I have been friends with my dear friend Queen Viv for almost 20 years. And in that time we’ve had some wonderful adventures most of them to do with the fact that she truly attracts some unusual circumstances. So when she asked me if I’d like to come on a road trip to Wollongong I answered an enthusiastic “Yes” and then thought “Oh dear: we’ve both got no road sense and no GPS. Would we end up in Perth?” Then the image of Thelma and Louise flashed through my worried mind.
Wollongong is one of those areas which is great for a day trip as it’s only an hour and twenty minutes away from Sydney by car but the beach side atmosphere and laid back lifestyle means that you actually feel like you’ve gotten away from the “big smoke”. We drive through the Royal National park to take the scenic drive down to Wollongong. It’s full of flowers this spring and Queen Viv, a keen gardener points out the native flannel flowers and huge Gymea Lilies. The drive is scenic and she also points out a nice place to stop and have an ice cream on the way.
Driving south we emerge out of the National Park to see one of the most breathtaking views. It pure Californian beauty with sweeping cliffs and blue water and little cottages on the cliff’s edge below. There are cars that have also stopped just to look at the view. There are also gliders a plenty here suspended in mid air only metres away.
We stop at Ruby’s Kitchen in Stanwell Park on the way. Queen Viv points out that this is near where Jane Campion wrote Sweetie in a blue fibro house. Ruby’s Kitchen Cafe used to be called Ruby’s on the Dust which was a popular surfers hangout where they’d buy lentil burgers after a surf. Indeed there’s a group of surfers with surfboards standing outside as we pull up.
We order a Mezze plate to share as it’s lunchtime but when it comes out we’re a little floored at the size. It’s rather enormous (I guess surfer size) and there are two large wedges of vegetable frittata, three types of dip (beetroot, hummous and olive tapenade), some toasted Turkish bread and a rocket, pumpkin and feta salad.
Mezze Plate $25
We dig into the dips-they’re all homemade and the beetroot is my favourite with the beetroot missing that earthy flavour which I don’t particularly like. The hummous is fresh and lemony and the olive tapenade contains other goodies which Queen Viv picks up on like sun dried tomatoes. We then start on the salad which is my favourite item. Perfectly dressed in pesto, with generous chunks of creamy Danish feta and roasted pumpkin and potato I eat greedily of this (although the potatoes were too dry roasted for me). The fritatta is good although we don’t have any chance of finishing this so they wrap this up for us and we’re on our way again
We set off again down the road and pass antique stores and after a while arrive at Wollongong. She has fond memories of buying a dozen oysters and sipping a mini bottle of bubbles for a mere $14 but when we arrive we see that it has indeed become a slicker looking place.
Gone are the specials and in their place is a curious place. It looks expensive enough, with reasonably expensive meals to match but it’s order and pay at the counter and collect your meals at the counter and only plastic cups are given. If you want a glass you can buy one for $3. It’s a rocky start to our lunchtime relationship being told all of these things and Queen Viv and I sit back and wonder what sort of place we’ve happened upon. A pub with restaurant aspirations and prices? I head back to the table with our plastic cups and drinks.
Pacific Oysters
After about 5 minutes our buzzer vibrates on the table and I go in to collect the food. We’ve ordered a half dozen oysters, a bottle of bubbles (as that is what Queen Viv has been craving) and a Mezze plate (seems to be the theme of the day but I wanted to try as much as possible). The oysters are plump Pacifics and even with my doubt regarding the plastic self servicing of the plate, they are indeed very good.
Bombora Mezze plate for one $29.90
The salt and pepper calamari is also fairly tender and the fish cakes are delicious and aromatic. There are two sauces, a sweet chili and curiously a yogurt sauce-the yogurt would be better replaced with a tartare for the salt and pepper calamari as the yogurt sauce doesn’t really go with anything. The olives are salty black shiny ones and the feta cubes are a bit dry so I leave those. The bread slices are thick and white and very, very filling and along with the salmon dip are good fillers if you’re hungry but I’ve eaten too much already so I leave this behind. After a while staring at the water view, we do a bit of shopping in Wollongong (our main reason for the trip was to visit a shoe store which we learned has now closed).
