PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAI have fond childhood memories of loading up a teaspoon with peas and flicking them with gusto in the general direction of my sisters. Somehow I get the feeling this sort of behaviour would be frowned upon within the adorable surrounds of Alexandria’s Peas Please. But that’s not to say it’s not child friendly – quite the opposite, in fact. Chef and owner, Phil Haysom, has travelled the world and during his journeys he’s picked up an awesome collection of toys and retro pieces which are on display at Peas Please, from a Mr Potato Head masquerading as Darth Vader to an antique collection of teaspoons. With enough quirky knick-knackery to amuse both young and old and a modern Australian cafe menu to boot, Peas Please is a lovely little spot for a bite to eat and a cup of tea to soothe frazzled nerves.
The pretty dining room has a touch of shabby-chic bohemia about it, from the vintage chandelier to the hand-painted plates on the walls. Haysom’s toys are dotted throughout the room to delight the little ones, while slightly more mature tea and coffee drinkers can look forward to stirring their brew with one of the unique teaspoons that float about the place. Breakfast is an all day endeavour with a number of bacon and egg concoctions available, but the scrambled eggs on Turkish toast with chorizo and home-made baked beans are a must-try. The lunch menu moves towards gourmet burgers and salads, complimented by daily specials scrawled on a blackboard. Peas Please also has its own special blend of Karmee Coffee, responsible for putting a spring in the step of many Alexandria locals. Just make sure you bring cash along as Peas Please doesn’t have any card facilities.
Amy Looker