The Portuguese Tart Hotcakes are what we’ve come for. Since Lunas opened in October last year, from the team behind Sydney’s best known Portuguese bakery, Sweet Belem, it’s all any self-respecting custard tart fan has been able to think of.
But it’s lunch time, and this is a belated birthday lunch treat (courtesy of my favourite godmother), so we decide we’ll park our sweet cravings, for a short while at least. And thank goodness we do as Lunas doesn’t disappoint on the savouries.
The menu is divided into brunch and lunch plates with most dishes reflecting the modern Portuguese influence and showcasing fresh seasonal produce. For brunch there’s chouriço scrambled eggs, smoked salmon on potato hash, as well as your usual cafe fare including eggs on toast and granola. For lunch, there are heartier options such as the beef espetadas, crab pasta and swordfish with black beans.
We order the prawn salad to start and with a serve this generous, sharing is a must. This seafood twist on a Caesar salad with chouriço in lieu of bacon sends us into Mediterranean-food heaven. Plump prawns are chargrilled perfectly and lightly dusted with paprika, the shaved parmesan sharp and just the right quantity, whilst smoky-sweet nuggets of pan-fried chouriço add an umami punch that brings the dish together. Our only complaint: we wish we’d ordered some bread on the side to mop up all that salad dressing goodness!
A dish called sardines on toast follows shortly. Slivers of fresh sardine dressed with a zesty salsa verde arrive on large ovals of toasted bread drizzled generously with olive oil. Light and fresh, like a Madeiran summer, they go down quick. Although my dining companion isn’t a fan, I’m won over by the herby flavours, tangy dressing and perfectly prepared sardines.
Finally, we arrive at the main event. Those Portuguese Tart Hotcakes. Two fluffy cakes loaded with baked Portuguese tart custard, generously dusted with cinnamon and served with vanilla ice cream (of course). Our hotcakes arrive dotted with raspberries and micro-herbs in a serving size that could easily feed two ladies – or one who can’t be bothered to share!
We wash this down with a T Totaller Chai – just like the meal, it’s perfectly prepared and delicious.
We’re the last to leave and when I greedily spy a plate of Portuguese Tarts on the counter, the waitress generously pops them into a box for me – gratis. What a venue!
Planning to bring the kids? Ask for an outdoor seat in the back – there are long banquet tables made for family gatherings, a garden where the kids can run around and cute herbs and bushes that they can explore. There’s also Maundrell Park and playground across the road if the little ones get antsy. Bringing a pram? No problem, there’s a handy side gate entrance (so you won’t have to navigate the main dining room) and ample space in the toilet for changing bubs.
Note: This is a walk-in only venue so don’t be surprised if you see queues at the front on the weekend.
Looking for more family-friendly local cafes? Check out list of the best kid friendly cafes in the Inner West here.
Lunas
316 Stanmore Road
Peterhsham NSW 2049
www.lunaspetersham.com.au
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