Paddington Alimentari — Restaurant in Sydney

ALIMENTARI sings to the soul. Every so often, once in a blue moon one has a perfect moment. Mine occurred yesterday at Alimentari. I had come from 'the country' as my Eastern suburbs friends call the upper north shore on my way to a funeral. It is 50 years since we lived in Paddington (gosh, that gives away my age), but I love going back and have loved Alimentari since they opened. I always took overseas and interstate friends there before Covid hit. I just love the atmosphere, the food, the coffee, the friendly, lovely and knowledgeable staff. Yesterday the staff took my name, then brought me a superb coffee. I love the coffee cups too and the wee saucers. I sat in the sunny back room and thought about life. On my way out I said how wonderful the coffee was and how it had touched my soul. On the way back from the funeral, I thought what the heck, I'm stopping there again for lunch. As soon as I walked back in they knew my name, made me a scrumptious roll and were just so sweet to me. (Mind you with Paddo being for the young and famous they most likely don't get too many older lassies). To the wonderful barista, the lovely lassies, the chefs, you all just made my day. So very special. I'll bring you some of my famous (perhaps infamous) chutney when I next come over as a tiny thank you. Life can be tough at times, so to have one of these sing-to-the-soul moments is...

I don't understand the hype. It's my sister's local so I've been four times.

The first time I tried the iced coffee at her insistence. Wasn't anything special but I figured that's not the best way to enjoy a coffee so I reserved judgment. There's an odd set up where patrons sit on the stone walls nearby because there aren't enough tables. What was ridiculous was that 15 minutes before they were due to close, one of the servers came outside and started hosing off the walls right next to us to get rid of us. All four of us got wet, including my toddler.

I was ready to never go back again but my sister insisted. The next time we arrived about two hours before closing to be told they were no longer taking orders, even for takeaway coffees.

The third time was fine - I tried the coffee and found it acceptable but nothing special. No one hosed us down, at least.

The fourth (and last) time, i again arrived over two hours before they closed. They were still serving coffees. I called my sister to see what she wanted. A minute later, I walked up to the door and a server told me they were closing and not even doing takeaway coffees anymore.

Too many fantastic cafes in the area to waste my time on such a place, so that will be the...

Rude and untrained staff. Don’t come if you have a dog unless you want to be yelled at and humiliated. Came here with my partner and dog. There was no seating at the front so I waited with my dog outside the premises whilst my partner asked if it was okay for us to bring the dog out the back. The staff at the deli station said it was fine. Proceeded to sit out the back where there was available seating. There were wait staff around who did not tell us that we could not sit here.l with the dog. After being seated for at least 5 minutes an older woman in a white shirt tells me off from across the room that dogs are not allowed in that space. I explained that my partner had asked and one of the staff had said it was fine.

Simply coming up to me and telling me this instead of shouting it across the room would have been more appropriate. It was incredibly embarrassing to be yelled at like this. Especially when it was at the fault of one of...