During the summer, we sent one of our junior reporters (unpaid) to Derby Street to let us know how the eatery was doing.
Armed with a $20 bill (yes, it’s still in circulation), a notebook and pen (yes, they’re in circulation, too), this 12-year-old boy was asked to sample menu items and report back . Newcastle Weekly As part of the Discover Darby Street campaign.
While this could be seen as a trick by a mother-cum-journalist to attend a cheeky English lesson during school holidays, this food-loving preteen was far too eager to indulge. Please do not worry.
The venue chosen was the Sanctum, aka Sanctum Cafe or Sanctum on Derby.
Our junior reporter says she can’t remember why she chose this particular eatery other than she loved the idea of sitting outside and watching people walk by.
For recent elementary school graduates, the fact that the menu is displayed outside so that they can read it at their leisure before being spoken to by the staff was also an attractive factor.
Our reporter ordered the Weiss Smoothie ($9), which is vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free and consists of mango, pineapple, and coconut milk.
Served in a mason jar with a handle, it was a generous smoothie.
Impressed by her choice, she decided to spend her entire budget on this one venue and ordered Red Velvet Pancakes ($19).
Gluten-free pancakes topped with berries, garnished with crushed fairy floss, pistachio nuts, and beetroot sauce on the side.
It can be confusing, but the flavors blended well with each other and the dish wasn’t overly sweet. In fact, it’s marketed as a healthier alternative.
The first is a math class. Yes, our reporter said he was over his $20 budget.
Secondly, for this reason the senior reporter had to help out and was very impressed with the food.
This is edited by a junior reporter (yes still need to work on spelling) Cafe review:
Whether you’re feeling healthy or having a cheat day, Sanctum has you covered.
With options ranging from cauliflower fritters to Turkish beans, it’s just a breakfast menu.
Breakfast and lunch apply all day.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
If your waffles with Southern fried chicken, coleslaw, cheese sauce and maple syrup aren’t great, you don’t know what to do.
Newcastle Weekly Unpaid Junior Reporter
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