19 April 2016

Weekend Cafe Hot Spot: Mood Food, Braddon

| Samara Gentle
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IMG_5721Mood Food is one of the lesser known cafes on Lonsdale St. While it sits in a prime location it seems to always be overlooked for the latest cafe or food van.

I’ve had lunch there a few times and always been pleased with the speediness of the service and quality of the food. Naturally I was ready to put it to the test for breakfast.

I came on a Friday morning and there were only a few other diners, I was seated straight away and had my coffee order taken first. My coffee was made in just a few minutes, then they came and took my food order. Normally I’m an eggs and bacon person but for some reason the banana hot cakes were calling me.

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They were placed in front of me within 5 minutes. I cannot fault how attentive and speedy these guys were. The added bonus is you can see right into the kitchen and in the 5 minutes I waited the chefs were busting out an 80s ballad that was playing in the background.

The hotcakes were soooo tasty! They were very generous sizes with some fried banana on top with coconut butter. Coconut BUTTER – need I say more? I couldn’t resist eating the whole thing, even though I was busting at the seams with the last mouthful.

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Add to that a nice hot strong coffee, I honestly couldn’t be happier. They also followed up asking if I wanted a second coffee after taking away my breakfast plate (bonus points from me for that!).

The atmosphere is really relaxed and casual. The staff are super friendly, sing to 80s classics like Sweet Caroline and look like they actually enjoy their job.

There’s table seating inside and out and also a nice little lounge area if you’re popping in just for a coffee.

Overall I’m surprised locals aren’t raving about this place like they do all the other cafes on Lonsdale St – I highly recommend you give it a go!

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well, pretty mixed comments about this place. I guess i will have to go and check it out myself 😛

Hope the service is quick. Dont want to keep waiting while my stomach is cursing me :p

I had their pulled Lamb burger when I went a couple of months ago. Was really good and came our really quickly too. I agree that their pricing is just a bit high to make it a regular lunch spot though.

I had dinner there with 3 other people, a fair while ago, it was really good, staff were very attentive, and the food came out pretty quick, even after a large hens night packed out the place.

All meals were good, I had a pork belly thing, we had just come from the brewery so I was pretty happy so that might of influenced me a bit enjoying everything and is why I can’t recall what we all had exactly.

But aside from all that it is worth going there just for the bathroom behind the hidden door.

Alexandra Craig12:05 pm 19 Nov 14

Samara Gentle said :

Kalliste said :

Alexandra Craig said :

I had the WORST experience at this place. The service was decent, we were served quickly and the waiter was quite pleasant.

However, the food took ages to arrive. When it did, it was cr@p! My partner had ordered a steak dish. The steak was minuscule and had some burnt thin slices of sweet potato accompanying it passed off as “vegetables”. I ordered a calzone. From memory it was meant to have chicken and pancetta in it with a few other things. It was about 85% bread, with about half the ingredients missing – no pancetta 🙁

It was a really expensive meal too – the steak was about $30 and I think the calzone was $17 or so. When we finished up, the staff member at the counter asked how it was. We were pretty polite but we did say that we were a bit disappointed because it was overpriced for a below-average meal. The staff member just responded with “Oh well. See you next time!” and that was it. There hasn’t been a next time for me, and there probably won’t be 🙁 🙁

I had a similar experience. Went for lunch and the service was pretty decent (granted, there weren’t many other people there) but the meal took ages to come out. I also had a calzone, it’s not on the current menu (is it a seasonal menu?) I think it was pulled pork. Anyway, same thing, full of dough and not a lot else.

They did a decent chocolate frappe though and I remember the cake selection being good. Oh and the hot chocolate had actual chocolate in it. Unfortunately, the food offerings for lunch weren’t great though.

Maybe they’re very good at breakfast but not great at the rest of the day.

I definitely haven’t had this experience – I’ve been for lunch twice and never had a problem with length of time for food or quality! Such a shame your experience was bad.

Maybe I went on a bad day. Or maybe they’ve improved since then.
Having a bad restaurant experience really ruins your day haha I just got grumpy thinking about it. #firstworldproblems haha

Samara Gentle9:12 pm 18 Nov 14

Kalliste said :

Alexandra Craig said :

I had the WORST experience at this place. The service was decent, we were served quickly and the waiter was quite pleasant.

