The Age‘s Domain section’s featured suburb today is Clifton Hill. Like its neighbour Abbotsford, it is a small suburb. Amazingly enough, in the year to mid-August 2006, 10 people shelled out more than $700,000 to buy houses there, including 2 $1 million homes on the Esplanade. They recommend Flowers of Sorrento:
“Spensley Street, a friendly, well-stocked, family-run grocery with an interesting Italian influence, also has consistently fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs, a small meat section and flowers.”
and Marshal Meats:
“27 Ramsden Street has extraordinary variety for a butcher hidden away from passing trade. A specialty of the house is lamb smoked on the premises. Crays and other seafood are sold along with fresh meat and some deli meals.”
and Cafe Quince, 43 Spensley St, described as:
“a true neighbourhood meeting place with boards advertising babysitting and lost cats, a box of toys to keep the kids amused and plenty of magazines. At weekends the casual room is filled to bursting with chatty groups tucking into full English breakfasts or variations on the theme. New owners will continue to serve breakfast and lunch seven days a week, the cafe is licensed and the coffee is very good.”
Quince is a very pedestrian cafe, beloved by visitors but univerally loathed by locals. Overpriced, crap service, boring food. Trifecta of no-good-ness.
I agree – service at Cafe Quince leaves a lot to be desired. I am often left sitting there without so much as being asked if someone can take my order. Food also takes quite a long time to come out even when it is not busy. However I do love the concept of the ‘half serves’ for breakfast! My partner shops at the Ramsden Street butcher and has said nothing but good things about their product range and very friendly service!
I am a new to the Clifton Hill area and have been delighted by the experience and service at Cafe Quince. The lovely mother and daughter team, who remembered my name after our first meeting, provide great friendly service and a good quality product – I love their new addition of organic, fair trade coffee. Recently, I went there with my family for their new dinner menu – it was great! Gluten free buckwheat gatettes and tapas and they use Belgian chocolate in their sweet crepes…. YUM!!!