Cafe of the Month
April 2002
Cuisine:
Modern Australian
Address:
94 Marina Parade Maroubra
Phone:
(02) 9314 0364
Hours:
Breakfast Sat-Sun
Lunch & Dinner Wed-Sun
Open All Public Holidays
BYO
A hugely popular Sunday morning alive with fresh ocean wind conversations is a good starting point for your first encounter with the Pool Caffe. Literally across the road from the Pacific Ocean, with expansive views of a rugged cliff edge and sizeable splash of seawater, enjoy the French doors infusing the indoor dining area with an all-consuming alfresco vibe. Friends, couples and families electric with caffeine chat – tuck into generous breakfasts – while you sit back and soak it all in. By the second cup of coffee the weather may have shown off two autumns, two summers and two winters. Light showers? No worries mate, in half an hour summer will be back.
Soon enough sunlight sparkles on the street raindrops and spectacular waves beyond. Three tables finish brunch – the volume subsides to a laconic calm – but the abundant staff whoosh about, setting up the function room for a lavish 60th birthday bash – three tables in the middle room for pops-and-the-gang and a table in the outdoor courtyard for the kids – still the front room wallows in a relaxed pre-lunch state. Time to try out the entrees – the Salad of Fresh Figs, Buffalo Mozzerella, Crispy Proscuitto, Rocket and Aged Balsamic Dressing (yummeeeee!!!) or the Salad of Prawn & Blue Swimmer Crab with Avocado, Mango and Coconut Dressing:
Overdazzled at the complementariness of the ingredients of the fig salad – and the healthy zing of the prawn and crab dish (crab goes with mango soooooo rightly) – you may plot your next visit, or, even better from the view of sister-owners Karen and Liz, you’ll ask about vacancies for future function dates – as that’s what they’re keen to promote, along with their special “Cheap Eats” menu when from Wednesdays to Fridays where mains are between $15 and $19. There’s also a Business and Social Club lunch special – a main with a glass of wine for twenty bucks – and they’ll even cater for a function in another location. Take a look at the happy kids’ table, and their Olive Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna if you need further persuasion:
Coffees, cakes and desserts really put the polish on the Pool Caffe experience. The coffee machine has been superbly wo-manned by the congenial Elsie for the last three years – and her coffees are immaculate. But what’s that Eiffel Tower dessert arriving at the neighbours’ table? It’s a strawberry icecream monstrosity which tastes even better than it looks (see below). Pool Caffe is definitely among the best beachside cafes in Sydney, even if it is up a little hill not far from the beach.
