Ginger Brown......revisited again!!

Apologies for the radio silence over the Easter Break and subsequent lack of reviews!  Perhaps it was all the chocolate consumed and family time enjoyed that has meant we haven't ventured out lately for our regular cafe catch-up?!

Feeling rejuvenated we headed to the park in South Hobart this morning so the little ones could run about and let off steam before heading into Ginger Brown Cafe.  It is the first time we have been back to Ginger Brown this year and once again we were not disappointed :)  Creatures of habit Kel and I - we both opted for the same dish we enjoyed on our last visit.......baked eggs and crusty toast for Kel and I enjoyed the fruit nut crumble with labne which was simply heavenly and oh sooooo mouth watering, yum!  My growing man enjoyed a kid-sized strawberry milkshake (with a small straw which is a blessing in disguise to minimise the spillage that can occur as excited hands wrestle with a  normal sized straw!).  

Once again the service at Ginger Brown was efficient and friendly as we settled back and enjoyed the relaxed vibe of the cafe.  Kel noted that her latte was smooth and delicious and hit the spot exactly.  When we were leaving we noticed that the Barista was a familiar and experienced face from a few other cafes around town which explained why the coffee was so good!  A welcome addition we are sure to the popular South Hobart spot.

Love Mumma's Al & Kel

Oh and from April 26th Ginger Brown will be starting evening dinners Thursday to Saturday - we will have to suss that out that's for sure! 

Rivulet Cafe

Location: 64 Anglesea Street, South Hobart (at C3 Church)

Phone: (03) 6223 1393

Website: http://www.rivuletcafe.com.au/

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 8.30am till 4.30pm

Kids menu: Toast fingers available with vegemite or jam
Adult menu: Light brunch and lunch options: Croissants with jam/chicken & cheese/ham & cheese; yoghurt & muesli; pies with salad; focaccia - lemon roasted turkey, vegetarian, honey ham; moderate range of sweet treats - chocolate eclairs, friands, kiss biscuits, carrot cake
Prices: Brunch & lunch options $3 - $10; hot drinks $3 - $4; biscuits & cakes $3 - $4;

Mumma Review

Wow the Rivulet Cafe in South Hobart is certainly becoming a popular child friendly cafe choice for lots of Hobart Mummas if the amount of emails we have had about it is anything to go by?!  I decided it was time to see what all the fuss what about......and enlisted the help of my Mum's Group to come along on a cafe 'road' test!

The Rivulet Cafe is located within the C3 Church in South Hobart - near the Hobart Rivulet, hence the name!  Initially I have to admit I was a little (ok....very!) skeptical at first to be going to a cafe within a religious setting and felt slightly apprehensive that we may be approached from all angles to join their congregation (goodness me this post may get me into trouble?!).   But I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.......

A vast open space greeted me when i walked into the building - lots of seating options (tables/chairs and a number of comfy looking couches) were positioned in front of a stylish little cafe with cakes and biscuits aplenty (always a bonus in my opinion!).  Staff were friendly and unobtrusive as I scuttled past and out into the famous playground - fenced off from the car park for safety.  Whilst waiting for my fellow mum's my young man was straight out into the playground and in what felt like seconds had climbed up the play equipment and was about to embark on a quick journey straight down the slide....he was sold!

Look out below!!

There were four of us Mumma's keen for our afternoon caffeine fix and sweet treat - coffees were pretty good and super reasonable at $3 each.  One mumma was partial to a hot chocolate which was proudly presented by the waiter - pride in making it with Italian chocolate :) There was a small selection of decadent cake options - some of which appeared to be from Jean Pascal which you can never miss!  I enjoyed a chocolate eclair (however the icing was a little runny for some reason which made the pastry a little soggy?!).  There was also a moderate range of pies and quiche available but seeing as we were there in the late afternoon I wouldn't have expected much more to be available.

kiss biscuit, chocolate eclair, raspberry friand

Outside in the playground area there was a large picnic table and some smaller tables that were occupied - we weren't keen to sit too far away from the play equipment (our little ones are far too fearless at the moment to be left alone!) so the staff brought us out a table from inside which was great (as we proceeded to each grab a chair).  The play equipment was very kid friendly and not too large (which can = dangerous!).  There was plenty of space for a good run around and a set of swings at the opposite end to the equipment. 

