13D Australia Summer Trip: Pancakes on the Rocks, Sydney
Friday in Sydney is a huge chillaxing affair where a lot of people can be found lazing on the bench or even on grass on a summer day reading books or drinking booze. Some of the people who were sitting on the bench that day were wearing office attire, I kinda wonder if they really can go out from office anytime they want. After all, we have been hearing so many things about Australian's great flexibility on work life balance. Hmm, is anyone interested in working in Australia, then?
Friday is also the day that people usually do their wandering around the city or even having a picnic because there are more things to see or buy when the weekend market is in town. There are two kind of market held up at the Rocks: the Rocks Friday Foodie Market and the Rocks Market (which is held on Saturday and Sunday). Since we happened to visit the Rocks on Friday, we had the chance to check out the Rocks Friday Foodie Market which is held at Jack Mundey Place.
The concept of Friday Foodie Market offered by the Rocks is cool and relaxed. You don't see people rushing from one stall to another stall to get food. Even though there are some queue lines spotted at certain spot, people seem to just queue in a chill manner. A lot of homemade food is offered in the Friday Foodie Market from homemade jam, sushi, crusty bread and pastries, chocolate, condiments, oil, fresh fruit and vegetables to even, billtong sticks (which seems to be beef skewers). Lovely flowers for your beloved ones are also available at the Rocks Friday Foodie Market. Do note that the foodie market is only open from 9AM to 3PM so don't come here after 3PM to avoid disappointment. On the other hand, the Rocks Markets which is held on Saturdays and Sundays is open from 10AM to 5PM and it is held at the same place with the Friday Foodie Market.
Other than for the food market, the Rocks is an awesome neighbourhood to explore. The neighbourhood has many historic laneways in the shadow of Sydney Harbour Bridge. In addition, the area also have some of Sydney's oldest pubs and there are buskers performing along the busy harbourfront promenade.
You should definitely make your way to the harbour promenade because from here, you will be able to admire the veiw of Harbour Bridge from closer view. Some restaurants with the bridge and harbour view are located right in the building underneath the Harbour Bridge but we did not eat there because they look so fancy. Hahaha. #budgettraveller
One thing about the Rocks kinda makes me curious though. A lot of my peers have told me that I must not miss the opportunity to eat at Pancakes on the Rocks if I have included the Rocks in my itinerary. I am not really a pancake lover and hence, this raving review about a certain restaurant which specialises in pancake kinda make me wonder "What's so special about it?". But first, in order to be able to find out the magic of the pancake, we had to first find out the location of the restaurant. Despite using the Google Map, it's still hard for us to pinpoint the location, we could only find the restaurant after wandering around the block for a 15 minutes, I think.
The creation of Pancakes on the Rocks' concept was inspired by a visit of certain Australians to America. Pancake is a popular staple of food in American restaurants and these Australians wanted to bring that similar love of pancakes to Australia. The first Pancakes on the Rocks was opened in Adelaide back in 1965 and now, the restaurant has many branches across Australia. The original founders separated with one and then moved to Sydney to open Pancakes on the Rocks. The restaurant is set like a family diner in America (based on the TV series that I watch since I have never set my foot in the land of freedom). Pancakes on the Rocks offers a wide selection of both savoury and sweet pancakes. Their savoury pancakes include Potato Au Gratin (AUD 16.95) and Mexican Potato (AUD 17.95). Despite the availability of the savoury pancakes, it seems that the most popular items from the menu are all the sweet pancakes (if the list is accurate) such as Strawberry Patch (AUD 14.95), Bananarama (AUD 13.95), and Chocolate Jewels (AUD 12.95). The serving portion of the pancake seems to be on the huge side, so be mindful when you only have two mouths to feed. Otherwise, you may have an overdose of pancake.
We decided to go for Coco Berry (AUD 13.95) which is described as chocolate pancakes with coconut, cream, vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce and raspberry coulis (i.e. A form of thick sauce made from pureed and strained vegetables or fruits). My first impression of Coco Berry is definitely "what kind of a mess is this?" The pancake is a sweetness overkill because well if you work the combination in your brain, a chocolate pancake drenched with chocolate sauce alone equals to sweetness overdose in my opinion. Especially when it's not even made from dark chocolate. Thankfully, we only ordered a plate of pancake because I don't think I can eat a whole serving of the pancake by myself.
Well, you can always go for other option than pancakes such as their gourmet pizza and grill items (e.g. Pork ribs, fish & chips, etc). But to be honest, what's the point of visiting Pancakes on the Rocks if you are not going to try out their pancake, right?
Pancakes on the Rocks is located at:
4 Hickson Road, the Rocks
Sydney, Australia
Opening hours:
Daily 24 hours