Family Friendly Cafes in Berwick and Beyond

Family Friendly Cafes in Berwick and Beyondeatmystreet.net

Ever wanted to get out of the house for a coffee, but hesitated because you could not think of somewhere that the kids would be happy? I definitely have. I have three gorgeous, noisy children of varying ages,  so when I am looking for a child friendly cafe, I am very fussy.

Berwick is a fantastic, family-friendly suburb, we do family friendly like nowhere else. A lot of the local cafes will happily accommodate you and your little one. But if you really want a cafe where the kids can kick back, hang out and make noise, then here are my picks for the best. You might even spot a Kangaroo, a macaroon or a skate park while you are there.

9. Evolve Fair Food Store in Belgrave.

A gorgeous kids menu and a play room out the back. This place is perfect for Mum’s and the little ones.

64-68 Monbulk Rd, Belgrave VIC 3160
(03) 9754 1437

Evolve Fair Food Store Belgrave

8. Trail mix Cafe at Lysterfield Lake Park.

Lysterfield Lake Park
Spot the Kangaroos @eatmystreet.net

This cafe sits on the edge of Lysterfield Lake Park. It is surrounded by walking paths, bike tracks, trees, kangaroos and a stunning lake view. The Cafe is set inside the bike shop and is not fancy or even well decorated but the location is ah-maa-zing. Pop in for a coffee, toasted sandwich  or Banana and Nutella toasted wrap.

The kids can run and play in the park while you sip a take away tea or coffee in the park.

Horswood Rd entrance, Narre Warren North.

UPDATE

The Trail Mix Cafe is now permanently closed, but thanks to the opening of the amazing Bunjil Place in Narre Warren I have a new suggestions.

Bunjil Place Cafe is a recently opened, contemporary cafe serving Syndicate coffee in the foyer of the new Bunjil Place building.

Plenty of room is available in the outside area for families to sit and get comfortable and little ones to roam around with a range of cakes, burgers, sandwiches, pastries and more on offer to tempt your tastebuds.

7. Piggery Cafe, Sherbrooke.

Piggery Cafe Sassafras

So much perfection going on at the Piggery Cafe; beautiful cakes & breads, delicious menu, perfect coffee, gorgeous view, breathtaking setting. There is also an outdoor play/construction area, bocce green & a view of pigs & emus. This is all let down by the fact that it can be very busy and you might not get a place at the table. Charming service can also get a little frayed at the edges with all the busy-ness. But, this is Shannon Bennet’s beautiful property and it oozes passion, creativity and inspiration.

1 Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke.

6. Providore Patisserie Cafe, Berwick South. Locals seem to love the food and coffee here. The cafe itself  is quite small and there is not a lot of   room to sit and enjoy your food.  The only view is a carpark on one side and a supermarket on the other. But, there is a little playground out the front of this strip of shops. Couple this with the fact that all the French inspired  food is made by hand and you might start to understand why it is so popular. When the weather is right, visit here for take away macaroons, pastries, cold pressed juices or cakes. Sit out the front while the kids have a play and enjoy.

1 O’Shea Rd, Berwick South.

5. Kallista Tea Rooms. Kallista Tea Rooms has a beautiful children’s menu, small play area with toys and drawing materials for the kids. Not to mention the gorgeous setting with easy spotting of birdlife and if you are lucky, a local lyrebird. This cafe is surrounded by majestic trees and the ever popular Grant Picnic Ground is near by. After you have finished your morning tea you might like to go for a wander around the local Kallista shops. A visit to enchanting Epoche is a must for hand made dolls, eco friendly wooden toys, felt toys, gifts, books & collectables.

103 Monbulk Rd, Kallista

4. Primary @Pioneer Park, Berwick.

BerwickGreat menu and coffee in a elegant building that used to house the local primary school. It is set in the heart of Berwick Village, on the town green. The cafe has a wall of glass that opens out onto a sweeping deck with chairs, tables and a view of the  local playground. Take a seat, enjoy the sun and watch the kids play on the play equipment while you order from the yummy menu. Good coffee, efficient service and delicious cakes and food. Set in an old school building, locals love Primary @Pioneer Park for a very good reason.

