Food Review: The Hideaway Cafe, Wollongong

I was in Wollongong on a Thursday night to see The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow playing at the Merrigong Theatre in Wollongong. It runs until Sunday and the Line-up includes Miles Jupp (UK), Smart Casual, Celia Pacquola (Spicks & Specks),  Joel Creasey and our MC Jacques Barret. Book your tickets now for the night of your life. Forget Zumba, laughing is the best exercise!



We had arrived an hour and half before the show was to start and headed to City Diggers to sit on the balcony and sample some of the nibbles fare I remembered from my last visit. Unfortunately when asked I was told the menu was no longer available and no nibbles to be had. I had fond memories of sitting on the balcony with a bucket of prawns and a glass of wine and watching the view below. Alas, it was not to be.

We were headed down the Crown Street Mall in search of somewhere to have a bite to eat before the show when I heard the strains of a Diesel song and so ducked down an alley to the Hideaway Cafe.

Over the years I have walked past the cafe, always wondering what I would find inside. "Next time", I promised myself, time after time. Tonight was 'the time' and so I dragged my husband towards the pied piper by the name if Ian who was playing an acoustic guitar just inside.

Step inside and this is what you'll find. Ian playing the guitar and singing, calling in the cold and hungry to a lovely little oasis in the middle of the Wollongong Mall

Since there was now fourty-five minutes until the show started I quickly settled on Chicken Gnocchi with Pesto Sauce ($11) which arrived about twenty minutes later.

The serving size was huge and I was glad I had help to get through it. As it was there were a few pieces I just couldn't fit in so offered a taste to nearby patrons who chatted with me about this quaint little cafe with so much charm.




Then it was off to the Melbourne International Comedy Roadshow, playing at the IPAC theatre
in Burelli St, only a short stroll away.

Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow 2010 • Merrigong Theatre Company

The Hideaway Cafe
8/81 Church St
(next to Rivers in the Crown St Mall)

Wollongong NSW 2500 - (02) 4229 6186
Open Mon-Wed 9am-4:30pm; Thu-Sat 9am-10:30pm

Local Food Heroes: Aga Deli, Wollongong

Aga Deli

Located in Keira Street there is a delicatessen located outside the bus stop on Wollongong Mall opposite Coonies Tavern, next door to Supporters World. A short walk from the Greater Union Cinemas is a local foodie treasure that most people just walk past without really 'seeing' it.

Aga Deli stocks range of European food items such as pierogi, black pudding, white pudding, smallgoods, cheeses and the best cheesecake I've ever had!

Keira Street
Wollongong, NSW, 2500
Telephone: 02 4225 3109 

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

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"

Satay House, Wollongong

Back in March I visited Satay House, a small restaurant located off Wollongong's Crown Street Mall in a side street near Camera House. I am a big fan of Satay food and I was not disappointed. I ordered the Satay King Prawns ($8.50), Curry Beef with rice ($6.50) and some green tea.


Satay King Prawns


Curry Beef with rice


A pot of Green Tea


Pouring the tea



Satay House, 121 Crown Street Wollongong
(Laneway next to Wollongong Camera House)
NSW 2500 Australia