Coco Monde

JaTo, La, Pan, A1 & D2 on Coco Monde,

Coco Monde is located on Darby St Hamilton.

On COFFEE
Our breakfast crew have been to Coco Monde for their delicious hot chocolates so we thought we should try it for breakfast. I got my usual cappuccino and To got her usual piccalo. Both our coffees were really nice, not top 10 but still really nice. I also got a berry frappe and La got the watermelon frappe. Both were lovely and refreshing. Pan got the iced coffee which was big full of icecream and cream, very tastey. Overall a solid 7/10 for drinks.

On FOOD
A1 and myself both got the Eggs Benedict, A1 got his Spanish style and I got the standard ham and spinach. We both agreed the hollidaise sauce was amazing, however the English muffins were a tad small. Delish, but could've had more bread for that delish hollidaise sauce. D2 and Pan both got the big breakfast, both said it was very delish. La tried the corn and zuccini fritters which she really enjoyed. To wasn't feeling really hungry so she tried the freshly baked breakfast muffin which she also enjoyed. A good 7/10 from us overall.

 

   

On ATMOSHERE
Atmosphere at Coco Monde was really cool and relaxed. It had the typical chocolateria feel about it, all mocha colour tones. You also can't go past that cake cabinet, so amazing. One slight downfall was the courtyard. The courtyard could be really amazing but it lacked a specific vibe, little plain. Overall it is a place you enjoy and would come back for the coffee and breakfast, so a 4/5 from us.

BRUNCH BREAKDOWN
Your typical chocolateria for breakfast gives you a good range of delicious breakfast options. Good breakfast options, really delicious tasting food. Their coffee is quite good, not top 10 but really nice. Their frappe's were lovely and refreshing. Overall they get 18/25 from us.

Brunch on Newcastle,
Ja and Company, xoxo.

Xtraction Espresso

JaTo, Pan, V, & D2 on Xraction Espresso.

Xraction Espresso is located at 2/38 Bolton St, Newcastle.

On COFFEE
I got my usual cappuccino which I really enjoyed. It was smooth and a decent strength. To got her usual piccalo and felt the same. Really decent coffee. Pan and D2 got large cappuccinos which they thought were a bit weak though. V got a mocha which he enjoyed, he could taste the coffee which was nice and smooth. 7/10 for coffees and drinks.

On FOOD
I got the eggs bene' with salmon and added spinach. It was really lovely, the hollandaise sauce was rich and creamy, the eggs were perfect and the bread was yum. Pan got the poached eggs with smashed avocado on top of an English muffin with bacon. He said it was really tasty. To got the scrambled eggs with spinach, bacon and sourdough. She also really enjoyed her breakfast, really lovely scrambled eggs. V and D2 both got the egg and bacon on English muffin, also tasty. All the food was really lovely but felt more brunch size and type food then your big breakfast. A good 7/10 again from us.

      
On ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere has a funky, arty, casual vibe about it. On of the walls had an amazing artwork of the mad hatters tea party, the other with cool coffee art. The people running it were really friendly and prompt. It was a lovely place to go and relax whilst having a cup of coffee and brunch. We enjoyed it and give it a 5/5.

BRUNCH BREAKDOWN
We had a bit of a mixed reaction to the coffee this week. JaTo enjoyed the small coffee's, a great strength and really smooth. Pan and D2 felt their a little weak. I recommend their coffee but if you want a big one maybe ask for a bigger shot. Food was really lovely, having a more brunch style menu at decent prices. Atmosphere is great, really chilled, relaxed vibe with friendly service. 19/25 from us.


Brunch on Newcastle,
Ja and Company xoxo.

Longbench

JaTo, La, Wolf, Pan and A1 & D2 on Longbench,

Longbench is located 161 Darby St.

On COFFEE
I must admit that I am a night time coffee drinker and have had a take away coffee from here before so I knew it was going to be good. The coffee has a lot of body and is very smooth, very nice coffee. From the 5 cappuccinos we ordered, two mochas and espresso we say the coffee is a really good 8/10.

On FOOD
I have never been for breakfast at Longbench although it being there for many years so I felt it time for me to try it and give it a review. I was pleasantly surprised at how decently priced the food was and the large selection. I got the shashouka eggs which was a great size and extremely delish. To got the sourdough bread with baked beans, which was quite nice and good size. La got the smashed avocado with mushrooms and sourdough. She said it was one of her favourite smashed avocados and was a nice big portion. Wolf got the scrambled eggs with mushroom on sourdough which she said was also really nice. Pan, A1 & D2 all got the big breakfast which was big and delish, just what you need to fuel you for the days adventure. Everyone enjoyed the generous amount of sourdough bread with each breakfast, very filling and delish. Only setback to breakfast was it did take a little long to come out. If you're not in a rush and enjoy a good breakfast it is well worth the wait! Another 8/10 from us.

