HAHNDORFS FINE CHOCOLATES
1230 Burwood Hwy.
Upper Ferntree Gully 3156
Phone 03 97522559
Open 7 days 8.30 - 6pm
Hahndorf is just what they advertise ' fine chocolates'.
There is not much else here. The coffee is quite passable but nothing to write home about however it does come with a free sample of chocolate from a dazzling array of flavours. If you are lucky you can savour quiche/s and salad, or a ham and cheese croissant. When we were there they had signs promoting Hot X buns and cakes but there were not many in the display cabinet. There are a few cookies and slices to have with your coffee.
The first thing that strikes you when you enter is that it is so dull and drab...dark furniture, dark floors and subdued lighting.....maybe this is good for the massive array of chocolate on the fixtures. If it is busy you can sit out the back which is quite pleasant.
If all you expect is drinks and chocolate you will not be disappointed.
FOOD 2/5
COFFEE 3/5
SCONES
SERVICE 4/5
VALUE 4/5
TOTAL 13/20
Revisit?? Uninspiring.Probably not.....unless we want chocolate.
Friday 28 March 2014
Friday 14 March 2014
ABITZA
Abitza Holistic Healing Centre, Cafe & Gifts
56 Main St, Upwey
Phone: 03 9754 6850
Mon-Fri 7-5
Sat 8-3
Sun 9-2
For somewhere a little bit different, it's worth a visit to Abitza. Not only do they serve great food and coffee, there is also a wonderful little gift shop full of unusual and unique esoteric gifts. You may even like to have your tarot read or a reiki healing session (bookings required). But if what you want is fresh, homebaked food and delicious coffee, this is the place to while away a few hours (beware of the parking inspectors though!)
For breakfast, why not try the Moroccan eggs, poached with a dash of spice. If your tastes are more conventional, the eggs benedict with ham is a must. Otherwise, for those who are hungry, the lunchtime chicken burger with fries is divine. Plus, you can't go past the wonderful array of cakes and slices, some of which are Raw Food. There are also lots of vegan choices here. Sometimes, the service can be a bit slow (the kitchen is TINY!), but the wait is usually worth it, as everything is freshly cooked. You also have to order and pay at the counter here.
If it's a sunny day, why not sit outside and enjoy the sun - the view of the train station isn't really worth writing home about though! The coffee does, however, go a long way in making up for it. Having said that, the atmosphere inside is welcoming and laid back, whether you sit at a table for a meal, or on one of their comfy couches for a chat with friends.
FOOD 4/5
SERVICE 3.5/5
COFFEE 4.5/5
SCONES
VALUE 4/5
TOTAL 16/20
Revisit?? Frequently!
56 Main St, Upwey
Phone: 03 9754 6850
Mon-Fri 7-5
Sat 8-3
Sun 9-2
For somewhere a little bit different, it's worth a visit to Abitza. Not only do they serve great food and coffee, there is also a wonderful little gift shop full of unusual and unique esoteric gifts. You may even like to have your tarot read or a reiki healing session (bookings required). But if what you want is fresh, homebaked food and delicious coffee, this is the place to while away a few hours (beware of the parking inspectors though!)
For breakfast, why not try the Moroccan eggs, poached with a dash of spice. If your tastes are more conventional, the eggs benedict with ham is a must. Otherwise, for those who are hungry, the lunchtime chicken burger with fries is divine. Plus, you can't go past the wonderful array of cakes and slices, some of which are Raw Food. There are also lots of vegan choices here. Sometimes, the service can be a bit slow (the kitchen is TINY!), but the wait is usually worth it, as everything is freshly cooked. You also have to order and pay at the counter here.
If it's a sunny day, why not sit outside and enjoy the sun - the view of the train station isn't really worth writing home about though! The coffee does, however, go a long way in making up for it. Having said that, the atmosphere inside is welcoming and laid back, whether you sit at a table for a meal, or on one of their comfy couches for a chat with friends.
FOOD 4/5
SERVICE 3.5/5
COFFEE 4.5/5
SCONES
VALUE 4/5
TOTAL 16/20
Revisit?? Frequently!
GRUNGE CAFE
GRUNGE CAFE
1696 Burwood Hwy. Belgrave.
Phone: 03 97541764
Weekdays 7.30-4.30
Weekends 8 - 5.00
A very pleasant little place, emphasis on little, with an alternative atmosphere in Belgrave's main street. Loved the relaxed retro decor. Loved the record player playing REAL discs.The menu is a quite limited but the food is excellent. The food is all very home made fresh, well priced and service is prompt and friendly.
The canneloni vegetarian and salad was really, really flavourful and the mixed salad, with pepitas added was crisp and tasty.
