Brunch: Grace, Birkenhead

Grace cafe in Hinemoa St, Birkenhead. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Grace, 138 Hinemoa St, Birkenhead

We came here because we'd seen the sign proclaiming its new ownership, so decided to check it out.

Parking was just along the road.

We walked in and immediately thought the cafe hadn't changed much, but it could do with some decoration to relieve the stark walls.

The most unusual thing on the menu was difficult to find. Grace's versions of traditional cafe fare are listed on the board.

We ordered roasted portabello mushrooms on Italian white bread with lemon-cream sauce ($14), sweetcorn feta and basil fritters with tomato relish, bacon, sourcream and salad ($14.50), an open smoked chicken sandwich with bacon, brie, salad, homemade aioli and mango peach chutney ($15.50) and wild mushroom and blue cheese risotto ($15.50) — a combination of the all-day breakfast and lunch menus. All were good enough without being outstanding.

The service was a little slow, though they were busy.

The coffee was just right.

We recommend if you come here you pop in to some of the neighbouring boutiques — the embroidery shop or the florist for example, or the Next Door art gallery — not quite next door, but close by.

Overall we thought Grace is fine for a quick brunch, lunch or coffee catch-up with friends — the cabinet and counter-top fare looked tempting, too.