Cnr Lyall Rd and Peel St, Berwick.

3. Homestead Cafe @ The Old Cheese Factory Berwick.

Homestead Cafe Berwick

Beautiful surrounds, a Playground on site, a children’s menu and even High Tea for kids. Keep an eye on the opening hours though as Homestead Cafe has limited opening hours during the week and is only open two Saturdays per month.

2. Pane Di Fiore Bakery, Narre Warren North.

Pane Di Fiore Bakery Narre Warren North

I go here all the time with my family. Pane Di Fiore makes the most delicious cakes, pies and pasties including chocolate eclairs that are to die for. I also really like their simple but strong coffee and one of my favourite op shops is near by. Grab a Nutella Donut, a coffee or a sandwich. Sit inside or outside. Bring your bike and scooter and then tootle on down to the nearby playground and skate park. It is a short walk with a gorgeous back drop and a bench seat at the end of it with your name on it.

Emerald Bakery Cafe1. Emerald Bakery Cafe. Spacious and with a great selection of hot or cold food, sandwiches, breads, cakes and cookies. Stay for as long as the children will allow, then take a short walk to the local playground that sits next to the Puffing Billy Train Station. The Sweet Station  lolly shop is also across the road and when the weather turns nasty we all love to visit the local Emerald Library.

So that is my top Eight! The best cafes to take your kids to so that you can have a coffee while the kids have some fun.  I would love to make it top ten so please let me know your ideas for the last two…..

Have fun.

Dani B xx

The Friday Phone In| Top picks for the weekend

So we have manned the phones, checked the town noticeboard and scanned the Parish Newsletter. The votes are in for our Friday Favourites and top tips for the weekend.

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It is a little cold in Melbourne right now, but as my gorgeous French waiter at the Piggery Cafe in Sherbrooke said to me yesterday “brisk, not cold.” So yes, I am looking on the bright side. Brisk it is (imagine it with a French accent, nice yes?). Plus, school holidays have arrived! No more early morning starts in the cold for 2 weeks. 🙂

Here are my top picks for the weekend.

1. Dinner at O.My.

Mr eatmystreet & I at O.my restaurant.
Mr eatmystreet & I at O.my restaurant.

I was lucky enough to eat at O.my again last week and due to a late cancellation we found ourselves dining in the gorgeous private dining room out the back. It was so beautiful and cosy and the service was fantastic as always. We had the 6 course degustation and my companions ordered the matching wine so we even had our own sommelier. You can read more about O.My here. If you are not in the market for fine dining then maybe jump in the car and check out Iv’s Burritos Food Truck in Upwey. Or for my current food crush, try the best Korean food in Melbourne at Kimchi Hut Glen Waverley.

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Dandenong Ranges

2. Inspire. Stop looking at Facebook photos of all your gorgeous friends on holiday in Bali (or is that just me?)  and instead get in your car and head to somewhere beautiful close by. For me that would be Sassafras in the Dandenong Ranges.  Chojo Bonsai Gallery, Cafe de Beaumarchais, a wander through the mist and a peek in a few gift shops. Don’t forget your beanie, your camera and a few dollars for the Sweet Shop (I’ll have a bag of Pear drops please. How kind of you to ask).

3. Buy. Casey-Berwick Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory. 8am to 12.30.  or the Yallourn North Winter Market. The Yallourn North Winter Market launches tomorrow and I have never been there but it looks great. Let me know what you think if you manage a visit. The Casey-Berwick Farmers Market is run by the local RSL and generally has a good smattering of gorgeous food all within the beautiful grounds of The Old Cheese Factory.

4. Bake.  The browneyedbaker.com is the winner of this weeks #Sharethecakeau. She shared a beautiful Snickers Cake with her family and the instructions for chocolate-183543_1280making it can be found here. It looks absolutely amazing and far too complicated for this simple cook. Ever more importantly, there is a very special and very beautiful story behind why she made her Snickers Cake so do please give her a visit and read about it. I recommend you bring tissues. To find out more about #sharethecakeau head here. Or head on over to my Instagram account.

