Making the time out to visit regionally
Earlier this month we ventured out for the day to meet a friend at Braidwood. She was from the south coast and so Braidwood meant we both travelled just over an hour.
Category Archives: Food
Getting high on Canberra’s coffee economy
Comments about Canberra’s coffee economy
Like many cities, coffee shops/ cafes pop up everywhere that there is a new development.
Good café – bad café
It only usually takes a moment to gauge what sort of service you are to receive when you enter a café.
Christmas Puddings and Mince Pies
I am not sure when my desire for mince pies and Christmas cakes and puddings started.
Gardeners at war with possums
This story starts with standing outside the Museum of Sydney taking in an outdoor display of a cottage garden – complete with vegetables and herbs.
The quest for the Pain aux Raisins
Among the many tempting pastries that are wonderful to eat (but probably bad for the waist-line), there’s one that remains a stand out for me.
Canberra Regional Farmers Market
There are many reasons why people trek out to the Canberra Regional Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
no way to treat a coffee
draft 9 August
There’s been an increase in conversations about avoiding the use of plasticized mugs for take away coffee.
Filipino restaurant
Lolo and Lola Filipino restaurant opens in Watson (Canberra)
Wonders of apartment heaven in Zetland
For people who live in the older tree filled suburbs of Canberra, being not only the inner north but also out to west Belconnen and the older parts of Woden, Weston and inner Tuggeranong – I have a holiday experience for you.
Bowral for coffee?
I wrote previously about the stop-overs when you drive between Sydney and Canberra.
Scientists say – what?
It had to happen. According to recent reports – roast potatoes were in the frame for causing cancer. Science says…
That’s no way to treat a baguette
One of the pleasures of life is a great cup of coffee and a real baguette.
Canberra’s suburban coffee
Sitting down on Easter Sunday to catch up with a friend over a cup of coffee (or two) in Braddon, reminded me of why it is not my favourite place to go on a weekend – let alone during the week.
Food Carts
Canberra does not have a history of food carts. The nearest would be a double decker bus that opens at night time at the top of Braddon. Another would have been the now closed Brodburgers that was a very popular red caravan packed on the side of the lake. That was its problem – it was parked on land overseen by the fairly useless National Capital Authority (NCA).
Breakfast in Canberra
Review Breakfast in Canberra
Praga Cafe, Dickson
Here’s another Canberra breakfast venue. Watch this space as the list grows!
Eating at Hall, Canberra
Review: Lunch at Gum Nut Cafe, Hall
It was a Sunday, we had just visited a nearby new suburb and needed to sit with a coffee preferably in the shade of a tree, which were in short supply in the suburb we had just visited, being Crace.
Breakfast in Canberra
Review: Having breakfast in Canberra
A Bite To Eat in Chifley Shops
Another Canberra breakfast venues. Watch this space as the list grows!
Breakfast In Canberra
Review: Having breakfast in Canberra
Autolyse in Lonsdale Street, Braddon
Continuing the journey through Canberra breakfast venues. Watch this space as the list grows!
Breakfast in Mittagong
Review: Breakfast in Mittagong NSW
I have uploaded some updates to my previous comments on stopping for breakfast in Mittagong. We stop for a break in Mittagong regularly on our journeys between Canberra and Sydney.
Neil Young & Starbucks
Neil Young urges fans to boycott Starbucks
click on the image above for more about the Neil Young story.
Is there anyone thinking that Starbucks serves coffee? I could recommend many cafes who serve real coffee for anyone interested?
Best Coffee in Singapore 2014
Review of a few places for coffee
in the arts district of Singapore
There are three places that I have frequented in Singapore when in the need for a non-asian snack and a good coffee. These cafes are in the arts district around Bras Basah Road.
Eating out in Camperdown
Review: Food along / near Missenden Road Camperdown
Based on several stays along Missenden Road, building up a list of places to eat nearby.
IRO Cafe Restaurant
Supermarkets
The duopoly of supermarkets in Australia
There is a very hard-hitting article in the August 2014 issue of The Monthly on how the two large supermarkets have been allowed to rip anyone and everyone off. Even more depressing is that it points to how we, as consumers, are continuing to allow this to happen.
