Deus Ex Machina - Camperdown

This is a nice place. The look, the feel, the staff, all very busy, what you see is what you get. Don't go in expecting a suburban cafe-type service. The people working at this place are busy - and it shows. This is a place where you go in, order, sit and then eat and get out. That's lunch.

Dinner is different. The prices a touch shy from fine dining but the quality almost the same. It is a part of a motorcycle shop - that you need to keep in mind. A rather expensive motorcycle shop that has a cult following.

Also, this place is fully licensed and the wine list is adequate for a restaurant.

Warning: lunch time here is busy most days (which is a good thing), be prepared to wait a little.

All in all: good cafe, better diner.

Lou Jack's - Newtown

This place is a great hideout on King St. Just go at the back and you can relax with a cup of coffee. The coffee is great - one of the best you can get in this area. Beans are supplied by a local company based out of Leichardt - Cafe Bianca. Very good taste.

Service is great, you get a feeling that the guys are really looking after you. Food is simple and good. just the kind that you'd expect and want in a cafe.

These guys are planning to get a license and go the wine bar way, it'll be interesting to see how that goes.

Bar Sirocco, Annandale

These guys use coffee beans by an Italian company and the coffee comes out just great. It's one of those places that you could go in and you'd be served a great coffee, guaranteed. It's a simple set up, just the way it should be in a cafe. The food options are plenty and pretty decent. I asked them to change a few things around with the sandwich and they did it, no probs.

Good place to hang out.

New Orleans Cafe, Crows Nest

Ok, the coffee at this place is not good. And that's putting it very politely.

This place has a great location. Right on the corner, on a busy stretch of the Pacific Highway, you could sit down and relax while watching the world go by. As the name suggests, you could enjoy some jazz every now and then, which is great. It is more of a cafe and the food menu reflects that too. Most people end up here after having dinner for a drink or coffee. Again, very USA and it totally rocks. Personally, I wish that happened more in Sydney. Most cafes shut down here by 3pm. Pubs are the only option after that if you want to catch up with friends in most places.

They have the setup, they have the location and they certainly do have the vibe! I think they should get in some specialist coffee and some kick-ass baristas. If they could make their coffee better, like one of the best in the area, they'd be the biggest thing in town.

All in all, great place to hangout, order a soft drink instead of coffee though.