Some weeks later, Mr NQN and I return during the Christmas holidays to try two places that I was intrigued by – the Indian Sri Venkateswara Temple for some vegetarian Indian food and the Otford Apple Pie shop. We pull up to the temple having no idea what to expect but were relieved when we saw large numbers of Indian families gathered outside. In the main outdoor building, there are tables and chairs and a long queue of people. The menu on the wall shows various dishes on offer, all vegetarian and at fantastically low prices. We choose a selection of them all for the princely sum of $20.50 and take our number while our food is cooked. All around us Indian women in gorgeous saris and their husbands tend to their excited children. We’re the only non Indian people in the crowd but everyone is friendly.
Parotta 2 for $5
Parotta or parathas are a south Indian food similar to Malaysian rotis but less buttery. They’re thicker and sturdier and come with a kurma, which is a liquidey curry. They’re best eaten hot as when they cool they lose their fluffiness.
Biryani with raita $5
I adore the biryani which is flavoursome with large chunks of potatoes interspersed among the perfectly seasoned rice. The accompanying raita made of yogurt and sliced white onions is perfect to give it that bit of moisture and it I’m happy to discover that it doesn’t hold back on the spice.
Masala Dosa $7
The item that took the longest to make was worth the wait. I don’t mind dosas but have never really been in love with them but this is excellent. The crispy shell is partway filled with some gorgeously spiced curry and it comes with some other accompaniments which is a tangy curry sauce and a runny yogurt heady in aniseed and other spices.
The queue is seemingly neverending so we forego a cup of Masala Tea ($2) and leave but not without first taking a look in the temple. Photographs are of course not permitted inside the temple but it’s interesting as I see the deities have been given bottles of milk as offerings.
We drive towards Sydney and visit the Otford Apple Pie Shop or the Otford Pantry which I passed before with Queen Viv. It’s a popular spot and open only on weekends. Two gorgeous King Charles puppy dogs come out from the back to greet us as we walk in. There is cute booth seating and every booth but one is full. One is slightly more full than the other though with a Blue Tongue Lizard taking up residence in the booth next to us. I didn’t realise he was there until after I had started eating the Apple Pie so I eat with haste.
Hello there you
Apple Pie $4.50 plus ice cream $1.50
When they set down the apple pie I look at it a little confused. It’s more like a cobbler topping set amongst apple pieces. The pieces are tender and chunky and not overly sweet and the cobbler type of topping is less buttery than a cobbler and more scone-like. It’s served with 2 generous scoops of Vanilla (Streets Blue Ribbon-yum!) ice cream and altogether it’s quite good although not quite the apple pie I had envisaged.
Apple and Plum pie $4.50
The topping on this is scented with cinnamon and reminds me of a wholemeal cinnamon scone. I preferred the apple pie out of the two and the plum in this is mostly liquidey throughout the apple chunks.
Saying goodbye to our four legged friends, both canine and reptilian, we head back to the big smoke.
So tell me Dear Reader, which is your favourite place to take a drive to?
Ruby’s Kitchen
91A Lawrence Hargrave Dr
Stanwell Park NSW 2508
Tel: +61 (02) 4294 1822
Open Thursday & Friday 10am-4pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-4pm
Bombora Seafood
Endeavour Drive
Shop 1-2 Fishermans Co-Op, Wollongong NSW 2500
Tel: +61 (02) 4229 7011
Sri Venkateswara Temple
Temple Road, Helensburgh, NSW-2508 Australia Phone: 02-4294 9233 & 02-4294 3224(After7pm)
Opening hours: 8am-7pm (7 days/wk). Closed on weekdays 12 noon-4pm
Temple Canteen open Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 11am-4pm (cash only)
Otford Pantry
22 Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 4294 1243
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now? 
NQN on Facebook
RSS
62 Comments | Add your own
1) Surfers eat lentil burgers? What!?! Why not a real burger or at the very least, a fish burger?
2) That is not apple pie.
A lovely round-up. We’re thinking of moving down to Bundeena… and seeing those photos of the National Park has made my heart skip a few beats with excitement. xx
Oooh, I do like the look of the cinnamon “scone”! And that little lizard fellow is making me miss home again, where we have our own resident blue!
