Lovely L’arte at Hawthorne

Question: When is a café, not just a café? Answer: When it is L’arte, a delightful little boutique café on Riding Road in Hawthorne. Lady luck was shining on me last week when I found myself walking past L’arte at my Coffee O’Clock. Walking through the doors I felt like Alice falling into the Rabbit hole – a regular coffee shop this was not!

Instead to my great delight, I found myself surrounded by cabinets filled with delicious looking food, shelves holding a variety of deli items, walls lined with interesting artwork and photography, and some fabulous black and white décor to boot.

I was immediately greeted by a very friendly gentleman, who turned out to be owner Andrew Walker, and my coffee order was taken by his equally friendly wife Karen Walker. This lovely couple, who also own a Brisbane catering company called A Gourmet Plate, took over L’arte in March 2011. They immediately made some changes to both the menu and opening times, and now serve breakfast and lunch most days of the week. All of the food served in the café is produced by the chefs at A Gourmet Plate.

As I waited for my coffee, I strolled towards the back of the café and discovered more shelves, this time laden with giftware, jewellery and handbags.

I continued, and found a door leading to a leafy outdoor area where more seating was available. Andrew told me that they have plans to expand the outdoor seating area, which is a peaceful haven away from busy Riding Road.

Andrew then talked me through the various pieces of artwork in the café, all of which is available for sale. Both local and Sydney-based up-and-coming artists have contributed to the display, and a local student is responsible for the fascinating photography.

L’arte is serving VIVO coffee, and my delicious cappuccino was accompanied by a tasty little biscuit on the side. Glancing through the menu, and wishing it was closer to lunch, my taste buds were tantalised by the variety of gourmet sandwiches on the menu, not to mention the quiches, pies, pastries and cakes calling to me from the cabinet. I was informed that there is also a rather sensational weekend breakfast menu. (Mental note to self – make sure my next visit falls around a meal time!)

So, if one day you find yourself having that ‘uninspired-like-Alice’ feeling, take yourself directly to L’arte café, for a rabbit hole experience all of your own!

Paula Whitcombe lives, sleeps, eats, drinks, shops, socialises, visits parks, attends book club, raises and schools her two children (6 and 4), and exercises in Bulimba. She occasionally heads into the CBD where she works in finance, to remind herself that once she was a career girl working in London and Paris...but now, she would really rather hang-out in her favourite spot - Bulimba - sipping a cappuccino at one of the many great coffee shops on Oxford Street.

Paula Whitcombe

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