As they suggest, pop in with sand between your toes or slip into your Gucci loafers, it doesn’t get much more chilled than this. The setting … divine, and the venue … oh so stylish. This is Sydney living at its best.
Not sure how one would describe the design concept … nautical … beach club with a touch of the luscious tropics … it just works !!
For a similar treat a little further afield visit The Boathouse Palm Beach … same cute concept, same clever operators.
We eagerly watched as very smart chocolate brown, heavily panelled doors were installed. What was going to open in this tiny little space in Macleay Street, Potts Point ?
Coffee tea and me sounded familiar … yes they have an even smaller outlet in Redfern. While Redfern is rustic to the max, their new cafe in Potts Point is stylishly rustic. Shades of Argentina I felt !!
Cute seating options and only a couple of tables but fabulously welcoming.
Very good Campos coffee which isn’t normally a favourite. Excellent bagels and terrific choice of sweet treats …. they really have the food side of things covered nicely …. simple, fresh and delicious.
Now this is innovative !!! and I just fell in love with the newspaper holders below.
There is definitely a place for this little cafe in Potts Point …. coffee capital of Sydney.
I am always searching for new and interesting homewares and decorative items as the finishing touch to interior projects I am working on …. the pieces that really bring a room to life.
Often it is the antique or rustic elements that will create the warmth and soften the most contemporary interior…. the juxtaposition of old and new.
La Croix in Potts Point is one of those places that you do need to pop into reasonably regularly. Browse amongst their collection sourced from Belgium and France …. furniture, lighting, mirrors, glassware and porcelain …. not a chore given that the shop and cafe are intertwined.
I have found they always have a lovely range of interesting platters, bowls and jugs …. from the very fine to a heavy marble …. and all in white and neutral tones, so easy to work with.
Without doubt my favourite find this week are the rustic timber lamps above with smart canvas shades. The pair of differing height will look fabulous on a sideboard or console. Probably no two bases are the same shape, which gives it a more eclectic feel.
The palette at La Croix is wonderfully neutral …. the space so glamorous with their use of antique mirrors and chandeliers. Just think …. you can ponder your purchases over a coffee and french pastry or even tartine.
What a magnificent day to visit our beautiful MCA. Our decision to start with a coffee was a good one …. we stepped out of the lift on Level 4 …. to this !!!!
This space (called the Sculpture Terrace) flowing off the cafe and with views to die for …. just needs a few more sculptures …. which are coming.
images: mydesignfile
The cafe, apart from the view, is simple, smart … terrific design . The food, coffee and wine menu … just about perfect.
And now for the reason we came: The Clock
Christian Marclay is nothing short of genius with his 24 hour video work which won him the Golden Lion at last years 54th Venice Biennale.
Friends had talked about it, however nothing had prepared me for the joy and delight of this installation.
Entering the cinema-like space with its extremely comfortable sofas (some 40 or so I guessed) one is transported !!! I didn’t want to leave. Short extracts from thousands of films spanning cinema history each suggest or reference a particular time of day. Synchronised with real time, which is captivating, the extracts move cleverly from one to the next with changing locations, eras etc.
You do find yourself desperately trying to recall certain films or to know which films various scenes are taken from … I guess one will never know.
If only they allowed refreshments … one could settle in for a whole morning/afternoon. Maybe people do. I simply cannot wait to attend one of the all night sessions … or at least part thereof.
PS. A glass of wine/cheese etc would be a fabulous accompaniment to the early evening sessions.
A lot has been written about Skye Gyngell and even more about Petersham Nurseries Cafe including the article last weekend in the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend…..however I have always been more interested in exactly how they marry the plants and the food under the one roof!!
I love the idea of the greenhouses with earth floors….and yes I am sure the heating costs are enormous. Mismatched tables and chairs, rustic urns with large potted plants or at Christmas time….Christmas trees decorated with their beautiful shiny baubles from India. All very rustic….stylishly rustic but so atmospheric !!
