No.6

Overview

Nestled in the sunny seaside town of Takapuna a little cafe by the name of No. 6 has emerged from the once dire Hurstmere Road to rise like a phoenix and join its comrades in this ever-growing precinct.

Enter stage right. Beckoned by the glistening glow of the Supreme Coffee sign, even with a no caffeine after 12 rule. No. 6 is pouring with light through the handy dandy street coffee pick up window and large floor to ceiling glass doors. The light bounces off the blonded furniture and beachy tones, almost like you're right next to the seaside. Wait. You are.

Caught mid-gawk looking at the cabinet food, I'm warmly greeted by a bubbly staff member. She's proudly showcasing a handwritten note which is neatly tucked in her apron strap, it reads, "I'm new, please bear with me" with a smiley face included, absolute tactics to try replicate my reaction when reading it.

She presents me with their selection of seats, including their sun-drenched outdoor tables and I am of course captivated by the long pillowed bench seat which loving wraps itself around the cafe. I'm a sucker for pillowed protection, and let me just say their seating was superbly ergonomic. While seated your free entertainment is provided by the bustling open kitchen and banter from the passionate kitchen staff.

Now, sustenance. If you're in no state to grab and go from their cabinet of sammies and salads or it simply just doesn't tickle your pickle, then you'll be glad to know their menu is full of your usual cafe suspects, lunchable delights and specials on the blackboard. With everything made in-house and from scratch, there's no way you can go wrong. Since it was now noon I ordered the Thai chicken salad with coconut, chilli, peanuts and baby spinach leaves ($19) and their blackboard special smoothie: a coconut, sultana, honey mixture ($8). The smoothie lands; an o-so-smooth-yet-some-how-chunky blend which challenges me to suck whole sultanas through a straw. Challenge accepted, although not enjoyed. From the departure lounge (aka the kitchen serving bench) I spot my beautiful chicken salad, with no hold ups I'm quickly consuming this spicy coriander-filled dish. Added complements to the serve wear, a solid plate with a low lip is music to my ears.

All and all No.6 might have a couple of minor teething issues but it's born to succeed in the burb of Takapuna.