Mixed Feelings - Wombat Hill Cafe

super charming location

Last month we drove over to Daylesford for a low key family lunch, and the venue of choice was Alla Wolf-Tasker's new venture, the Wombat Hill Cafe. As she is  the impressive force behind the iconic Lake House, also in Daylesford, we were excited and hopes were high. In the spirit of 'it's not you, it's me', I concede that perhaps our/my hopes 

were a little too high. 

so far, so good

But in my defense it's hard for that not to happen when to get to the cafe you must first amble through the Botanical Gardens and when you do arrive via winding walkways, the cafe is in such a charming old house that it's like arriving at Granny's house in the woods, (and Granny has the reputation of being a kick arse cook!). 

Hubby and I arrived first and decided to have a coffee while we waited. We sat, and we sat and looked around hopefully at the rare fleeting glimpses of wait staff until finally it dawned on me that there was no table service. So I stepped up to the counter and ordered the coffees and asked for some menus. Hmmm, there are no menus, everyone must come up to the counter and read off the board. I don't like this! But let's not dwell on negatives, the lattes were excellent, and sitting out in the covered patio area was really, really lovely.

don't be thinking you can order food from here, cos you can't.

 Shall we press onto the food? 

Choices were much more basic and limited than I was anticipating, (yes, yes it's not them it's me), and I settled on a simple tomato and basil pizza. My thinking was that with such classic flavours they couldn't go wrong.  Man it was boring! I couldn't even be bothered finishing it, it was so uninteresting! My sister had the lamb pie, and here again I must object. Surely a pie must have some pastry? Even just a disc on top? Otherwise I deem it to be stew! Apparently the flavours were good so we'll accept that one. 

a little too simple

which makes it a pie in what way?

The rest of the dishes were equally underwhelming, although the side of chips were good! Finally there was dessert, involving more schlepping up to the counter, can you tell I am not a fan? I had the sticky date pudding, which looked like a piece of cake to me, however it was yummy, hoorah! I can't remember what the other 'dessert' (cake) was, pear and something, and it was equally good.

delicious

also delicious

 In the wash up I doubt I'd go back despite the extremely charming nature of it all. It wasn't cheap and it wasn't great. Or even good.

Is it a Great Eat? No!

The Wombat Hill Cafe

Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens

Central Springs Rd, Daylesford

Their website