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Cafe Food
Posted by helen
I know I have asked this before but I am interested to hear exactly what it is that you want when you go to a cafe.
By cafe I mean somewhere you may go to for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea etc... as opposed to an evening meal.
What sorts of things do you like to see and what do you dislike?
I am doing some work with a cafe that is struggling so wanting to seek your opinions to add to my own.
thanks
Helen
By cafe I mean somewhere you may go to for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea etc... as opposed to an evening meal.
What sorts of things do you like to see and what do you dislike?
I am doing some work with a cafe that is struggling so wanting to seek your opinions to add to my own.
thanks
Helen
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 05:45AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 829 |
If find portion sizes an issue in most cafés. Sometimes it would be nice to have just a little something with my coffee but I don't order anything as the portion sizes of slices etc are more often than not far too big, for me it is off putting. If they were smaller I would then buying something.
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 06:16AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,990 |
I am with Bev & also if smaller the price should be slightly less. Also a really good scone, so many places have ones that look nice but crumble or are very dry. We also like a good coffee definitely not a bitter one, that is very important I think. Muffins can also be too big, at home I always make mini ones. Again if smaller the price should be a little less & if you want two then they are affordable. A good variety is tempting too for cakes, squares or whatever. Water is generally always served in NZ & that is good too. Gluten free is very popular now too. Hope this helps.
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 07:01AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 1,440 |
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 07:01AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
I usually only order coffee or tea in a café as I never seem to go anywhere that has natural gluten-free food in small servings. If I have to eat I usually end up with Eggs Benedict without the muffin and cross my fingers that the Hollandaise is not out of a packet or a jar. It increasingly is alas and I don't return. What I would go out of my way for is somewhere that serves:
1. Small non-bready meals, i.e. without toast, pastry, crumbs, filo, bruschetta, etc.
2. Good quality salads with plenty of protein as well as fresh veges e.g. Salade Nicoise
3. Little meatballs made without breadcrumbs
4. Hard boiled eggs served with real mayonnaise or aioli (NOT out of a jar or pouch)
4. Small sweet things made with nuts, fruit, cream, eggs. E.g. tiny pots of chocolate mousse, posset, real fruit jelly, almond biscuits, crème caramel, coconut spiders.
I have several friends in Auckland who eat the same way as I do and we would definitely meet up in a café that provided this kind of food.
1. Small non-bready meals, i.e. without toast, pastry, crumbs, filo, bruschetta, etc.
2. Good quality salads with plenty of protein as well as fresh veges e.g. Salade Nicoise
3. Little meatballs made without breadcrumbs
4. Hard boiled eggs served with real mayonnaise or aioli (NOT out of a jar or pouch)
4. Small sweet things made with nuts, fruit, cream, eggs. E.g. tiny pots of chocolate mousse, posset, real fruit jelly, almond biscuits, crème caramel, coconut spiders.
I have several friends in Auckland who eat the same way as I do and we would definitely meet up in a café that provided this kind of food.
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 07:01AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
Stephanie T Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like having a no carbs option - chicken salad,
> chicken drums, or a 2 egg omelette,chicken liver
> salad, stuffed mushrooms, prawn salad. Everything
> tends to be too starchy.
Snap! We posted at the same time and are obviously of the same mind.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like having a no carbs option - chicken salad,
> chicken drums, or a 2 egg omelette,chicken liver
> salad, stuffed mushrooms, prawn salad. Everything
> tends to be too starchy.
Snap! We posted at the same time and are obviously of the same mind.
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 07:22AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 5,388 |
I am with the previous comments regarding portion sizes in cabinets. Often I may find myself early for an appointment and decide to have a coffee if there is a cafe nearby and a nibble as opposed to a McDs type of upsizing. Even the good old club sandwiches which used to be dainty wee things are huge.
One thing that impressed me recently eating out at a cafe (and I can't think for the life of me where it was - but it was a lunch) - and they came to the table to take our orders. That I thought was a nice point of difference -but I guess if you want something from the cabinet it wouldn't work, would it?