However, the food took ages to arrive. When it did, it was cr@p! My partner had ordered a steak dish. The steak was minuscule and had some burnt thin slices of sweet potato accompanying it passed off as “vegetables”. I ordered a calzone. From memory it was meant to have chicken and pancetta in it with a few other things. It was about 85% bread, with about half the ingredients missing – no pancetta 🙁

It was a really expensive meal too – the steak was about $30 and I think the calzone was $17 or so. When we finished up, the staff member at the counter asked how it was. We were pretty polite but we did say that we were a bit disappointed because it was overpriced for a below-average meal. The staff member just responded with “Oh well. See you next time!” and that was it. There hasn’t been a next time for me, and there probably won’t be 🙁 🙁

I had a similar experience. Went for lunch and the service was pretty decent (granted, there weren’t many other people there) but the meal took ages to come out. I also had a calzone, it’s not on the current menu (is it a seasonal menu?) I think it was pulled pork. Anyway, same thing, full of dough and not a lot else.

They did a decent chocolate frappe though and I remember the cake selection being good. Oh and the hot chocolate had actual chocolate in it. Unfortunately, the food offerings for lunch weren’t great though.

Maybe they’re very good at breakfast but not great at the rest of the day.

I definitely haven’t had this experience – I’ve been for lunch twice and never had a problem with length of time for food or quality! Such a shame your experience was bad.

Alexandra Craig said :

I had the WORST experience at this place. The service was decent, we were served quickly and the waiter was quite pleasant.

However, the food took ages to arrive. When it did, it was cr@p! My partner had ordered a steak dish. The steak was minuscule and had some burnt thin slices of sweet potato accompanying it passed off as “vegetables”. I ordered a calzone. From memory it was meant to have chicken and pancetta in it with a few other things. It was about 85% bread, with about half the ingredients missing – no pancetta 🙁

It was a really expensive meal too – the steak was about $30 and I think the calzone was $17 or so. When we finished up, the staff member at the counter asked how it was. We were pretty polite but we did say that we were a bit disappointed because it was overpriced for a below-average meal. The staff member just responded with “Oh well. See you next time!” and that was it. There hasn’t been a next time for me, and there probably won’t be 🙁 🙁

I had a similar experience. Went for lunch and the service was pretty decent (granted, there weren’t many other people there) but the meal took ages to come out. I also had a calzone, it’s not on the current menu (is it a seasonal menu?) I think it was pulled pork. Anyway, same thing, full of dough and not a lot else.

They did a decent chocolate frappe though and I remember the cake selection being good. Oh and the hot chocolate had actual chocolate in it. Unfortunately, the food offerings for lunch weren’t great though.

Maybe they’re very good at breakfast but not great at the rest of the day.

Probably the friendliest place in Lonsdale street. Good food, good coffee, and they’ll always wave and say hi as I walk past.

Alexandra Craig said :

I had the WORST experience at this place. The service was decent, we were served quickly and the waiter was quite pleasant.

However, the food took ages to arrive. When it did, it was cr@p! My partner had ordered a steak dish. The steak was minuscule and had some burnt thin slices of sweet potato accompanying it passed off as “vegetables”. I ordered a calzone. From memory it was meant to have chicken and pancetta in it with a few other things. It was about 85% bread, with about half the ingredients missing – no pancetta 🙁

It was a really expensive meal too – the steak was about $30 and I think the calzone was $17 or so. When we finished up, the staff member at the counter asked how it was. We were pretty polite but we did say that we were a bit disappointed because it was overpriced for a below-average meal. The staff member just responded with “Oh well. See you next time!” and that was it. There hasn’t been a next time for me, and there probably won’t be 🙁 🙁

After this comment I am no longer interested in the modulation aspects of the music.

I’ve been to mood food a half dozen times or more – breakfast, lunch, coffee, etc. I’ve enjoyed every visit. I particularly enjoy the coffee – much better than Lonsdale Street Roasters. The service is also much, much better. The staff seem to enjoy working there are you aren’t met with the typical “hipster indifference” that seems to infect many other places in Braddon.

Alexandra Craig9:37 pm 16 Nov 14

I had the WORST experience at this place. The service was decent, we were served quickly and the waiter was quite pleasant.

However, the food took ages to arrive. When it did, it was cr@p! My partner had ordered a steak dish. The steak was minuscule and had some burnt thin slices of sweet potato accompanying it passed off as “vegetables”. I ordered a calzone. From memory it was meant to have chicken and pancetta in it with a few other things. It was about 85% bread, with about half the ingredients missing – no pancetta 🙁

It was a really expensive meal too – the steak was about $30 and I think the calzone was $17 or so. When we finished up, the staff member at the counter asked how it was. We were pretty polite but we did say that we were a bit disappointed because it was overpriced for a below-average meal. The staff member just responded with “Oh well. See you next time!” and that was it. There hasn’t been a next time for me, and there probably won’t be 🙁 🙁

How loud is the music?

Couldn’t agree more!! Great food and great service..

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