Suzy Spoon's Vego-fy Revolution

It may be hard to guess from my brunch choices but "I ain't no vego"! But in fact vegetarian choices at cafes and restaurants intrigue me to the point that I would choose it over the meaty menu counterparts (what can I say I'm pretty risk-ay and up for anything).

Hence like a loyal friend of a vego, I was happy to pay a visit to Suzy Spoon's Vegetarian Butcher because:

1. Looking at the menu brochure and seeing tempeh, seitan and "facon" made me very curious.
2. I would not hear the end of it from my friend about any other cafe.
3. It's another excuse to come to eat at Newtown.
4. I kinda wanted to meet Suzy and have a nice vego to vego-appreciator chat

Suzy's is on King Street (number 22-24 to be exact) but the countless time I've caught a bus down King I swear I have never EVER seen it! Turns out its a little farther from the restaurant hub of Thai Pothong I'm used to.

We came in on a weekday at 11 for brunch and we were the only customers for a little which kinda surprised me. At Suzy's you order at the counter and while we waited  we had a look at their extensive range of take home vego goodies including homemade tomato sauce ($10.50), sausage varieties ($12) and Vienna Style Schnitzels ($14). We also strolled over for a look at Suzy's own cookbook nearby the counter and it sure made going part vegetarian tempting! The interior is very clean and kinda minimalistic-semi-rustic, not adhering to a certain theme like other cafes but there was this cool antique scale on a wall window looking into the kitchen. I think we just missed out on the true atmosphere of Suzy's coming at a quiet time :( The way seating went, we felt you couldn't really hang for long, chatting during and a little after the meal as you could other cafes (food totally makes up for this). But we did also get served directly by the chef with a helping hand from the waiter!!

 

Suzy comes into her store everyday but wasn't there at the time which was kinda sad for me because she sounded like a pretty cool, worldly person! We ordered the Tempeh Burger ($12), Chilli Dog ($12) and Spoon's Big Breakfast ($18.50) and no complaints what so ever. Kudos to the menu - it was great at explaining what to expect in your order even though there were some new words to me.

The Tempeh Burger of mine really made me believe in a bright future as a vegetarian. The English muffin style bun was toasted just right on the inside, the tempeh itself had a likeable nutty flavour and the homemade mayo, caramelised onions and peanut sauce was just the creme dela creme finish to a great burger! The burger came with a skewer and it was still on the brink of toppling over but I had a ball taking it down and demolishing it with the cutlery! It was AMAZING, who needs a side of chips anyways! I managed a swipe at some of the Sunday Sausage from the Big Breakfast which so fragrant and tasty with the herbs infusion and the Smoked Chilli Sausage in the Dog still messed with my brain because it looked like the biggest, meatiest American hot dog ever (such an illusion)!

 

I was so full and satisfied after! The portion was big but you kinda powered through because of the mystical allure of the peanut satay sauce! I couldn't manage finishing the top bun though after removing the skewer and letting all hell loose. You also felt pretty good having eaten a product that supports Suzy's vision of cruelty free and meat free food. Bonus: tasty and not over processed!

Wow I'm still feeling good inside (plus no regrets having ordered a burger for brunch)! I'd go back for that burger anytime or maybe to try the Spoon Burger with its vegan homemade rosemary and garlic pattie!

Three Word Summary: Feel-good, innovative, original
Ambience 3.5/5
Fare $ !!
Foodwise 5/5

Grounds of Alexandria Date

This is most probably the billionth blog post raving about the Grounds of Alexandria located in Alexandria Sydney on 7A/2 Huntley Street. I’ve even read that this is one of the most instagramed places in Australia so I’ll admit it now -I did do a foodgram and it doesn’t even do justice to how delicious and lovely the dish was!!!

So the love story goes something like this....
Despite the overcast day, my girlfriend and I still made the journey (my first visit) to the Grounds with an empty stomach ready for some feel-good food. We actually had an outfit planned the night before (don’t judge) because 1. Alexandria being in the inner city is full of hipster, stylish people and 2. We were going to head into the city afterwards to check out the new Sephora store and for a little Chrissy shopping!

I know what you’re thinking, cut the talk and show the pictures which I totally agree! So instead of boring you with my attempts at describing how lovely the whole place was, just enjoy the pictures (cause I know we all skip the text for the photos)!
Note: I did refrain from taking too many photos because that was waaay too mainstream there :D

This was the sink for the bathroom, as if
this isn't so country old fashioned I love it!

