Port Cygnet Diner

29 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by in Cygnet

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I had one hundred dollars and it worked perfectly. The equivalent of three courses and two drinks each.
With no room to squeeze in even the smallest morsel once the plates were ready to clear.
This week is our anniversary and I decided we were having two celebrations. The first (pre anniversary) to celebrate the day we met. I chose a local place we had wanted to try and thankfully we got in first as the place filled quickly.
Being local we were able to walk, and it’s a lovely end to a meal being able to take a stroll home after eating a feast.
The meal was beautiful and filling, each play not too big or small.
The staff were friendly and attentive, with the small room having a quiet ambience. We were neither overrun by silence or excessive noise.
My only grumble would have to be receiving my glass of bubbly in a large tumber and not something more flute like.

Sweet sweet bubbly and locally grown Pinot.
Smooth and delightful filter coffee and English breakfast tea
Salad greens with apple and walnut dressing
Classic hamburger for the man
Smoked trout salad with mustard and dill dressing on a potato waffle
Cinnamon waffle with vanill ice cream and maple syrup

All foods are locally grown where possible making the most of the abundance of fresh gradients we have in the area.

Happy eating, Jennifer.

Homelands, Brookfield.

24 Sunday Apr 2016

Posted by in Margate

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Yesterday was another beautiful Autumn day in Tassie so instead of getting busy with household jobs we jumped on the bike and took a couple of hours for ourselves.  Not  quite 30 mins from our house is the small town of Margate (Hairy Giraffe and Jam and Spoon are also located here) and popped into the barn that is Homelands for a delightful afternoon tea.
I’ve never really been here before but the man now does fruit and veg deliveries and had seen the changes that had happened.
It was nearly 4 when we pulled up so we were on our own in the dining room.
It’s a large rustic layout with a small retail section in one corner.  Homelands refers to the European and English selection of foods they have for sale, those things that make you feel like you are at home – kind of like finding a shop in the States or the UK that sells Vegemite or Tim Tams.

Large coffees all round with a broad selection of desserts. I chose the apple and berry tart, while the man chose chocolate mousse, cherry ripe slice AND a kiss biscuit. Needless to say the biscuit came home.
The tart was sweet but not much so, and a huge. I joked I was after a slice not half the pie. The mousse was perfect. Smooth, creamy, chocolate but not over the top.

 

Check out their website here.

Happy times and enjoy your own café run.
Jennifer

Lotus Eaters Cafe

10 Sunday Apr 2016

Posted by in Cygnet, Uncategorized

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I’m not usually in a rush to head into the village where I work after spending all week there.*
This being said, after running errands in the city on Saturday, we made our back home via said village. There was one particular café I wanted to try as I had seen scones in their counter during the week and immediately though the best man would love to try them.
It turned out not to be a scone day as their coffee machine had broken so we went round the block and pulled up outside another venue.
The Lotus Eaters Café is always full, has great coffee and gets rave reviews from all who eat there.
Then menu isn’t large which is fine with as many desserts as there were meals.  We ordered our coffees and cake and headed back outside to the large recycled apple bin tables.

The coffee was as good as I remembered from last time and the cakes….omg, amazing!
The best man had the gluten-free chocolate, prune and brandy cake. Only issue with this was the amount of prunes in just his piece, 8! Unless you are an avid prune lover, this is overkill. Otherwise, it was smooth, rich and went down very well.
My blueberry cheesecake was sooo good I could have licked the plate clean. Smooth and creamy. Plenty but not too many berries, not too sweet and so so good. Yeah, I’ve already said, but seriously, it was the best cheesecake I’ve had for a long time. I’d go almost as far as to say it was perfect…hmm.

A tad on the expensive side for what we had, but it wont stop us returning at some point.
*Slightly ironic considering by the end of the year we will be living here.

