Brunch – that lazy weekend meal where catching up over the week’s news is obligatory along with delicious dishes and perhaps even a glass of bubbles.
Once a week we all scramble to find our brunch location, how many of us can make it and what time we are eating. As is the case with many culinary traditions, brunch’s origins are a bit hazy.
Many consider it a byproduct of England’s hunt breakfasts where a smorgasbord of goodies was laid out for hungry huntsmen after the chase, while others consider it comes from the practice of Catholics to fast before mass and then sit down to a huge midday meal.
What happens at brunch, stays at brunch right? Here are six of our faves to get your weekend fix:
Expect a seasonal contemporary Southeast Asian menu, rooted in the comforting foods of the East and reflections of the West, on the plate at The Lazy Dog on Cunningham Street in Newstead. Located within a short walking distance to Gasworks and facing a tranquil park where children and dogs are free to play, settle in and chill out while pondering meal choices that reflect a ‘fresh is best’ ethos, inspired by cultural diversity and a love for family, food and travel.
Stop in after a morning walk and refuel with a Japanese omelette – silky scrambled eggs, topped with salmon, shiso leaves, tonkatsu sauce, Kewpie mayo, chilli jam and sesame – or nasi goreng with fried rice, egg, chicken, bacon, fried shallots and sambal.
Send the senses into overload with creative café fare at Teddy Picker’s on Constitution Avenue in Campbell. This friendly, local haunt, with exposed concrete and high ceilings, blends with the world outside through a full glass frontage, while an upstairs loft dining area opens onto a seated terrace, ideal for soaking up rays on sunny days.
Punchy, bold breakfast and lunch flavours await with dishes like a slow-cooked beef brisket breaky roll, with red eye mayo, pickled jalapeños, shallots, fried egg and a hashbrown, on a steamed bun; or avo on toast with zhoug, pickles, crispy chickpeas, lemon, feta and poached eggs on ancient grain toast.
Find where the locals head for café fare with flair in Port Macquarie at The Pepperberry on Clarence Street. Dine alfresco on balmy days and soak up rays while you people-watch with a coffee of choice in hand, or head indoors where polished concrete floors, banquette seating and vibrant wall art set the mood for lingering over breaky with family and friends.
Start your day the right way with eggs Florentine – sautéed baby spinach on light rye sourdough, with poached eggs and Hollandaise – or devour Moroccan corn fritters, with bacon, tomato relish, eggs and avocado, washed down with a fresh mixed berry fruit smoothie, or chocolate milkshake.
Expect a modern twist on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare at locally loved cafe, Bubala on Grigor Place in Allambie Heights. Find a chilled-out interior vibe of mosaic tiles, black-topped tables and potted greenery, ideal for lingering over a brew of choice to ponder a menu reflecting the owners’ Israeli and Italian heritage.
Join the lively brunch crowd for dishes like pork, fennel and chilli sausages, braised white beans, greens, fried egg, herbed labneh and pita bread; enjoy zucchini and halloumi waffles with smoked salmon, poached eggs, fresh dill and za’atar yoghurt, or devour sticky date pancakes and gelato.
From the moment you enter through the beautifully restored antique wooden doors, there is a promise of something special at Arc restaurant on Church Street in Terrigal. Be whisked away to a tropical paradise among Balinese accents, potted greenery and softly glowing cane pendents; take a stool at the curved bar and catch up with friends over an aperitif, or dine at intimate tables while taking in the outside through bi-fold windows.
Perhaps arrange a catchup over dishes like beetroot carpaccio, Danish feta, pickled onions and candied walnuts; or pair a cheeky glass of wine with tuna sashimi, ponzu dressing, pickled ginger, wakame, Japanese mayo and a squid ink tuille. Sweet tooths finish with chocolate mousse, berry compote and double cream.
A trip down the South East coast is worth the scenic drive if only to try out The Hungry Monkey on Collins Street in Kiama, not far from the iconic blowhole and lighthouse. The smell of freshly baked treats entices patrons inside a weatherboard building to share a table for coffee, seated by a comic strip-inspired mural, or on the verandah to soak up warm rays and a balmy, coastal breeze.
Brunch-goers are spoilt for choice with options like spicy chilli eggs with feta, avocado and sambal on sourdough toast, or wrap your hands around a breakfast roll with bacon, chilli fried egg, hashbrown, pickled onion, salsa verde, tomato and chilli relish and aioli.
