Week 26: Highgate Hill to Drinc Café (10.7km, 71min)

A gentle recovery run was the intent this morning after the excitement of the half marathon last week and the threat of succumbing to this week’s family cold epidemic.   The overcast sky made for a gorgeous rusty sun rise and warmer conditions.  It felt satisfying to head off with the goal of 10-11km with a perception that the distance was comfortable and easily attainable.  How distances become all so relative!  With Go Card and breakfast cash in hand, we charted our familiar route from home towards the river and Goodwill Bridge. There were only a few minor groans emitted as we ascended Laura Street hill.  I remind myself of the value of any hill training in anticipation of the infamous ‘heart break hill’ in the upcoming Sydney City to Surf, two weeks away.
With the river on our right, we passed through the Botanic Gardens and the Eagle Street Wharf area.  The detour is still in place on the City Reach Boardwalk just after Riverside.   We re-joined the boardwalk under the Story Bridge, following the river towards New Farm Park.  The Tai Chi class at Powerhouse Park stimulated some discussion around the benefits for complementing (replacing?) our running training.  We continued on to the Teneriffe ferry stop then onto Skyring Terrace, through Water Front Park and on to our breakfast stop on Creswell Street.

Drinc Café is tucked one street back from Breakfast Creek Road, an easy downhill walk from the Showgrounds. It’s on the fringe of last-century’s industrial area and fast expanding gentrification of the river front around Newstead. Unbeknown to BOTR, Drinc is a recent venture for a couple of local Rugby League identities. Not being much of a football tragic, it was Bronwyn who suggested the big bloke walking in with oranges looked like Sam Thaiday.  Sam very kindly and, Bronwyn assures me, ‘with a very nice resonating voice’, directed Bronwyn to the amenities.  The café is located inside an old brick warehouse and is fitted out with a mixed assortment of smaller tables and a couple of welcoming long timber bar tables with an array of papers and magazines for browsing.  It feels like a relaxed laid back location where you could while away the morning.  My Bircher muesli, with roasted, maple dipped macadamias, Greek yoghurt and apple slithers was delicious and worth returning for.  Bronwyn, on her trip to the amenities, spied the breakfast special, an appealing plate sized field mushroom stuffed with spinach and cheese. It was oven baked and served sitting on a bed of tasty beans. A little more seasoning was needed, but was very much enjoyed.  For the coffee officialdoms I am told the brew was perfect as was my pot of tea.  Based on our morning experience of friendly service, tasty food and a funky hospitable interior, Drinc won’t have to be relying on its association with football celebrities to kick goals with the local food scene.

Bircher Muesli

stuffed field mushroom