VANS - Cottesloe & Polka Dot Vintage Market

On a searing, 36 degree afternoon, the sisters found themselves hurtling towards  Claremont Showgrounds in an attempt  to combine retro shopping with present moment eating. Rather like the method actors of Hollywood, the sisters donned garb of yesteryear, to immerse themselves in their quest.

   Polka Dot Vintage Market, held in conjunction with WA's largest Craft, Antique & Collectors fair was a feast for the eyes. It was huge! There was everything from 50's bombshell dresses to 90's grunge. Over 300 stalls selling quality vintage & retro clothing, retro home wares, collectables, vintage jewellery, kitchenalia, old fabrics & buttons, antiques, craft and much more!

 We left our run quite late to visit the markets, and with only an hour to take in the colour and  atmosphere, the sisters were power shopping, 1950's style.

Flicking  endlessly through racks of swirling, psychedelic polyester maxi dresses, mission brown jumpsuits and voluminous bell bottoms, we began to wonder if we had indeed entered the 'Tardus' from Doctor Who.  We spied  a scattering of friendly stallholders with beehive hairdos, 'Sunday Best' bonnets and kitten heel shoes, only too willing to pose for a photo or offer us some assistance.

A friendly stallholder 



Vintage wares upstairs





Bargains galore... take your pick!

    Sister 30 was the only one to secure a treasure on the day. With so many items to look at and little time, we decided that the next Vintage Market was a must and to be pencilled into our diary.


So many hats and only so many days



Kitchenalia & Collectables



Next  Polka Dot Vintage Market - Friday 15th April to Sunday 17th April 2011, Claremont Showgrounds 

 

Parched and ravenous  from our shopping spree, we  found ourselves at VANS Sidewalk Cafe,  Cottesloe. On entering the cool sanctuary we headed for a place to sit.  VANS is a bustling cafe with an interesting mix of old and new. A selection of Starburst vintage wall clocks festoon the  walls and a treasure trove of blue glass ornaments give a retro feel to the cafe.  

Continuing with our days theme, we felt like we  should be ordering Devils on Horseback and sipping Long Island Iced Teas,  however the extensive menu that  the affable waiter presented us looked perfect and set to satisfy us hungry sisters. 

the teen:

Toasted Turkish Sandwich $15
Chocolate Milkshake $5.50

Toasted chicken turkish sandwich

 Food: 7/10

Service: Good service with drinks, very friendly wait staff.  I enjoyed the friendly banter of our main waiter  however it took ages for me to get my food.

Atmosphere/Decor: Loved the music, decor and friendly happy vibe.

Highs: The milkshake was good value and delicious.

Lows: Waiting and waiting for food.

Price: Good
Comments: I would definitely go back for a second visit.

the 20 something

Home made Gnocchi $26.00

Chocolate Milkshake $5.50

Gnocchi with beans and creamy sauce

 Food: 9/10
Service: The service was good and we were lucky enough to have the hottest waiter. He made each one of us feel special and genuinely tried to help us with our menu selection even, to the point of taking the time to double check our various questions with the chef.

Decor: Funky clocks and blackboard menu.

Highs:.Creamy, chocolate milkshake and the hot waiter.
Lows:  Lots to choose from so couldn't make up my mind.
Price: Reasonable

Comments: The  gnocchi came with a  delicious and wholesome sauce. A most varied  and delectable menu made my decision for a return visit.

the 30 something:

Sardine Bruschetta $15.00

Salmon Gravlax $24

Salmon Gravlax

Soy Latte $5.50
Food: 7/10
Service: The waiter was French and good looking :) He was eager to please and more than happy to ask the chef for information regarding my menu choices.
Atmosphere/Decor: I really enjoyed the decor, it was fresh, modern, clean and comfortable.

Highs: The menu and being with the girls.
Lows: Coffee was a little cold.

Price: Value for money.
Comments:.I had two small mains, Salmon Salad and the Sardine Bruschetta. It was well presented.  I really enjoyed  all the strong tastes together. Due to this I made sure that I took a  little of everything on my fork to get an even taste of all the beautiful food...yummy

the 40 something:

Zucchini Fritters $12

Zucchini fritters with mint hassard & yogurt sauce

Latte $4
Food: 8/10
Service: Excellent service all wait staff were most attentive.  We had several waiters either refilling our glasses of water or diligently explaining the  menu.  

Atmosphere/Decor: Light, bright interesting decor. Loved the retro clocks and blue glass collection.

Highs: Definitely the 'charm-the-pants-off ' attentive waiter.
 Lows: Not being well enough to enjoy my food

Price: Very reasonable
Comments: Well worth a second visit. I am keen to try VANS for breakfast.

the 50 something:
Lamb Burger $23

Cappuccino $4

Lamb & olive burger with chips

Food:  7.5/10 - 8/10
Service: Service by all staff was excellent.
Atmosphere/Decor: Liked the combination of old and new. It was not too overdone rather simple and classic. The music gave an excellent vibe to the place (although they did tend to forget to change it.)

 Highs: My corner, cushiony seat, it gave me a  180 degree view of the restaurant and was most comfortable. The outside seating from my vantage point looked inviting for our next stopover.

