Ruby Red, Mangere Bridge

5:30 AM Tuesday Jan 11, 2011

We came here because we'd been hearing lots of good things about this new cafe at Mangere Bridge, owned by Viva's food writer, Amanda Laird.

Parking was easy on this Saturday morning - we got a park right out front. There is plenty in the Village and its surrounds, and the cafe itself is just off the southeastern motorway.

We walked in and immediately thought Ruby Red was a cute space, with red vinyl bench seats, a children's play area, and nods to retro New Zealand, with an Edmonds flour tin used to hold utensils, 60s crockery and decor, and vintage teaspoons and cake stands.

The most unusual thing on the menu was probably the smoked fish with soft boiled eggs, salad greens, taro crisps and herb mayo ($14).

We ordered the Big Breakfast, which was declared a triumph and which was made up of bacon, eggs, fried spuds, relish, real roasted tomatoes; and sausages on toast ($17.50); the savoury and very more-ish mince on toast with a fried egg ($12.50); and a decent-sized serving of scrambled eggs and bacon ($12.50) with a side of fried spuds ($3), which soon disappeared off the plate.

The coffee was absolutely delicious - but just a tad cold. It disappeared in a few gulps.

The service was polite and accommodating.

We recommend if you come here buy a bottle of Foxton Fizz for nostalgia's sake to drink on the way home.

Overall we thought Ruby Red has put Mangere Bridge on the map for us and we'd go out of our way to eat here again. It's reasonably priced with generous servings, and the food is excellent.