13th Stag Cafe sits inside the Mitre 10 Sports Park on Percival Road in Frimley, Hastings, and its motto, power to perform, explains a lot about the place. Professional cricketer Blair Tickner opened it with his wife Sarah in July 2019, wanting to offer a healthier choice in the Bay and a menu shaped around what high performing athletes need. The name is personal as well, honouring the number 13 Blair wore and the Central Stags cricket team. Having spent his off seasons working as a barista, Blair made sure coffee was central from the very first day rather than an afterthought.
Breakfast is where the kitchen has the most fun with familiar dishes. The Pink Eggs Benny sets poached eggs on hash browns under a homemade pink hollandaise, with bacon or a switch to chilli halloumi, pulled pork, fried chicken or grilled salmon. Venison mince on toast arrives with poached eggs, garlic aioli and basil pesto, while the Big Stag Brekky loads up eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, tomato, bacon and venison sausage. Sweeter starts include fried chook waffles with maple syrup and slaw, and Tiramisu French Toast, brioche with coffee infused mascarpone, berry compote and nuts, a nod to the sweet tooth Sarah happily owns up to.
Lunch brings rice bowls and burgers. The bowls come with mixed salad and are named for their inspiration: the Mexican with homemade pulled pork, smashed avocado and sriracha mayo, the Cyprus with chilli halloumi, hummus and pickled onion, the American with southern fried chicken, and the Japanese with grilled salmon, pickled ginger and chilli soy. Burgers of fried chicken, fried halloumi or pulled pork are served on brioche with cheese, pickles and fries. Dishes carry codes for vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy needs, so special diets are easy to navigate, while children have a list of their own featuring Bambi on toast, the Bucky half benny and Fawn waffles with whipped cream.
Drinks follow the performance theme. Smoothies such as Beast Mode, blended with banana, an espresso shot, MCT oil and cocoa, the Green Machine with greens powder, spinach, avocado and protein, and the Recovery Shake with oats and collagen sit beside the Mad Nutter and the Funky Monkey, and extra protein can be added to order. Coffee, teas, iced drinks and matcha, hot or iced, complete the list. Everything is ordered at the counter, and a full cabinet suits anyone in a hurry to train. Inside, the room is light and bright with plenty of greenery, while tables under big umbrellas outside catch the Hawke’s Bay sun on match days.
Address: Mitre 10 Sports Park, 42 Percival Road, Frimley, Hastings 4120
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