Lee and Me Flourless Chocolate Cake and Iced Coffee

I have been hearing rave reviews about Lee and Me Cafe in Lower Crown St. Mall and today I finally got the chance to visit. It is located in the building that also houses Educated Palate which has downsized, now located on Townhall Place with the entry to Lee and Me on Crown Street opposite The Glasshouse Tavern.

I had just finished a photoshoot and was in need of a sugar fix to recharge the batteries when I arrived at Lee and Me and I made my way to the gluten-free baked goods I had been reading about. After a few moments I settled on a flourless Lindt chocolate cake with a tantalising crust giving way to a mousse texture to one amazing cake. Such a sinfully delicious taste with a dollop of cream and with a refreshing Iced Coffee for that afternoon pick-me-up.

After a stressful, if productive day it was great to sit and unwind with some amazing cake and enjoy some easy listening music and watch the people walking by. It was my first visit but I am certain to be back again soon. I also discovered that they offer Gluten-Free bread alternatives for sandwhiches and rolls. They have an amazing breakfast menu and lunch menu, both which feature some of my favourite foods including slow roasted pork belly, ricotta, chipolatas and the breakfast menu runs until the store closes at 5pm. Perfect for those who like a late breakfast like I do.

Lee and Me,
Cafe, Fashion and Lifestyle
75 Crown St Wollongong
NSW 2500 Australia

please ask the staff if you have dietary requirements and they will do their best to accommodate your needs. 10% surcharge on public holidays. No smoking. BYO wine only with corkage at $2.50 per person. Cakeage $1.0 per person. There is a toilet upstairs in the boutique which carries the latest fashions including the very popular Nudie jeans.

Make sure to check their blog for special offers and new products. If you are an artist Lee and Me are offering $250 in summer threads, looking for the best photos to launch their look for summer10. For more information visit their blog entry dated August 18th, 2009 for details.

Lee and Me
Cafe, Fashion and Lifestyle

opening hours - weekdays 7am - 5pm
weekends 8am - 4pm

87 Crown Street Wollongong 2500

phone: 02 42440695
email: leeandme[at]optusnet.com.au

www.leeandme.com.au/

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Illawarra Food Reviews by Vanessa Pike-Russell

http://illawarrafoodreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/illawarra-food-reviews-lee-and-me.html

A sign of the times - Wollongong and Illawarra restaurants closing down

As I look back over the last few years of writing and photographing the many wonderful restaurants in the Illawarra I am saddened with the thoughts that at least a third of the restaurants are no more.

• 
  Baan Krua Thai - a hidden gem in busy Keira St. I dined there twice and loved the food, chef and waiter and the relaxed dining experience. The entrance way was probably too difficult for many potential diners as there were stairs to be climbed but once inside the effort was worth it. I am yet to review the restaurant which is now under new management. It seems to change hands quite often.
• Metro Grill - When I was last in Wollongong I saw that Metro Grill had closed. I enjoyed a nice meal there with my Sister and her friend there and thought that the prices were very reasonable for a very pleasant dining experience.
• Okuma Sushi train - my favourite Japanese restaurant which was located in Keira St, Wollongong. There is still the Okuma sushi store inside Crown Central but the busy sushi train with its friendly chefs and waiters who greeted every person as they entered is no more. Each plate was colour coded and matched a price list on the wall. Such fun and definitely something my friends and I looked forward to. I hope that there will be another sushi train in Wollongong some day
• Oriental Expressions - one of the most exciting restaurants has closed. I first visited Oriental Expressions on Valentines Day and enjoyed it soo much that I went back for Chinese New Year and Yum Cha. It changed ownership and is now the The Old Siam Style Thai Restaurant

Do you know of any restaurants we have reviewed that are no longer operating? Please email us at illawarrafoodreviews@vanessapikerussell.com.au and we will update the review.

Tutti in Piazza, Wollongong celebrates Italy Day with a food festival

Today I joined the Italian community for 'Tutti in Piazza' Italian Day at Crown St Mall. The Mall was transformed into an Italian Piazza with delicious food and Italian entertainment including a parade, singing and dancing.



Available for sale was food prepared by the local Italo-Australian Associations originating from various regions of Italy including pasta, Italian sausage, coffee beans and Italian sweets including gingerbread, nougat and crostoli.

