We head down there regularly, and enjoy a spot of lunch as well as the latest exhibitions. I have to tell you that they are a tiny bit odd about alcohol in NSW. For years, this cafe has been licensed but would you have known it? Oh no; they hid the booze away and had no wine lists around. You felt like you were in Prohibition times in America, with gangsters and guns:=) At least you can see the bottles in the fridge now, and there is a wine list on the menu.
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| grilled barramundi and fried potatoes $24.50 |
This dish was a nice take on fish and chips. Firm and golden potatoes with a nutty flavour, a bit of salsa, a pretty flower and you are good to go. The fish was well cooked, and the potatoes were my fave! There were beetroot sprouts on the plate. Never had those before. They were cute and they tasted fine. Thank god they weren't that other kind that chokes you on the way down.
Brillo Pad (regular readers may remember the nephew) had another special of the day - grilled halloumi with watermelon salad and pomegranate dressing. This was a lick the plate job! Oh yes he did! And he pointed out the beetroot sprouts to me as he grows them (clever boy). He loved the tangy dressing, and said the cheese and watermelon was a great combo, with great textures and contrast in flavours. Well, that's what it boiled down to; I may have tidied up the prose.
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| grilled halloumi and watermelon salad $19.50 on Specials board |
Mr P. had the Angus beef burger with chips. He likes to tuck into a burger now and then; well quite often actually. This one went down well. His verdict? Fabulous chips - crunchy outside, fluffy inside. Burger? - okay, but not enough relish. The burger comes out on a board which neither of us like (think of the germs!) and so difficult to eat from. They kindly gave him a plate as well so he could transfer his food to it. Relief all round.
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| Gallery beef burger $19.90 |
Drinks you ask? Well yes we did, thanks for asking. I had iced mocha, which was not bad. It was cold and creamy but it didn't knock my socks off. I think I have been spoiled by the amazing iced drinks at Mockingbird Cafe, Kingscliff.
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| iced mocha $7 |
No photos but Mr P. had a vanilla milkshake ($7), and Blondie had a pot of peppermint tea ($4). (I think she was a bit under the weather, 'cos no lunch for her). Milkshakes are never cold enough for Mr P. He likes them in metal containers which this was not = sad disappointment. Sis and the nephew shared a piece of pecan tart; this was apparently warmed through and wonderful.
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| apple slice |
Because the nephew ordered the special, he also got the apple slice for an extra dollar. Due to some mix up, sis also ordered the pecan tart. Mm, a mix up you say? :=). They loved the tart but were not fussed on the slice, so they took it "to go". We were a bit confused about the $25 special, which included any main meal and the cake of the day. As most of the meals are under $20, we didn't see how that was a "special" as you could easily be paying more than a regular main and a cake - very odd these NSWelshers.
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| the glorious view from the café deck |
The family verdict? - a beautiful place to be with amazing views. The food is tasty and filling, but on the expensive side. Service has never been a priority here sad to say though it was adequate. And I really dislike the current trend for ordering at the counter; it seems a bit too casual to me. Cutlery and paper napkins sit in a wooden box on the table. Perhaps not quite what you would expect in a gallery like this. This is cafe food in a glorious environment however ; oh and don't forget the art!
2 Mistral Road, Murwillumbah NSW
Ph: 02 6672 5088
Open Wed - Sun
9 am to 5 pm
I just have to visit Australia one of these days. Tweed Valley and Mount Warning ,great names! I like the fish with the fried potatoes and sprouts.
ReplyDeleteHi gerlinde
DeleteYes you must come down under one day!:)
That food all looks amazing - the barramundi looks delicious, and I'm drooling over those chips, they look like they're cooked just the way I like them!
ReplyDeleteThe chips were fab Sally. We had them again a couple of days ago.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin wrote Margaret Ollie's biography so I got to know a lot about Margaret during the two years she spent writing the book. I don't like food coming out on boards either - where did that trend come from? I had breakfast served to me on a board this morning and food was falling over the edges and scattering on the table because the boards have no sides! xx
ReplyDeletehi charlie
Deletehow amazing that your cousin wrote that book. i have read it once and am about to read it again. crazy to use boards with runny sauces etc streaming off them. i hate them.:)
Hi Sherry, what beautiful views you had, looks like a wonderful place to visit with the family.
ReplyDeletehi cheri
Deleteyes it is a glorious place in the world. so beautiful.
Great views probably made up for what was lacking!
ReplyDeleteFab views, great art and not bad food. The atmosphere is worth it alone. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's like the menu was designed just for me. I'm drooling!
ReplyDeleteIt was not bad. The view is the best thing tho:)
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