A taste of ...
Frank's Coffee & Eats
120 The Terrace.
We’d heard …It was the best little cafe on The Terrace with a forever changing, bespoke doughnut menu.
We ordered … Unfortunately, we missed the new brunch menu cut-off, which ends at 11am.
We’d been very tempted by Frank’s Instagram page, which teased a dish of poached eggs, Agria potato rosti, and slowbraised, marinated beef brisket and beetroot hollandaise.
There seemed to be a ‘‘quality over quantity’’ selection of cabinet food.
I mulled over the fried halloumi ficelle and went for the chicken bap with spinach, avocado, cheese, mayo, and a side of spiced chutney ($10.50). The ciabatta was fresh and tasty but it was toasted a little too long.
We also went for the ‘‘Super Salad’’ for $9. This was essentially a potato salad, tossed with rocket, sliced radish, cherry tomato, mung bean sprouts, and sprinkled with sharp parmesan and chives.
It was just the right size for a quick weekday lunch, but I would have preferred they held the raw red onion – nobody wants to return to the office with raw onion breath.
I couldn’t say no to one of the three flavours of gourmet, berliner-style (no hole) doughnuts atop the counter ($4.50). We chose one filled with salted caramel that was so throat-grabbingly sweet I was reaching for water. I hear the classic cream and jam filling calling me for next time.
The service was … Friendly and relaxed. After ordering at the counter, I wondered how they’d find me upstairs when they said they didn’t need to give me a number.
I chuckled when I later read my receipt saying, ‘‘lady butterfly dress’’. For the record, they were flowers.
The vibe was … Small but simple, bright and modern, with fresh white walls and timber furniture. There’s a small deck on the second floor, which would be great for some midday sun on your lunch break.
If you go … Treat yourself to one of the doughnuts, even if you have to take it home for later.
Frank’s is perfect for a casual, coffee catch-up for work or play, but perhaps leave the confidential business discussions for the office. It’s pretty cosy so the tables are close to one another.
Rating out of 5: 4 – Hannah McKee