Cultura Expresso Bar and Restaurant

Location: 123 Liverpool Street, Hobart

Phone: (03) 6234 7111 

Website:  www.culturahobart.com.au

Opening hours: Mon - Thurs 7.30am - 4.30pm. Fri 7.30am - late. Sat 9am - late. 

Kids menu: No

Adults menu & Prices:  See website

Mumma Review:

"Oooh, this looks nice" I thought, as I entered Cultura with my baby girl in the pram, and my 2yo holding my hand.  We were on our way to meet my grandparents for lunch.  Automatic doors meant no wrestling with the door and no struggling to ram a wide pram through it.  Off to a good start.

We joined my grandparents and said our hello's, before a waiter promptly took our coffee orders.  There were no highchairs for bub, but we were able to set ourselves up at the table with the pram without any hassles.  The wait staff were all really friendly, and most of them stopped to coo at the baby or chat with the toddler.  When my little man enquired "you got marshmallows?" the waitress checked if it was ok for him to have some, then bought out his babychino with not one, not two, but three marshmallows!  A treat indeed.

My hopes for a civilised lunch disappeared before the coffee even arrived (despite the quick service!)  A spilled babycino, followed by a mouthful of spurted water from the toddler who was unable to stifle a laugh while drinking, ensured that the table quickly looked a soggy mess. Baby girl started to loudly complain that she would like her lunch please, so I dug around in my bag for a bib, found one with a stretchy head hole (as opposed to one that fastens around the neck) then proceeded to simultaneously nearly rip her ears off and snap her neck as I attempted to hastily ram it over her head.  "Maybe put that one away for the next baby" my grandmother gently suggested.  

Once fed she was still pretty unhappy, so I quietened her with a quick milk feed.  While this was going on our lunch arrived, and my toddler was extremely displeased to find that he would be sharing with me, and did not have his very own plate thankyou very much.  My grandmother stepped in to do what only grandmothers are allowed to do... order him a bowl of icecream for lunch instead.

The toddler seemed pleased, the baby was fed... maybe I could enjoy my lunch now? Oh no.  Baby girl was happy for the merest of moments before really starting to roar.  Come to think of it, she was looking extremely tired, so I thought maybe if I put her in her pram and just take her for a little walk she would drop of, then I could come back and enjoy my lunch?  Yes, thats what I will do....I got as far as the front door before I heard Muuummmmyyy! and turned around to find a tearful little boy who had no intention of letting my carry out that plan.  Bugger.

Back to the table.  I held one child on my knee while he got stuck back into his ice cream, used the other hand to jiggle the pram about on the spot til the baby stopped roaring and fell asleep, all the while trying to smile pleasantly, act like there was nothing wrong, and that I was thoroughly enjoying the lunch that my grandparents were so kindly taking me out for.  I managed to snap a couple of quick pics, but this one of the little man tucking into his icecream while sitting on my knee was the only one that was even close to usable.

I did eventually manage to eat my roast vegetable risotto... Delicious, but stone cold by that stage.  Perhaps I'll head back here during baby free time!  

So I'm sorry to say that this is not much of a review for poor old Cultura, just a story of my failed luncheon....come on, who hasn't had one of those?! Share, and make me feel better :)

Love Mumma Kel x

Ecru

Location: 18 Criterion Street, Hobart

Phone: 0448 738 014

Website: Ecru Coffee

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 7am till 3pm

Adults menu: Some sweet treats; specialise in take-away coffee/hot drinks

Prices: $3.80 regular coffee 

Mumma Review 

Ecru coffee is just what every busy Mumma and/or Pappa needs (or anyone else for that matter) - a convenient hole-in-the-wall coffee shop that specialise in delicious coffee with limited wait time :)  Situated in the middle of Criteria Street Ecru is the little sister of Villino Espresso - located just a few stores up the street, and opened mid-2012.  Villino Espresso are renowned in Hobart for divine, specialty coffee, with the cafe roasting a variety of beans on-site. 

I popped by Ecru today for my latte with one while the great man sat happily on their groovy wooden stools and enjoyed a small snack.  In the short time we were there Ecru was serving up coffee to a variety of patrons - from business-man, post-gym goers, and mums with kids-in-tow.  The coffee I had was delicious and smooth yet with a slight bitter after taste, and gave me the energy I needed to complete my jobs in town! 
 