5. Make. Get Crafty with Pip from MeetmeatmikesPip Pip is a writer, crafter and author from Melbourne. She loves a crochet square and a craft project and the school holidays may just be the right time for you to check out her blog. It is very beautiful and it will make you smile. It also may inspire you to crochet a blanket or decorate a shadow box. You’ve been warned.

Plus, eatmystreet has embarked on an exciting new project. As well as my mission to get more people connecting together over the sweetness of cake #sharethecakeau, I am also about to launch a series profiling local, inspiring folk of note and their favourite cafes. How awesome is that. I am très excité (oops, the French waiter is haunting me).  So sign up to my blog here or head over to Facebook to “like” me (blush, I am touched) to keep up to date.

Happy Eating.

Dani B

5 great things to do in Berwick & beyond.

5 great things to do in Berwick & beyond. 

So we have manned the phones, checked the town noticeboard and scanned the Parish Newsletter. The votes are in for our Friday Favourites and top tips for the weekend.

This weekend is looking fantastic with a lot of Winter Solstice festivities going on. It may even be as good as last weekend, which frankly I thought was unbeatable. Here is a little recap of my time at #VoicesofAu last weekend.

PicMonkey Collage

Onward.

1. The Belgrave Lantern Parade is on this weekend and the Hills are alive with the sounds of lantern making. This will be the 9th annual lantern parade, that is held to mark the Winter Solstice. The Parade starts at 5.30pm from Hayes Carpark. People are excited! They are making their own lanterns. The lanterns look amazing. A not to be missed local event say I. Go here for more information.

lanterns

Image courtesy of Belgrave Lantern Parade Facebook page.

2. I have the privilege of attending the Yarra Valley Shortest Lunch this weekend. Fifteen of the Yarra Valley’s smaller wineries throw open their doors to celebrate winerythe Winter Solstice weekend. Entry is $15 which is paid at the first winery that you attend and which will also reward you entry to all wineries and a souvenir glass to use at every other winery you visit. Proceeds from these glasses will go toward the local CFA, so good things all around. The Yarra Vally Shortest Lunch is about progressive eating and all day dining (sounds perfect) so you can chose a couple of your favourite wineries and visit them or aim for the stars and visit all 18. There will be music and much smiling. Families are welcome. The Yarra Valley is such a beautiful area and I can’t wait to visit some of the sweet little wineries that dot the sweeping hillside. Bliss. For bookings or more information check here.

photo 1
Bespoke pastry from The Artisan Crust @Emerald Market.

3. Markets. The Emerald Market is on again this Sunday.  It runs out the front of the Emerald Community House at 356 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald. Home to my favourite market stall ever, The Artisan Crust, they also have hot food, organic produce and craft. Not to mention the stunning backdrop of the surrounding countryside, great local cafes and a sweet community feel.

4. Dining. So many options to chose from, although not many with an open fireplace. How I long for a restaurant with a fireplace at this time of year. On my wish list is French restaurant La Voltaire Bistro Francais in Belgrave and Big Spoon Little Spoon in Warragul (update 2017. Now closed). Big Spoon, Little Spoon have just won the Hospitality & Accommodation gong at the Baw Baw Excellence Awards 2015. If you have visited either of these I would love to hear what you think…. Still just a dreamingdream for me at the moment.

5. Reading. My favourite blog of the moment is from my lovely new friend Tonia over at toniawithaneye.com. This girls is funny and gorgeous and she used to work with Bert Newton! What more could you want. Stop by her blog and say “Hi.” You are sure to leave with a smile on your face.

So, what have I missed? Lots, I am sure. Please feel free to add your ideas into the comments below.  I love to hear from my readers. And if you find a restaurant with an open fire, I must know about it. Pretty please? fire

Happy Eating!

Dani xx


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Most Luscious Lemon Tart Recipe

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Brunch @ Impodimo Cafe, Garfield.

Top 5 things to do in Berwick and beyond this weekend.

Top 5 things to do in Berwick and beyond this weekend.

stag-768568_640 The weekend is nearly here.

