Beanie, 198 Jackson St, Petone
Coffee: Havana

Score: 2 out of 5

Beanies had come highly recommended from a local.  She knew the owners previously from a popular café nearby, and liked their food and service, so was keen to check it out. 

From the outside it looked pretty funky, and the Cuba Streetish appearance inside didn’t disappoint either.

What was impressive was the barista remembered my friend’s coffee order, even down to the sweetener used! Good start.

The cabinet hosted panini, toasted ficelle, and other similar offerings. We wanted something more substantial, so chose from the blackboard menu. Offerings there included pumpkin and ricotta ravioli ($15), pork fillet open sandwich ($15), three egg omelettes with choice of fillings ($15) and seafood chowder ($13). There was also a ‘L’ll monsters’ kids menu, including eggy bread ($5), and spaghetti with beans or egg on toast ($5).

Free-range eggs and bacon were available for an extra charge.

We ordered, and found a table just vacated by the window. It needed a good wipe.

She ordered the soup of the day, broccoli and feta ($9.50). It was very bland and needed more seasoning. I had the mushroom, bacon and spinach crepe ($9), which was filled with too much creamy sauce, also needed more seasoning, and the side salad appeared to have known better days.

However, the coffee was very good, with a robust full flavour, and the service very friendly.