Review: Cantina
Continental cool comes to Mt Lawley. Small, bustling and comforting, Cantina seems to be the perfect fit for this space, that once housed the Globe Coffee House (which has since moved to a more dowdy location across the road).
Situated next to the Art Deco Astor cinema, and overlooking the palm trees on busy Beaufort street, the vibe of Cantina is pleasingly modern (fresh faced staff, clean lines, plenty of natural light during the day and suitably dim at night) and yet 'traditional' (booth seating and dark wooden shelves laden with Fiori coffee, wine, cookbooks and pickles). The clientele seems to be a mix of darkly clad, Mt Lawley, female fashionistas, and at lunchtime (at least on a Thursday*) mothers and their pram bound infants.
I had a delicious calzone - stuffed with meatballs, mozzarella, eggplant, spinach and subtly flavoured with fennel seed. At $A14.50, it's to be highly recommended.
Post script: I had a lovely dinner at Cantina last night (23rd August 2008). The small space was packed by 6:30pm, but the staff were attentive (though a little rushed) and the food was homely and delicious. Bonus points for being BYO, and a small minus for not allowing bookings. . .
* On Thursday morning the neighbouring Astor (which is to shut down late in August 08) has a movie session for mothers and their potentially noisy infants.
2 comments:
The clientele also includes a fair number of local food bloggers too if today was anything to go by Edward.
I was in for lunch at 1:30pm... So must have just missed you.
I had the open flank sandwich with caramelised onions and roast potatoes... which was seriously good.
Dinner there a few weeks ago was less impressive, a broken cork (snapped by the waiter) and a couple of under performing dishes put me off writing anything, but I think this place is going to be good if they keep up the seasonal food and tighten up the service.
Matt,
It would have been good to catch up, I must have just missed you, I was sitting outside and probably finished off at 1pm, before wandering off to Planet and Antonio's.
I had breakfast there as well (day off and a child demanding bacon) and was impressed enough to return for lunch.
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