Steve's Mum rarely has the chance to get out so when I suggested that we take her out for Morning Tea she jumped at the chance. We had arranged that we would go over and pick her up around 10am and we thought we would try a new Cafe in Bundaberg called "Oodies Cafe". One of Jude's daughters had paid a visit here when she was here last Christmas and was pretty impressed with it.
We came across it the previous day when we were heading to the Railway Hotel and missed the car park and had to do a lap around the block. It looked quite quirky from the outside so therefore thought it would be worth a visit.
What a great little find. I from a photographers point of view, loved the joint, it was quirky, with lots of random bits and pieces ranging from antique pieces to odds and ends and I found the whole place inspiring.
Steve's Mum was really impressed with the large collection of teaspoons as she also has a collection, although nothing like this one that greeted us on the back wall as we first walked in. We were to find out that all of those teaspoons had been donated to them and they really did look very impressive.
The fittings through the shop were real eye candy and made you want to explore rather, from the casement windows at the front of the shop that were placed in all sorts of manner, to the wonderful bedside lamp shades that made up one of the main lights hanging in one of the corners of the room.
There was an impressive old dining room table that had many hearts and initials engraved into the wood, and an old piano in the side of the room. There was also lots of colourful art work plastered around the room with a few old lounges or couches added for comfort as well....
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Quirky placement of casement windows make up the facade of the building
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The front counter has an asortment of lights that hang from the ceiling.
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Just a few of the massive teaspoon collection that they have on display
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We had to wait for a table..
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We didn't realize it would be so popular so therefore had not booked before hand. The place was packed and we had to wait for a table. They were really good about it and told us if we were happy to wait they would seat us as soon as a table became available. The only thing was they couldn't tell us how long we would have to wait, it could be 5 minutes or it could be half an hour. In the end we decided to take our chances and I guess in total we had to wait around 15-20 minutes before we were seated at a table. This didn't worry me too much as it allowed me to take some photos of the place whilst we waited...
The place really did have a cozy atmosphere, had a great vibe about the place and the food was obviously very good otherwise the place wouldn't be packed like it was. We weren't the only ones waiting for a table either. They cater for all diets and all tastes from healthy salads, a wide variety of meal options, burgers, all day breakfasts, treats, desserts and raw treats. There really was something for everyone and I am sure this is part of what made the place very popular.
Their philosophy is all about finding that small moment in your day to be inspired, to relax, to enjoy good companym smiles and laughter, to reflect, to contemplate, to zone out or find a new friend, all while enjoying amazing food, coffee and good service.
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Some of the impressive art work on the walls of Oodies.
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Now you might wander how they ever came up with the name Oodies for their Cafe. Appartently whilst trying to decide how to to name their cafe, they were brainstorming potential names for their new venture, they decided to randomly throw around words that described their feelings and thoughts about their cafe.
It needed to be a name that encompassed everything they wanted to say about their cafe so this then became quite tricky. For the interim they decided to create a 'working title name' and then let the actual name develop over time.
They came up with a "working title" that allowed them to be a little whimsical by playing around with some of their keywords: - Odds and Ends, Oddsies, Oddies (Hmm, wasn't that the name of the guy from 'The Goodies'.... The long hair bearded guy.... 'Bill Oddie' .... he apparently was really cute and funny, but Oddies didn't quite fit.....
This though caused them to have a light-bulb moment..... "OODIES"!! They had a good giggle and then the name just kind of stuck and that's how Oodies was born!
This then turned out to be the name that stuck.... a moniker that can't help but make you and them feel joy.
We were finally shown to our seats and a menu delivered to our table. As we were really interested in having a meal, but rather, just a cuppa and some morning tea, Jude and I both walked over to the display cabinet to check out what was on offer, so that we could order when the waitress came back to the table. I also took my photo with me to the counter so that I could snap a few more shots, especially as a display behind the table next to us needed to be photographed. Previously people had been sitting at the table and I thought it might of looked a little rude to try and photograph it with them sitting in front of it.
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This quirky assortment of frames made for an interesting back drop.
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| More of the impressive artwork painted inside the Cafe. |
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There was an interesting outdoor area also just off from where we were seated. I am not sure whether this is a work in progress but I could well imagine that it will also form park of the Cafe in the near future...
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The back door was quite a feature with it's large sun like window.
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More artwork...
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A closeup of the magnificent decorated Christmas Tree
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Another one of the impressive lamps inside
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Our drinks had arrived
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In the end, Jude ordered a coffee whilst Steve's Mum was happy to order her favourite Strawberry milkshake. I was keen to try their Pomegranate and Raspberry Frappe. It was absolutely delicious and a great choice on my part. We also decided to order, a Raspberry and Almond Cake along with a small Carrot cake to share for morning tea. The Raspberry and Almond Cake was served with Ice cream and was absolutely delicious. I think the three of us had decided it was our favourite. The carrot cake was served with fresh cream, but we still found it a little dry. I probably wouldn't order one of those again, but there would be no hesitation in ordering the Raspberry and Almond Cake with ice cream again.
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My Promegranate & Raspberry Frappe
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Steve's Mum enjoying her Milkshake
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Some more of the quirky Christmas decorations
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We sat at Table E
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I found these little ornaments quite quirky also. Apparently they used to sit on the counter until someone knocked them over and broke them.
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Jude with Steve's Mum Margaret.
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They had quite an impressive outdoor area also, although no one was sitting outside today. It could have had something to do with the fact that the temperatures were in the 30's today, so inside in the air con was more preferable.
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Some of the outdoor settings
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Some of the garden decorations
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They also have an awesome little book library, thanks to the Bundaberg East Rotary for taking the old one away and giving it a little makeover.
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Very quirky letterbox.
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It really was lunchtime by the time we left Oodies and we decided to head into town and introduce Mum to some of the cheap stores like Silly Solly's. Jude wanted to head back there to pick up a couple of things before we then went to her favourite Cafe for lunch.
Steve's Mum was very impressed with some of these cheap shops and bought a few little bits and pieces. She doesn't often get out at all so today has been a real treat for her.
From town we headed to the riverbank to Jude's favourite eatery "River Cruz" cafe where we planned to order a light lunch and to sit and enjoy the lovely breezes that come in off the river.
We found a table out in the open under one of the big shady trees and were thoroughly enjoying the cool breeze coming in across the water...
None of us felt like a lot, so we just ordered some toasted sandwiches with a few chips to share for lunch. Steve's Mum and I decided to share some Chicken, Avocado and Cheese sandwiches whilst Jude ordered some Chicken. Cheese and Onion sandwich. We couldn't finish them either and ended up taking them home in a doggy bag also.
Whilst waiting for our food to arrive, we took in some of the views of the river from the Cafe. This cafe is situated in a beautiful setting with easy access to the river back.
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Views of the Burnett River
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It took no time until our lunch arrived. The service here is also very good and the place is very popular. When we arrived just after 1pm, the place was packed and we had to wait for a table also.
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Our Chicken, Avocado and Cheese toasted sandwich...
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Steve's Mum enjoying her lunch
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Jude's lunch of Chicken, Avocado and Onion toasted sandwiches and she ordered some gravy for the chips.
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We've had a lovely girls day out and it was close to 4pm by the time we delivered Margaret back to her place. She was a little tired as she had missed her Nanna Nap but I know she really enjoyed her day out. We really must do this with her more often.
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