Another new eatery to open at the Kingston Foreshore is 7th and Bake, a bakery and patisserie, offering an all day breakfast menu and lunch. There are also freshly squeezed juices, milkshakes, coffee and tea available. There’s colourful outdoor seating with lake views while the timber wraparound counter with stools on one side with a gorgeous mint green coffee machine catches the eye inside.
There are a range of cakes (from $4 to $8) on display as well as macarons for $3 each. The fresh loaves of bread on the back shelf are $7 each and there are other baked pastries and hot pies.
I do love the small feature wall and an attempt at making the place look homely.
I decided to start off with a milkshake and ordered the brownie milkshake ($6). Served in the ubiquitous mason jar was very sweet with plenty of chocolate syrup poured into the bottom. I was expecting some brownie blitzed into the shake but that was not the case. The only sign of a brownie was displayed as a topping on the whipped cream. Not exactly a brownie milkshake and I would have preferred real chocolate to syrup, but the price was reasonable, it was sweet and creamy and the brownie topper was divine.
I ordered the chef’s special (on the blackboard) of housemade potato rosti with smoked salmon, rocket and sour cream ($16). I was expecting something a bit more substantial for $16. The small thin potato rosti was simple with limited seasoning but it tasted wonderfully fried similar to a hash brown with a crunchy exterior. Everything worked well together and I liked the addition of sliced spring onion on top of the sour cream which helped lift the dish with an extra punch of flavour. However, I would have liked a bigger serving, maybe two rosti’s rather than one.
Still thinking about that brownie on top of the milkshake, I decided to get the full version to take away. At only $4, this was great value for money for a large slice of dense, moist chocolatey goodness.
On another visit, I ordered a soy mocha ($3.80+50c soy) and was happy it was served in a larger than usual glass. Sweet chocolate syrup had been drizzled at the bottom of the glass. Again, I’d much prefer real chocolate to syrup, but this was okay and the balance of chocolate to coffee was spot on.
I couldn’t go past the vanilla pancakes with berry compote, maple syrup and vanilla ice cream ($15). Two fluffy pancakes arrived and I loved that they hadn’t been over-soaked in maple syrup. The berry compote wasn’t too sweet and there were plenty of blueberries and blackberries making it somewhat healthy. I actually wasn’t able to finish this (and I usually smash through pancakes) so I thought the portion size reasonable.
The prosciutto bruschetta ($17) on the lunch menu was light and fresh. The thick slice of white bread was lovely, as were the fresh tomatoes, and generous amount of prosciutto on top. There was just enough balsamic vinegar on top to add a slight tartness that didn’t overpower the natural freshness of everything else. A good dish, but again a bit expensive for what it was and it was a small portion. I left hungry but I had plans to go out for dinner that night anyway.
My friend and several other people ordered the bacon and egg roll ($10) which seemed like good value as it was served on a long piece of panini and was stuffed with bacon, egg and tomato relish. I kept seeing this dish come out of the kitchen so it’s been a very popular choice.
Overall, the menu looks good with enough sweet and savoury dishes to satisfy most. Prices and portion sizes could be adjusted/improved but it’s still early days. The foreshore really needed a bakery and patisserie so I hope it continues to grow and improve. Orders are taken and paid for at the counter, and bottles of tap water are available. Service is friendly but still in learning mode. Worth checking out!
7th and Bake is located lake-side underneath the Element apartment complex at the Kingston Foreshore. Open 7 days a week from 7.30am for breakfast and lunch.
Foodgasm 7.5/10
Value for money 6/10
Service 7/10
FPJ score 20.5/30
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