Bacon All The Rules at Cuckoo Callay Festival

Posted on February 10, 2015

It must be true love that I am not a vegetarian because of bacon. No one else can break my heart like bacon can. I admit all my problems go away when there’s bacon right in front of me. So if you need a bacon fix maybe it’s time to bacon-ing your way to Cuckoo Callay. For 12 weeks they’ve created something astonishing for Newtown that no café has ever done in Sydney. It’s called BACON FESTIVAL. It’s for real, BACON FESTIVAL exists and you don’t want to go bacon your own heart if you missed out. If you totally HEART BACON like I do, you properly wondered off and I bet you are open to seduction as soon as you see that glossy piece of juicy bacon. I know it’s the sweet smells and varied pinkish colours, but that doesn’t mean you are not in control.

Pigging it out at Cuckoo Callay

And the Bacon Festival goes like this…

What a Croque of Bacon ($19) that tried to control me with its loooooooooooonnng strips of bacon and basil. Then when I closely looked into the vintage cheddar croquettes I was drunk by its diced pieces of bourbon bacon, pea puree and two poached eggs with that gooey sunrise yolk. If you want to know how to make a bacon lover smile, then this is it my friends. A dusting of breadcrumbs on the croquettes really makes this dish sing. It’s the crispy croquettes center filling that opens new flavours as the effects of bourbon bacon is deeply aromatic.

What a Croque of Bacon ($19)

What about that sexy long bacon strip? Well…there was a silent treatment at our table, so I’m not too sure what everybody was thinking, but for me, I was so high I didn’t recognise the fire that was burning in people’s eyes when I snatched the larger strip. Obviously full of flavour so that was pretty damn tasty!

You so fine bacon stripe! And oozy egg yolk inward shot.

Next up I may have ordered Shake ‘n’ Bacon ($9)! Super AMAZING and totally worth building up my calcium intake. Teehee. Can’t go wrong with bacon plus maple syrup, although the sweet syrup was glued at the bottom making a sudden burst of intense sugariness. Overall there’s so much DELICIOUSNESS hidden in this mason jar.

Shake ‘n’ Bacon ($9)

Can’t go wrong with awesome maple-caramelized bacon, right? I think this bacon milkshake is shouting “drink me!”.

Bacon sprinkles on me Shake ‘n’ Bacon *SCREAMS*

Rules for a happy relationship with bacon is getting the Bacon All the Rules ($24) dish. This is one engaging plate that is only suitable for happy pigs and inner oinkers to run wild. Every component on this dish is lip smacking and appealing to not share with your partner in crime. We start off with Black Forest Smokehouse maple bacon and bourbon bacon that floated happily atop. Next we dissected that fatty chunk of bacon steak that was really appetising that I had to go for seconds. OH! And whoever came up with bacon sausage is uber insane, yet one hell of a genius. You know you want it before anyone else can get it. It tasted absolutely perfect that there was no flaws about this sausage at all. I loved the bite-size pieces of bacon inside the sausage and saltiness was just right. All that bacon madness is also served with bacon-crumbed poached eggs with sourdough. This is one dish on the menu that you won’t go home hungry or disappointed. If you’re looking for a jam-packed bacon session, then this is it!

Bacon All the Rules ($24)

Need to wash all that bacon down? Why not give this Bloody Bacon Cuckootail ($14) a go! It’s insanely mixed with tomato juice, tabasco, salt, pepper and a shot of vodka. I was so out of breath when I sipped this cocktail. The level of spiciness is somewhat high for a person who does not often eat much spices. I spy with my eyes I see a strip of bacon and slices of pickles.

Bloody Bacon Cuckootail ($14)

Only one thing can make a hot dog on a summer afternoon better and that’s if it’s stuffed with maple glazed bacon sausage with gruyere cheese sauce, tomato and quince relish, crackling and dill mustard pickles. Ya I’m describing the Bacon Dawg ($16)!!! I was prepared but I think I didn’t prepare enough for this dawg. The thing about this is it did quite fit together. It was a little overwhelming with the sprinkles of crackle and relish as well as the dill mustard. Totes superior brunch eats.

