POP-UP FOOD REVIEW - Kimnat Café – 14 Blackall Street, Woombye

by A. Tablehopper

I am an ‘average joe’ who enjoys good food, not a food critic by profession, so excuse my lack of fancy terminology! I have not been paid to promote anyone – I am simply sharing my opinion on the hinterland eateries I visit, for their service/ambience and presentation/flavour. 

Kimnat Café has character. It’s a striking Queenslander on Blackall Street, just a few steps from the busy supermarket in Woombye. This welcoming venue has outdoor seating in the front garden, up on the shady verandah, and hidden at the rear of the building,  a space the team like to call the ‘quiet escape’. 

The menu is mouthwatering, and for any vegans, gluten-free folk, and everything in-between, this is the spot for you! The staff prides themselves on a ‘chef-crafted and Vietnamese-inspired’ menu. 

Examples include the Banh Mi Twist - sticky pork belly with golden egg salad, pickles, cucumber, coriander, chilli, Peri Peri mayo, fried shallot, lettuce and caviar. Also the Viet

Noodle Salad, with your choice of grilled beef or tempeh. Or perhaps the Golden Crab Croissant, which is Viet-style crab meat, scrambled eggs, corn, cherry tomatoes, dragon sauce, furikake, caviar, Peri mayo, and wakame. 

My nephew and I didn’t try any of these appealing options on this visit, as we were in the mood for ‘traditional Aussie fare’, but we will be back for some of the above, for sure!

I tried the Eggs Benny Bagel with smoked salmon, except I swapped the bagel for sourdough. The staff were accommodating and friendly, and my portion was substantial, fresh and delicious. I loved the furikake seasoning on the creamy Hollandaise, adding an extra salty crunch to the meal.

My nephew ordered the Supreme Beef Burger, which for some reason came with a fried egg. No matter, I ate that! His burger was juicy and tender, and the balsamic onion was an inspired sweet and sour addition, along with the smooth supreme sauce, oozing out with every bite. 

The Vietnamese Sunrise Smoothie (mango, pineapple, strawberry, passionfruit, coconut water) was refreshing and bursting with zingy flavor, but he thought it was probably “too healthy” for him – that’s a 15-year-old for you.

All in all, the ambience, service and food was top-notch, and I will most definitely be back to try more on that tempting menu!