Well Connected Cafe, Glebe NSW

Well Connected Cafe

Food: 2.5/5
Atmosphere: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Cost: $$

Well Connected Cafe is found on a cute, quaint suburban street in Glebe. If you're into old, traditional Sydney buildings - this is the place for you. I will admit, the place was busy whilst we were there however it's not my kind of place. I prefer dining in establishments that have up-to-date occupational health and safety operations (this cafe was falling apart, to say the least).

I was hoping that the food wouldn't be reflecting the look. Unfortunately, my coffee was not exceptionally hot (I finished it within the minute it arrived) and my toast was cold. Not a good impression. The eggs however, were poached perfectly! The service was average, and with all these things combined, I don't think I will be returning.

Lower street view.

View from the upstairs balcony where we were seated.

Omelette with Smoked Salmon - capsicum, tomato, mushrooms, cheese and spinach

$15.50

Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon

$17.00

Sapore Della Vigna, Leichardt NSW

Sapore Della Vigna

Food: 2.5/5
Atmosphere: 3/5
Service: 3.5/5
Cost: $$$

Sapore is situated within a small square within Leichardt, which reminded me of a mini modern day Rome. It was cute and I was immediately drawn to the al fresco dining on this particular mild Autumn evening in Sydney. The square itself was quiet, as too was the restaurant, even though it was the night before a public holiday.

The service was good - prompt, polite and professional. We didn't have to ask for water to be brought to our table, which in itself is a sign of service with iniative. I was just wishing that the music within the restaurant could have been turned down slightly as it was a challenging to hold a decent conversation without almost shouting. (A pre-recorded rendition of 'Happy Birthday' for an outside dining party was not quite what I was expecting to be enjoying my $8.50 glass of red wine with).

As quick as their sparkler cake was carved, my decent sized Taglietelle Nero Con Gamberi E Calamari arrived at the table. My palette was extremely excited as this was the first time I had tried squid ink pasta, let alone stuffed calamari. To my disappointment, for $32 I received a room temperature meal, consisting of stiff pasta and tough calamari. The dish needed more seasoning and garlic, and the lemon flavour also tasted fake. My meal had either been sitting for a while before the waiter collected it from the kitchen, or it had been a failed reheat. It has really put me off trying stuffed calamari ever again. On the other hand, the Risotto Funghi was perfectly cooked, piping hot and delicious. One of the nicest risottos I've tasted.

Sapore did not even come close to meeting my expectations. High prices don't guarantee good quality food, and I certainly won't be returning here again.

Garlic Bread  $5.50

Taglietelle Nero Con Gamberi E Calamari -  fresh baby calamari stuffed (prawns, onion, basil, cheese, parlsey, breadcrumb) baked with fresh tomato, served on a bed of fresh squid ink pasta.

$32.00

Risotto Funghi -  Arborio rice with fresh mushrooms, pesto and cream  

$24.90

Cafe Del Pescatore, Scarborough WA

Cafe Del Pescatore

http://cafedelpescatore.com.au/

Food: 3/5
Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Service: 3/5
Cost: $$

Hangovers don't help one make a perfect judgement of first impressions, however Cafe Del Pescatore tempted us due to it's location and cost. With it's great view of Scarborough Beach, this restaurant was clean and the service was good. Unfortunately, my pasta dish needed more seasoning and garlic. On the whole, Cafe Del Pescatore was nothing special and I don't thing I will be returning due to it's mainstream 'dullness' (....blame it on the hangover).

Cafe Latte

Garlic bread - average.

Penne Arrabiata. Looked like a kids meal size.

Giant tortellini. This dish was the best out of the three ordered.

Chapels on Whatley, Perth WA (Mayland)

Chapels on Whatley

http://www.chapelsonwhatley.com.au/

Food: 3.5/5
Atmosphere: 4.5/5
Service: 1.5/5

Chapels on Whatley is a really unique cafe, situated directly across the road from the Mayland train station. We entered with the soul intent of having a sit-down coffee and breakfast only to find that this place is also a shopfront, specialising in the sale of antique furniture, art, artifacts, and homewares from Tibet, Mongolia, Japan, China and Vietnam.  I immediately felt calm upon making my way into the store and to the counter where we waited to be seated. As we passed the teas, tea sets and retail area I couldn't help but concoct a wishlist in my head of all the items I would purchase if I had my way with the credit card.

Front retail area.

Cute tea sets.

I really enjoyed the ambience of Chapels on Whatley. Personally, the complete oriental influence was a big winner with me. Unfortunately, the service was second rate. The waiters were quiet and polite, yet slightly daft. One customer was asked to move from his table to another just so we could be seated - he had not even finished his coffee!! I thought this was extremely rude and unprofessional. I almost asked the man to stay put, as I was happy to wait for a clean table. It's not like there wasn't anything to keep me entertained in the cafe (....think water features, exotic plants, retail therapy).

The menu was quite varied with many options, and the coffee was nice. The food wasn't anything exceptional, however I would certainly dine here again with my fingers crossed in the hope of better service. (I like to eat my food with cutlery as soon as it arrives, and not have to ask the waiter to retrieve some cutlery after the fact). It was just unlucky that my 'Chapels on Whatley experience' lost to a much better competitior on that particular weekend.

Entry to the outside dining area.

Green eggs with smoked salmon, side serving of mushrooms.

Poached eggs with bacon and tomato.

Eggs benedict with salmon and steamed asparagus. It needed more Hollandaise sauce.