We interrupt our UK food reports to bring you a quick update from In the Annex. After going to In The Annex for breakfast a while back, I really wanted to come back for lunch. To be honest, I looked at this review of their lunch and thought – wow, that food is being served in a cafe?! Looks like fine-dining plating style to me! Their lunch menu is small, only 3 options as well as sandwiches, but you can also have anything off the breakfast menu so there’s actually plenty to choose from. I’ve been looking for a cafe that serves ‘food with a difference’ for a while, and while Fleetwood Macchiato didn’t really do it for me, I think I’ve found what I wanted here at In the Annex.
We began our meal with two robot friends and races across our table. I also had some Chai Latte, presented beautifully in a cute teapot and cup. Props to serving it in a pot instead of just a mug – more chai for me! S said that their Soy Latte was amazing too. I went for the Beef 2 Ways, Artichoke and Egg ($16). Anything that has one ingredient done several ways immediately captures my attention – how will they do it?! Will I be able to recognise the food?! Much anticipation and excitement! As expected the plating was unusually cafe-style and more fine-dining-style – I love that casually scattered look of all the ingredients, even though the chef probably painstakingly placed every slither of meat. Speaking of the chef, I have a brief message for you guys here:
hiya! i’m so sorry i’ve forgotten your names already, but it was so lovely to meet you the other day! i also apologise for being caught totally off guard and going ridiculously red – i will do better next time. xx
Back onto the food – I particularly loved the artichoke! It tasted very different to how I normally have artichoke (pickled) and was almost like a combination between potato, parsnip and celeriac. The attention to detail was also phenomenal – was that olive crumbs on top of the watercress? The beef type 2 (hidden underneath the egg in the picture below) was slightly too salty for my liking, but that was seriously the only issue I had with the dish. Would gladly have it again!
S went for the Breaky Burrito with Scrambled, Rice and Beans, Guac and Jalapenos ($10). Three cheers all round for breakfast menus being available all day! S was served this huge burrito, what a bargain at $10! And packed with all sorts of nutritional goodies too. She told me to mention the jalapenos in particular, which added the perfect amount of “spice and tang” to the burrito. Probably not one for the spice-phobes (a.k.a. me) but it really fills you up, leaving you feeling hearty and wholesome.
If you go to In The Annex you’ll have to walk past their cute display cabinet of sweet goodies – yesterday it was decked out almost like a huge terrarium of food and greenery, and dinosaurs and other interesting creatures too. There’s a lot of fun stuff to choose from, but S and I shared the Carrot Cake and the Cheese Cake with Kumquat. Both cakes absolutely perfect in their size, texture and satisfaction level – just what you need to finish off a slow lunch.
I’m already keen to go back to In The Annex! Next time I think I’ll have to go for the Crumbed Egg with Celeriac and Chickpeas – what will you try when you go?
In The Annex
35 Ross Street
Glebe/Forest Lodge
http://www.facebook.com/intheannexcafe/
