September 24, 2020
We live in Sydney’s Inner West, a vibrant and community-focused neighbourhood. In 2020, it’s been strange to watch the streets fall quiet, the cafés and restaurants usually crowded with people closed and our parks emptied.
Right now, we’re lucky enough not to be under the same lockdown restrictions as Victoria and although there are restrictions in place we’re able to enjoy our old favourites and new ones discovered throughout this season of staying home.
I’d love to share a few of these places with you today.
In the height of lockdown in Sydney we were making the most of our daily exercise outing by hitting the footpath with our 1-year-old in the stroller, making sure to include a takeaway coffee on our route. Coffee is a serious business around here, and we’re absolutely spoilt for choice. Some of our favourites are Double Tap Coffee, Ruby Lonesome and new kid on the block, Marricks (these guys also make a delicious old school custard tart.)
(Top line: @rubylonesome. Bottom line: @doubletapcoffeemarrickville)
Speaking of tailoring our route to coffee, on one or two occasions we factored in another beverage to our route and made a stop at one of our locals, Jacoby’s Tiki Bar. These guys brought new meaning to ‘pivot’ and starting selling canned versions of all our favourite cocktails like mai tais and piña coladas, so we didn’t have to miss out on Aloha Fridays even in lockdown.
(@Jacobystikibar)
Our favourite market, Organic Food Markets, has re-opened every Sunday at Addison Road Community Centre, and we’re happy to get back there (safely distanced and sporting our masks, of course) for chai and gozleme, leaving with lovely fresh produce for the week.
Another truly great pivot in the face of lockdown and restrictions has been Brooklyn Boy Bagels (Sydney’s first artisan New York bagel maker and bakery), who opened up a drive-through selling their delicious bagels, homemade schmears and Little Marionette coffees (another local). Honestly - we hope this stays long after lockdown!
(Image Alex's own)
Finally, our lovely local park has been a respite this year. This is an urban setting, we’re living in close quarters and although we have a paved courtyard, we do not have a backyard. Enmore Park is backyard to us and many others; with an off-leash dog section, fantastic kids play equipment, quiet spots to roll out a yoga mat and stretch out in the fresh air, not to mention heaps of benches and shady areas to throw down a picnic blanket.
Although I wouldn’t wish for 2020, spending more time in my local neighbourhood has been a bonus I’ve genuinely enjoyed.
(Image Alex's own)