Brunch review: Copper Spot Cafe, Albany

The "Hit the Spot" dish at the Copper Spot Cafe. Photo / Fiona Goodall

Address: 28 Corinthian Drive, Albany
Open: Open: Mon-Fri, 7am-4pm, Weekends, 8am-4pm.
Online: billycafe.co.nz
Phone: (09) 447 1788
We spent: $53 for two
Rating: 3.5/5

A drive over the bridge proves worth the effort, finds Charlotte Carter

Set up & site:

It was time for a catch-up with a good friend on a day off. We headed over the bridge to Albany, somewhere we both rarely venture because of the motorway traffic. But on this morning it was free-flowing and we arrived within 20 minutes. The cafe was warm and inviting — and as the name would suggest, it was liberally decorated with copper.

It's classy and modern and the space is well lit, with big windows looking out over Albany.

Inside, however, the space is very small. It was only one-third full and we wondered if it might start to get uncomfortably cramped if the cafe filled up past halfway. The clientele was a mixture of businesspeople and — like us — friends catching up.

The interior of Copper Spot Cafe: Classy and modern and the space is well lit, with big windows looking out over Albany. Photo / Fiona Goodall

Sustenance & swill:

The cabinet is crammed full of delicious looking sandwiches, bagels and sweets but we opted to order off the menu. I ordered the "Hit The Spot" (chorizo sausage, mushrooms, bacon, sweet potato rosti, vine-ripened tomato, bacon jam, beetroot puree, smoked goat's cheese mousse and a toasted sage and onion mini loaf with any-style eggs, $24).

My meal arrived on a board, which normally irks me but in this case it was a well-thought-out combination of flavours and a lot of care had gone into plating (or boarding) it. I'm a self-proclaimed condiment queen so I loved the various dips and sauces that came with my breakfast. I managed to finish only half of what was on the board, so it would be perfect to share with another person.

My companion had the shakshuka (spiced kumara and beans topped with baked eggs, kumara crisps and crumbled feta, served with a toasted walnut mini loaf, $19.50). We both found it a little too rich, the tomato was overpowering and the eggs on the rubbery side. My companion said her cappuccino ($4) was excellent: "Hot and smooth."

Service & other stuff:

The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Our food arrived promptly and water was continually replaced on the table. Customers order at the counter. Copper Spot is worth a visit if you're in the area, even if it's just for one of their fabulous coffees and divine-looking cakes.