It has been at least 20 years since I was handed a Golden Book to read – I might even venture to say over 30 years since that has happened. But at Moose Cafe in Redfern, a Golden Book titled Prayers for Children no less, is what I am handed when they offer me the menu. I’m meeting M this afternoon for lunch. Outside Moose Cafe is on a quiet-ish side street but this doesn’t stop it from being constantly patronised with customers (mostly locals).
Owner Charbel is an former colleague of M’s. He is in fact an Information Architect who currently works three days in that end of the world and the rest in the warmer and fuzzier world of home made mueslis and jams. Did I mention the jams? No? Well on the wall there is a huge wall of them, all very nicely packaged indeed. There are two prices: “sober” $8.50 and “drunk” $9.50 and when you see the flavours you’ll understand why. They’re very grown up jams.
There are fancy schmancy flavours like rhubarb & mulled wine; strawberry & Earl Grey; blackberry & sparkling shiraz and the most popular flavour gin & tonic marmalade (but more on that later 
). They also come for the coffee, a brand called The Golden Cobra which is a coffee brand with a sense of humour. The Golden Cobra’s decaf blend is called the “Timothy Dalton” blend aka the slightly “lame James Bond”.
There are also a display of granolas including their best selling Belgian chocolate granola. Eat in prices start low at $4.50 with a gluten free banana bread (there are a few gluten free baked choices here) and the prices hover around the $10-$14 mark. Housed in a former butcher’s shop there are still remnants of the earlier institution, most notably the enormous cool room and the painted over meat hook rails. Service is friendly and sweet and without a trace of attitude and the excellent coffee is delivered by the barista with a big smile.
Flat White
Infinity Sourdough Toast with jams clockwise from top: rhubarb and mulled wine, blackberry and sparkling shiraz, butter, strawberry and Earl Grey and gin and tonic marmalade
We start with three huge slices of toast and an assortment of jams. We try the rhubarb and mulled wine, the blackberry and sparkling shiraz, the strawberry and Earl Grey and the G&T marmalade. It’s hard to choose a favourite but the G&T marmalade has got to win on flavour and fabulousity value-I mean this is a socially acceptable way to have a G&T at breakfast. And I am not even a gin & tonic girl!
Drunken Gravlax Salmon & Eggs $16
We then choose from the “Hello Breakfast” menu-the new Spring menu has started this weekend and already the Gravlax Smoked Salmon is apparently a hit and it is laced with prized gin (they do like their gin here it seems). The eggs are buttery and it comes with two thick slices of the Infinity toast, three spears of asparagus, a dressed rocket salad and a flower of drunken gravlax smoked salmon which is lovely and fresh-and not too heavy on the gin for those of you that are worried about that element. M likes it so much that when I offer her a taste of my breakfast, she helps herself to more than half of it!
Slow roasted lamb sandwich $11.50
I dither about with the sandwich selections. There is “The Whole Hog” which features Bok’s free range bacon, Esk River free range sausage, an Egganic egg, cheddar and the trimmings but I’m convinced by Charbel that the Bultarra Saltbush lamb sandwich is the go. The lamb is slow roasted for 16 hours and comes with a spiced Moose feta, baba ganoush, tomato and rocket. The lamb is tender and complemented well with the rocket, feta and tomato. It’s too big so I eat it at home and add a little of the spiced chilli jam that I bought to it and sink back into the couch in a blissful state.
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Brownie (gluten free) $4.50
The chocolate brownie is richer than rich and very gooey indeed. Described on the menu as “insane amounts of really dark Belgian chocolate”, you can really taste the bittersweet chocolate in this. The peanut butter element is swirled through so that one bite will get you a strong peanut butter hit while the other a milder hit.
Earl Grey tea
We try the Earl Grey tea which is served in these fantastic Turkish tea glasses. We also try a sample of the chocolate granola and the regular granola. Both granolas are toasted and are both good although I love the cinnamon aroma of the regular granola and the chunkiness of the nuts in it. Reem tried the chocolate granola for breakfast recently with some yogurt and blackberry shiraz jam. They have also started doing bespoke muesli orders where you can customise the type of muesli that you want. Our lunch is over around 3:30pm but they are in no rush to push us out. I buy three of the jams to take with me for gifts and I bring Mr NQN the lamb sandwich (minus some bites ).
So tell me Dear Reader, what is your current favourite jam flavour? And do you remember Golden Books?
Moose General Store & Cafe
Sadly, due to a complaint, the Moose Cafe has closed. They are still selling mueslis and jams. Check out www.moose.com.au for further announcements.
18 Cooper Street, Redfern, NSW
Tel: +61 (02)8097-9684
www.moose.com.au
Thursday to Saturday 8am to 3pm
Sunday 8am to 2pm
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As I sit at my computer pre-brekky, my stomach is doing little leaps and my mind is wondering how I can phenagle a bed with family in Sydney this weekend to share in the delights of Moose!
