Eungai Cafe

A trip up to the north coast is always a great escape from the corporate pace of the city. On our recent trip up to Stewarts Point we couldn't pass up a quick visit to Eungai Creek Buffalo Farm. 

The road isn't pathed the whole way so those with not so durable cars be warned.

The buffalo farm is located just after a few residential plots of land within Eungai Creek and hosts a number of different visitors from keen locals, tourists and the occasional peacock. Apart from providing buffalo produce, they also have a small cafe that uses the produce in every way possible including coffees with buffalo milk (with no other substitutes). 

The cafe overlooks the rest of the farm on one side and the buffalos on the other side. Filled with fresh air and natural light you truly feel comfortable and confident in the produce coming from this farm. 

The cafe and farm have a great ethic in supporting local farmers and the produce within the area. Their sense of community is prevalent produce streamed in and out of the café,  switching hands with the owners who greeted everyone with a smile. 

We also noticed they had buffalo milk gelato available, and as we were speculating the repetoire of flavours, one of the owners let us know that she only uses local produce that is in season. 

Smoked Salmon and Labne 

I couldn't look past the smoked salmon and labne on the menu. 

The dish itself was presented simply with a generous smear of labne across the soft turkish bread. 

The smoked salmon covered the entire surface of the bread which saved a lot of internal rationing in my mind. I was so impressed with the thin delicate slices of Spanish onion  pops of briny capers in between that perfectly balance the dish. 

The only thing is, I wish the portion was bigger as a couple of slices weren't quite enough for me but delicious regardless. 

Buffalo Mozzarella wrapped in Proscuitto

The other dish that caught our eye was the Buffalo mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto. The title alone was enough to convince us. 

It arrived nestled in a gorgeous zesty and fresh salad of sun dried tomatoes and rocket which broke through the creamy cheese. The cheese itself was surprisingly light but soft in texture, contrasting the salty and crunchy prosciutto. 

The dish was gorgeous from start to finish, from the oozy cheese to the vibrant salad, the plate was completely wiped clean. 

Sitting amongst the farm space and watching the grazing buffalo made me realize how lovely it was to go to a community-supported cafe. Seeing local produce used in almost all of the dishes and even just the staff’s rapport with all the patrons who are almost all greeted by name is comforting to say the least. 

I definitely look forward to visiting this cafe as we visit Stewarts Point more often. I’d like to support their community and bring home some of their great produce. 

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Written by Jay Santiago (@eatventures_) 

@mister_eats
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