I’m confused and wandering around the Botanic Gardens. I want to ask someone directions but everyone else looks like a tourist. My phone rings and it is Christie. She too is lost too. Joggers are everywhere with earphones so I am loathe to stop them although I figure they are locals. I stop one that has no earphones and ask him directions. “Oh I’m sorry” he says with a friendly American accent “I’m a tourist”.
“Are you lost?” an English voice chimes in behind me.
“Well…yes I am” I admit.
“What are you looking for?” I tell her the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool and she is amazingly headed in the same direction. Even though I was born and bred here, I am directionally challenged and it takes a friendly visitor from overseas to lead me to the door where I find my fabulous blogging buddy Christie.
We’re about thirty minutes late for our booking and it’s pretty crowded. Downstairs, swimmers are bathing and doing laps . There are families still on holidays with their small kids and tanned gods (yes it’s said to be a popular gay haunt) strutting around in very small swimmers. Upstairs is the cafe and we take a seat on the bright orange seats. We’re hot after our little traipse across the Botanical Gardens and all I want is a cold drink and the lukewarm tap water does little to cool us off.
We take a quick look at the menu but are too busy catching up. It’s been over six months since we last saw each other and the waitress really seems to want to take our order so we have a quick look. We’re both trying to eat healthier so we choose frappes and salads. There is a breakfast menu which we presume is available now as they’re presenting us with it and a lunch menu which is broken up into small plates with items such as Manzanillo olives, artichoke dip with crostini, zucchini flowers and lamb cutlets and then there are the mains which features salads, a prawn spaghetti and battered flathead fish and chips. Prices reach up to the low $20′s for a main.
very good looking men
Lychee, Strawberry and Cloudy Apple Frappe left, Blood Orange and Mango Frappe $6 each
I like the Lychee, strawberry and cloudy apple frappe which is chillingly good and just the ticket for this swelteringly hot Sydney day. The strong perfume of the lychee blends nicely with the strawberry and cloudy apple although there isn’t one flavour that stands out as strongest. The blood orange and mango frappe looks a little different, more slushy as we figure that they probably used gelato or sorbet. It’s strong in blood orange which always has that distinct almost tomatoey taste to it. It’s also very strikingly pretty.
Pork Belly Salad $21
The first thing Christie notices is the petite portion of pork belly as she counts four sashimi sized pieces. We’re sharing so I lift two onto my plates along with two pieces of ripe black fig, some batons of crisp Granny Smith apple and slivers of fennel and baby spinach. The pork belly is quite delicious but the rest of the salad isn’t sufficiently dressed with most of the baby spinach leaves dry (it is said to have a vincotto vinegar dressing) and it needs seasoning.
Heirloom Tomato Salad $18.50
The heirloom tomato salad is an Italian flag on a plate with red tomatoes, thick slices of spongy buffalo mozarella and green basil leaves. The tomatoes are extremely ripe and look like they were cut with a blunt knife. It’s also not a particularly flavoursome heirloom variety tasting more like an overipe regular tomato and curiously there is a single slice of heirloom Black Russian tomato at the bottom. But yes it’s just a single slice.
We have other tasks for the day so we soak up a bit more atmosphere before high tailing it out of there. Whilst the salads didn’t wow us greatly, the frappes are good and the view and being poolside certainly thrilled.
So tell me Dear Reader, do you get lost in your own city?
Poolside Cafe @ Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool
Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool
1C Mrs Macquarie’s Rd, Sydney, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 8354 1044
Open 7 days 7:30am-4pm
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46 Comments | Add your own
YES! I even get lost in my own driveway!
What a beautiful post–the scenery, the food, the writing, all beautiful, NQN!
I’m so dreadfully missing summer fruits right now, so I’d be entirely happy with the Lychee frappe and a plate of those figs, please! Oh, figs… and persimmons, and plums, and apricots, and did I mention figs?
