Avo on toast… with chunks of salty feta and two slices of haloumi. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Sustainably produced coffee by Reuben Hills. Photo: Wendy Johnson
The classic ham and cheese toastie… with thinly sliced tomato and extra cheese melted on top. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Lil Mama’s house-made muffins. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON couldn’t get her head wrapped around Lil Mama’s Studio when it opened on the Kingston Foreshore, but she admired its massive outdoor dining area with loads of sun and pretty specky water views.
Was this a community hub for creatives? A café combined with a studio space? A capital venue focusing on coffee and simple eats? In the end, Lil Mama’s Studio is all of these things.
It’s a coffee and juice bar. It’s a café with a limited but growing menu. It’s an events space, sometimes with live music or other entertainment.
In short, Lil Mama’s is an eclectic place where customers can hang out to play chess, read, work on laptops, or even shop for pre-loved and vintage clothing on consignment, or art pieces by local designers, including funky 3-D printed vases.
Indoors is as massive as outdoors. Order at the counter, after admiring the goodies in the glass display case, with inviting house-made muffins, banana bread and cakes. Or choose from the “official” menu, which has expanded and likely will again.
We kick-started our breakfast with freshly squeezed, yummy and healthy juices ($10, select from the juice bar menu or make your own). The tropical paradise was a wonderful blend of watermelon, pineapple, apple and orange. My friend is a fan of the “pure greens”, created with pineapple, celery, spinach, apple, cucumber and lemon – super delicious.
While the special poke bowls caught my eye ($22), and the granola bowl sounded delish ($15), the classic ham and cheese toastie won the day (only $8.90 for sourdough, a croissant or a bagel). Mine was piping hot. The ham was of solid quality, the amount of cheese on the inside just right, and the tomato thinly sliced. Extra cheese is melted on top (nice touch).
Lovingly presented was the avo on toast with chunks of salty feta and two slices of halloumi ($15.90). While the avo was soft and creamy, the over-toasted halloumi looked and tasted dry.
Other toasties and bagels include a chicken and rocket ($16.90). Lil Mama’s also dishes up classic eggs ($14.90 and add sides for $5) and a classic baked bean or spaghetti toastie ($9.90).
Sustainably produced coffee is by Reuben Hills, and a range of other hot and cold drinks are available, such as chai, matcha, shakes, smoothies and specialty teas. Babychinos and puppachinos are $2.
Lil Mama’s dares to be different and welcomes everyone to pop by – tradies, cyclists, mums with bubs, walkers, professionals, locals who live at the foreshore, dog lovers and visitors alike.
The place is light and airy. The décor is fun and colourful, with pieces of pre-loved furniture positioned here, there and everywhere, each piece with its own personality.
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