"First NZ Bagel," announces the small print on the sign outside Brooklyn Bread & Bagels. I wasn't even around in 1980, when the owners first started baking artisan bread and bagels at sister cafe Dixon St Deli, but Brooklyn's cafe on College St (across from Moore Wilson's and next to Caffe L'Affare) usually has a decent selection of bagels on their shelf. More often than not, though, my mind wanders from bagels and cream cheese, distracted by the range of pastries and savoury items behind the counter and a solid brunch menu.
On weekdays before 10am, Brooklyn has $7.90 bacon, eggs and coffee deal. It's one of the best breakfast bargains I know of in Wellington. For this reason (and because of Brooklyn's proximity to our flat), this is often E's breakfast of choice.
With 2 eggs on a thick slice of toast (baked fresh on site!), a generous slab of bacon and half a roasted tomato on the side, this breakfast is a great deal. E had his eggs fried, but they do scrambled and poached as well. 
The $7.90 weekday deal comes with a coffee of your choice; E ordered a flat white (normally $3.80). I had one too - it was pretty well-made. I don't usually take sugar in my coffee, but I tend to think that Brooklyn's coffees (they use Supreme beans) are the kind that do really well with a spoonful of sugar swirled in. I'm not too sure what this means, but it's nice as a sweet treat!
I had the Manhattan fruit bread with cream cheese and jam ($6). I was surprised to receive three (!) sturdy slices of well-toasted fruit bread, studded with morsels of dried fruit and seeds, and flavoured with a strong hint of spice. It tasted like Christmas.
Plain cream cheese and raspberry jam spread on top of the sturdy bread made this a wholesome and filling breakfast.
I had these photos on my computer from another recent visit (I guess I'm sort of a regular), so I thought I'd include them here.
I had the toasted muesli with fresh fruit ($9.50). It didn't look like that much, since the bowl was pretty shallow, but looks can be deceiving - I had to stop three quarters of the way through as I was too full! The muesli was packed full of dried fruit, seeds and nuts, with lots of contrast between crunchy and chewy. Just the way I like it. I was pleased by the generous serving of fruit, especially by the soft, tangy kiwifruit. Yum! Eating healthy doesn't have to be boring.
Brooklyn is located right next to Caffe L'Affare and my favourite place for groceries, Moore Wilson - so it's in good territory. They also have fantastic bread baked on premise. I'm a huge fan of their multigrain vienna and Brooklyn 9-grain loaf, which can usually be found in my cupboard. And for lunch, they have a counter packed with savoury items such as filo parcels, lasagna and salads as well as a chalkboard lunch menu with soups, sandwiches and the like. Plus, there's ample seating, so even when it's busy (lunchtime and on weekends) you're likely to find a table.
RATING: 4/5
29 College St
Wellington
(04) 802 4111
Open 7:30am-4pm Monday-Friday; 8:30-am-4pm Saturday-Sunday.
Kitchen open until 2:30pm.
5 comments:
Hey, that breakfast IS really good value. I love Brooklyn bagels but have never actually stopped in there for a meal. Good to know... Their muesli looks gorgeous, but for some reason no matter how hard I try, I can never bring myself to order muesli at cafes!
This is one of my favourite places in Wellington but I've kind of forgotten now we don't live in town and I'm rarely in the vicinity. Mental note to make the effort next time I head to Moore Wilsons for a stock up.
Laura - I know, muesli can be had so easily at home, and for much cheaper... but for me, the mix of fruits that come with it in cafes is more than I'm willing to chop up for myself! (perhaps a sign of laziness)
Domestic Executive - yes, it's got such good company, with Moore Wilson's just across the road and L'Affare next door that usually a shopping trip for me starts with a treat at either of those cafes :)
Ooh, my mouth is watering! For me, Brooklyn Cafe is one of the best in town and I've chomped through several coffee cards there over the years. Your photos are reminding me that I need to stop drooling and get some breakfast, lol!
Cafe Chick - I know, right? Their coffee cards are such good value too - a free pastry/muffin/etc AND free coffee? Amazing. I've had many a free coffee/muffin breakfast thanks to them!
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