Sorry for the delay in writing this review. The delay is due to using Groove Music on my computer which converted all the files and then duplicated them multiple times. After many attempts to find a way of removing the duplicates and restoring some of the corrupted files (thank you Microsoft for making the task so difficult) finally a strategy worked (fingers crossed). Later an explanation of how this was achieved might be added because other people seem to seem to experience this problem. Remember to backup the files you have worked so hard to create before you use any music player to play them.
In the exciting weekend in Mittagong with Jay we did eat in more than two places but being of a forgetful nature when faced with hunger, photos were not taken. We did have a number of pleasant meals and decided to drive to Berrima as it is known to be a very picturesque place.
We had selected one cafe but due to COVID19 and the queue we decided to visit another cafe which seemed, from the outside, to be very pleasant.
The cafe was very busy. We were fortunate to be seated very quickly and were given menus to peruse. Jay’s eyes seemed to gleam with content at the choice available.
Jamie
My gaze was quickly drawn to one item.
It was a breakfast item.
I did say in the previous review that I might eat something I’ve eaten numerous times before and review it shortly after the review of The Roses Cafe, but I promise, without fingers crossed that I will not review Eggs Benedict for at least another two reviews. (Note to self: No Cafe’s.)
So, yes, despite the many offerings on the menu and the delightful array of cakes, slices, muffins etc (which sadly were not priced so it was difficult to work out the price) I chose Eggs Benedict (again).
I chose Assam Tea (one of my favourites and rarely available).
My meal arrived and I didn’t immediately eat it. I looked at it, admired, slavered, anticipated and wondered if it would taste as good as it looked and if the aroma of the food indicated the flavour.
I made the cut into the yolk of the egg and it flowed out slowly indicating care had been taken in poaching it. The bacon was crisp under the knife, the toast not soggy and the spinach present but not dominating the meal.
On conveying a fork to my mouth with the full complement of toast, bacon, egg, spinach and Hollandaise sauce as a challenge I was prepared to take. (The sacrifices and challenges I make for this blog!)
As usual the first challenge is the Hollandaise. Is it fresh, over seasoned, too lemony, store bought or made on the premises, split, too runny, too thick are some of the many issues which can occur with Hollandaise.
(As yet, I have not attempted to make this sauce but have been challenged to endeavour to make it as some people think I am too critical. While I acknowledge the difficulty level, a meal can be spoiled by a sub-standard sauce. If I do I will write about it in this blog and be critical but fear of failure is something which I acknowledge so there may be a delay.)
The yolk mingled with the tang of the sauce, the bacon flavour, spinach and richness of the sourdough bread and I shut my eyes. Yes! This was good! The sauce was very good, the bacon not a disappointment, the spinach providing freshness and the harmony of taste and texture was very appealing.
For a few minutes I concentrated on eating, with the occasional pause to sip tea. The ebb and flow of customers was constant with some lingering over their meal while others were ordering take away coffee and food.
All too soon my plate was empty, my stomach was full and I was satisfied. Slowly sipping the tea I realised I had enjoyed the meal despite COVID19, which seems to affect most experiences.
Score: 4.9/5
Jay
I chose the full breakfast but requested the sausages and sauce not to be included as they were not required and asked the eggs were poached instead of fried or scrambled.
The plate arrived and even though the photo looks good it does not reflect how appealing it appeared to me.
My fork delved into the mushrooms. Delightful. The eggs were like Jamie’s, the yolk a liquidly velvet yellow surrounded by a perfectly cooked white.
Everything was cooked perfectly. The tomatoes were not mushy, the toast was crispy. Eating the food made me happy and not at all disappointed that the place we had originally chosen was not available to us.
The staff were wonderful and very pleasant even though busy. My drink of choice was Earl Gray Tea and it was pleasant.
Score: 5/5
Overall
The service as good as was the ambience. We agreed the food was better than the great meal we had at the Roses Cafe but they were also very different experiences.
The consistency of the plating, the way the individual elements of the meals were prepared and the combination of flavours made it a very pleasant experience.
Overall Score: 4.9/5
Clean the Plate 