Satellite Cafe

Loitering on a corner not too far from Newtown's iconic Clem's chicken shop, is the very colourful Satellite Cafe. Pink, purple and blue chairs litter the footpath outside of the main entrance and if it wasn't situated in eclectic Newtown where anything goes, it would have come with a slight feeling that you have wandered into a "Honey I shrunk the furniture" scenario. The Reuben was ordered on my behalf to coincidence with my slightly tardy arrival, by my brunching companions. My experience of the cafe itself was solely from the tiny purple chair I was perched on outside, as my Reuben hunting adventures were contained to the footpath on this occasion.

I was pleasantly surprised to find Reuben still on the menu, as the website's "New Menu" is dated November 2012: pastrami, gruyere, sauerkraut, house made Russian dressing, garnished with baby cornichons ($16). This is the first Reuben where baby cornichons make an appearance as a side garnish in their own equally baby sized jar. In the whispering wind, I could just hear them longing to nestle themselves alongside the pastrami. Who am I to defy such an instruction? In they went.

 It was one of the oiliest sandwich breads I've experienced, across all filling varieties. It did give the sandwich a nice crrrrrrunch but upon squeezing the now oversized interior (recently stacked with the baby cornichons) into a single mouthful, the distinct drip...drip...drip of oil escaping from the sourdough found itself on the plate below. The sourdough resembled something close to Sonoma's Miche Sourdough which was a good choice considering it was holding together the substantial layers inside.

Thick, but not too thick, slices of pastrami were generously stacked on top of sauerkraut, whole grain mustard, and cheese - whether or not it was indeed gruyere was questionable. Purple cabbage was used for the sauerkraut but had such a similar taste to the traditional eastern european style that I'll let it slide. Dotted with caraway seeds and juniper berries (yes, juniper berries!) this kraut was something quite unique.

Come hungry and grab a seat outside for some people watching. Watching the dog from the table next to me lick my plate after I was done with it was certainly entertaining. I'll be back for this Reuben.

8.5/10

Website: Satellite Cafe Newtown

Porteño - Sydney Festival Meriton Village

The Village in Hyde Park that pops up during Sydney Festival every year always brings an air of magic: lanterns, outdoor art (both weird and wonderful) and of course the famous Spiegeltent. The crowd is always an eclectic mix of people but always promises a festive atmosphere.This year was no different.

Enter the Reuben. The team from Porteño have a stand next to Messina (food coma imminent) and offer a special Sydney Festival menu. The Reuben will set you back a cool $15, and includes "smoked wagyu brisket with jack cheese, sauerkraut, pickles and special sauce".

Lets explore the bun: technically the menu description of a "sandwich" is incorrect, as a bun variety is used instead of two pieces of bread. Given the consumption of a couple of beers prior, this fluffy and ever slightly sweet alternative (think supermarket hot dog bun style) was indeed quite enjoyable. It also prevented the insides dropping woefully out the side which is often the case when it comes to disconnected pieces of bread.

The heaped mound of sauerkraut was a pleasant surprise, which was prepared in a juicy European style. Hiding in the depths of the kraut was a single thick slab of brisket the precise length of the bun. The usual suspects of gherkins and something close to a russian dressing with a bit of a kick made an appearance together with the cheese. I would have enjoyed e a bit more cheese than a single thin layer, but the quality of the kraut allayed any further cheese judgement.

It was said to me that it looked more like a Philly Cheesesteak with added kraut than a Reuben, and I tend to agree.

8/10

Website: Sydney Festival Village

Update - January 2016

I have regrettably let a void of time build up since the last post. 2016 brings a new year, which provides the opportunity to reinvigorate both my love for gastronomic adventures and also sharing them with others.

I was originally disheartened last year by my laptop and mobile device both going *boom* and losing many of the photos I'd taken of Reubens yet-to-be-reviewed. However, the silver lining commands that I must now re-visit those lost to me and enjoy each offering for a second time.

Crowd sourcing is the way of the future and so I plan to continue to use the knowledge of those around me to source the next Reuben adventure. Drop me a line at annap@adam.com.au for Reuben locations not yet mapped and I'll add them in.

Happy Reuben-ing...

Bluesfest - The Hole Bagels stall

Blog update: I've unfortunately neglected this blog over the past couple of months, and have lost a couple of Reuben photos due to my phone blowing up, but the blog will push on. One of the Reubens I lost was from a work trip to Brisbane, so needless to say that will have to remain in my memory rather than immortalised on the internet with a review.

