Cafe Belle Fleur, Old Northern Rd, Glenhaven

Cafe Belle Fleur, Old Northern Rd, Glenhaven

Sunday 18 November, 2008

This morning we ventured over to Glenhaven to have breakfast at Cafe Belle Fleur within the the Flower Power Nursery. Located along Old Northern Road, the Flower Power Nursery has a massive site set alongside a large lake.

The Flower Power promotion of this site states,

"A lot has been said and written about Flower Power Glenhaven. Until you visit the expansive facility you will never really appreciate just how wonderful Garden Centres can be.

Subject to recent extensive renovations, experts describe Glenhaven as the “best garden centre” in Australia. Start with the huge landscape centre with its eight themed display gardens and work your way through a beautiful nursery. Cascading water features, rest areas and stunning shrub and plant features are located everywhere.

Then visit the massive indoor plant, gift and accessory shop before you travel down to a stunning lake- side café and native garden display. A state of the art children’s playground provides the final touch to a magnificent garden and entertainment centre."

We were lucky to arrive and score a great park outside. The entrance takes you through the flower shop, gifts or nursery before walking down a sloped pathway to the entrance of the cafe. We were surprised at how few people were there, however it didn't take long to fill up. As many of the tables were reserved we were initially led to a table near the entrance of the outdoor dining before our waitress deciding that she could offer us a table by the lake - thank you.

The outdoor seating of the cafe showcases several water features however the main aspect is the kids playground. The cafe is so geared around this that they reserve tables alongside it for families. So, if you go expect lots of families and kids running around in super hero costumes.

The view across the lake is stunning with the overhanging trees however the right side of the lake exposes an unsightly area of the nursery - this could easily be covered with lattice, bamboo or something else to complete the picture.

We ordered coffee, well, I ordered a mug of coffee and the girls ordered ice chocolates in these massive tall glasses. The menu offered a range of breakfast items from fresh fruit & yoghurt to waffles and eggs. I couldn't go past the eggs benedict and the girls ordered the Belgian waffles with maple syrup and ice cream and scrambled eggs and bacon on toast.

When the meals arrived they looked pretty good however they hadn't delivered the waffles to order. We had specifically requested them with maple syrup and ice cream however they came to table as their standard order topped with fruit etc. We called the waiter back and she disappeared with the plate stating that she would have the chef prepare another plate. This meant we ate our eggs and had almost finished by the time the waffles returned to the table.

My eggs benedict was good however the spinach was a little watery which meant the English muffins were soggy - not good. The waffles looked fantastic and their delighted owner described them as 'sugary & delicious'. Cafe Belle Fleur is a relaxed place - go when you have plenty of time to spare and enough time to walk off breakfast around the nursery.

Cafe Belle Fleur - 609 Old Northern Rd, Glenhaven - (02) 9634 3411

http://www.flowerpower.com.au/glenhaven.html