With our kids at the grandparents and a posse of six recovering from a concert the night before, it was time for BRUNCH.
The night of the big gig we’d hosted friends from out of town who had left Auckland for the greener pastures of Whangarei, Waiheke Island and Tauranga. Among them were at least two who can’t eat either one or all of eggs, dairy and gluten. Which left us with few brunch options and the closest was KIND cafe in Morningside.
We figured if it’s good enough for the PM and Stephen Colbert, it’s good enough for us. KIND is a social enterprise that’s part of the Crave cafe empire/collective that reinvests profits into the local neighbourhood. It’s the type of place you feel good supporting and the menu is mostly plant-based.
Walking into the cafe is like entering a glasshouse on the street corner, with plants hanging from baskets and an airy, inviting vibe (sometimes it’s all about the vibe). It’s the type of place millennials love and 40-somethings can afford.
We plonked ourselves down under the ceiling of foliage and ordered coffee. They arrived quickly and were spot on. The menu has standard brunch fare, such as granola, pancakes and poke bowls, but with glamorous ingredients – salted caramel marscapone on the pancakes, and smoked chilli peanut butter with the avo on toast.
Wait what. Peanut butter and avo are two of my favourite foods, so this was my order (and a friend’s). Our table ordered widely from the menu, with pancakes, granola and eggs bene among the plates arriving soon after.
Insta worthy plating was put to the test by six foodies. The granola had a whole poached pear at its centre and was declared a taste sensation. The pancakes, slightly dry, were saved by the sauce – a berry and apple copote and the marspone. The eggs were as good as you hope for.
Eating the avocado and peanut butter on toast reminded me of how you feel when your two good friends from different circles meet and just don’t get along. Avocado needs bacon and thankfully there was plenty, but when there’s no bacon it needs Marmite. Bacon is also not peanut butter’s BFF. My friend who ate the same dish said they were delicous solo but the combination flopped.
Two Hungry Mums went to a Fix and Fogg pop up toast event last year, where they layered peanut butter with pickle and that I can endorse.
KIND Cafe & Eatery
16 McDonald Street, Morningside