In The Kitchen at Vegas and Rose

My friends often prefer to drive separately than come in my car. My eyes are always drawn to what is going on elsewhere and how many people are at different lunch venues. I count the cars to see who’s the busiest and check out what suppliers are delivering where and how late they are. Last summer, when I was taking the kids to the Brown Hill pool, I spotted Vegas and Rose, and turned to them and said "Oh, I’m so excited — a new cafe". Penthea Marshall-Radcliffe is the owner/operator, but she is more than that — she’s also the mum of two young children and a conscious supporter of eco living, organics and sustainability, with a penchant for all things vintage.

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As I’ve been sitting here, customers have been popping in and out and I’m hearing cafe banter like "You have the best muffins in Ballarat". And then, behind me, there is a lovely man and his young son torn over what flavour macaroon they’re going to try — the hazelnut, the coffee or the citrus?

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Actually, some days when it’s very cold outside, the condensation settles on the front window and you can just make out the outline of a great big fish.