Cafe Reviews

Tempo Cafe

- Alex 1 Comment

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date of visit: Saturday 15 December 2012

It’s not often that Andy and I find ourselves wandering around the western end of town looking for morning tea. In fact, I’d say it’s pretty close to never. However, we’d been lucky enough to stay in town after our work Christmas do (has anyone noticed how Mexican seems to be a corporate Christmas party theme this year?!) and, the next morning, we took the opportunity to check out some shower heads in a city showroom (quite rock and roll, but when your shower is held together with limescale a somewhat necessary exercise).

This meant we were wandering along Hindley Street looking for a spot of morning tea. Tempo was pretty much the first place we came across that was open. The café is in the foyer of the ASO‘s Grainger Studio and I daresay that during term time and performance time it does a raging business. At about midday on a Saturday it’s very quiet.

We just ducked in for coffee and cake. While iced coffee wasn’t on the drinks board it was available and I also had a melting moment.

The iced coffees were awesome. At just $4.50 each they came in big (imperial) pint glasses and were simple: coffee, milk, ice, and ice cream. Have you ever noticed that the more someone stuffs around with an iced coffee the less good it gets? That was not a problem here.

The melting moment did the job too – although it was less impressive and exciting than the iced coffee!

The staff (there were two men working – one working the coffee machine and one doing front of house duties) were both really friendly and made sure they took the time to say goodbye when we left.

While we hardly undertook a comprehensive survey of what Tempo has to offer, it’s somewhere I’d definitely go back to.

Cafe Tempo on Urbanspoon

Sonas, Dublin

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date of visit: Thursday 25 October 2012

Sonas is now closed.

Er, yes, I’m still catching up on all the eating we did abroad, even though we’ve been back almost a month. Still, it’s a good thing we did visit quite a few places because we’re yet to get back into the swing of dining out in Adelaide again!

Our last morning in Dublin and I had made the mistake of munching on some cereal so while Jenn and Andy were starving, all I was interested in was a coffee. As we’d been staying on Lower Liffey Street, we’d walked past Sonas several times and its bright, cheery exterior had caught our attention.

This little café is bright and cheery on the inside too, with friendly staff and an interesting array of sweet and savoury snacks to choose from. Quesadillas and crêpes might sound like an odd combination, but it’s the type of menu from which everyone will be able to find something they like. The cooking is done on hot plates at the counter, so it’s perfect entertainment for nosy toddlers.

Andy chose the Sevillana quesadilla and Jenn the apple and cinnamon pancake. As you can see, this was no measly portion and it was beautifully presented. At the time, I thought it was a bit excessive for breakfast, but in hindsight, I think it shows a lovely concern for detail. There’s no reason why breakfast food should not be beautiful.

The quesadilla came with corn chips and a dip, and between the two plates of food, I felt most left out nursing my long black. From all reports, the food was good.

If you’re looking for a breakfast/brunch/afternoon tea and you happen to be in that area of Dublin, I suggest ducking in and checking out the food. Sonas definitely has the feel of somewhere that’s catering just as much for locals as it is for tourists. Tasty, friendly and won’t break the bank!

Sonas on Urbanspoon

Leo Burdock, Dublin

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date of visit: Tuesday 23 October 2012

Our little apartment in Dublin overlooked Liffey Street – very central and packed with small restaurants and bars. From our balcony we could see the excitingly named (and sadly unvisited) Gin Palace, the grandly named (and very much not living up to its name) Epicurean Food Court and Leo Burdock‘s fish and chips – since 1913.

In theory, part of the appeal of an apartment was that we could cook our own meals but that never quite happened. However, with plenty to eat nearby, takeaway was a very practical option. Someone could stop in with the sleeping toddler and two (we were travelling with a friend) could pop out and source food.

Fish and chips isn’t a choice that requires too much menu inspection so I stayed in and waited for my dinner to turn up.

When it did I arrive I was shocked by the price. Overall, we didn’t find Dublin particularly expensive, but €10 for a portion of fish and chips? It had better be the world’s best fish and chips …

Which it wasn’t. The chips rated highly – they were a good size and nicely cooked. The fish itself was quite well cooked but the batter was a bit too thick, stodgy and doughy for me.

Apparently the shop itself contains a list of famous clientele. I don’t know how you’d verify this but Andy noted that both LLCoolJ and Justin Bieber’s family had visited. I suspect not on the same occasion.

I didn’t see see any other chip shops in our wanderings, and Burdock’s is a chain – perhaps it’s the Irish Harry Ramsden – so I suspect they have the tourist market, at least, all sewn up.

Leo Burdock on Urbanspoon