a local favourite

A small cafe, hidden in the back streets of St Leonards, Wooden Whisk is a short walk from the crowds on Crows Nests' Willoghby Road. With it's top five tips on the latest health crazes, the ever-changing specials board, or their on-the-ball, accommodating and smiley staff; it's no wonder Wooden Whisk is a crowd (and our local) favourite.

The interiors are the ultimate in industrial chic - featuring exposed brick and Herringbone wall tiles. There's plenty of seating both outdoor and indoor, with bench seating around the walls and a large share-table in the centre.

We've been there on numerous occasions, and with their focus on the heartier meals unfortunately the Bircher Muesli is not worthy of writing home about - or ordering again. The stand-out brekkie though, is by far the The Breakfast Grazing Board, which features goats cheese, avocado, double smoked bacon, poached egg, tomato chutney, cherry tomato, basil with boulot white sourdough. Large serving, hearty and full of flavours.

The lunch menu centres around sandwiches - hand on heart the Asian Pulled Pork is the best I've tried. It's packed with pulled pork, cucumber, spring onion, aioli, cabbage & mint slaw, and a side of fries. It's a very large meal (the image is shown is only half), so if you're like me and tend to have smaller lunches, order this for two!

Cafe: Wooden Whisk
Total price: Approx $40 (for 2pp)
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm; Sat 7.30am-3pm
Must order: Asian pulled pork sandwich
Coffee: Specially selected from Single Origin Coffee

lunch, dinner or weekend retreat

Jonah's is one of those places everyone always talks about... Stunning views. Sumptuous food. Sophisticated atmosphere.

Offering contemporary Australian cuisine with breathtaking views over the Pacific Ocean, this restaurant is everything attached to it's name and much, much more. As soon as you walk in you're mesmerised by the view.

The formal waitstaff are quick to greet you, and escort you to your table. Try and book a booth - they are by far the best seats in the house, especially for spotting the celebrities who are dining!

Executive Chef Peter Ridland focuses on fresh, seasonal produce with an emphasis on seafood. The wine list is very extensive with 5,000 bottles to choose from, featuring the best from Australia and around the world.

The a la carte menu took our eye (degustation prices start from $170pp + $70pp matching wines). For my entree I ordered North Atlantic Scallops sautéed with Ibérico jamón, spiced rock melon cloud, puffed quinoa and melon dressing. So light, so tasty!

I couldn't go past the Western Australian Cone Bay Barramundi for my main - roasted and served with sautéed wild mushroom, pancetta, cauliflower purée, cavolo nero and forestière sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly, however this meal - especially the sauce - was a little heavy for me.

Apart from the incredible view, the dessert menu was by far my highlight. I can't go past anything on the menu that mentions coconut or rhubarb... My husband ordered the chocolate and rosemary delice with coconut sorbet. It was rich, but the sorbet created the perfect balance.

I ordered the rhubarb and vanilla soufflé with green apple sorbet and crème anglaise. Upon presenting the dish, the waitstaff pour the crème anglaise into the oh-so fluffy souffle. And the sorbet, again, the perfect accompaniment.

The desserts. were. divine.

Maintaining a chef's hat for the past 7 years, Jonah's is the complete package. Next time however, I would make an entire weekend of it. This beautiful ocean retreat belongs to the Relais & Chateaux Group and offers seaplane transfers. For something special or just because...

Restaurant: Jonah's

Total price: Approx. $700 (for 4ppl incl. wine)

Hours: Dinner from 6pm

Must order: Rhubarb and vanilla soufflé

the best french toast... ever!

Such a quaint cafe, ideally situated in the backstreets of The Rocks in Sydney. The Fine Food Store offers organic food, cheeses and nic-nacks to takeaway, and also has a sit-down menu with locally sourced coffee from QLD.

I've been here a few times now, each time is as much the same as the other. The coffee is amazing, presentation great and atmosphere laid back and relaxed.

I'm a HUGE bircher muesli fan, so of course I had to try it. Although the presentation is there, it's very difficult to eat and the Bircher a little too sweet for me - it had been soaked in incredibly sweet apple juice. And there is one thing I absolutely cannot stand... It frustrates me more than anything that a gorgeous little cafe uses frozen berries in its meals. Needless to say, I'll never be ordering the Bircher from here again.

If you order the roasted muesli (which is really yummy), ask for milk. All other meals were great. No complaints on the poached egg front - they were cooked perfectly. The absolute standout meal? The brioche French toast. Absolutely insane!! The textures, flavours and the presentation are absolutely to die for. It's definitely worth coming just to experience this.

  

Cafe: Fine Food Store

Total price: Approx $100 (for 5ppl)

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm; Sat-Sun 7.30am-4.30pm

Must order: Brioche French toast

Coffee: Specialty coffee, special blend