Ruby Lane Cafe & Grocer - Mona Vale

Post

Subscribe

The much-loved Ruby Lane Cafe & Grocer in Manly opened its second sustainable eatery in Mona Vale in October this year, and this new cafe was an instant hit with the locals thanks to its wholefood and zero wastage approach.



The cafe is a shrine to wholefood design as well as sustainability. It features enormous planter boxes of homegrown herbs and vegetables that line the giant undercover deck for nourishing food served against the sound of the sea. It also has its signature and award-winning sustainable-style with a composting system, jar deposit scheme for nut butter and kombucha, wheat straws, BYO coffee and hot drink cup discounts, and a soon to be installed row of worm farms to minimise the waste around the beaches this summer.



According to Ruby Lane founder and triathlete Phil Dawson "Our philosophy is to create a salivating experience without compromising on nutrition, and we've proved it possible with our Manly venue. Enjoying a meal out hasn't always been synonymous with being healthy, but why shouldn't it be?"

What makes Ruby Lane extra special is the monthly workshops and feature dinners with local nutritionists and practitioners that are designed to inspire and ignite.



The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming. The whole experience, from start to end, was such a delight and Ruby Lane Café & Grocer in Mona Vale will no doubt be a massive hit in the Northern Beaches.



The Organic Grocer is packed with quality health foods & sustainable products, including bespoke homemade products like soups, paleo bread, vegan mayos, muesli and more.



Atmosphere and Décor

This venue shouts beach lifestyle with its laid back dine all day, pop-in anytime vibe. The outdoor setting is spacious and offers a beautiful dining experience surrounded by lush greenery, fresh ocean breeze and sea sounds.



The interior is clean, modern and refreshing and just like the outdoor setting, it is relaxing and offers a lovely dining experience.

The interactive dining space was made from sustainable materials and incorporates separate kids play area.

The café boasts with a laid-back, relaxed, and lively atmosphere.



Menu

Head Chef Joao Philot hails from the land of superfoods, Brazil, so it is no wonder that the menu of both Mona Vale & Manly cafes includes these yummy goodies.

Inspired to cook from the age of four and with a childhood of harvesting crops as well as utilising a nose to tail animal philosophy, Joao Philot worked in the kitchens of JW Marriott in Rio where he completed his apprenticeship and worked for six years. It is here that he created cuisine banquets designed for Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and the Prince of Dubai. He was also the pastry chef for Rio Bocuse D'or, serving up intricate desserts for the likes of Alex Satala. Philot was also the front and centre of the Sydney Olympics. Now he is based in Sydney and brings his talents and passion for good food, local produce and zero waste to Ruby Lane Cafe & Grocer.

Quoted by Philot "You don't throw your coins into the bin, why would you throw your food".



The menu boasts with wholefoods, including the All Day Seasonal Brunch Menu. This menu includes Acai Protein Bowl, Chia Pudding Jar, Mona Smoothie Bowl, Real Food Pancakes, Ruby's Low Carb 'Keto' Plate, Earth Bowl, Grilled Trout & Tomato Salsa, and many more.

There are a few favourites on the Seasonal Brunch Menu too with Ruby Lane's twists such as The Veggie Burger on an organic charcoal bun, Serious Eggs Benny, Sweet Potato Fritters, and Ruby's Bruschetta.

The menu also features housemade treats including Prebiotic Cheesecake Dream, Raw Caramel Slice, Choc Fudge Brownie, Muffin of the Day, and more.



There is a kids menu with meals including Kids Pancakes, Kids Bircher Bowl, Dippy Eggs, and Toasties.

The Beverage Menu consists of appealing and 'healthy' drinks such as the Healthy Elixirs which feature Ruby's Gut Healing Beef Bone Broth, Maca Mojo, Pure Vida Elixir, and Matcha Latte.

Super Smoothies include T Bomb, Blueberry Brain Boost, Salted Caramel, Acai Smoothie and more. There are also coffees, cold-pressed juices, ice drinks, kombucha, teas by Bodhi Organic, kids drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Drinks

We started our wholesome experience with Golden Latte ($6) and Matcha Latte ($6).



