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Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Stables Cafe, Surry Hills

stables cafe surry hills

Shopping invariably ends up with a desperate hunt for coffee, so why wouldn't you combine the two in the same place? That's part of the concept behind The Stables D.S. Co-Op, already installed in Bondi's Gould Street and now expanding to Bourke Street in Surry Hills.

The retail store is still a couple of weeks away, and will feature a curated collection of clothes, accessories and handbags from Australia and European designers fit for even the most discerning hipster. Happily the cafe is already trading, tucked down on Hill Street, opposite the Beresford Hotel.

balcony seating at the stables cafe surry hills
Balcony seating

The shiny black tiled wall behind the service counter - with a floor to ceiling menu neatly scribed in white -  is a stark contrast to the blonde timber stools and tables in the dining room. Eventually a sliding door to the retail section will allow traffic to pass between the two areas, but for now, we're happily focussed on the food.

roast vegetable goats cheese sandwich at stables cafe surry hills
Roast vegetable, rocket and goats cheese sandwich $10

At breakfast you can fuel up on bircher muesli ($8), granola ($8), ham and provolone cheese croissants ($7) or a herb-scrambled egg on brioche with bacon ($8). The afternoon offerings shift to sandwiches and salads.

luxe bakery almond croissant at stables cafe surry hills
Almond croissant

All breads and pastries are sourced from Luxe Bakery with a parade of sweet things arranged artfully on the glass counter.

luxe bakery orange almond cake at the stables cafe surry hills
Orange almond cake, chocolate brownie and salted caramel chocolate tarts

poached chicken avocado toasted sandwich at the stables cafe surry hills
Poached chicken, avocado, aioli and provolone cheese toasted sandwich $10

We stick with the sandwiches, although the salads ($10) look generously portioned, piled into a cavernous bowl and delivered to a table nearby.

roast vegetable and goats cheese toasted sandwich
Roast vegetable, rocket and goats cheese toasted sandwich $10

Staff will happily toast your sandwich on request, and the Luxe soy and linseed bread holds up well with its chewy sustenance. The poached chicken is mercifully succulent, made even tastier with provolone cheese, aioli and a generous slather of avocado.

The roast vegetable sandwich yields thick slabs of sweet potato, grilled eggplant, rocket and a creamy goats cheese.

cortado spanish half latter at the stables cafe surry hills
Cortado - Spanish half latte $3.50

Coffee beans are by Five Senses with single origins also available. They also do pour overs and Aeropress coffees, plus a Espresso flight - a two drink journey of a single shot espresso and a cappuccino for $6.

We're excited to find the cortado, an espresso cut with an equal amount of milk (in Spanish, cortar means to cut). It's a robust shot of caffeine, tempered with the addition of milk. In Cuba they call it a cortadito; French call it a noisette; in America it's known as a Gibraltar.

double shot flat white coffee at the stables cafe surry hills
Double shot flat white $4

The coffees are commendable and tea drinkers aren't forgotten either. You can relax over a pot of earl grey blueflower, oolong, white peony, silver jasmine or licorice and fennel tea. The hot chocolates are made with Venezuelan cocoa.

luxe bakery almond croissant at the stables cafe surry hills
Almond croissant

For dessert we dig into the almond croissant, quite unlike the sickly sweet versions you find elsewhere. Luxe's version is stuffed with a nutty almond frangipane, draped with flaked almonds and dusted with a snowstorm of icing sugar.

luxe bakery salted caramel chocolate tart at the stables cafe surry hills
Salted caramel chocolate tart $5

And I couldn't resist the salted caramel chocolate tart, a sinister shade of deep brown until you stab it open to release a heavy puddle of salted caramel within.

oozing caramel from luxe bakery salted caramel chocolate tart at the stables cafe surry hills
Salted caramel chocolate tart oozing innards

Opening hours are still transitioning but should settle once the retail store opens in two weeks.

outdoor signage at the stables cafe surry hills


View Larger Map
The Stables Cafe on Urbanspoon

The Stables Cafe [facebook page]
352 Bourke Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9365 3272

Opening hours (may vary over the first few weeks or so):
Monday to Friday 7am - 3pm


Related Grab Your Fork posts:
Surry Hills cafe: Gnome Espresso and Wine Bar
Surry Hills cafe: Le Monde
Surry Hills cafe: Single Origin Roasters

25 comments - Add some comment love

posted by Helen (Grab Your Fork) on 8/15/2013 01:31:00 am


25 Comments:

  • At 8/15/2013 5:30 am, Anonymous Hannah said…

    You chose the two treats that sang to my heart. Bravo.

    (Oooh... imagine a salted caramel almond croissant, though...)

     
  • At 8/15/2013 8:32 am, Anonymous john | heneedsfood said…

    Looks like a nice little place, and a big hello to the oozing choc caramel tart. Interesting to see cortado on the coffee menu, something that has been all over the place, everywhere we've been to in the States so far. Am still yet to see Gibraltar on coffee menu's here, though.

     
  • At 8/15/2013 9:28 am, Blogger Tina @ bitemeshowme said…

    I initally thought you photoshopped the menu behind the counter.. now that's deceiving! What a great little find. I'm all down for that oozing caramel out of that tart..!!

