Awaba Cafe, 67 Balmoral Avenue, Balmoral

I love the joint. I've been there every week of summer 2012/13 for my large caramel latte, always a great coffee. I like the cheeky service, it's got personality, they don't take themselves too seriously. Had my first major meal there the other week and it was a tasting plate that went well beyond expectations, about $28 for 5 pieces, each of them entree/amuse bouche size. A perfect Aussie riesling went with it. Enormous light-filled room and I get free parking near there. What more could you want!?

Incredible location and you must try the deep fired Nori rolls - a house specialty! Great place for a wine overlooking Balmoral Beach. Star spot on Fridays when some of the big names from AU and overseas frequent for lunch. Also breakfast is a treat!

We had our 85 year old mother with us so expected a little more sympathy and possibly a solution to have her seated indoors perhaps out of the cool wind whilst waiting. When she finally seated us after bringing to her attention a table that had vacated, it was like she had awarded us a grand prize. She told us were were impatient. An hour passes, still no food on the table, she tells the fellow making the coffees and drinks to inform us they had lost our order!!! We were shocked and suspected the wait was intentional. The woman, supposedly, managing the staff? gives us countless excuses but it just boiled down to gross inefficiency or prejudice. She laid blame on the obviously inexperienced fellow who took our order when she clearly ignored us during our wait. Unbelievable. We walked out when told our order could not be done and had not even begun in the kitchen. After having frequented this establishment many time in the past with good service, this was by far the worst experience we had ever encountered and will never go there again and will discourage others from doing so.