The weather was horrible, however the rain and cold weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of the people volunteering their time and efforts, nor the people eagerly lining up to sample their wares.

My first purchase was some penne with sauce $5. The flavour was mild but tasty. I could sense some lovely olive oil and a hint of garlic in the sauce and it was perfect start to my Tutti in Piazza (Everyone in the Piazza) experience.

PENNE

By the time I had purchased some penne, crostoli, viennese biscuits, Italian shortbread, nut praline and chocolate nougat I was drooling over the calzone and flatbread but I was all out of money. Next year I will make sure to visit those stands first!

VIENNESE BISCUITS and VITTORIA COFFEE

ITALIAN GINGERBREAD

HOT CALZONE with Mozarella & Ricotta & Ham

ITALIAN SHORTBREAD AND TORRONE (NOUGAT)

PEOPLE of TUTTI

Tea Cup Ride for the kids was a hit.

One Man BIG Band Enzo Giribaldi
0296109324 0405535364
aaida@bigpond.net.au
http://www.ozziecom.com/onemandband

Mondo Piadina
North Italian Specialties
Edensor Park NSW 2176
Tel/Fax: 02 96109324
Ph: 0297063603 Mob: 0402828883
Email: mondopiadina@optusnet.com.au

Italian Style Gingerbread and Nougat
Italian Style Gingerbread, Hard honey bread, Almond toffee, Peanut toffee, Sesame seed toffee, soft homemade nougat, imported crunchy italian nougat, home roasted chickpeas
Mobile: 0408412950
Email: f_vumbaca@hotmail.com

BJ's on the Mall
Vittoria coffee
Shop 1/98 Crown Street
Wollongong NSW 2500
Ph: 02 42280226

Tutti in Piazza - Italian Day at Crown St Mall

Tutti in Piazza - Italian Day at Crown St Mall
Saturday, 30 May 2009 - 9am-4pm
To celebrate Italian Week, Crown St Mall will be transforming into an Italian Piazza on Saturday 30 May from 9am-4pm. Sample food prepared by the local Italo-Australasian Association originating from various regions of Italy including pasta, Italian sausage, coffee beans & authentic Italian homemade gingerbread, nougat & crostoli. Free Cup n Saucer & free jumping castle rides 10am-2pm.
Venue - Crown St Mall

Update: Photos and descriptions can be found at
http://illawarrafoodreviews.blogspot.com/2009/05/tutti-in-piazza-wollongong-celebrates.html

Restaurant and Catering 2009 South Coast Awards nominees

Restaurant and Catering NSW have released their 2009 SOUTH COAST AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE NOMINEES LIST

ASIAN RESTAURANT

Golden Palace Chinese Restaurant, Bargo
Kings Chinese, North Wollongong
Mango Moon, Kiama
Mylan Restaurant, Wollongong
Trang Vietnamese Restaurant, Wollongong

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

Café Lush Pambula, Pambula
Diggies Café, North Wollongong
The Waterfront Café, Pambula

BYO RESTAURANT

Costa Azzurra Woodfire Restaurant, Fairy Meadow
Josh’s Cafe, Berrima
Red Raven Restaurant, Nowra

CAFÉ – UPPER COAST

Café Parkview, Kiama
Lysanders, Shellharbour
Relish on Addison, Shellharbour
Seahaven Café, Gerroa

CAFÉ – LOWER COAST

Annnabels Café, Ulladulla
Monets Café Restaurant, Batemans Bay
The Starfish Deli, Batemans Bay

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – LOWER COAST

Butterfactory Café & Restaurant, Pyree
Millards Cottage Restaurant, Uladulla
Seagrass Brasserie, Huskisson

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – UPPER COAST

55 on Collins, Kiama
Bellachara Restaurant, Gerringong
ei8ht, Camden
Eschalot, Berrima
Samuels Restaurant, Thirroul

FAMILY RESTAURANT

Little Italy, Thirroul
Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant, Merimbula
Panarotti’s Macarthur, Ambarvale
Vaby’s Mediterranean Grill, Picton

ITALIAN RESTAURANT

ENZO Restaurant, Camden
La bella Vita, Camden
Lorenzo’s Diner, Wollongong
Michael’s Ristorante, Wollongong
Trevi Fountain Restaurant, Nowra
Trio Trattoria, Nowra

