Hazel's Poolside Cafe — Restaurant in Adelaide

The rain falling during my son’s swimming lesson drove me inside so I thought I might have some breakfast. The menu read smoked salmon and avo with horseradish cream on potato rosti. I asked to have no horseradish cream because I can’t have vinegar. The breakfast came out after 25 mins - with mayonnaise to replace the horseradish and with a salad that wasn’t mentioned on the menu, dressed with vinegar. So I took it back and politely asked for a replacement. The guy behind the counter stared at me. Questioned the allergy. Said in a most aggrieved tone “so what do you want us to do, replate it?” - I said yes please. I got a lecture about not having told them. (I would have thought the sentence “without the horseradish cream because I can’t have vinegar” was clear, but I didn’t realise I had to specify they should not randomly add other vinegar-containing items that weren’t on the menu.) Was told to wait another 10 mins. 15 mins later it comes out again. Still with mayonnaise. Which I explained has vinegar in it. The guy says “I know it does but my friend said you wanted it”. Um - no. She gave it to me - that’s not quite the same as asking for it. And I’m pretty sure I told you I can’t have vinegar. Not sure what he was trying to do - prove a point? Catch me in a lie? Make me sick because they had to replate? It was at least in a separate dish on the side, so I could give it back. So I ate it - and after discovered that the rosti were really unpleasant - stone cold, flabby and more like the consistency of bubble and squeak or a pancake - floury, mashed rather than grated, and not in any way crispy. So in the end I waited 40 mins for some smoked salmon and avocado. The rudeness probably made them taste worse than they were - but all in all pretty disappointing. Two stars because at least the coffee is decent, and at least the lady who doesn’t know what “I can’t have vinegar” means...

This place should be renamed Hazel's Doggy Cafe. At any stage during my sitting there were around 10 dogs present. I am not a dog hater, but there is a certain etiquette when it comes to eating establishments...well I think there should be! Only one dog was on a lead and kept with the owner at the table, all the rest were having a wonderfully social time, and many came to visit us, whilst we were eating. For this reason I won't go back. The food was great, service questionable ( I think we were brought at least 4 coffee rounds and asked if they were ours owing to the tables having no numbers and the staff, well, they were children!) The food was good, which was why I went to try out, based on good reviews and did not fail in this aspect. But I don't want to eat with dogs running around me, and yapping at each other. It ruined an otherwise pleasant...

After what seemed like a long winter- our first in Adelaide- which included daily walks to and from Hazelwood Park, I was curious to try Hazel’s when it re opened for the season. Always hopping with people! Finally had the chance last week when we both had a weekday off. Coffee and an almond croissant, perfect and good service. Returned with our teen daughter today for lunch, first day of winter break and the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky. What a hidden gem! I had the Devonshire scones with clotted cream and jam, and a pot of earl grey tea. My daughter ordered a plate of three tea sandwiches and my husband had the potato waffles with poached egg and smoked salmon. All were excellent to taste and wonderfully presented. This was better than some of the other places I’ve been to for afternoon tea...