The Grounds

Words by Hannah Rose

"Some places - (and people, and things) - really are overwhelming. You finally make it there after an epic 30 minute walk during which you are sure you went around in at least two very large circles and you barely get a moment to stop and take in the place around you before you are thrust right into the madness.


 


 Servers rushing around with plates of steaming egg-and-bacon rolls, hoards - and we really mean hoardes, there was an hour's wait for a table at 10.30 in the morning and a good 20 or so people lining up for takeaway - of people peering into the windows of pastries lined up for purchase, from danishes with sour cherries and rich, oozing custard to a distinctly un-breakfast like carrot cake with a potent hit of ginger. 


   


Everywhere we looked something was happening: those beautiful green cups, those doubled-up coffee counters, that open kitchen with the wide granite benches and the coffee roaster and that tantalising view onto your future breakfast, lunch, tea. There simply was too much to see.





 We're not saying this to deter you from going. You should go. Often and regularly and with us, preferably. The madness of The Grounds is all part of the experience. It's the flavour of the month - and rightly so, rightly so - and that means that everything that makes it good (delicious food at incredibly reasonable prices, an impeccably well-designed interior that, believe us, is worth every single penny that was put into it and fantastically subtle, or rather subtly fantastic coffee) also makes it very, very popular. And it should be popular, because it's out-of-this-world (or at least out-of-this-city, it doesn't feel like any other place in Sydney right now) good. 




Any place that can render us completely speechless, despite being very hungry and very cold has got to be doing something right. Believe us, between that three cheese toasty ($7 and pretty damn good), those mouth-wateringly good pastries and a buzzing atmosphere that is one part coffee, two parts children [beware of weekend jumping castles if you're not so child friendly, the way I bang on about them I'm hoping this note is not needed for (m)any of my readers - Rachel], three parts unmitigated, unadulterated brilliance, there's not a lot that The Grounds are doing wrong."


 The Grounds, 2A Huntley Street, Alexandria




Photos: Rachel Kara

 Like this post? Please be so kind and take a minute to let us know and so we can bring you more culinary suggestions and delights to your screen asap! We hope this to be the first of many. x HR & RK

Sponsored video: RIVER ISLAND get your VOGUE OFF on

Attention please all you friendly blog readers! You know I don't post things I don't like...in fact just last night I was involved in a discussion that had me refuting the fact I've never done anything I don't like. What I could come up with was 1) eating fish when I was a kid and b) making my bed, also when I was a kid. Evidently I ended up losing that argument - but gaining an anecdote to back me up on the fact you should definitely watch the above video.

Watch it...

go on....

don't worry, I'm waiting....

Genius, right?! Voice over guy I want to take you out with me on the weekend. Dance floors all over Sydney would seriously benefit from someone cleverly and oh so delightfully taking the p*ss. Fine, Marloes you can come cause you're a TOTAL minx and Sid, you too. I really like your Angry Janitor move. Me being me must mention the gorgeous, warm, beautifying light used throughout. Very nicely done by JN Motion. 

I was rather chuffed with the prompting to rediscover River Island online as I did a quick browse with tomorrows schedule of work -> date night in mind, and came out with this combo in less time than it takes me to drink a cup of tea. If they can make you dance with Marloes Horst surely they can find a way to express ship to Australia?!

Sponsored by River Island

EPIC

Mind has been blown.

I had people in my ear the whole time Gatsby was filming in Sydney trying to explain the epic proportions of the sets, the costume, the precision, the details, the money, the beauty, the drama that was going into the production of this film. Only now do I get a small glimpse of what they were rightly talking about. Cannot wait!!!!
Unmistakably and only Baz Luhrmann. The Great Gasby.

something old something new

Anyone who knows me well has probably sited that maroon journal, which rather conveniently disguises itself as an old french novel, hanging out of my bag at any given time. For the past year or so it's off white pages have seen my brains knots and tangles being scribbled across the pages in an attempt to process & remember the goings on of my life. When I spotted a cardboard box with that familiar french type "LES HISTOIRES..." on the shelf I felt like I was seeing my oldest, bestest friends twin sister who I instantly and unquestionably have a connection with. Inside the box was a wallet of the slightly manly variety but that did not matter one bit especially when it was made from tanned, sturdy-but-soft leather with hand stitching details and a button up coin pocket. After pawing at it then realising it wasn't pay day I moved on to try some Bassike chinos or Jac + Jack cashmere that caught my eye (I know what you're thinking but no they were on sale so don't count - thinking of what I save > spend), as they do, and by the time I was out of the change room and back to the counter my absolute sweetheart had bought me a gift and what do you know...that slightly manly, beautiful, brown, O-Check wallet is now mine!

Photos: Rachel Kara

Camilla

Walking backstage at Camilla was overwhelming for any number of reasons; flowers, colour, children, feathers, jingly bells, bangles, turbans, sparkles, embroidery, beading, models, tassels, prints and OH MY sensory overload...I am kind of tired even typing all of that! But, it was still day one of MBFWA and I kept reminding myself I was there for pleasure so I could relax and breathe and let it all sink at whatever pace it needed to. The kids were just too much cuteness in one bright, kaftan bunch and the best part of the whole affair was them coming off the runway jumping up and down taking it in turns to share what they had just experienced. Whilst I didn't make it front of house I am more than happy to name this my unexpected favourite of the week and as Hannah commented soon after, Camilla knows exactly (who and) what she's doing but she TOTALLY owns (plays to) it and that's what makes it work. Photos: Rachel Kara

familia

I see what I dream when I look at these photos. Not aesthetically so much as I do in spirit and sentiment. It's Mothers Day and whilst people like to harp on about the load of crock that occasions like this are - for commercial reasons and such - I like to think these women, these Mums, have one of the most deserving roles to be celebrated. 

I see friendship & intimacy, I see freedom & fun, peace & contentment, strength & vulnerabilty...I see what I want. 

These are the desires of my heart.

x

Photos: by Andreas Öhlund feat Frida Gustavsson for Stockholm S/S/A/W