Gigi's Restaurant & Bar, Wollongong

It's been a while since we've been to Gigi's. It's also been a while since I've blogged. So going through my draft posts, I came across this picture and my tummy started rumbling thinking about the yummy Italian food that this restaurant offers. Hence, over 12 months later, this blog is finally going up!

I like this restaurant for it's simplicity. Although it seems to easily cater for everything from a quick coffee & cake, or pizza & beer, or romantic evening dining, it feels classy and sophisticated and welcoming all at the same time. It can be described as comfortable family friendly atmosphere which is child friendly and affordable, yet casual and unpretentious and perfect for the first date. For my husband and I, the park and beach is a short walking distance away which means that we can go for a stroll and not feel guilty afterwards even after ordering pizza and pasta and our toddler can run free.
    

GIGI'S MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA artichokes, mushrooms, zucchini, tomato & mozzarella cheese (without pancetta)

Jacaranda Figtree Cafe

Soy latte, extra shot

Perfectly situated near Kids Playworld, I treat myself to a strong cup of coffee whilst keeping an eye on my son as he makes some new friends.

Antonio's on Crown, Wollongong

This is our new favourite place for breakfast. Although the stairs are were a bit hard to climb with a pram, and  eating out is never easy with a toddler, we find ourselves coming back here again, and again. Maybe it's the friendly service. Maybe it's the awesome coffee. Maybe it's the way I am able to be very specific with my order and they not only oblige, but remember everything without writing it down. "Eggs benedict please, can I have smoked salmon instead of ham? and the spinach slightly wilted (yes, I mean blanched) and a flat white, extra shot, on soy". They get my order right every time. I know it's not hard to remember but you would be surprised how many people have gotten it wrong even when they do write it down. That's what I like about this place, they get it right every time.

Eggs Benedict for me
(with smoked salmon and spinach, blanched) 

Big Breakfast for hubby

Food World Gourmet Cafe, Wollongong

I am a bit biased when it comes to Food World. After all, I have been dining there since 1995 and saw the expansion from a small little takeaway shop with too few tables and the usual long line of customers queuing outside, to the size it is today. I do miss those days when they were open 7 days a week and I could buy a bowl of delicious suy kao or wonton soup for $5. Alas, their prices have increased over the last 15 years (not surprisingly) and their menu expanded considerably.

Spring Rolls (with pork and prawn)

Char Keow Tew (stir fried flat rice noodles)

I still order my old favourites (being a creature of habit) and Char Keow Tew and Spring Rolls being the first on my list even though I eat everything else on their menu. Their spring rolls remind me of the ones my mum makes with pork and prawn and they even look hand-made in that they are not perfectly shaped. That's what gives spring rolls their character! 

Their stir-fried noodles are always a hit. I have found myself asking for "less less oil" when I order though (just a little tip for those healthy conscious) but nothing beats the "char" taste of a stir-fry coming from a very hot wok. You just can't get that taste at home (never mind the sticky-oily feeling on the floor and walls and the smell in your clothes when you do try to cook it yourself).

This is the place to go if you're looking for affordable meals, generous sized servings and an extensive menu to choose from including entrees, soups, rice and noodles as well as a variety of drinks and desserts.

Cafe Doma at Westfield Eastgardens

Flat white on soy, with an extra shot of coffee!

One of those rare occasions when hubby and I got to enjoy a coffee and appreciate coffee art. I'm looking forward to more coffee dates (the perfect break from shopping).

D To D Café, Beverly Hills

This place was recommended to me by my friend. I had grilled prawns with risotto which I must admit was quite filling although it didn't look that big when it came out. Next time I'll have to try their famous D to D burger which everyone raves on about. For some reason that night I didn't feel like conforming when the rest of my table ordered that dish. In the end I was happy with my choice, but I've had better.

Food World Gourmet Cafe, Wollongong

This place was always packed. I remember when they hadn't expanded yet there would be queues lined up outside the door every night. After the expansion they only got busier! This was my favourite restaurant during my uni days. The crispy chicken is a favourite amongst the students (only one other place makes it better, and that's in Cabramatta). I usually tried to order something different each time I went there and was never disappointed (I still haven't tried the whole menu). My boyfriend typically gets the dry beef rice noodles and satay chicken sticks.