I have a little favourite place I go… while it is in actual fact a restaurant, for the purpose of this review, I am going to classify it as more of a café as it is in the context of a café that I find myself here so often…

I am talking about Via Italia.  Via Italia, is probably one of my most frequented places on the Sunshine Coast. Opposite Mooloolaba’s beautiful strip of coastline it has bragging rights to spectacular views, and at the moment, exquisite sunny days and fresh ocean breezes.

For me it the perfect spot.  Most days, you will find me here writing. In between, cappuccinos, green and chamomile teas, truffle chippies and occasionally pizzas, I can mange to while away the days quite productively.

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While it does have a great menu with some pretty choice selections, I very rarely come here for dinner, but that is not to say you shouldn’t, trust me… it is always busy.

Wood-fired pizzas are made on site… I know you see, they have a little viewing window where you can watch it all happen…

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My attraction to Via Italia is that it is laid back… some times a little too laid back, but the staff are beautiful and friendly and these days, pretty intuitive to my needs… cappuccino, sometimes a mug, sometimes a cup, brownies… warm please and yes, with that dollop of extra cream… tea… which one today? Green or chamomile? And… occasionally I break free and have a wine or even a cocktail… helps writer’s block…

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However, I could easily live on their truffle, reggiano fries with aioli… served on a rustic, chunky chopping block, they are the most perfect crisp of crisp. Oh, and the little fried prawns are pretty more-ish too.  Zucchini fritters… yes please and ditto to the smoked kangaroo loin… I have a bit of a thing for the ‘kiss peppers’.

Away from home workstations don’t really get much better… and I figure if the view or dessert makes me linger a little longer than I should, well… to all appearances… have been working hard today…

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This post was written by Petra Frieser – Pebbles + Pomegranate Seeds.

Petra’s visit was paid for and unannounced