Takapuna Cafe, Takapuna

I am starting to feel like all I review are good cafes and never say anything bad about any of them.  Takapuna Cafe is yet another great cafe.   I met ES standing outside while I was driving around trying to find a carpark.  She had already put our names down on the waiting list, 20 mins wait we were told, and they were true to the time.  I finally found a park, be prepared to park streets away, the only advantage was we got to walk along the beach and by the time we got there our red lobster timer was buzzing.
The setting is stunning here, the view out over the beach is fantastic and it is so busy you are never short of great people watching.  The waiter was friendly and efficient and our coffees came quickly, they were not as hot as what I like, I think I am going to have to ask for piping hot coffee when I order from now on.  It wasn't as strong as I like it either.
There was a little wait for our food but that is expected when you see how busy the place is. The menu is extensive with such an array of sweet and savoury.  I ordered The Grill - Crisp Bacon, Poached Eggs, Potato Rosti, Portabello Mushrooms, Morcilla & Slow Roasted Vine Tomatoes. The grill was great, eggs cooked perfectly. The morcilla I thought would be a little spicier.  LV ordered Moroccan Eggs; Free Range Eggs Baked in Spiced Tomato, Puy Lentil Braise & Sourdough, LV said they were spicy and the eggs were perfectly cooked and definitely reminded her of Morocco.  ES ordered Eggs Benedict with crispy bacon. 
Everyone was happy with their choices.  Next time I come I will order the Pan Fried Whole Flounder, Parsley & Garlic Butter, Warmed Sourdough, I haven't seen flounder on a menu for years and I love that someone has brought it back onto a menu.  This cafe has a more extensive menu to its sister cafes, Kohi Cafe and Richmond Rd Cafe, there are similarities but different takes on obvious favourites.
It was nice not to be rushed at this busy cafe, once we had finished our lunch we were offered more coffees and not pushed to leave.

Rating:
Food: 5
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Coffee: 3.5