So we have manned the phones, checked the town square noticeboard and scanned the Parish Newsletter. The votes are in for our Friday Favourites and top tips for the weekend. Berwick Market

1. Market. Visit a market. This weekend we have the Farmers Market @ The Old Cheese Factory in Berwick (Saturday) and also the Belgrave Big Dreamers Market in Belgrave on Sunday. The playground at the Cheese Factory has had a much anticipated make over so take the kids and check it out. Belgrave Big Dreamers Market is always dreamy, hills-y and good.

2. Out of town. I am still smiling from my visit to Impodimo Cafe in Garfield. Go for brunch or lunch and stay a while.

3. Eat somewhere cosy. High tea anyone? The Piggery Cafe put on a beautiful afternoon tea and have also started Piggery Winter Nights dinner service, which I would love to try out.  Our own Primary @ Pioneer Park has great coffee, beautiful scones and lemon tarts and a great lunch menu. coffee-690422_1280

4. Read. Leanne Cole Photography has the most beautiful blog and sometime soon will have a book too, I believe. Or if homewares or decorating are more your thing check out The Design Files.

5. Make. I will be making another batch of Chocolate Cherry Ripe Balls this weekend as they were so simple, and so good. But Sandra over at The $120 Food Challenge posted an amazing recipe for Steamed Golden Syrup Steamed Pudding which looks nearly as good.

I am going to my first ever bloggers conference this weekend. Wish me good vibes. I don’t know anyone and will have to plaster on my friendly face. Pretty excited but also pretty nervous. I’m sure I am not the only one who struggles in a room full of smiling strangers, right?

Whatever your going to do, enjoy it!

Maybe you would like to take a look at some of my other reviews in beautiful Berwick? Try here for brunch, or here for cake or here for my favourite dinner.

Dani xx

 

Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory

Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory

I have been back to the farmers market at the old cheese factory today. It really is a cute little market on a gorgeous property so I thought I would share my photos with you this time. Hopefully they might entice you to visit and support this great local market.

Today I bought some delicious cheese from the Tarago River Cheese Company in Neerim South (a very beautiful town in Gippsland). http://www.taragocheese.com

They had a great range of cheeses available for tasting and the guy at their little stand was friendly and informative and hospitable. It tried three of their blue cheeses and bought one, Shadows of Blue. They were all very nice and perfectly ripe but I had to save myself for one of their Brie cheeses also. They were all priced at around $35 per kg which is very reasonable for a well ripened cheese.

Tarago Cheese at Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory

This Farmers Market is open on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 8am to 12.30pm.

There is a $2 donation to get into the market which for such a small, local space seems very expensive to me. Especially if you only want to stop by for a few minutes to pick up supplies.

Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory

It is lovely to have a stroll through the Berwick Market on a Winter’s morning. There were cakes and bread and pasta and fresh fruit and veg available. How gorgeous is this bunch of radish?

Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory

There were equally good looking fresh beetroot for sale at the same market stall. These beetroot were almost unrecognisable when compared with the the sad brown looking fresh beetroot I just bought myself from the supermarket the other day. A lot of the fruit and veg from this stall were selling out very fast and I can understand why.

I also bought some amazing roast potato gnocchi from http://www.albertosdelicacies.com/index.html. The ingredient list for this gnocchi is a dream; potato, flour, free range eggs, potato flakes (3%) and salt. So much better than anything you can by at the supermarket and great for those nights where you cannot be bothered making your own

Wish me luck eating all that cheese! I am sure I will be up to the task although I may need to invest in some new clothes if I do not share it with a friend.

You might also be interested in the Homestead Cafe at the Old Cheese Factory. You can read more about it by clicking on the link or by clicking here. 

The details: 34 Old Homestead Rd, Berwick. 2nd Saturday of the month. 8am to 12.30pm

Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory

http://www.farmersmarketattheoldcheesefactory.org.au

Best Things to do in Berwick

 

Best Things to do in BerwickBerwick

When I first bought my house in Berwick I was a little charmed and a little chuffed.

