Sapphires Cafe - Glenmore Park

I had never been to Glenmore Park before last weekend. I had seen the signs to it as I've headed up to the Blue Mountains via the M4 over the years and always wondered what was there. Glenmore Park is a purpose built suburb that has an almost country like ambience to it - loads of houses are nestled amongst bushland and park like spaces. If I had done some research earlier, I would have found out that Glenmore Park is actually home to a brilliant child friendly cafe called Sapphires, that has a brilliant playground attached to it and we all should take the detour off the M4 to visit this little slice of child friendly paradise! 

I had read on Sapphires Cafe FB page that it opened at 8am on Sunday, so we had arrived around this time. The boys bounded out of the car and went exploring and they were oh so excited to find a pretty cool playground. The playground is fully fenced and has loads of climbing equipment, slippery slides, mirrors that make you look fat and skinny, a huge and very clean sand pit and of course swings. The playground is suitable for all ages and abilities and it all looks and feels very new, modern, clean, and thankfully, secure. Which means the very best thing about this playground is that you can sit outside at Sapphires Cafe and have full sight of your kids whilst you enjoy your meal!

When we arrived we were the only people in the playground except for the Council Workers making sure that the whole area was pristine.  The boys explored every last inch of the area and then their bellies began to rumble so we wandered into the cafe. We decided to sit inside as it was nice and warm. The interior is very spacious and it has easy access and plenty of room for prams. There is a large stack of high chairs and even a small toy box in here. There is a massive bathroom, that doesn't have a baby change table, but your pram will easily fit in there so that you can change your bub's nappy in it.

When we arrived we sat around for a while not quite sure what to do.  There was only the chef working at this stage and he seemed quite busy.  After watching a few of the locals, we quickly worked out you have to order and pay at the counter, but there is no signage indicating that. After a while I spotted a stack of menus on the counter. Once I opened the menu I saw the message telling you what you had to do to order.  It seems on Sunday mornings that they stagger their staff's arrival time, so just be aware of this if you arrive earlier than 8.30am.

Sapphires Cafe has a kids menu and we ordered the boys pancakes for breakfast. 2 big fluffy pancakes came (on melamine plates - big tick) with a scoop of ice cream and a small pot of maple syrup. I had a little taste test and they were seriously good. Toast, banana bread and muffins are also available as breakfast options for kiddliwinks. At lunch time it is the usual deep fried suspects and for a snack in between there are loads of cupcakes (see below), cookies and other treats in the front cabinet. You can even buy slushies and ice creams which would be perfect on a hot summer's day.

For drinkies the boys had a babycino and a kids size milkshake (served in a disposable cup - another big tick). Now I need to talk to you about this babycino. It was unlike any babycino that I have ever seen. Firstly it was served in a cute little piccolo cup - when I was watching the waitress make ours she was also making one for a little girl at the same time. She chose a blue one for my little guy and a pink one for the little chicky babe - tick, tick, tick! When the babycino arrived on the table there was a little clap, as it was covered in sprinkles and came with a marshmallows on the side - it looked oh so cute. Instead of the usual frothy chocolatey milk there was a serious dollop of chocolate sauce in the bottom and then it was filled with whipped cream and then dusted with chocolate powder and sprinkles. My little guy was a bit perplexed how to consume this at first but when I mixed it all together for him and it became like thick chocolate cream, then he decided to drink, I mean eat it. Have you seen a babycino like that before?  It was a visual extravaganza!

Mr Munch and I both had delicious breakfasts at Sapphires. The classic bacon and eggs on toast ($16) was huge as was the crispy bacon on brioche for the same price. The toasted brioche bun was stacked high with a perfectly cooked field mushroom, crispy bacon and a big dollop of sour cream. Balsamic glaze was drizzled around the plate, with a grilled tomato on the side. You can also add a poached egg for an extra $3.00. If you are dining at lunch time you can munch on soups, delicious sounding salads and burgers, or if you prefer, just grab a bucket of hot chips and go outside and enjoy them in the playground.

I also have to mention the awesome cupcakes in the front counter. There were so many to choose from and they all looked so adorable. They cost $3.50 and we bought some to take home for later in the day. They are the sort of cupcakes you would love to be able to take to school for your kids birthday in order to show off your "baking prowess" to all of the other parents! Speaking of birthdays you can actually have a birthday party for your kidlets at Sapphires - let them do all of the hard work for you! 

Once you have finished at Saphhires, and if your kids aren't too pooped from playing in the playground, there is a lovely walk around the Blue Hills Wetlands which is just across the road from the cafe. On your wander you can check out the metal and sandstone sculptures in and around this man-made lake as well as feed ducks and do some bird watching. There is actually 20km of walks, cycle paths and fitness equipment all over Glenmore Park.  Click here for more info. 

If you live near the Glenmore Park area, you are very lucky indeed to have such a child friendly cafe so close to you. If you aren't a local, why not take the detour next time you are heading to or from the Mountains or just go for a drive to Glenmore Park as I think you will really enjoy a visit to this kid friendly landscape. 

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https://www.facebook.com/SapphiresCafe
31 Blue Hills Dr, Glenmore Park NSW
02 47332835
Open Mon - Fri: 7am -5pm; Sat- Sun: 8am - 4pm

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