Brigittes Espresso Bar

Yet another brunch/​late night option in Merivale. While it’s best to make a booking, there are plenty of tables inside and out that walk-​ins in small numbers (2) should be fine. We made a booking and were seated immediately at a cute little table overlooking the patio seating. The café is cute and no frills, but offers a full lunch menu (after 3pm, and looked amazing) and serves breakfast until 3 pm.
Our coffee orders were taken immediately and water was brought to the table. We waited for over 10 minutes for our coffee to be served (one barista making coffee for the entire restaurant = sleeping zombies grumbling at tables) and for our food order to be taken. Finally someone came to our table and we ordered pancakes (with bacon, cream and strawberries) and the Big Breakfast (tomato, mushroom, bacon, sausage, poached eggs, toast, hashbrown). The food was served much quicker.
The Pancakes: large and fluffy (looked whole wheat maybe?) slightly overcooked for my taste. Not enough syrup (and I don’t even care much for syrup) but the bottom pancake was soggy with a concoction of strawberry juice and syrup. The bacon was cooked perfectly and the cream pairs well with the pancakes if you’re not a big syrup person. Very filling meal.
The Big Breakfast: The sausages were spicy for my palate, but someone with a (American) southwestern flare will love them. The bacon was cooked perfectly and the eggs were poached to perfection. I didn’t try the toast, hashbrown (golden brown and crispy), tomato or mushroom as it wasn’t my breakfast, but my husband cleared the plate.
Overall, the food is slightly above average but no stand-​out to the rest of the options around Papanui Road. The service could have been slightly more efficient, but with only one barista and a small service area, that would be hard to change. I won’t rush back here for breakfast, but it definitely is a decent option if you want a quick and filling breakfast. I’ll update again once I try out their lunch.

Brigittes is a merivale institution and for good reason. It is spacious with a variety of places to sit. If its sunny and no wind then the outside courtyard is lovely, but if the wind comes up there is plenty of room inside and in the sheltered marquees. They have a good music selection playing, and not to obtrusively either. Service is good and attentive but not exceptional.
I come here for brunch occasionally and cannot go past the mushrooms on toast. This meal is divine, huge mushrooms on pesto focaccia with truffle oil, a poached egg, and hollandaise. It basically combines everything I love breakfast wise into one delightfully delicious dish. My sister says the pancakes are equally amazing. I’ve had the salmon omelette and the eggs bene on previous occasions which have been good, not a step wrong.
Brigittes is a popular place, and if you know you want to eat here it is well worth ringing for a reservation.
I will be back to Brigittes, nothing will keep me away from the mushrooms on toast!