Bacon Dawg ($16)

Smashed that bad boy!

Look what we have here… Don’t Go Bacon My Heart (NOTE: these babes were sample sizes) and OHMYGAWD these are unforgettable. I was incredibly happy when these kids size burger landed on the palm of my hand. The savory beer and tomato chutney, mustard aioli and slaw on brioche added another inch of flavour. Yes not healthy, but I’ve got my game face on! Without a doubt the popcorn chicken and beer candied bacon was noticeable. Hmmm it was the right ratio of chicks and pigs.

Don’t Go Bacon My Heart

You know you want this. Teehee.

Woah! This brioche is stuffed with a lot of meat.

By now I needed granny pants, if possible the XXXL ones. The amount of food coming in one after the other was fit for a King and Queen. So when Bacon, Get in Ma Belly ($20) arrived looking oh so scrumptious I had to do what was right, continue nomming. Lucky I followed my heart because the pork belly with fennel seed sauce with bacon, caper, coriander and lime salad was off the chain insane. Combine with a bowl of white rice would have been lovely. I was nervous when I attacked the slices of candied sweet chilli because between you and me I don’t normally touch chilli, but I did tell Michael from I’m Still Hungry that I will be practising my chilli levels this year. Wish me luck! Anyways back to that chilli…far out it was ADDICTIVE! I had such courage to even pop a few more slices in my mouth. It was seriously hotter than my first date. The one thing which lost some points would be the crackling skin, it was moist. There were signs of crispiness however the texture didn’t meat it. It must be the troubled Asian fusion flavour sauce that drowned the crispy skin crackle. Haha.

Bacon, Get in Ma Belly ($20)That pork. Full Stop.

Here’s a morning breakfast for you to enjoy with your partner yourself; Ya Bacon Me Crazy ($20). This type of love is not rational, it’s 100% physical. Don’t cry if your calories start to sky rocket because every bite is seriously worth it. The caramel and cinnamon ice cream was heavily guarded by three handsome strips of maple bacon that’s drenched in maple syrup and chocolate coated bourbon bacon. Tucked underneath you can see the buttermilk waffles and MORE house-made bacon. Man, I love what you do but you know that you’re toxic, right? 😛

Ya Bacon Me Crazy ($20)

I told you I wasn’t kidding about the chocolate coated bourbon BACON SOILDERS heavily securing the caramel and cinnamon ice cream. PICTURE PROOF!

Bacon’s looking streaky, I LIKE! :p

Boy I needed another session of washing down all that tasty bacon, so I opted for Smokey Bourbon Bacon with fresh apple juice ($12). Sadly I couldn’t really taste the bacon, instead the sourness of the apple juice. But that’s cool I needed something refreshing to bring me back to Earth from this CRAZY BACON FEAST.

Smokey Bourbon Bacon with fresh apple juice ($12)

Introducing Drizzle Sticks (NOTE: sample sizes) that knocks your socks off! *HEAVY BREATHING* Maybe the streaky bourbon bacon drizzled in chocolate and hazelnut thought it could hide from this mama, but I could smell that greasy bacon scent from miles away. Oh bacon you can’t stay away from me, we are meant to be. At first I wasn’t too keen on chocolate + bacon, BUT I’ve learnt not to judge a book by its cover.

Drizzle Sticks

Picture this no touching, no kissing AND no good loving with bacon will be so cold. Life wouldn’t be the same, I’m telling you. Without bacon fire will burn through your soul. So what’s holding you back to visit the Bacon Festival at Cuckoo Callay?

Oh Yeah!!! Got the BIG piece. 😀

Photos by Vanny Tang

Disclaimer: Nessy Eater attended as a guest thanks to Wasamedia. Opinions are however, Nessy Eater’s own.

Check out my other Cuckoo Callay post I did. Click here and here.

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