Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Three Ropes, Parramatta

It's no secret that Circa Espresso is my favourite cafe in Parramatta.  Man, I LOVE that place. I love that someone saw potential in Parramatta and realised that Westies love good cafes, trendy fitouts, good food, good coffee...and they love not having to leave Parramatta to have it. I love that someone turned west off George Street and not east and didn't open another bloody cafe in Surry Hills. We love cafes in Western Sydney too you know!


And now the guys behind Circa cafe have crossed the (railway) tracks and opened up their second espresso bar, Three Ropes.  Nestled in tiny space that was formerly the manky Parramatta Hotel's bottle shop Three Ropes has transformed a nondescript laneway into a groovy little espresso bar that would rival anything you'd find in Melbourne in terms of great coffee and "cool factor".


I visited the cafe for a takeaway coffee on my way to work on the second morning they were open (yes, I'm keen). Ordering through the side shutter made the whole exercise feel a bit like a food truck (and we all know how much I LOVE those).  I was REALLY keen to head back for a proper visit but as they're not open on weekends (I know right, so sad) I had to time my visit to fit in around my commute to work.


The cafe really is the definition of "hole-in-the-wall" with only a few tables inside and a smattering of outdoor stools to perch on in the laneway outside (eat your heart out Melbourne, we've got cool laneways too).  I started my brunch with a lovely Skinny Cappuccino ($3.50) and it was perfect.

 
The cafe has no kitchen to speak of, so it's freshly made toasted sandwiches and sweet treats all around.  I asked for "something with no meat" and was presented with a seriously delicious toasted Turkish-bread sandwich ($6.00) that barely contained its filling of (free-range) egg, home-made chutney and rocket.


It's not a food blog without something sweet to finish with and Three Ropes has more than enough to tempt even the most stoic amongst us (not that I stoically avoid anything, but it sounded good). I settled on this rather large biscuit dipped in chocolate with a jam filling thingy-ma-jiggy.  I'm sure it has a name, but God knows I don't know what it is.  And really who needs a name for something that I devoured within seconds.


As much as I loved the coffee and the food I REALLY enjoyed the warmth and community feel the cafe had.  After being open less than a week it already felt like it'd be around for years with local shop owners, guys from the police station and friends of the staff/owners popping in and out for coffee and a chat. And, it's hard not to strike up a conversation with the people sitting next to you in such a small cafe and to me that's exactly what a local cafe should feel like...like belonging to a community.


And the name Three Ropes? Well, it's local too. Back "in the day" (1803) convicted criminal Joseph Samuel was sentenced to death by hanging in Parramatta. On the first attempt the rope broke, the second time the noose slipped from his neck. The third time the rope broke again and "the powers that be" decided that Samuel had more lives than a cat and he was pardoned for his crime. So there you go - a food blog AND a history lesson.


Three Ropes is at 10a Darcy Street, Parramatta.  They're not opening weekends - just Monday to Friday 6.30am - 3.30pm. 


Three Ropes Espresso on Urbanspoon

36 comments:

  1. awesome! been hoping you'd blog this so i can live vicariously through you since i don't have the ability to wake up early enough before running for my train haha

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    1. It's worth getting up early for, I promise. You can be in & out in under 30 minutes.

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  2. Good morning Miss Piggy...I already love this place, it has the coolest vibe and I am just picking it up through your post. Love the laneway, hole in the wall thing. Food and coffee looks yummy...I reckon next time you should sample those lamingtons :)

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    1. Done re the Lamingtons! It's a great cafe...Parramatta needs more places like this.

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  3. What a great cafe to have in the local! Cafes like this makes me re-consider Parra as a suburb I could potentially live in... Just maybe :)

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    1. When places like Circa and Three Ropes open up it's makes me not so sad to not be living close to the city anymore. I think as more and more groovy people like myself buy places out west the great cafes will follow (gee...did that sound up myself)?

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  4. Looks great! Such a shame they're not open on weekends, but what an awesome addition for locals!

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    1. It is a real shame, but I guess they can only spread themselves to thinly. Boo.

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  5. I just love local places like this! Do you think they will eventually open on the weekends? Otherwise, how will the rest of us find time to get out there and eat several of those choc and jam thingy-ma-jigs??

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    1. I hope they'll reconsider opening on weekends, but I believe the bloke who runs Three Ropes works at Circa on the weekends...

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  6. Great post! and fantastic photos. I'm looking forward to checking it out tomorrow morning.

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    1. Let me know if you love it as much as I did Luke.

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  7. Bring it on. Parra needs more than just food court cafes

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    1. Amen to that Veri! We're starting to get more and more great places. Soon we'll never have to leave the 'hood.

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  8. I hate it when cafes don't open on weekends!

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    1. LOL...I'm sure they have very good reasons for it. I've got my fingers crossed that one day they'll open up on Saturday mornings at least.

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  9. love the quirky decor and i have a thing with plants in jars...the coffee looks really good!

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    1. The coffee was amazing...the whole cafe is amazing (including the plants in jars).

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  10. bahh weekdays only :( cafe looks pretty cool though and love the history lesson bit! those tarts in the cabinet look very much like the brasserie bread strawb & rhubarb tart and apricot tart!

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    1. I should've been a history teacher, right? You should do a weekday visit to Parramatta. Do Circa & Three Ropes all in one hit.

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  11. Heh, I'm working on my Three Ropes post now, lol. I love it there!

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    1. I can't wait to see your post & your photos. I love Three Ropes too.

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  12. I was wondering how long it'd take for you to blog about Three Ropes. I would have been there in a flash if it was closer. Love this type of cafe and really like the name more thanks to your little insight into Parra history. Great to see Luke Avenue cookies sold there as well. Man that girl gets around with her cookies!

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    1. LOL...am I that predictable? This type of cafe is EXACTLY my type of place...it's quirky, interesting, great food, great service...feels like a second lounge room.

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    2. Three Ropes is an amazing peice of history! I love the cosy feel created by the herritage. That comfortable atmosphere is something that cannot be recreated artifically. I wish it was a little bigger though so it could hold wedding receptions and other events. Fantastic post, though. Can't wait until the next one!

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  13. Cute place - shame it's so far away ;) That is one of the best biscuit descriptions I've ever seen, you should write packaging (heehee)

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  14. Love the history lesson, I had no idea Parramatta had such a colourful past. I know where I'm going for brunch on my next day off!

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  15. Huge fan of circa espresso.. Think it will be the same with three ropes ;)

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  16. Miss Piggy you da best for bloggin' bout the West!!! Love love love Three Ropes, us West End Gurls are yet to try a meal but that sandwich looks delish it's definitely on the to do list!!!!

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  17. Love the redesign! Blog looks very slick.

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  18. such a good french stylecafe

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  19. am glad Parrmatta is getting some great spots, just live up the road but never go there, but this might change!!

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