The Vogue Cafe

The power of social media, honestly, was what introduced us to this cafe. Tucked in a corner near the Level 2 carpark is The Vogue Cafe, first brought to my attention by my flatmate who showed me a photo of a really outrageous looking drink on Instagram.

We chose a weekend to have a flatmate day out to try these fancy drinks. Our verdict was that the milkshake ones were like a meal on their own, the juice ones were more refreshing and would go better with dishes if planning to have a meal.

Like this glass/jar of chocolate-rimmed shake - there was nutella, passionfruit and macadamia nuts, so by the end of this, there was no need to eat.

The sugar-rimmed old-fashioned lemonade and raspberry quencher, on the other hand, were refreshing combinations to go with meals.

And of course, they do coffee there, too. I prefer their juices to their coffees, but that's just me.

Each time I visit them, I try to order different things on the menu. So far, I have only had things from their breakfast menu, like this fruity french toast topped with berry compote and greek yoghurt. Because it is overflowing with lots of compote, there is a need to eat it quickly because it would be soggy otherwise.

There is the simple TVC mix up, their creamy scrambled eggs tossed with feta and basil served on toasted linseed sourdough.

The benny dict has two poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, a sprinkle of chives served on a cibatta bread with ham and smoked salmon.

The TVC big brekky is made up of two eggs, grilled bacon rasher, grilled tomato, sautéed mushrooms, sausage, hash brown and baguette. Nat had to add quite a bit of salt so I am guessing that it was not flavourful enough.

And when a cafe has outrageous drinks, it is only apt that they match those drinks with outrageous dessert. Elaborately dressed cronuts, anyone?

The Vogue Cafe
Shop 68 Level 2, Macquarie Shopping Centre, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9887 2570, Mob: +61 414 440 009
Daily 7:30am to 5:00pm (9:00pm on Thursday)

Snag Stand Macquarie Shopping Centre

The gradual revamping of Macquarie Shopping Centre has seen more eateries being opened. One of those places is a fancier version of the American hotdog stand - Snag Stand, a haute dog stand. Or at least, that was my impression of it.

Apparently, the meat they use is gluten-free with no artificial flavours nor colours and is supplied by some of Australia's best artisan butchers, such as Rodriguez Bros, AC Butchery and Blackforest Smokehouse.

Obviously, they serve hot dogs. Of multiple nationalities, really. Spanish, American, German, Aussie. Take your pick.

I tried a Chick Next Door ($9.90), a burger of grilled chicken breast with fresh avocado, cos lettuce, tomato, Spanish onion, and fresh aioli. I could have added bacon for an extra dollar but decided not to this time.

I really enjoyed it, surprisingly, which means there would be a second visit to try other burgers. And then there was the Chilling ($8.90).

Was not as spicy as I was hoping for it to be but this all natural Frankfurter with chilli beef sauce, onions, cheddar cheese and roasted chilli peppers on a toasted brioche roll was not too bad.

I was really looking forward to tasting the chilli cheese fries ($7.90), a bowlful of chilli beef sauce served on chips, topped with cheese, chipotle aioli and paprika. Just looking at it was making me salivate and perhaps, I should have consumed it right away because by the time we finished our dog and burger, the chips were soggy from all the oil absorbed from the bottom of the bowl. 

Next round would see me try their onion rings and milkshakes.

Snag Stand Macquarie Shopping Centre
Level 4, Corner Herring and Waterloo Road, North Ryde, NSW 2112, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9887 2837

Grill'd Healthy Burgers @ Macquarie Shopping Centre

The shopping centre across the road from uni has been undergoing many changes in the past year. It still is but has not stopped us from frequenting the place for food.

One of the newer places is Grill'd, a healthy burger place that makes their burgers fresh to order on a flame grill. You are able to taste that slightly charcoal taste in the meat and is definitely a healthier way to cook the meat than using a hot plate.