My friend had her Hen’s Day celebrations there, on a hot November Day… when I was pretty pregnant.
I had parked in Woolloomooloo and had to walk there… I was so hot and lost. But it was a lovely day. I did wish there was more shade in the restaurant. It was just a little uncomfortable. But that was just a pregnant me in Summer.
xx
Fabtastic views! Never mind the food! LOL
Perfect day for lunch at a place like that. I’ve never been to this cafe or to the pool for that matter. Food looks pretty decent. Love the sound of the pork belly. Mmmmmm.
In answering your question, no, I don’t think I’ve ever been lost in this city. I’m usually the one giving people directions when they appear lost or if I see them holding a map I can’t help but offer my assistance!
I’m completely sick of places charging outrageos prices for salads that are uninspiring. I paid $16 for a “Roast pumpkina dn chickpea salad with haloumi and tatziki” at a cafe on Balmain on the weekend. What I got was a huge bowl of rocket with two cherry tomatoes, a handful of chickpeas and 1cm cubes of pumpkin, and ONE SINGLE LONELY slice of haloumi!! What the??? I just paid $16 for a bowl of rocket! I have had similar experiences with salads at other places, not enough of the advertised components, its frustrating and disappointing, salads have got to be the quickest easiest things to throw together, and they are often some of the more expensive items on ccafe menu’s, and yet often they lack finesse.
I get lost in my own neighborhood. Yesterday for work I was an hour late to a interview because I got lost on the country roads–GPS failed me and the cows never answered back…they’re terrible with directions.
Beautiful post as always.
Not any more
Though I’m starting to get lost in Newcastle now – I’m losing my mental roadmap after a few years away!
I could use one of those frappe’s right about now!
oooh I was running past that pool when I was in Sydney last week and didn’t even know it had a cafe!!!
The frappes look nice but the rest looks pretty uninspiring
Wow, I see what you mean about the tomato salad now! I think it might be a place to stop off for a Frappe or a wine and antipasto if they have either of those. Great location, could wave to Hubby at work from there hehe.
Get lost in Sydney? Not really but that night we went out to the pond I was a bit geographically challenged for about 1 minute! hehe.
Oh I get lost in London all the time – especially when I least expect it. My mum is always wary of me driving when I go home as she says I have no sense of direction whatsoever.
Haha, I have a gigantic city that remains mostly unexplored so I love getting lost at the moment!
For $18.50 I’d want the heirloom tomato salad to be great. It’s a shame it wasn’t.
I am directionally challenged as well, but I’d like to think that I’m getting better. And I really want that lychee frappe. Now.
I must admit these restaurant “reviews” bore me slightly. I much prefer your own creative recipes!
Always. I am reknowned for my hopeless sense of direction and without my TOMTOM would be a blubbering mess on the roads. Thank god for technology!!
PS – that tomato salad looked a bit dogdy??
I kind of wish I’d known that the pool had a cafe. I was in the area last week and was looking for somewhere to eat. Shame the food is only average, but the view makes up for it on a summer’s day!
I have eaten there a few times and the food has been okay. Nothing outstanding but okay. The view is what draws people but if they made a better effort with the food, they would have a super success on their hands.
I am wondering if we are going to see more “pool-side dining” from NQN? After the Crabbe Hole and now Boy Charlton, is a visit to Ripples on the cards in the near future?
Oh.. mozzarella… with a side of pool and boy… I’m so there..
I’d be in trouble if I managed to get lost in Wagga. Yes, it is a city….ish. I grew up in Sydney though, and can easily get lost there.
I frequently get lost! Especially if a building has an inconspicuous door. Thankfully my trusty iPhone maps are always on hand these days which helps an awful lot!
Wow, what a nice place to chill. Singapore has a Botanic Gardens too, but not as fancy as this one!
At least the view was lovely!
Hard to get lost in Vegas – but I get lost in some of our mega shopping centres!
I loved the colors on the frappes and the pork belly salad looked quite interesting.
