Bay Road Cafe

I’m going to start this review by saying that I happen to know someone who works here and have known others who have worked here, so potentially my insider information has tainted a fresh perspective. Nonetheless, I can say wholeheartedly right now, I know how hard everyone works and how strong a team they are.
Bay Road Café, if you were unaware is located in a nursery/​store. I must tell you the nursery is well kept and is blooming with flowers at all times. The atmosphere changes your entire mood and its a lovely place to just be in.
In saying that, Bay Road Café has its issues. To be pedantic is my style so I shall, they have attentive table service, yet the water is self serve? Really? Shall I come behind the counter and grab my own muffin too while I’m at it, sweetheart? Not okay. If they want to be in the price bracket they are and compete with incredible establishments like Cornerstone & Co in Hampton for example, they should and can bring water. After all, they aren’t going to impress anyone with that menu.
To say the menu is outdated probably isn’t fair, but I’m saying it. because it’s true. It’s boring. It’s done. It’s blah. Granted what I ate, the Salmon & Potato Rosti with Dill Ricotta & caramelised fennel was impeccably executed and each individual element was a delight as a United dish, it did not work. Smoked Salmon, dill, ricotta, potato, Spanish onion, fennel, capers and spinach are not palatable in a single mouthful. But again, it was perfectly cooked and assembled.
Let’s talk about the cakes, firstly the cake display looks delectable and magical, you have this cynical thought that surely these delicate treats surely couldn’t taste as good as they look, but they do. they really do!
I’ve tasted the Hummingbird cake and the berry & ricotta cheesecake. I couldn’t tell you which I enjoyed more or which I had to stop my self from engulfing more! The hummingbird had caramelised pecans a top it and then was adorned with an edible violet which rested on a nest of rich, sweet, buttery icing that I can’t stop thinking about, I don’t even have a sweet tooth! Delicious.
The coffee is great, they do great things with what they have– insider info– I know they don’t use the fancy full cream or BonSoy, let’s face it, in their price bracket is unacceptable, but lucky for Bay Road Café they have some incredible Baristas who work their magic, achieving soy, double ristretto, lattes, with foam art that pass the spoon test, now THAT is impressive!
Overall, a pleasant place to visit, especially for the scenery, coffee and cake.

The Garden Of Eden
Or at least a café in a garden centre.
This is a place to buy plants. It’s beautiful, as they have lots of them.
However the café is fully functional with food, this isn’t just a small place where you get a mediocre mocha. I had an Earl Grey with lemon & honey and one of the most delicious breakfasts I’ve ever had.
I had the Salmon & Avocado Delight. The first mouthful was perfection itself. Unfortunately further mouthfuls revealed an occasional excessive use of wasabi that overpowered the various subtle flavours at work.