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Newtown's tucked away slice of Heaven 15/04/2008 Newtown is a multicultural cuisine Mecca. You can choose from multiple Thai, Japanese, Spanish, Mexican, African, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Lebanese and Pub varieties, but what about when you feel like a great salad, (not just another Greek salad), a gourmet sandwich or something a bit modern that meshes together all your favourite foods? Thank the heavens for ‘Vargabar’! Off the main drag, (King Street), around the corner from the Post Office, you’ll find it perched at an intersection, like an after thought.
This is the place I go to for reliable, fresh and innovative food, and make sure you don’t overlook the extremely creative, (and delicious), hot and cold drinks list - honeycomb, sweet potato or mango chili and ginger smoothie anyone? Yes that’s right, sweet potato smoothie…
There are healthy meals, (I often frequent, guilt free, after a work out at the local gym), and also more indulgent options to satisfy all tastes. It’s a good spot to take the hungry boyfriend who wants a ‘man size’ meal, and also the girls who are a bit peckish.
You may find yourself squirming in your seat, pondering “hmm.. it all looks so good, I can’t decide”, the mix of flavours, like sweet potato pancakes with sesame, avocado, baby spinach and sweet chili, all sound yum.
If you’re suffering from the night before, the Berroca frappe and breakie burrito will give you back your b-b-bounce. If starving you can choose from big hearty hamburgers and veggie burgers served with fresh damper buns and fries, or creamy pastas, and a stand out all day breakfast - hey there are no rules saying you can’t have another breakfast at lunch time!
If you're after something light, try the crunchy stand-up-straight ravioli, which comes with cheese dipping sauce, or there are several gourmet salads. The real Caesar salad is topped with a poached egg that spills into the anchovy dressing – although it’s more sauce than dressing - which soaks into the chunky house-made garlic croûtons.
Only after a sweet morsel or coffee? They do both splendidly as well. The coffee thick shake, made with real espresso, is divine, (it will have you buzzing for hours!).
I’m still day-dreaming of my last meal there, a second breakie (at lunch time), from the specials board. I had: sautéed mushrooms, capsicum, baby spinach and goats cheese on rye, topped with two poached eggs. I practically licked the plate clean…
Not the best place to go if you’re in a hurry, but remember, patience is a virtue, and good things do take time. The sunny, laid back staff will keep you content with drinks until your meal arrives. Take time out, relax with the chilled beats, read a paper or just people-watch the quirks that pass by, and canine-companions are welcome to sit near you on the pavement.
More café than ‘bar’, there is BYO on Thurs/Fri/Sat nights when they’re also open for dinner, with an extended menu. You can’t make bookings at ‘Vargabar’, and the space is tiny, some would say cramped, but they make up for it with tones of character and affordable, tasty delights.
