Cafe 161

By PHOEBE FALCONER for canvas

A number of things improve on acquaintance. Cafe 161 in Morningside is not one of them.

We first visited a couple of months ago for Sunday lunch. Now, this is the place that advertises on its window "Breakfast, lunch and high tea", so it was disconcerting to hear the chef consulted to see if lunch was still available at 1pm.

It was, so we ordered - Bill the French toast stack with banana, bacon and maple syrup, and the cheese omelette for me. Guys, two slices of toast do not a stack make. And the cheese should be at least melted in a cheese omelette, the omelette should be hot, the water and fruit juice cold.

We ate what we could, valour getting the better of discretion. When I went to pay, the person on the till first asked if he could take my order, then couldn't find our docket so charged us $20 and we left.

Better give them another try, I thought. So Julie and I went for a late lunch one cold wet Saturday. Cafe 161 is cave-like rather than cavernous, the small seating space packed by huge tables. The doors remained wide open and there was no heating, which might explain why the plants are dying. We kept our coats and scarves on for the duration.

I was offered a free pot of tea while I was waiting for Julie, which was a nice touch. She arrived and ordered a flat white which arrived promptly and was pronounced good. Her Spanish omelette ($9.50) and my eggs benedict ($13.50) took rather longer to reach the table. The omelette was unusual, well cooked but smothered in a sweet lemon honey-type sauce. My eggs were unremarkable.

Table service ceased once the meals were delivered, so a second coffee had to be ordered from the counter. We paid in cash, as there are no eftpos or credit card facilities on site. Helpfully, the superette four doors along will oblige.

We escaped, with no plans for a return visit any time soon.

Hours: Daily, 9-ish to 3-ish

Parking: Available in Sandringham Rd (if you care to risk your car) or Burnley Tce

Ambience: Lacking.

* Read more about what's happening in the world of food, wine, party places and entertainment in canvas magazine, part of your Weekend Herald print edition.