Chopping Block Cafe, Buderim - Sunshine Coast, QLD

(Degusted 8th August, 2011)

One thing we've noticed about the seaside towns in the Sunshine Coast – especially Mooloolaba and  Maroochydore – is that there is a real shortage of cafés. Maybe it's because we're spoilt from the huge variety available in Melbourne, or maybe it's just the areas that we're visiting, but things in the caffeine dealing business seem really quiet around the Sunny Coast. Of note was that in Mooloolaba on a Sunday night, there was only a Gloria Jeans open (and there was about 30 people crowding around to get their coffee fix) – surprising that there's so few good, independent options in such a tourist-focused place.

As we drove out of the little town of Buderim after dinner at the Tavern the night before, we discussed how we thought we'd like to come back to this cute little town and check it out by day.

The main street of Buderim gives a really friendly, small-town community feel.  We found The Chopping Block Café by chance – it looked open and inviting, and – famished after our early morning beach-side run of foolish insanity – we stopped here for brunch.

Vegetarian

We degusted the Artichoke, pumpkin, basil and feta fritata and an asian-style chickpea salad. The fritata was unashamedly a pre-baked window-displayed item, which we were fully aware of. Originally we were just going to get the fritata part on it's own, but the waitress suggested getting it served up with salad. The salad had a lovely sesame dressing, snow peas, pak choy, julienned carrots and cashews – so there were a lot of different textures and good flavours going on. The fritata was good enough on its own, but made into a good meal with the salad.

Artichoke, pumpkin, basil and feta fritata, with asian-style salad

Eggs and trimmings

We also tried the green eggs (scrambled eggs with pesto), which comes with spinach leaves, grilled tomato and sourdough. We supplemented this with some sides – chorizo, and smoked salmon. The Chorizo was good – nice and spicy, and the amount was quite generous – and would have been enough for two to share.

Green Eggs and no ham.. The yummy spicy Chorizo and
smoked salmon made this really quite filling.

Interior shots. A pretty cruisy place,
-tables and chairs on the footpath complete the look.

Drinks

We had the straight-up orange, and a mixture of orange, pineapple and ginger juices. All juices were freshly squeezed and were of generous proportions. The espresso could easily have come from one of the better cafés in Melbourne: commendable, given the lack of coffee shops around this area -  we had expected the quality might be a bit "hit and miss", but it wasn't to be... If I had to be picky in 'Master Chef' style, I'd say it was a fraction watery and there were some residual grinds in my cup, but neither of these would be a deal-breaker - It was good coffee!!

An espresso of which this place should be proud.

Overall, we think this is a good enough place to eat - and on our visit the coffee was great. That said, we don't normally judge on price or value - but on this occasion we must note that we've read reviews on this place and surrounding places in which those reviewers thought the Chopping block was a bit too pricey. For us it was not a bargain, but nothing more than we expected.



Rating:  Nom(x1)

Meh                      It’ll Do                   Nom(x3)                              Must go back!

Done and Degusted @ The Chopping Block Cafe, Buderim

-Green Eggs, with sides of Chorizo and smoked Salmon

-Artichoke & pumpkin fritata

-Asian style chickpea salad

-Orange juice (freshly squeezed)

-Orange, Pineapple and Ginger juice (freshly squeezed)

-Espresso

Address: 70 Burnett Street,
Buderim QLD

Cuisine: Modern Australian   Seats: 60

Price: Main $8.50 to $18.50,   

Phone: (07) 5476 6411  Fax: (07) 5450 1451 

In the area for dinner? There are steaks available with some amazing views, at the Buderim Tavern - Check it out here