In a world where stainless steel and appearing too cool to smile seem to be growing trends, it’s comforting to find that old-fashioned, wholesome food and friendliness can still be priorities.
Perhaps that’s why Cordelia’s Café, Rozelle, Sydney, is attracting so many customers on this chilly June morning. The cosy space seems to offer refuge from the winter weather.
Before Cordelia’s Café was established at this address last year, it was one of the homes of The Common Ground Café, which is the mobile café of The Twelve Tribes, Australia. It produces organic baked goods, sold at festivals and markets, and at the Common Ground Café in Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains.
Locals loyal to Common Ground have been thankful that the new owners have maintained the down-to-earth atmosphere and commitment to tasty food for which the mobile café is known.
Organic Bread
In fact, Common Ground delivers its fresh, organic bread to Cordelia’s Café on a regular basis. Goodbye, plastic-packaged, commercial white bread and creepy claims of enough ‘added’ fibre to move Napoleon’s army in every slice. Welcome, bread that looks and tastes as you imagine it was meant to – millet, wattle and poppy seed whole meal loaf; bush pepper and pumpkin damper; sunflower and sesame seed spelt; and gluten-free apple, plum and raisin rice bread. It’s like the difference between Shakespeare at The Globe and a television soap opera.
The organic eggs, with their golden yolks, follow suit. Breakfast is available all day at Cordelia’s Cafe and the big breakfast is enough to keep you going till late at night, composed of eggs, mushrooms, baked beans, roasted tomatoes and creamy seasoned avocado. Bacon or smoked salmon can be added and there is a selection of light snacks, like the bacon and egg roll, for just $6.00, and bakery treats, including dark chocolate and pecan brownies and sour cherry muffins.
Gourmet Sandwiches and Salads
The lunch menu offers gourmets sandwiches and salads. The stand outs include marinated tofu in satay sauce with cashew nuts and the chef’s special herbed chicken, as well as a variety of homemade soups. These are reasonably priced, between $9.50 and $12.50.
The coffee, which is extremely popular as a takeaway, is Campos and there is an array of T2 teas, including honey green almond and sencha green tea, blended with quince and blue cornflower petals.
Friendly Atmosphere
Wooden floorboards and furniture create a homely, intimate atmosphere, warmed by the cafe’s sunny aspect and substantial natural lighting. There is a lovely outdoor courtyard, as well as seating on the street. Small, curious details add interest – a model ship on the cake cabinet, an enormous lime green cup and saucer behind the counter, lanterns in the corners, and indoor plants. A wall is devoted to posters advertising Sydney’s arts scene and community events and organisations, from the opera to yoga classes. This might be part of what attracts an interesting clientele – Cordelia’s Café is a bit of a haunt for writers and editors.
Cordelia’s Café operates seven days a week and stays open late for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. It is located at 586 Darling Street, Rozelle, Sydney, Australia.
Jasmine Crittenden - Jasmine Crittenden (B.A.)(Hons.)(First Class) is a writer and editor specialising in music, literature and travel.
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