The Nurso
Chandler
Located at the former Hawkins Nursery Garden Centre on Old Cleveland Road, the 4.5ha site has been brought back to life filled with lush, foliage everywhere you look, offering something for all plant lovers, from cacti and camelias to calatheas.
The indoor garden centre has a selection of house plants, pretty pots and homewares, from wall art to patio furniture; while the massive outdoor nursery boasts an abundance of plants for the home and garden, as well as large decorative pots, birdbaths, and more.
Outside in the middle of the nursery, you'll find the onsite cafe, Egg & Ladle, offering Asian-inspired eats for breakfast and lunch (Thursday-Monday) along with breaky classics like eggs your way, bacon and egg burger, and egg benny - sweet potato and beetroot rosti topped with poached egg, house made hollandaise, spinach and bacon or salmon.
Asian-inspired fare ranges from the Thai-style breaky Khai Khata (fried eggs, pork mince, cherry tomato, sausage and sourdough) and spicy panang curry, to Korean bibimbap - bowl filled with pork belly, jasmine rice, spinach, carrot and bean sprouts, topped with fried egg and spicy Korean sauce. To wash it down, there's tea, coffee and cold drinks including refreshing iced teas.
Diners can sit outdoors with picnic tables provided, as well as inside a charming pavilion furnished with art and plants, tables and chairs. Within view of both the dining areas is a small, enclosed play space for kids. The Nurso also supplies little ride-on tricycles so kids can wheel around the nursery with their parents instead of trudging after them.
The Nurso is also dog-friendly and even has its own resident border collie, Dusty, who greets customers with a wagging tail.
By Deb Lidster
