Monthly Archives: April 2011

Cupcakes On Pitt, Westfield Parramatta

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Like most shopping centres, Westfield Parramatta is filled with some pretty average food options.  This little gem moved in a couple months ago and I’ve been drooling over it since.

This place makes me feel like Modern Family’s Gloria & Manny on a cupcake hunt, and Cupcakes on Pitt is not short of yummy options — creative cupcakes, giant cupcake-shaped cakes and macarons.  The macaron selection is fairly small, but has the popular options – you won’t really find anything risky like at Zumbo or other joints.

They had a “no-photo” policy in the store so I won’t post any pics of the wares — which is unfortunate because they all looked delicious!

Cookies n’ Cream Cupcake – $2.5

Cupcakes On Pitt is perfect for an afternoon treat.  This Cookies n’ Cream cake was one of the best I’ve ever had.  Moist chocolate cake, almost like red velvet, buttercream frosting and a delicious Oreo atop.

Cupcakes On Pitt
Shop 1163 Westfield Shopping Centre
Parramatta, 2150
(02) 9633 4343

 

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Air Coffee, Castle Hill

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Where, oh where is my fresh morning Air?

This post has been a long time coming.  Air Coffee has been the closely guarded secret of professional and dilettante coffee enthusiasts since its opening — and rightfully so; it is arguably the best coffee west of the bridge. 


Air is an established Sydney roaster, but their retail space is new – a venture in the front of their roasting facility housed in an industrial warehouse off Victoria Avenue, Castle Hill.

Across the street from the RTA is an unlikely spot for a cafe of this calibre – step inside and you’re transported to Surry Hills.

The cafe space is clean and cool – with a section for brew education & where they hold weekly cuppings on Thursdays. I hope to make it to one of these soon.

The baristas at Air are pros and extremely knowledgable.  They specialise in alternative brew methods (aeropress, pour over, siphon) – and in these methods they really shine.  The espresso is superior to most I’ve had as well; I have yet to have a coffee at Air I didn’t love!

The cafe has a modest but delicious menu focussing on quality and whole foods.  A favourite is their Smoked Ham & Swiss Cheese Toasted Sandwich, probably the best of this kind of sandwich I’ve had.  Serious.

Smoked Ham & Swiss Cheese Toastie on Sourdough – $5

The sourdough toast comes with your choice from an assortment of gourmet Lyrebird Jams.  The sourdough is fresh and tart, and the Pear & Vanilla jam balances perfectly.

Sourdough Toast w/ Lyrebird Jams – $5

Chai Latte

My friend opted for the Chai latte, which I didn’t taste, but he enjoyed.  I broke from my latte habit for the siphon, but I only have a picture of the aftermath!

Siphon Brew Coffee – $6-8

Air Coffee
1/10 Salisbury Road
Castle Hill, NSW 2154
(02) 8850 4017
http://www.aircoffee.com

 

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Circa Cafe, Parramatta

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Flat White, S/O Brazilian – $3

I’ve been stopping by this little place nearly every day on the way to work.

Circa Cafe is tucked away in a little converted garage between two buildings on Wentworth Street in Parramatta (behind Westfield).  Decked in Bohemian chic, always friendly, and nearly Melbournian – this cafe serves up pretty quality espresso and food.

French Toast with Fresh Rhubarb & Pear Compote – $5

The simple, wholesome menu is not ordinary cafe-fare; written on butchers paper at the front entrance with daily specials scrawled on the tiles.

                               Double ristretto, S/O Brazilian – $2.5

My strong flat white is a perfect start to the day; and the espresso is perfectly extracted giving a delightful pucker in my cheeks as I slurp.

Circa Cafe
21 Wentworth Street
Parramatta, NSW 2150
0414 477 812

 

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Express Post: “True Blue” or Johnny’s, Take Two

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True Blue burger w/ fries — $8.90

If my last post wasn’t convincing, here’s another crack at it — my take two lunch at Johnny’s: The True Blue burger.

Tender, juicy handmade beef patty that, on it’s own, tastes like tasty, tasty meatloaf any 60′s housewife would be proud to plate up for her Don Draper.

The True Blue is Aussie as mate — piled high with salad, grilled onions, fried egg and beetroot (sorry though folks, I got mine sans — I think beetroot tastes like dirt).

Won’t lighten your wallet either; at $8.9 this burger is a tops lunch pick on my workday beat.

Johnny’s Cafe
2 Horwood Place
Parramatta, NSW 2150
(02) 9869 1615

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