Are they dangerous, though? Or you just don’t particularly like sitting next to reptiles? (Fair enough!
)
Ooooh yay!! Finally you have visited us
I live just down the road from Ruby’s, you would have driven past my house (ooooh celebrity in my little town!! hehe) If you ever come back, Austi Beach Cafe (about ten mins south of Stanwell Park) makes their own gelato.. mmmmm 
oh my where do I begin? That mezze platter is HUGE! No wonder you ladied were full
Hmmm – and plastic glasses?! I think bubbles / wine never tastes the same out of a plastic glass!
Mmmmm… Cheap and good indian food.. I like!
I never tire of reading about your adventures on our home turf! I love Wollongong – we were there for a wedding in December, also at a place called Ruby’s, but this one was a fine dining resto in Mt Kembla. And the paragliders put on a fine show that day too!
That “apple pie” really doesnt look at all appealing but both mezze plates look good as does the vegetarian indian food.
My goodness! Was all this food in one day? I haven’t eaten oysters for months so I am very envious and that mezze looks amazing.
I need an awesome friend like Queen Viv!
I also need that beetroot dip, plate of oysters and bubbly please! Looking at your photos helps me forget about the grey/black snow slush outside my window right now! Yay!
My goodness!
Firstly, I have to say, I love your blog, and read it religously everyday.
I’ve never felt the need to comment before, but, I have lived in Helensburgh for over 2 years, and I had no idea the temple had a ‘canteen’!!! and I loooove indian food – I think i’ve got an outing for this weekend!
Keep up the good work, alphie
Day trips are adventurous. I love them. Your day trips are worth the read.
that shot of the water with the gliders in the distance is awesome–nicely done!
meanwhile, i’m baffled by this interpretation of pie–it’s definitely unlike any i’ve seen before! meh, i’d still eat it and love it, no doubt.
I just love the days spent with you and Queen Viv!
What a fantastic road trip!
I get what you mean about driving along the coast and feeling as if you’re in California – especially if you stop for drinks along the way.
Well done, makes me wanna take the trip myself.
Mmmmm, that looks like mighty nice pie. What’s that on the Apple and Plum pie? Looks like a substitute for the ice cream on the Apple pie.
The scenic route down to Wollongong is totally gorgeous. We have friends who live down that way so take the drive a few times a year.
We adore masala dosai and for a cheap $7, we are definitely stopping there next time we’re in the area.
wow what an eventful day
whenever i head down south its only for the beach and maybe some fish & chips/oysters
Hi Lorraine. Glad to see you had some nice trips to Wollongong – my home town! There are lots of nicer places than the one you tried – was it at the harbour? Flanagans on Thirroul Beach, Austi Beach Cafe, Samuels at Thirroul, plus a whole host of other cafes at Thirroul & Coledale. And we have our very own (one)hatted restaurant – Caveau in Wollongong – no view but fantastic food.
So much beautiful food… wish I was a half a world away to try it!!!
That salad on the Mezze plate looks amazing. I am such a sucker for a really well done salad!
What a gorgeous day!!!
A day trip here in FL (USA) means I could visit both the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Of Mexico. My home state is not very wide and can be driven across from coast to coast in a couple of hours. One favorite place for us to go to is Anna Marie Island just of the Manatee County coastline. It is a barrier island and has some of the whitest sand that is called sugar sand. It literally looks like grains of sugar. When walked on with bare feet , the sand talks to you by squeaking slightly leading some people to call it the singing sand. The island is a slice of old Florida feeling.
NQN! Next time you visit the Illawarra you must ask for restaurant suggestions first! There are some amazing little restaurants down there that only the locals know about and I’m sad you missed them! The Burek shop in Wollongong is a must eat destination! As are a couple of Spanish and Italian restaurants. Hope you visit again soon!
What a lovely getaway.
My favorite place is most definitely the beach. I love our rugged, rocky Washington coastline, so wild and beautiful. 
What a magnificent shot you took of the gliders. I love the Royal National Park, I haven’t explored alot of it yet. When I go there I go to this one spot where I like to have a picnic and hire a canoe to go up the river. Very tranquil indeed.