Bluesfest: Astounded on the first day by the many many food stalls all serving delicious options, I was truly stuck for what to choose. Passing by "The Hole Bagels" stand, a Reuben offering made up my mind for me. There were a few people waiting to receive their order which was a good sign so I handed over my $10 and waited for my name to be called out. My expectations were low to be honest, I just wasn't convinced a bagel would deliver the goods but the photo on the menu was relatively convincing.

Having received my bagel, I noted significantly less filling than promised by the menu photo, but it was true to the ingredient list of "pastrami with spiced red cabbage, russian dressing & swiss cheese". Never one to eat a Reuben without playing with it first, I opened it up and had a poke around the individual ingredients. The meat was top quality and delicious, the cheese had holes in it (i.e. proper swiss) and the sauce gave a really great tang. I'm afraid that's where the positives ended. The bagel was put on one of the toasting heating conveyors so fast before the ingredients were added that the heat barely penetrated the surface and the bread was...well...really doughy, solid and kind of felt a bit not quite cooked. I know that bagels have that unique consistency and I've enjoyed many a bagel previous to this one, but there was just something not quite right about the bread. I was also disappointed at the lack of hole in the bagel (see top shot).

I ate the insides and threw out the bread after a couple of bites. It seems like I wasn't the only one sharing this view, on the Bluesfest forum it was said: "Tried the Bagel Tent- bagel was dry, supposed to be toasted but not hot, could only eat the turkey and cheese inside and threw that actual bagel away , it was stale".

These guys tried, but just couldn't deliver. Try again next year (spelling "Reuben" correctly on the menu would be a great start) 5.5/10

1 Abercrombie Lane - Cafe Bakery

Tucked away in a little alley you've probably walked past a million times but never ventured down is 1 Abercrombie Lane Cafe Bakery, aptly named after its street address. Whilst surprised at myself for never having even recollected that this alley existed, I was more surprised by the busy lunchtime crowd at the cafe. There are a couple of small tables in the alleyway and a few inside as well, but takeaway seemed the better option as to avoid having to knock elbows with the person next to me. Taking my order was a bit like Abbott & Costello's "Who's on first" skit - English was not the strong point of the guy taking my order, but we get there in the end.                                                                                                               After an unusually long wait I was almost certain they'd forgotten about me, but nevertheless the Reuben ($13) came out in a brown paper bag with a fish-n'-chip-esque styrofoam container within. I ordered it toasted, and although the cheese half melted, the bread was still as fluffy as ever. It worked. The ingredients all came together to form soft and juicy mouthfuls and I almost forgot about it lacking any type of crunch that you'd get from a toasted version. The meat was a generous serving and dominated the sandwich but a bigger helping of sauerkraut couldn't have hurt. It was less saucy than other ones I've had but in a good way. It didn't turn into a soggy mess, with an appropriate sized smearing of mustard to provide the essential condiment and tang to compliment the sauerkraut's edge.                                                                                                                      Get it take away and find a grassy spot to sit and enjoy it. 

         8.5/10

                                                                                      No website - facebook page found here: 1 Abercrombie Lane

Palomino Espresso

A stone's throw away from Loaf & Devotion is Palomino Espresso, a gem of a city cafe. The coffee is excellent and it gets busy during lunchtime, mostly for takeaways. This was my second attempt of securing a reuben from their window (the last one too!); their sandwiches are premade daily and once they're gone you miss out. I decided to carry the fun brown paper bag down to the harbour to enjoy the breeze and sun, definitely a good choice.

The reuben delivered and at $9.50 I'll be coming back again. Given the option between fresh and toasted, toasted was recommended as the better option so who was I to argue. Oozy cheese and house made sauerkraut sandwiched the corned beef, which almost needed the juices from the other ingredients. The sauerkraut was leaning away from the eastern european style to a more hipster variety which delivered an added tang, but didn't sway too far from traditional that it fundamentally changed the sandwich. Thin slices of gherkin and mustard weren't forgotten and the bread was just the right amount of soft - not too fluffy but not o.t.t. sourdough chewy.

The wording on the paper bag sums up the delish choices of food items (Reuben included): "Get In Ma Belly".