We were contemplating on whether to share one burger (because their burgers are huge) but the bushwalking made our bodies tell our minds to order our own burgers. I ordered a Sweet Chilli Chicken burger ($10.50), which comprised of grilled chicken breast, beetroot, shredded carrot, salad, relish and sweet chilli mayo. I liked the sweet and sour taste of the mayo and was a happy girl to be chewing on crispy fresh greens. I also liked how I could tell that the chicken breast was grilled and how my wholemeal buns were still warm when served.

She ordered a Mustard & Pickled! burger ($11.50), grilled grass-fed lean beef, Dijon mustard, dill pickle, taste cheese, salad and relish. It took her a long time to finish it and she, too, liked the warm buns. She's a pickle person so naturally, she really enjoyed this burger.

They are visible from the main entrance of the shopping complex, situated on your left as you walk in, next to Max Brenner. Would be a hit with the students from uni.



Grill'd Healthy Burgers @ Macquarie Shopping Centre
Level 4, Shop 404D, Macquarie Shopping Centre, Corner Herring & Waterloo Roads, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia.
Tel: +61 2 9888 7700
Daily 11:00am to 10:00pm

ZenQ Desserts 仙Q甜品

I think this is like a world-wide fad, just like how Gangnam Style was - a dessert fad. I suppose if there is demand, there will be supply.

Similar to Meet Fresh, ZenQ Desserts serves Taiwanese dessert.

We tried a few varieties. The red bean soup with ZenQ signature Q balls and pearl ($6.20) was mash of a few ingredients. All I could taste was red bean in my mouth.

I preferred the mixed pudding with jelly cake and crystal jelly ($6.40).

In addition to their sweet soups and shaved iced, I suppose their crowd puller would be their toasts. We tried their banana chocolate honey toast ($16.20).

Even though there were two of us, this was pretty heavy for afternoon tea. Too much bread, I reckon but I enjoyed pulling them out one by one. We also tried forest berries danish honey toast ($16.80). This was not too bad in taste.

However, for the same price, I would rather grab a full meal with rice and what not.

Unfortunately for them, they are a case of been there done that for me. Service was below average with tables not cleared (they were better at the Macquarie branch) and with staff who came across as unsure. Perhaps more training before they get left alone to man the branch?

ZenQ Desserts 仙Q甜品
Shop 223 (enter from Victoria Avenue), Chatswood Westfield, Anderson Street, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9411 6882

Shop 408B, Level 4, Macquarie Shopping Centre, Corner Herring and Waterloo Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9889 8823

Open daily from 11:00am till late

Inferno Caffe

Although the shopping centre is located only across the road from uni, I hardly dine there. When I do, I normally either go to the Korean place or the food court. Oh, and Chantilly's.

Inferno Caffe is located right at the entrance of the shopping centre, right where the bus stops are. It is a very strategic location but somehow, not attractive enough for me to dine there more.

We decided to have dinner there one night. To start off, we had some salt and pepper calamari ($22.90) for starters.

To share, we had a Mexican pizza ($24.00) that had pepperoni, Bolognese, onion, jalapenoes, fresh tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole and corn chips. Not too bad I would order a different base.

She had a Tuscan Chicken ($32.00), which is a piece of over-baked chicken breast filled with ricotta cheese and topped with prosciutto, served on a bed of ratatouille and fried potatoes.

As I love risotto, I tried the Pollo ($26.50), which has chicken breast fillet, fresh mushroom, leek, green peas, spanish onion, basil and garlic in a cream sauce. I could not finish it, as the creaminess made it very filling.

I would suggest a table up the back, where it is quieter than the front. And look out for their movie deals on the daily board.

Inferno Caffe
Shop 454, Macquarie Shopping Centre, Herring Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia.
Tel: + 61 2 9888 9992; Fax: +61 2 9889 1113
Mon, Wed & Sun 9:30am to 9:00pm
Tues & Thurs 9:30am to 9:30pm
Fri & Sat 9:30am - 10:00pm