     
  • At 8/15/2013 10:17 am, Blogger Milktea Eats said…

    i have my greedy little eyes on the roasted vege sambo and the choc tart!

     
  • At 8/15/2013 10:29 am, Blogger Vivian - vxdollface said…

    What a lovely find! mm what an interesting tea selection, earl grey blueflower sounds intriguing :)

     
  • At 8/15/2013 10:43 am, Blogger Ramen Raff said…

    Was just here last Fri! I really like their flat white. Dan's an excellent barista. I had my eye on that choc tart.

     
  • At 8/15/2013 10:47 am, Blogger Unknown said…

    oooo meeee goooodness that salted caramel chocolate tart...
    so going to check it out this weekend muahahaah

     
  • At 8/15/2013 10:48 am, Anonymous ChopinandMysaucepan said…

    Dear Helen,

    It's amazing how there are so many new cafes and restaurants opening up in Sydney at the moment, we are spoiled for choice.

     
  • At 8/15/2013 11:19 am, Anonymous Amanda @ Gourmanda said…

    That. Tart. WHAT IS THAT OOZING PERFECTION!

    How cool is that board behind the counter as well?

     
  • At 8/15/2013 1:20 pm, Blogger Jarhead said…

    I walked past this place the other day (was walking to The Foundry around the corner) - it hadn't opened yet but looked great. Should prove to be good competition for the other cafes in the area! Especially with a chocolate tart like that!

     
  • At 8/15/2013 5:40 pm, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi Hannah - Whoah, you are truly evil! lol

    Hi John - I think I read that it's called a Gibraltar on the west coast mostly? But yes will be interesting to see if it pops up more in Sydney!

    Hi Tina - lol I'd never try and deceive you like that. Also, too much effort. Haha

    Hi Amy - The chocolate tart was so good! Best end to a meal!

    Hi Vivian - I have earl grey blueflower at home. It's a very pretty blend with literal tiny buds of blueflowers scattered throughout!

    Hi Ramen Raff - Ha yes I saw your IG pic. I'm a flat white fan and definitely get the choc tart next time!

    Hi Elliesbelly - I don't think it's open on weekends yet but hopefully soon!

    Hi ChopinandMySaucepan - We definitely here. Let's hope they all survive!

    Hi Amanada - The menu is super cool but we're hoping they don't plan on changing it often for their signwriter's sake!

    Hi Jarhead - It's a burgeoning little area, and yes, we stopped by the Foundry afterwards too :)

     
  • At 8/15/2013 7:04 pm, Blogger Peter G | Souvlaki For The Soul said…

    Another great find! And they do cortados?...I'm there!

     
  • At 8/15/2013 10:15 pm, Blogger Sarah said…

    The food looks really nice, but what really caught my attention was the lovely menu printed/painted on the wall! Seems like they've paid a lot of attention to styling, looks great! :)

     
  • At 8/15/2013 10:50 pm, Blogger Unknown said…

    Oh mah gah. Chocolate tart and caramel looks absolutely delish. You should try the one at flour at stone but i'm guessing you already have!

     
  • At 8/16/2013 12:38 am, Blogger Sherrie @ Crystal Noir said…

    I'm a heaps big fan of almond croissants! This place looks like a cute cafe to relax in :D

     
  • At 8/16/2013 9:02 am, Anonymous Jina @ Soy & Ginger said…

    Ooh the tart and orange cakes look scrumptious! And I'm all for places with a great tea selection, since I prefer tea to coffee ;)
    So lame when it comes in a Lipton tea bag though...

     
  • At 8/17/2013 7:18 am, Anonymous Cindy (A Foodies's Joy) said…

    Your photos are fantastic! I fell in love with the salted caramel tart as soon as I saw the caramel oozing!

     
  • At 8/17/2013 4:12 pm, Blogger Jenny said…

    everything looks so good especially that oozing tart. great photos Helen!

     
  • At 8/17/2013 7:32 pm, Blogger MAB vs Food said…

    Yummy! Look at that oozing caramel. And you can't ever have too much chocolate. The ganache and the choc pastry look delish

     
  • At 8/18/2013 7:46 pm, Blogger Mr C @ The Food Diary said…

    Those tarts look absolutely delicious! :D

     
  • At 8/18/2013 11:04 pm, Blogger Annie said…

    salted caramel chocolate tart sounds like my idea of heaven :)

     
  • At 8/19/2013 9:34 pm, Anonymous Sara - Belly Rumbles said…

    A cortado it is, or is it a cortadito? Nope shall channel my inner Frenchie, a noisette it is. No matter what you call it, looking good!

     
  • At 8/20/2013 9:41 pm, Anonymous Beryl @ PlanMB said…

    mm I could do with some of that oozing choc tart goodness right now! and your photos are amazing!

     
  • At 8/23/2013 12:03 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    This is the second post I've seen about The Stables Cafe!!! Everything looks so great and definitely on my list for next time!! I want that salted caramel tart so much!

     
  • At 9/27/2013 3:00 pm, Anonymous Hannah said…

    Yum - looks great, will have to try. Love the black tiles behind the counter and contrast against the timber furniture. Love it!

     

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