Brunch: Stripe Cafe, Titirangi

Stripe Cafe, 521 South Titirangi Rd, Titirangi. Photo / Dean Purcell

Address:521 South Titirangi Rd, Titirangi
Herald rating:

The menu is interesting and varied - we loved the sound of the Houlihan's Hotcake (lemon and oatmeal hotcake with berries and vanilla mascarpone, $15.70) and the unpronounceable Bubbl'okonomyaki Squeak (cabbage, potatoes, bacon, eggs and herbs with Japanese mayo and smoky sauce, $16.90), which is apparently a hit with regulars.

The look is just what you want on a sunny Saturday morning. Stripe is in an old brick building with a pretty walled in courtyard (including sandbox and chalkboard for the little ones). There are a couple of tables away from the crowds where you can enjoy brunch in peace. There is also plenty of space inside where the theme is bright and stripey (hence the name).

The food is beautifully presented and delivers on taste too. We ordered the Stripe Breakfast with homemade herb potato cake, poached eggs, bacon and hollandaise ($18.80) and a Design Your Own dish which we made up of homemade herb potato cake ($6.10), poached eggs ($4.60) and roasted vine tomatoes ($5). Both were top-notch.

The coffee was rich and creamy and the perfect temperature. The latte was a little weak though.

The service was good. The waitress went on the hunt for a pepper grinder when she realised ours was missing. The counter service was very friendly.

Overall, on a sunny morning it's hard to beat this spot. We reckon it's probably a hit with young families too, with the design your own brunch catering well for kids, and the sandpit a big drawcard. The food is a winner.