Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Its the BEE'S KNEES!

I first noticed Bees Knees by accident as I was on my way to pick up Japanese takeaway for dinner one night. As I scurried past with great intent, I caught a quick glimpse inside a newly opened vintage shop on the “old side” of Hornsby. Not a place you just wander about, off the main thoroughfare, it is a place you go with a destination in mind, so I was really interested to see that they had set up a cosy looking cafe in the back of this store and I immediately LONGED to go in. It took me a couple of weeks to actually get there, but I was so pleased I did. What a whimsical, wacky, and eclectic place! The first clue to its character is the shopfront, with display windows full of interesting vintage pieces, a homey white cane table setting piled with cushions and magazines (a nice sunny spot in the morning), and the sounds of an espresso machine and laughter drifting out. You really just stumble on to it before you realise it is a cafe which of course adds to the enjoyment of finding it. I was on a shopping expedition with my firstborn today, so just a quick morning tea for sustenance before “getting on with it” was our mission. We couldn’t help but smile on entering, the place is packed with furniture and vintage wares ranging from old books, art, bric-a-brac, handbags, jewellery, and even some re-worked denim garments given new life with some artful arranging and attaching of mens ties! Yes, I did go in for coffee and come out with an original new skirt! There’s nothing wrong with that is there? He he. Once inside, our biggest issue was deciding WHICH little cosy nook to sit in! Given the smorgasbord of styled spaces to choose from, we had to decide whether we were in the mood for “shabby chic”, “boho babe”, “nanna’s lounge” or a “psychedelic dream”! The owners have artfully arranged little clusters of furniture, lounges, tables and chairs to create many spaces with many personalities. It is a cacophony of style but strangely it all works! It is a delight to sit waiting for your treats and explore the strange and wonderful pieces for sale, this is how I found my skirt. Apart from the main cafe, there is the sunny spot out front (one table only so you have to grab it when you see it), there is also a cosy back room, and a cluttered courtyard, with a little display nook. The courtyard is full of quirky things, but not as pretty as the main room, I can imagine this would be a great place to hang on a summer evening with a group of friends though. It would be a perfect meeting spot before a night out. The whole place seems to have taken on the energy of the owners. They obviously have an arty or creative background and their passion for all styles of design is apparent. Both quiet, they take our order. The food is not as eclectic as the decor, this cafe offers a range of the usual suspects, croissants, friands, cookies, toast, scones, so the real inspiration is in the surrounds. We decided to share the waffles and ice cream. Lucky we shared as it was much more than one person should attempt! A hot choccie for the firstborn, and the usual chai latte for me, we enjoyed an hour eating, drinking and poking around the bits and bobs. I have to say it was one of the nicest spiced chas’s I have had for a while, and the owners were delightful, and delighted that we enjoyed their lovingly put together cafe. Only open for 2 months, I hope that word gets around that it is a great, quiet and interesting place to relax and recharge before tackling Westfield. Kids are genuinely welcome, and the cosy welcoming feel is certainly something I will be making the effort to experience time and time again. Bee’s Knees Vintage Cafe can be found at 14 Coronation Street, Hornsby.

8 comments:

  1. HB you a truly gifted blogger! Fancy finding such a lovely place - and on the same street as my favourite pizza parlour too (the one that's been around for decades not the johnny come latelies)I remember that shop used to sell second hand records and books, looks like the owners have made it into a real jewel!

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  2. What a novel idea! I look forward to checking it out! :D

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  3. Aww how cute is that shop! It reminds me of those little shops you see in small country towns or the Blue Mountains!

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  4. Margaret - very satisfied customerNovember 2, 2009 at 9:18 AM

    Much better than ANYTHING in the mountains as Judy and Peter certainly make everyone feel that they are part of their family and that the Bees Knees is a "home". I love it and would not go anywhere else. The yoghurt is the BEST I have tasted and homemade to boot.....Well done!

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  5. You can't go wrong with the 'Bees Knees'.

    Have been going there since they re-opened & renamed the cafe in early 2009. I try & get there every morning just for my coffee. Enjoy it so much it has become the Saturday morning ritual for my wife young daughter & myself. There is so much more than just the fantastic coffee & great food. The hospitality from Peter & Judy the owners is second to none. You can be guaranteed that as soon as you walk through that front door you are getting a big hello & smile. Love the place...

    James...

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  6. AS GRANDPARENTS, I LOVE TAKING MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDSON THERE...PETER AND JUDY THE OWNERS ARE THE NICEST PEOPLE EVER... EVERYONE WHO GOES THERE ALWAYS GOES BACK..I RECOMEND EVRYONE TRY IT...YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED.

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  7. I love this cute little place with friendly service, delectable chais, decked with mismatched tables and chairs & cushions, being surrounded by curious items - old and new and being serenaded by the sultry tones of Norah Jones and other jazz/blues artists. There are four separate seating sections - the small table out the front just for 1, the Main Room, the Family Room and the Courtyard. Fantastic ambience, food, drinks and service. Recommend to everyone.

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