That first mezze plate is HUGE!
I love beetroot dip and that salad looks delicious!
I like Wollongong. Well, for the view, not the food
)
Love day trips, great photos of the scenery and all of that great food.
I love driving to Milawa & Bright in Victoria, not really for the scenery (though it’s nice) – just the good food and wine waiting at the end of the trip. Those curries have me wanting some now! Luckily I’d already planned to next wednesday for Vindaloo against Violence http://vindalooagainstviolence.wordpress.com/
what a nice day, and nice food,
and gorgeous beach. Lucky you enjoy the warm sunny weather.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful day with us.
This is so much fun for me! I get to visit Australia and eat there from the comfort of home. So neat to discover all these exotic locales.
Thanks for all the Wollongong tips – I’m moving there in June, and I’m very much looking forward to the laid-back lifestyle…
lucky u taking all htese trips!! fantastic photos Lorraine and good food…what more cld one ask for ..sigh ~
If you would be happy with a slightly longer drive I highly recommend a day trip to Berry, which is a little further down the coast from Wollongong. It’s best to go on a weekend. The shopping is great and there are some very cute little cafes. A trip to the Treat Factory is a must, as they have some gorgeous goodies, especially chutneys,relishes, jams and the yummiest chocolate.
I don’t think I could have continued eating with a blue tongue lizard staring at me! I think you were quite brave!
Lorraine, you write so well about anything. I love the vegetarian food!!! So mouthwatering. My only question is: Did Thelma & Louise meet JD (the character played by Brad Pitt)?
I’m so glad your Thelma and Louise moment didn’t end up like the film’s ending! That second mezze plate was ginormous though,are you sure the bombora was just for ONE! I remember as a kid making the trip to Warragamba dam and the lion park that used to be there, such an adventure!
Looks like great times!
hmm day trip.. I love going down to Bundeena, or out to Bowral or the farmgate trip, but down that way you can’t beat Kiama I reckon!
Hi, can’t believe u went to bombora, such a pity! There are some great little restaurants down here but they do take some spotting. Bombora annoys me to tears the way they give u a cheap buzzer to get your food, like your at the pub, and then make you pay for a glass! What a joke, even the pub would give you a glass for your bubbles! Roppongi Japanese in market st is a great little secret, try it next time your down!
Looks like a great adventure
BTW, your sensor was dirty for the view4 and Ruby’s kitchen shots (dust is terrible!)
Wow, sounds like a great road trip , nice to know that you ventured south to explore Wollongong and it’s surrounds. I live not too far and was familiar with most places you wrote about. We went to Ruby’s of Mt.Kembla for Valentine’s Day lunch and it was superb. It was drizzling, the mist shrouded the mountain and we had a little giggle ( yes , pink champagne was a-flowing)when we saw some mist wafting through the half-open front door. You and Mr.NQN should try this little restaurant next time you’re in the ‘Gong’.
I haven’t been for ages but just love the drive down to Kiama it’s worthwhile, the Blowhole being the major attraction but there are also lots of quaint shops and eateries.
You didn’t mention if you did the Grand Pacific Drive / Sea Cliff Bridge, now that definitely would be a Thelma and Louise moment , headscarves ala Audrey Hepburn. lol
My father-in-law a Hindu( who passed 2 years ago)was a regular at the Sri Venkateswara Temple , he was always asked us to go with him and now I regret that we never found the time to go with him.
The Masala Dosas are one of my husbands favourite dishes and in some places in India they’re as large as a table!!
what a fantastic trip! Great scenary and good food! May I know what camera and lens you use? Thinking of getting a new lens for my canon 450d =)
Awesome food trip! I love masala dosa, it’s probably my indian food of choice!
Sometimes I wish the portions in Aussieland were smaller just so I could eat more without stuffing my face silly and doggy bagging it, which in turn means I have to eat it, which means I miss a meal of ‘new discovery’.
Do I make sense?
Such gorgeous views there! Sounds like a fun road trip! I love the picture of the lizard, it’s our tradition to try to take the pictures of lizards everywhere we go
It’s a deconstructed apple Pie?
Wow, I loved this post! I live in Wollongong (and Ive never been to Ruby’s – but they mezze plate looked amazing!)
