Jahdomes Bakery and Café
42A The Stables Shopping Centre 314-316 Childs Road Mill Park

(Visited June ’16)

It was a long overdue catch up that had me meeting in our then local grounds to see bestie. Hubbie was home and could look after baby girl, which meant I could really, truly, properly, have a good gas bag with her.

Bestie had suggested the place, since not only was it a great meeting grounds between her work and my home, but the parents of a girl she used to work with, opened the café. I was excited, because not only was it a hop, skip and a jump away from home, but I had been meaning to go to Jahdomes for a while. I had heard about their famous vanilla slice, and my intentions had been to takeaway some for home…

Upon greeting bestie and then sitting down in the corner café at The Stables, I took some time to take in my surroundings. The French theme was most definitely apparent, with French and provincial paraphernalia, in the form of lights, Eiffel towers, birdcages and loops and bicycles – this cafe was evoking images of a small cake shop within the hearts of Paris. All you needed was the people watchers out the front facing the street as you strode past, and it was complete. It was a quaint slice of Paris in the Northern suburbs and the interior definitely removed you from the greater surrounds with gusto.

After a long talk, talking without looking at the menu for what seemed like a while, we finally realised we should probably order something. Table service arrived too, which I was pleased with. We ordered, and soon after I received my Chicken Burger – tenderloins, relish, egg, pickles, tomato, sauce

My burger was really moist and delicious, homely-tasting, and the pickles tasted like McDonalds pickles! I don’t mean that in a bad way, I just mean they tasted familiar, a recognisable taste from my childhood. Good, hearty café fare, with chips on the side and a rocket balsamic salad too. It was generous and filling, a good meal to set you up for lunch.

We didn’t have any coffees, instead replacing our sips of usual caffeine for more gas-bagging… but I did take home the New York cheesecake, after being told that the vanilla slice had sold out! I think it does so early on each day, so being lunchtime I had totally missed the boat on that one. Damn.

It was a small visit, with not a great deal spent or eaten, however the length of time we sat leisurely catching up with each other, taking in the surrounds, and just relaxing, made the visit that much more special. I saw the potential of the place, and visiting it for the first time with bestie, made me love it more.

Food: 7/10. Hearty café food in the ‘burbs, done well. The menu showcases many of your standard sandwiches, foccacias, brekkie items and kids options, alongside an ‘ever-changing’ food section. What you would expect, it caters for its location.

Coffee: N/A on this visit, but not long after I revisited this place with Hubbie and baby girl this time, and we only feasted on this:

The cakes were lovely and the coffee was great… an 8/10. No vanilla slice yet again (!) so we’re just gonna have to keep chasing it down… sigh.

Ambience: Quiet and cosy, though there is ample seating it wasn’t packed on that weekday, but it wasn’t loud with the diners it had there either.

People: I think quite a few locals already privy to the place, there was a man eating alone, some other friends, and a group too.

Staff: They were friendly and accommodating with our requests.

Price: It was $25 for my burger and the cheesecake I took home on that day, so I think that was right on the money.

Advice: If you want to grab the famous vanilla slice, best be up with the early birds and get on down there before they sell out… because they do!

In a nutshell: A great find within the Northern suburbs, and one that lifts the standards of other more average options for the discerning diner. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite, a hearty meal, some delicious cake, or a hot coffee, these lovely surrounds cater to your every need. A Parisian slice of heaven, in simple suburbia… You’ll feel at home, at Jahdomes.