Brunch review: Rabbit Cafe, Newton

The omelette. Photo / Getty Images

Address: 30 St Benedict’s St, Eden Terrace, Newton
Phone: (09) 309 5001
Open: Weekdays: 7am-3.30pm. Weekends: 8.30am-3.30pm
We spent: $49 for two

SET UP & SITE

It was the name that appealed, then the discovery of its plant-based philosophy. Surely a place to find an interesting and inventive menu. Tucked away in St Benedict's St, the cafe has two levels and an outdoor dining area for a sunny day (we were not able to test this on our visit ...) and furnished with a mix of modern and recycled, with mismatched painted wooden chairs and tables; comfy-looking sofas and wall tiles featuring a variety of plants and vegetables making a checker board of one wall, Phantom Billstickers posters adorning others.

Rabbit Cafe in Newton. Photo / Getty Images

SUSTENANCE & SWILL

If you expect to be served lettuce and carrots, think again (although lettuce and carrots do appear in Rabbit's fare). If you can't contemplate a brunch without eggs benedict, don't come here. However, if you are after innovative taste sensations, you'll be a happy bunny. You can choose from the breakfast menu, sporting items such as tunisian spiced lentils with roasted carrots and zesty coconut yoghurt on toast ($16) and creamy walnut mushrooms on toast with gremolata ($17); the DIY menu, where you can mix and match a variety of ingredients to concoct your meal; and the lunch menu with temptations such as roast parsnip banh mi with faux goie, sticky soy sauce, carrots, bean sprouts and toasted peanuts ($17). My dining companion chose the walnut mushrooms, with a side of poached eggs ($5) and I went for the chilli courgetti omelette with toasted pine nuts ($15) and a side of coconut chips ($4).The food was fresh and flavoursome, and the eggs deemed perfectly poached.

SERVICE & OTHER STUFF

We loved the thematic touches of plantlife throughout the cafe and the presentation of order numbers as rabbit stickers on wooden spoons. The staff were happy and friendly and the atmosphere relaxed. There were magazines and books aplenty for those wanting to chill out without conversation. The counter-top cabinet also is a sight for sore eyes (and hungry tummies) with delicious-looking savouries and cakes. While of particular interest to vegetarians and vegans, Rabbit certainly will appeal to the carnivores too. Hop over to Rabbit and try it out.