Herald rating:
The menu is an all-day list of favourites and dishes with a twist: Hinemoa omelette with portobello mushroom, roasted red capsicum and greens; buttermilk hotcakes with mascarpone and blackberry grape compote; salmon potato cakes; breakfast brochette ... plus gluten-free and vegetarian options, and a decent list of specials on the blackboard.
The look is modern and cosy. It's set in a colonial building, with flecked concrete floors, patterned wallpaper, long wooden tables and trendy black mesh lightshades. There's a kid-friendly corner with books and toys, and you can sit comfortably at a table on the footpath, sheltered from the wind and rain.
The food was pretty standard, and that's judging it on two visits. Last time I ordered the veggie grill ($21.90), intrigued by the zucchini and sesame seed rosti, which sounded so fresh and healthy, but was oily with a slightly burnt flavour. This time I ordered the savoury french toast ($17.50) with pastrami, cheddar, red onion and red pepper jam. It was fine but basically a rich, eggy version of a toasted sandwich. My other half ordered the Hinemoa grill ($22.90), which came with nicely poached free-range eggs, free-range bacon, organic beef sausage, portobello mushrooms, grilled tomato, a hash brown and homemade relish. Good without raving, he reckoned.
The coffee was excellent: our double-shot flat whites were just the right temperature and strength, the crema presented with an artful swirl, and a cute shortbread biscuit on the side.