A little florist on site with displays just
spilling onto the walkway - so lovely!

The courtyard lies beyond with a fountain
where the little kids play

Yes they have a small animal farm and yes
Kevin Bacon is the resident pig :P

Guess who!

There are a few choices for eating at the Grounds, you can choose to dine in the restaurant-style cafe or buy from the little kiosk and enjoy your munchies at the courtyard. Service was so lovely at the restaurant-cafe we ate at (including tres good looking waiters). You get a little buzzer like at the bistro that will buzz when your table (no need to reserve) is ready for you = keep exploring instead of waiting in a queue! Peerfect!

The menu was organised into Breakfast – small and substantial (til 11:30am),Brunch and Lunch (both from 12pm)! They were quite strict (in a kind/reasonable not “you die” kind of way - don’t worry) with the times so sadly one could not order a lunch at 11:30am L

But we did spend a good 10 mins having a long think about what to order because man that was a tough decision! Too many delicious choices!!! We had a look the other tables on the way in to see what dishes looked yummiest – which was all of them!!

My friend's "Petuna Salmon" order for brunch = MEH!!

Oh Lordy - behold the "Healthy Plate"

It definitely packed a punch for the sweet tooth too! I mean check out

that little shot cup of green juice! How do you say no?

Along the main walkway there’s a wagon selling fresh fruits and homemade lemonade in yellow, pink and peachy colours! We also saw a donut wagon but it wasn't in business at the time!

Now let me put my two cents worth here – that Grounds Granola (as it was called) was actually the substance of my wildest dreams. You tip in the mini milk jug and that’s when the party at the taste buds began. It was your ordinary breakfast transformed into a breakfast of the Gods. Despite the name Healthy Plate and the appearance of assorted fruit and the granola – it was definitely filling!


So what are you waiting for, book a brunch/lunch date with your girlies or mum/grandma on your next free day. Boys take the special women of your life (girlfriends, mums and grandmas) to impress! The place is literally a little archaic, rustic world of its own in the midst of the city and my friends have been raving about this place since forever. We used to fantasize the time when we would finally make the visit (how else do you get through boring uni - you think of your food tours of course)!!!


This is just one of those places you hear so much about and need to see for yourself! There's something for everyone!
Go on a little adventure this weekend!

MVPD

Vegetarian Cous Cous Summer Salad

This is such a simple, fresh and healthy idea for lunch especially if your on the go. It takes about 10 mins (depending on your culinary chef skillz) and the best thing about it, is that it stores really well- that is you can take it along to school, uni or work and it will still be crispy to bite and not so soggy.

Warning: this salad has mango in it. Yes, Mango! At first I was always skeptical about fruit in salad (of course with the exception of tomatoe, cucumber and what have you...) but the sweetness of the fruit compliments the tang of tomates and the overall texture of the Cous Cous and lettuce.

Ok enough dawdling here's the recipe:

For a single serve you'll need:

- A handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered

- About two table spoons of cous cous grain

- Half a cup of diced mango

- A few lettuce leaves roughly chopped

- Three table spoons of beansssssss

- Two table spoons of corn

- Quarter of a red onion, diced

- A lil' bit of pasley, roughly chopped

- drizzle of olive oil

**optional: cashews, mint, balsamic vinegar, tuna, chicken

1. Prepare cous cous grain according to the box or packet. Usually the ratio of cous cous to hot water is 1:1.5 (you can add broth powder here for added taste). I use a mug and chuck everything inside and place an inverted plate on it. Set aside for later.

2.  Put everything else into a bowl, mix thoroughly

3. The cous cous should be softer by now- if not you can put it in the microwave at high for max 15 secs. Give the cous cous a good mix in the mug and tip it into the bowl, mixing again.

4. I definitely recommend crushing some cashews for a bit of crunch and the mint and balsamic is optional, as is tuna and chicken for my meat appreciating folk out there.

  

5. Take a pic and insta it with the hashtag #thesydneysideup for me to seeeeeee!

6. Now you may eat it!


I hope you enjoy it, it's not very original but it's delish- which counts the most I think. Also let me know how fast you can make this in the comments below!

MLVD