Tuesday 11 February 2014

The Grounds of Alexandria


I've been to the Grounds a few times now and I think it deserves the hype and write ups it receives.
For one, the place is huge! You name it, it has it! Coffee roasters, bbq's, a florist, market stalls, lemonade stalls, pastry galore, take away and eat in options, a playground for the kids, a lovely garden to sit in  and of course, Kevin Bacon and Bradley the Sheep. 

My first visit to the Grounds, I had my Nephew with me. He loved the animals, as well as the playground. While you're waiting for a table if you choose to eat there, there's plenty of options to keep the kids occupied.

Kevin Bacon returned my Nephew's affection!


I haven't eaten from the bbq's outside but I have sat down inside to have breakfast twice. 

First visit I shared a Breakfast Plate with my sister, this was plenty of food between us. We ordered french toast for my nephew, this was delicious and yes, I finished off what he couldn't! Or wouldn't?..

Both times, I've enjoyed a coffee while I've waited for my table so with breakfast I order the Iced Tea which is very refreshing. 


Second time I've been for breakfast, I ordered the sweet pea falafels with poached eggs. This was really yum, eggs poached perfectly and comes with a nice yoghurt to smother everything in. 
Also with an iced tea!


There are SO many sweets available whether at the stalls outside or inside for display. Do not go past the hot, fresh, delicious cinnamon donuts. 
These come filled with either chocolate or jam, I've tried both and both are as good as each other. 


If you haven't been here, I think it's definitely worth a visit. Do expect await if you don't want to order take away. 

Porteno



If you're all about deliciously tender, slow cooked meats - get here ASAP. 



Walking in, you walk past fire pits with surrounded by the lamb and pig that you've come here for. As soon as you spot these, you know you're in for good things. 

We order:

  • Bread with pork pate
  • Charcuterie plate
  • Fetta & Provolone filled Zucchini Flowers
  • Calamari with three styles of Cucumber
  • Chorizo
  • 8 hour wood fired pig
  • 8 hour wood fired lamb
  • Crispy brussel sprouts
Food comes out pretty quick here and pretty much in the order that we had ordered it. 

I'm not a huge fan of pate as it is, but a thin layer of this on bread does me good. 
Charcuterie plate, you can't go wrong. Super thin slices of delicious meats and olives, YUM! 
Zucchini flowers were pretty good, nice side to have on the table.



Calamari, yum! Really well cooked.
Chorizo, need I say more? Mmmm..



8 hour meats, these are SO tender, words cannot describe. Juicy, melt in the mouth, such an awesome flavour. You can't come here and not order these, you just can't!

Brussel sprouts, super crispy and mint goes really well! 

Full as googs, we decide to make room for dessert. We order:
  • South American Style Pavlova
  • Coconut Ice Cream, charred Pineapple, Tequila Granita, Tapioca & Young Coconut


This pavlova is out of this world. We easily could have demolished one of these each if it wasn't for our already close to exploding stomachs. 
The layers and flavours in this cake are just SO good! Caramel, banana, pistachio.


The waiter forgot our ice cream that we ordered, but it soon arrived after the waiter was reminded. This was really nice too, very refreshing on the palette and not as rich as the pavlova. 

My personal preference would be the pavlova though.




If you are planning on going here, I would suggest making a booking if you have enough people. Luckily, we did and even though we had, we still had to line up and there was still a line when we left a couple hours later. 

Watch this space...

I've been quite slack on the blogging front over the Festive period... Thinking back to where I have been since my last post, I have a lot to catch up on.

Posts will probably be short and sweet as some visits that I made to places were a little while ago now. 

Well, better get onto it. 

Ash x 

Monday 10 February 2014

El Jannah, Blacktown



I haven't been to El Jannah in years and I had heard that one in Blacktown had opened. Seeing as this is a lot closer to home and also, I'm thinking with a lot more parking, I thought I'd check it out.

Short walk across the road from Westpoint is El Jannah, lines out the door as expected.


When I come here, I can't go past chicken and falafels. It looks like burgers are running out the doors but I stick to what I know. 

Boyfriend and I order half a chicken, a Falafel plate and a side of tabbouleh. With one drink, comes to around $22. Bargain for the amount of food you get, can't go wrong.

At Blacktown, there is some outdoor seating, though this I'm sure is constantly taken. If you don't get lucky with a seat outside, there are 2 dining rooms. One of either side of where you order, plenty of seating in here.

They are pumping out the chickens here, so food is pretty much instantly at your table. With your chicken you get your bread, a whole-lotta garlic sauce and pickles.

Falafel plate comes with onions and a yummo yoghurt for dipping or pouring all over your plate.

Tabbouleh, lots of lemon juice. That's how I like it, but may not be to every ones taste. 

Falafels here I really enjoy, lots of flavour. Chicken, crispy, smokey, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! I think it's the only way to do it really!


1. Smother your bread with garlic sauce

2. Fill up your bread with smashed falafels, ripped up chicken

3. Chuck on a big spoonful of Tabbouleh

4. Devour

I haven't been to Granville store in a really long time, so can't compare. But judging by the crowds around this place, pretty sure it's meeting the standard.