Mar-2019
Anonymous Café, Blackheath
The last thing Anonymous needs is another blogger telling the world about how good it is, but I’m about to.
The café’s photogenic fare served on wooden boards makes it an Instagrammer’s paradise, which probably accounts somewhat for the fact it’s almost always packed; that, and it’s located on the can’t-miss-it corner of the Great Western Highway and Blackheath’s main shopping street. Such popularity means they can do things like slap on weekend surcharges and still fill tables, but hey – if you can, why not?
The high turnover is also a sign they’re doing more than a few things right. Case in point: the coffee.
They use Campos beans… ‘nuff said.
The all-day breakfast is another main attraction; as is the cosy, rustic-slash-bohemian atmosphere. Window seats are often occupied by gorgeous-looking hipsters sipping espressos while chatting about composting techniques and how they just binge-watched Twin Peaks for the second time. Seeing them there looking so happy triggers massive FOMO feelings and if you weren’t already going to step inside, you will eventually have to.
I am fortunate that every time we come here my husband orders two things (big appetite), one of which is usually some decadent, dessert-ish breakfast and which I’m usually allowed to sample. On this visit I get to try two: the muesli – burnt fig and cinnamon, packed with nuts and crunchy toasted bits and topped with yoghurt and chunks of stewed fruit…
And the brioche french toast.
The brioche adds another dimension of buttery goodness to this dish, and the combination of melt-in-mouth stewed pear, the crack of slivered almonds and zing of candied orange peel mean every mouthful’s a treat. We eat it very quickly and I shamelessly clean the syrup of the plate with my finger.
My choice today is the mushroom and artichoke open sandwich with white bean puree and a salsa verde. I could just eat with my eyes and be happy with this, but that would be a waste.
It is quickly devoured.
A trip to Anonymous can rarely happen without someone ordering a breakfast toastie. They’re made with dense, fill-you-up sourdough and are so good on a cold day, though I’m always baffled as to why they only offer “ham and cheese” or “cheese and pickle” or “tomato and cheese” – what about a toastie with the lot? We ordered a custom-designed ham, cheese and tomato version – which they were happy to make – so I’m sure they would do one with everything if you asked nicely…
Other menu highlights worth trying include the breakfast rice with almond milk – a nourishing winter warmer; the breakfast burrito and the pulled pork and crackling baguette. If you’re after eggs you can get them scrambled only here.
So there you have it – another blog post on Anonymous with photos and words of praise that will probably result in more people at one of my favourite Blue Mountains cafes! Oh well, hopefully I’ll still get the window seat occasionally. Might have to binge-watch Twin Peaks before I try.
DETAILS:
- Address: 237–238 Great Western Highway, Blackheath, 2785
- Contact: info@anonymouscafe.com.au
- Web: anonymouscafeblackheath.com.au
- Opening hours: Mon–Tue closed; Wed–Fri 7am–2pm; Sat–Sun 7:30am–2pm; closed on public holidays.
- Prices: $6–$25 (weekend surcharge)
- Cuisine: Café
- Licensed: No
- Bookings: No
- Views: No
- Wheelchair access: Yes
- Cards accepted: All cards
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