by Juliet Rogers
The newest café on the block at Macquarie Centre opened its doors at the beginning of October 2016. My initial reaction was “ANOTHER café?”. I wondered if it would survive, especially being located in the former home of Jamaican Blue. However, when you know that the new venue, Hattrick, is to be run by the successful sibling management of The Vogue Café and The Missing Piece, both in the Macquarie Centre, then you know that it’ll probably be something a bit different.
Unlike their other cafes, Love Life Productions are clearly aiming to cater for the local office workers market as well as shoppers. Opening at 7.30am it can pull in the pre work caffeine seekers, particularly given its location on the ‘outside’ of the shopping centre (making it a bit difficult to find at first – more about that later). Longer term, Hattrick is looking to open later in the evening, once they receive Council approval, and deliver an after works drink option – completing their “beans, bites, booze” slogan.
I visited Hattrick twice in the last few weeks; firstly on a Saturday morning for breakfast with friends, and secondly on a Monday morning for catch up with admin Jacqui.
The breakfast options were a surprise; plenty of vegan inclined choices plus interesting combinations such as bacon, maple syrup and vanilla bean ice cream! The porridge made with no refined sugars and the a full breakfast with a healthier slant definitely shows a more grown up menu approach. However, their latest babycino creation still pays homage to their fun inspired roots and the need to cater for the little ones – certainly a bonus to be able to eat your cup (which has a base of liquid chocolate) although our kids seemed more fascinated by the gold spoons!
Drinks wise, there are still some of the signature style smoothies and milkshakes which have made The Vogue Café famous, but with an adult twist. Judging by the Facebook page it looks like the creativity will continue into alcoholic drinks…..there’s an excuse for a night out there I’m sure!
Its Location isn’t easy to find if you don’t know the shopping centre well. It’s on Level 1 – Upper. The easiest way to explain how to get to it is to start at Big W and, with your back to the store, turn right and head through the double sliding doors into the car park. Immediately turn right and follow the walkway all the way along. Just after the steps (there’s a lift here for prams) you will find it on the left (you’ll probably hear the upbeat music first).
A couple of negatives, from both visits, were the errors in our bill – both times we needed to send the bill back to get amended (hopefully this was just teething problems) and the number of staff on duty – there were so many that on a couple of occasions they were tripping over each other, or my children!
Once they open at night I shall make sure to try a fancy cocktail for you all!
EDIT: OK SO IT OPENED FOR DINNER..! And here’s our review!
