Revel Cafe, Karangahape Rd. Photo / Steven McNicholl
Herald Rating: 5/5
Address: 146 Karangahape Rd, Newton
We came here because I'd had really good takeaway coffee at Revel before and thought it was time to try the food too.
Parking was not easy, but it was Sunday so we found a spot in Mon-Sat loading zone.
We walked in and immediately thought it is typical
K' Rd, from the graffitied signage out the front to the coffee mug installation, retro lamps and beer crates, all artfully displayed.
The most unusual thing on the menu is the huevos rancheros baked tortilla with ranch beans and fried free-range eggs, cheese and salsa ($16) or the apple and cinnamon buckwheat pancakes with compote, creme fraiche and maple ($16), which can be tailored for dietary needs.
We ordered the huevos rancheros which I was excited to try as I love Mexican. It didn't disappoint (although the addition of fresh avocado would have perfected the dish). The colourful, open tortilla came slathered with black beans, corn and a delicious chipotle-style sauce. Alex had the eggs benedict with crispy bacon ($16.50) which came with a health Revel twist: chinks of light, brown bread, spinach (traditional for a florentine but welcome here) and just the right amount of hollondaise. It also comes with the chipotle-style sauce, which I was told is Argentinian. Yum.
The service was brusquely efficient at first but when we paid we were asked if we knew that 42 (the amount we spent) was a magic number. That broke the ice for an amusing discussion on numerology.
The coffee was excellent to the taste (strong, creamy), the conscience (it's fair trade and organic) and the eye (it was served in cute mismatched vintage cups and saucers.)
We recommend if you come here bring your vegetarian, vegan and gluten intolerant friends and grab the corner table with the in-built spacies machine or the spot next to the kitchen where you can play with the magnetic word game on the wall or read others' stories.
Overall we thought Revel is an off-beat sensory K' Rd experience. Even the vegan cupcakes on the counter looked good.
