Let me be completely honest here, give me a fig and I wouldn't eat it. However give me five, and I might come around...
I have been following the development and subsequent successful opening of Five LIttle Figs. The brainchild of chef, Michelle Campbell, this place manages to combine the funk and finesse of a trendy urban cafe while offering a safe-haven for those with little figlets. And do please take note of this last point, as this is a child-friendly cafe so be mindful of the fact that there will be plenty of kid-fuelled ambient noise.
Once a suburban corner deli, FLF has already ingratiated itself into the surrounding community. On entering the cafe, you come upon a large, open plan space with loads of seating both private and communal. There is an ample play area for children which is integrated into the dining area; no filthy plastic ball-pits here. Nor play-castles that swallow up your 3-year-old, and force you to venture through a maze of padded-polyurethane turrets in order to find your screaming toddler. There is also outdoor seating, should the weather be kind (unfortunately on our visit, it was quite cold and wet). Here you'll also find a blossoming kitchen garden, and the grassed wall which amazed my daughter no end.... until she deduced it was plastic turf. Nevertheless, it'll keep the wee ones amused.
The food philosophy at FLF is simple. Literally, it is just that. Simple. Good, honest food. No processed, deep-fried muck here. From Paddock to Plate is what they boast, and they do well to deliver. Catering to both meat-eaters, and those who prefer a plant-based diet there is much to choose from on the menu. Other dietary requirements (gluten, egg, nut and dairy free) are also catered to. We went for the Fruit Toast Deluxe and Cinnamon French Toast, while my Miss Figet decided on a Ferrero Rocher cupcake. The fruit loaf is an exclusive from local producer, Hughsli (most famous for his delectable Hughsli bars), and jam packed with fruit. Speaking of jam, Hughsli's own pear and quince jam comes with this dish along with a generous dollop of creamy ricotta. Decadent tasting, but with that feel-good factor. The Cinnamon Toast hits the spot as well. Not soggy or over-cooked, served up with home-made lemon curd and raspberry coulis which adds just the right amount of 'tang', and fresh cream for those that want to cut through the zing of the fruit. I didn't partake in the cupcake, but the determined silence from Miss Fig and speed at which the cake disappeared I think is testament to its taste.
Drinks were a flat white, dirty chai (chai latte with espresso shot, for the uninitiated) and the sweetest caramel kid-shake I have ever seen. Served in a wee milk bottle, it ticks all the cute and kid-centric boxes! The hot beverages were spot on, and the kid-shake went down a treat. There are also a wide selection of juices, teas and sparkling drinks for a bit of fizz.
FLF is not just a cafe on it's own though... Oh no. You can also hire the venue out for birthday parties for your little foodie. And there are also cooking classes available through Kinderchefs. In fact we're slated in to try our first one next week! A great way to get kids involved in the kitchen, as well as introducing them to foods that perhaps previously they had an aversion to.
My only disappointment with FLF is that it isn't open on weekends! For those of us who work full time it does limit our visits to days off. However, it does make for a decadent day off, and something to very much look forward to! And really, the amount of heart and soul that goes into this little venture, should mean that the Kitchen-Figs get a few days off a week!
If you are over the over-priced, over-processed mess that are 'Play Cafes', and the kids are riding shotgun to your coffee morning, head to Five Little Figs. You'll all be catered for, guaranteed. read more