Highlands Merchant; Best Coffee in Town
One thing the Aussies can confidently claim to do best and take very seriously is their coffee. Consequently, the cafe culture is a competitive market here with brilliant baristas to match.
My favourite place for an arvo coffee hit in the south is Highlands Merchant. With its art deco inspired decor and selection of niche cookbooks and kitchenwares on offer, this cafe is perfect for mulling over a book or magazine whilst sipping your favourite hot beverage served to perfection.
The friendly staff are always welcoming and they’re never short of a delectable selection of sweet treats baked fresh daily. Their savoury muffins are a must to try or if you have time, the extensive brunch menu has something for all tastes.
So if you do happen to pass through Moss Vale, it would be hard to miss the pastel hues and rose gold exteriors of Highlands Merchant. From tradies on their way to work to local mums getting their 11am coffee fix, this local gem is known for serving the best coffee in town!
Moving back to Moss Vale where I did my farm work, it felt like I was already home. I was lucky enough to spend the first week in the comfort of my boyfriend’s family home where I was spoilt with home cooked dinners and nights in front of the fire watching films. Whilst I find it hard to not do much and take the time off, it has been absolute bliss indulging in quality me time.
The southern area exudes countryside chic reflected in the beautiful interiors of the houses. Much like their fashion, Australians stick to simple decor taking the ‘less is more’ approach. The result – a peaceful, fuss-free environment which is easy to relax in.
Wondering around the boutiques of Mossy, I can’t help but get inspired by the classic simplicity achieved with a few key pieces to bring aesthetics together. Stripping back the need for lots of things makes for a more calming environment.
I still can’t believe my luck to have found myself in such an idealic area which reflects the quintessential countryside town of my own home county Hampshire back in England. However whilst I cosy up in front of the warmth of fires snuggled in blankets here, the English will be soaking up the summer sun on the other side of the world…and I’ll be joining them soon!
Its been a pleasure enjoying the beauty and convenience of the homely neighbourhood of Lavender Bay. For the first time here in Australia I had a room to really make my own and decorate with the eclectic mixture of ornaments and memories collected along my journey so far. From the lovely candles gifted to me from my friend’s company the El Collective, to the awesome tribal necklace passed on from my Auntie, I like my pieces to have a story behind them.
Having said this, I can be guilty of getting too comfortable and therefore find change a difficult thing to accept. It wasn’t easy making the decision to move out and spend my final month in Australia back down in the Southern Highlands, however a chance to wind-down and rest following such an exhausting first half of the year is just what I need! As my job in the city finished up last week and the lease was up on the flat, the timing actually couldn’t be better to escape the city.
I will be starting fresh on my return to Australia following my brother’s Wedding and spending some much needed time back home in the UK. It’s been a rollercoaster over the past six months here and the stresses of full-time work have certainly taken their toll. So here I find myself back in the picturesque Southern Highlands spending quality time with my boyfriend and friends before flying home. No doubt I will still be back in Sydney for a few weekends over the next month to catchup with friends and family, go to the beach and have some nights out at my favourite bars too!
On leaving Lavender Bay I take with me many fond memories from a whirlwind of a time residing in such a stunning corner of Sydney. I feel privileged to have discovered a hidden gem of the city and will be back to visit Wendy’s Secret Garden for summer picnics and arvo drinks with friends. For now though I say goodbye and welcome new beginnings for my next adventure…on we go.
Not only is the food delicious with perfectly matched wine, but the friendly and attentive service is always on point too. When escaping the office during lunchtime in search of a sit-down meal, it’s important to find somewhere you can switch off and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food and company, without feeling the usual rush of lunchtime hour in the city.
The Meat & Wine Co welcomes guests to their upstairs dining floor tucked away from the busy streets of Barangaroo. Choosing the lunchtime menu, we usually opt for the starter and main with a glass of wine for $42 (or three courses for $49). My favourite starter from this menu is the beetroot and smoked labne served with radish, rocket, quinoa crisp, feta and dill oil.
For the set menu mains there is a variety of choice including salmon poke bowl, chicken schnitzel and even a 250g wagyu rump steak. This time I chose the roasted pumpkin and halloumi rocket salad on a bed of quinoa, herbs and olive oil drizzle.
This was all washed down with a gorgeous glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc white wine as part of the lunch menu deal. Once again, the service was excellent and the restaurant humming with that relaxing Friday feeling vibe. This is why The Meat & Wine Co is our go to restaurant for a working lunch and somewhere we can confidently send colleagues who may be in search of a venue when hosting a client lunch or dinner.
Whilst on the face of it my role often appears to be the thankless job, it can be the most rewarding hosting successful events or being of assitance to team members when they are under client deadlines. In my view, the employees in my teams are my clients, so supporting them to reach their full potential and keeping team morale high is my goal.