If you fancy a bite to eat then head up to Villino Espresso however if it is coffee on the go that you require Ecru is the place - and soooooo much pram access and cute tables to sit at it is the perfect spot for a quick pick-me-up while in the city :)

Love Mumma Al x

Providence Cafe

Location: 42 Newdegate Street, North Hobart

Phone: 0408 005429

Website:  Providence Cafe

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 7am till 3.30pm; Saturday: 8am till 4.30pm

Kids menu: Not a specific kids menu

Adults menu: Brunch & lunch options - filled panini's or baguettes, savoury tarts, baked omelette, toasted muesli, specialty salads, as well as a variety of sweet treats

Prices: Brunch options: $5.90 - $13.50; lunch: $9-14

 

Mumma Review

We are loving the new local cafe that has recently opened in our neck of the woods - Providence Cafe in North Hobart.  With a minimalist interior, contemporary wood panelling, polished concrete floors, and big windows that look out onto Newdegate Street it feels light and airy.  Staff are friendly and attentive, and prompt with their service.  Kids are more than welcomed and while it is a small cafe they seem to blend in well with the space (little ones that is!).  There is enough room to park a pram indoors, or safe enough to leave it parked outside the cafe.  There are a number of tables seating either 2-4 as well as some bench seating along the windows.

We recently retreated in to enjoy some ice cold drinks - a delicious iced-coffee frappe for me while hubby and our 'not so little man anymore' enjoyed a yummy choc milkshake.  Staff were attentive to offer the little man a separate glass to share the milkshake and a straw cut in half - he was simply delighted to enjoy his own drink instead of sharing ours :)  

   
They serve a variety of brunch and lunch options including Turkish bread grills, filled baguettes, omelettes, tarts,and toasted muesli with poached pear as well as gluten free options.  The front cake cabinet is always well stocked with a variety of goodies.  The coffee's hit the spot perfectly, smooth and delicious, and the take-away service is very prompt.

Being a cafe on the corner of a residential street Providence certainly feels like a little piece of Melbourne.  I can't wait to head back and sample some of the yummy brunch and lunch options!

Love Mumma Al xx

Oh and they also have doggie tie up hooks outside for those who enjoy the company of their four legged friends on a cafe outing :)

We are back....!

We are back from having a bit of a blogging break over the summer months.  Time well and truly needed to spend with our precious family and friends.  Sometimes cafe road testing can be rather taxing so it has been nice to enjoy what Hobart has to offer without writing about it, snapping pics and checking out the general baby and kiddie friendly amenities!  We are now rejuvenated and will hit the cafe road testing scene again with the hope of continuing our quest to find Hobart's best child and baby friendly cafes :)  And to bring a little bit more info to you guys out there as we know it can be a bit hit and miss finding a place that not only ticks all the boxes, but has delicious food, coffee and a welcoming atmosphere (especially when you are new to the whole parenting role!).

Kel started the ball rolling this week with her review of Beaujangles in the city and we aim to have a new cafe review up on the blog each week (a big statement we know but it is the New Year so we are aiming high!).

And our little cafe road testers who are always there for the ride are getting bigger by the minute and more and more adorable as they foster their own friendship together :)

Love Mumma Al & Mumma Kel xx

Beaujangles

Location: 49 Elizabeth Street Mall, Hobart

Phone: (03) 6236 9980

Website: nil 

Opening hours: Open seven days a week

Kids menu: No, but suitable options available. 
Adult menu: Breakfast and Lunch menu, with standard cafe fare.  A good choice of toasties and focaccias. 

Mumma Review:

We seem to find ourselves popping in here for a quick lunch lately when we are in the city, mostly because they have a good gluten free bread on their toasted sandwiches for hubby, but also because it is central, easy, and has some good kid friendly features.  

