Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills

I planned ahead and finally got to book a table at Cafe Lounge on a cold autumn night.



I was running late, as per usual, and tried to get a taxi and failed. So I had to walk the length of Goulburn Street to Cafe Lounge. Cafe Lounge is defined as a small bar. If you want a table, I suggest booking early. If you walk in, I suspect you'll be standing around waiting for people to leave their table. It wasn't super busy when I got there. Though as we left at around 9pm more people did seem to be coming in.

It has a very cosy vibe and I loved all the decor.







In terms of food, it was kind of limited. They really only have pizza and then some sides. We ordered two pizzas and we waited quite a while for them to arrive at the table.


Ducks Nuts - $12


Chorizo - $12

Instead of numbers for your table they have little cute toys like these:




We also ordered jugs. All jugs are $25 each. I guess because we had 4 to a jug, the alcoholic effects weren't really felt.


Mon Mon Sangria. There was something about this that tasted a little different to sangria that I've had in the past.


Pimms Garden

I liked that it was so cosy and cute and a little bit hipster. Though, I don't know what that word means anymore! A couple of the bartenders and the clientele are British, if that's your thing. XDD

• Find Cafe Lounge at 277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010.

The Carrington, Surry Hills

I was googling, trying to find somewhere to hold an early birthday/end-of-PLT event and The Carrington was one of the names that turned up in the search. Its menu looked amazing too. My first choice was Cafe Lounge but I didn't inquire early enough for that.

I had pre-drinks already at my old work and was running terribly late and had to take a taxi there. By the way, so difficult to get a taxi on a Friday night, on the street. Also, kind of embarrassing when a full taxi just drives right by you. XD



It was pretty packed. Lots of people standing. I asked the bartender if it's always like this. He says that on the other weekdays it's pretty quiet. Btw, these photos are like later in the night as people had left the place.




And here's what I ordered:


Calamari Slider - $6; Meatball Slider - $6

Both so good. And I love that they're mini in size because you can eat 2 sliders and not just one!


Jalapeno and smoked cheddar croquettes - $14


Pretty sure this is the kingfish pastrami on rye - $4, though feel free to correct me.

It had a pretty good vibe to it. I hope to come back to eat more of their food. The bartenders were super nice. They do take EFTPOS. Though I'm pretty sure they have a minimum before you can use it. I can't remember what amount it was though.

There are other places for functions. One day I'll like to book out The Apartment. Seems like it'd be a fun time.

• Find The Carrington at 563 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010.

Jamberoo, Kiama, Wollongong

Back in March the family took a trip down south to Jamberoo. We had to reschedule because of horrible weather back in February. So glad we didn't attempt to go in the rain. It was such a good, sunny day on the Saturday we finally went.

This was the first time I've been to Jamberoo. I didn't know that you could rent huts. I thought we would have to find a spare patch of ground to rest our towels on. But we had the amazing Taipan Hut! So big! Much bigger than it needed to be and as the name suggests it was right next to the TAIPAN ride.

But first, the car ride down there. Lots of greenery and COWS. So many. I don't think they're for eating but for milking?




Our hut.



The eponymous Taipan right next to us!




I went on the Taipan 3 times! So good! It's the darkness and the potential of capsizing that makes it amazing. I rode it with my little cousins and I screamed more than they did!

And here's our food for the day. Yep. That is rice you see.



There was also cake since it was my cousin's birthday too!



For reasons that I won't really go into (just some drama) we left Jamberoo and headed to Kiama to see the blowhole. I was expecting to see some actual blowhole action (don't be dirty!) but alas no. Still a beautiful day for sightseeing.









My favourite sign that made me yell at all my family for walking on the rocks.




Then we drove up to Wollongong for some swimming between the flags. I'm not much of a swimmer. I may have mentioned in the past that I haven't owned a swimming costume since high school. But I loved jumping into the waves and getting hit by them. If only I had the courage to go deeper!





I had such a good time but when I got home I found sand in my bag and in my shoes and my pants and my hair. And now I know what Kramer was talking about when he was inventing his perfume "The Beach". A beach smell is good.

It's been pretty warm weather in Sydney. Warm for autumn so maybe a trip to a much closer beach isn't out of the question!