Café Palat — Restaurant in Victoria

It was lunch time, we were refuelling the far at BP. Out the corner of my eye, I saw the sign Palat on the wall. A quick Google and I thought hmm it sounds edible so let's go there.

Shortly after walking in, we are happily greeted and shown to the table and left for a bit while we made our decision. The first thing I noticed was that the people serving were treating those around them not like patrons but more like family, taking the time to say hi and make sure they were taken care of. As I looked over to my left, I could see why. A mural on the wall that reflected the two people who has greeted us and checked on us, wearing exactly the same clothes. I was like ohhhh they are the owners! Someone who takes the time and serves the people rather than getting others to help. I thought that was amazing because they were putting themselves out there to sell their business.

Next came the food. When we ordered, we only got one dish with a drink. Most places I have ate, have questioned why I am not ordering. Really? Just one dish? Yeah well I have eating restrictions and I'm always having to explain why I'm not ordering which really is no one's business. But not here! Straight away they noticed and asked if we were sharing our meal and went and got us another plate, no further questions asked. It was great to have someone accept that we were buying two meals and accommodate to that.

I wish I could have ate more because the food was to die for. Seriously I could have chugged the sweet and sour fish sauce. The flavours were beautiful, the food was perfectly cooked. And what I loved the most is the kids meals were not nuggets and fish, they were true to the Asian influence of the menu. I want my kids to experience the food we eat, not the dumbed down kids meals places serve.

Once we were done, we asked for some slice to go. We had a quick chat, including praise for the meal and after explaining it was our first time, we got our slice for free in support to their store 😍 such a touching sentiment that I was not expecting.

Even though we are over a hour drive away, I am looking forward to our next visit up there, with the kids, so they too can experience such delicious food and that welcoming,...

They say not to judge a book by its cover. This place was really unexpected. From the moment I got to the door, I was welcomed warmly by both the owners and staff. I was a little disheartened when I was only given a Vietnamese lunch menu, as I was after their all-day breakfast, but once I asked, it was immediately rushed to my hands. Staff were lovely and knowledgeable about their food. It was moderately busy but I had my coffee within minutes of ordering, I was a little worried it would not be quality but I was proven wrong, I drink alot of coffee and this was the best I've had in years, yes years! Only disappointment was with the food, and while it was made to how I requested, the toast was not even toasted and very soft. Eggs were a tad on the undercooked side, but still, everything was an explosion of flavour. I will definitely be planning to come back, and as the ladies on the table next to me said, bring...

Its amazing the places you find when you're not looking for them. Getting car detailed in preparation for sale, taken it to a place located in an industrial area of Geelong. Gotta wait a couple hours.

"Is there a cafe or anything close to here when I could hang out while I wait?".

Guys gestures around the corner, "right there".

Cafe Pelat... ok... looks industrial and "pie and coke" from the outside, next closest cafe is a 25min walk.... looks like I'm stuck here.

Walk in... and presto. Warm and welcoming, with the friendliest staff I have met in a very long time. They were perfectly happy for me to sit down, order a coffee, plug in my laptop and sit here for as long as I wanted.

It's now 12:30pm on a Wednesday and the place is almost full. Local workers, but also families and randoms who clearly come out of their way to come here. I can see why.

Coffee is pretty...