Wild Patch Cafe

I would rate this place three stars. There’s better places in Kiama for gluten free options. Other meals were also dry that weren’t gluten free. Avo on toast had barely any avo, no feta (unsure why as it has to gluten in it). You can’t have the hashbrown either.

Wild Patch Cafe is an eye catcher when walking or driving past. They are promoting fresh produce, vegan and gluten free options as well with an inviting indoor and outdoor seating option. Kiama is bustling with busy cafes that seem to offer very similar food options excluding The Hungry Monkey and Forest Eats, with The Hungry Monkey clearly miles ahead. Competition for the majority of cafes in Kiama are based on connivence and service. If the service is lacking, the cafe has less repeating locals. Both times I’ve been to Wild Patch Cafe they were a similar experience. F.O.H staff unfortunately lacked efficiency and friendly service, at times it felt unwelcoming overall. Of course, we all have bad times and perhaps I’ve caught them twice on a bad day, however, I’m always a welcoming and chatty customer who is willing to spread good word and spend money and time revisiting. The trend of paying before you eat in a seated Harbourside cafe is odd and takes the finesse away from a dining experience. The food both times we visited was average for me, representing 3 stars. However, both times we visited, my girlfriend was served lukewarm food and an over sauced, soggy mushroom burger, resulting in us on the second time asking for a refund which they more than happily obliged, (as if it was a reoccurring issue). The buns sat on the plate like wet bread, whilst the large mushroom that was on the raw side of grilled had to be taken out of the burger and sliced with a knife. Greasy and soggy. I had the chilli scrambled both times which were enjoyable and better than most other cafes that offer it, but they were nothing outstanding. You can tell a lot from an establishments scrambled eggs, and there is 110% huge potential from the cooks within the kitchen. Of course, this is only my review of our experience. I’ve read other reviews and see that most are quite an enjoyable experience, which I’m so happy to see. For us the second time we visited we sat with our unfinished food on the table with our napkins and cutlery on them for over 10 minutes when there was 7 other patrons. The staff continued to look at our plates but went on with chatting until I called someone over. The lady that gave us a refund was polite and attentive, props to her for being so polite about the situation. We hoped that our second visit trying the same food would change, but unfortunately it didn’t. I see the enjoyment around the gluten free options and brekkie menu, the coffee a solid 4 stars, but for me, it has been a cafe I won’t return to again after giving it a second shot. All the best to the owners and staff, in hope they can improve and take this constructive criticism appropriately on board. They have a sensational location, incredible local produce within 30 minutes north and south, and a local community that is supportive. I’d like to note, both experiences were between Feb 2020 - August 2020, of which I noted them down at the time. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take photos as I wasn’t planning on writing a review and instead just giving verbal constructive criticism.