NEW RESTAURANT - UPPER COAST

46 on Crown Bar & Restaurant, Wollongong
Angelico Restaurant, Leumeah
Lee and Me, Wollongong
Luigi’s Restaurant, Narellan
May’s Restaurant, Dapto
Red Olive Restaurant, Mittagong

NEW RESTAURANT - LOWER COAST

Australian Hotel, Nowra
Dry Stone Restaurant, Mimosa Winery, Bermagui
Hungry Duck, Berry
Waterview on the Bay, Batemans Bay

PIZZA RESTAURANT

Bon Aroma Pizza, Bulli
Ciao Mediterranean Restaurant & Pizzeria, Gwynneville
Figtree Gourmet Kitchen, West Wollongong
Pizza’s in the Mist, Bowral
Mimosa Rocks Restaurant, Tathra
Sam’s Pizza Restaurant, Warilla

RESTAURANT IN A PUB / CLUB

Buffet Fusion Family Restaurant, Shoalhaven Ex-Services Club, Nowra
Lynch’s At Narooma, Lynches Hotel, Narooma
Ocean Beach Hotel, Ocean Beach Hotel, Shellharbour
RELISH @ the Links, Links Golf Course, Shellharbour
Swordfish, Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club, Ulladulla
Zac’s Café & Bistro, City Diggers, Wollongong

RESTAURANT IN A HOTEL / GUESTHOUSE / RESORT

Bannisters Restaurant, Bannisters, Mollymook
Elizans of Ulladulla Guesthouse, Ulladulla
Katers Restaurant, Peppers Manor House, Sutton Forest
Ravensthorpe Guesthouse and Restaurant, Albion Park
Windjammers Restaurant, Novotel Northbeach, Wollongong

RESTAURANT IN A WINERY

Centennial Vineyards Restaurant, Centennial Vineyards, Bowral
Crooked River Cafe Wines Restaurant, Gerringong
Stones Restaurant, Eling Forest Winery, Sutton Forest

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Addison’s Seafood, Grill & Bar, Shellharbour
Captain Johns Seafood Restaurant, Merimbula
Cargos Wharf Restaurant, Kiama
On the Pier, Batemans Bay
Pickled Octopus, Tuross Head

SPECIALTY RESTAURANT

Ghedia’s Indian Restaurant, Wollongong
Ritzy Gritz New Mexican Grill, Kiama
Ruby’s Country Style Cuisine, Mt Kembla
Turkoise Mediterranean Restaurant, Campbelltown

STEAK RESTAURANT

Murphy’s Bar Grill, Unanderra
Outback Steakhouse, Fairy Meadow
Outback Steakhouse, Leumeah
Tongarra Restaurant, Albion Park

THAI RESTAURANT

Coconut Thai Restaurant, Wollongong
Jasmine Rice Thai Restaurant, Wollongong
One Thai, Dapto
Raya Thai Restaurant, Helensburgh
Thai Carnation Restaurant, Wollongong
Thai Riverside Restaurant, Nowra

WINE LIST CATEGORY

Elizans, Ulladulla Guesthouse, Ulladulla (Comprehensive)
Eschalot Restaurant (Comprehensive)
55 on Collins, Kiama (Limited)
Butterfactory Café & Restaurant, Pyree (Limited)
On the Pier, Batemans Bay (Limited)

CATERING CATEGORIES

RESTAURANT CATERER

On the Pier, Batemans Bay
Ravensthorpe, Albion Park
The Butterfactory Café & Restaurant, Pyree

CORPORATE CATERER

R & R Catering, Helensburgh

FUNCTION/CONVENTION CATERER

City Beach Function Centre, Wollongong

HOTEL CATERER

Novotel Northbeach, Wollongong

WEDDING CATERER

Novotel Northbeach, Wollongong
City Beach Function Centre, Wollongong
R & R Catering, Helensburgh
M&B Food and Catering, Bowral
Addison’s Reception Lounge, Shellharbour

Food Markets of the Illawarra

One of the things I have been learning of late (both on tv shows such as River Cottage Autumn, web-based organisations such as Slow Food) is the importance on sourcing local food suppliers. We all know that fresh is best and the shortest distance between supplier and our dinner plate the better. That's why I love visiting fresh food markets such as the Shellharbour Village Markets, Kiama Produce Market and Wollongong Produce Market, .

