Heart of Hall in Newport has transformed a drab employment agency into a stylish cooking school, cafe and foodstore for westside locals.
I love the decor and colour scheme, with cobalt blue walls highlighting the white-and-wood Scandi chic aesthetic. The gold bar on the coffee bench is a glamorous finishing touch.
Heart of Hall services breakfast and lunch 7 days a week and the menu focuses on fresh simplicity and seasonal ingredients. Breakfast starts with bready things, an egg and bacon roll, granola toasted oats and chia pudding, while more substantial dishes involve smashed avo, bubble and squeak and zucchini fritters.
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For lunch (though I couldn’t see anything restrictions on having it for breakfast) there’s a choice of Bocastle pies, salads, a Ploughman’s lunch and my option, a vegetarian platter with avocado and beetroot relish croute, vine tomatoes, herb coated goats cheese balls and zucchini fritters ($20). The platter is a substantial serving for one person so make sure you have a good appetite.
For families there is plenty of pram space, several high chairs and a disabled toilet. While there’s no actual ‘kids’ stuff to do the co-owner Nicole said that they were very welcoming of families…plus there’s lots to look at on the shelves, from ceramics to cookbooks to food making kits.
They stock good quality everyday supplies such as La Madre bread, Schulz Organic Milk and Green Eggs.
Heart of Hall also hosts regular cooking classes with different themes. Upcoming classes include knife skills, pasta, raw food and French cuisine. Maybe they’ll have kids in the kitchen at some stage?
HOT Tips:
- pram access;
- several high chairs;
- disabled toilet;
- standard menu suitable for kids;
- across from Newport train station;
- under the station tunnel to Newport Community Hub and Library and playground;
- free street parking.
