Food Friday – cafe review

Hubby arrived home yesterday and as is our ‘routine’ we went out for lunch.  I usually get to choose the place – he’s too tired from travelling and is happy to let me do it.

RedRed is a small cafe located in Salamanca Square. Salamanca Square is located behind (the world-renowned) Salamanca Place, a stones throw from the wharves and Hobart City.  It is located in a disused quarry which is now lined with a hotel and apartment complex. The ground level is occupied with eateries, clothing and gift shops.  There is plenty of room sit and enjoy the ambience and let the kid splay near the central fountain.

It is understated and classy but not too pretentious. The decor is black and white with splashes of red. Black and white walls and singular tables while bright red booths that would seat about 8 line the walls.

The pictures on the walls are plain but catch your eye – black and white with a splash of red.
The Paris scene, a couple, the lady in red. The Tower of London with a red double-decker. The Spanish bul fighter with his red cape. And the construction workers high above the city on a beam with a red lunch box (I’m not sure as I didn’t go to look closely)

The red water bottle. Beautiful against the white table with expensive looking tumblers (I wouldn’t call these glasses)

The menu us simple yet has a touch of elegance. A small selection of both entrees and mains with an equally small but impressive list of both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
We shared the skewered mushrooms as an entree. Hubby went outside his comfort zone and tried a mushroom for the first time. While he didn’t dislike it, he wasn’t going back for more.
They were crumbed (really subtle flavours that complimented the mushroom beautifully) and fried to perfection.  It was served with a mesculen (the peppery lettuce) and a spicy creamy dipping sauce.
These were perfect for two to share, but a little much for me on my own at lunch time.

Normally we would have separate items for the main, but yesterday we both chose the steak.  It arrived accompanied with the best chips, a little salad and a smoky bbq style sauce. We were told the sauce is the one they have with their sticky pork ribs but were playing switcheroo with the menu.  It would work better with the ribs.  As we chatted, I mentioned mustard, so he brought some out.  Clove Dijon.  Hmm. The dijon part was good, smooth and creamy but the clove aftertaste was not to my liking.  I kept on with the sauce instead.
We ordered our steak medium rare – as always – but given the thickness it could have been a little more on the medium side. Still full of flavour and very tender.

We finished with a cappucino which had good flavour and (for me) strong enough, but it wasn’t very hot. I like to linger over a good coffee, not be able to gulp it down.
Even the cutlery was red. I would love to have these knives in my kitchen.

The wait staff waiter was attentive and informative. Eager to make sure everything was good but not getting in the way. Turning up at the right times and always polite.

This is somewhere we will have to return to, but with so many cafes ans restaurants to choose from, who knows when it will be.
Jennifer 🙂