Breakfast is one of my favourite ‘eat-outs’ when it is done well and these Moosies have put such attention to detail with lashings of good humour that they will definitely be on my list.
Thank you,
x Felicity
Yum! The dishes look delicious! I’ll have to go and try the rhubarb and mullet wine jam!
What an awesome place. I love the Turkish tea set, and the sound of all the jam combos
I love strawberry jam.
I would like to try the rhubarb and mulled wine jam – it looks yummy.
my oh my – what a wonderful little place! I should have tried this out when we were in Sydney over the weekend!
What a fantastic place – it sounds really good, especially all the different flavours of jam.
gin and tonic marmalade sounds fab!!
looks like a great little locals spot to have a coffee. i remember little golden books — i loved them
I must visit. It looks amazing.
What a clever way to present a menu!
My fave jam at the moment would have to be a good strawberry jam.. you really can’t beat it. Especially when it’s slathered on a fresh scone with some cream… Mmmmm!
Ooh, those jams sound amazing! I’m not a fan of any marmalade, but raspberry jam is the best at the moment. Delicious!
This cafe looks fantastic! I love jams – I tried a beautiful berry and shiraz jam at a gorgeous laneway cafe in Melbourne recently mmmmm. I love marmalade too (especially a marmalade frosting on a hummingbird cupcake)!
Those jams sound great – I especially would love to try the rhubarb and mulled wine one! My favorite jam is always cherry but I’ve tried a rhubarb and ginger one in Dublin this summer that I really loved!
the breakfast, the brownie and the jams sound amazing. Love the idea of ‘drunk’ jams!
Raspberry! Or really fresh strawberry with big chunks! or sour cherry! There are far too many good ones!
I know this sounds very boring, but homemade plum jam with plums fresh off the tree. Lovely sour sweet taste.
the salmon brekky looks niiiice.
i had baked eggs when i went here and they were great.
i went there espcially for the gf brownie though, and they didnt have any D:
I would love to try all those jams. I always have a hard time making up my mind. We always have at least 6 different jams on hand. My favorite is Huckleberry Jam from Montana, USA. Also Muscadine Grape Jam from Callaway Gardens in Georgia, USA
All their jams sound delicious and so unique. Will have to stop by.
What a fun place to eat! All their food looks delicious! I’d love to try the Belgian chocolate granola:)
Yum… What a cute cafe and yummy jams!!! I’d move to sydney for this
my abs fav jam atm Blueberry and Passionfruit jam hmmm
What a fabulous place! I love reading about people who are living their lives the way they want, rather than the way work/society/expectations force them too. And a menu in a little Golden Book…I’m grinning from ear to ear. My favourite was the one about the good little girl and the bad little girl – can’t remember what it was called now..
I have just polished off the remnants of a Moose chocolate and peanut butter brownie, stolen from my son …. yum, absolute heaven. Luckily Moose isn’t open Mondays or I’d be there for more. Enjoyed the most delicious breakfast there and can’t wait to get back for a happy pork sambo.
Love the ‘drunk’ and ‘sober’ jams – how clever!
Oh my.. this looks like a really quaint and cute place to visit… love the jam jars!!
Yummo! & gluten free too. Have to see & taste these for myself. Worth the 2 hour drive I reckon. My mouth is watering already. Wonder if I’ll have enough room in the boot????:lol
That’s a lovely cafe!! love how the earl grey tea is served in turkish cups!! so cute..=)
My favorite jam flavour is black cherries at the moment!! love them =)
Gee you have a tough job…{sigh}
My sister has passed on her remaining Golden Books to her 2 1/2 year old son. We would buy one each friday afternoon when Mum did the weekly shop back then. They have survived almost 40 years and the stories are still lovely.
I never owned a single Golden Book, but a friend of mine had dozens. The only thing I’m really sad about missing out on, though, is that peanut butter brownie…
This sounds like my kind of place, Fun and gluten free choices! The golden book is a cute idea and a great conversation starter too.
I love gin and tonic, it makes me feel all sophistocated and grown up. Ha ha ha.
Gotta get me some of that GF Choc Brownie & a ‘drunk’ jam! What a fabulous idea…
Me, I am a fan of Mom’s Apricot Jam, we had this tree out the front of our house, ahhhhh the memories! Every year, we would make jars and jars of jam! :0)
You had me at gin and tonic marmalade – love at first mention, I’m a g&t girl but then again “insane amounts of really dark Belgian chocolate” lights my fire too, what an insanely lovely find!
I just went there last Saturday, love the menu..hehe
We had all different dishes, I wanna try their sandwiches too
That lamb sandwich, oh man, that lamb sandwich is talking to me.
You’ve also just reminded me I saw Timothy Dalton at LAX a couple of months ago. No Daniel Craig spotting for me
Strawberry is my all-time favourite jam flavour, and I LOVE earl grey, so now I really really want some of that strawberry and earl grey jam!!! Aaah! Definitely going to book this in the next time we are in Sydney!