     



On ATMOSPHERE
When brunching at Longbench you must go out to the back courtyard. It gives off an easy, relaxed, funky atmosphere which you'd want to spend all morning in catching up with friends or reading the weekend paper.Longbench has a clean, chic, fresh feel about it. Can't find a fault, 5/5 for atmosphere.

BRUNCH BREAKDOWN
The coffee at Longbench has a lot of body and is very smooth, very nice coffee. If you're looking for decent priced, generous sized food with good sourdough Longbench is the place to go. If you're not in a rush and enjoy a good breakfast in a relaxed cool atmosphere I also recommend Longbench. Really enjoyed the coffee, breakfast and atmosphere. Overall score of 21/25.

Brunch on Newcastle.
Ja and Company xoxo.

Table 1 Espresso

Ja, A1 & D2 on Table 1 Espresso.

Table 1 Espresso is located at 89 City Rd Merewether.

On COFFEE
As per usual I got my cappuccino which was up there in my top 5. Their coffee is smooth and strong just the way I like. A1 got the mixed berry smoothie which he really enjoyed, full of berries and flavour. D2 got the new fresh Botanica cold pressed juice which he really enjoyed. All in all it was easy to give Table 1 espresso a 9/10 for coffee and drinks.


On FOOD
Ordering was made easy as up at the counter as there was a screen with a slideshow of all the amazing food on the menu. It both made is easier and hard to order as there were so many good options! I got the breakfast bruschetta and added a poached egg. It was both sizable and delicious, I couldn't finish it off. A1 got the chicken omelette with avocado and mushroom, again both sizable and full of flavour. D2 did not stray from his staple of bacon, poached eggs, sourdough and baby spinach. Again a good size and not bad at all. Other options include a nutella pancakes (my next choice), bircher muesli, scrambled eggs and assorted pastries. So again a 9/10 from us.

On ATMOSPHERE

Table 1 Espresso didn't have a hipster feel but it was definitely unique, having an inviting feel from both the atmospheric sense and from staff. Inside is flooded in light and seating and my favourite- there is outside seating. Also do not forget it is also a car wash so what an excuse to go get your breakfast or brunch while getting your car washed! 5/5!

BRUNCH BREAKDOWN
Whether it's coffee, smoothie or juice you are going to enjoy any beverage from Table 1 Espresso. Their food is sizable, decent price and delish! Also really liked the breakfast menu slideshow when ordering! Atmosphere is inviting and relaxed with extremely friendly staff. All in all a 23/25 from us, definitely a recommend.

Brunch on Newcastle,
Ja and Company xoxo.

The Hood

Ja, La, Wolf, A1 & D2 on The Hood Cafe,

The Hood Cafe is located on the corner of Kenrick St and Union St.

First things first, it has an awesome gelato bar- hello new favourite hang for summer.

On COFFEE
I got my usual cappuccino which was really lovely and smooth, not the best but close. La and myself also got a breakfast juice each- freshly made kale, apple, celery and ginger which was amazing. A1 & D2 also got freshly squeezed juices: tropicana- passionfruit, orange, lemon and strawberries, also amazing. Wolf got the chai tea which she said was also lovely. All in all an easy 9/10 from us.


On FOOD
Being a very new cafe and very busy there was a wait on food, but the waitstaff were lovely and were very apologetic. A1 and myself go the egg benedict brioche roll with ham, which was extremely delish. La and Wolf got the smashed avocado and both added mushroom, both said it was a 9/10 based on taste, and would've been a 10/10 if it had another piece of sourdough to make it a little more filling. D2 got the poached eggs on toast with relish and added bacon, very yum. The gelato was so full of flavour they were amazing! Some of the flavours include: peanut butter choc chip, coconut,  chai... they also have some lovely sorbets.  So overall a 9/10 for food from us.

On ATMOSPHERE
The Hood has it's hipster thing going on. And who can go past that gelato bar! As The Hood has taken over both the corner Fruit Shop and Video Easy, so they have turned a big space into I am sorry but again, an amazing gelato bar and cafe with plenty of seating including funky booths. From what we've seen the waitstaff are lovely and attentive. All in all easy 5/5 for atmosphere from me.