We took the Triumph for a ride, it is our Sunday rider after all, and with the new paint job it gets plenty of looks. And comments. Though none as good as the two boys who stopped and stared and said “wow, what a snazzy cool bike” and “it’s PINK. It’s awesome”

The Hairy Giraffe

05 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Margate, Uncategorized

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image

Odd name for a cafe.  Great place for Really good coffee.

We had driven past this place several times and while I was open to visiting m y husband was most disgusted with the name and very much on the ‘not likely!’ band wagon for visiting.

We drove past twice. Each time my question was ‘politely’ declined. The third time, on the bike, all I got was a head shake as we approached the intersection.  I couldn’t help but laugh at that one.

And finally, Sunday just past, we pulled in. I was most surprised as I wasn’t going to ask anymore. If my best man wanted to go in, then he would.

This cafe is in a disused church. The second cafe here in as many years. I had not even noticed the first was gone until the signs went up for the Hairy Giraffe.

We had both tossed around ideas about the name, thinking it was something to do with a school parent wanting something to do, as it is located directly next to the local primary school.  We were both wrong. The name has its origins in the large dog the owners had previously to moving to Tasmania, which was also rather hairy.

The interior is quant, with the same mis-matched furniture and crockery deal, as well as the same posters on the wall, leading us to believe it was sold ‘as is’.

Once we had placed our coffee order and sat down the service pretty well stopped, and we had to get up and check out the desserts cabinet to be able to choose.  Once we were being pro active the service was friendly, and exuberant.

The best man will always go for the scones while I chose the hummingbird cake.

Our coffees arrived, large was ordered; more of a medium was served.
That didn’t matter after we took our first sip. OMG! It was beautiful. They have somehow perfected the mix of strength, flavour and creaminess resulting in the most amazing cup of coffee I have had to date.

We have rarely decided to have a second cup when we go out, but this day it was pretty close. The decision to return became a no brainer.  Especially when I saw the sign ‘Turkish delight hot chocolate’

Although not heated, the scones were soft and fresh and inhaled. Complete with jam and cream. My cake was warmed slightly and the not quite vanilla ice cream was a perfect accompaniment.
Until next time, enjoy your coffee,
Jennifer

 

The Patchwork Cafe

19 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by in New Norfolk

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It was over time for another cafe run, we’ve been out and about a bit lately, not really in cafe run mode. The weather was bordering on inclement – rainy and windy – but that won’t stop us. Donning our wet weather gear we headed out, cozy and warm while the wind blew.

Just over an hour from he and 30mins from Hobart we got to our destination. New Norfolk. Look it up if you are interested in a little history – Willow Court, the mental institution, was here and is currently in ruins. There is a lot of restoration work going and the place is becoming quite vibrant with antique shops, a market each week and the cutest little cafe.

The usual coffees were ordered as were a serve of nachos and the OMG burger – which I’m told lived up to its name. It must have been good, the man devoured it in no time at all. And made very little mess.

OMG burger with bacon and cheese.
One of the beautiful old buildings
Divine coffees
And no cafe run is complete without a shot of the ride chosen for the day.
The building that currently houses one of the most impressive antiques shops ever.
Tasty nachos. The non meat variety.

 

Next time, who knows where we might end up. And dessert may well be included.

Jennifer

Pane Cucina

27 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by in North Hobart

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Roughly translated to Bread Kitchen this little bakery in North Hobart has a large selection of sweets and the always required pastry items.

We had just finished a BBQ lunch with friends so weren’t up for the usual large afternoon tea as we rode around the cbd before deciding on this one. Easy parking made the decision for us really.

Smooth and creamy coffee with good flavour.
A vanilla milkshake that was just like you make at home.
The sweetest little lemon meringue pie.
And party pies for the man which he said had that homemade taste rather than the mass produced flavour of most bakeries.

And to top it off…the perfect sunny weather a Tasmanian summer can deliver.

The Naked Bike Cafe

15 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Geeveston

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Its been a good 12 months since we’ve been this way and figured it was time to return to this great little cafe.

