Bertoni Cafe (Balmain)

First came the cronut, then we had the ramen burger...now hold onto your hats, here's the lasagne burger!!

Following the footsteps of previous food mashups, Bertoni Caslinga (Cafe) in Balmain has combined a lasagne and a beef burger. Being a huge lasagne fan, this was one place I simply had to visit.

The famous lasagne burger

The "bun" is made of the lasagne half (lasagne sheets, mince and cheese), which has been fried so that it has a crispy texture. The middle consists of a beef patty, with more cheese. Served with chips, it was very filling. Overall, the flavour was fulsome and it was fun to try another novelty food mashup, however I wouldn't say it was the greatest lasagne or burger beef I've had before.

If the lasagne burger isn't your thing, the cafe also offers a range of salads, pastas and paninis for a very reasonable $15.

Recommendation:

• Very filling (don't even think about it if you calorie count), consider sharing.
• Not the biggest cafe, seats maybe 20.
• Try the coffee.

The Vogue Cafe (Macquarie Centre)

Feeling a bit peckish after shopping at H&M, Gap, Uniqlo,  Zara and Forever 21? The Vogue Cafe in Macquarie Centre is perfect for you.

Macquarie Centre has undergone a makeover transformation which Carson from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy would have been proud of. A whole new section, a new train station, not to mention a host of international fashion stores has revitalised the centre. Since Macquarie Centre does not sponsor me in any way I will stop giving them a plug and move onto the food.

 
Located on level 2, the Vogue Cafe offers an all-day breakfast menu, along with burgers, salads, pastries and its famous smoothies/shakes. The decor is lovely, especially the attention to detail all the way from the wooden doors and windows to the little tags on vases which serve as table numbers. Despite being indoors, the cafe makes every attempt to create an outdoor garden feel.

Some of the cakes, pastries and sweets on offer

If you were after something substantial, I had the "Not a Misteak" - scotch fillet steak, bacon, sauteed spinach, mushrooms, seeded mustard and mayo, served with chips. Flavour-wise it was pretty tasty, the seeded mustard and mayo combo for the sauce was a great combo, though unfortunately my steak was a little overcooked. The chips were nice and crispy. It was quite filling in the end.

"Not a Misteak": Steak, bacon burger

For something a little lighter, you can get the "Salmon slice" - salmon, avocado, grilled tomato, capers and spanish onions on toasted bread.

Salmon slices

And the best till last, all the drinks at the Vogue cafe are amazingly presented. I got the mixed berry smoothie, which came in a choc-rimmed jar with a cone and Maltesers. The smoothie was very refreshing. One tip would be to eat the cone early, don't let it get soggy as I did!

Recommendation: 

• If in the area, I would recommend trying this place, even if you are not hungry, grab a drink.
• I am generalising, but I feel that this cafe will appeal to the female clientele, so guys if you are taking your girlfriend shopping and you need a rest, why not take her here?