Lows: Cold coffee
Price: Very reasonable

Comments: The lamb burger with Mediterranean vegetables was quite artistic and well presented. It was a delectable combination although the bread could have been a little thinner. I was lucky enough to sample  Sister 30's Sardine  meal and was ecstatic to finally discover a non hydroponic salad. Claps for VANS!

Sardine Bruschetta with quality salad garnish

Overall Rating: 8/10
Open : 7 days, 7.00am - 10.00pm (Fri & Sat till 11.00pm)
Parking: One hour parking out the front. Longer stay parking bays near train station.

Licensed:Yes

WiFi:Yes

DOME - Canningvale

Just like Dorothy, with a click of her ruby heels after a long day in  Oz, the sisters began to chant, "There is no place like Dome, there is no place like Dome" Hence, on a late Friday afternoon, after a hard working week, the sisters found themselves seated in a snug booth at Dome, Canningvale. Dome franchise has been around for over 20 years in WA and can be found in country WA,  Tasmania, Queensland and has now gone International! They boast a diverse menu  and the world's finest coffee. 

Infamous Fluffy Koala - no cream

This particular Dome in Canningvale is also licenced.

The Dome is a  regular haunt of the sisters due to Sister Teen and 20's love for the much celebrated 'Fluffy Koala.' In their words it's...'Much more than a milkshake... rather like a thickshake filled with chocolate and caramel.' If you are more the adventurous type there are a diverse range of Espresskis, fruity iced drinks, teas  and coffees. The menu covers the breadth of breakfast, lunch, dinner and in-betweens.

The Dome is a rather large, noisy establishment due to its wooden floorboards and constant traffic of customers.
An endless flow of regulars, brandishing their loyalty cards, (okay, so I have one also) competitively eye off the choice seating arrangements comprising a collection of comfy, bottomless, old English  armchairs,  1950's style booths or bentwood wooden chairs.

A bowl of wedges to share!

We selected our favourites from the menu and  tucked into a few new dishes. After eating our fill and chatting endlessly,  planning our next sojourn excitedly,   we stepped out into the night and back onto our yellow brick road.
"There's no place like...." 

the teen:

Bacon on Toast $8.95

Wedges $6.95

Fluffy Koala - no cream $5.20

Bacon on toast

Food: 8/10

Service: Fast service with irregular food delivery. We sisters had to eat at different times. Nevertheless, we saw it as a positive; while one sister was telling us all the latest news the others could eat without interruption!

Atmosphere/Decor: Large area for happy chilled, vibe for daytime and mood lighting for nighttime, romantic trysts!
Highs: Fluffy Koala mmmmmmm...

Lows: Toast was cold

Price: Very reasonable $20
Comments: Wide range in menu, all day breakfast.


the 20 something: 

Calamari and chips $14.95
Fluffy Koala-no cream $5.20 

Calamari and chips- Seafood the staple diet for sister 20

Food: 8/10

Service: Fast, prompt and food looks nice

Atmosphere/Decor: Classic Dome!! Nice large room, relaxing chairs, good magazines, particularly when waiting.

Highs:.Fluffy Koala- yum,  I haven't had one in a while.
Lows: My food came before everyone else's so I was pretty much finished when they were all starting.
Price: Reasonable

Comments: Classic dish  and tasty and enjoyable meal, after all I am the seafood expert! Lol.

the 30 something:

Potato and Leek Soup $13 

Potato and Leek soup

Food: 3/10
Service: Coffee supersonic fast!
Atmosphere/Decor: Loud, uncomfortable booth.

Highs:Two butters for my bread roll and being with the sisters made me happy! 
Lows: I was extremely disappointed with the soup. It  was bland and had little taste. I had to smother it in pepper to add flavour.

Price: Very good
Comments:.The service was very fast considering the number of people lining up constantly to order. High praise for those quick, nimble chefs in the kitchen, toiling away.

the 40 something:
Egg Hollandaise $14.95

Cappuccino $3.90

Eggs Hollandaise

Food: 8/10
Service: Coffee came within minutes with a sprinkling of chocolate.

Atmosphere/Decor: I love the wooden floorboards, however they do make for loud noise. Many seats to choose from inside and out, - especially enjoyable to sit outside on sunny days.

Highs: Hollandaise sauce was absolutely scrumptious. Creamy and cheesy! Magnifique!

Lows: I asked for my egg to be  well done. The chef must have misunderstood me and fried it. It was acceptable, conversely it would have been much improved if it were poached.

Price: Value for money
Comments: Good friends and a cosy booth = another enjoyable night. 

The 50 something:
Farmhouse Beef Pie $14.95

Cappuccino $3.90

Farmhouse Beef Pie

Food: 7/10
Service: Extremely fast
Atmosphere/Decor: An excellent  location for people of all walks of life to enjoy time together in their own space.

Highs: The Farmhouse pie was hearty and appetising. The coffee  was delightful.
Lows: My pet hate -  poor quality salad cut into odd shapes.
Price: Good
Comments: The sisters' drinks and food all arrived at different times.

