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Guest reviewer - Melissa von Bergner
My Rocks Experience - Spring 2011
Melissa von Bergner spent a weekend with her friends Anne and Mark exploring the sights, food and shopping on offer in The Rocks.
Rendezvous Stafford Hotel Sydney
After one of the wettest weeks on record, the skies cleared and the sun shone as my weekend in The Rocks began. I meet my friend Anne, my companion for the day, and we dropped off our overnight bags at the beautiful Rendezvous Stafford Hotel Sydney.
La Renaissance Café and Patisserie
We discussed the day's itinerary on the short stroll to La Renaissance Café and Patisserie, where we found a table the courtyard and placed our lunch order. We both had a pie with salad-it was delicious! We loved the pie's buttery pastry and the fresh salad's subtle French dressing. With no concern for our waistlines, we also indulged in a dessert. We shared a Zulu-a decadently rich but admirably gluten free cake, and ate a melt-in-your-mouth French macron with our coffee.
The Rocks Walking Tours
Distracted by the wonderfully diverse market stalls lining the street, we wandered to The Rocks Walking Tours office on Playfair Street. Our well-versed and knowledgeable guide Brian took our group on a journey to several points of interest in The Rocks. The tour was a great way to be reminded of all the history, culture, characters, artefacts and architecture in The Rocks. The sites-especially Foundation Park, and the stories and photos our guide shared, made it possible to visualise the past. The tour gave me a greater appreciation of how lucky we are to have this unique settlement survive at the heart of Sydney.
The Rocks Markets
After the walking tour we took some time to enjoy The Rocks Markets stalls on George Street. There were such a diverse range of products and gifts, not only for tourists but for me too! At the top end of the markets, Mark from Argyle Glass demonstrated the art of glass blowing. We watched as he worked and enjoyed speaking to him about his art. I walked away with three lovely intricate glass high heels for my mum and sisters, an angel decor and two colourful paperweights for myself.
We also stopped by 4 Leaf Clover in Playfair Street. We loved the designs and fabric so much we bought two bags, a collection of cards and a cushion cover.
We rushed back to the hotel so we didn't miss sunset from the hotel room. We watched the sunlight fade and the Opera House light up as we dressed for our next adventure-dinner at Ocean Room.
Ocean Room
We were warmly welcomed and seated at a fantastic table by the window, with the Opera House in full view and the evening ferries cruising by. Our waiter Tim introduced himself and the 12 course tasting menu with matching wines that was our choice for the evening. Each course arrived immaculately presented. There were so many flavours-some subtle, others more profound-and the wine complimented each course perfectly, including the sake.
After our magnificent dining experience at Ocean Room, we returned to the hotel, enjoying the evening atmosphere as we walked.
We got an early start on Sunday morning and enjoyed a buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant. It was a well catered warm and cold buffet with coffee, tea, toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast sausages and a little muesli and fruits. All the delights needed to start another day of fun in The Rocks!
Sydney Cove Jewellers
Mark, my companion for Sunday, arrived for morning coffee in gorgeous sunshine. We enjoyed the relaxed mood of the area as we strolled through Nurses Walk to visit Sydney Cove Jewellers. We met David, the jeweller and owner, who spoke about his experience working with Canturi and how he set up his business in The Rocks three years ago. We leant that David develops his own designs and as well as working with clients on unique commissions. While browsing I found a white teardrop freshwater pearl necklace. I bought it!
The Rocks Markets
From Nurses Walk we strolled past the shops and market stalls on Playfair Street. We visited Hathi Jewellers, who sell a range of contemporary handcrafted and antique jewellery by local and international artists. You can find everything from brooches, necklaces, earrings with semi-precious stones and pearls. The assistant was very helpful when I asked questions about many of the pieces on display. As a collector of brooches, I was delighted to find a lovely silver brooch by an Iranian designer.
We bought candles at Space Candles, where we were told we could get a discount on our next candle on return of the glass jars. Brilliant for the budget and environmentally conscious!
Ken Duncan Gallery
Mark and I made our way onto George Street to the Ken Duncan Gallery. We were welcomed by Susan and Demitrios-both passionate about Ken and his photography. Susan took us on a journey through the gallery showing us the amazing photography, prints, books and even jigsaw puzzles available. I purchased a print of the Brighton Beach huts in Melbourne. The photo is already on the wall in my home.
Though it was a cool winter day, The Rocks was buzzing with the sounds of a street musician and the banter of people enjoying the sun and the sights on offer.
Cafe Danieli
We walked up to the Clock Tower Centre to our lunch location-Cafe Danieli. After the pace of the markets and all the walking, it was great to find such a friendly sanctuary. Ron, the cafe owner, his young daughter and his friendly team greeted us on arrival. Mark and I were really interested in trying Ron's famous Cafe Danieli coffee blend, but decided to enjoy a meal first. All day breakfast is available on weekends, so Mark tried a vegetarian omelette and I ordered from the lunch menu-a Thai beef salad. We really enjoyed our meals. The omelette was light with plenty of fillings, and the beef was tender and delicious in combination with the zesty Thai salad. 
We couldn't wait any longer to try the coffee. The coffee arrived with cannoli-it was delicious. Within a few minutes another, another, this time warm cannoli arrived at the table, made fresh especially for us! We felt so welcome and special. It was a lovely experience to indulge in such delicious food and coffee. We sat enjoying the relaxing space of Cafe Danieli, realising our wonderful day, and fantastic weekend in The Rocks was coming to an end.
It was time to head home and share the spoils and stories with my family and friends, of my fantastic weekend away, faraway, but so close, in The Rocks.
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