Agrestic Grocer in Orange

This is one of our favourite spots to go during the weekend, especially in winter has they have a log fire blazing and live music on Saturdays and Sundays between 12 - 3pm.

The Agrestic Grocer has formed a restaurant in the former packing shed, offering great locally sourced produce with an interesting and ever changing menu. 

We always try to book a table as breakfast is very popular, my most favourite dish is the Croque Monsieur with Trunkey Creek ham, caramelised onions and gruyere cheese - it tastes as naughty as it sounds! The fresh pressed apple juice is also delicious with fruit coming from the owner's orchards.

Things also get busy most lunchtimes so it is worth being organised and booking a table to avoid disappointment. The ploughman's platter continues to be a hit and is excellent for sharing with friends.

The restaurant is licensed so you can indulge in a nice glass of wine or try some of the Badlands Beer which is brewed on site. They even do tasting paddles which are good fun and mean you get a little sip of all the beers produced on site. There is both inside and outside dining so dependent on the weather you can take your pick.

After dining, we usually head into the farm shop where you can pick up all kinds of amazing fruit from the owners' orchard and lovely fresh veggies grown locally. 

As if this wasn't enough, the Agrestic Grocer also do fruit and veg boxes which you can order weekly for your family.

The Agrestic Grocer, is not afraid to try new things and are currently running music nights on Tuesday evenings which are selling out. I'm off to a Paul Simon tribute night in June - so will let you know all about it first hand in a few weeks.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

The Sugar Mill - Orange

I can honestly tell you dear readers, that I have been waiting in a state of extreme anticipation for The Sugar Mill to open in Orange since September!

At long last, I am pleased to tell you that the doors are open and the selection of homemade cakes, pies and other calorie inducing delights are now available seven days a week – heaven!

I have even found myself taking Dog A L’Orange on a new walking route past The Sugar Mill, so I can stock up on goodies and then work off a few calories on the way home! 

I can highly recommend the lamb, tomato & rosemary pie and also the hazelnut & chocolate cups.

Stacey and Darren, owners of The Old Mill in Millthorpe have opened their new Orange shop in the Summer Centre close to Dan Murphy’s. This brand new space is completely different from those familiar with The Old Mill building which has lots of vintage charm.

You can find all your favourites in The Sugar Mill including, the crowd pleasing lemon meringue tarts, pies, cakes, eclairs although not quite the range and selection as in Millthorpe – I’m sure this will build over the coming weeks.

As a huge fan of pretty much everything sold by The Old Mill, I’m thrilled that I no longer have to drive 20 minutes whenever I want a divine pastry treat. Fingers crossed, the gingerbread stars will be in store soon.

There is seating available should you wish to dine in, everything is bright, modern & tastefully decorated, with the only downsides being the view of the car park & no air conditioning. Also be warned there are lots of mums and babies there during the day so it can get quite noisy.

Located at 82 - 102 Summer St & open Monday to Friday from 7am- 6pm, Weekends from 9am -  4pm.

Factory Espresso - Bill's Beans

The hugely popular Bill’s Beans (on McLachlan St) have now opened a bigger, brighter, better café on Kite St in Orange, NSW. The industrial style fitout has retained the original brickwalls, exposed ceilings, roller doors and added some funky flair with large pendant lights, tiled front counter and colourful crockery.

The Factory is where the Bill’s Beans coffee beans are now being roasted; customers are very welcome to watch the ‘coffee happenings’ through a glass wall in the café. With a commercial kitchen and ten times the seating space the new Factory offers all that Bill’s Beans lacks.

The relaxing atmosphere and excellent service (a rare find in Orange) encourage customers to enjoy a leisurely meal with friends rather than just a rushed take away coffee. You can pay with card, the cakes are divine, the food portions are generous and plenty of local suppliers are on the menu. What’s not to like?

The Factory offers a decent breakfast (until 2pm) and lunch menu plus a wide selection of sandwiches and freshly baked cakes. I can give a huge thumbs up to the baked eggs, homemade baked beans, guacamole and turkish toast soldiers we enjoyed as part of a late brunch on the weekend. The coffee oozy caramel muffin pictured was very naughty but oh so nice, I highly recommend trying one. 

You can sample a good selection of coffee blends, fresh from the factory and served with optional brown sugar which meets Mr L’Orange’s high standards. The speedy service, friendly staff, good location and restaurant quality food all have Orange locals coming back for more. 

Only downside is that the Factory is not open later for post work café socialising.

The Factory is open seven days – 8.00am – 4.00pm.

 135 Kite St, Orange, NSW

The Byng St Store, Orange

 

This hotly anticipated new café and deli is now open on the corner of Clinton and Byng streets in Orange. The enticing bright red door leads you into a small but cosy shop full of Simon Johnson products, deluxe teas and Tetsuya vinegrette. There is also a good selection of freshly baked breads and breakfast menu available.

The décor is tastefully shabby chic and they have made good use of the small space available with more tables outside which will be great in summer. There are stools along the window for people to enjoy their coffee accompanied by a selection of homemade treats. I enjoyed a pistachio macaroon but was also tempted by the warm scones and chocolate and berry muffins.

The Byng St Store also does a range of gourmet sandwiches and has a big dining room off the shop so people can eat in. The store is open 7am – 7pm every day so is ideal for that coffee fix on the way to work or a place to catch up with friends after work. Orange certainly lacks in options after 5pm sadly.

It is certainly nice to have somewhere trendy and fresh within walking distance from the house that is open in the evenings and where the owners are clearly putting their heart and soul into getting their business pumping. Alas there is only a small selection of deli meats and no cheese as yet but  this is set to expand over time and will set the Byng St Store apart from the competition.

The table for ten dining experience will be kicking off at The Byng St Store in the near future, owner Jeremy Norris certainly has some grand plans for this cute little spot. I highly recommend a visit.