There's a cafe in Fibrotown. Simple, stylish. Good coffee, great cakes (not that I ever have any, you understand). It's run by a young couple who work harder than it seems possible to work. That's the thing with cafes. It sounds so romantic and it ends up in long hours and lots of smiling at people (Masterchef contestants take note).
What I love about this cafe, apart from the aforementioned (untasted) cakes, is that every time I go there, I run into someone I know. My friend C, who holds one long-running meeting (with a changing cast of thousands) in there, sipping coffees while answering her iPhone. The beautiful G, who often pops in after the school run - she's as good at procrastinating as I am. Or, maybe, my friend Y, who runs the gorgeous little shop around the corner. She runs in and out with her KeepCup, dropping it on the counter, knowing her order will be delivered.
There's always someone to say hello to, before I head home on my child-free workdays to the empty Fibro, where the housework waits accusingly and my computer cursor blinks endlessly on a blank screen. A moment of connection before isolated reality kicks in.
On Mr4 days, I don't tend to go to that cafe. With him for company, there's connection everywhere and, besides, he doesn't consider their milkshakes, made with real chocolate and not syrup, to be the best in town. He's four. We walk a fine line between great coffee and good milkshakes. It's not easy, but compromise is key when you are a team.
I save My Cafe for the other days. When I really need it.
Hi Allison
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have a 'my cafe' too!
SSG xxx
Sydney Shop Girl blog
I think the lovely thing about a cafe in a country town is the fact that you do, so often, bump into people you know...
ReplyDelete"My" cafe is an Italian deli/bakery around the corner from school. I gravitate there often.
ReplyDeleteLexie think it's terribly boring, and that it "smells funny" as it has that (glorious) combined smell of bread, salami and small goods, garlic and coffee.
I am glad we have our "own" cafes...
My valley only has the pub and the general store...both do a passable coffee..but volunteering in the op shop (next to the general store) once a week gives me plenty of opportunties to say g'day to people and meet new ones.
ReplyDeleteOoh, your cafe sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteI alternate between a Michels Patissere and a McCafe. I wish we had your cafe near here. Do they do glutne free stuff? If so, I'm really sold!
E - They do! A wide variety. The cakes of all kinds are just divine.
ReplyDeleteGotta love the local favorite cafe. There's a new one here in the hills about to open. I haven't got a favorite yet since our move, maybe this will be my new favortie! And I think it's actually called 'the local'. xx Rach
ReplyDeleteI have a fave cafe I go to with Meerkat simply because I know we won't run into anyone I know. Just miss meerkat and me. The way I like it!!
ReplyDeleteShe's still happy with the 50c baby cinos though (bless her!!)
xxxCate
awesome!!! love a country cafe! but i do love going for coffee and milkshakes with my daughter - just the two of us. we know some really nice ones that give her paper and pencils and plastic cups (always go for the plastic hey!) xx
ReplyDeleteLove a great cafe and unlike most people, my faves are determined by the cakes and not the coffee. A fresh, classic, home style cake is the ultimate cafe experience for me :o) Your cafe sounds like a beautiful place to be.
ReplyDeleteSounds delightful. I don't drink coffee so i don't have a cafe, but . . . the local shops next to school who have everything - PO, chemist, dry cleaner, hair dresser, IGA, bakery, cafe, bottle shop, dentist, RE, restaurants . . . oh & easy parking . . . i bump into my gang of mummies there, it's never a quick in & out, i love it!! Love Posie
ReplyDeleteI would have to drive a half hour to find one of those. That somehow seems to take the whole quaintness out of it! It sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThere's a quiet little tea place close to me that is peaceful and calm. A couple of friends and I meet there about once a week to catch up and relax. It is lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeing English (although I DO like a good coffee). I go to Mr Miles Tea Rooms where the savoury cream teas and the 1920 decor with china teapots and silver strainers are so good that although I love to meet up with friends I'm equally happy to sit alone and soak up the atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteLove a good cafe - and like you I save them for days when no 4-year-old is with me :) (Although there's always takeaway for those days...)
ReplyDeletex
I have a cafe just for me too. It is one to escape to in the rare moments that I find myself child free. But I have just found a new place to go with the boys - a rustic style cafe with the biggest box of toys and books for kids. Last week, I grabbed a couch in the corner and was able to sit and flick through a magazine for 20 whole minutes while the boys played happily. Together. I am almost scared to go back - my expectations may be too high now! Love the sound of your cafe!
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful. So nice you can get some conversation and coffee all at the same one stop shop.
ReplyDeleteI get you on the fine line between great coffee & good milkshakes. When at the shopping centre with the kids, I will tolerate Donut King Coffee so the kids can get their milkshake fix & donuts ... but only then.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite too. Their salads and meals are just as good as their cakes and coffee. Sushi in summer too. Maybe see you there? Soon, not summer...
ReplyDeleteYou haven't eaten any of the great cakes??
ReplyDeleteYou need to eat the cakes!
It's your civic duty to taste each and every one of those great cakes so that you can inform tourists coming to Fibrotown of the guaranteed greatness of the cakes.
Hence thee forth, woman and buy a cake!
My mum used to run a cafe, so I'm under no illusion as to how much hard work it was. In fact as a teenager, if I expected to be fed I'd work evenings. The 12am clean up was the worst. But the lasagna was very, very good. As was the carrot cake.
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