BRUNCH BREAKDOWN
All in all The Hood is shaping up to be a favourite hot brunch/ breakfast/ gelato haunt this summer. I know I will be there!! The Hood's coffee and juices were really really good, especially their juices. Their food is full of flavour, and we would've given them a 10/10 if they were a bit bigger. Atmosphere was everything you wanted from a funky cool hipster cafe. All in all a high recommendation from us at NWB.

Don't forget to try the gelato!

Brunch on Newcastle,
Ja and Company xoxo.

Paleo Cafe

Ja, A1 & D2 on Paleo Cafe.

Paleo Cafe is located 52 Cleary St, Hamilton.

On COFFEE
I was a bit greedy and got a cappuccino and the smoothie of the day which was Bounty themed: coconut and chocolate. D2 also got a cappuccino and we both thought they were really good and smooth; and the smoothie was also really good, tasted exactly like a liquid bounty. A1 got a black tea, which he said was good, standard. All in all drinks get a 8/10 from us.

On FOOD
Paleo Cafe focuses on healthy eating and good quality food. We were very pleased to say they did not disappoint. I got the Chilli Eggs, poached eggs, baby spinach, coriander, avocado topped with chilli capsicum on the special Paleo bread. A1 got the Eggs Benedict with veggie rosti on the special Paleo bread. D2 got the Bacon and Free Range Eggs. Everything was really really delicious, and we enjoyed the display. The only criticism we had was the meals were a little too small, so delicious but just needed a little more, more bread maybe. Other options include muesli, Banana Pancakes (which the table next to us got and looked AMAZING), Smashed Avocado, Caveman Big Breakkie and BBQ Pulled Pork. They also had a cabinet of small treaties which looked amazing! Would like to come back and give some a try. Overall food gets a 7/10.

On ATMOSPHERE
The cafe had a really clean, fresh, healthy, chic vibe about the place. The orange and white colour gave it a really fresh feel about the place. They had a small healthy grocery section in the cafe and a small fridge filled with organic water and nudie coconut water, that is quite reasonably priced! Overall I really enjoyed the change from my usual hipster haunts, Paleo Cafe had a really chic feel about it. A 5/5 for me!


BRUNCH BREAKDOWN
The cool chic, healthy eating fresh Paleo Cafe lived up to expectations of healthy eating and quality food. All our food was really delicious and fresh, though it was not as sizable as we would've liked it. Coffee and drinks were also amazing, really smooth coffee and tastey smoothies. I would recommend people to go for coffee, food and atmosphere in Hamilton to Paleo Cafe. Overall rating is 20/25.

Brunch on Newcastle.
Ja and Company xoxo.

Ground Up Espresso

Ja, La, Le A1, and Wolf on Ground Up Espresso.

Ground Up Espresso is located at 87 Young St Carrington.

On COFFEE
As per usual I got my cappuccino and Wolf also got one and our coffee verdict is: smooth, very good coffee. We really enjoyed them. A1 and Le got smoothies, a strawberry and a mixed berry which they were a little disappointed with. Not a big thing but they didn't put on the menu they put honey in their smoothies, which A1 and Le really didn't like. So overall rating is hard to give so a 7/10 because the coffee is really good, but the smoothies were disappointing.

                                      

On FOOD

A brunch-breakfast menu gave some basic but delicious sounding options. I got the cream cheese and smoked salmon on sourdough which was really good, basic but really nice. La got the avocado and lemon on sourdough, again basic but she really enjoyed it. Wolf got the tomato and hommus on sourdough, again basic but delish. A1 got the breakfast wrap, which was really nice but could've been a bit bigger. We all rather enjoy a little something sweet after breakfast so we got a banana bread and a pear and raspberry bread to share between us. Really nice! Other brunch/ breakfast options included blueberry bagel, croissants and toasties. Overall food rating was 6/10.

               

On ATMOSPHERE
Ground up espresso has that funky hipster we make really good coffee vibe about it. As you know I do love a hipster cafe, this one ticks all my boxes, a really lovely cafe to go for coffee and some brunch. A 5/5 atmosphere for me.


BRUNCH BREAKDOWN
Ground Up Espresso had really great coffee but the smoothies were a small let down. The brunch/ breakfast menu was basic but had some delicious breakfast options, good food. Atmosphere was funky, hipster definitely my style of breakfast spot. Overall Ground Up Espresso got a 18/25 from us.

Brunch on Newcastle,
Ja and Company xoxo.