Augusto Cafe 2013

Georgia has left a new comment on your post "Raincheck Lounge Feb 2013":

Have you been to Augusto cafe in Lenah Valley lately Rita? I just enjoyed a perfect beetroot and nut risotto tonight whilst friends raved over crispy salmon. The chai brûlée and chocolate fondants were suberb. The staff are attentive and it's well priced for a great suburban eatery. Luck Lenah Valley-ites!

I’m thinking I was set up with Georgia’s comment above, added to my blog last night, but never mind! Yes, Georgia – I HAVE been to Augusto Café lately, in fact last Friday night, and enjoyed, as you have highlighted, a mains serving of crispy skinned salmon and a taste of the chai crème brulee for dessert, as well as tempura mushrooms (done with a besan batter to cater for one of our party who is a vegan and gluten free diner). All the food that came to our table was good, but the thing that impressed me so much about this place is the fact that they went to so much trouble to cater to, mainly, our vegan/gluten free eater, plus a vegetarian.

I’ve been in so many dining out situations where anyone who wants something not on the menu is looked at and treated with great disdain. Not so at Augusto. We booked a few hours ahead, and when she seated us, the waitress explained what they could offer our ‘special’ diner, but hastened to tell us that if we’d given them notice the previous day, they would have come up with more of a variety for her – ie gluten free pasta. As it was, she had the beetroot risotto with a few minor adjustments and was extremely happy with it.

We all had the tempura mushrooms for entrée, with the besan batter. It was OK, but didn’t crispen up so much as the floury tempura batter would. You could also pick the chick pea flavour in it too – not a bad thing as chick peas are fine, but ideally I prefer the focus to be on the mushrooms rather than the batter, with the normal crispy batter being more of a texture contrast to the mushroom.

Chatting with the guys in the kitchen on my way out, I got a bit of background of what’s happening there currently. My last blog review in 2011 mentioned that they were intending getting a liquor licence and opening some nights. Well, they’ve done that. They’ve also got a new owner, Reid. The two kitchen staff, Matthew and Liam, filled me in on their backgrounds, which are local. This pleases me when I know that there’s been a continuity and flow from local training to work, and further experience in our Tassie food industry.

I stand 100% by what I said about this café in 2011 – it all still resonates. It is a perfect place to eat when you want good food, reasonable prices and good service. North Hobart on a Friday night really gives me the shits, so this little gem shines for me.

My two courses and two drinks cost me $32 – excellent value! I’ll be back again soon.

Augusto Cafe

100 Augusta Road

Lenah Valley

Ph 6278 7724