Hubbys favorite, gluten free BELT.
Half demolished before I could whip out the camera

We took an outside table on a sunny, quiet Sunday, a good option if you have a pram, as it is a little squishy inside for prams on the lower floor, although a few years ago when I came here with my then 6 week old baby a friendly waitress offered to help me carry my pram, complete with sleeping baby inside, up to the more roomy upstairs seating area.  We got about two steps up the steep stair case before I had visions of my tiny baby tumbling out, so in a panic I made her reverse back down.  I then more sensibly removed the baby from the pram before venturing back up.

Today we had no such kerfuffle.  We set baby girl up in a highchair, while our big toddler sat at the table, ordered himself a strawberry milk shake ("kids size or big?" inquired the waitress, "big please" was his reply).  A cheese toasty and the colouring in gear on offer kept him quiet for the rest of our stay.

The menu mostly consists of toasties, focaccia's, quiche, soup and the like, your standard cafe fare, and a pretty large drinks menu.  Good for a meal, snack or just a coffee.  We had prompt service today, but it can get pretty busy during the week.  Our toasties were fresh, hot, and yummy, and the coffee was pretty good too.

Beware, the babycino is the deluxe version...chocolate sprinkles, marshmallow, and a side of lollies... horrified or delighted?

Love Mumma Kel x

Nature's Cuppa Organic Tea - Winners

The two lucky winners, both drawn at random, of the 
Nature's Cuppa Organic Tea packs are..........

Crystall Lucas

 AND

Janine Balmforth 

Congratulations to you both!  

Email us your postal address to Mumma Needs Coffee or through the Contact Us section on the blog to enable you to receive the generous Tea Sample Pack from Nature's Cuppa :)  

If we haven't heard anything by Monday 19th November we will re-draw another winner. 

Love Mummas Al & Kel xx 

Ps - We would love to know what you think of the tea once you have enjoyed a cuppa or two, enjoy :)

The Nature's Cuppa Organic Tea packs were provided to us by Natures Cuppa as a gift for us to giveaway.

Natures Cuppa Organic Tea

This give-away has now closed

Recently we have been sent an amazing pack of Natures Cuppa Organic Tea to try!  We thought we may been sent a pack or two but to our delight a box arrived in the mail full of an assortment of tea goodies......Ceylon (both in tea bags & loose leaf), English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Chai Tea, Peppermint Tea, and Green Tea as well as a jar of Natures Cuppa Organic Coffee!  To honour the tea we decided to host a little luncheon with a few friends (as well as our tribe of little ones) for some serious tea sampling :)  Al even decided to get out the 'good tea cups' for the experience (gorgeous tea cups and saucers that have been in the family for sometime).

Here is what we all thought.......

We were all pleasantly surprised by both the Chai and Peppermint Teas.....'sweet yet refreshing' was one phrase used to describe the Chai!  Super tasty when combined with a little honey.  The aroma of the Chai spices when the boiling water was added was simply delicious whilst the Peppermint Tea left a refreshing aftertaste that wasn't over powering.   

The Ceylon Tea has a mild flavour in our opinion, best suited to those who don't like a super strong tasting tea.  Kel's favorite was the English Breakfast, which has a more robust flavour, and hits the spot at any time of the day!  

The Earl Grey was a dark horse; when deciding which tea to try first we all scrunched up our noses and each declared that we don't really like earl grey, but Al braved it for the purpose of the tea tasting party, then quietly mumbled, hmm, I do like that actually.......perhaps it has something to do with the organic Mediterranean Bergamot oil.  The packet does claim that you will never go back to inferior quality Earl Grey again, and we wont!

No one in the group were really avid green tea fans and found the Green Tea to be a little bitter, but perhaps we are not the best people to judge in this instance. 

The coffee jar was almost empty before the tasting party even began.  It turns out Kel's hubby is quite partial to the sweet flavoured coffee, made from 100% organic arabica beans.  It was also the hero in the Donna Hay Coffee Cake made by Kel for the occasion.

But taste aside, we love the fact that Nature's Cuppa Organic uses only tea varieties and coffee beans that are grown in organic conditions, with the tea also being certified "Fairtrade", and a pending "Rainforest Alliance Certification" for the coffee to ensure the product you are drinking has been grown sustainably.  You can read all about it here

That's our thoughts anyway.... 

