Frolic

By PHOEBE FALCONER for canvas

Gambol, skip, cavort, caper, frisk. All those words with vernal overtones are irresistible on a wet and windy winter Sunday, so off we went to Frolic, overlooking Manukau Rd and One Tree Hill Domain. The cafe's huge front windows offer a great view even on a miserable morning, and, come spring, those little lambs will no doubt add blobs of woolly white reality to Frolic's name.

The cafe is light and airy, with pastel walls and bright paintings, and set up for families, judging by the two high chairs by the door. There are outdoor tables too, but no one was taking advantage of them in this weather.

The grizzles started as soon as we sat down. "The menu's too long," they moaned. "It all sounds nice. I can't decide what to have." But they did, of course.

Sally went for tea and toast (with jams, $4.75), but would have been tempted by the porridge with berries and yoghurt ($8) had she liked porridge. David opted for the Big Benedict ($14.50) to sustain him through a further bout of shopping, Bill headed for the lunch menu and the mushroom, bacon and blue cheese soup, ($10.50), and I had a Little Frolic, at $12.75 a percentage of the things usually encountered in a full breakfast, or Big Frolic as it is called here - egg, bacon, sausage, tomato etc. Without exception the food was pronounced delicious, and all plates cleaned.

Frolic has a big deck at the back, with weatherproof awnings and a wood-burner that make it extra cosy when the weather gets cold. The place is busy but food arrives promptly and accurately, the coffee is hot and strong and the staff friendly. Damn fine, really.

Parking: Up and down Manukau Rd.

Ambience: Light, bright, friendly, casual.

Open: Seven days until 3pm, licensed, available evenings for private functions.

* 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.