Hobart patisserie’s new space is a little slice of heaven
For lunch or morning tea this Hobart cafe’s new in-house dining area is such a charming place to spend an hour or two ... it’s like stepping back in time, writes TasWeekend’s Alix Davis
Food and Wine
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If you’re looking for a new car, the north end of Argyle St is where it’s at – the street is lined with dealerships offering wheels of every description. Surprisingly, if you’re looking for a perfect pastry, a light lunch and a sophisticated alcohol-free drink, the north end of Argyle St is also where it’s at.
Specifically, Little Missy Patisserie – long a favourite of in-the-know locals, has now opened their dining room and it is a little slice of heaven.
Upon entering the historic building (a house built in 1895), you are immediately greeted by an antique table groaning with a tower of delicacies.
A glistening berry tart sits alongside nutmeg-dusted custard tarts and plump cheese-studded scones share space with delicate vanilla slices. The room is furnished with antiques and tables of various sizes.
Here, a large table to share, there, smaller tables tucked into one of the bay windows fronting the street.
We choose a low, small table in the window, flanked by two antique chairs upholstered in peacock-blue velvet and instantly feel like two ladies in a Jane Austen novel.
Service is swift and we order a pot of tea and an alcohol-free Pommy fizz ($10) for starters.
My fizz is fancy and comes in a vintage coupe rimmed with salt. I’m not a fan of sweet mocktails (aka fruit juice) but this one is sophisticated perfection – pomegranate juice, ginger beer and a kick of jalapeno syrup.
Manager Denise Shukri says she has worked hard to create alcohol-free drinks that don’t taste like they’re from the kids’ table and, in addition to the mocktails, there’s also a selection of non-alcoholic wines and beers.
Our lunches arrive as the dining room is filling up with eager guests.
They’ve been open just six days but word is obviously already spreading. My companion has ordered the cauliflower cheese pie ($23.50) – a thick, comforting wedge of pastry wrapped filling accompanied by a beautifully dressed and very fresh salad.
The cauliflower is tender without being completely collapsed and the cheese sauce is rich and tasty.
The pastry is buttery, short and crumbly – just as it should be.
My tomato brisee tart ($23.50) is also a triumph – a thin layer of quiche-like filling topped with a generous portion of braised tomato and fennel.
Its richness is a pleasing contrast to the mellow quiche. The side salad, in its delicate vinaigrette, cuts through both.
A cheese and chive scone with jalapeno butter ($8.50) is a highly enjoyable sidebar, managing to be substantial without being leaden (you know the scones I’m talking about!).
The path to this dining room has not been an easy one for the Little Missy team, but now that it’s open, opportunities abound, with plans for dinner events in the future.
Opened in 2014 by owner and pastry chef Oonagh Murphy, Little Missy is known throughout Hobart for its pastries.
Having a seating area enables customers to enjoy their purchases at leisure, rather than eating it out of a paper bag (I may have done this on more than one occasion!).
Obviously, we order a sweet to conclude our meal and take a turn around the table to make our selection.
I opt for a quince French tea cake ($9.50) and my friend chooses a custard tart ($9.50). A delightful addition to the dessert offerings is the arrival of a tea trolley at our table and Denise offering us a choice of Chantilly cream, macerated berries or almond praline to add to our plates.
It’s a sweet concept and certainly elevates the whole experience.
Lunch or morning tea at Little Missy is such a charming way to spend an hour or so – it’s like stepping back in time. As Jane Austen said, “Go and eat and drink a little more, and you will do very well.” Wise words indeed.
LITTLE MISSY PATISSERIE
151 Argyle St,
North Hobart
Opening hours: Dining room 10am-2pm, Tues-Fri; Takeaway Mon-Fri, 7.30am-3pm, Sat, 8am-1.30pm
On the menu
Cheese and chive scone, $8.50; cauliflower cheese pie, $23.50, tomato brisee tart, $23.50; Pommy fizz, $10; quince French tea cake, $9.50; custard tart, $9.50
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