My husbands idea of a good weekend away is camping in the bush, sans mobile phone reception and water running through pipes. My idea of fun is a walk around the City (any city will do), a meal somewhere exciting, cake somewhere cute and a coffee somewhere scenic (I could go on but you get my point). So when we decided on Berwick it was kind of because our here on the Urban Fringe offered us the best of both worlds. Look left and you see countryside, look right and you see a long road snaking to the city. Stand on a hill and look South and you’ll see the beach. Pretty good location really.

But the last time we viewed our “new ” house before signing off on the paperwork we were driving through the Main Street of Berwick Village on a busy Saturday afternoon and all of a sudden I saw everything with different eyes. Berwick was really just a lot of houses perched  on the edge of an old Highway.

Cue panic.

What I really needed then is what I will offer you now. The eight best things to do in  Berwick.

1.  Head to the Dandenong Ranges.

Depending where you live in Berwick you are kind of tucked into the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges anyway. You can drive or walk somewhere scenic and beautiful very quickly. Emerald is a 15 minute drive away and boy is that drive beautiful. At this time of year with all the Autumn leaves it is simply showing off. Visit Puffing Billy, have a coffee or some lunch, walk the rolling hills. Spot the “angry bird” goats and Sally’s BigAss Burgers somewhere around Upper Beaconsfield. You can also reach for Belgrave in about the same amount of time or let yourself get lost and find Sassafras. You will not regret it.

echidna near beniwck

 

Puffin Billy near Berwick

2. Jump on a train and hot foot it to the City.

Ok so every weekend I read the newspaper and every weekend they have lists of what is good and fun and interesting and educational and artistic and awesome. Berwick is never on these lists. Because frankly we are really not excelling at any of these things. Which is fine. To be honest, when I lived close to the city I did not really do a lot of these things anyway because, well, because of life. So this is what I figure… if you want to go to a gallery opening, or a hot new restaurant or the theatre, just face the commute and go. It is worth it and not that far.

3. Find good food. Easy!

Dinner at award winning O.My in Beaconsfield.

Drink at Four Figs or Revival or the Old School cafe.

Cafes near Berwick

Check out this list of The Best Cafes in Berwick &  beyond for ideas.

Walk along High St in Berwick Village and discover our very own artisan Butcher at The village Butcher. http://www.villagebutchers.com.au

4. Visit a Market. We are a little spoilt for choice.

photo 1

 

There is Akoonah Park Market, the Case-Berwick Farmers Market or the Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory. None of these actually even require you to leave town. Further afield there are markets in Gembrook and Emerald and Belgrave, Drouin, Dandenong, Warragul and the Yarra Valley. They all offer something a little different. Do your research then get to it! Here let me help….

Click here for The best markets in Berwick and beyond. 

5. Go to Wilson Botanic Park.  Watch Shakespere there, play on the playground, climb the lookout tower, be a ranger for a day. Just enjoy its beauty and the peace and quiet. Recharge with a walk or by laying on a rug and staring at the view of the sky through the Autumn leaves.

http://www.weekendnotes.com/wilson-botanic-park/

6. Take a walk or ride a bike.

road-823199_1920

From where I am sitting right now, not only can I see a gorgeous array of Autumn leaves and colour, but I can see a brand new walking/ bike track. This is one of many in the area.

The Hallam Valley Trail offers over 10km of bike tracks through the heart of Casey.

7. Hit the High St on a sunny Saturday morning.

photo

Just park your car and walk from the Butcher to the Baker and enjoy the view along the way. Smile at a local. Pretend you have not noticed the sheer mass of cars careening up the main street in town. Walk through the landscaped gardens in the middle of the Village. Marvel at the statues of Edwin Flack and Spiridon Louis and ask a local about the firsson of excitement their pairing caused.  When I first moved here a local hairdresser was lamenting the days where everybody new your name in Berwick Village. Make it happen again with a smile and a help (hopefully you won’t be arrested).

8. Grab a coffee at the Old School Cafe and then take a walk through the accompanying park. This is just good old fashioned, life affirming fun.

Berwick

Any ideas of what you might add to the list local Berwick-ites?

Let me know in the comments below.

As always, enjoy.

Dani xx