If it is cake type things.... I often love when you see something retro... ie fly cemeteries, neenish tarts (oh to get a good neenish tart). They didn't go out of vogue because they were terrible. It would be so nice to see some of the old goodies brought back - but that is most probably me being a whingeing old fart! That is the nibble side of things
Now Eggs Benedict - I hate, hate, hate Bagels!! And once again if it isnt a dry bagel it will be a thick slice of bread or 2 huge buns. I recently asked for my Eggs Ben to be served on their own and not on a bun or whatever stodge they decided to come up with - the look I got. Although the worst Eggs B I have had was at a popular cafe on a highway route out of Hamilton - I stated I wanted Salmon and they turned up sitting on Tinned Salmon. Egads that was one for the record books!!
Old fart cafe rant over for the day
One thing that impressed me recently eating out at a cafe (and I can't think for the life of me where it was - but it was a lunch) - and they came to the table to take our orders. That I thought was a nice point of difference -but I guess if you want something from the cabinet it wouldn't work, would it?
If it is cake type things.... I often love when you see something retro... ie fly cemeteries, neenish tarts (oh to get a good neenish tart). They didn't go out of vogue because they were terrible. It would be so nice to see some of the old goodies brought back - but that is most probably me being a whingeing old fart! That is the nibble side of things
Now Eggs Benedict - I hate, hate, hate Bagels!! And once again if it isnt a dry bagel it will be a thick slice of bread or 2 huge buns. I recently asked for my Eggs Ben to be served on their own and not on a bun or whatever stodge they decided to come up with - the look I got. Although the worst Eggs B I have had was at a popular cafe on a highway route out of Hamilton - I stated I wanted Salmon and they turned up sitting on Tinned Salmon. Egads that was one for the record books!!
Old fart cafe rant over for the day
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 08:07AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 09:02AM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 919 |
Brunch/Breakfast options that are wholesome, tasty and the eggs are cooked well. If I ask for salmon I dont want the cafe to skimp on it either.
The coffee needs to be FANTASTIC - there is so much competition if the coffees not good - I wont return.
Salads that are full of flavour and feature some protein so its a meal and I dont go away hungry.
Divine cakes/slices that are made fresh with quality ingredients - I cant stand it when they buy it in and its mediocre...
I eat with my eyes so it needs to look amazing.
Staff need to be on to it, knowledgable and happy to be there - a surly server or barista puts me off.
A decent cafe needs magazines and an inviting relaxing environment.
Finally - the coffee coffee coffee - needs to be amazing....
The coffee needs to be FANTASTIC - there is so much competition if the coffees not good - I wont return.
Salads that are full of flavour and feature some protein so its a meal and I dont go away hungry.
Divine cakes/slices that are made fresh with quality ingredients - I cant stand it when they buy it in and its mediocre...
I eat with my eyes so it needs to look amazing.
Staff need to be on to it, knowledgable and happy to be there - a surly server or barista puts me off.
A decent cafe needs magazines and an inviting relaxing environment.
Finally - the coffee coffee coffee - needs to be amazing....
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 09:05AM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 919 |
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 09:45AM |
Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 227 |
I'm with the others on the portion side of things. That and home made quality. Yes definitely the back to basics along with one or two different things. Good service is a must.
I have worked in my mum in laws café in Picton many years ago and because of our service we had the place full, compared to the prior owners had poor service.
I have recently moved to Dunedin and one thing my daughter and I have decided to do is try out various cafes around. The first we tried had large cheese rolls that were tasteless, as was the chilli sauce that the wedges came with. The wedges were greasy, the fat hadn't been changed. The sour cream was served in a piddly dish. The wedges were too many of, with cheese melted on top. And the milkshake tasted like it had been made with water. And then there was the poor service, delays on getting each persons food out, the waitress wasn't sure which cheese rolls order was mine nor the milkshakes. And it was all pretty overpriced for what we did get. We were unimpressed.
I have worked in my mum in laws café in Picton many years ago and because of our service we had the place full, compared to the prior owners had poor service.
I have recently moved to Dunedin and one thing my daughter and I have decided to do is try out various cafes around. The first we tried had large cheese rolls that were tasteless, as was the chilli sauce that the wedges came with. The wedges were greasy, the fat hadn't been changed. The sour cream was served in a piddly dish. The wedges were too many of, with cheese melted on top. And the milkshake tasted like it had been made with water. And then there was the poor service, delays on getting each persons food out, the waitress wasn't sure which cheese rolls order was mine nor the milkshakes. And it was all pretty overpriced for what we did get. We were unimpressed.