The Golden Latte- Ayurvedic-inspired anti-inflammatory and healing remedy, coconut milk spiced with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, steamed with brown rice syrup and coconut oil.

This spiced latte was smooth, warming and it was like nothing I have tasted before. The spices awakened the senses, yet it was light to drink and was not overpowering.



Matcha Latte- Organic Japanese green tea jammed with antioxidants and chlorophyll, brown rice syrup, served on coconut milk.

If you love matcha, then this drink is for you! The bitterness mixed with the smooth coconut milk created a delicious warming sensation. It was gentle and easy to drink.

Overall, both drinks were delicious and loaded with energy. They certainly did excite us on what is yet to come.



Food

We ordered Ruby's Bruschetta ($15), Green Chicken Power Salad ($23), and Grilled Trout & Tomato Salsa ($26).



Ruby's Bruschetta- Heirloom tomatoes, oven-dried tomato chips, fresh basil and Ruby's cultured ricotta on toasted Gluten Free focaccia. We added avocado.



The dish was a great entrée starter; it was fresh, vibrant and delicious! The housemade ricotta was smooth and complemented the fresh tomatoes well. The addition of the crispy oven-dried tomato was different and added texture to the dish- they were quite addictive!



The option of smashed avocado was creamy and worked well with all produce.

The Gluten-Free focaccia bread was quite different and unique. It featured a crumbly texture with a distinctive taste, similar to dried yoghurt. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the bread.

Overall, Ruby's Bruschetta was an excellent starter, however, it would have taken this dish to a whole new level if a drizzle of basil pesto, olive oil or balsamic glaze was incorporated.



The Green Chicken Power Salad- Smoked pasture-raised chicken breast, roast pumpkin, brown rice, green leaves, pickled zucchini, feta, chimichurri dressing on a housemade seedy cracker.



True to its name, this salad gave you power! It was such an energising dish, refreshing and wholesome. All the ingredients worked so well together from texture to flavour. It was a magical gastronomical delight and packed a punch.

All the ingredients were cooked to perfection. The chicken was moist and seasoned well, the pumpkin was not overcooked, and the brown rice added a nutty flavour, while the green leaves added the fresh crispiness.



The addition of the seedy cracker was genius. It took a humble chicken salad to a whole new level of goodness and added a great textural crunch.

The chimichurri dressing combined the dish and transformed it into the perfect culinary marriage.

Overall, this dish was perfection and awakened the taste buds and left you feeling energised and not bloated.



Grilled Trout & Tomato Salsa-Grilled Petuna ocean trout on cauliflower puree and snow peas, roasted carrots with fresh tomato salsa, local herbs and a wedge of lemon.



This dish was wholesome, warming and comforting, as well as being homey and humble. It crammed with flavour and textures, and the ocean trout cooked to perfection!

The fish was slightly under-seasoned for my liking, however, once combined with all the other elements on the plate, it was the ultimate culinary wonderland of deliciousness.



The earthy flavours and gentle sweetness from the roasted carrots married so well with the smooth, creamy cauliflower puree and combined with the crispy snow peas, this bite full of flavours and textures begged the taste buds for more.

This comforting dish was a delight to eat. All the elements worked well together, cooked to perfection and left you satisfied and wanting more. The only minuscule things to be faulted were not enough tomato salsa and accidentally forgetting the wedge of lemon. Other than that, this dish is a must-have.



The drinks and food left you feeling light, refreshed and invigorated. All the meals were gentle on the tummy and did not leave you with a bloated and sluggish feeling. It certainly was health-giving.



Overall, the experience at Ruby Lane Café & Grocer, Mona Vale was uplifting with their meals and beverages. It certainly awakened all the senses and is the perfect way to start the day with wholesome, delicious food and drinks.



Whether you are a local or passing by, do stop at Ruby Lane and fill your insides with wholesome goodness and delicious delights.

Cannot wait to visit again!



#breakfast
#brunch
#cafes
#food_wine
#lunch
#mona_vale
#near_sydney
#new_south_wales
#northern_beaches
%wnsydney