   


                  

Dome  love...

Overall Rating: 7/10

Open: Every day - 7am - 10pm
Parking: Plenty nearby and for rainy days there is a back entrance.

Licenced: Yes
WiFi: Yes

Website:http://www.domecoffees.com.au/

Last Drop Pub and Brewery

The grand launch of the ‘Sisters’ blog began with a hiccup. We intended to dine at a newish establishment not yet reviewed on Urbanspoon, unfortunately it was booked out. A little downhearted we kept  driving east until we came to The Last Drop Pub and Brewery  or as we like to call it The Last Resort Pub and Brewery. We were greeted by a rather sour faced maître d' (think Sybil from Faulty Towers). Nonetheless we were all in a jolly mood and were especially keen to stay once sisters 30 and 40 pointed out a rather dashing male. Once ensconced at our table we set about ordering drinks. The maitre d' seemed quite peeved by our jovial mood and after taking our orders we realised that she had ignored Sisters Teen and 20. Things seemed to go from bad to worse, however Sisters 30 and 50 claimed that  observations of the various eating habits and antics of the patrons throughout the night proved to be enough to make the launch a resounding success.

Teen, our chip connoisseur, thought they were most  crunchy and were a big winner on the night..

the teen: Pilsner Battered Barramundi $22

               Chocolate Sundae $8.50

Food: 6/10

Service: The sad waitress, who at the beginning of the night,  shoved me out of the way  while delivering our drinks made me feel quite uncomfortable. Later in the night, she was replaced by a much younger, happier waitress.

Atmosphere/Decor: The tables were barely  big enough for 4 let alone 5 customers however as we were so keen to chat and catch up it made sharing our news that much easier!. The room was way too loud  for me.

Highs: I enjoyed my conversations with the sisters. The chips were delicious also!

Lows: The service from the first waitress put me off the restaurant for the rest of the night.
Price: Bit over priced at $22.
Comments: Sadly there were no hot males for Sister 20 and myself to check out. Happily the sweets made up for it!



The grilled Barramundi  was  a tad too salty on the other hand  the crunchy chips were the star of the show!



the 20 something: Grilled Barramundi $22
                               Chocolate Sundae $8.50
Food: 5/10
Service: The service was very poor and I was not asked for my drinks order. 2/10
Atmosphere/Decor: Average, it's a pub.
Highs: I took delight in conversation and catching up with my fellow sisters. Another high was Sister 40's struggle into her newly, acquired retro jacket, it had me in stitches at the end of the night.
Lows: Food
Price: $22,  which I thought was pretty cheap.
Comments: As the seafood expert I thought the fish was very salty, conversely the chips were first-rate. Pub- menu, meat and more meat! There were generous portions of garlic bread which was scrumptious.


Chocolate Sundae.....80's style.

 the 30 something: Was unable to eat, however observed.
Food: 5/10
Service: Sad
Atmosphere/Decor: I thought the atmosphere was typical of an everyday pub. i found the decor a little confusing and wondered if we were supposed to be in England or Holland?
Highs: The girl in the leopard dress entertaining us with her seduction of an  older man and the hot guy at the bar. Oh and the sisters getting together! xx
Lows: Not eating :(
Price: 0
Comments: I'm not for pub food.

Arancini Balls and a whole lot of sprouts!

the 40 something: Arancini $15.50
                               Chocolate Sundae $8.50
                               Wine (Amberley) $8.80
Food: 4/10
Service: The service was distinctly lacking and slap dash. Our first waitress seemed extremely unhappy to serve us and was quite neglectful of our younger sisters.This was soon rectified however by the changing of the guards and she was replaced by a most pleasing, young waitress ,who was happy to oblige. Perhaps it was just a bad day for the first waitress.
Atmosphere/Decor: It was quite a noisy place perhaps due to a higher consumption of beer than most restaurants. I imagine it would appeal more to the English set who pine for their mother country.
Highs: Hot guy at the bar and the wine...hic!
Lows: Food
Price: Pub prices
Comments: The Arancini tasted weird, though to be fair, nothing can compare to Willow Pond Restaurant's 'Arancini ', they are to die for!  I realise it is a pub, therefore would perhaps attract more of a boisterous, meat eating type, nonetheless the menu could include more vegetarian meals for us animal lovers.

Caesar Salad  / Retro Style

the 50 something: Caesar Salad $16
                               Chocolate Sundae $8.50
                               House Wine $6.40
Food: 5/10
Service: I felt the service was rather poor, however the waitress did try.
Atmosphere/Decor: As a social experiment, The Last Drop Pub & Brewery proved to be a place with a special mix of people.
Highs: Sweets
Lows: A definitive all time low was being exposed to a Henry the 8th look-a-like's grotesque eating habits!
Price: Normal pub prices.
Comments: The room was too loud due to the slate floor.There was no light in the cake stand which made choosing from it far too difficult and with little to choose from I felt it was rather pitiable.

                 

Overall Rating: 5/10
Table: 31
Parking: Lots of parking at rear

Licensed

Website: http://www.lastdropbrewery.com.au/index.html