The major point raised by the article is how this dominance of the two of these supermarkets has reduced the food security in this country.
Breakfast in Canberra
Urbanity: Breakfast in Canberra
A list of places to have breakfast
Visits to suburban cafes for weekend breakfast/ brunch; we live inner north, so it will be those within easy range. Watch this space as the list grows! all reviews – click here
Red Brick Espresso, Curtin Shops, Canberra
Breakfast in Mittagong
Review: Breakfast in Mittagong NSW
Mittagong is situated in the Southern Highlands of NSW just off the highway between Canberra and Sydney. Depending on traffic, it can be one hour out of Sydney and two hours from Canberra.
Review: The Shaggy Cow
Continue reading Breakfast in Mittagong
Coffee
A few comments about the Art of Coffee
It was with great amusement that I read a recent story about how Starbucks has not been successful in Australia.
Anyone who understood the love of coffee here in Australia would not be surprised by this and would probably celebrate by heading for a cafe for a peaceful flat white coffee. Click here for that story.
Lox and Neon
This year, Russ & Daughters, the acclaimed appetizing institution on the Lower East Side, turns a hundred years old. To celebrate the occasion, the fourth-generation co-owners are giving customers a place to sit.
Food Security
Australia needs to listen to the warnings about its food security.
From the Independent Australia Blog comes the warning about food security.
The latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change paints a grim picture for the future of Australia’s food security.
Food security is an issue that must be carefully and comprehensively addressed by our government as a matter of critical forward planning. And it must be given priority over trade “arrangements” that may have attractions now, but which will limit the government’s policy options when current circumstances change, which all indicators point to being soon.
Democracy and Tecoma
Opinion: Democracy at work – or not
The McDonalds versus the town of Tecoma story as reported earlier, click here, has come to a sad close with the locals having lost the battle. Despite the majority of the citizens not wanting to have a McDonalds outlet within their village like precinct, the planning regulators ruled that what the citizens requested had no bearing on the outcome.
Breakfast in Canberra
Urbanity: Breakfast in Canberra
A list of places to have breakfast
Visits to suburban cafes during 2014 for weekend breakfast/ brunch; we live inner north, so it will be those within easy range. Watch this space as the list grows! all reviews – click here
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Hudson’s of Dickson, Dickson Shops
There are three cafes in this location, with Hudson’s being in the middle. I have been to Hudson’s too many times to recall. It is Hudson’s in name only – in that the original owner moved on years ago and the present owners retained the name.
Breakfast with Canberra Yummy Mummies
Urbanity: Breakfast in Canberra
Deakin: Double Shot (2nd Review)
I have an earlier post on the this cafe – click here
I have visited this place often and have to say that is often quite busy with social groups, business meetings and all sorts of gatherings.(good) The music is too loud to the extent that it usually hinders easy conversation (bad).
Big Food
Big Food and Sugar
From the Guardian – and article titled:
Big Food is in wilful denial about the harm sugar does to our children
Somewhere on the back seat, a child asks: are we there yet? Is the world safe for me?
The adults present respond: Not Yet. Must be just around the corner.
Eating out in Camperdown
Review: Food along / near Missenden Road Camperdown
Based on several stays along Missenden Road, building up a list of places to eat nearby.
Empires of Food
Book Review
Empires of Food: Feast, Famine and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations
Evan D. G. Fraser and Andrew Rimas. Random House, 2010
As if there was not enough information available on how the world is not paying attention to all the warning signs, this book was recommended to me to make me aware of the dire situation coming our way in relation to the supply of adequate food for coming generations.
This is all linked in with the issues of climate change, population growth and the way we have allowed our food supplies to be controlled by particular market and political forces. This book is a must read for all.
Empires of Food
Review: Book
Empires of Food: Feast, Famine and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations
Evan D. G. Fraser and Andrew Rimas. Random House, 2010
As if there was not enough information available on how the world is not paying attention to all the warning signs, this book was recommended to me to make me aware of the dire situation coming our way in relation to the supply of adequate food for coming generations.
This is all linked in with the issues of climate change, population growth and the way we have allowed our food supplies to be controlled by particular market and political forces. This book is a must read for all.