My photo source……daughter in London recently (hence grey skies)…..shows the very cute Christmas decorations strung throughout the greenhouse. You must look at the professional web site photos taken at their amazing candlelit Christmas Market and Carol Service. A must for next year. It isn’t the first time I have mentioned that for me the best time to be in London is the lead up to Christmas…..London does Christmas so well!!
Apart from fabulous food in this wonderful greenhouse setting, there is the shop selling pots, tools, antiques and all things garden related…. of course. Wander around the nursery for inspiration or visit the magnificent garden attached to Petersham House….described as a mad flowering hedgerow !! Not far away is Richmond Park where one can head for a brisk walk….to walk off lunch!!
PS. As of yesterdays Good Living (Sydney Morning Herald) Skye Gyngell has departed Petersham Nurseries Cafe to be replaced by Melbourne’s high profile chef Greg Malouf !!
Grandlife Hotels travelled to London in style for Fashion Week……yes old news now, however what a snapshot of the latest and greatest London has to offer right now. Their itinery takes in restaurants, bars and shops….the pick of London.
When I saw this itiniery I immediately earmarked it for my next trip. What a fabulous ready made list to work your way around…no research required. What’s good for Grandlife Hotels is good enough for me. I have to admit a couple of my favourite places are on the list which is a drawcard…..Topshop and The Wolsely !!
It is certainly a starting point from which to add as I read about or hear about more over the next little while. Best to go prepared!!! Once there, time is precious….particularly as I insist on going back to all my old favourites as well…Harvey Nichols gound floor, Laduree behind Harrods for afternoon tea and the list goes on.
Fratelli’s address is 11 Bridge Street, Sydney CBD. Don’t try to find it without this valuable information. We had virtually given up hope of ever finding the new Fratelli Fresh but as we fell upon it they were in the throws of putting up signage, so it may now be a little easier.
For a start it is at the George Street end and it is in the basement but with a gorgeous sandstone entrance. I have to say I think it is the best Fratelli Fresh of all. Mainly because it combines the best of the current outlets….grocer/market, bar and restaurant, homewares and more……yes the Pizza and Mozzarella Bar.
I have to say the finishes and particularly the lighting are a standout.
The Aperitivo Bar offers Bellini and Rossini between 5 and 7pm….so enticing and so festive!!. I couldn’t help but think how popular this will be in the lead up to Christmas.
I have heard that people drive down to Jugiong just for lunch at this gorgeous café……well at least from the Southern Highlands! And it is worth the drive in my opinion, however I am somewhat biased. Having spent the last 20 years on and off travelling to Harden to do the design work on one of the districts magnificent properties, I was just thrilled when Long track Pantry opened its doors. This country is God’s own and such a delight to have the excuse to visit regularly – probably not as harshly affected by the wrath of the seasons as some areas, I have, never the less seen it in times of desperate drought and times where the lushness of those rolling hillsides takes your breath away.
Long Track Pantry is the highlight of my trip, summer or winter. Always a smiling face behind the counter and a feast of goodies freshly baked to tempt me. While coffee is being made I browse to find jams and relishes to bring home or take to friends, everything I have tried is super.
I have a sweet story that made my day and gladdened my heart. On a recent trip I decided to buy a jar of honey and also jam for my gorgeous neighbours who go beyond the call of duty and bring in my bins on collection day when I am not in Bowral (seems like they do it every week!!) Anyhow, Long Track Pantry did a beautiful job of packaging the two purchases with tissue etc and popped in a fridge magnet with their recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies. I couldn’t wait to duck up to see our neighbours with the gift. They were delighted of course, but not nearly as delighted as I when the following cold and drizzly afternoon just about afternoon tea time they arrive bearing a plate of the freshly baked cookies on a plate with a doily and a note – For the Brennan Family from Gwen’s Kitchen. How lucky are we to have such divine neighbours !!
