I love weekends because it means I can laze around in a cafe, people watch without a care in the world. This particular weekend brings me to Gnome Espresso & Winebar on the corner of Davies and Crown St in Surry Hills with its window opening wide on to the street where I can gaze. The cafe is decked out with a rustic appeal and gnomes are scattered across the cafe in spots where you least expect.
Man & his dog
Gnome
Their “day menu” ranges from breakfast items, sandwiches, salads and lunch boards with daily specials on their blackboard, with “night menu” devised into bites (entrees), boards and plates (mains). I am eyeing out the super grilled cheese sandwich laden with cheddar, Gruyère, buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto but I can hear my heart pleading no.
Breakfast of champions - bloody mary $14
I chose a healthier option of asparagus, polenta and poached eggs. The dish came out with the polenta acting as the toast where I can break up the poached eggs and let the runny goodness of the yolk dripping into the polenta. I would have liked the polenta to be little more grilled to form a crunchy outer coating.
grilled polenta, asparagus , poached
eggs, truffle oil and parmesan - $14
Mr Dough’s lunch board was more than enough for 1 person and came with plenty of bread. The board may look simple but upon tasting the tuna dip, bursts of sweetness coming through the red onion and dill. Spread abit of fetta on the bread with some cured trout on top, I was in heaven. I make note to come back here for dinner and try their bites! Oh and the sunday bloody mary and oysters special is a crowd draw card too.
fisherman’s board – smoked ocean trout,tuna dip, watercress, fennel & cucumber salad, Persian feta - $20
Bread & crostini accompanying the board
Are you like me and enjoy people watching on the weekend with your coffee?
Gnome Espresso & Winebar
536 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9332 3191
Opening hours:
Mon 7am-5pm, Tues to Fri 7am-9.30pm,
Sat 8am-9.30pm, Sun 8am-5pm
the fisherman’s board looks fantastic!
it was delicious to eat!! Inspired me to replicate the tuna dip myself at home