Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Fern

Photobucket
This blog post is about my local area in Sydney: Redfern, or as locals call it The Fern. I'm really enjoying living  in this area, exploring all the new cafes and bars that are opening up. The photo above was taken in the courtyard of my new favourite cafe which I tweeted about last week saying it has the cheapest breakfast brunch menu I've seen in Sydney with prices ranging from $3.50 to $7.50!

Photobucket
That cafe is The Shortlist at 258 Abercrombie Street (which is actually in Darlington but is just round the corner from my place in The Fern). The menu isn't as extensive as other cafe's (hence the cafes name, The Shortlist, which refers to the short list of food/coffee available on the menu board) but boy is it good.

Photobucket
A fashion blogger's blog post isn't complete without some narcissism, so here is the obligatory photo of me and my hair which is driving me crazy as I grow it out.

Photobucket
This was only $4.50! Yes it is "only avocado on toast" but when I normally pay upwards of $10 for this at other Sydney cafes, and the fact it comes with lemon oil (which is freaking delish!) it becomes so much more than that. It represents freedom, freedom to eat at hipster cafes even when totally broke and freedom against the insane expensiveness of this city.

Photobucket
I like this wall, that is all.

Photobucket
Had no idea this place existed, yet its just on the other side of the station...you know the "bad side". (Redfern is famous for The Block which is an Aboriginal housing community which has a bad reputation although personally I've seen more violence/drug taking on the streets of Collingwood and Fitzroy in Melbourne than I have here, although taxi drivers have a great fear of driving me home as its close to "The Block" and one of my work experience kids wasn't allowed to continue her placement when her parents found out it was in Redfern...) I just wish we could all get along.

Photobucket
In stark contrast to what is just down the road sits one of Australia's most prestigious (and pretentious) commercial art galleries, the Anna Schwartz Gallery.

Photobucket
Another great cafe is Saint Germain Patisserie, 88 Rosehill Street, corner of Gibbons street in Redfern. The French bakery has the best quiche's in Sydney but the worst service I've ever come across. Personally I am not so fussy about service but Henry is at the stage where he wont go back. Forgetting cake orders for birthdays made days in advance, forgetting orders while your there, bringing out the wrong order when your the only patron, but like I said they make the best quiche's in Sydney.

Photobucket
The cakes and macaroons are good too.

Photobucket
My favourite cake there is the chocolate tart. My god its good, and a slice is only $3.50!

Photobucket
A great new pub opened up (well re-launched) called The Abercrombie and we headed to the opening. Above is my friend Emilia and her housemate being hair twins.

Photobucket
I don't know these people but to make it look like I have friends I have included this snap.

Photobucket
I tweeted from the launch about these drinks and promised OHJAMIE to twitpic a photo. Well I've gone and done one better, blogged em instead! Raver Cocktails in glad bags with glowsticks inside. Difficult to drink but drink em we did.

Photobucket
Dead animals, wigs and tits, how freaking cooooool man.

Congratulations to Julia Stephens from Melbourne who won the Gala Curios prize pack! Thanks to everyone who entered and to Jasmine from Gala Curios for giving away such an awesome prize!

23 comments:

  1. Love this post! Sydney has such amazing character, and there's so much to find. I've dreamed about moving there for years now. Last time I went was for fashion week, and I stayed in Redfern, definitely could've used this post then! Didn't know where to go to eat!
    I really wish I could do a post like this about Adelaide, but there are no interesting little cafes or quirky little restaurants. The handful of outstanding places in my city are fairly loud and everyone knows about them.
    This post made me want to move to Sydney all the more! Love <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great cafes - they make the difference in life don't they.

    ReplyDelete
  3. thanks for the tips. i'll be moving to sydney early next year

    i know what you mean about the nice surprise of finding a well priced breakfast....i live in Perth. our food is even more outrageous and we never get exciting drinks in ziplock bags. or any drink under $10.

    more sydney tips!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah gosh I love that avocado toast at Shortlist!! Although I have to say I have a serious soft spot for the bagels at cafe ella a few doors down (also cheap and amazing - but sit upstairs... much nicer up there!)

    You know I think people seem to have an image of red fern from 10 years ago and cling onto that with dear life. It really did used to be pretty bad... but these days I think you'd be worse off in Glebe!

    ReplyDelete
  5. oohh! those cocktails in a bag look rad! Were they from The Abercrombie?

    ReplyDelete
  6. i didn't realize you were 'so close' to me here in sydney! i work on cleveland street and live in ultimo (right beside broadway mall) and walk by the Abercrombie hotel on my way to work everyday

    now i have to head to redfern sometime for lunch to try these different restaurants, i'm very excited!

    ReplyDelete
  7. TBH I've always had a rather bleak view of Sydney but you've shown another side of it and it actually looks quite inviting now.
    That cafe is CRAZY cheap, I've never seen a place in Melbourne with prices that good!
    PS: last caption lololol. so kewl.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very entertaining article. You always write a entertaining post. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. i'm liking all the sarcastic captions. they made me LOL

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cocktail in glad wrap is kinda like drinking tea from plastic bags with straws, like most places in south east Asia, right? This is just a tad 'cooler' with the glow stick. 

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loved this post, always so nice to get a look at a blogger's local haunts and places of interest. I (like apparently everyone else here) am aiming to make the move to Sydney in the next couple of years (for the fashion jobs - I know, I'm such a cliche...), so posts like this really help in giving me a great sense of the city in its entirety. Love your style too by the way xx

    http://modernlegacy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those drinks are insane! But yumm, how good does that avocado toast look!? Totally agreed on the ridiculousness of Sydney food prices.
    Love, Secret Squirrel x

    ReplyDelete
  13. I saw your tweet the other day and suspected you might have come across Shortlist (it is my much loved local!).

    Rebeccak's tip about Cafe Ella is a good one - as well as bagels they also do a great chai tea, the blend for which is made up at the cafe (so no sickly sweet powders or syrups).

    If you feel like taking a wander, Black Star Pastry on Australia St in Newtown make a killer leek and goats cheese quiche - highly recommend.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey! I actually know where these places are! You must live really close to my Brother. That necklace by the way is amazing

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think your hair looks great! And I'm growing mine out right now too so I know how annoying it can get. And oh Sydney! I've only been once but I loved it and can't wait to go back!

    ReplyDelete
  16. yumm - avocados and chocolate tarte look delish. quick question - where is your black necklace from, it's absolutely amazing! x

    ReplyDelete
  17. YaY faShion Hayley rocks - give em shit! If I see you in the street can I say hello and pretend to know you? :D ???

    ReplyDelete
  18. Just wanted to say I love your blog. Im from Sydney originally and love to go back to shop. Thanks for the fun :) x

    ReplyDelete
  19. I Love your blog!! I only just created one myself but I will be sure to follow yours :) I love the picture of Avacado on toast :) so simple but yummy!! keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like so much your blog!
    kiss from France
    Charlotte
    http://www.bigbellesmag.com/

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your blog!!! Good stuff! I love the photo of the avocado toast!

    ReplyDelete
  22. So pleased to have found you again. Followed your blog during your Japan period via Melbourne Mum and Sis go to. Welcome to Sydney. Stay safe and keep up the good work.
    Sue from Sydney

    ReplyDelete
  23. Really cool blog and so live pics. I've always been dreaming about Sydney

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a message but remember to play nice!