Celebrate mum in cosy cafe style
THE aim of LB & Co Espresso has always been to make every visit special, whether it’s with the pick-me-up of a big smile, a rich coffee and one of their lovingly made homestyle creations, or something more extravagant when celebrations call.
With Mother’s Day now around the corner, the Ilam cafe serves up a wonderful merger of both aspects, offering a relaxed family atmosphere in which to enjoy wines and platters, outstanding cabinet foods and hot meals made for autumn.
Seating indoors spans cosy nooks and large tables, while outside a sunny courtyard along Ilam Rd shows a leafy neighbourhood now in shades of yellow and red.
LB & Co Espresso manager Lucy Rendel says early bookings for Mother’s Day are advised, especially if people have a preferred table.
‘‘We do a sweet treat with every coffee and people are stopping by all day so it does get busy. It’s really nice to see people having those long overdue chats because mums do need that special attention,’’ she says.
The cafe’s ‘‘Ploughman’s Platter’’ is perfect for afternoon nibbles and conversation, comprising a mix of pickles, ham brie, grapes, warm bread, relish and smoked salmon that pairs well with a wine or a cold Monteith’s beer.
Veuve Du Vernay – a French sparkling wine known for velvety bubbles and delicate apple and pear flavours – is available in 200ml bottles or full size.
LB & Co Espresso takes particular pride in its cabinet foods, made fresh onsite each day. However, as part of the Meshino family of cafes run by husbandand-wife cheffing team Gaby and Mike Topp, there are plenty of highlights to be found in menus and daily specials, too.
The breakfast salad of tomato, bacon, salad greens, parmesan, poached egg, Vienna toast and a pine nut dressing, for example, is light enough to avoid slowing the day’s momentum while still being full of satisfying flavours.
Some of the most popular creations are seemingly simple meals that are made so well customers have demanded their return.
Creamy mushrooms, lamb’s fry and bacon, steak sandwiches and even mince on toast get elevated from mundane origins to mini-masterpieces with the LB & Co treatment. These will gain even more favour as the season cools – a time when LB & Co Espresso excels.
Set in a modern building just down the road from the university, the cafe has a natural cosiness enhanced by friendly service and warm, open spaces.
Two disabled parks are included among the off-street parks at the rear of the cafe, and more places can be found nearby on the suburban streets.
Functions can be hosted day or night with food and drinks catered to taste.
LB & Co Espresso is open every day 7am-5pm on the corner of Ilam and Creyke roads, Ilam. To reserve your table or find out more, phone 03 974 1460 or visit lbandco.co.nz.