Opening its doors in December last year, Sonoma Cafe Rose Bay is the seventh store to join the Sonoma chain in Sydney. Just across the road from Rose Bay Beach, the artesian bakery attracts a variety of customers, including professionals grabbing a coffee and pastry on their way to work in the morning, to those preferring a leisurely sit-down meal from their diverse menu.
The café-styled bakery has plenty of seating both inside and out, and with fresh loaves of bread lining the walls, various salads and sandwiches on display and tasty treats in the window you’d be hard pressed not to find something that takes your fancy. Going off the lunch menu, we started our meal with a selection of savouries, followed by some mouth-watering pastries.
Miche Sourdough | Tomato, avocado, barrel aged feta, basil ($12)
Made with their signature Miche loaf, this open sandwich is as colourful as it is delicious. With flightresh tomato, basil and generous amounts of feta cheese and avocado all seasoned to perfection, it’s a winning combination.
The Mercato | Pepper Flank Steak, bocconcini, chilli, salsa verde ($16)
Inspired by the Firenze Mercato Centro (Central Market of Florence), this toasted sandwich is as big with flavour as it is on your plate. With grilled pepper flank steak with chipotle barbeque sauce, chilli salsa verde and melted bocconcini toasted between crunchy country white sourdough, it may be big but I guarantee you’ll almost be licking the plate wanting more.
Kalamata Olive Sourdough | bocconcini, tomato, salsa verde ($10)
Made with fresh Kalamata olive sourdough, this sandwich smacks you with flavour with the first mouthful. With the added flavours of bocconcini, pesto, spinach and salsa verde, these ingredients speak for themselves.
Salad | village, feta & spiced chickpea ($10)
If you’re after something a bit more refreshing, you’ll want to grab one of Sonoma’s Village salads. With a Mediterranean twist, this dish is packed with flavour from fresh coriander, lightly spiced chickpeas, red onion, feta, tomato and capsicum. Perfect for a light summer meal.
And if all that wasn't enough, you cant leave Sonoma without at least trying their famous sweet treats!
Morning Bun ($4.50)
After being assured it could be consumed at any time of the day, we kicked off dessert with Sonoma’s signature morning bun, a tasty cross between a croissant and cinnamon donut with a refined twist. With layers of light pastry and a sugary-cinnamon mix, this dessert is – quite literally – finger-licking good.
Almond Croissant ($5)
Taking the regular croissant to a whole new level, this almond croissant is not only covered in flaked almonds, but is also choc-full with a sweet almond-meal based filling. A more decadent version of the original, it will be hard to go back!
Cherry Cheesecake Strudel ($6)
The cherry cheese was a favourite for me. Packed with sweet ricotta and cherry filling wrapped up in delicate layers of pastry, this dessert was super tasty without making you feel too heavy afterwards, at least it wouldn’t have had I not just had multiple courses beforehand!
Far from your regular bakery, Sonoma is inviting to an array of visitors, be it your sit-down guests or those wanting a quick bite to take away. Made even more appealing by their delicious house-blend coffee and super friendly host, Laurie, we felt welcome from the moment we walked through the doors.
A definite go-to if you’re in the area.
Sonoma Cafe
Shop 1, 779 New South Head Road,
Rose Bay, NSW 2029
Contributed by Nicole, who dined as a guest on behalf of 2 Hungry Guys
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