Bakehouse Quarter, North Strathfield

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If you wander down George St at North Strathfield off Parramatta Rd you will find the old Arnott's Biscuit factory and warehouses now converted into a hub of bars, restaurants and cafes, and retail shops.

The street at No.3 has been cobbled and further down you will find paved, leafy areas with flowerpots adorning the sides and frontage of businesses. It has an old world charm in the stone of the buildings mixed with a modern vibrancy that is both business and social.



Entertainment includes AMF Bowling, M9 Laser Skirmish and Golfzon. The restaurants and some of the cafes are also bars and a hive of activity at night. There's well known brands, such as Pancakes on the Rocks and Gloria Jeans, to the lesser known and more individual Cheeky Chocolate Cafe and Cookies Lounge Bar.

A range of different cuisines will entice you back multiple times. Indian, Thai, Korean, sushi and steaks, as well as sandwich bars, abound. Bakehouse Quarter is continually adding to the range of businesses and is now a viable alternative to other alfresco areas for breakfast, lunch or a night out, for any age group. You can also do your grocery shopping as there is an Aldi and a green grocer and if you indulge in too much food you can work out after at Fitness First or partake in some yoga.

I stumbled upon this area a few months back when I was out driving around looking for street art. I have now been back twice to sample some of the food on offer. The first place I visited was the Outback Steakhouse for lunch with the family to celebrate my son's birthday. I can say that everything from the food to the service and the decor was fantastic. We started off with sharing an entree of Bushman's Garlic Loaf with parmesan and Cheese Chips that included Aussie Jack and cheddar cheeses, bacon pieces and a spicy ranch dressing. Very nice and then with the mains we each tried something different that included burgers, Razorback pork ribs and Ribeye steak. I'm not a big steak eater but I just had to have steak in a steakhouse and it was a good choice as it was the most tasty, juicy and tender steak I've had. All the food came out very timely. There were no long waits. We didn't order dessert as we were feeling quite full but the waiter then surprised us and offered my son a free dessert for his birthday. So he chose the Chocolate Thunder and we got a few spoons and shared this indulgent pecan brownie with rich vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce, chocolate shavings and whipped cream. Yummo.



There is lots to choose from on the menu and I love the quirky names, from the Chookaburra Wings to Popcorn Prawns, Alice Springs Chicken, Cowboy Cut Ribeye, Pasta Primavera, The Big Bugga burger and the cocktails that include Fair Dinkum Daiquiri, The Wallaby Darned (peach schnapps, sparkling wine, and peaches blended with vodka) and Outback Sangria. I had a wonderful trio of sangrias which came in this silver stand and included red wine, vodka and brandy flavoured with different fruits. A good experience all round with the timbered, wooden decor, paintings and cosy booths making it very warm and inviting.

My next venture to this area was for a high tea and catch up with a friend at the Cheeky Chocolate Cafe. Another great experience with an antique look inside and a bar surrounded by a glass display of cakes, slices and macarons.



The menu has been designed by dessert celebrity king Adriano Zumbo and features quirky names as well. There's 'This is How We Roll' which is ice cream profiteroles with Cheeky chocolate sauce, 'Will You Pash or Dash' chocolate fondue with passion fruit centre, toasted white chocolate and orange soaked pineapple, and 'Roll the Dice is it Naughty or Nice' which is a chocolate crème brulee with cinnamon ice cream, cherry gel and a pistachio sesame crumble, to name a few. Cocktails and mocktails also available with equally interesting names. A sweet tooths' heaven.



Our high tea consisted of a selection of macarons, mini cakes and tarts, scones with cream and jam, mini quiches and fresh fruit with tea or coffee and it didn't disappoint. It was all as good as it looked. The perfect place for a quiet chat and also very cosy.



Other businesses include a dance studio, car wash, child care centres, hairdresser, medical practice and dental care, optician, beauty therapy, pharmacy, newsagency and the head office of NRMA. Most of what you need is here. There's plenty of parking, both outside and undercover, and 24hr site security.

Take a trip to this centrally located inner west suburb and check it out for yourself. It is sure to delight.

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