River's Cafe, Yarrambat

I need little excuse to go to Rivers, but for financial reasons I rarely am able to indulge my passion for this place. It's a simple cafe with a billabong view. The food is mid-range gourmet, fresh and healthy. The staff are always delightfully friendly and the prices are reasonable for the service, food quality and atmosphere. Plus it's situated in a nursery so after eating a delicious meal it's an incredible experience to wander through the plant nursery, even if there's nothing one wishes to buy.

Today mum and I joined Louise to celebrate Louise's birthday. We arrived a little too late for breakfast but too early for lunch. 

I deliberated for a long time over the menu. Rivers offers gluten free options and their menu is well laid out so it's easy to choose but it's the first time I've taken that option and I wasn't sure what to get. Mum and I had already had breakfast so weren't famished and could take our time to order. That worked well because we were unable to place our order until midday. The time passed quickly with great company and conversation.

I finally opted for a steak sandwich with potato chips. It sounds pretty ordinary, doesn't it... well it's not.

The bread was toasted gluten free yet it tasted just like 'real' wheat bread. The steak, thick and perfectly cooked, was tender and just the ideal size for a lunch meal. River's trademark tomato chutney married beautifully with the caramelised onions, melted cheese and spinach. Every mouthful tasted magical and the fries, light and cooked in what must have been fresh oil were a delicious contrast to yesterday's Grill'd fries that threatened coronary dysfunction.

I regret not taking a photo of the meal, but trust me it was delicious!

For dessert I chose a chocolate icecream with sesame seed wafers, again a gluten free menu option but as you can see by the photo, I was hardly disadvantaged.

Mum and Louise chose a white chocolate and passionfruit mousse, another gluten free option with hazelnut layers. Delish!

Mum and I enjoying Rivers!

After one of the longest lunches I've had in a while, we sauntered around the nursery. With the temperature heating up, we didn't loiter long.

Home we went to collapse on the couch and, in mum's case, to nap. If I didn't think I'd have woken up zombie like after a short nap, I'd have done the same thing.

Such a great day, and thanks Mum for shouting me lunch! I appreciate it so much. I suspect I got more of a present by being there than Louise did. ;-)