Le Mary Celeste (Paris)

Le Mary Celeste is named after an American merchant ship, whose crew mysteriously vanished at sea back in 1872. Though, the bar itself has done anything but vanish from my ever-evolving ‘Paris recommendations’ shortlist. In fact, it consistently ranks around the top. Last week I stopped in for my monthly fix of boozy lunch, to […]

Two Chaps (Marrickville)

It had been a while since I had the luxury of sitting at a forty five degree angle on a wobbly wooden bench while enjoying my lunch, so a visit to Marrickville local favourite ‘Two Chaps’ sorted that particular hole in my calendar right out. If you’re not aware of ‘Two Chaps’, they’re also the […]

Orto Trading Co. (Surry Hills)

Years back, Orto Trading Co. was a staple for my friends and I. With its concealed location (advantageous for facilitating private conversations, when people-watching is off the menu), its frontage is anything but – and its al fresco garden area – comfortable for any lunchtime configuration. On this occasion I noticed an ever-so-slight dip in […]

West Juliett (Marrickville)

I could throw a severed top-knot while blindfolded and hit a decent cafe, from wherever I stood in my neighbouring suburb of Marrickville. Stumbling across an exceptional cafe however, occurs far less often, in any suburb. West Juliett is one of those exceptions.   I’d arrived late for lunch the day before, and had begrudgingly […]