Reviews
the wait staff who thanks me for not needing a receipt as I “saved trees”. The potato cakes were plain but
Rocket Espresso Bar, better with the cold smoked salmon 385 Grey Street, Hamilton East
Rocket Espresso bar was opened by Rocket Coffee roasters way back in 1998. My friend and I were excited to visit the café under the new owners. We headed in at 10.00am for breakfast. The café was a vibrant, bustling little hot spot buzzing with happy customers from mothers and children, groups of business men, girls meeting up over muesli and couples enjoying the café’s sunny location. The café’s name explains the high curved ceilings, plain white wall and the inbuilt wall lights giving the impression of a spacecraft. The ‘space’ theme had a slightly retro feel with red walls, lolly dispensers, ‘spaceman’ lolly sticks for sale and a huge, cartoon astronaut painted on one of the walls. Clearly, children are welcome and books and toys are provided. With no art at all in the first room, it was saved for the back room/ art gallery featuring a collection of Maori inspired pieces by Hika Taewa . The blackboard menu was congested with breakfast and lunch options, which was cluttered and hard to read. Another blackboard shows specials and the selections feature café classics from eggs benedict to The Big Breakfast. The cabinet was overwhelming with a huge range of cakes, muffins, pastries, jam doughnuts, ficelle and pide bread sandwiches, pies, mini-bagels and scones, most from Pandoro bakery in Auckland. I order Potato cakes with salmon and a side salad ($10.00) and a flat white ($4.20). My friend orders eggs on toast ($9.70) with a side of bacon ($4.50), a long black ($3.70) and a piece of pecan pie ($4) to share. What was most appealing about their extensive menu is the cafés nod it the environment. Rocket espresso bar uses free range bacon and eggs, fair-trade coffee, organic milk and eco-friendly cleaning products. The café’s green attitude is reinforced by
and caper salad, the stars of the dish. In the absence of aioli was a delicious tomato relish I am sure I would have preferred anyway. The bacon and eggs were a simple and honest meal; tasty bacon and fried eggs done well and the whole grain toast was a healthy touch. Sitting in the sun, watching people pass by and listening to the grinding coffee machine, bursts of laughter and the erratic tone of a busy café while sipping on rich, velvet coffee was the highlight of the morning. The pecan pie was a pleasant ending. The service was wonderful. The wait staff were genuine, attentive and happy. Dressed in everyday casuals, they create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Little touches like lemon segments in the water and children’s art work gives the café character. The dusty skirting boards do not. Rocket is open from 7.30am-4.00pm weekdays, and 8.00am -2.00pm on the weekend. The café has a selection of standard but classic café food at reasonable prices ranging from $10$20. Rocket is a honest café with a lively atmosphere and great coffee. The efficient and positive wait staff made the experience one we intend to repeat.
Reviewed by Julia Gabel
Video clip of the week – Lay me Down by Cold Specks. Canadian Soul self-starter rocking Later with Jules Holland (via youtube.com) Free legal download of the week – Westside, Right on Time by Kendrick Lamar and Young Jeezy. Gruff hip hop from the new breed of both West and East Coast US rap (via soundcloud.com).
Banga by Patti Smith 8/10 I have tried creating a theme over the year of sharing music with you I like and that you can get your hands on legally for cheap/koha/free. I figure, if you’re anything like me, you want to hear something new and different but the income doesn’t quite stretch to paying for music. Well, this week, I decided to stretch. Patti Smith’s new album is full price, but totally worth it. Patti Smith will forever be known as the godmother of punk rock, her 1975 album, Horses cementing her place in the creation of the movement. She has been scorned by The Rolling Stones for being ”too intellectual” (although I’m not sure that’s an insult?) and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her new album continues that legacy of rock with a literary element. Opening track Amerigo infuses her poetry and the electric guitar rock and roll of her past. The chorus shows a softer side of Smith, but the poetry spilling over the verses stays true to her core. “I saw the new/The inconstant shifting of fortune/And now I write to you/ Words that have not been written/ Words from the New World.” April Fool is a soft and sparse pop song, almost too sweet for Smith but showing a genuine delicateness that is often hidden. It’s one of the catchier songs on the album and one of my favourites. Fuji-san contrasts nicely with a darker atmosphere pushing through the strong rock ballad. It will satisfy the fans of Smith’s more sonic and manic back catalogue. As she has done for Jim Morrison,