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 09:51AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 10:19AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1,979 |
The biggest put off to me is price. I really can't stand feeling ripped off, and to pay $7.50 for a slice of usually mediocre cake, or $5.00 for a dry muffin just irritates me. I agree that portion sizes are too big. Smaller and cheaper! Not to mention the items need to be fresh. Day old, slightly dry around the edges food is uncalled for, especially at the aforementioned prices.
As far as ordering food..
- bacon needs to be good bacon, not cheap and fatty. I wish more places asked how well done you want your bacon cooked too. I am not one for flabby, half cooked bacon.
- hash browns/fried potatoes shouldn't be sitting in a pool of oil or overly seasoned (once was served curried fried potatoes with my eggs benedict at 8am. Uhm, not quite what I want at breakfast!).
- Care should be taken that salads are made with fresh leaves, not half dead, black, wilted muck at the bottom of yesterday's salad bag.
- Not a fan of cabinet sandwiches that promise piles of lovely filling, only to find that a single slice of smoked salmon/chicken etc was draped tantalisingly over the front of the bread, and the middle of the sandwich is nothing but lettuce.
- Agreed with the good coffee.
As far as ordering food..
- bacon needs to be good bacon, not cheap and fatty. I wish more places asked how well done you want your bacon cooked too. I am not one for flabby, half cooked bacon.
- hash browns/fried potatoes shouldn't be sitting in a pool of oil or overly seasoned (once was served curried fried potatoes with my eggs benedict at 8am. Uhm, not quite what I want at breakfast!).
- Care should be taken that salads are made with fresh leaves, not half dead, black, wilted muck at the bottom of yesterday's salad bag.
- Not a fan of cabinet sandwiches that promise piles of lovely filling, only to find that a single slice of smoked salmon/chicken etc was draped tantalisingly over the front of the bread, and the middle of the sandwich is nothing but lettuce.
- Agreed with the good coffee.
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 10:29AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1,332 |
Some good comments so far.
I like-
- great coffee
- some ambience- this can be achieved through location/furniture/music/decor/staff
- tasty food.
I agree about good gluten free options/non bready. I eat bread but sometimes prefer something lighter and I have several friends who like to avoid carbs and wheat.
I think a menu can be quite short and sweet sometimes and very successful.
Getting known for an item - ie Little and Friday Doughnuts, in Hamilton, Grey St Kitchen and Mavis both have great cheese scones.
Depending on location and type of cafe offerings for children can be a positive thing. Or how you cater for them in terms of colouring books, toys etc...This may or may not be the market they want.
Good luck
I like-
- great coffee
- some ambience- this can be achieved through location/furniture/music/decor/staff
- tasty food.
I agree about good gluten free options/non bready. I eat bread but sometimes prefer something lighter and I have several friends who like to avoid carbs and wheat.
I think a menu can be quite short and sweet sometimes and very successful.
Getting known for an item - ie Little and Friday Doughnuts, in Hamilton, Grey St Kitchen and Mavis both have great cheese scones.
Depending on location and type of cafe offerings for children can be a positive thing. Or how you cater for them in terms of colouring books, toys etc...This may or may not be the market they want.
Good luck
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 10:33AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 829 |
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 10:42AM |
Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 2,228 |
However, healthy options are very much in the eye of the beholder, aren't they? I know I've seen recipes touted as "healthy" and when I've worked out their calorie load it is huge, yes, natural healthy foods but nuts, oils, etc add hugely to the calories. I appreciate that not everyone wants information on calories on their food, but I'd love to know approximately how many calories I'm eating in these places, so perhaps an invitation to ask the staff? I know a number of obese vegans, who "only eat healthy foods" but eat too much avocado/olive oil/nuts/etc and you'll have a weight problem regardless!
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 11:10AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 243 |
I'm also of the view about portion sizes being too big. A small club sandwich (rather than a pack), asparagus roll - and what I think of as 'clean' food rather than fatty stuff. Also, I would love to see cafes warm their cups so I get my coffee hot, rather than just warm. Perhaps all they need to do is use a different type of cup.
