If you feel like trying a new, bright, light and easy café slightly off the beaten North Hobart track, get your cute arses along Augusta Road to the small Lenah Valley shop strip, and either breakfast or lunch at Augustos Café – the renovated former Sri Lankan place, right in the heart of the shopping area.
It is the baby of ex-Republic owner (well, OK, he still has a small interest in Repub) Tony Heath and his wife Swish, and they have done a marvelous job with the renovation. It has an under-stated feeling of comfortability and provides you with confidence in a sound menu using free range products. The café has been open two months, and judging, by my visit there yesterday, has already managed to secure a legion of local fans who are overjoyed that a café of the calibre such as this is so close.
The menu is not particularly startling, but provides ample choice for everyone. It contains the expected Benedicts and their ilk, with relevant sides if desired, as well as the usual breakfast and lunch fare.
The prices are good, and the food is well cooked under the eagle eye of sole kitchen person, chef Will Harrod, who has previously had stints at many local restaurants including Marque IV.
As I am still a long way from recovery from illness, I got two of my friends to accompany me, hoping that through them, I would get a fairly good idea of the food standard. Unfortunately, one wasn’t feeling too crash-hot either yesterday (some pathetic excuse about her chemo!), so that left only one person to order up big, and let me check out the food. But she loved it so all was good. Also I poked my head into the kitchen to apologise to chef for my shameful order of 2 rashers of crispy bacon, then watched as he made breakfast for another table, so felt I could honestly testify as to the standard of food.
The service was excellent, and I am reliably told is consistently good with all floor staff who work there, so obviously Tony’s past experience in hospitality hiring is paying off.
So – my recommendation to you is a visit to Augustos. I promise you a great breakfast or lunch, or snack in-between.
Down the track they will probably apply for a liquor licence then open at night but I would say that’s a way away yet. Meanwhile they’re doing a great little bit of business somewhere that’s easy, and free, to park at, and not too far from the seething hub of North Hobart and the city.
It is the baby of ex-Republic owner (well, OK, he still has a small interest in Repub) Tony Heath and his wife Swish, and they have done a marvelous job with the renovation. It has an under-stated feeling of comfortability and provides you with confidence in a sound menu using free range products. The café has been open two months, and judging, by my visit there yesterday, has already managed to secure a legion of local fans who are overjoyed that a café of the calibre such as this is so close.
The menu is not particularly startling, but provides ample choice for everyone. It contains the expected Benedicts and their ilk, with relevant sides if desired, as well as the usual breakfast and lunch fare.
The prices are good, and the food is well cooked under the eagle eye of sole kitchen person, chef Will Harrod, who has previously had stints at many local restaurants including Marque IV.
As I am still a long way from recovery from illness, I got two of my friends to accompany me, hoping that through them, I would get a fairly good idea of the food standard. Unfortunately, one wasn’t feeling too crash-hot either yesterday (some pathetic excuse about her chemo!), so that left only one person to order up big, and let me check out the food. But she loved it so all was good. Also I poked my head into the kitchen to apologise to chef for my shameful order of 2 rashers of crispy bacon, then watched as he made breakfast for another table, so felt I could honestly testify as to the standard of food.
The service was excellent, and I am reliably told is consistently good with all floor staff who work there, so obviously Tony’s past experience in hospitality hiring is paying off.
So – my recommendation to you is a visit to Augustos. I promise you a great breakfast or lunch, or snack in-between.
Down the track they will probably apply for a liquor licence then open at night but I would say that’s a way away yet. Meanwhile they’re doing a great little bit of business somewhere that’s easy, and free, to park at, and not too far from the seething hub of North Hobart and the city.
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25 comments:
Great to hear!
I live just down the road and have been meaning to pop in. May be on the 'to do' list for the weekend!
They've smartened it up, that's for sure.
We used to go for a curry when the Ceylonese people had it and liked their grub.
As you know Rita, Ive long been a fan of Tony's but as yet havent visited his new place. Only found out about it a few weeks ago when we caught up with him at the Republic. We'll definately be popping in soon I'd say.
Nice to see your post too. It lets me know you're still with us, I do think of you often my friend and hope you continue to improve. xxx
Glad to see you escaped the clutches of Babylon and are back in cyberspace.
I am a local and have been to Augusto a few times. Its fantastic and highly recommended!
AVERAGE!
By the way, Rita, Dom's Asian Teahouse has closed.
Heard he wasn't well and is going back to Malaysia.
He'll be missed.
Looking at the pictures, I think it's a pretty decent and simple. I also think this kind of look is common to most cafés. The ambience is one thing, but the food and customer service are also substantial in order to make it a remarkable experience.
I haven't been to the place but I'm thinking of taking a visit.
Thanks for sharing!
Doms closing certainly comes as sad news to me
Very little has happened in the Asian takeaway scene in Tasmania in the past 25 yrs that he hasn't been involved in.
Another one bites the dust.
Went there today. Good coffee. nice feel. At last we can go to our local in the valley. sorry Jackman &co and Landsowne!
Decor looks like a shabby shopping centre-if you lot think that looks good I'm embarrassed for Tasmania.
Who cares about the decor - coffee doesn't look shabby shopping centre!
Of course, one of thing we noticed on arriving here was that Tassie must be the bad-plastic-chair capital of the world!
Not even ``good-quality'' plastic chairs!
It's better now than then but in some places it's still pretty bleak.
(I'm not suggesting wing-back chairs or such, just something with a bit of wood and cushioning, as opposed to bare plastic and metal.)
Won't hold my breath.
I care about the decor, it adds or in this case subtracts from the ambience. Tas is si far behind the rest of the country is embarrassing
Ethos Food and Drink: Wow I'm hearing a lot of negative feedback concering this place from very small serves, waiters with attitude and the customers just getting in the way of the staff who seem to treat the place like its their own lounge room. Whats going on, anyone got any inside info?
Hello to all, a little off topic but I'm in need of help.
I have a husband who is a coffee freak and I would love to surprise him with a few lessons on the subject. Does anyone know of a coffee lovers course or baristas course even that could provide him a more indepth knowledge on the subject? I cant find anything through tafe etc that is just for coffee alone?
Hi Christina, give the guys at Doctor Coffee a call - 0437DOCTOR (362867.
Hi Christina,
the Skills Institute have the Barista Basics course that runs on Monday and Wednesday nights every alternate weeks. It is great value and quite in depth. It also suits professionals and those very a keen interest. It is open to everyone.
Hi Christina -
Ring Drysdale, they run evening skills classes in coffee making .... they start with basics and then you can chose to do more advanced afterwards.
Cheers
Two new food places due to open in Cygnet Rita, a new Gourmet Burger place by the Divinge people and a Vietnamese kitchen, third space yet to be leased
Thanks for your help people, I'll let you know how I get on.
Ethos was sensational. Food. Service. Decor.
TJ
Its interesting that Ethios did'nt make the National list of the best restaurants in Tasmania and nationally and there were only 2 Garargistes and Peppermint
Hi
I am a local who was very happy to see a new cafe open up an easy walk from home. But after 3 visits and 3 luke warm average coffees I am wondering if I should bother going back for a 4th. I also tried a Caesar salad and it was very average. It is a shame because the atmosphere is good and the staff were friendly.
The Phone number for Augusto cafe is 0362787724
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