8.5/10

Website currently down, facebook page found here: Palomino Espresso

The Henson

Recommended by a friend, I was uncertain that The Henson had a Reuben on the menu until I finally came across the "Knuckle Sandwich": wagyu brisket, fennel slaw, swiss cheese, smokey mayo on rye (& chips) for $17. Sounded to me a like lot like "The NOT Reuben" at Reuben Hills (reviewed September 2014) which was sorely disappointing compared to the hype. Now entering a realm sans hype, I found myself somewhat less disappointed even though the reuben appeared to be a mirror of the Reuben Hills one.

Fennel slaw, well that's just coleslaw  isn't it (since when has fennel been that fancy?) and the wagyu brisket probably was stretching the bow a bit. It felt like a glorified steak sandwich. A chewy steak sandwich at that - I was battling with gristle many times in the low lit beer garden (hence the flash for the photo). The rye was the less than authentic soft and fluffy square variety (I somehow attribute real european rye to anything except a neat square shape), but the chips were nice. Hmmm, I think that's saying something. Given that it's not actually called a reuben on the menu, I don't think I can be too judgmental but going by the ingredients it almost should be.

The Henson has a great outside area, which was most enjoyable once it got a bit later and the toddlers running around with upside down buckets on their head and rolling balls under my stool had subsided. Family friendly is a bonus... if you have a family. Otherwise, leave your intolerance hat at home and come full acceptance that children will be there (as if the outdoor playground area didn't give that away).

Go for the beer garden and the casual atmosphere, but maybe give a burger a go instead.

7/10 - aligning it with the Reuben Hills rating

Website: The Henson

Sourdough Panini Bakery & Cafe

My hopes were high, standing outside the Sourdough Panini Bakery & Cafe with a crowd of other city workers at lunchtime. You order at the hole in the wall, receive a number and then wait to collect at the same hole when your number is called out. The Reuben came under the "Sourdough" category rather than the "Panini" category but really just felt like a baguette with a fancy title.

The ingredients were true to the menu list: shaved corned beef, provolone cheese, sauerkraut and russian dressing. The sauerkraut was far from the Eastern European style and was leaning more towards the inner west pickled fermented food movement. As fresh as the bread was, a baguette has no place holding a Reuben filling in my mind. The best part of the Reuben was the view, I settled in at Darling Harbour in the sunshine and was glad I didn't spend more than $10.






















The photo speaks for itself and captures the one word that best describes it: underwhelming. 

5/10

No website, facebook page here: Sourdough Panini Bakery & Cafe

Marketa Espresso

I discovered this gem thanks to a work colleague who had spied this reuben on the commute to and from the office. It's a cafe located in Town Hall Square -  coming from Kent St towards the station go up the escalators and it will be on your left. It's a no-nonsense cafe with a bit more gourmet oomph than you'd normally expect from something in the underground labyrinth that extends in all directions from Town Hall Station. I was impressed that the fresh selection of sandwiches and would definitely recommend this for a grab and go I'm-hungry-right-now solution.

The sandwich prices reflect the take away style cafe operation, the reuben was set at a delicious price of $8. The meat was one of the better cuts from reuebn offerings so far, the fresh tasting rare roast beef was so good I wanted more. I ordered it toasted but I imagine it would have been equally as enticing untoasted. I'll forgive the use of coleslaw for the great tasting rare roast beef, with the cheese and dressing coming together very nicely

Great for a simple sandwich solution at lunch time.

7.5/10

No website, but facebook page: Marketa Espresso

Swine & Co

Be prepared to be full - very very full. OK so in the photo it doesn't look that big, but make no mistake and come in no other state then very hungry.

Swine & Co is the meat lovers dream with many animals served in many delicious ways within this bar and restaurant hybrid. The service for the seated patrons appeared quite timely however I was left standing at the bar for more than an acceptable amount of time before I could get anyone's attention (Swine & Co have a take away deli style option for an on-the-go sandwich fix at prices well below the sit down menu which you order at the bar). For $9, five day cured wagyu brisket from the oven was the star of the show. One bite was enough to know this would be one of the most satisfying reubens to date. And by satisfying I also mean slightly on the food coma side - the meat was just so juicy and filling that I could feel the top button of my pants complaining.

I struggle to fault this, the only thing that I'd change is having thinner bread. The slices were so thick, that with all the yummy filling it was a struggle to finish. The best part (besides the juicy meat and being a sauerkraut lover), was the authentic eastern european style sauerkraut with caraway seeds.

The best value reuben so far. Come hungry.

9/10

Website: Swine & Co