Comments on: Cafe 9 in decline

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:34:00 +0000

Cute venue but very ordinary food. Was expecting more after reading a review. They didnt even have the pancakes from the review. Service was slack for the price. The older guy was a bit strange to us????. We left in a hurry and went to the growers market…great egg and bacon rolls.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:02:37 +0000

I went back on the weekend not realising it had changed hands. The food was ok, definitely nothing compared to the original menu which was a true foodies delight. Simple fresh chic v’s average over complicated…you be the judge. Its still a nice venue however just don’t expect the same gourmet experience. Go there if you are looking for a nice place to meet friends you don’t know that well. The interior decorating will keep the conversation flowing. Try Dolcetta or Fratelli Paradiso if you are a breakie snob like me…hehe.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:53:18 +0000

I have also been back. Mixed feelings.

The new staff (some from Uliveto I think) are very sweet although I miss the original staff.

Things that disappointed me:

- the beautifully simple, pared back menu is gone, replaced with all the boring, Sydney-style “egg plus one thousand random ingredient dishes” you can get anywhere.

- they’ve removed their signature dish, the perfect pancakes with rose water syrup and clotted cream. We don’t need ANOTHER cafe serving pancakes-plus-berry compote-plus-ricotta-plus-another-random-ingredient. Berry compote is like the herpes of the Sydney breakfast scene.

- the noise level has increased a thousand decibels, but I can’t put my finger on why.

So anyway, I’ll be back, it’s a cute place with nice staff.

But it has lost what made it special, there’s no doubt about that.

By: John

John — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:28:10 +0000

I’m with Sally – went there Saturday and the food was spot on, the coffee amazing, and the service “entertaining” given the cramped quarters they are working in. A welcome addition to the PP breaky scene.

By: Sally

Sally — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:05:59 +0000

Sorry Clare but I can’t agree. I’ve been back twice and thought the food was great and the service far from sloppy. Are we talking about the same No.9 ?

By: Clare

Clare — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:25:10 +0000

I went back to No.9 and was sadly disappointed. Average food and sloppy service. Compared to my first visit it seems to have lost its edge…and the hot staff. What happened? Such a shame as it had such great potenial.

By: Sydney’s Best Breakfasts | Boudist Photos

Sydney’s Best Breakfasts | Boudist Photos — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:04:59 +0000

[...] the story was published it seems that Cafe No. 9 has closed in mysterious circumstances, and if the comments here are correct, all the staff have moved on prior to it re-opening. Coffee at Bangbang Baffi and Mo [...]

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:38:33 +0000

There is new sign at No.9 saying they are re-opening on Saturday 31st. Will be interesting to see who is on the floor and what the menu is like

By: Catriona

Catriona — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:34:31 +0000

Unfortunately Lane, Ana and the other staff were made redundant. I fear Nine will never be the same again.

Can anyone recommend where I can get my morning coffee?

By: polly

polly — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:19:40 +0000

Not such good news at No. 9.

According to SMH Good Living’s Short Black page today, there was a “misunderstanding” between Walter (the owner) and Lane (the manager) and Lane has left…with all of the staff!

We’ll continue to watch the space.