TL;DR: While credit will be given where credit is due, most of this place boils down more to the style rather than the substance - and that is how they present their drinks with the fare they serve coming in a fairly secondary position. That is not to say their fare is bad or inadequate in any way, the best word to describe them is "wholesome" and it is good quality through and through - hence a 4.0-score. That could be forgiven, but the service is also a let down. Engaging a bit more would do this place well, since it has makings to attract a range of clientele.
Shaking up the usual routine for the weekend a bit, in fact making a new paradigm if anything, my house mate woke me up a bit earlier than usual on the Saturday morning before church to get the breakfast out of the way with the grocery shopping already being done a couple of nights before. This is going to be the new norm eventually, and it started off with somewhere that he had in mind for a while. The pictures all over the internet, with all the different resources about new places to eat, simply popped off the screen with this place - particularly the innovative ways they presented some of their drinks. This had a bit of a science motif going on and everything. Heck, it is hard not to be interested with some of them - especially not knowing the context. Intrigue brought us here, and while it is by no means a bad place, it is possibly gimmick over anything else when it comes to distinguishing itself from the pack.
Not much is going to be criticised with the set up that they have, they are making do with what space they got. It has the basic outlay of a corner shop, complete with al fresco dining that is right at the curb side. It has a laid back feel to it, particularly coupling the fact that it is in the most suburban of places in town, and has an old-school approach that is much under-utilised.
At the very best with the service, they are proving knowing a few of the basics. The structure with the service is the usual route - you go up to the counter to order, pay up and then wait at your table for the food to arrive. The speed and effectiveness is good enough, and it is here before you know it - at least this time, there was enough distraction for the wait not to be noticed - and they have that aspect down pact. However, the minutiae does not quite garner much attention. This is in them checking up part way through the meal with how things are going, even possibly asking if anything else could be requested - and also the big one that resonates, getting the waters to the table. Really, the touches that distinguish and give the service personality. Once they learn the ropes there a bit more, this place can definitely improve quite the deal more.
Addressing the science gimmick of the place, most of that is reserved for the drinks. Scientific names aside, when it comes to the food they are actually fairly conservative with their selection. Whether it be at breakfast or at lunch, the general options are there on the table. That, plus the sweets cabinet presents an array of treats to have with the drinks. At lunch, it is the burgers, plus some salads and sandwiches - really, nothing too out of the ordinary.
But when it comes to the drinks, the fact that you are spoiled for choice is only the first part. The second part of it is the presentation, especially when it comes to the milkshakes - flaovured by actual bits of candy, and presented with doughnuts and stuff on top of them. Teas and coffees are also there - which definitely includes some more inventive kinds, plus different sorts of juices et al.
For lack of a better term, there was a starter ordered for here. A unique twist this time around, and possibly the first of its kind to me, the starter acted like a meze plate for beverages. To put it in less awkward terms, one of the items that was their Test Tube Taster. This was a selection of six of their signature beverages, lined up in a test tube rack. Two glasses were brought out to pour into, along with a cup of ice, and it was on to sampling each one.
The six beverages on display were: turmeric latte, matcha latte, dirty chai, hot chocolate, beetroot latte, cold drip coffee. How each of them stacked up was as such:
Turmeric Latte - getting this one off the bat, I did not like it one bit. Turmeric itself isn't anything that I dislike, and it goes well in all sorts of cooking, but to mix it into a beverage is one thing that does not work out. One its own terms, the spice really does not have much flavour, and is more of an enhancer. Chalk with one up as a doozy.
Matcha Latte - more or less, it was where green tea was added to steamed milk akin to a coffee drink, coming across a bit like a warmer version of a milkshake with the said flavour. If anything, there were reminders of green tea ice cream - a winner if this reviewer is concerned - and it works well enough. That being said, it is a little on the sweet side though not to a saccharine degree. Overall, s'ok.
Dirty Chai - in adding a shot of espresso to a chai latter, this is good for something that is a bit different. Describing the taste is a bit hard, even in how familiar the two beverages of coffee and chai are on their own terms; the two them cause a bit of a contrast, and yet somehow complement each other in their own way. Once in a while, this sucker is worth being given a try if you have not already.
Hot Chocolate - This one was merely okay. It was kind of the standard hot chocolate, which in recent years has become a tad sweet for my liking. Ultimately, I ended up being neither here nor there about it, it was merely a hot chocolate.
Beetroot Latte - this one was strange. Essentially, the best way that it can be described is it is pretty much beetroot juice. Being neither here nor there with the vegetable itself, I was fairly impartial to the concoction as a whole. This is not one I outright disliked, but definitely won't be going out of my way to try it again.
Cold Drip - this was one saved for last, with the very idea to save the best for the last being part of it. But when it all comes down to it, what was proven here is that some things aren't just hard to improve upon, they just can't be improved upon. And that was the case with the cold drip coffee.
Then after that, it was onto the main part of the meal - the breakfast, and the coffee to go with it. As always, the drink choice was black and it was coffee. Also, since the day was boiling hot and it was pretty humid outside, the drink of choice ended up being an iced long black. And to give a repetition, this kind of beverage is impossible to beat even with all the inventiveness going on in the back. This was a strong and sharp little sucker, which was pronounced even more with the chilled temperature. Whatever the science behind it is, something about the cold coffee seems stronger and more concentrated than when it has been put in the fridge.
As for the meal I had, it was a savoury mince dish. Think of the classical meal, and picture it served on top of a baked potato - that is what this meal was. The serving size was generous, and it was pretty much fine. It is hard to go wrong with savoury mince, especially when it is done right. The meatiness of the mince made it tasty, and mixing it with sour cream, some spinach and a whole heap of vegetables beefed it up somewhat. Add on the potato, and it makes for a substantial meal.
It is definite that this place deserves a couple of pointers, namely one for how inventive they are and that they are running with a bit of a theme in their menu - even if it does ultimately come across as being somewhat gimmicky. That should definitely be able to draw in a crowd, a niche one at that - and from a business perspective, it is just the beginning of the possibilities. Like anywhere, I don't want to see it falter and here I can see a few directions that can be taken.
There is potential within this place, with a good starting point having more engagement all-round - that is with the clients during their meal time (asking how things are is a start, even small gestures like getting the waters while the menu is perused) and even being aware about all the sites and resources online for what might be saying about the place. It is like they have the idea that the want to run a cafe, and a breakfast place - where points will be given to the distinct approach with the design and how things are prepared - but they are lacking that real drive, that one that will always ultimately have diners coming back, and even recommending coming back several times. The location is right, and there is a bit of potential to really take their gimmick aspect and run with it a little more.
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