Tetley Tea
Comment: Tea production and slaves today
a YouTube Guardian presentation on tea production (11 minutes)
Breakfast in Canberra
Urbanity: Breakfast in Breakfast
A list of places to have breakfast
Visits to suburban cafes during 2014 for weekend breakfast/ brunch; we live inner north, so it will be those within easy range. Watch this space as the list grows! all reviews – click here
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Tosolini’s, Corner London Circuit, West Row, Civic
I have been to this cafe over the years far too many times to even ponder counting. Manly for coffee and the occasional meal. I used to eat their cakes, but with age, and dangers of putting on weight, the cakes etc are no longer for me.
Breakfast in Canberra
Urbanity: Breakfast in Canberra
A list of places to have breakfast
Visits to suburban cafes during 2014 for weekend breakfast/ brunch; we live inner north, so it will be those within easy range. Watch this space as the list grows! all reviews – click here
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Pork Barrel, Near Old Parliament House
Arrived about 12.15 and the sun was shining. The place was quietly busy with plenty of options for seating inside or outside under the trees.
Breakfast in Canberra
Urbanity: Breakfast in Canberra
A growing list of places to have breakfast
We intend to visit suburban cafes during 2014 for weekend breakfast/ brunch; we live inner north, so it will be those within easy range. We intend here to visit suburban cafes for weekend breakfast/ brunch; we live inner north, so it will be those within easy range. Here’s the latest. There’s more online – see link below this review.
Wilbur’s Cafe and Bar at Hackett
Edible City
Advocacy: Edible City
A presentation: Turn your city to being an edible city
Developed by the American Society of Landscape Architects, this presentation will assist advocacy to deal with the forecasted food shortages as climate change kicks in. The presentation demonstrates how to turn a conventional community into an edible city. Learn how to transform unproductive spaces into agricultural landscapes that help fight obesity and reduce food deserts. Make sure you note the address and send it onto anyone in decision making roles.
Breakfast in Canberra
Urbanity: Breakfast in Canberra
A growing list of places to have breakfast
We intend here to visit suburban cafes during 2014 for weekend breakfast/ brunch; we live inner north, so it will be those within easy range.
Here’s the latest with more online – see link below the review.
Continue reading Breakfast in Canberra
Sugar
re-post from David Gillespie’s site
The World Health Organisation has taken a tough stand on sugar.
It’s about time we listened.
The WHO (World Health Organization) has leaked a draft report about sugar. The report will tell the world’s health authorities that they should be severely limiting the amount of sugar we all eat.
It will recommend that we consume no more than 5 teaspoons of sugar a day. Given the average Australian is putting away somewhere closer to 35-45 teaspoons a day, it’s a very big call indeed.
UN Report on Food
UN Report on Food
World must sustainably produce 70 per cent more food by mid-century
December 2013
There are many debates in Australia suburbs about trying to achieve planning and development more relevant to contemporary suburban priorities including to address issues of climate change adaptation. Most of these advocacy efforts are hard work and very frustrating.
Education in Biodiversity and Ecology
Re-Posted from The Sustainable Settlements Institute
The urgent requirement for education to address ecology and biodiversity
Our cities and towns need to be adapted to deal with the current and future pressures of climate change. This requires a new level of expertise. One essential element in this the education of the professionals who must deal with climate change adaptation in the design, planning and development of our urban spaces. Green wash, which is the current standard, is no longer acceptable. Continue reading Education in Biodiversity and Ecology
Tecoma
Urbanity: A tale of community action
Tecoma community objects to Big Mac development
Occasionally in Australia it still happens that a community gets their collective act together to take on the local authorities over some stupid planning decisions. I have been involved in such an action – the Great Marsden Street Battle.
It also happens that communities take the ‘shocking’ decision to say no to the invasion of one of the big box retailers, or in this case one of the big fast food giants.
The outer Melbourne community of Tecoma was awakened one day in 2011 to the imminent invasion into their picturesque community of Macdonalds.
Eating Out in Camperdown
Review: Food along Missenden Road Camperdown
I will come back to this photograph. Saving the best till last!
Several days were recently spent in this area of Sydney with an interesting selection of food. Here’s a few based along one street, with one across Parramatta road.