I stick to main landmarks or streets that I know and take it from there, can’t say I’ve ever been lost on foot but driving around this beautiful city of Sydney can sometimes be daunting
Luckily my husband knows his way around.
Yes, lost is my middle name! I’m famous for walking into a high rise building and not knowing which direction I entered from! Love the look of those frappes but agree that the salads don’t look all that appetising. I know there’s a proliferation of pool dining out there (Aqua Dining, Icebergs and now this one) but to me the two just don’t gel. I think I would be very conscious of what I was eating while looking at semi naked bodies, fit or not, and if I’m feeling guilty about eating, I’m not going to enjoy the meal. That said, lovely photos!
Wow! I’ve lived in Sydney all my life, and I’ve never even heard of this place! Thank you – must put it on the list of places to visit..those frappes look divine!
I love the contrast between the harbor view and the pool view, and how you get both from your seating spot. Its a very appealing place if nothing for that alone!
I have a friend who gets lost everytime she comes to see me and she’s been here over one hundred times, so I think in comparison you have a fine sense of directions!
I google map everywhere that I’m unfamiliar with and now with street view, I can even see what it will look like when I’m there! Love the frappes and the 4 tiny pieces of pork belly were probably just the right amount for a healthy portion, NOT, hehe!
Wow the pool looks spectacular! hmmm, i always get lost. I can get to the destination suburb fine but then spend more time trying to find the actual place I need to get to! I loathe one way streets
I’ve been there twice on my trips back to Sydney over the last few years and it’s a great location. I remember being surprised at the prices, but I’m happy to pay for that sort of place – they have big rents to pay too no doubt. I live in Exeter in Devon and it’s difficult to get seriously lost here. I lived in Sydney for a number of years and I found it hard to locate that restaurant too. It’s quite an adventure though
i have mixed feelings about seeing all that sunshine. i’m jealous, but the pictures help transport me there in spirit and that effectively warms me up a little.
Lol, I’ve gotten lost travelling to the next town!
Gorgeous pics, Lorraine! I’m longing for the sights and foods of summer!
The frappes! Such imaginative flavours! And the pork belly … with slices of figs? Wow. what a great place to eat! Anything poolside is so chi-chi.
Oh Lorraine, I get lost ALL THE TIME it’s not even funny!
Looks like a fun place to spend an afternoon, and the frappes look delicious! I actually get lost in my town all the time. I always assume I’ll be able to find new places and then end up on the wrong side of town.
Oh my! Those pictures brought back so many memories, yet again (you seem to be doing that a lot!). I was there exactly one year ago. The food was great and the views were lovely, especially by the pool =)
The last time I had to be at the Botanic Gardens was for a work Christmas party – and, yes, I got lost! My gf and I were in heels and pretty dresses and were trying to dodge the speedy rats!!
I have iPhone, so I can google the map and get right on the track right away. You should get one or get iPod touch with the internet or better, get an iPad as it is bigger (bigger version of iPod touch)
What a great way to catch up with Christie
I haven’t been to this pool, though I know someone who visits it for regular swims.
i’ve walked pass here several times..once even saw reporters interviewing this swimmer, must’ve been some olympic level swimmer..shld try next time..the location is fantastic with the wooloomooloo harbour view and not to mention cute buff mostly naked men by the swimming pool from ur description.. Yummy! (I meant the men..hahaha..)
Hi MaryPoppinsinHeels-Hehe I’m so the same!
Thankyou so much lovely!
Hi Hannah-Ahh we’ll soon be in the throes of Autumn so I’m eating as much Summer fruit as possible
Aren’t they the best? They’re right in season now-yum!
Hi fat mum slim-Ahh yes the front gets very sunny. They asked us if we wanted a sunny table or a shaded one and I’m glad we got the shaded one. That must have been very uncomfortable for you! Xxx
Hi joey-I know, the views and the walk there were gorgeous!
