Getting over your holiday is probably the worst thing about being on holidays. I’m never quite ready to let them go. This week was one where I idled between being back at work and still being on holidays as Mr NQN had to go back to work but I wasn’t quite ready to give up the holiday lifestyle. Instead, I sought out my friends to play with. M and her boys love the beach and when I’d heard of Bondi FM’s cafe and radio station just off Bondi Beach’s busy promenade, we knew it would be perfect for a sunny Summer’s day – something of a rarity these past few sodden weeks.
We happen upon a miracle park just outside it on Curlewis Street which is surprisingly not charged at an extortionate rate (rare for Sydney). We follow the yellow and white thongs to the entrance and make our way past a room with a fabulous chandelier and an animal hide rug and past the radio booth where the DJ is playing music.
The man behind the counter looks at us surprised as if he doesn’t expect anyone to walk in and we walk through to the main cafe area. There are comfy worn lounges, what looks to be an outdoor picnic area where a group are frolicking, an astroturfed area and seating in many styles from share benches to tables. Radio Bondi 88.0 FM has been broadcasting since 1996 and it uses an open-narrowcast license which allows them to use less than 1 watt of power. This is why only Bondi and nearby suburbs can receive it but it has online listeners from over 120 countries.
A man smiles and lets us know he’ll be with us in a minute. Many minutes pass without event so we send the boys to get our menus. They are still serving breakfast at 12pm which I am grateful for as I have a hankering for French Toast and M feels like a salad. The boys are hot and tired and say that they don’t want to eat anything but she orders them the chocolate fondue which comes with fruit salad, marshmallows and popcorn.
Mango and Berry Smoothie $5 each
The drinks arrive, the boys have ordered mango and berry smoothies which are very large and filling. Oddly the berry one looks frozen whereas the mango one is liquidey. I don’t try the mango but S reports it is good but not particularly mangoey but I do try the berry one which tastes mostly of berry yogurt.
Cappucino $3 and large Flat White $4
The coffee is by The Little Marionette and is rich and caramelly with a thick, foamy topping.
French Toast with Maple Bacon $13.90
Our salad and French Toast arrives at the same time. My French Toast comes with (thankfully) real maple syrup, slices of banana and curls of bacon. I’m not familiar with banana and bacon together with maple syrup and French Toast but I’m willing to give anything a try. The eggy brioche is soft and spongey against the soft banana, salty bacon and viscous maple syrup. I’m an instant convert to the whole banana, bacon, maple and French Toast marriage and I may start ordering my French Toast with banana next time although I’m sure that that is going to garner me some odd looks.
Funky Felafel Salad $14.90
What looks to be a great salad is unfortunately quite bland in flavour. The hommous isn’t bad and the pita chips are nice and crunchy but the salad made up of cucumber, red capsicum, spring onion, radish and chunks of broken up felafel and lashings of yogurt somehow seems restrained although it looks as though it packs a punch visually.
Chocolate Fondue $12
The chocolate fondue arrives in time for dessert but is missing the popcorn. The chocolate is dark and thick possibly needing some cream to make it more liquidey and parts of the fruit salad is not chunky enough to dip in the chocolate with wafer thin batons of pear. We also thought that strawberries or cherries instead of rockmelon and orange would have been a nicer selection of fruit to go with the chocolate.
Battling marshmallows
The marshmallows are the favourite although the boys are unfortunately reminded of wombat poo (they’ve just been holidaying in Tasmania and have a book on how to identify animal poo) and so erupt in laughter every time someone coats a marshmallow in chocolate. They bring us an upsized bowl of popcorn for the wait. We stick some of the salted popcorn onto the chocolate coated marshmallow which was a better idea in theory than the reality.
Popcorn to go with fondue
People meander in, some locals and regulars some for the first time from the look of curiosity on their faces. It’s a little laidback in both in the service and the attention to detail of the food but that’s Bondi Beach. The music plays in the background and M points over the fence near where we’re sitting and says that she feels like the beach is just on the other side of the fence. It isn’t but I don’t suppose that’s the point, the idea is that you do feel that it may be.
So tell me Dear Reader, what was your favourite place to visit these past holidays?
Bondi FM Cafe & Bar
Shop 2, 143 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach, NSW
Open Tuesday to Thursday 8am-11pm, Sunday 8am-10pm. Closed Mondays
http://www.bondifm.com.au/public_interface/index.php
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35 Comments | Add your own
I am a smoothie fanatic. I used to get PB ones all the time (of course, right?) Now I’m totally craving them in 30 degree weather…so wrong!
I wish you could come visit! Next week at work I’m doing a huge story of 5 reviews of soul food/ southern restaurants…we could wreck shop together!
Hi Lorraine, I am glad you’ve reviewed this place. Been meaning to go for ages as I am always on the lookout for places I can walk to, to assuage my guilt at yet more eating! There are sadly no (in my book) decent cafés in Rose Bay (apart from the kiosk beneath Pier) so Bondi is a welcome respite. Apart from weekends, of course; when it is swarmed by the multitudes.