All round the Rivulet Cafe certainly was a pleasant surprise.  A safe and enclosed playground, cafe section with a good range of light bites at very reasonable prices, and all the child friendly features we love (including colouring-in books with pencils available) make it a great destination for family, friends and mum's (also Dad) group catch-ups.  For us being able to sit outside with our little ones was a huge plus and felt like you could have been at any cafe (not necessarily in a religious setting).  And our little ones looked simply exhilarated as they ran around freely and explored every possible aspect of the play equipment and open space......can't ask for much more than that :)  

Expert Supervision!

 

Love Mumma Al x

Ginger Brown - Revisited

We caught up for brunch last week at one of our favorite kid friendly spots, Ginger Brown, in South Hobart.

As usual they lived up to their kid friendly reputation; the toy box was well stocked, the marshmallows accompanying the babycino's were as huge, soft and gooey as always, and the staff really do go above and beyond to ensure that kids are welcomed.

Al's bubba, on his newly found toddler legs, wobbled off to check out some action behind the scenes (our little undercover reporter).  He was unable to dig up any dirt, but he did have a nice chat with the staff who then happily returned him to our table.

Great coffee as usual, and the food was yum!  Even Ginger Brown's resident dinosaur liked the look of Mumma Al's breakfast trifle!

Once we had finished we stopped off at the South Hobart park for the boys to stretch the legs and have a bit more of a play.  Only a stones throw from Ginger Brown, which was handy for all the mumma's we noticed grabbing their morning take-away coffee from Ginger Brown before hitting the park.

Ginger Brown certainly retains its spot as one of our favourites!

Love Mumma Kel & Mumma Al x

PS while we were at Ginger Brown we met up with the lovely Alice from Bubs and Bubbles. Keep an eye out for some of the fantastic activities she has planned this year for mums and bubs. Check out her facebook page for details Bubs and Bubbles.

Ginger Brown

Location:  464 Macquarie Street, South Hobart

Phone: (03) 6223 3531 

Website:  Nil listed

Opening hours:  8am – 4pm: Monday to Sunday

Kids menu:  No

Adults menu:  A great selection of delicious looking cakes and biscuits – all reasonably priced.  Hearty brunch and lunch options also available

Prices:  Sweet Treats $1-$5, Breakfast $5 - $16 (available til 11am), Lunch $8 - $20, Coffee $3.50, Babycino:  $1.50

  

Mumma Review

New kid on the block – Ginger Brown is a welcome addition to the South Hobart precinct if the number of mum’s, bub’s and friends all catching up was anything to go by on this weekday morning.  The breast feeding friendly sticker on the front door was a good start in our quest for a great kid friendly café.  So too was the waiter who opened the door for me as I entered with bub in pram – all in all a great start!

Recently opened Ginger Brown has taken the place of Magnolia Café.  New 50's inspired décor has revamped the place all with a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere.  Catching up for a morning cuppa was definitely the order of the day as two of us were in desperate need of a good coffee, having started the morning when the small hand of the clock still pointed to five.  Tasty treats tempted our pallets but it was the scrambled eggs that won us over. 

The layout of the café was relaxed with tables that seated 3-6 people, two big comfy couches and a window ledge with seats which would suit solo or quiet catch up’s.  As we sank back into the big couches the boys amused themselves with the toys on offer – a thankful distraction to occupy curious minds.  While there was no dedicated play area kids in the cafe did wander around freely and seemed pretty content.

The babychino’s were $1.50 for frothy milk, the most expensive we’ve come across, but they did come with a marshmallow the size of the moon!

Apart from the minor mishap of a favourite teddy wearing an entire babychino, the bubs thoroughly enjoyed themselves and spent most of the time exploring the depths of the toy box while we felt energised to continue on with our day.   All in all a fantastic place that happily welcomes bubs and kids.   

Love Mumma Al & Mumma Kel x

       

Re-reviewed February 2012 Ginger Brown - revisited

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