Everyone loves to wander and gaze at all the pretty kitchen and homeware items at Peter’s of Kensington. Only a smidgen of the size as the flagship store in Kensington, the compact store adds value to a shopping stint at Birkenhead Point Outlet Mall. These days there is nothing ‘outlet-like’ about it, with similar prices offered at mainstream shopping malls. Adjacent to the store in an open space where shoppers can gaze over the main atrium and enjoy the daylight from glass ceilings, the Peter’s of Kensington Cafe is a pleasant place to hang out in. A blackboard invites diners in for a Devonshire Tea, and taking a look around, many have taken the suggestion seriously. The single scone has a creamy texture with a hint of sweetness. It’s paired with fresh cream that’s dispensed from a cream canister (therefore is fly-away light) and a standard cafe strawberry jam. It’s a bummer the tea is served with thick-rimmed coffee cups, as just in the entrance of the store dainty tea cups beckon.

Scones:

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic choice of loose-leaf teas served in a small teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: Light and bright with a touch of Peter’s of Kensington class.

Location: Birkenhead Point, Shop 50-51, 19 Roseby St, Drummoyne NSW 2047
Ph: 02 9662 1099

Reviewed August 2018

Sofala claims to be Australia’s oldest surviving gold town. There’s hasn’t been any gold mining here for more than 70 years, but the town still retains an authenticity that is missing from many gentrified ex-mining villages in Australia. Heritage buildings abound, (although some properties are in need of a spruce up), and are clustered along the few streets that make up the town. Although located in a purpose-built building, the Painted Horse Cafe’s rustic exterior and courtyard decorated with rusting implements and Ned Kelly cut out sits well within its surrounds. Most of the dining is outside but undercover, with groups well catered for. More intimate sized dining tables are located indoors. The tray of scones on the counter scream country fresh – and they are – fresh. There’s a hint of vanilla lurking in the fluffy freshness and a crispy exterior rounds out this perfect scone. The house made orange and apricot jam is a delight and the only problem, there’s not enough for four scone halves. However, there’s no issue with asking for a jam refill and am given a generous portion. Shame the fresh cream hasn’t had enough whipping. The jam is so good that I take home a jar. Open Thursday to Sunday.

Scones:

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic choice of loose-leaf teas served in a small teapot.

Price: $$$

Overall: Although purpose-built, the heritage vibe fits well with the town.

Location: 27 Denison St, Sofala NSW 2795 Ph: 02 6337 7092 facebook.com

Reviewed July 2018

If you are heading east from Lithgow to the Blue Mountains, it’s easy to bypass Hartley Fresh for the vast choice of cafes in the Blue Mountains. Set back from the rumbling Great Western Highway, the place formerly traded as Full Throttle Diner and attracted truckies who used the large car park out the front to park their rigs. Truckies can still pull up, but on a tarred surface, and the cafe now is part fruit and vegetable shop. It’s more breakfast time when I arrive, but luckily I’m not too early for scones as they are available all day. The slightly crumbly and buttery scones taste better than how they look. They are teamed up with a sufficient amount of slightly sweet and fairly thick cream but the unremarkable sweet strawberry jam doesn’t do them any justice. Stock up on fresh produce before you head off.

Scones:

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic choice of Twinnings tea bags served in a tiny teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: A one-stop shop for a snack and a fruit and veg shop.

Location: 2430 Great Western Hwy, Hartley NSW 2790 Ph: 0427 130 900

Reviewed July 2018