My second day in Sydney was rounding up at 4, when I’d hop in the car to the airport to catch the plane back to Adelaide. Before leaving I’d already decided that I’d be having breakfast at fouratefive, but then I spotted bills at the bottom of my hotel and I knew I might have to stretch myself.

So I hopped up early, and made my way down to bills. Laptop in hand so I could take advantage of the hotel internet. I knew exactly what I’d be having: the ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter. They were definitely tasty, but they didn’t blow me away. I don’t know if I was expecting a bit more sweetness from the honeycomb butter. All in all I was happy with them, but I’d branch out to try something else next time.

My favourite thing about breakfast at bills was their range of drinks. I like cold drinks.  I’m not a huge coffee drinker, and I like tea but I rarely order it out, so I love a good list of cold drinks that doesn’t revolve around milk, soft drinks, or bottled juices. bills have a great range of freshly squeezed juices as well as bills homemade lemonade, ice tea, rosehip and mint punch, and elderflower cordial. I picked the rosehip and mint punch, it was fun, fresh, and spritzy.

Rosehip & mint punch. Ricotta hotcakes with banana & honeycomb butter. Homemade creamed corn w/ poached eggs, crispy bacon, & sourdough bread. Gooey egg.

Of course I’d already committed myself to fouratefive. I was dining on limited time, so I figured there was no halm in popping in for second breakfast. I was embracing my inner hobbit for the day. Everyone thought I was crazy when I chose an outside table, but by this stage the sun was still streaming down through the clouds and I was making the most of it.

After my sweeter breakfast of pancakes I went for the creamed corn instead, with poached eggs and bacon. It was such a warming filling breakfast, and it managed to stay warm  from the moment it landed on my table till I took my last mouthful. Too often breakfast ends up cold before you’re even halfway through. I was impressed. fouratefive is a really lovely spot, made better by the friendly people working there. I was eyeing off their pastries but I thought that third breakfast was taking it a bit too far. I still had to leave room for multiple lunches.

Lemon fruit shake. Short rib sandwich. Salmon salad. Mango cupcake. 

Wandering through Sydney I also came across Ghermez, a pretty looking cupcake spot. After much deliberation I decided I’d bring a box of six mini cupcakes back to Adelaide, and grab myself a mango cupcake to enjoy there. The cake was soft, light, and moist. I’m still a cream cheese fan, but the butter cream was pretty tasty.

Then it was back to Surry Hills where I first stopped off at Hey Brew Cafe. It’s a small place on Foveaux Street in Surry Hills. I’d passed it the day before and decided I’d have to pop in to have a look. I ummed and ahhed at their sandwiches, but knew I couldn’t go past their short rib sandwich.  Japanese beef ribs, purple cabbage kim chi, and honey-dew melon. It was served on a ciabatta, and mmmmmmm. That’s about all I can say. It was juicy, sweet, meaty. Just a really tasty sandwich. Nothing was dry, nothing was bland. I was impressed.

Rounding up my day I was making one last stop, back to bills to finish off a bit more work while I waited for my car to arrive. I had a quick look at their menu and decided on their Salmon Salad with Caramel Coconut Dressing. I was expecting a tasty salad, with some smoked salmon. I thought I would like it, but I really wasn’t prepared. I have to say this my favourite salad out of any I’ve ever eaten. I’m not saying it’s the best, but if you were to put together the perfect salad for me, this would be it.

There was not a hint of smoked salmon in sight, instead a few sizeable chunks of crispy skinned salmon. It had that melt-in-your-mouth texture and a beautiful salmon flavour. Lettuce was also not in the picture, instead leaves of coriander and mint and some healthy sized chunks of cucumber. The grapefruit was a great addition, and the dressing was a delicious Asian style offering.

Breakfast wasn’t quite enough to make me want to rush back to Bill’s, I mainly stopped in to use some WIFI again, but that salad made my trip to Sydney. It’s a firm favourite I’ll be coming back for again, and again, and again, and again.