paced. It seems to be the place to be seen and also a place where families want to hang out.
We ordered a piccolo while waiting in queue. Yeap! The weather was crap but still a queue. I still prefer the piccolo at Gnome. But anything in a takeaway is usually slightly inferior. The lunch menu on the blackboard is only served on weekdays! Damn it… I prefer the look of that menu.
The Grounds of Alexandria
The whole outfit is really well thought out. The Grounds of Alexandriais opened by Ramzey Choker and coffee expert, Jack Hanna. I love the glassware, the plates, the cups, everything. It is very modern shabby chic.
The Grounds of Alexandria
I ordered a second round of caffeine. I wanted to try the clover but can’t remember the reason why it was not available. So I settled for the pour over. Just to note, I am not a coffee expert. The opinion is base on my preference. This cup had quite a clean taste with most likely a light body. I prefer something a little stronger and bold. This means that I am not convinced about the coffee. Might have to pop back another day but when there isn’t any insane queue.
Pour over
I ordered the rolled eggs with crispy quinoa ($16). Lovely soft poached eggs that is rolled in crispy quinoa to give it the texture. It was served with perfectly cooked asparagus, naturally sweet slow oven roasted tomatoes with truffle oil on olive sourdough. It is a simple dish but well thought out. I love the sourdough and wished I had more! If you have a big appetite, then this is not dish for you.
rolled eggs with crispy quinoa
Mister ordered the pork and veal sausages with fried eggs ($17). Oh… before I go on, they actually have laying hens in the garden too. I highly doubt that they supply the eggs for the restaurant. Anyway, back to the dish. The portion was relatively small. Mister did complain a little about the size. The sausages was served with spicy tomato and spinach ragout with a side of sourdough. I am not sure what to say about it except good sausages.
pork and veal sausages
I am not prepared to wait for more than an hour for a table at The Grounds. As I left, I overhead wait time as long as an hour and forty five minutes. WTF? I find it quite ridiculous. The food is good but not worth waiting for. Will the hype ever die down? Who knows. But if you are one of those lucky ones that do not work or have cafes as offices, then head down during downtime to check it out. Try the lunch and let me know if it is any good.
The Grounds of Alexandria
Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria, NSW 2015
02 9699 2225
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
That crispy quinoa sounds great
Nic@diningwithastud recently posted..Momofuku’s Crack Pie
I picked the odd one
We’ve popped by here just to have a sticky-beat and the line was CRAZY long! I liked the look of the garden (wish the chooks had a bigger run though)…but the loud music they played out there really messed with my weekend zen thing. The food does look nice – pity the serves were a tad small. I don’t really want to wait that long for breakfast….or ever really! LOL.
Miss Piggy recently posted..Phoenix, Parramatta
exactly…. unless there is no queue… I don’t think I will go back. YET
It seems Sydney loves hype and a good wait – although that’s the last thing I’d wanna do in the current weather. Those rolled eggs look fab though, and too the sausages!
Tina@foodboozeshoes recently posted..Japan times – part 1: Shinjuku, Tokyo
I won’t wanna queue in summer as well~!
Oh boy! Look at those eggs! That yolk is so yellow! Gorgeous. It has been the talk of the town lately and I’ve still not been. It’s just one of those places that is considerably far for me to get to. And I hear there are even queues at 9am in the morning… imagine during spring or summer!
Tina @ bitemeshowme recently posted..Eat Art Truck Food Truck
yeap… too early to queue.
This place looks heavenly and is quite close to me, but I loathe queues so haven’t been yet. The poached eggs rolled in crispy quinoa is a great idea!
Chanel recently posted..Oxfam’s ‘Stop Hunger, Start Growing’ Appeal
it sure is but just hate queuing.
rolled eggs with crispy quinoa…i would to have this one of these days..
check it out when you can
Ooo great cafe
lol i love the weekends brunching at cafes is the BEST WOO HOO! LOVE IT! I will never get sick of it! the eggs look soooooo pretty and that’s a lot of sausages lol
Daisy@Nevertoosweet recently posted..Mystery Solved – What Cheesecake is it?
I super love sunday cafes as well.
Those eggs look really good but I agree, I don’t want to have to wait more than 10 mins for my food. There are so many good restaurants around – I’d rather just go somewhere else!
Christina @ The Hungry Australian recently posted..Quince Meringue Pie
absolutely. but it seems to be the trend to queue in Sydney
I’d take that rolled eggs with crispy quinoa for breakfast any day! Love the touches like the truffle oil on the roasted tomatoes and the crispy quinoa on top. Thanks for sharing!
Mary @ Fit and Fed recently posted..Saffron Rice with Mango and Macadamia
more than welcome
I love the look of this place, all the herbs growing and hens laying and everything so fresh. I will have to add this one to the list of places to try next time we are in Sydney.
GourmetGetaways recently posted..An Evening of Chocolate & Bubbles
you will love it. it is a great concept.
Mister ordered the pork and veal sausages with fried eggs ($17). Oh… before I go on, they actually have laying hens in the garden too. I highly doubt that they supply the eggs for the restaurant. Anyway, back to the dish. The portion was relatively small. Mister did complain a little about the size. The sausages was served with spicy tomato and spinach ragout with a side of sourdough. I am not sure what to say about it except good sausages.
gold price recently posted..No last blog posts to return.
yeap… that is about it
The wait really is a deterrent for me so I’ve still not been. Hoping for a weekday off work to pop in instead!
Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse) recently posted..Apple Crumble
that is a much better idea…. hate waiting too too long.
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