Family Cafes
Reporter: Mel Symons
Eating Out CompetitionYou can take the tribe out on us because Sydney Weekender is giving away a family meal to Chicken and Fishhead AND Sous Le Soleil. All you’ve got to do to be in the running is call our competition line on 1902 55 77 08 and good luck! M.NET 55 cents max call cost. Mobile phones extra. Lines close 10/07/08 at midnight NSW permit number: LTPM 07/20585, ACT permit number TP07/05446 Terms and conditions are available by contacting The Seven Network |
* Winners’ details will be published in the Australian newspaper on Monday 21 July 2008.
School’s out! That’s right it’s holiday time and Mel’s got two kid-friendly cafés in the suburbs that will keep the littlies (and long-suffering parents) very happy.
Chicken & Fishhead
Chicken & Fishhead is a new children’s store and café in Sydney’s Beecroft. In a beautiful, old, leafy suburb the store itself is in a character building with lots of natural light and across the road from a park. Both the store and the café have a very eclectic, retro feel with white-washed timber fittings, painted red walls and hanging chandeliers.
 |
The café is filled with an array of homemade products displayed in old-fashioned cake stands and glass jars. The store follows through with a fantastic selection of the latest in children’s clothing, unusual toys, handmade accessories and homewares.
The café has a sense of nostalgia in both the presentation and the food. Lots of old favourites like cupcakes, chocolate crackles, fairy bread, milkshakes & ice cream spiders are all proving popular with young and old. The cupcakes are fast becoming famous in the area!
 |
The café has a vibrant yet relaxed feel that appeals to adults and children alike. It is very child friendly; there is a kid’s area with chalkboards, crayons and paper as well as small toys and books so that everyone is kept happy.
 |
Some of the dishes you may find on the menu:
Breakfast
- Breakfast trifle with layers of berries, Whisk and Pin Mountain muesli and natural yogurt
- The Big Breakfast with eggs cooked any style with crispy bacon, grilled tomato and sourdough toast
Lunch
- Savoury tart of roasted pumpkin, parmesan and pinenut served with salad
- Toasted sourdough sandwich with proscuitto, cheese, artichoke, semi-dried tomato and salad greens
Kids
- Kids’ Lunch Pack - a roll with a choice of ham, Vegemite, cheese, honey or jam, PLUS popcorn, a piece of fruit, a chocolate crackle, and a kids’ juice (this is packed up in a box so kids can take it to the park opposite the cafè, or take it home. It’s sort of like a healthy version of a Maccas Happy Meal)
- Fairy bread & cup cakes
- Ice-cream spider
 |
|
More Information Chicken & Fishhead 3 Wongala Crescent, Beecroft Telephone: (02) 9489 8149 Open for Breakfast & Lunch Monday to Saturday Breakfast from $5 and Lunch from $9 |
Prices correct as at 05/07/08
Sous Le Soleil
As the name suggests, Sous Le Soleil has everything “Under the Sun” from French antique furniture, to European homewares…. and that’s just the beginning!
When you step through the doors and discover Sous le Soleil you’ll feel as if you’ve dropped in to visit an old friend.
 |
Each room has a theme – whether it be the Kids Room with the bay window overlooking the southern aspect of the park or the Lounge Room with glimpses of the tennis courts through the gardens.
There are six rooms in all to explore and each has a story to tell. From clothing, giftwares, jewellery and toys, to gourmet food and fragrant soaps.
As you wander through the house look out for the original auction notice from 1918 when the council bought Firs Cottage and the surrounding parklands.
Finally, unlike just visiting a friend, if you see something you love then buy it and take it home. Everything from the plates to the tables are for sale.
 |
Kids will have heaps of fun running amok here to. As well as being in the centre of Roseville Park, there are 8 tennis courts, dog parks and an enclosed playground. Even if your kids do roam around, Sous Le Soleil is far away from busy streets which means they can play safely without parents worrying.
All dining is al fresco at Sous Le Soleil where you can choose to sit on the porch, around the side of the cottage or in the paved backyard. There’s also a lot of area that’s undercover so you can still eat here rain, hail or shine.
Some of the dishes you may find on the menu:
Entrée
- Salmon & ginger cannelloni served in a coconut & lemongrass bisque topped with zucchini tagliatelle
Main
- Grilled barramundi served with cauliflower purée, salsa verde, baby carrots and caperberries
- Veal backstrap with a potato gratin, steamed baby spinach and wild forest mushroom sauce
Kids
- Bowl of chips (apparently even the parents go nuts for these)
- Grilled beef steak with thick chips and salad or green beans
- Chicken breast fillet with thick chips and salad or green beans
Dessert
- Roasted apple tarte tatin with muscovado caramel sauce and Liquorice ice cream
 |
|
More Information Sous le Soleil Firs Estate Cottage, Roseville Park Corner of Clanville Rd & Cranbrook Ave, Roseville Telephone: (02) 9880 8816 Open for breakfast & lunch, Tuesday to Sunday Mains from $25 |
Prices correct as at 05/07/08