Shellharbour Village Craft Markets
Held every second Sunday 9.00am til 2.00pm in the grounds of Shellharbour Public School
Mary Street SHELLHARBOUR NSW 2529.
2009 dates include May 10th, June 14th, July 12th, August 9th, September 13, October 11th, November 8th, December 13th. Be sure to mark them on your calendar!

Kiama Produce Market
Wonderful market held on the fourth Saturday of every month. Stalls including fresh and cured fish, meats, fruits and vegetables, cheeses and nuts, wines and other gourmet foods.

Wollongong Produce Market is held every friday in Crown Street Mall, Wollongong. Stalls of note include the fresh fruit and vegetable stall, Razorback Grove Olives (producers of fresh olives, olive oil and cheeses), fudge, fresh herb plants and assorted arts and crafts.

• 

  

• 

Note: If you know of any Illawarra fresh produce markets or suppliers of fresh produce who sell direct to the public please let me know!

UPCOMING NSW FOODIE EVENTS

Foodie links

Foodie websites and events

• Eat organic – Grow Organic


• Growing Healthy Food at Home


• Community Gardens


• Farmers Markets


• Sustainable Seafood


• Factsheets & Downloads


• Links

http://www.sustainableillawarra.com.au/Sustainable-Food.html

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http://www.regionalfood.com.au/RF2/home.asp


River Cottage Autumn

http://www.rivercottage.net/Default.aspx

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http://slowfoodaustralia.com.au/convivia/find-a-convivium/new-south-wales/

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Santos Trading
http://www.santostrading.com.au/bulkfood/index.php

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Sustainable illawarra
http://www.sustainableillawarra.com.au/Whats-On.html

ILLAWARRA FOOD EVENTS

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	Albion Park Outdoor Camp Kitchen Challenge - Albion Park Sat 23/05/09 - Sat 23/05/09 The Albion Park Outdoor Camp Kitchen Challenge comprises of an outdoor cooking challenge, live music, bush dance, local produce displays, cooking demonstrations and family friendly events. The...	Event Festivals and Celebrations
Tutti in Piazza - Italian Day Festival - Wollongong Sat 30/05/09 - Sat 30/05/09 Join the Italian community for 'Tutti in Piazza' Italian Day at Crown St Mall. The Mall will be transformed into an Italian Piazza with delicious food and Italian entertainment including a parade
	Shoalhaven Coast Wine Festival 2009 - Gerringong Fri 05/06/09 - Mon 08/06/09 - Unconfirmed The Shoalhaven Coast Wine Festival involves cellar door tastings, as well as entertainment, photographic and art exhibitions, special lunches and dinners and winery and vineyard tours and over the...	Event Festivals and Celebrations
	Gerringong Village Markets - Gerringong Come along and support the Gerringong Village Markets in picturesque seaside Gerringong to be held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. This is a Rotary Club of Gerringong Sunrise event - fundraiser...	Attraction Retail, Shopping Locate On Map
	Family Fun n Fireworks at Lake Illawarra - Lake Illawarra Sat 06/06/09 - Sat 06/06/09 Family Fun ’n’ Fireworks at Lake Illawarra, fun for the whole family; with heaps of free rides, plenty of stalls, show bags and food. There will be roaming performers, kid’s acts and entertainment...	Event Festivals and Celebrations, Performances
	Folk in the Foothills - Jamberoo Sun 18/10/09 - Sun 18/10/09 - Unconfirmed A relaxing one-day folk festival in the beautiful Illawarra Rainforest, there will be 16 artists with 26 concerts in five venues at Jamberoo Valley Lodge. Performers include: Martin Pearson, Jim...	Event Festivals and Celebrations, Performances
	Kiama Produce Market - Kiama Spend the day in Kiama and browse through the popular Kiama Produce Market, are held on the fourth Saturday of every month. Inspect the fantastic array of stalls specializing in fish, meats,...	Attraction Agriculture and Produce, Food and Wine, Retail, Shopping Locate On Map
	Festival in the Forest - Shellharbour Sun 20/09/09 - Sun 20/09/09 Festival in the Forest is a fun day of music, food and entertainment featuring; Polish Dancers, Bollywood Xclusive, Doogles Puppet Show, Children's Gospel Choir, Song Writing with Kristina Olsen,...