Our Christmas in July party that evening left the office very bare on Friday for my last day. However my Manager treated me to brekky at Back Row West and that afternoon also put together a delicious cheese board including popcorn, dark chocolate and berries – yum!
I was presented with a huge card filled with so many lovely messages, along with a leaving gift of a gorgeous blue leather KiKi-K planner embossed with my name in gold lettering.
The teams gathered around to say farewell and some very touching words were said about all the hard work I have put in over the past six months. It’s pleasing to know that all the hours and commitment to the job haven’t gone unnoticed and I have made a difference to the agency in my short time there.
From having my head stuck in a spreadsheet for hours on end, to serving up countless platters of food and topping up the team’s wine glasses on a Friday arvo, it certainly has been a blast – Cheers opr Agency!
‘Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with good people.’
In honour of this celebration, my PR firm hosted their very own Christmas party this month with all the tinsel and outrageous festive decor in check. Catching the ferry from Barangaroo to Balmain as the sun set, we made our way to The East Village Hotel to get merry over mulled wine and a pub trivia quiz.
Once sat at our tables, everyone pulled their crackers, popped on their paper hats and the trivia commenced. Plenty of wines down and soon the roast dinner was served. We were presented with a typical feast of turkey, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, brussel sprouts, green beans, cranberry sauce and plenty of gravy. The only missing key component was the Yorkshire puds, but I’ll forgive the Aussies on this one 😉
To finish we were treated to a platter of deserts including mince pies and fruit cake. With bellies full and the trivia over, whilst everyone continued on drinking at the bar, my night cap was an order of a pot of tea…you can take the girl outta England, but you can’t take the English outta the girl!
With sweeping views across the harbour and CBD skyline, I feel very fortunate to have made this journey on a daily basis. The fresh air and exercise in the mornings always gets me motivated for work and physically exerts my body before many hours sat at my desk.
With plenty of fresh veggies at the start of the week, I made this Moroccan inspired couscous salad bowl served on a bed of salad with some pumpkin I had left from a previous recipe, roasted veg seasoned in paprika, a generous dollop of tatziki and fresh mint leaves for garnish.
I always crave a good bowl of pasta for my midweek dinner, so I made this simple penne pasta using pesto I had in the cupboard, leftover green beans and sautéed courgette with jarred sundried tomatoes and parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
My favourite way to have rice is to make it super sticky by leaving it to cook a little longer, making it more like a risotto. I used some leftover white wine and plenty of garlic to flavour this rice dish which I then paired with roasted veggies, salad, jarred beetroot and some natural yogurt.
To finish the week and use up any fresh ingredients I still had, again I roasted all of the veggies, fried off some chorizo slices and mixed it all in with the couscous, before serving with the last of my salad, mint leaves and the rest of the tatziki dip.
Located on the North shore, Wendy Whitley’s Secret Garden boasts the best view in town of the iconic Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Luna Park and CBD skyline all in one. With the most stunning sunsets and breathtaking outlook over Sydney, I still find myself in awe every time I take a stroll down to the waters edge.
The garden is open to the public and free of charge to visit, yet remains a hidden gem of Sydney. An old railway runs right through the centre too adding character to this perfectly formed oasis.
A number of foot paths and steps wind around the garden leading to little spots ideal to setup for a picnic or even doing a morning yoga stretch. There’s always new areas to discover and I loved this wall mural I found on my latest wonder through the garden.
For anyone visiting Sydney or locals just looking for an alternative to the heaving beaches in summer, Wendy’s Secret Garden is the place to be. As well as taking a stroll with my morning coffee on weekends, I’ve often grabbed a pizza with friends and we’ve walked down to enjoy the sunset from the most magical spot in Sydney…Golden hour at its best.
Following six months of full-time work at my PR firm, I must now move on given the limitations of my visa. Whilst it will be sad to say goodbye to a company and role which has taught me so much, I look forward to new beginnings and the prospect of developing all the skills and knowledge I have gained from my current job.
As I pack my bags to go back to the UK for a few months to celebrate my brother’s wedding, the time has come to move out of my flat here in Lavender Bay too. I will hold many fond memories of my time here and feel blessed to have been able to experience living in such a special corner of Sydney.
I’ve been inspired by the eclectic decor and quirky artistic touches in every corner of this wonderful flat. My lovely landlady has been a pleasure to live with and her vivacious approach to life is very admiral…the ‘Fuck Fuckity’ wall placard says it all – don’t take life too seriously!
So as the sunsets on my final week here, I can’t help but feel a twang of nostalgia as I reflect on my short but sweet time in the lovely neighbourhood of Lavender Bay. If I was to write a letter back to myself when I moved in six months ago, I would remind that girl to exhale the worry, embrace the good times and just enjoy every minute of the journey.
Dani Aneka 