Having just spent 4 of the most wild and wooly days in Manly on a little mini-break with the family, there was unfortunately no beach time to be had 😢
Instead I filled my days wandering the streets with the pooch, drinking coffee, and to my joy, discovering some fabulous small businesses that I'm very keen to share with you!
These three small businesses are all located on Pittwater Road - a block back from the North Steyne Esplanade - so an easy walk from the Corso, Beach or Ferry Terminal.
First up; food!
Pocket Pizza sits proudly on the corner of Pittwater Rd and Denison Street and the curtains and the window signage just scream "legit Italian here". It was a wet Monday and tbh I searched high and low for somewhere locally to eat and, in what seems to be the case on a Monday night in Sydney these days; there were slim pickings.
I needn't have worried though as Pocket Pizza was a stones throw from where we were staying and if I could've eaten there every night of our vaycay, I would have. A cozy, neighbourhood bolthole, Pocket Pizza had an awesome vibe, a cracking playlist, friendly & fast service, and delicious pizzas (GF crust was unreal).
The stuffed zucchini flowers, crumbed sardines, banoffee pie & lemon sorbet were excellent too!
The fact that we couldn't get a table until 7:45pm on a miserably wet Monday night - and even then they were still fully booked - is testament to this venue's appeal.
11/10
Next up; shopping!
I'm clearly 12 years late to this party, but Sammy & Sid is a vintage & designer consignment boutique - and I'm obsessed!
The delightful owner Doriana has been reselling luxury designer and vintage pieces in her Pittwater Rd store for twelve years!
Her knowledge and passion is clear and she offered me not only complimentary styling & fashion advice and suggested pieces that might suit me, we had a good ol' chin wag and a rummage through new bags full of clothes that had just arrived for consignment.
It was like Christmas in July!
Of course I did my bit to help the circular economy with a stunning Manning Cartell winter white coat/jacket, as well as an awesome vintage (1980s 😉) Italian v-neck knit, full of incredible textures, fabrics, shoulder pads and bishop sleeves. Both items are super unique and like many of the pieces that arrive into Sammy & Sid, they were sold before they made it onto their website or their instagram page.
I can't wait to wear my new (vintage) pieces and I'm feeling a regular visit to Sammy & Sid coming on... Tell me, have you shopped here before??
And my third and final Manly small biz find: Beauty!
Bare Beauty House is directly opposite Pocket Pizza and is a newer addition to the Pittwater Rd strip having opened in May 2020. Naomi is the Founder & Sustainability Leader of this beautiful salon where eco friendly products are just the start in her efforts to reduce salon waste. There's a veggie patch out the back, non toxic but high performing nail polishes, wash basins that both require less water, plus they filter it on it's way to washing your hair.
Bare Beauty House offer a one stop shop when it comes to all things beauty, with massage, facials, nail treatments, hair styling and more.
The space itself oozes calm, with natural textures used in calming tones to ensure you leave feeling holistically pampered.
I had a manicure using their Dazzle Dry polishes - they're the only quick-drying, long-lasting natural nail care system of its kind. By using a signature four-step system to strengthen nails, protect against abrasion, my nails were dry in just five minutes, and I've been told it will last for 2 x weeks! (I'll report back)
Beauty and wellness can go hand in hand!
Supporting small businesses doing great things was most certainly my highlight during our Manly mini break.
The weather sure as sh*t wasn't ⛈ ☔️
x
📷 photo credit of beautiful main image of Manly Beach by the very talented, local photographer Erin Masters