Would you like to try some for yourself?  Nature's Cuppa Organic are providing two sampling packs to give away to two of our followers, so if you would like to be in the running to receive a box full of tea goodies in the mail then just follow these conditions:

1.  Be a follower of Mumma Needs Coffee on the blog via Google Friend Connect, or be a "liker" on facebook.  (If you aren't already you can click on the links in our right hand side bar and follow the prompts!)

AND

2.  Leave a comment (on the blog or on our Facebook Page) telling us your favorite tea or coffee variety, and how you like to enjoy it.

An extra entry will be given if you share Mumma Needs Coffee on your Facebook wall or if you blog about it or link to it!

The winners will be drawn on Friday 16th November at 3pm!

Love Mumma's Al and Kel x

All opinions in this post are our own, we were not paid for this post, but we were gifted the sample packs to try and giveaway.

Three Little Ducks

Location: 38-40 Cambridge Rd, Bellerive

Phone: (03) 6245 0566

Website: www.threelittleducks.com.au

Opening hours: Open from 8am to late, seven days for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Kids menu: Yes
Adult menu: Modern Australian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with light options available, or alternatively just pop in for coffee and cake.  Fully licenced.  They are also happy to cater to individual dietry requirements.  Menu is available to preview on their website.
Prices: Light meals around the $15 mark, Lunch menu mostly around the $20 mark, Dinner mostly $20-$30

 Mumma Review:

Situated in Bellerive Quay, Three Little Ducks is a cosy cafe with a choice of formal seating on the bay side of the building overlooking Kangaroo Bay, or a more relaxed couch option looking at the street scape at the front of the building.  The black and red decor gives it a slightly oriental feel, while the carpeted area, couchs and soft leather seats makes this cafe a very comfy spot to relax over a meal or just a snack and coffee.  Personally I hate it when the chairs in a cafe are hard, cheap, and uncomfortable, so the comfy chairs were one of the first things I noticed!

Another thing you cant help but miss, are the trio of ducks (ornamental that is) dotted around the cafe.  Duck spotting was a great pastime for my 2yo, and he was especially pleased to spot the chocolate ducks that came out on the saucer of our coffee's and babycino!

My mum and I shared the yummy dip platter, and the brushetta from the "something to share" menu, both of which were tasty, but in the words of my mum the dip platter was "a bit light on the bread"!  He he!  There is plenty to choose from on the menu, and the size of the meals we saw being delivered to other tables were very generously sized. 

Three Little Ducks really does cater towards littlies with a kids menu, highchairs, a handy ramp at the front of the building for pram access, and a nappy change facility that you rarely see in a cafe; complete with padded mattress and baby wipes. This was especially handy when my baby girl once again proved that she can not go anywhere without giving the nappy change facilities a thorough use!

Unfortunately, not all of our Mumma Needs Coffee followers have had a great time here, with some people telling us that they found the service to be less than child friendly.  Luckily for us the day we were there the staff were friendly, and only too happy to help me with positioning the pram into a good spot at the table, pointing me in the direction of the nappy change, and having a little chat with my 2yo while serving us.  We lingered over coffee and a light bite, while bubba happily breastfed. 

So, from my experience, I would have to say that this is generally a great child friendly cafe, perhaps with a few staff who let the team down on the "child friendly" front?  Have you been to Three Little Ducks?  Let us know your thoughts!

Love Mumma Kel x 

Ginger Brown - revisted....again!

Kel and I enjoyed another catch-up this morning at Ginger Brown in South Hobart with our friend G and our tribe of little ones :)  Miserable Hobart spring weather coupled with busy toddlers indoors can often equal disaster!  But in between snacks of food, boys josling for the same toy, general toddler wandering and micro sleeps (Kel's little man just wanted to have a little snooze for some reason at 1030hrs!) we all managed to enjoy good conversation (albeit slightly disjointed), drink our hot lattes with joy and thoroughly enjoy the food on offer......Kel enjoyed the baked eggs with chorizo, spinach, roasted peppers and sourdough soldiers while I (and the 'Great Man') were delighted with our fruit nut crumble, sweet labneh and berry coulis :)  It was simply divine.....warm and comforting, with a buttery soft crumble and perfectly cooked apple and rhubarb, certainly a treat mid-morning!  

