Herald rating ****
Success Cafe
104 Kapanga Road
Coromandel
We came here because we had an early start on our weekend away and were getting rather peckish after an hour or so on the road.
Parking was plentiful along the main street in June. Don't like to imagine what it might be like in summer's tourist peak
though.
We walked in and immediately thought there was a relaxed charm about the place, with its corrugated iron walls and beads dangling across the windows. The colourful tree out front was attractive, too.
The most unusual thing on the menu was Coromandel mussels, steamed in white wine and garlic, drizzled with a sweet chilli sauce and served with bread ($11).
We ordered medium-sized bacon and eggs with hash browns, tomato and toast ($11) - the modest version was without the hash browns and the mega version added a sausage; and a gourmet sandwich on sourdough bread with melted cheese and salad greens. This came with a choice of bacon, smoked chicken or steak and onion, of which Martin chose the latter and was well pleased ($9.50). I had a panini with ham, mango slices, onion, camembert and chilli sauce ($11), very satisfying and the mango an interesting touch.
The service was very friendly and efficient on a busy morning.
The coffee was great, perhaps a little too much cinnamon on the cappucino though.
We recommend if you come here you sit back and relax while planning your sightseeing.
Overall, we thought like the cafe's name, the brunch was indeed a success, though some of that great sourdough bread would have been appreciated with the bacon and eggs rather than plain, square toast.
