There are a few key ingredients for a good cafe, in my opinion. It's got to serve good coffee and good tea. I know coffee is the main drink of choice these days, but for those of us who aren't on that bandwagon, a good cuppa, a nice cuppa, must still be given care.
It's got to have a welcoming atmosphere with comfortable places to sit while enjoying said beverages. Service should be easy, breezy but confident; and lastly, there must be something yummy to eat, just in case coffee turns into something more.
I know I'm asking a lot, but with so much competition these days, you have to nail it, or, quite frankly, you don't deserve my patronage. That is why we have our favourites. These are places we can rely on to get these elements right, in our eyes. In Newcastle and beyond, there are a lot of cafes vying for a slice of the coffee pie.
A recent addition is Edmonds and Co, on Pacific Street in Newcastle's East End. Owned and operated by siblings Amy and Kai Ritchie, they have decided to call this little piece of the world home, bringing with them years of experience and big batch of enthusiasm. And they have got the key cafe ingredients right.
Quick Bite
- What: Edmonds and Co. 14 Pacific Street, Newcastle East.
- Contact: edmondsnewcastle.com; 0474 549 109
- Hours: Breakfast and lunch, 7 days.
- Owners: Amy and Kai Ritchie
- Accessibility: Yes.
- Take note: Buy beans to take home; fully licensed.
- Bottom line: Dishes $6-$20.50
- Must try: French toast and a coffee
The name Edmonds is from the Kiwi version of the Common Sense Cookery Book - known as the Edmonds Cookery Book, first published in 1908.It's full of classic home-style cooking and you'll find delicious baked treats on the counter each day inspired by the recipes.
Edmonds is a cute cafe, quite open and inviting in its layout. If you're walking by you can see inside and that's a big drawcard for first-timers. For a fairly small space, it has a variety of seating: booths inside, tables al fresco, indoor bench seats, bar stools up the back and large communal table at the front. The aesthetic is bright and friendly and the atmosphere chilled.
Open for breakfast and lunch, it's a suitable venue for solo dining, lazy weekend breakfasts and coffee meets. The menu is compact yet covers all the bases.
For breakfast you can go classic: eggs your way on sourdough with homemade tomato relish, or try the modern classic: smashed avo on sourdough with poached eggs, spinach, feta and roasted beetroot. Nicely sliced French toast comes with either crispy bacon and maple syrup or honeyed ricotta, mixed berries and mint. The two slices of toast aren't too thick or too eggy and the ricotta, berries and mint are just a lovely combination. Sweet, yet tart. On a similar vein are the cute blueberry pikelets with mint, honey and cream. Healthy house-made baked beans are cannellini in a tomato stew, a little chilli, a little parsley and a big poachie on top.
Lunch doesn't get too heavy; the dishes are fresh and flavoursome with a little flair. Try smoked salmon with cream cheese on rye and capers; crispy whitebait with charred corn, avocado salsa, citrus aioli and a fresh salad; or grab a pulled pork baguette with rocket, onion jam and parmesan. There are salads and plenty of vegetarian options. The cauliflower and parmesan salad is particularly tasty. Big turmeric battered cauliflowers slices are served atop a Dijon dressed salad of rocket and roasted pumpkin, capsicum and shallots. Parmesan tuiles add crunch and salt.
Coffee is a house blend made with Glitch Coffee Roasters that is smooth with "flavours of blackberry and chocolate blended with zesty tropical fruits and nectar", according to the flyer attached to my menu. Tea drinkers are looked after too - my pretty tea pot and milk pourer a lovely change from stainless steel varieties.
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