This cafe is on the corner of Owens and Manukau Rd so parking is difficult at times.
I have always admired this cafe, the design is very contemporary. Inside is small but they use the space well. Outside seating is on Manukau Rd, so not the most desirable but its covered with planter boxes.
I came on a Saturday and was impressed with the busy atmosphere. I ordered the Ricotta & Courgette Fritters with citrus tomato salsa, garden salad & honey mustard vinaigrette, $16.50 and a trim cappuccino. The menu is extensive and different and such a refreshing change, it was hard to decide whether to have lunch or breakfast.
The coffee was one of the best I have had in a long time. This truly is where they excel, hence the name of their cafe. My lunch when it arrived was great, the fritters were light and fluffy, the salad was just rocket that was disappointing but the salsa was subtle and complimented the fritters. At first they offered me my neighbours scrambled eggs, which looked great. I did wonder why he received his before me when I had been sitting there 15 mins before him, when I said it wasn't my order and what I did order, they quickly came over to apologise and offered me a free coffee and the option to up size it to a large if I wanted. They were very apologetic and did not make excuses for their mistake. This mistake has not put me off wanting to visit again, their professional service made up for the wait.
This cafe is definitely popular with the locals, especially for their coffee. The cafe is definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
http://espressoworkshop.co.nz/espresso_bar.htm
Rating
Service: 4
Food: 4
Coffee: 5
Ambiance: 4
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Langham Hotel Auckland
I know this is a blog about cafes and restaurants but I wanted to share my experience at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.
New Years eve is always a tricky one, if you leave it too late you cant find anywhere to book a bach to stay, this is what my friends and I had done. Then a light bulb moment happened, why not book a night at a hotel. I had been looking at The Langham's special deals for a few months and the 5 star indulgence package was the one for us! 4 girls, 2 twin rooms, use of the Langham Club rooms, a bottle of Methode Traditionalle, fruit, valet parking, butler service and unlimited ice cream 24 hours a day! Just to name a few of the benefits.
We checked in early so we could relax by the pool LA style all day. It was so relaxing, we had loungers, which was a miracle, this hotel is busy! We swam, read our books and made polite conversation with the lovely overseas guests. The best part of this mini break was we didn't feel like we were in our own city, you could have been anywhere and I think that is what really made our stay so amazing.
Canapes and aperitifs were served in the Langham Club rooms from 5 to 7.30 pm, we arrived at 5.30 to a busy room. The canapes were flowing, sushi, prawn cutlets, cheeses, flat bread, salad, fruit, ice cream of course, and skewers of beef and chicken. The sushi was tasty, light, full of flavour, the right amount of wasabi. The cheeses were Kapiti, and a great range for all. The skewers and prawns were fine too. There was dessert at a later time but we missed that, we had a party to go to.
When we returned to our rooms our bottle of methode traditionalle was waiting for us along with our fruit.
The next morning breakfast was in order, we went down to the restaurant on the ground floor, it was busy. We made our way to our buffet breakfast. I have been to hotel breakfasts before but this one was impressive, for a moment I didn't know where to start. I walked around, there was a crepe and waffle section where your food was made to order. Next eggs bene, next the full english breakfast where your eggs were made to order. A cold section of meats and cheeses, muesli, fruit, yoghurt and cold drinks. It was a big room and I was quite amazed at the precision and efficiency of the staff, but this is a 5 star hotel I should expect nothing less.
We had a late check out of 1 pm so it was back up to the pool for one last relaxing swim and use of the spa facilities, which are amazing.
I did not want to leave, this mini break for New Years Eve was one of my best ideas in a long time. You could escape, even if it was for just 1 night, but it truly felt like a real break in another city or another country. The service is exceptional and you really do feel special staying there. My only regret was I didn't have any ice cream! Don't worry we will be back, we are planning another stay for a birthday.
Check out The Langham's website for their special offers, treat yourself, you wont regret it.
http://auckland.langhamhotels.co.nz/rooms/rooms_special_offers.htm
New Years eve is always a tricky one, if you leave it too late you cant find anywhere to book a bach to stay, this is what my friends and I had done. Then a light bulb moment happened, why not book a night at a hotel. I had been looking at The Langham's special deals for a few months and the 5 star indulgence package was the one for us! 4 girls, 2 twin rooms, use of the Langham Club rooms, a bottle of Methode Traditionalle, fruit, valet parking, butler service and unlimited ice cream 24 hours a day! Just to name a few of the benefits.
We checked in early so we could relax by the pool LA style all day. It was so relaxing, we had loungers, which was a miracle, this hotel is busy! We swam, read our books and made polite conversation with the lovely overseas guests. The best part of this mini break was we didn't feel like we were in our own city, you could have been anywhere and I think that is what really made our stay so amazing.
Canapes and aperitifs were served in the Langham Club rooms from 5 to 7.30 pm, we arrived at 5.30 to a busy room. The canapes were flowing, sushi, prawn cutlets, cheeses, flat bread, salad, fruit, ice cream of course, and skewers of beef and chicken. The sushi was tasty, light, full of flavour, the right amount of wasabi. The cheeses were Kapiti, and a great range for all. The skewers and prawns were fine too. There was dessert at a later time but we missed that, we had a party to go to.
When we returned to our rooms our bottle of methode traditionalle was waiting for us along with our fruit.
The next morning breakfast was in order, we went down to the restaurant on the ground floor, it was busy. We made our way to our buffet breakfast. I have been to hotel breakfasts before but this one was impressive, for a moment I didn't know where to start. I walked around, there was a crepe and waffle section where your food was made to order. Next eggs bene, next the full english breakfast where your eggs were made to order. A cold section of meats and cheeses, muesli, fruit, yoghurt and cold drinks. It was a big room and I was quite amazed at the precision and efficiency of the staff, but this is a 5 star hotel I should expect nothing less.
We had a late check out of 1 pm so it was back up to the pool for one last relaxing swim and use of the spa facilities, which are amazing.
I did not want to leave, this mini break for New Years Eve was one of my best ideas in a long time. You could escape, even if it was for just 1 night, but it truly felt like a real break in another city or another country. The service is exceptional and you really do feel special staying there. My only regret was I didn't have any ice cream! Don't worry we will be back, we are planning another stay for a birthday.
Check out The Langham's website for their special offers, treat yourself, you wont regret it.
http://auckland.langhamhotels.co.nz/rooms/rooms_special_offers.htm
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