Cafe review: Lumberjack Trading Co in Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches
Canada is hot. It has Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister and Prince Harry has just been to Toronto for the Invictus Games. Manly can’t quite compete, but it does have a Canadian cafe.
Manly
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ALL eyes have been on Canada of late. The world’s most famous redhead has been in Toronto for the Invictus Games, as well as a little regal R & R with super-stylish Meghan Markle.
Manly can’t boast the Prince Harry connection, but it does have a Canadian identity.
Lumberjack Trading Co in Rialto Square is one of those small, reverse Tardis cafes — it is much bigger on the outside than it is on the inside.
Long, communal benches spill into the square, there are umbrellas and heaters so it is as weatherproof it can be.
There are also Canadian bits and bobs dotted around, including a moose head on the inside wall and teeny-tiny conifers on the tables.
Head lumberjack is Jason Kittle, a Canadian, who does more barista duties in Manly than tree-felling activities.
The coffee of choice comes from Sydney coffee roaster Pablo & Rusty’s. We had a double shot flat white (as well as a green juice with slices of green apple) while waiting for a trio of breakfast eats.
Farmer’s Breaky is a wooden board topped with seasoned portobello mushrooms, served on multigrain, scooped avocado, cream cheese, heirloom tomatoes rocket and almond slivers. Nicer bread would be better, but it still has plenty of flavour.
The addition of a perfectly poached egg puts the price up $2 to $19. It is a great way to start the day for any healthy conscious farmer. It would be a little light on for any lumberjack in training, although extras from the side orders would add more sustenance.
Roll up those red plaid sleeves for the kilojoule-laden Lumberjack breakfast roll. This is seriously naughty eat. It is stuffed with crispy bacon, egg, cheese and a hash brown on a signature roll. Some might call it classic hangover fodder. Match it with a Canadian Bloody Mary for a classic hair of the dog, or brunch, or both. For the uninitiated, it is made with vodka, clamato, worcestershire, Tabasco and lemon. The Caesar claims that it came, quenched and conquered Canada. We only have the menu to vouch for its prowess.
Back to breakfast and the coconut milk chia pudding is a glass jar of lumpiness, topped with coconut, strawberries and blueberries and an accompaniment of toasted granola. The texture brings back memories of school dinners and lumpy tapioca, even though this superfood fad seriously trendy.
Chia pudding is definitely not for everyone — myself and lumberjacks included.
The verdict:
The price: $55 for two
The details: Super casual
Lumberjack Trading Co, 3/11-27 Wentworth St, Manly.
Hours: Seven days, from 7am
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