Orvieto Cafe
935 Mt Eden Road
Three Kings
Dogs are a man’s best friend. Or so says someone who obviously doesn’t have cats.
My family is what you could call a cat family. We have five of them, something most people find hard to believe.
Their reaction usually goes along the lines of: “Five?! Really? Why do you have so many?”
Sometimes I’m convinced my mother loves the cats as much as her children – maybe even more.
But as soon as I entered Orvieto Café in Three Kings, I wished we were dog people.
Dogs and their sunglasses wearing, newspaper reading owners lined the sidewalk outside the café. They looked the ultimate picture of suburban café bliss.
Dogs are treated almost as well as their owners at this café. There are several bowls filled with fresh water outside, conveniently located next to poles where you can tie Rover up and eat in peace. I’ve heard rumours the café will even do a doggy fluffy.
The café was full and we had trouble finding a table. Five people squeezed around a table meant for two until the nice couple next to us left.
A decent waiting time for meals is always inevitable when a café is this busy, and the staff kindly let us know there was a 20 minute wait. I always appreciate when staff do this, rather than let their customers sit and wonder if they have been forgotten.
Twenty two minutes, and the best caramel slice I’ve ever had later, our huge meals arrived.
The parents ordered the steak sandwich, which came with a side of fries and aioli. The steak was cooked to perfection, but was a little on the small size, particularly given the price of $18.50.
I’m always a little hesitant to order corn fritters at a restaurant or café. We have a family recipe that is amazing, and quite often they just don’t measure up.
I needn’t have worried. I got a stack of three fritters, topped with red pepper salsa and sour cream. The corn fritters were some of the best I’ve tasted, and they were great value at $15.50.
My only fault with the meal was the bottom fritter was a little dry, but if I had asked for it, I’m sure extra sour cream would have been no problem.
The nine-year-old was very pleased with her kids meal of scrambled eggs on toast ($8.50). She said: “My eggs were excellent, but they needed a bit of salt.”
The teenager was a little less vocal, and a little more sullen. He gave his eggs benedict with bacon and spinach ($14.50) a silent two thumbs up.
I took this to be very high praise indeed.
Orvieto’s service was exceptional, especially considering how busy the café was. The waitresses were always smiling, and quick to clear tables around us.
If you live in the area, bring the dog and enjoy this lovely suburban café. If you don’t have a dog, borrow the neighbours. That’s my plan for next time.
Jessie Colquhoun is a journalism student at AUT University.