Fruit Nut Crumble.....the picture does not do the dish justice!

Baked Eggs with Sourdough Soldiers

Once again the babycinos on offer did not disappoint with marshmallows the size of the moon.   Kel's growing man sat back like a professional and sipped away (not to mention the fact he had dashed to the car earlier saying 'come on mummy lets go to the marshmallow shop!).   

Ginger Brown has such a great vibe and is so welcoming to little ones, who do just blend seamlessly into the space (unless your little one in the group, aka Miss H, has just learnt to squeal then perhaps not!!).  It certainly is one of the best child and baby friendly cafes around, thanks Ginger Brown :)

Love Mummas Al & Kel  x

Oh and we spotted the Resident Dinosaur getting a workout in the play department......busy fellow that one :)

The Aproneers

 

Location:145 East Derwent Highway, Lindisfarne
Phone: (03) 6243 4720
Website: The Aproneers
Opening hours: 8am till 7pm: 7 days a week

Mumma Review

Enjoyed a lazy Sunday brunch at The Aproneers in Lindisfarne this morning with a girlfriend and her gorgeous doggie Charlie :)  It was a terrific chance for me to unwind and enjoy a civilized catch-up whilst the Grand Master stayed at home with his Dad 'dig, dig, digging'!  So this isn't really the typical Mumma Needs Coffee review.....instead just a quick post to say the brunch was simply divine and super delicious! 

Eggs Benedict for me (or Eggs Benny as per The Aproneers......perfectly poached eggs sourced locally, Aproneers leg ham, sourdough bread and juicy cherry tomatoes with a rocket and almond-type pesto) and house-made beans for Al (yes both have the same name and the beans looked aammmaazzzing!), and of course Al's doggie enjoyed a few small morsels under the table, a doggie water bowl as well as a secure place for him to be tied up next to us, perfect!  

Have you been to the Aproneers with your little ones....? Let us know your thoughts?  Will definitely be going back to suss it out with the Great Man in tow (plus I want to try the 'sweet heart' - Aproneers brioche french toast dusted with cinnamon sugar, saffron spiced stone fruit compote & mountain river natural yoghurt......mmmm my mouth is watering already!).

Love Mumma Al x 

ps And the coffee is from Cafe Villeno Hobart.  Say no more

Roocke Cookies Winner

Congratulations.........

Kathryn Lumsden-Steel

You are the winner of the $15 fresh homemade biscuits gift voucher from Roocke Cookies!

All you need to do to claim the voucher is contact us via email at mummaneedscoffee@hotmail.com.au or through our Facebook Page with your postal address so we can post you the voucher :)

Yum, yum......happy eating!! And thanks for following us at Mumma Needs Coffee :)

Love Kel and Al xx

ps And thanks again to Katrina at Roocke Cookies for donating the voucher x 

 

Roocke Cookies Giveaway

NB. This giveaway is now closed and has been drawn

 

Well our first blogiversary may have slipped by without us noticing, but once we were up to speed with that fact we couldn't miss the opportunity for a giveaway for our followers. 

You know we love a giveaway at Mumma Needs Coffee, so to belatedly celebrate our first year milestone we have a $15 voucher for some delicious cookies from Roocke Cookies.
Katrina is a fellow mumma who bakes a range of fresh, homemade biscuits here in Hobart.  She is also involved in various fundraising and charity events.  You can check out the details on her facebook page.  While you are there why not "like" her page and check out her range of cookies on offer. 

Here's a pic of some of the goodies on the Roocke Cookies facebook page.  Mmm, just the thing to enjoy with a nice cuppa!

This giveaway is a thank-you to our current facebook "likers" and blog followers with "google friend connect" for joining us in our first year of blogging.  You can read how much we have enjoyed our first year, and what we have achieved on the blog here. 

So on Monday the 8th of October all of our current followers will be placed in a random draw.  No need to do anything, if you already follow us on facebook or google friend connect you are automatically placed in the draw. 

The lucky winner will be notified via our blog and on facebook at 8pm Monday evening.  If you are the winner you have 48 hours to get in touch with us to claim your prize, otherwise it will be re-drawn.

Good luck!