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

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

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

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!

Until next time!
Mimi xoxo

Home is where the jaffle is

Aren't the shapes just Art? Great if you like your
bread cut in triangles like me :P

We all have that distinct smell in our homes of a Saturday morning, when most parents are at home having a well deserved sleep in and the kids open one eye to catch the sunlight dancing on their bed, snuggling further into the recesses of their pillows and blankets. The house is serene, basking in the early sun almost like a lazing lizard on a spot of rock on this great earth. Paint begins to peel and flake on its exterior, signs of the Australian sun at work. For now the sun is modest, it rises above the trees to warm the leaves the pavement. For me, sunlight would explode into the bedroom and I would lie awake for a while watching the rays catch the dust swirling stealthily about the room. An occasional magpie would venture to perch on the window sill crooning over its shoulder into the rows of roses and pumpkins that was our garden below. The parents are already out of bed and that is when the first sounds are heard from the kitchen.

The time had come and was marked by the sweet smell of butter instilled in the air. The ingredients in their isolation smell of nothing until layered into the jaffle hot plate to pop out as crisp, golden sandwiches that break effortlessly to form triangle slices. The machine even imprinted neat lines on each triangle and you would know when it was ready by the flick of the green light and the sizzle as the edges finally gave way to the cheese.

Its contents ooze a little though the sealed edges, cheese comes first and maybe some toasted sliced tomato. We used to make ours with ham, cheese and tomato – simple yet it endured every Saturday, a welcoming change from porridge in winter and cereal in summers before school. It transcended all seasons and my sister and I would pick them up with little fingers and nibble cautiously in case the goodness scolded our tongues (yes too much goodness can harm you :P). You simply could not leave it on the bench to cool! 

I know what you’re thinking. It’s a jaffle maker, it makes jaffles (duh) and so what? Do we not link smells to a time in the past, an exact place and location? A place that may not be present or standing anymore as in my case? How times have changed when you look back and see how our breakfasts have evolved (just an odd thought), often the first smells and sounds of the morning amidst the rush to start the day. The fact is childhood memories manifest in different ways that we often don’t realise and recognise. Little does that magpie know that it is instilled in a childhood memory, wherever it may be now.

Nowadays I make the jaffles for the household. We used to call it “Breville” after the brand of our jaffle maker. “Breville” itself sounds kind of snug and homey just like the sandwich itself. Now in our teens we promoted ourselves to adding a little salami too but the classic from the past always has a place on the hot plates. I thought it was important to put this simple memory into writing – in a few decades it may be a lasting memory to sustain us all!

I’ll leave you with some thoughts for jaffle toppings I’ve tried in the past. You may soon realise the jaffle maker is one of the best kitchen investments you’ve made (no exaggeration here :P )
No more boring sandwiches and toast!!

Just top up one slice with either (you choose the ingredient portions):
- a few spoons of canned baked beans and some cheese :P
- a few twirls of canned spaghetti
- Tomato, diced (or slice of) ham and cheese (any cheese!)
- Avocado, tomato, ham and cheese
- leftover macaroni cheese (dare I say- which some like but I still can’t warm up to after trying!)

Nothing beats the "Big Cheese" everrrrrr!!

Well I hope the above won’t be the first quirky thought you’ve encountered today but I think its nice thinking about our childhood every now and then (even though I’m not that old yet!). Some we can recall with remarkable clarity – a chain of thoughts and senses that string together – and I love the excitement as you and your friends/family can fill in the details together and remember the exact same memory as it happened J

See if you can recall something from your childhood! The trick is not to think too hard!

Toodles for now!
Mimi