Bean There Cafe
this is the new cafe on the Onehunga block, which happens to be a few minutes’ walk from home.
not too bad, being on the One Tree Hill end of the Mall, so just out of the really busy bit. If you get stuck though there is a small, slightly rough carpark behind it.
the new owners have made the vast premises look completely different from the dark bar that occupied the building before, with cream walls and better use of the big bi- fold doors and windows. There are several different levels, including a deck area at the back and we liked the handmade wooden tables, bench seats and planter boxes.
isn’t really too unusual — Bean There plays it pretty safe. However, the Ultimate Breakfast ($ 19.50) features a few interesting additions to its eggs, streaky bacon, tomato, mushrooms and toast: herb- crusted beef schnitzel, cabanossi sausage and pan- fried rosemary potatoes.
mince on toast with poached eggs ($ 15.50) and a roast vege and mango chutney tramezzino ($ 7.80). The mince arrived exactly as described and was very tasty, though I had asked for five- grain and got sourdough. The tramezzino was packed with fat, juicy mushrooms, pumpkin, and chunks of feta, and was quickly demolished.
well- made but a little cold. We enjoyed the little piece of fruit slice served with it in the spoon as a sweetener.
super- friendly and polite, though we came in the lunchtime rush, so understandably a bit slow. bring your laptop and make the most of the free wi- fi or grab a book from the well- stocked shelves and relax in one of the sofa areas. We can imagine the spot in front of the fireplace will be hot property in winter.
once Bean There Cafe beds- in a little, we’ll definitely be adding it to our list of reliably good locals. Shandelle Battersby