The orange flourless cake was a sensation. I have had this item other places and it can sometimes be a little dry but this one was moist and just oozing orangeness.I would have liked a little cream on the side but great anyway.
They do breakfast and brunch dishes here ( eggs, quiches ) and a great selection of coffees, teas, lindt hot chocolate and smoothies. My coffee was served a little cool but the efficient staff were only too happy to fix that promptly. They were taking a batch of home made cakes out of the oven when we were there and they smelled wonderful but we were too full. Next time !!
It is hard to compete with some of the fantastic local coffee served in the hills but theirs was pretty good. Give them a go!
You have to pay and order at the counter and they do not take cards which is a shame.
FOOD 5/5
SERVICE 3.5/5
COFFEE 4/5
SCONES
VALUE 5/5
TOTAL 17.5/20
Revisit?? Of course!!
1696 Burwood Hwy. Belgrave.
Phone: 03 97541764
Weekdays 7.30-4.30
Weekends 8 - 5.00
A very pleasant little place, emphasis on little, with an alternative atmosphere in Belgrave's main street. Loved the relaxed retro decor. Loved the record player playing REAL discs.The menu is a quite limited but the food is excellent. The food is all very home made fresh, well priced and service is prompt and friendly.
The canneloni vegetarian and salad was really, really flavourful and the mixed salad, with pepitas added was crisp and tasty.
The orange flourless cake was a sensation. I have had this item other places and it can sometimes be a little dry but this one was moist and just oozing orangeness.I would have liked a little cream on the side but great anyway.
They do breakfast and brunch dishes here ( eggs, quiches ) and a great selection of coffees, teas, lindt hot chocolate and smoothies. My coffee was served a little cool but the efficient staff were only too happy to fix that promptly. They were taking a batch of home made cakes out of the oven when we were there and they smelled wonderful but we were too full. Next time !!
It is hard to compete with some of the fantastic local coffee served in the hills but theirs was pretty good. Give them a go!
You have to pay and order at the counter and they do not take cards which is a shame.
FOOD 5/5
SERVICE 3.5/5
COFFEE 4/5
SCONES
VALUE 5/5
TOTAL 17.5/20
Revisit?? Of course!!
Sunday 9 March 2014
REEL
REEL CAFE
1628 Burwood Hwy
Belgrave
Phone 97541055
Sun-Thur 9am - 9pm
Fri/Sat 9am - 9.30pm
With the worst coffee in the Hills and what has to be the worst, slowest service this cafe is a terrible experience. We have given them 3 tries and each time got worse than the one before.
We told them that we were needing to eat efficiently because we were going to the movies but the service was still painfully slow and the surfaces had not been wiped on ours and the adjacent tables. When the dishes arrived they were wrong and the fries just did not turn up at all. The food choices are innovative and interesting and the food when you get it is pleasant but I will not bother again.
If what you want is coffee and cake you will likely be segregated from the table diners which is just as well because after you try the coffee you will want to make a quick exit! Cakes are not bad but since you can buy beautiful home baked cakes elsewhere I would not bother.
Beware that if you plan to take a cake for a birthday there is a surcharge which they may or may not tell you about.
FOOD 3.5/5
SERVICE 1/5
COFFEE 1/5
SCONES
VALUE 3/5
TOTAL 8.5/20
REVISIT? Not a chance!
1628 Burwood Hwy
Belgrave
Phone 97541055
Sun-Thur 9am - 9pm
Fri/Sat 9am - 9.30pm
With the worst coffee in the Hills and what has to be the worst, slowest service this cafe is a terrible experience. We have given them 3 tries and each time got worse than the one before.
We told them that we were needing to eat efficiently because we were going to the movies but the service was still painfully slow and the surfaces had not been wiped on ours and the adjacent tables. When the dishes arrived they were wrong and the fries just did not turn up at all. The food choices are innovative and interesting and the food when you get it is pleasant but I will not bother again.
If what you want is coffee and cake you will likely be segregated from the table diners which is just as well because after you try the coffee you will want to make a quick exit! Cakes are not bad but since you can buy beautiful home baked cakes elsewhere I would not bother.
Beware that if you plan to take a cake for a birthday there is a surcharge which they may or may not tell you about.
FOOD 3.5/5
SERVICE 1/5
COFFEE 1/5
SCONES
VALUE 3/5
TOTAL 8.5/20
REVISIT? Not a chance!
FORTNUMS
FORTNUMS
395 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd
Sassafras
Phone: 97551200
Mon - Fri 11-4pm
Sat/Sun 11-5pm.
Situated on the main road through Sassafras this delightful restaurant caters for afternoon teas, lunches and weddings/functions in bright, pretty surroundings.
The menu has no surprises, but they do have a large specifically gluten free menu which will delight coeliacs.