The salmon brekky looks fab. And what’s wrong with a G&T in the morning?
what a gorgeous place! and i guess i’m a little boring but I love strawberry jam. strawberry and earl grey sounds like a combo i might like though
The marmalades and jams, how delicious.
Looks so good! I’ve never really moved on from the icky supermarket jams so can’t say I’ve found a favourite yet. I sure do remember the golden books! I had some that came with records which I would play back while following in the book. Awww good old childhood memories.
I’m not a huge fan of jam (too much sugar generally for my liking unless it’s served with scones and cream) but I certainly would try most of these! Bring back memories of State Fair anyone? He he!
I wish I had a place like that nearby. I lov good jam. Usually raspberry, though my mother in law makes a fab apricot jam (and I don’t even like apricots. Can you please please get the recipe for those brownies.
My favourite jam at the moment is apricot jam. I love the look of that lamb sandwich – very nice and meaty.
Yes I do remember Golden Books. When I was small I had a favourite one about a girl who would help her mum with the chores and she had a little dolly with a pram. I loved the book to bits – literally. It had no cover, so I never knew what it was called but always remembered the pictures in it.
A few years ago, I was in an Op Shop and came across the book, complete with cover, identified by the illustrations. I bought it and it sits on my book shelf with all the other books.
Visited Moose for the first time bout 2 weekends ago. I love the place – not only was the food delicious, the staff were uber-friendly.
I had the lamb sandwich too…the melt-in-the-mouth meat paired marvelously with the feta. I still fantasize about that sandwich *dreamy* And for what it’s worth, my friend rates their baked eggs above FourAteFive.
Didn’t get to try the jams – sounds like another visit is in the cards!
The golden book menu!How did these people get so creative?! I am so jealous for I wish I could have thought of something so clever. I don’t care how the food tastes there- I would go there just to read their menu!
hoe hum gosh golly.
I find your blog to be rather swell.
The fancy display of pretty pictures here there and everywhere make
me smile <3
x x x
Love the sound of the Blackberry Shiraz jam! Definitely remember Golden Books! I love the monster at the end of this book. You can buy them for a few dollars but they just don’t seem quite the same as the originals.
I am impressed with the menus… really creative of them and I am so on a jam crush these days… have made concord grape and basil jelly… just love them!!! Great story and what a fun place!
Oh I had a ton of Golden Books, and now my kids have a bunch too. Love the idea of drunken jams. My fav is saskatoon berry, or black cherry. Now my tummy wants brownies!
What a yummy spread! You’ve brought back memories, I used to love Little Golden Books! My favorite jam is strawberry and I bet it’s amazing with Earl Grey.
I love the sound of the gin and tonic marmalade!
Golden Books take me back to a happy place! I always used to harass my dad to buy me one from the checkout when we were grocery shopping when I was a little kid.
oh man – I was there only 24 hours before that! wish I’d been a day late to say hi
haha
i love the variety of jams…and the massive hunk of butter.
Lorraine…how I can’t wait to make it to Australia one day.
I’ve been bookmarking away every time you review charming places like this one.
Ciao for now,
Claudia
This place is heaven! From the belgian chocolate granola, to the drunk jams! to the golden books. Dont even get me started on the peanut butter brownie…
I vividly remember golden books, and wish to start collecting them again!
I’m not sure what my favourite jam flavour is. I love raspberry, and I also adore apricot jam. For a fancy addition, I love a bit of vanilla. But honestly, I have not had many adventurous jams. In Switzerland I found a Heidielberry jam! But we bought the peach and nectarine one instead.
Now, how can I make an excuse to come up and visit this gorgeous place?…
Heidi xo
They have the G&T marmalade available now? Wonderful! I’ll have to go in on the weekend. Loved reading your review of one of my favorite cafes… am a thorough convert to Moose (and have even done a small review of my own… http://penguinsandparentheses.blogspot.com/2010/08/making-moose-call.html)
I once bought a cherry-black pepper-kirch jam in Ireland as a gift for my housemates… I put it in my carry on, which was a total mistake because they confiscated it at security, since it’s a ‘gel’… so sad… I asked the security officer if she could at least take it so it didn’t go to waste, but she said they’re not alowed to do that and I had to watch her throw it in the garbage. Poo.
That probably would have been my favorite jam, since I love cherries, and my favorite jam that I have actually tasted is sour cherry that my friend’s mom makes from cherries grown in his yard.
As far as golden books go- I do remember! But haven’t thought about them in a while. I probably haven’t seen one since early elementary school.
I loved this post- I’m very jealous of you having access to such a place!!
Oh NQN, I loved this post and had bookmarked Moose General Store for my next Sydney trip – but alas! Look–> http://moose.com.au/2010/09/a-sad-day-at-moose-general-store/
I was planning a breakfast trip this morning after seeing this post…alas I will have to just get some of their great granola from the website…I will be really craving that lamb sandwich though!!
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