What a cool cafe; the fondue looks great on a cold winter’s day.
Heaven and yum! Can I be your assistant and follow you to these wonderful destinations? I could carry your pen or something.
My favorite destination these past holidays was, believe it or not, home! It was lovely!
that place looks cute. I love an all-day breakfast.
This hols I enjoyed walking along the newcastle beaches, counting the ships as they waited for the coal loader. they tell me there were up to 60 one day!
That French toast combo looks to die for, Lorraine! I always add maple syrup to my breakfast turkey sausage, and even stranger, my mom likes her fried eggs with maple syrup, lol!
I love coming into work in the mornings and reading your posts to start the day.
Thank you!
Have a great day!
this place looks really cool and laid back, i’ve never heard of it before – i’m usually at bondi (running from coogee) so next time if i remember ill drop by – i like how you can lie back as if you’re sunbaking at the beach (but there is shade so you don’t get burnt hehe)
Seems like a really relaxed sort of cafe. The guy lying down looks extremely comfortable. Banana and bacon are a great combination. We used to have 2B toasties when I was little. Delicious.
Nice one
I love reading your blog, it reminds me of the fun stuff I did when I lived in Sydney.
Haha I love the popcorn with fondue idea. You’re so right about the holiday blues, I always feel like a need a holiday to recover from my holidays!
Sounds like you had a nice relaxed time. Can’t mention anywhere I went to over the break as a favourite.
Its been aaages since I visited bondi beach. Thx for reminding me! =)
We spent a lovely day at Bondi Beach on our trip. Such a beautiful walkway along the coast! Your banana french toast reminds me of banana macadamia nut pancakes in Hawaii and this song http://popup.lala.com/popup/432627052148766881. xoxo Mum
Ah iconic Bondi Beach. I may take the wife there this weekend and take a gander at this cafe providing the weather is clement, of course.
yum…that French toast looks really nice!! I haven’t had any in so long!!
Well, I didn’t go out too much these holidays…except last night – a group of us went to Löwenbräu at The Rocks. I love my German food, so I was super excited!
It was expensive (for me, anyway, seeing as I’m not working yet) – $31 for wiener schnitzel with fries & salad… but it was nice. I ordered some red cabbage sauerkraut as well, but it got put at the opposite end of the table, and nobody told me until I was full! 
I would definitely go there again, though! 
[If you decide to review Löwenbräu, let me know – I’ll join you! LOL)
Then after that we went to Pancakes On The Rocks…I ordered the Blackforest Cherry pancakes, which were unfortunately dry, so they crumbled…but I wasn’t complaining!
Yum. French Toast with syrup, banana and bacon and the berry smoothie. Most of the food looked so good that I wish you could pull it out of the photos. I love good food. It is nice to see what is mixed together. I love, love, love the look of the outdoors. We are wanting sun here so badly. It is dark every day right now here in Sacramento, California. We will head up to the foothills this weekend to enjoy some sunshine.
Bananas and French toast go very well together – especially when you throw bacon into the equation.
I agree with you on the rockmelon, though. They should have used berries for the fondue.
Oh my, I wish my mother had given my chocolate fondue when I “didn’t feel hungry” as a kid! Gee whizz willikins! M is awesome.
Also, the bacon + maple syrup combo for pancakes/french toast is absolutely de rigeuer here in America. You’d fit right in
And best place during the holidays? Well, I’ve still got at least two months of them ahead of me, so I’ll let you know
Ah, I know what you mean abt holidays…school is starting soon, and I’m still refusing to believe it!
Bacon just goes with everything, I tell ya! Lovely combination!
All day breakfasts? I’m there! Such a civilised way to start the day after getting up at the decent hour of 11am. Sigh, back to work Monday.
Hi Lorraine, lovely Summer day post, we’ve been flat chat these holidays but are looking forward to visiting Werri beach in Gerringong soon, it’s a lovely spot on the South Coast full of nice eateries and a glorious beach. We used to go all the time when the kids were small, it was a little beachside village with a great fish & chips shop ,cows grazing in the paddocks and families holidaying at the caravan park . Alas,the cows and paddocks are gone, lots of houses have been built but it’s still worth the drive or a weekend stay. We have friends that live there, so a visit is well overdue,
I love the sound of your french toast! I’m so dreading going back to work on monday! Hope you had a great xmas break
This banana and bacon combo had me suspicious too when my mum told me about bananas wrapped in bacon and served with cheese sauce. It’s one of those retro dishes that is surprisingly good.
I’ve said it before and will say it again: I love reading about places I probably will never see. It’s why I have such fun reading your blog. What a fun day! And fab food. Thought I’d pass out from hunger when I saw the french toast dish and then along came the marshmallows and fondue! Wowee.
Super post!
hahaha you know maple syrup + bacon + bananas is a major elvis favourite? tho the best one is probably the fool’s gold loaf. which a loaf of hollowed out bread with a jar of jelly, a jar of peanut butter and a pound of bacon stuffed in. sounds like a heart attack on a plate but its sooo nice… XD
I’ve only had French toast with banana, maple syrup AND bacon once before…out of curiosity. Surprised that it worked quite well!
