Elements Cafe Deli

After checking into the Novotel, we decided to stroll down to the beach & have a look around. The name caught my attention first — in high school & college I loved the surf & skate Element clothing line — but what REALLY hooked me was the signboard out front:
«Special: Rocky Road /​Chocolate Peppermint Thickshake»
I. Love. Peppermint. LOOOOOVE. Especially with chocolate. I had to have it.
So after our stroll, & a late lunch at the Bistro Dalby in our hotel next door, I dragged my partner across the plaza to get me a shake.
When asked what we were having, I excitedly said, «I want to try that shake!», & the barista asked, «Which one?» — & then looked at my face & somehow read my mind & asked «The peppermint one?»
I’m not kidding. He KNEW.
So I said «Yes! That one!» & paid the man & could hardly contain my excitement as he pulled out the tub of ice cream. He asked if I wanted a dash of chocolate or just mint. Duh, chocolate, please. He nodded approvingly.
He handed it over & told me to «give that a try» & after a hefty sip I informed him that it was blissful.
BLISSFUL.
I will be back tomorrow for more.

The first time my mother and I went there was quite early after the opening. We walked in, hoping to see a menu but the waitress/​attendant was entrenched in a personal conversation and ignored us. We went elsewhere. Strike one.
The second time, my mother and I sought a drink and something to eat after a gruelling training session for me. It was not quite eleven and I was looking at the menu at the counter, when the waiter appeared, snatched it from under me and told me quite rudely that breakfast was over. After perusing the lunch menu, I enquired to whether I could order a sandwich with toppings of my choosing — after all, the title ‘deli’ implies that this would not be a stretch. Apparently, the sandwiches are made early and no adjustments or special orders can be made, since that person is no longer available.
Strike two for the rudeness in which we were treated. I understand that breakfast ends and that sometimes a café or deli cannot alter an item to my preference, but the rudeness in which we were spoken to — told off, more likely — was shocking.
Since I am vegetarian and all the ready-​made sandwiches contained meat, I settled for a mineral water, and my mother a coffee. According to my mother, the coffee was not good — bitter and the crema hadn’t frothed. Strike three — especially with coffee-​mainstain Estabar around the corner.
From what I saw of the breakfast menu, it looked okay, fairly standard for Newcastle but more expensive than expected — using its proximity to the Sebel Hotel to boost prices. I can’t say a deli that doesn’t have more fresh food available — rather than salads and sandwiches in a case, made fresh in the kitchen, especially for the price — appeals to me all that much.
I can tolerate a lot of things in cafes — bad days, errors, accidents — but the minute the staff are as unpleasant and rude as those at Elements, I’ll take my business elsewhere.

Element’s is a nice little coffee shop/​restaurant situated just off Newcastle beach.
They have a pretty good menu, varying from fresh seafood platters, to a range of standard fried food and chips. Plenty of burgers and panini and a range of takeaway snacks at the deli counter.
They also have a lot of american lollys and treats on sale, as well as preserves and gourmet items.
All in all, it’s a good solid place for food or coffee… though there are more exciting places for lunch around the area.