If you turn into a residential street off bustling Broadway in Reservoir you can find the suburb’s best-kept cafe secret – Lady Bower cafe.
The cute cafe is spread out over a couple of small old shopfronts and keeps Reservoir locals filled with good coffee, home made preserves, delectable cakes and a seasonal all day menu.
Baby 2.0 and I start by sharing a lamington milkshake ($6). It is ‘hand-shaken’ which is the first time I’ve seen a milkshake described like that on a menu. What that means is that it’s not as frothy as usual – turns out that I prefer my milkshakes thoroughly machine-whipped! But you definitely can’t go wrong with a mixture of chocolate, coconut and milk in a cold drink.
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For eats we share the slow-cooked spiced pulled pork sandwich with green mango, papaya salad, coriander and Thai basil ($13.50) and the pancakes ($15.50).
I like the tumble of bean sprouts lending a satisfying crunch to the soft bun and melt-in-your-mouth pork, though overall I would like more bite in the flavours. Perhaps a squirt of sriracha, some Vietnamese mint?
Baby 2.0 can hardly keep his hands off the two fat pancakes adorned with swathes of pink poached rhubarb, pear and a knob of vanilla ricotta rolled in roasted pistachio.
For families they have a bank of high chairs, a smattering of books and toys and a change table in the disabled toilet (once you negotiate your pram around the tight garden path).
Everything on the kids menu is $5.50, very cheap compared to some places I’ve been. It’s pretty simple – toastie, soldiers, pancake crumpet, egg. Kids are automatically provided with a colourful plastic cup for their water :)
House made cakes and treats are all displayed on the front counter. I am tempted by the huge scones served with jam and cream but decide to give my stomach a break this time with a promise to return to Reservoir.
See you soon, Lady Bower!
HOT Tips:
- Pram access, though small step to the main dining area;
- High chairs;
- Children’s menu;
- Standard menu suitable for kids;
- Toys and books;
- Change table in toilets; and
- Free parking in residential street.
Lady Bower, 1A Marchant Ave, Reservoir (03) 9469 5851
Mon-Fri 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Sat-Sun 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
