This brunch at The Commons in Darlinghurst has come about as my new twitter friend, Beth, is visiting Sydney for a few days. Beth and her husband, Haydn own Burrawong Gaian - a free range pork and poultry farm on the mid-north coast. Now you all know how I feel about pasture raised produce and how "anti" factory farming I am. So as you can imagine I was beside myself at the chance to meet two real life free-range farmers!
I choose The Commons because the ethical butcher Feather and Bone lists them as one of the restaurants they supply to. For some reason though The Boy goes for a meatless breakfast - Mushroom and Parmesan Cheese Omlette ($12.00) - I dare say it's because he's a mushroom addict.
I immediately decided on The Commons Corned Beef Hash ($18.00). I'm not sure why though as I had corned-beef hash in San Francisco and it was literally one of the worst things I've ever put in my mouth. I'm please to say that the corned beef hash at The Commons was great and totally moreish. It came with a soft-cooked (free-range) egg and beautiful chuncks of potato. Despite the generous serve of tatters I managed to relieve The Boy of half of his toast!
Of course it's not brunch with a decent cup of coffee - skinny cappuccinos for both myself and The Boy...and a berry muffin just to finish things off. Just as we were getting ready to leave the waitstaff were writing up the lunch menu on the blackboard - it looked delicious, so delicious I was tempted to settle in and go for Round 2.
The Commons is a lovely restaurant - set in an old, sandstone farmhouse that dates back to the 1850s is is the oldest house in Darlinghurst. Back in the day the entire area was farmland...hard to imagine really, especially as drive home via Oxford Street where it's heaving with people and traffic.
The Commons is at 32 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. Phone them on 9358 1487.
The Commons looks warm and inviting Miss Piggy! It would have been great to meet up with some like minded foodie people. Have a good weekend :)
ReplyDeleteI've been so curious about The Commons - thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteBTW, blogging ain't a sad hobby. Like you, I've met some really good people in real life and also made some wonderful friends through twitter via my blog.
SSG xxx
Beth and her family are really lovely! We visited her farm and it's amazing :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a talent for sniffing the ethical/sustainable type of restaurants! This one goes into my wish list.
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of Beth and the way she farms. I've visited intensive piggeries and it's very disturbing. I had nightmares for weeks. And I visited an intensive quail farm and I threw-up as soon as I walked in because of the smell. It's an unbelievably cruel way to farm and it should be banned. The Commons looks like a great place for a breakfast and yes, very generous with the spuds! xx
ReplyDeleteYumyum, sounds great. I'll have to add it to the (growing) list of places to visit!
ReplyDeletesoft cooked egg and potato - come to momma! it looks PERFECTLY cooked! I taste the egg yolk oozing out already.
ReplyDeleteI was at The Commons for a client lunch over x-mas and it was lovely - looks like RJ and I may need to get there for brunch! btw - loving the new layout, a header and everything, fancy aren't we ;D
ReplyDeletethe soft egg on that hash looks amazing. I just want to pierce my fork through that yolk. Oooooh! I have heard lovely things about this place and cannot wait to visit, along with my very long list of other places to go.
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to come here for quite some time, I love the whole greenery thing they've got going on. Looks like it has a similar vibe to The Winery :)
ReplyDeleteIf it weren't for food blogs I wouldn't have meet all the awesome people on twitter. Its an exciting and enjoyable hobby to have! Definitely made me more social. :D
ReplyDeleteThe Commons has been on my list to for a couple of years now but some how it kept being pushed aside by visiting other places. It appears I've been missing out! Mmm that soft cooked egg yolk looks good.
Love the new layout out by the way! :)
I've been meaning to go there for AGES, and now corned beef hash is all I can think about!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the introduction to The Commons. Sounds like the perfect brunch spot.
ReplyDeleteThe Commons is on my breakfast list, and your review just bumped it up a few places. I would have to say I would go the mushrooms like the boy :)
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