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 11:36AM |
Admin Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 1,131 |
Serving simple food with good quality ingredients, great coffee and friendly staff is a winner for me.
For brunch, I always order poached eggs (no hollandaise...) on 5grain toast with a side of creamy balsamic mushrooms.
+and awesome coffee
I would like to eat for lunch a crunchy bread roll with salami, great cheese and a good mustard - nothing flash but flavoursome OR a decent hearty salad like Roasted vegetables, feta and nuts and making sure it had an abundance of those ingredients. Quite often salads have a lot of filler (rocket, lettuce etc...) but not enough of the tasty bits.
For sweets, I would go for a vanilla slice, or a small rich slice to have with coffee. or brioche.
Things I hate in cafes
Oversized tasteless muffins. CRONUTS - fatty, Massive bowls of coffee (the oversized thing again), Pumpkin Soup (Overuse).
For brunch, I always order poached eggs (no hollandaise...) on 5grain toast with a side of creamy balsamic mushrooms.
+and awesome coffee
I would like to eat for lunch a crunchy bread roll with salami, great cheese and a good mustard - nothing flash but flavoursome OR a decent hearty salad like Roasted vegetables, feta and nuts and making sure it had an abundance of those ingredients. Quite often salads have a lot of filler (rocket, lettuce etc...) but not enough of the tasty bits.
For sweets, I would go for a vanilla slice, or a small rich slice to have with coffee. or brioche.
Things I hate in cafes
Oversized tasteless muffins. CRONUTS - fatty, Massive bowls of coffee (the oversized thing again), Pumpkin Soup (Overuse).
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 12:42PM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 1,033 |
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 12:46PM |
Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 749 |
Soblonde - have a look at the Dunedin thread for some cafe/restaurant suggestions - there are some good ones here in Dunedin along with some that are just blah. (Best milkshakes are at modaks - according to my 9 year old)
On the thread topic I am just going to echo some of the other suggestions.
Smaller portions/ more savoury options and things that are light - not just a big hunk of carbs. .. there is nothing more off putting than seeing a slice with a half inch of icing on the top, Sandwhiches and rolls need to be made with nice crusty bread - not just white!! A range of seasonal salads - not just leafy things - always goes down well.
If your cafe owner goes for quality ingredients, products that are well made and fresh,- has great coffee and a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes people feel welcome and comfortable - you can't go wrong.
On the thread topic I am just going to echo some of the other suggestions.
Smaller portions/ more savoury options and things that are light - not just a big hunk of carbs. .. there is nothing more off putting than seeing a slice with a half inch of icing on the top, Sandwhiches and rolls need to be made with nice crusty bread - not just white!! A range of seasonal salads - not just leafy things - always goes down well.
If your cafe owner goes for quality ingredients, products that are well made and fresh,- has great coffee and a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes people feel welcome and comfortable - you can't go wrong.
Re: Cafe Food April 23, 2014 11:29PM |
Admin Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 7,920 |
Thanks for all of your suggestions.
I am not sure what the cafe is currently offering as I haven't been to visit.
A trip is planned in a couple of weeks time.
I am not sure that breakfast will be an issue and I am hesitant for them to offer to much more than cabinet food as cooking to order quickly makes thngs more complicated. Although I do appreciate that chips etc... are popular.
There will be toasted sandwiches/paninis etc... plus a pie warmer for quiche, sausage rolls and the likes.
A slow cooker for soup during winter....
I need to go and see where they are at but I am interested in what you perceive a "good cafe" should offer.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2014 12:14AM by helen.
I am not sure what the cafe is currently offering as I haven't been to visit.
A trip is planned in a couple of weeks time.
I am not sure that breakfast will be an issue and I am hesitant for them to offer to much more than cabinet food as cooking to order quickly makes thngs more complicated. Although I do appreciate that chips etc... are popular.
There will be toasted sandwiches/paninis etc... plus a pie warmer for quiche, sausage rolls and the likes.
A slow cooker for soup during winter....
I need to go and see where they are at but I am interested in what you perceive a "good cafe" should offer.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2014 12:14AM by helen.
