by cafedave on May 17, 2010
Witham’s coffee. 28 Cronulla Street, Cronulla. Visiting Cronulla when a sudden downpour hit, we looked for a place that would shelter us from the rain. Obviously from the name, being a cafe is not the main goal of this place, but they have a Witham’s sandwich board and a breakfast menu, so it doesn’t seem too much of a stretch to include it.
You have a choice of outdoor eating undercover, in Cronulla’s mall, or indoors, in a carpeted space with brown-painted tables and a choice of high-backed chairs or low-to-the ground cubes. On the back wall, a large TV plays some kind of sporting contest, but it’s far enough away that it’s not a distraction. There’s a high chair available, and the staff seem reasonably content to have children around.
I found the service to be varied: some waitstaff were friendly, others were less happy to be there. If you’re looking to order breakfast, be aware that there are no variations permitted on the menu items: it’s what you see on the menu, or nothing – this was the strangest part of the trip.
The decaf tasted a little stale – there’s no decaf grinder in sight – but was still drinkable. As a licenced restaurant, I suspect that coffee isn’t their main game.
by cafedave on April 17, 2010
Mecca Espresso Coffee. With only one other restaurant between it and the water, this is a great spot to have a leisurely breakfast and take in some ocean air. Worth noting that it has been completely refurbished, and ownership has changed over since my last review here.
The new chef is from Danks St Depot, and as such, the menu is much more varied and up-market. Sure, the prices are a little higher, but this is a level of food that I haven’t encountered anywhere else in the Shire, much less in Cronulla – perhaps there are a couple of restaurants that are playing at this level, but no cafes.
Coffee (the decaf is freshly ground, and they receive coffee deliveries three times per week to ensure freshness) is really good. They have a team who know what they’re doing, and it’s a good complement to the food on offer.
If you’re down at Cronulla looking for a place to actually catch a glimpse of the waves, while enjoying fantastic food and really good coffee, then I would look no further.
by cafedave on April 29, 2008
Campos coffee. Shop 6/28 The Kingsway, Cronulla. As you can tell from the photo, it’s pretty cramped here – one group of customers have a stroller with them, and so it’s a little tricky to move through to get a seat. Once seated, you will realise that it’s order and pay at counter, and have to walk back around to the counter, where the menus are – perhaps they should be available on the tables too?
The ambience of the place, though, and the food, and even the coffee, more than makes up for these inconveniences. A lot of character, and some quality fixtures and fittings have been crowded into this space.
Coffee is brought out, and passed across the divider that spreads this small shop into two columns by a friendly waitress. It’s a worthy cup of Campos decaf that’s brought out – the milkwork, the flavour, the aftertaste are all good, and the pancakes, too, are very tasty.
by cafedave on January 6, 2008
Ducale coffee. Family-friendly pizza restaurant / café overlooking the water (from across the park). A woodfire pizza oven in the corner provides aromas, and a mix of patrons provide the soundscape of this licenced pizza restaurant that stops short of having tablecloths.
Coffee – no decaf on offer – is not the main game here, but they at least spice the machine before making their first coffee of the day. As you’d expect, it’s not fantastic, but would be a perfectly acceptable compliment to an italian meal.
Website: littleitalyrestaurant.com.au
by cafedave on December 10, 2007
Mokador coffee. Shop 4, perryman pl, cronulla beach. The outdoor tables (mostly) have water views, and all can hear the ocean. A big range of breakfast choices, q little expensive, but big serves.
Coffee is slow in coming out, and it’s served hot – too hot to pick up at first. The decaf latte is served with a too foamy head. Though the first sip is bad news, it improves with time, and gets to a point of being drinkable.
by cafedave on February 26, 2007
Grinders (giancarlo) coffee. Opposite rydges, closer to the beach.lots of natural light, tiles floor, casual furniture with blue and white the dominant colours, with a broad mix of ages from 5-50. Licenced: not sure what the mood would be here at night, but in the morning, there’s some triple-j music playing just loud enough to blur the conversation at other tables. If you time your arrival right, you would have a reasonable view of the ocean from your table.
Coffee seems a little slow: though there are four staff, the one stationed permanently on the coffee machine seems to move a little slowly filling the orders. On the plus side, I can hear the grinder working for each shot.
Coffee is hot (but not too hot):and thick: well foamed. Better than I was bracing myself for. At first taste, there’s some bitterness, but the aftertaste is good.
by cafedave on December 27, 2006
Single Origin Roasters coffee. How is Cronulla institution (I’d rather be at) "Grind" going with its transition to a larger premises? Everything is coming along nicely, even settling into a routine. Veteran staff, and some additional new faces to help make the transition to seven days a week, the familiar attitude, and the very familiar coffee have all remained the same.
it’s very odd to be at Grind in the middle of the week. The biggest changes are the lack of customer photos on the wall, and the space. As a regular customer of the miniature version of Grind, it seems that part of the charm of the place is the tiny size. The new venue has space – there’s more seating, and there’s more room above the customers – it must have 14 foot ceilings at least. Despite the larger venue, the menu is unchanged. This means that there’s coffee and biscotti, but (as yet) nothing more substantial.
Coffee as ever is excellent: the beans are as fresh as ever, and there’s a choice of house blend or a regularly-changing “special of the day” – advice is always available on how best to drink your choice of beans.
by cafedave on December 27, 2006
Belaroma coffee. 22 Cronulla St, Cronulla. Bright, well lit seating inside and outside with a well-stocked bar. Staff buzz around, friendly but not outgoing. Water is only brought out on request, ditto the all-day breakfast menu if you arrive at lunchtime.
Coffee takes a while to arrive, and while the glass itself is too hot to pick up comfortably, the coffee is sweet at first, and just the right temperature for sipping. It’s a bit thin, with an unpleasant aftertaste, about on par with expectations for a place with a pricey food menu and full bar.
by cafedave on December 9, 2006
Espresso di manfredi coffee. Richard calabro’s weekday café venue is opening Monday December 11th 2006 in a new location: 6 Surf Road, Cronulla.
Update: Single Origin Roasters coffee. I try to make it to this cafe once a week – even the decaf tastes like real coffee!
by cafedave on October 22, 2006
Piazza D’oro coffee. 2 Kingsway, Cronulla About as close to the beach as you can get without sweeping sand from under the tables. A little pricey, but not beyond what you’d expect for the location. Seats about 40 people in close-together outdoor tables.
Coffee is pretty slow in arriving. When it’s brought out, it’s a good temperature, good texture, and even tastes good!
