I
don't cafe rotate very often. In fact, these days, I rarely do it at all. I
find my 'spot' and it stays my spot until it stops being awesome, gets
infiltrated by hipsters, or I just get sick of the menu...That generally
takes a devilishly long time, by the way. I'm a creature of habit.
This morning I give to you, Left Bower.
Tucked away in a side street of the ultra chic (*cough) Sutherland,
lies this little gem of mismatched, organic, caravan-y goodness. No
seriously, it's kitted out with decor that has legitimately been thieved
from unsuspecting travelers holidaying in caravans (*that bit may or
may not be true). On the shelves you'll find weathered scrabble sets
(ready to be played over a big pot of tea and home made cake), picnic
rugs, fiddle sticks, jars of marbles and little sets of your Nanna's
favourite cups and saucers. Kitsch without being tacky and making my
eyeballs hurt.
On
the (seasonal) menu you'll find delights such as 'Green Eggs & Ham'
- a heavenly little stack of sourdough toast, award winning shaved leg
ham, smashed eggs, aioli, warrigal greens, vintage cheddar and a drizzle
of pesto; 'Avocado mole´' - house made cornbread with the most amazing
beans, fried eggs, a whole avocado and a smattering of greenery,
freshened up with lime juice and herbs; 'Salad' - poached chicken breast
with chicory, pea tendrils, grapefruit segments, and other delicious
bits and pieces I can't quite remember. The list goes on, but you get
the drift - it's all really really good. I believe most of the produce
is also organic and locally sourced. Love that!
The cawffee is
excellent and the beans are Australian-grown, which I very much
appreciate, though I must admit I only go there to drink the chai. It's a
fragrant tea blend with whole cardamon pods scattered throughout that I
take piping hot and brewed with soy milk. Heaven. Someone behind the
counter always has a chuckle as they exclaim that I'm ingesting "the
most expensive drink on the menu!".
I
feel at home every time I walk into Left Bower, which is everything I
want in a cafe and more. You could sit there for three hours with a book
and no one would give you shifty eyes from behind the counter. Be
warned though, they may offer you a hefty slice of cream cheese-frosted
cake...and refusing that my friends, can get very difficult.
x
E
Left Bower
3, 45 East Parade
Sutherland
Mon-Fri: 5:15am-4pm
Sat: 7am-3pm
Sun: 8am-2pm