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 01:39AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 3,660 |
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 02:08AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1,979 |
Oh - another pet peeve - microwaving everything to death. You end up with overcooked quiche/egg based pie products, limp pastry etc. It turns anything otherwise passable into very nearly inedible. Yes I know that oven heating things takes longer, which customers don't always like, but considering other heating options like being able to do something in a panini press or under a salamander might be something to consider.
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 02:31AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
I agree with J1 - I wouldn't go into a place like that unless I was desperate. The food sounds exactly opposite to everyone's suggestions in this thread.
And Jenna - the ping of a microwave sends me out the door as the use of one shows no respect for food.
I don't suppose Helen can tell us where this cafe is, but to me it sounds as if it's in an industrial area, or maybe a small rural town.
And Jenna - the ping of a microwave sends me out the door as the use of one shows no respect for food.
I don't suppose Helen can tell us where this cafe is, but to me it sounds as if it's in an industrial area, or maybe a small rural town.
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 03:31AM |
Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 82 |
Just to throw a bit of a spanner in the works, I understand that some people prefer smaller servings of whatever is on offer in a café. However I have 6 men, of varying ages in my family and they would be totally unimpressed by "dainty" things. When they order cake or salad or anything else in a café they want to feel that they have eaten Many blokes eat in cafes too.
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 04:20AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 05:06AM |
Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 2,228 |
With things like muffins and sandwiches that's easy to do, I often bake a batch of normal size muffins for the family and do a tray of mini ones for myself and hubby (who are both supposed to be losing weight!) In fact it could be a point of difference, to have small and large versions of everything on offer...call the place "Choice" or something similar.
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 07:44AM |
Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 2,935 |
With the cafe owners even asking for advice, it's a step in the right direction.
I can also appreciate that catering for such a wide spectrum of customers with various diet choices that it must sometimes be a nightmare and a balance between making things run and making things hum.
In no particular order:
I like it when a cafe offers quality fresh fruit salads. That is often my choice for lunch.
Club and standard sandwiches.
Not too many of the 'blitzed' biscuit type of squares.
Really good fudgy brownies, specially with sultanas in them and hmmmm just a hint of rum.
Forget the melting moments with bright pink icing.
Cheese scones, ones that will have others recommending them. The recommendations goes for all of their products.
Smiling and cheery staff.
Great coffee, in it's various types.
Paninis, either cold or toasted, with a choice of fillings to be available.
Toasted sandwiches.
Larger sizes don't really bother me as we often share between two. A single friend just wraps up her uneaten portion (say a muffin or scone) and takes it home for later.
Sorry Irene, I know I shouldn't have laughed about the canned salmon, but I did!! It is rather like the tartare sauce once served with my fish. It had been made with condensed milk.
Finally, having just got home after one of those 'Nil by Mouth' and 'Clear Liquids Only' times, I can honestly say that to be able to even walk into a cafe would have been a dream at the time.
I can also appreciate that catering for such a wide spectrum of customers with various diet choices that it must sometimes be a nightmare and a balance between making things run and making things hum.
In no particular order:
I like it when a cafe offers quality fresh fruit salads. That is often my choice for lunch.
Club and standard sandwiches.
Not too many of the 'blitzed' biscuit type of squares.
Really good fudgy brownies, specially with sultanas in them and hmmmm just a hint of rum.
Forget the melting moments with bright pink icing.
Cheese scones, ones that will have others recommending them. The recommendations goes for all of their products.
Smiling and cheery staff.
Great coffee, in it's various types.
Paninis, either cold or toasted, with a choice of fillings to be available.
Toasted sandwiches.
Larger sizes don't really bother me as we often share between two. A single friend just wraps up her uneaten portion (say a muffin or scone) and takes it home for later.
Sorry Irene, I know I shouldn't have laughed about the canned salmon, but I did!! It is rather like the tartare sauce once served with my fish. It had been made with condensed milk.
Finally, having just got home after one of those 'Nil by Mouth' and 'Clear Liquids Only' times, I can honestly say that to be able to even walk into a cafe would have been a dream at the time.
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 12:40PM |
Admin Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 1,131 |
Re: Cafe Food April 24, 2014 02:38PM |
Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 2,228 |
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