We were made welcome by Laura the friendly server, and were led out to the courtyard. Suddenly it started to spit rain, so we moved to the large bench under a sturdier awning than the tarp we had been sitting under. Laura told us that Chris the owner (who took over in May last year) is planning to update the courtyard with some new umbrellas. (And to be honest, a good going-over of the pavers with a high-pressure gerni would be a fab idea.) It is a very leafy and pleasant space (and we saw a waterdragon), where dogs are welcome too. They even have their own menu which includes doggy treats and puppuccinos. And we met the cutest black pug dog who had to say hello :-) (Check out the photo at the bottom of my post.)
the entrance to the cute old building |
Let's head inside, and check it out. As you can see by the sign below, they are conscious of the environment - straws on their way out! - which is great. The building is an old worker's cottage, so it's full of interesting features like the VJ walls. There are lots of nooks and crannies, and spaces to sit, inside and out.
looking into the café |
Like most eating places these days, you order at the counter but as they weren't too busy, Laura came out to help us move tables when the rain came, and took our order then. Mr P. chose the pie of the day - butter chicken - with salad and fries. He said he would never have thought of putting this filling in a pie, but he loved it. He loved the crisp, shortcrust pastry which encased it too. The fries were crunchy and tasty, but his faves were the salads of spiced cauli and sweet potato and snow peas. He said over and over how delicious they were, and how fresh the dressing was!
pie of the day with fries and salad $16.90 |
freshly squeezed juice $7 |
Mr P. was already over-caffeinated so chose a freshly squeezed, cold-pressed juice of watermelon, pineapple, orange and passionfruit. He really loved the addition of passionfruit as it gave the juice a big hit of tang.
eggs benedict $18.90 - with house-cured salmon gravlax |
Excuse the wobbly photo; the eggs did a slip-slide across my plate before I could snap it. I chose from the breakfast menu which goes till 2pm, as I wanted to try the house-cured salmon gravlax. And yes, it was a triumph. Not too salty, not too firm, not too thick, and with a delicious aftertaste. You can choose bacon or avocado as an extra if you wish. Laura told us the hollandaise is house-made also. I am a huge hollandaise fan, and this was a delicious version, though there can never be too much lemon in it for me. The Turkish bread was soft enough to cut and eat - the roof of my mouth has sometimes bled due to the incredibly glassy bread you can find at some cafés. Not a problem here. And the eggs were beautifully runny, just how I like them.
Sassaffogato $5.50 |
Yep, this was delicious. Like a dessert really but I had it before my meal. Just 'cos! Espresso and ice cream and dark chocolate; refreshing and zippy.
I promised you a pug; this is Kelly |
Kelly belonged to the people sharing the long bench with us. She was adorable, and I had to take her photo. And of the beautiful water dragon with the flaming-red belly.
water dragon staring me out |
peeking into the kitchen |
We had a really delicious lunch in the very pleasant and calm courtyard. I almost had to drag Mr P. away as he was starting to settle in for the afternoon. He loved the Byron Bay feel (his words) of this café. He also appreciated that the music was not too loud, as it can be in other eating places. What else can I tell you? They are licensed, they use Bear Bones coffee, they have a bar. There is a kids' menu too. They do private events; they are famous for their ricotta hotcakes with house-made honeycomb butter:-) Mr P. is insisting we go back for the chilli corn fritters (him) and the French toast (moi). I feel we may be heading back soon, and bringing friends.
Mr P. and I were kindly invited as guests by Chris the owner, but opinions remain my (our) own.
Opening hours: 6:30am to 2:30pm, and to 3pm Fri/Sat/Sun.
88 Latrobe Tce., Paddington 4064
Ph: 07 3369 0600
WOW -- a real dragon! I knew your wildlife was exotic, but had no idea that you had real dragons. Don't disillusion me and explain what his real identity is.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae
DeleteHe is definitely a water dragon 🐉! That’s what they’re called so you can rest happily in the knowledge that you’ve seen a photo of a real dragon :). Cheers sherry x
This menus looks fantastic Sherry, especially the salmon. I so miss Brisbane at times when I read reviews like yours, and I love Paddington. Now that our daughter has moved to Cairns we rarely travel there, but I must change that. Cheers, Pauline
ReplyDeleteHi Pauline
DeleteThanks for dropping by. Yes it is a lovely place to sit and eat. Such a leafy calm place even though traffic is shooting past outside. Cheers S
I have never heard of the term puppacino (perhaps I don't spend enough time in doggy circles) but it is my new word of the week! The cafe sounds lovely - those salads look great on Mr P's plate and I am with you on having a decent soft turkish bread
ReplyDeletehi johanna
Deleteyes i've cut myself more than once on really rock-hard bread. in fact recently (at another cafe) i had to give up on the bread as it was sooo hard the knife wouldn't go thru it at all. yep love that word! cheers sherry
A piece of oasis in Paddington. The food looks lovely and well presented. It is wonderful and rare that they make their own holllandaise sauce, that is an added extra. It's a beautiful waterdragon photo, thanks for sharing 8)
ReplyDeletethanks merryn. yes we had a very pleasant lunch out there with the dogs and the dragons:) cheers sherry
DeleteMr P loved the place! Really good food, and the special visit by the dragon was fun.
ReplyDeleteWell g’day Mr P! It was fun wasn’t it?
DeleteHehe it's always my nightmare that I arrive somewhere early or late-the airport definitely causes some anxiety! And thanks for the pic of that cute little pup :D
ReplyDeleteOh she was cute Lorraine. Such a sweetheart.
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen a picture of a water dragon before. Neat. Sounds like a neat restaurant, too. Super review -- thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks KR! We had a nice lunch 🥙 cheers S
DeleteLooks fabulous Sherry and full of character xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a great little building with lots of character. Good food too:)
DeleteSherry, what a lovely meal! Everything looks wonderful. That cauliflower salad has me intrigued! Can't imagine what my kids would do if they were out and about and encountered a water dragon!
ReplyDeletehi kelly
Deleteyes it was a tasty meal. we had a lovely lunch especially with the puppy. i do love water dragons. they are such gorgeous creatures. cheers S
The butter chicken pie sounds good- love a curry in whatever form. And Kelly is cute!
ReplyDeletehi cakelaw
Deleteyep she is a cutie. and the pie was fab, said Mr P. cheers S
wow I want that butter chicken with salad for my lunch too! So fresh, healthy, and packed full of flavours. Kelly is such a cutie and water dragon looks pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteHi angie
DeleteYep great lunch 🥗 and cute wildlife!
One of these days, I plan to visit Australia. I'm going to Hawaii (from the continental US), so I'll be half way there. Maybe a stop over in Fiji, and then I'm practically there! If I do go, this café looks like the kind of place I'd love to hang out in.
ReplyDeleteoh yes you must come jeff the chef:) australia is waiting for you...
DeleteWhat a fun sounding place to dine. We love dog friendly places and so does our Chloe dog. I'd be going for that Eggs Benedict with house made salmon gravlax should I find myself at Sassafras.
ReplyDeleteYou'd be picking a winner with the eggs benny Ron. the salmon was delightful. cheers sherry
Delete