If you ever come back down to Wollongong, I strongly recommend going to Diggies on North Beach. Even North Kiosk (next to Diggies) is great.
I was just at Diggies yesterday for breakfast, and had the most amazing brioche french toast with marscapone and strawberries. They do the most amazing food there!
I hope you enjoyed Wollongong!
Hi, can’t believe u went to bombora, such a pity! There are some great little restaurants down here but they do take some spotting. Bombora annoys me to tears the way they give u a cheap buzzer to get your food, like you’re at the pub, and then make you pay for a glass! What a joke, even the pub would give you a glass for your bubbles! Roppongi Japanese in market st is a great little secret, try it next time your down!
Noerth Wollongong Beach is my favourite place as I spent my university years in Wollongong University. It is only take around 20 minutes to walk from North Wollongong station to the beach. I love the seafood basket from Bouffler Seafood close to where you have these oyster (walk to the mid beach, there is only one building close to child’s play).
Howeber, these seafood basket is better in Kiama and I do love the prawn cocktail in there.
Also, do try the Jasmine Rice Thai Restaurant (the first one, not the second one)for biggest king prawn and more delicious Thai meals. The restaurant is at the east side of the city (close to Woolworths). Also, Mylan’s for the special vietnamese delicious vermicelli in the city, close to the mall entry.
What unusual pies, Lorraine. They look more like fruit with a bit of cake on top. That masala dosa looks rather yum!
Ahh Wollongong! Thats a name I havent heard in a while. Was up there in Woolie a long time ago for the inter uni games. Had great fun! Those parathas look good. Malaysian Rotis are called Roti Channai!
both pies are waiting for me!!!
pierre
Gorgeous locations shots! That pumpkin and feta salad sounds fab!
Wollongong is a winner for me too. My favourite food en route is always Fireworks Cafe in Austinmer though.
I’m a sucker for roti canai, so the parottas (parathas) looked particularly appetizing.
Wonder what the lizard was doing in there? Waiting for his share of pie, I suppose?
Oh hello there Mr Blue Tongue! What a cutie. Also, what a strange pair of pies!
I have to say thought Lorraine, I’m disappointed the two of you didn’t end up in Perth
Lorraine – I love your blog! With each post, you show me what my life could be like when I move to Oz. Can’t wait.
Thanks for the tip about the Helensburgh temple.We live at Bundeena so we went today the Masala Dosa was fantastic as were the ily, Masala tea and sweets some type of nutty chick pea flour ball.We live so close and didn’t know it served meals also take away this beat travelling into Maya at Redfern.
Hi Blond Duck-Apparently they do there
Yes I thought you’d be outraged 
Hi fat mum slim-Ahh cool! although we’d miss you here!
xxx
Hi Hannah-You do! Is it friendly? I don’t know much about them but I was nervous just in case!
Hi Lulu -YOu live in a gorgeous town I have to say!
I wish we had gone there! Thanks for the recommendation! 
Hi Lisa-Haha yes I don’t think I’ve ever been greeted with a mezze platter like that before!
I agree!
Hi Melissa-It’s great isn’t it!
Hi Celia-Thankyou!
Aren’t they great to watch? really fascinating! 
Hi sandra-hehe yes the pies were really not what I was expecting. That Indian food was so good! A shame that we live so far away!
Hi Sarah-No two days!
Hi La Pastry Chef-Yes everyone does!
Aww you’ll have a gorgeous Summer soon! 
Hi Alphie-Thankyou! That’s so lovely!
oh fabulous, yes the canteen is wonderful. I hope you liked it! 
Hi Mary-Thanks very much!
Hi grace-Thankyou! Haha yes it was definitely an interpretation of a pie-not bad though, just different!
Hi MaryPoppinsinHeels- Awww thankyou so much!
Hi romaverona-Thankyou! Yes it’s so gorgeous isn’t it! Hard to keep your eye off the view!
Hi Peter-Thankyou!
it’s ice cream on the pies.
Hi BuBbles-I agree, the drive is stunning. excellent, I’d love to know what you think of it!
Hi Betty-It was!
Hehe sounds like you have it all sorted out! 