Hi john-The pork belly was nice but a bit too petite a serve for the amount of greens. LOL well I shall hope that you turn up around me next time I’m lost
Hi Jess-Eeek that sounds like highway robbery. I don’t understand why cafes do that. They usually do well from repeat business and people just won’t come back if they’re given such paltry portions.
Hi Blond Duck-Hehe you just can’t rely on cows can you?
Hi Lea Ann-Thankyou so much!
Hi Fiona-Hehe does one mental road map replace another?
Hi Einna-Me too! It’s so hot! :O
Hi Lisa-Hehe sounds like a good place to go for a post run frappe to cool down?
Hi sandra-yes we were really hoping for some amazing salads!
Hi Liss-Hehe really! You could toast him with your frappe? I remember that, that was very funny!
I could tell that you weren’t used to being lost!
Hi Su-yin-Ahh I understand! Getting lost while driving is very easy!
Hi anna-Ahh sounds like you’re having a ball!
Hi Gastronomy Gal-Yeah it was a bit of a shame really as it sounded so good!
Hi foodwink-Hehe I hope I’m getting better too!
Hi Canlever-Well you can’t please everyone and those creative recipes take a long time to think up- I am one person!
Hi Joy-I know, I know we had road maps but GPSs are fantastic (when they work
). Yes the tomatoes had definitely seen better days 
Hi Belle-Yes if they took a bit more time with the food this place would be amazing!
Hi Sian-Yes that’s how I felt and I couldn’t agree more!
Haha well I’ve done Ripples at Pyrmont and the Milsons Point. There’s Aqua Dining at the pool in Milsons Point too which might be worth a visit too 
Hi April Marie-LOL you are too funny!
Hi Amy-I’ve never been to Wagga, is it small? Good to know I’m not the only one!
Hi Esz-Oh yes! Those cryptic signs are terrible aren’t they! I should really get an iphone as that would help me!
Hi sophia-Ahh really? I had no idea! Yes these ones are pretty big
Hi Cakelaw-It was!
Hehe don’t get me started on shopping centres 
Hi Midge-The frappes were quite good!
Hi Matilda-Yes so many strange road rules too! Hehe mien too, isn’t it great?
Hi Gummi Baby-Haha good to know I’m not alone
Ahh well I choose to ignore that when food is in front of me although I can see what you mean 
Hi Celia-Yes it’s one of those places I’ve always meant to go to and it’s taken me all Summer to get there!
Hi tasteofbeirut-Yes the view is rather magnificent! Hehe thankyou! I feel much better now!
Hi Moya-Hehe good idea although I did try but couldn’t figure it out! LOL yes maybe they were looking after our waistlines?
Ho walkingcake-Oh yes one way streets are a killer!
Hi Natalie-It is an amazing location. If only I weren’t in such a hurry to enjoy it
Yes I think an adventure is the way to describe it!
Hi grace-Hehe you’ll have sunshine soon and we’ll have Winter!
Hi Faith-Hehe I could do that!
Thankyou so much! Not long now for you guys? 
Hi The Little Teochew-Yes figs can improve anything can’t they!
Hehe well good to know I’m in great company!
Hi lisa-I’m so relieved there are so many of us! I thought I was the only one!
Hi Mowie-Oh really! What a coincidence!
Yes the views are amazing 
Hi mlle délicieuse-Hehe I wonder what percentage of people at a time are wandering around the Botanical Gardens lost? Eek, speedy rats? :O
Hi Lilia-Ahh I don’t have one so I’m relying on my inner map
Hi Y-Yes it was great to catch up with her there!
Hi chinesechic-Ahh interesting! Were they mid swim? Hehe!
gorgeous spot, gorgeous view and those drinks….beautiful!….salad…..devine!
I went to this place last time I was in Sydney, I loved it! The staff were really nice and the food was excellent when I was there. In fact sitting here in London it’s the one place I wish I could beam myself to when it cold and grey over here.
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