House at Dempsey

Take a former army barracks. Scatter with vintage furniture. Offer views of the verdant Dempsey forest. Pipe in gentle jazz, tempt with an impressive cake counter, and you have House at Dempsey. If House at times feels a little too pleased with itself, redemption comes in its consistently succulent menu – skinny pizzas laden with goodies like squid ink are a highlight, while brunch and dinner options are varied. Worth taking the afternoon off for is the Vintage High Tea Buffet, available on Thursdays and Fridays 3pm-5.30pm ($22 a head). Diners pick from four tables’ worth of biscuits (keep room for the peanut butter shortbread), freshly baked loaves and condiments, and a heavenly selection of cakes – and are free to reload their plates. Food comas don’t come much finer than this. Keeley Bolger