Circa Espresso, Parramatta

Nothing irks me more than suffering through a forty minute bus ride and two separate train trips to get to a restaurant, just to find it closed. This happened the first time I tried to visit Circa Espresso, leading to an incredibly mediocre meal at Liana's. At the time there hadn't been much information on the interwebs for this cafe, and I didn't know that it wasn't open on Sundays.

Circa has a sort of whimsical, eclectic charm that appealed to me. There are shelves full of mismatched books and comics, and a hat rack with cool berets and top-hats. The cafe is situated in an old loading bay, and the seating spreads out down the driveway. The walls are covered in graffiti murals, the kitchen is long and narrow, and the menus are located inside old-school novels. In a word? Cool.

We found seats inside, right next to the kitchen, and ordered our meals. Our drinks arrived first, and the tables were so small that they nearly took up the entire thing.

Chai Tea - $3.50

The Chai Tea came in an adorable little cast iron teapot, enough for 2 cups. The tea leaves had been soaked in honey, then infused with piping hot milk. INSANELY good.


Cappucino - $3.50

The cuppucino was made with Little Marionette beans, and was a quality brew. The cup was massive, and the coffee was robust and strong enough to make you pay attention, but not so strong that it made the mouth pucker.

Scrambled Eggs with Salmon - $9.00

The scrambled eggs were copious, and beautifully light and fluffy. They were perfectly seasoned, and served with a respectable amount of smoked salmon on a thick slab of bread.

French Toast with Poached Rhubarb & Labne - $8.00

The French toast was an impressive dish. The toast itself was a large slice, fried til crunchy on the outside and bordering on gooey on the inside. The poached rhubarb was tart and zingy, the labne countering it beautifully with its creamy texture and mild flavour. Pistachios added more of a Middle Eastern feel to this dish.

Baked Eggs with Sucuk, Danish Feta, Tomato & Chili - $8.00

I felt a bit smug when my dish came it - it was easily the most interesting and attractive dish on the table. The soft, baked eggs were accompanied by pieces of spicy Turkish sausage, dotted with chunks of smooth, creamy feta, and enhanced by baked cherry tomato halves. Topped with some herbs and a spicy tomato sauce, I was immensly happy.

Bacon and Egg Sandwich with Tomato Relish - $6.00

They were out of bacon for this dish, so they substituted with a salami of excellent quality. Along with fried eggs and a house-made tomato relish, this was all stacked on lovely, soft Turkish bread.

Although the place was hard to find, and isn't open on Sundays at the moment, I really enjoyed eating here, and look forward to doing so in the near future. With such superb food, prices, and atmosphere, let's just say that Circa is forgiven for these little issues. Even with so far for me to travel, it's worth the trip!

Circa Espresso

21 Wentworth St
Parramatta, NSW
2150

Comments

[Julie]

I believed it started opening last sunday or trialing it =). Great review!

[Lokified]

I work just up the road and Circa has become my morning spot of choice. Everything there is interesting and surprisingly affordable. It's even more impressive considering that a few years ago that was an alley between buildings and circa was willed into existence.

[Hotly Spiced]

What a cool cafe. My son went to school in Parramatta and when out there we were always looking for somewhere fabulous to eat. I think the baked egg dish looks the most appealing for me.

[Miss Piggy]

This is one of my all time favourite cafe - and it doesn't hurt it's a 25 minute walk from home (better than your terrible commute, hey). They open on Sunday's now - was there today...and last Sunday too. Can't get enough. Great post.

[Carolyn Jung]

OMG, that French toast looks totally worth waking up bright and early for. What a charming place to kick back on a lazy morning.

[Dumpling Girl]

I love how the food hear has a lovely homey look to it, but I've really gotten to make a trek for the French toast one of these days.

[Nic@diningwithastud]

Glad you finally got there in the end. Def looks worth it

[Von]

The baked eggs look amazing! (though all the food looks delicious too!). I'm at Parramatta almost everyday (part of my commute to uni...)- I'll have to try this place some day!

[Jay]

wow...french toast n all yumm dishes are absolutely inviting..
first time here..love your space..
awesome posts with nice presentation..
Am your happy follower now..;)
do stop by mine sometime..
Tasty Appetite

[Gaby]

Great-looking food! I'd prefer my scrambled eggs on the plate as opposed to on the toast, it'd be easier to eat that way. The French toast does look amazing as well as the baked eggs with sucuk (a sausage I love because it's very similar to a Peruvian one).

[Chopinand @ ChopinandMysaucepan]

Looks like a pretty funky place but I'm intrigued by that expensive case of Penfolds Grange casually laying there lol!

[chocolatesuze]

the baked eggs is so freaking awesome! and theyre finally opening on sunday!

[Heavenly Housewife]

Chai and what looks like perfectly scrambled fluffy eggs. This is my idea of heaven.
*kisses* HH

[vivienne]

hey is this the same place as circa cafe or circa espresso is another 'branch'? ive been wanting to visit circa cafe for ages coz apparently it has a melbourne feel to it!

btw, that huge scramble egg...im salivating!

wish i live closer to parramatta.

[muppy]

I am in love with Circa!!!! and now its open on sundays too, i'm there at about 8 :)
my hubby felt the same when he ordered the baked eggs but me i'm love the mushroom on sour dough, next i am going to have the chai thanks to you!

[rockahenry]

this place is all over the twittersphere. I must really get down there one day and give it a go, if only to feel a little cooler.