551 Richmond Road,
Grey Lynn,
Grey Lynn
Auckland,
(09) 361 1100
The ViewAuckland Review
4 out of 5 stars
In Auckland’s fickle restaurant and café scene it’s not often that a new and improved eatery opens in a space previously occupied by somewhere that was already pretty good. But that’s exactly what’s happened with the opening of Jafa at the address formerly known as Craft. In its later months, Craft probably suffered because it wasn’t in the busier part of West Lynn featuring the after dark attractions of Malt and the Gypsy Tea Room. The new owners of Jafa - formerly of Benediction in Newton – are canny operators, and have restricted Jafa’s opening hours to brunch and lunch. It’s a wise move, allowing Jafa to focus on doing a few things really well, and letting the other end of Richmond Rd cater exclusively to the after dark crowd.
One thing that is unchanged is the décor, and Craft’s open and expansive mix of upstairs and downstairs spaces, bright colours and polished concrete is intact at Jafa. With iTunes, MySky, and social networking, we’re increasingly living in a world of customisation, and Jafa’s menu allows diners to mix and match from a long list of brunchy components including potato cakes, gourmet sausages and beans. There are also four different Eggs Benedict options, and sweet alternatives to the ubiquitous French toast include Vanilla Rice Risotto with Black Cherries and Lemon Soufflé Cakes. It’s an out and out brunch-oriented menu, but if it’s a bit later in the day salads and pasta are also on offer.
Service is excellent with coffee originally just minutes after we take our seats. The drinks list also includes milkshakes served in cool retro glasses. Jaffa (of course) and chocolate are on offer, but sadly no spearmint or creaming soda flavours. We’re in gentrified West Lynn so there’s a good mix of healthy teas including one using Otago Summer Fruits. Who said Jafas weren’t interested in what’s happening in the rest of New Zealand?
It’s a busy Saturday morning, and although Jafa’s three quarters full, our meals arrive promptly. I’ve partnered poached eggs ($7.50) with Toulouse sausages ($5) and Potato Cakes ($3). The potato cakes are not the crunchy hash browns I was expecting, but actually two servings of creamy mash ideal for mixing with my organic free-range eggs. Carol’s Salmon Eggs Benedict is served on kumara mash rather than the usual English muffin.
Auckland continues to be awash with cafes serving the usual ‘Big Breakfasts’ and bagels, but like other places like Season and Gala, Jafa proves it is possible to be innovative and interesting when you’re serving up tasty ways to kick start a new day.
Jafa has been reviewed by 9 users