The owners started out selling their home-made pies and divine relishes at the local markets. As their business grew they gave up the markets and invested in bricks and mortar, opening a cafe specialising in awesome burgers.  Fast forward a few years,  their business is thriving and not only are they moving to a bigger premises they are opening up a food can to once again frequent local markets.

As motorbike fanatics their menu is based around bikes and their personalities, the Triumph Speed Triple for example is a toasted sandwich with three different types of cheese.

Aproximately an hour south of Hobart will see you there and $50 will see two people very well fed.

Our choices on Saturday were the spicy chicken burger with tangy sauce, and a BLT with a fried egg plus the best chips in crispy batter.

Flat white with the sweetest mini chocolate biscuit “where’s the rest of them..”
A pair of coffees
Crispy chicken burger with side of fries and spicy aoli.
Totally delish fries with regular aoli
BLT with added fried ang and crispy melted cheese shards

Maldini, Salamanca Place

10 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Hobart, Salamanca Place

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Hobart is beautiful city surrounding one of the world’s natural deep water ports. It is also home to one of the world’s best markets. Salamanca.  Salamanca is then home to many wonderful eateries.
Maldini, an Italian delight, is one of them.  We have been twice and this place is quickly going to be a firm favourite.
Situated in the heart of Salamanca where you can sit and people watch and take in the atmosphere while you dine on beautiful food.

It’s summer is here at the moment so when we head out on the bike and feel the need for something cold and refreshing, we choose the lightness of a Lemon Lime and Bitters.
Maldini certainly know how to make a good one. Plenty of flavour, and not too much of the bitter.
The coffee? Strong enough to keep me happy and smooth enough for the man. All in all, a perfect combination.

This time round I feasted on Garlic Bruschetta – omg! the garlic, the cheese..divine.  The man picked out a classic sourdough with oil for dipping.
Perfect and totally worth a repeat visit.
Follow Maldini on Instagram at @maldinirestaurant.

Garlic bruschetta
Classic sourdough with oil
Coffee with the refreshing LLB

New Café Run

31 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Uncategorized

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It’s been nearly 12 months since I’ve been here and so much has happened in that time. The year of 2015 was not a good year for us. Already 2016 is proving that it’s going to be busier than ever with many new  and exciting things happening in our life.
I’ve instagrammed our Café runs so please pop over and check them out (find me at @Jennifer_marcato) but have thought of getting back here. Not the same long-winded posts as before, just short sharp pics and basic info.

We now have two bikes (one is still getting repaired after an accident in the first half of last year) so there will be another bike experience. One is the commuter, the way more comfortable of the two with the original still my favourite – it was our anniversary present after all, and it’s PINK!

I do like heading out with my best man and being a tourist in our home state.

Hayabusa 2003Meet Busa (Hayabusa) once it was the fastest road bike in production. It’s a weapon and so comfortable to ride on.

Jennifer

Mermaid Café – Kettering

02 Monday Feb 2015

Posted by in Kettering

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Here at the Café Run, we have decided to take on the locals. Going no further than 25 mins and trying out the dozen places in between. So today it was a ten minute ride to the beautiful Kettering marina next to the Bruny Island Ferry and stopping in at the Mermaid café.
Situated right on the water, and overlooking the boarding area, it is a gorgeous spot, and there is always plenty to see – especially the prolific water craft coming and going.

The man is a die-hard scone aficionado so his decision was easy, while I deliberated a minute longer, finally settling on the brownie, minus cream and ice cream. I thought I’d be good today.
The scones were melt in the mouth and the jam light and fresh. due to it being close to closing time, the man got a bonus extra scone as they don’t like to carry over food, keeping it fresh, daily.
My brownie was warmed, and had that sweet gooey middle with a bonus of its own – cherries which were a lovely sweet surprise on the bottom.
Total: $19

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