434 Mt Eden Road,
Mt Eden
Auckland,
1010
(09) 630 6825
The ViewAuckland Review
4 out of 5
Ten minutes after I arrived at Frasers Café & Espresso Bar, I felt like we had got off on the wrong foot.
Without realising just how popular this well-placed Mt Eden café is, I had arrived right in the middle of the Tuesday lunchtime rush.
The room was swollen with people, the noise deafening, and the air moist. So, full credit to the staff who hurry but don’t seem rushed.
To the European girl behind the counter who patiently yelled, “Cream or yoghurt?” at me several times over; and the dark-haired girl who apologetically cleared the used glasses from my table a long time after I had sat down, I salute you. If you can hack it, so can I.
Despite being café salad-wary, having been served ten too many of the meat-on-mesculin variety, I yelled across the counter that I would like to try the Mediterranean chicken salad.
The next ten minutes was a gruelling balancing act, leaning against the cakes cabinet juggling orange juice and newspaper as I waited for a punter to leave their table and allow me to sit down.
Eventually one came free, the last user’s crumbs were wiped away, and a steaming mesculin-free plate of salad arrived.
It was a well-timed wait—less than 15 minutes—and a piled plate of grilled courgettes, steamed brocollini, baby spinach leaves and a generous serving of still-juicy chicken, was plopped in front of me. Delicious.
Fraser’s only weakness is in its popularity. For a truly perfect lunch, try it (though not right on midday).
Frasers Cafe & Espresso Bar has been reviewed by 9 users