We loved the cake/ desert selection and the scones were to die for.
Everything is served like you are having high tea right down to the real tea leaves and individual strainer, with flowers on each table which is always a winner with me. As of Feb. 2014 they actually do serve High Tea which I am sure will be delicious (bookings needed).
There is also a gift shop filled with innovative and interesting gifts attached which is worth a look.
FOOD 4/5
SERVICE 4/5
COFFEE 4/5
SCONES 5/5
VALUE 4/5
TOTAL 21/25
Revisit? Yes. We have to try the High Tea!
395 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd
Sassafras
Phone: 97551200
Mon - Fri 11-4pm
Sat/Sun 11-5pm.
Situated on the main road through Sassafras this delightful restaurant caters for afternoon teas, lunches and weddings/functions in bright, pretty surroundings.
The menu has no surprises, but they do have a large specifically gluten free menu which will delight coeliacs.
We loved the cake/ desert selection and the scones were to die for.
Everything is served like you are having high tea right down to the real tea leaves and individual strainer, with flowers on each table which is always a winner with me. As of Feb. 2014 they actually do serve High Tea which I am sure will be delicious (bookings needed).
There is also a gift shop filled with innovative and interesting gifts attached which is worth a look.
FOOD 4/5
SERVICE 4/5
COFFEE 4/5
SCONES 5/5
VALUE 4/5
TOTAL 21/25
Revisit? Yes. We have to try the High Tea!
MUNROSE CAFE
MUNROSE CAFE
156 Colby Dr
Belgrave South
Phone: 97525923
Mon - Sat 8am-5pm
What a gem!! What a find!! This cafe is worth going out of your way for.....just 3.5km from the Belgrave roundabout down in Belgrave South along Belgrave Hallam Rd then a left.
The food is all cooked on the premises and the selection is incredible.
Pies, tarts, biscuits all made with organic flours. Innovative creations like breakfast muffins and more traditional fare. The New York Cheesecake was divine served with real thick traditional cream and what has to be some of the best coffee served in the hills.
For lunch we just didn't know what to choose. Chicken curry...smooth, tasty on a bed of rice. The Open Chicken Souvlaki was delicious and came with yoghurt sauce and 3 huge skewers making it a hearty serve. Finally the homemade Nanna's Lasagne....superb! served with crisp chunky chips and delightful salad, not your usual fare and all served efficiently and with a friendly smile.
Now that we have found it we will be visiting here regularly it is one of the Hills' best.
FOOD 5/5
SERVICE 4.5/5
COFFEE 5/5
SCONES Yet to try but looked delicious
VALUE 5/5
TOTAL 19.5/20
Revisit? Absolutely!! Can't wait!
156 Colby Dr
Belgrave South
Phone: 97525923
Mon - Sat 8am-5pm
What a gem!! What a find!! This cafe is worth going out of your way for.....just 3.5km from the Belgrave roundabout down in Belgrave South along Belgrave Hallam Rd then a left.
The food is all cooked on the premises and the selection is incredible.
Pies, tarts, biscuits all made with organic flours. Innovative creations like breakfast muffins and more traditional fare. The New York Cheesecake was divine served with real thick traditional cream and what has to be some of the best coffee served in the hills.
For lunch we just didn't know what to choose. Chicken curry...smooth, tasty on a bed of rice. The Open Chicken Souvlaki was delicious and came with yoghurt sauce and 3 huge skewers making it a hearty serve. Finally the homemade Nanna's Lasagne....superb! served with crisp chunky chips and delightful salad, not your usual fare and all served efficiently and with a friendly smile.
Now that we have found it we will be visiting here regularly it is one of the Hills' best.
FOOD 5/5
SERVICE 4.5/5
COFFEE 5/5
SCONES Yet to try but looked delicious
VALUE 5/5
TOTAL 19.5/20
Revisit? Absolutely!! Can't wait!
BURRINJA CAFE
BURRINJA CAFE
351 Glenfern Rd
Upwey
Phone 97545707
Closed Mondays
Daily 10.30 - 4pm
351 Glenfern Rd
Upwey
Phone 97545707
Closed Mondays
Daily 10.30 - 4pm
Hidden away in the Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey this cafe is a delight. It has comfortable couches to sit in and a relaxed ambience.
It can be a bit on the expensive side for lunch but the food is generally good quality and delicious. Home made cakes and great coffee make it a super place to while away a few hours and the scones are delicious.. They often have live entertainment and the Burrinja Gallery is just next door and so artworks are displayed in the cafe too.
FOOD 4/5
SERVICE 4/5
COFFEE 4.5/5
SCONES 4.5/5
VALUE 3.5/5
TOTAL 20.5/25
Revisit? Constantly.
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