Hi Suzanne-yes I know Bomborra was not the best choice but we wanted the place that had closed and that was in its place.
Hi deana-Ahh if only we could swap places!
Hi Sian-Hehe me too!
Hi Cakelaw-It sure was!
Hi Julia-That sounds amazing! Sugar sand? it sounds magical!
Hi Li’l Ms Butterfly-Yes I will ask next time. It was a bit of a spur of the moment trip (actually more for shopping
)
Hi Krista-Thankyou! I can imagine! I’ve seen pics and it looks gorgeous!
Hi Phuoc-Wow that sounds like a gorgeously lovely way to pass the time!
Hi Kristy-Isn’t it just!
Hi Anh-You don’t like the food there?
Hi Lea Ann-Yes I agree! So many nice memories
Hi Jetlagmama-hehe that is very important of course!
Ahh what a great idea. What a shame I’ll be away then!
Hi Arlette-Yes we are so lucky living here with this weather!
You’re welcome!
Hi tasteofbeirut-hehe why thankyou! I love that idea!
Hi KT-Oh it’s gorgeous!
Hi zurin-I know, I feel very lucky going on these trips
Hi Amy-Ahh yes we haven’t been to Berry for ages! Such a cute town
Hi Gummi Baby-Hehe very little stands between me and food
Hi The Little Teochew-Aww thankyou Ju!
Haha not really-a pity! I think Queen viv would have liked to have! 
Hi Moya-Haha yes this ending was much more pleasant
Oh yes we did that too! 
Hi Liss-They were!
Ahhh yes Kiama is very nice!
Hi Tessa-Yeah it is a shame but we were hungry and didn’t know where else to go! Thanks for the recommendation!
Hi ZYL-Are you a photographer? You sound like a photographer I know
Hi Matilda-sounds really cute!
yes Kiama is really cute. We did! 
Oh well if you’re out that way, the temple is worth a detour! 
Hi pigpigscorner-It’s not really a great lens. Just a regular one for these shots!
Hi Sweets at Vicky’s-Thankyou! Haha I know what you mean. More variety that way!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thankyou!
Haha really? 
do you see lizards very often?
Hi Sophie-Thankyou!
Thanks for the recommendation! 
We loved it!
Hi Lilia-Thanks for all the recommendations! where is the seafood basket good in Kiama?
Hi Y-I know, or upside down ones
Hi Dharm-Ahh interesting! You must have great memories of it!
Hi pierre-Hhaha cool! and the lizard is a bonus
Hi erin-Thankyou!
Hi Jen-I wish we had gone there but Queen viv remembered this one place that she always like. A shame that it was closed!
Hi Midge-Haha I wonder if he’s a regular?
Hi Conor-haha he’s a funny guy isn’t it! It wouldn’t surprise me if we did!
Hi Mowielicious-Aww thankyou so much! when are you moving here? How exciting!
Hi Amanda-that’s wonderful! I’m so glad that you went there and enjoyed it!
yes it’s much closer to you than Maya!
I don’t think he’s really friendly or non-friendly… he’s just there! Though often worries us by sunning himself in the driveway. We don’t want him to go squish!
We took a trip to the Otford Apple Pie Cafe today.
My tip is if you are not in the market to eat the apple pie then and there not to bother stopping.
$5 for a coffee that was not that great is as steep as the hill you take to get there. Visually the pies look great. Take home a small $12 pie and you get a mouthful of clumpy dough and plain apples. Best thing about it was the custard I put on it.
We did however fall in love with the old fashioned bakery in Thirroul. A traditional butterfly cake with fresh cream is always worth the drive from Sydney.
Thanks for the wonderful review about Vegetarian food at Sri Venkateswara Temple Helensburgh Canteen.
Lots of hard work goes into running the canteen, maintain the quality and the low prices.
All credit goes to the chefs, humble volunteers who contribute their valuable time and energies over the weekends and special festival days.
One Trackback/Pingback
[...] by Not Quite Nigella Tweet I look back at bad meals with a degree of anguish. When my good friend Queen Viv took me to Wollongong she did so on a wisp of memory of a good meal seaside. Not quite remembering the name she [...]
Post a Comment