Maslow's Sydney

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Sydney's north shore is desperately in need of good cafes.



sets out to improve the area's cafe scene by opening up a hip garage-style cafe establishment. Its existence juxtaposes with all the large conservative residential houses around the area. You have to give some allowances for the smallish, budget set up, as real estate prices on the North Shore are literally beyond reach for average Sydneysiders.



Even though the address clearly stated that the cafe is located on the busy Pacific Highway, along the Pymble Station railway line, Marslow's is well hidden from the masses. Many would have driven past Marslow's without so much as a second glance. We used 2 different GPSs and 2 detours to finally locate this 'secretive' cafe.

Hint: Look out for Pymble Railway Station underpass exit.

Obviously the cafe relies on 'word of mouth' and social media recommendations.



Maslow's interior is fitted with an industrial urban look, whitewashed brick walls, high beams and long narrow tables with stools. The alfresco dining area gives a good view of vehicles passing along but there is no visible outdoor sitting area.

The cafe is not so child-friendly especially with a busy turning road at the entrance. I think it is quite dangerous if you have young children who like to wander.

We were greeted half-heartedly by the staff and we were shown to the bar table. We had to swap tables because the stools were really uncomfortable and we felt we were sitting back to back with other diners. It was not a relaxed nor a welcoming first impression.

The lack of personable customer service did not bothered me as my focus was on the food. If the food tastes as good as the photo depicts, I am happy to give leniency for a 'coolish creative attitude'.



It was a quiet morning and we were happy to observe the ongoing dramas of a busy open kitchen from a good vantage point. The kitchen looked very basic with tiny fridge and plug-in stove top. I half wondered if this was a camp set up. My friend noticed that they use the popular Seven Seeds coffee here and she was quiet happy with her creamy smooth latte.



The chef/owner Jack New came with hefty restaurant experiences at Sokyo and Café Sydney and the menu has a touch of Asian influence.

My friend was keen to try the Mr Pig which seemed to be all the rage on Instagam and Facebook.



Mr Pig was essentially a bacon and egg roll with an unusual twist - braised pork belly, a 62-degree egg and the tangy Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise in a brioche bun.



It was also deceptively 'hot' with Korean-like chili sauce. The flavours worked well together but it was a bit too heavy on the stomach for breakfast.



Always on the want for something different, I ordered the Draco Mille Feuille ($17). It sounded unique with 62 degree eggs, black pudding, grilled onion reduction and pastry.



The flavor combination was a little too odd for my liking. Running eggs and black puddings would worked well together, but sitting on an onion soup reduction was just too strange. I was not sure if this meant to be a soup or a solid dish.



New's experiments with inventive menu combinations sounded exciting on paper but the result can be hit or miss.



In our opinion, the quality and the tastiness of the dishes were mediocre but they were photogenic enough to get attention.

It was a pricey breakfast and for a similar breakfast budget I would have got something very delicious and fulfilling such as the Eggs Blini from Devon Cafe or at any other hip inner west cafes.



Marslow's may not be the cafe to unilaterally change the cafe scene on the North Shore, but with all the apartments and townhouse developments in Pymble, I can envisage that Marslow's will have streams of business from the cash-loaded private school parents.

#australian_restaurants
#breakfast
#brunch
#cafes
#coffee
#food_wine
#north_shore
#pymble
%wnsydney