Oh how cool. I’ve read about this little venue and am glad that you reviewed it. I always thought the crowd would be TOO cool… but it seems to be okay.
My favourite place was a sushi bar in Byron. Oh. My. Goodness. Best sushi EVER. They had this salmon roll that they put the whole roll in tempura batter and fry. So wrong, but SO right. Delish.
That french toast combination may not exactly be healthy, but anything you eat on holidays is calorie-free, and the combo works so well! I don’t think you have much to fear by asking for banana with your french toast in the future
Have to agree about the fondue fruit. It’s annoying when it seems as though chefs didn’t actually think a dish through when making it…’hmmm, this fruit is to dip in too-thick chocolate so let’s make it flimsy and tiny’
That French toast looks thin and rubbery! sorry. Where are the thick, luscious, sweet wedges of temptation that French toast should be?!
I worked hard over Christmas, no holidays for me, but I did spend a wonderful day at my parent’s house, just stuffing my face and laughing with the people that I love.
HOpe 2010 is a good one for you, Lorraine.
X
Hi Blond Duck-Haha of course!
I’d join you 
OH my! What an amazingly fun life you lead Duckie! 
Hi gobsmack’d -Haha! Yes that’s true, I’ve never really heard of much there which is a shame as I’m sure there are many just like you! OH yes we went there this weekend-Wow the crowds!
Hi joey-Hehe or a hot Summer’s Day
Hi MaryPoppinsinHeels-Of course I’d love to have your company! You could just be your fabulous self
I can totally believe that! 
Hi Fiona-Yes it’s so civilised! 60? That’s huge!
Hi Faith-Hehe I must give that a try! I’ve never seen that before but I can’t knock it unless I’ve tried it can I?
Hi April -Aww shucks thankyou so much! I hope you have a great day too April!
Hi Betty-Wow you run from Bondi to Coogee?
Haha there’s a bit of everything here 
Hi Katherine-Very much so! That’s my friend’s son!
Hi Big M-Haha!
Hi Jacinta-Thanks so much! What a lovely compliment!
Hi Steph-Yes they should just us two lots of holidays huh?
Hi Cakelaw-We did! Just having a break is good huh?
Hi Brianna-No problems, you’re welcome! It was a while for me too!
Hi Barbara -Oh yes of course! You know the area for sure
Haha you are so funny mum! xxx
Hi Mike-Yes I can’t imagine it would be anywhere near as good in the rain!
HI Liv-I had such a strong craving!
Oh I love a good sauerkraut! Hehe ok I will! Oh no, crumbly pancakes 
But I like how you were continuing in the German vein! 
Hi Darlene-Hehe thankyou so much! Oh really :O I always thought that California was so sunny-or maybe that’s just from the movies!
Sounds like an excellent plan!
Hi Midge-Now that I’ve tasted it, I thoroughly agree with you!
Yes rockmelon was a strange choice. I don’t think they thought that one through 
Hi Hannah-I know, how lucky are they?
I suspect I would fit right in! 
Oooh you are SO lucky! 
Hi sophia-Denial is an option!
I agree-everything!
Hi Moya-I know! I agree, not like this rushing to get ready early! Oh no, I feel your pain!
Hi matilda-Thankyou very much! Sounds gorgeous and I bet everyone will have lots of fun!
Ahh a shame that some things are gone but does that mean there is better food (sometimes the only advantage to progress)
Hi Betty-It was great! I did, hope yours was gorgeous Betty!
Hi Arwen-Yes I have to agree! Retro that definitely works
Hi Barbara-You are so sweet! Thankyou so much
Hehe I know, the boy’s lost hunger came back rather quickly 
Hi wendy-Haha oh yes and I think there might have been Peanut Butter thrown in too?
Oooh sounds lovely, I love it thankyou! I might be very tempted to make that drools…
Hi mlle délicieuse-Yes when I make it at home, I’m definitely adding bananas!
Hi fat mum slim-Yes it’s close by to you isn’t it! Nah some are like that but they’re pretty relaxed
Oh my, how fabulous! I’d love to try that one day! 
Hi Conor-Ahh this is very true, I had almost forgotten about that important calorie rule!
Yes I think they just gave us the fruit salad that they serve for breakfast but you can’t do that with fondue or you end up with odd things like rockmelon and fruit that can’t be skewered! 
Hi the projectivist-No it was good! Hmm for me it’s not so much the thickness but how the egg penetrates the bread-in that it must, I don’t want any dry bread in there. Can you tell I’ve thought about it?
. Sounds like you had a fabulous one-a dream one really for the day itself 
Happy New Year and I hope 2010 is wonderful. Sorry to hear that 2009 was such a challenging one 
x
your breakfast plate sounds quite awesome and looks even better. too bad the salad was a let-down. if you ask me, if given the choice, one should always opt for breakfast foods.
Hi grace-I agree hear hear!
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