Pigeon Hole, West Hobart

Mishca and Dieter playing grown-ups at Pigeon Hole

I must make a confession:  Pigeon Hole is my longstanding cafe lover.  I told friends I was pregnant with Leo there, I became increasingly rounded there (through no fault of theirs) as Leo ballooned and morphed his host!  I have enjoyed numerous panini infatuations, a cous cous addiction, best ever love affair with chocolate friands and always great coffee.

Pigeon Hole has beautiful people.  Beautiful people running it, working in it, visiting it, next door to it!  Many a time I have wandered into the gallery next door as I try to settle a monster.

Leo as a tiny person meeting friends at Pigeon Hole

Space wise, it is not big, but the shared table spaces make the most of the space, and a lovely way to meet people.  The music has always settled my little person and the wallpaper intrigued.  Unfortunately, Leo now has a toilet fascination and tries to explore the toilet and washstand at every opportunity, but the lovely, lovely staff are always kind and amused at this crazy runaway child who they have seen grow from a dot.

Baby-cinos seem unimportant next to all of this, but here we go:

Warmth: Never too warm
Froth:  A-plenty

Cup: Sturdy, but you can also ask for a take away cup as the floor is polished concrete.

Marshmallow: None, so Thea deducts points.

In total 4/5, but water glasses forever topped up are even more exciting for little'ns and makes water sought after!



If you haven't been there, go! 

Ps Another fantastic thing about Pigeon Hole is that you always feel comfortable to breastfeed and the back space is private if you are not sharing the table.

Red Velvet Lounge, Cygnet

Apart from having the very best brownies that can be found, The Red Velvet Lounge has been a favourite of mine since it first opened it's doors when I was at uni.  While it is in a different venue, and much less hippy than once it was, it is still a great place to visit.

Baby wise, I love a place with couches, and as the name suggests...there are couches.  There is a fire (kid friendly) for cold winter Huon days, there is a street view for those dining alone or waiting for friends eternally late.  There are fabulous and clean toilets and an outdoor (secure) place for warm days.  Only issue there, as with most outdoor spaces, ciggy smokers share the kiddy space.  (Last time I was there there was a lady with a pet goat outside...only in Cygnet)!

There is a notice board of note with everything you need to know about what is going on in Cygnet and stuff to entertain the kids: some well coloured books and pencils, as well as some baby reading material.

Sooo...baby-cino rating?

Let me explain.  Last time I was there I had my niece, Thea, with me as well as young Leopold The Wild.  As a reward for fabulous behaviour, Thea had cake with her bubbacino...well...The cake, the cinos, they were delicious!  But...both were liberally spread from the table, to the window, to wherever Leo escaped to.

As I mentioned earlier, it is the attitude of the staff that make the difference to a child friendly space.  The lovely lady who served us (who Thea lately declared to love), she was sooo thoughtful and gracious when we had clearly wrecked the joint that RVL gets extra points for consideration.

Temperature: A little hot for Leo
Froth: Not so much

Cup: Little and crash tested sturdy!

Marshmallow:  One tasty one, apparently!

So, with extra points for kindness to a frazzled mum/auntie... 4/5

The Red Velvet Lounge is also just across the road from the St James' park that is a great space for kids on the weekend.  Room to work off the tasty cakes!

FYI The RVL has a limerick competition where you can win a meal to the value of one hundred dollars if you include the name of the cafe/restaurant.  I mention this for all the starving artists who need a good feed!  Just go to their website.

Citrus Moon Cafe, Kingston Beach

It only seems right that I start with one of the most child friendly cafes that Leo and I have found so far.  Before we get to the baby-cino\ we can mention the retro change table, pram accessible doors (and toilet), as well as high chairs.

More than deliberate provision made for kids, I find the attitudes of owner&/staff changes my impression of the cafe or restaurant.  At Citrus Moon they have only ever been welcoming and accommodating.  Serviettes are easily found in the case of a spillage and they have the best kids platter I have found with healthy choices for littlies.

Sooo...bubbacinos?  We'll as you can see, Leo approved.

Temperature:  Warm
Froth:  Heaps (and Leo has soy which is apparently hard to froth)
Cup:  Sturdy and little
Marshmallows:  Baby ones...PERFECT!

I was really impressed with the baby marshmallows, I'd not seen them before.  The big ones, while much loved, are hard for toddlers with very few teeth and a tendency, like his mother, to swallow things whole.

Rating:  5/5  A great place to start!

Ah ha!!! Inspiration!

As my darling grotty faced boy greeted his bubbacino with delight today, after many an adventure in the world of froth and marshmallows before, I realised the bank of knowledge that I have been building.

Facts about the world at large?  Political commentary?  Insightful comments on parenting and the educational philosophies of the day?  Nooooo....I know all about where they make great bubbacinos, baby!

So, without further ado, welcome to the delights of chocolate faces and flying spoons, for those of you new to the scene, and for veterans, commiserations!