NSW Markets

What: The Rocks Market
Where: The Rocks Sydney
When: Every weekend (except over Christmas/ New Year) 10 - 5pm
www.rocksmarket.com.au


What: Good Living Growers Market - Pyrmont
When: The first Saturday of every month (except January) 7 am till 11 am
Where: A beautiful venue on the grass in front of the Star City Casino in Pyrmont

Lemon and Garlic Scallops with squid ink pasta at Antics Restaurant,

Lemon and Garlic Scallops with squid ink pasta at Antics Restaurant, Wollongong NSW 2500 Australia, originally uploaded by Vanessa PR.

Lemon Scallops $24.50

I had never heard of squid-ink pasta before this meal. I really liked it! After doing some googling I found out the following:

Squid ink, which is also available from the Cuddlefish (related to the Squid family), is added to the water and dough as pasta is made, creating very black colored pasta. This ink provides a salty and somewhat sweet flavor as an ingredient and coloring to the pasta.

The scallops were very tasty. I loved the mixture of lemon and garlic. The flavours worked well with the lemon giving the dish a fresh, zingy taste which was balanced by the pasta. A lovely meal.

Veal Parmigiana $24.50


The vegetables were cooked to perfection - cooked yet crunchy - just the way I like them! The veal parmigiana was very tasty. I love the presentation of the mashed potato.



Antics Restaurant
76 Crown Street
Wollongong , NSW 2500

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Crown Thai - Musman Curry

To celebrate the birth of my nephew my husband and I had lunch at Crown Thai.
We ordered our favourite - the Crying Tiger with glass of wine $9.50 and a musman curry with tender beef and potatoes ($8.50)

The beef was so tender it just melted in the mouth. The curry was flavoursome with potatoes and peanuts cooked to perfection. A wonderful lunchtime meal that leaves you feeling satisfied.

Crown Thai Restaurant,
Globe Lane (near Myers back entrance), Wollongong NSW 2500
Phone: 02) 4227 1177 Fax: (02) 4227 1766

Crown Thai - Garlic seafood

Crown Thai - Garlic seafood, originally uploaded by vanessapr.

On the 4th of May I won a $500 gift card as part of i98 fm's Mothers Day competition. The gift card could be used at most stores in Wollongong Central and one of the names on the list was Crown Thai - something that made me immediately hungry! I had sampled the fantastic fare at Crown Thai but a few times and was anxious to have lunch there again.

On Wednesday I went in with Stan to do some grocery shopping and we enjoyed selecting a meal from the Crown Thai menu. They had set lunchtime specials which come with rice

Beef / Chicken / Pork - $8.50
Seafood $9.80

But we decided to choose a main meal since we were hungry. The serving sizes were more than ample. We ended up taking some home since we couldn't finish it all.


Crying Tiger For One: $6.50 For Two: $11.90




Chilli Beef with Basil Lunch.Special $8 Main: $12.50


Seafood with Garlic Lunch.Special $9 Main: $16.50

Which was washed down with half a carafe of Merlot which matched the cuisine nicely.

Location: Globe Lane, Crown St Mall
Wollongong 2500
Phone: (02) 4227 1177
Fax: (02) 4227 1766

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Razorback Olive Grove at Wollongong Produce and Arts Market

Every Friday in the Wollongong City Crown Street Mall there is a fantastic range of crafts and produce with market stalls from all over new south wales.

One of the few places in Wollongong to get fresh fruit and vegetables, hand made fetta and ricotta, stuffed olives, turkish gozleme, asian curries, fresh nuts and delicious fudge. If you ever wanted an excuse to visit Wollongong please do it on a Friday and spend some time browsing the market. You'll be very glad you did!

One of the amazing stalls at the Friday Produce Market is Razor Back Olive Grove from Picton. Treat yourself to a free sample of their amazing marinated fetta. It goes wonderfully on a platter with marinated olives stuffed with ricotta. They make their own olive oil and offer classes in how to make your own ricotta and fetta. Definitely one of my favourite stalls at the market - I am a repeat customer.

"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market" by vanessapr


"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"


"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"


"Fetta Artichoke Meze - Fetta cheese, artichokes, olive oil, garlic from Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"


"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"


"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"


"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"


"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"


"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"


"Razor Back Olive Grove at Wollongong Friday Produce Market"