Sweet Peas and Green Tea

I’ve had good old-fashioned writer’s block when it comes to putting this post down on paper but really, with photographs like these, who needs words anyway? So, without any more procrastination on my part, I bring you Orto Trading Co and Sample Coffee. (Also known as, I could totally get used to lazy Friday lunch dates and visits to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Do I really have to go back to work in less than two weeks?)

Like me, my Friend-With-The-Awesome-Name (of cookies-for-dinner fame) has had some time off over the summer. (She had to go back to work this week *sob*). We decided to make proper use of our break and get off the couch (Homeland, I’m looking at you) for a brunch date and a visit to the Anish Kapoor exhibition at the MCA. My friend even volunteered to take photographs of our exploring (Kapooring?). All these gorgeous photographs are hers. Thank you so much X!

We couldn’t decide where to brunch (it being such a huge decision and all) but when my friend mentioned that the space at Orto would photograph really well, it was a done deal. This might just be the perfect example of food blogging gone too far, when you choose a restaurant not for the food, but for how good it looks in photos. Fortunately, the food at Orto was delicious, as well as beautiful. I think that means I’ve bought myself at least a little extra time in which to ponder this deep philosophical question of twenty first century life in the Western world.

I ordered the tomato, olive tapenade and goat cheese on sourdough and my friend had  the apricot stuffed chicken thigh with pinenuts, ricotta, fior de latte and crispy pancetta on a cracked wheat salad. The chicken was perfect – filling but so light it all disappeared, sweltering summer heat notwithstanding. The toast was delicious too. I don’t eat eggs and it’s such a joy to be able to order something other than granola for brunch. There were plenty of other egg-free options too – waffles, corn fritters and tomato on toast – and I fully intend to work my way through them all.

The coffee and cakes at Orto looked great but it being coffee-soaked Surry Hills (I know, I need to start exploring other Sydney suburbs!) we couldn’t resist trying Sample Coffee, on nearby Holt St. It’s more nook than cafe but it’s well worth checking out if you’re into coffee. They serve ever-delicious Mecca espresso and there’s always an awesome soundtrack playing in the background too. It was such a lovely, lazy day I didn’t stop to look at the time until it was well into the afternoon. No wonder I’m not looking forward to going back to work …