Saturday 3 January 2009

Get thee hence to Ut Si's Cafe

The Taste discussion has been exceedingly interesting. My thanks to all who contributed to this topic.

Yesterday saw three food bloggers meeting up for a frank and lively discussion on all things food and blog related. Ut si (from Ut Si’s Café, a new café in a redecorated church on the main road in Perth, Tasmania – see link on the sidebar on this blog), Steve and Rita all sat down together yesterday at RVL, breakfasting and speaking about blogging.

Catering for the masses was obviously the prime topic for discussion, not to mention blogging about food and hospitality in general. In that perennial way that is constantly reinforced in many different ways as to how small Tassie truly is, it emerged over the course of the morning that Ut si’s partner, the famous Prof, is in fact the dad of one of Rita’s ex-employees. I love how these things occur, and it only serves to illustrate once again how important credibility is in a small island. The old adage “it’s not what you know, but who you know” never rang so true as it does here in Tassie.

Ut si and Steve are both in the position of catering to the public, which I feel is a two-edged sword. Whilst it fulfils your dreams of doing it, thus alleviating your creativity, it also leaves you wide open for criticism when you fail to fulfil people’s dining out expectations.

Nevertheless, after a few hours of solving all the worlds problems, I left feeling 100% better about the world, and that has to be good.

It was great to catch up with both Ut si and the Prof, as well as Steve, with the accompanying food, as ever, impeccable. Ut si was only here in Hobart overnight (to rest, meet up with friends and family, and check out Taste) after her baptism of fire opening up her new café in Perth. Despite being totally exhausted, she seems to be very much enjoying it – and that’s what it’s all about really, isn’t it?

A drive up the highway towards Launceston to check out her new café is recommended. Ut si insists on making her own bread there, as well as striving for excellence in coffee. Ably assisted by her cheffing son Julian (ex-Stillwater and Fee & Me) and other chef Josh (ex-Zeps) I reckon the food should be outstanding as well. I look forward to a meal there soon.
Posted on by Rita
28 comments

28 comments:

ut si said...

Go Rita!
Fab to catch up with you & Steve...& for the Prof to meet the woman who once sacked his only son! You certainly alleviated my stress for a couple of hours.
Cheers

ut si said...

ps If we take creativity to be the urge to create, Pernickety et al., then the use of the 'a' word is acceptable surely.

Rita said...

I have deleted comments which did not contribute to the content of this post. Whilst I welcome varying opinions, I think it unnecessary to correct grammar or spelling here.
As with a TV program you disapprove of, the solution is simple...need me to spell it out?

Rita said...

PS - apologies Kzee. Your comment related to the comment I deleted, so didn't make sense without it, hence I deleted yours as well.

Anonymous said...

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the R.V.L. yesterday! Only you didn't say what you all ate Rita!

Rita said...

The Prof had some of Steve's toasted bread with jam, I had the small brekky of a poached egg, a rasher of bacon and a slice of tomato on toast. I'm sorry but I must confess to not remembering what Ut si had. If you're still with us, Ut si, please remind me.
Mine was exactly as I wanted it - perfect.

Anonymous said...

What do you mean by "alleviate your creativity" Rita?

Anonymous said...

Perhaps she meant elevate you pedant.

Anonymous said...

Maybe she did anon.630. .Why don't you ask her.

ut si said...

I can't remember what it was called on Steve's menu but I had a croque-monsieur & it was delicious. Before you arrived Rita, the Prof & I shared a spicy apple muffin...possibly the best texture in a muffin ever...you know...moist but crumbly at the same time.
xxx

Anonymous said...

Sister Rita, I think the gist of this is wether or not you can spell it out.

Anonymous said...

After a few fortifying sherrys, and and the license of a generation no longer accountable; I want to talk to you Rita. This is not our first communication, that was last night. I'll not muddy the waters by going over it again ,(and I know that there were protagonists throwing their two bobs worth in ) but I am an eighty year old women who sincerely thought she was contributing to a liberal discussion. It's my first foray into the companionship of the internet and your unprovoked attack has unsettled me. Am I out of touch with modern morals, or do I not know of digital etiquette?

Anonymous said...

Oh boy, I can't wait for Rita or Sir Grumpy to reply.

Anonymous said...

i am starting To see.

Anonymous said...

be patient my King,

Anonymous said...

It was great to finally meet ut si & the prof. It goes without saying that I am always glad to see Rita!
Glad you all liked your brekkies!
See you soon
Steve

Anonymous said...

What's all
this about...deletions, granmar, allusions to things not seen, cries for help and fast friends trying to navigate the bumps in the road that are increasingly present.
Crikey, I may be eccentric but I try to be comprehended.
Have we entered a parallel universe where silver dullards and would-be sages dance in and out trying to be profound while not actually offering anything germane to the topic or subsequent sub-topics? (yes, I know I have been guilty of that....just a little but it wasn't my fault!).
Ah well, we soldier on. PS rita...whose bacon was it?
!!!

Anonymous said...

Lay off the sherry, Grammar!

Rita said...

Steve - thanks for that.
Sir G - not sure whose bacon it was but intend to find out.
Don't know what the hell's going on with the parallel universe to which you refer, but totally hearing you there!
Yes, we DO soldier on regardless. Meanwhile, back at the (renovation) ranch, Rita is busy with her new-look blog/web site. Looking forward to the release of same.

Anonymous said...

At least it's not dull.

Rita said...

You sure got that right, Anon 6.51!

Anonymous said...

You're not eccentric. You're an archetypical ex-pat trying to escape the nursery imposed class restrictions in the 'colonies." 'sir' grumpy. You see, you're the antipodean here.

rockoyster said...

Bacon? With Cygnet Butchers only a short stroll from RVL I'd be putting my money on theirs.

rockoyster said...

Dang - just did my dough! Judging from the RVL menu, it's Boks!

Anonymous said...

Rita! What is the "with the best of intentions" comment all about?

Anonymous said...

I love podeans, silver dullard. I'm not anti them at all.
Live and let live, I says. And anyway the only original australians are aborigines.

Anonymous said...

'that little little less than little wit.'

Anonymous said...

Hey Rita I decided to visit Utsi and I am sorry to say I have to agree with the comment on food tourist review
"too much reliance on the microwave". Oh well...but Solicit mmm.