I’d like 8 of these chairs please…
There are times that only a little civility will do. Bush walking is fine and dandy (and quite frankly something that I actively avoid). BBQ’s are a much loved family get together. But sometimes a girl needs a little morning tea in a 5 star hotel. We’d popped into the Hydro Majestic on the way back from a shopping trip only to be told that as it was the Christmas period, their lounge was only open from 12-1pm (hardly long enough for a relaxing tea) so we ventured a little closer to where we were staying to Lilianfels.
The grounds are lovely, looking out towards Echo Point and their lounge has an elegant chic femininity to it. It’s only 11am but they’re flexible with their start times (afternoon tea is supposed to start at 12noon) but it’s not a problem. Nothing is a problem here and for the harassed or the ones in need of some TLC, its the perfect place.
There’s a selection of snacks, light meals and sweets but we order from the afternoon tea menu. For the 5 of us, we order the Lilianfels High tea for 2 with 2 pots of earl grey $66, a lamington tea for one with coffee $17 and a trio of Chocolate tea for one with coffee $21 and an extra Hot Chocolate $5.50. We ask if there are any newspapers or magazines to read and they’re ceremoniously brought to us. We can’t help but be impressed by the polite, deferential service.
While we wait for our tea, we venture outside to the manicured lawn area which also has tables and chairs. It’s lovely and a touch of gentility and overlooks Jamison Valley but as I am not particularly tall, I can’t see over the shrubbery.
Our drinks arrive first, Tuuliki is impressed by the pot of decaf that she gets, she only expects a cup but is pleased that she has a whole pot of coffee which gives her several cups full, and that soy milk is available. Rose enjoys her hot chocolate but concedes that the Paragon hot chocolate is better. Blythe enjoys her coffee and Anneli and I enjoy the silver service Earl Grey tea.
Foreground: Trio of Chocolate tea for one with coffee $21. Background: a lamington tea for one with coffee $17
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| January 3rd, 2008 by Not Quite Nigella
It takes me a good 2-3 hours to get through the small strip of shops on one side of Leura Mall. So that’s probably why I never made it up the stairs to the Nook. The goods on sale were more my family in law’s style but the one display that intrigued me was of course food related. When I asked, they told me that the man that makes the jams (presumably Jack of Faye and Jack) is 84 years old, jam making keeps him young and like a lot of small homemade companies, the price hasn’t changed for a long time.
From the laminated sign, I could see they were big winners in country shows and the Sydney Royal Easter show and having a look at the strawberry jam (my favourite flavour) I could see that they were very chunky and full of fruit, the way I like it (although there was some inconsistency with the level of fruit in some jars). Picking the jar most packed full of fruit, I also selected another judge’s favourite, the passionfruit butter. My husband is not a huge lemon butter fan so I thought that Passionfruit might be more to his taste. Smaller jars like the Passionfruit butter are $4 and large jams are $5. An absolute steal really.
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| January 2nd, 2008 by Not Quite Nigella
The Paragon is a favourite cafe of mine and despite the fact that it is utterly touristy (and I suppose I am technically a tourist), I love this Art Deco cafe restaurant. The food isn’t quite as memorable as the gorgeous decor but its decent for the most part and one of the few places on Katoomba’s main street that I always must visit (I’m firmly a Leura girl). The cafe has been classified by the National Trust as being essential to Australia’s Heritage so its a real treat dining here and always draws in tourists.
Service is very friendly and as its afternoon, we decide on sharing some afternoon tea type items. We order the Devonshire Tea with Irish Breakfast tea ($12), Waffles with caramel sauce ($15 full serve, two whole waffles), Belgian hot chocolate with marshmallows ($6) and a large Mugacino coffee ($6). While the waffles cook and the delicious aroma permeates the entire cafe, I go out to the back room to check out their assorted Art deco memorabilia.
Belgian Hot Chocolate with marshmallows $6
Soon after our drinks arrive. Rose is particularly impressed with the Belgian Hot Chocolate and marshmallows, she declares it the best that she’s had.
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| January 1st, 2008 by Not Quite Nigella
I bet you barely knew that I was away for Christmas! I had left a whole lot of stories to publish while we were enjoying a combined family Christmas in the Blue Mountains with my family, my husband’s family with a visit from my husband’s aunt and her family. I adore the Blue Mountains,there are so many areas to see, lots of great food to eat and almost as importantly there are fabulous shops, just try and keep me out of the Leura shops.
But where oh where does one go after 5pm in Leura once the shopping is done and the arms and legs are weary? Apparently nowhere else but Cafe Bon Ton as everywhere else is shut! I was more than happy to revisit Cafe Bon Ton, having had a good meal here a few years ago and as fate would have it, its the only place open at 5.15pm. They’re setting up for dinner but coffee and cake are fine. Its cold, particularly outside considering the season, so we’re just happy to be inside.
I ask which cakes are made on the premises as I want to try something that can’t have elsewhere, the waitress is not quite sure so I choose the cake that looks vaguely homemade that I haven’t seen before, the Chocolate Cherry cake ($8.50) and a coffee ($3.30), and Blythe chooses a petite Manna from Heaven lemon polenta biscuit ($4.90) and a coffee ($3.30).
The service is a little abrupt as she is eager to get back to setting up but this means that our cakes, sliced in front of us and garnished with whipped cream and coffees come out in an instant.
Chocolate and cherry cake $8.50
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| December 29th, 2007 by Not Quite Nigella
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