Armory Wharf Cafe, Newington
Saturday, March 20th, 2010In search of the best breakfast in Sydney, we decided to try the Armory Wharf Cafe. I have stumbled upon this cafe by the Parramatta River inside Olympic Park/Bicentennial Park previously on a long bike ride - many cyclists stop here for refreshment, whether it be iced chocolates, hot chocolates, gatorades, water, whatever takes your fancy. It seemed so relaxing with the water shimmering and the cool breeze coming through the open air cafe, it was perfect for a brunch on a summer’s day.
Of course we had to try the big breakfast. Two eggs poached, roasted tomatoes, sauteed field mushrooms, bacon, and a jumbo slice of toast. I found the toast was a bit wet from the poached eggs, so maybe some resting aside would have done it good. But the mushrooms were certainly meaty and delicious.
We also tried the corn cakes with bacon, rocket and avocado salsa. They also do a smoked salmon one. Unfortunately, the bacon was cold. But the salsa was nice, and the corn cakes were flavoursome and crispy on the edges. I asked the waiter whether they were make “frittery” or “pancakey” and he told me frittery, but in my mind, the flatness makes them more pancakey, and my favourite corn fritters are still at Zenja Cafe or Bills. But these were really nice corn pancakes!
A brilliant way to use excess carrots, these mini bit sized cupcakes will be a perfect addition to a high tea party or to surprise supper guests or even as part of a petit four! Good for the cholesterol conscious as it uses oil not butter.
It certainly is a demonstration of a chef’s humility when they open a lower priced offshoot and make their top cuisine affordable for all. Think Becasse and Plan B (with its $10 Wagyu burger and $2 lemon tarts); Fifteen Restaurant and Canteen, and in Leura: Solitary Restaurant and Kiosk. Whilst the restaurant offers 5 courses for $95, a mere $10 will get you a hearty gourment brunch or lunch in its kiosk located on the same premises, same sweeping views over the blue mountains. A charming weatherboard hut perched atop a ledge midway between Katoomba and Leura, set in a garden filled with blooms. I started off with a tangy, tart and perfectly sweet home made lemonade ($3.50). 
The lemon zest added even greater depth of flavour; and the sourness of the lemon was balanced with the sweetness of the sugar syrup. Equally delicious was the coke spider (my first taste can you believe it!). Our group was pretty evenly split between the steak sandwich, caponata salad and chicken sandwich. So you would have thought that the kitch would find it easy to fill the order for 8. Sadly I think they weren’t accustomed to the influx of Sydney siders for APEC long weekend holiday, so the food took forever to come - I felt sorry for the couple that came after us! But lucky there is the view, and well when you go to the country you’re not in much of a rush anyway! The open steak sandwich ($15.50) was a good sized minute steak cooked medium well, served between two delicious thick slices of wood fired bread - the crumb dense enough to hold in the home made tomato relish, sweet delicious caramelised onion, lettuce, and grilled tomato. The caponata salad ($15.50) captivated us when we saw another patron (we assumed regular) order it. A warm salad piled on top of the same bread (which I am so glad is not sourdough) - comprising diced zucchini, eggplant, tomato, onion, celery, pinenuts and olive oil - hearty vegetarian feast that created added interest through the listing of dark chocolate on the menu!
