A chill wind was blowing as Summer finally seemed over in Australia. Due to being an island and very few reported cases of the damned virus, life was returning to somewhat normal (whatever is normal).
Harper and I had decided to brave the wind and visit a Farmer’s Market in Bungendore and while there felt the need of sustenance. We had seen some reviews of The Gathering and thought it might meet our needs for sustenance and protection from the wind.
Upon entering we noticed it was very popular. The tables outside had some patrons seated awaiting their order and upon entering we found the last empty table in the corner after a kind regular told us to take some menus and seat ourselves.
On perusing the menu, Harper decided on coffee and the Borlotti Bean Casserole ($19.00) and as Eggs Benedict ($19.00) was on the menu it seemed no choice was required for me. Briefly I toyed with the idea of the Corn Fritters but had cooked and eaten my own in the previous week, so it was only a brief consideration.
Harper ordered at the counter and was not informed there would be any delay and we waited. The coffee arrived and as it was the House Blend of Lonsdale Street Roaster, Harper was pleased. Then we waited. Other customer left and their tables were quickly taken. One patron arrived at least 10 minutes after we did and decided to sit at the largest table even though other tables were available. And we waited. The coffee was finished and sipping water in a noisy place loses its charm after a while when you are waiting (and possibly patience running thin).
The problem began with the customer who had arrived at least 10 minutes after us was served the full order and we were sitting without any indication of when our food might arrive. Harper decided to ask and was told the meal was on the way with no explanation for the delay.
After another wait our meals finally arrived. First impressions were mixed. The evident burn mark on the top of the bagel was not appealing and while the presentation of the casserole was better, it did not make up for the wait.
Harper
The beans looked reasonable but were hard and did not have an impressive flavour. The sourdough toast was probably the best part of the dish. The chorizo was reasonable but after the wait, I was unimpressed.
I cleaned my plate because I was hungry.
Score: 2.50
I was unimpressed with both the service and the food but the coffee was good.
Jamie
As any regular reader of this blog would know, I’ve had Eggs Benedict in many restaurants and cafes. Possibly the biggest disappointment was on the Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 as the muffins were never properly toasted and the hollandaise was indifferent. This was another disappointment. Possibly the food was flavoured by the disappointment at the wait and the fact that one of the eggs was not runny. The flavour was reasonable but the slight burn on the bagel did affect the flavour. The hollandaise was reasonable but overall it did not match the standard of, for example, Trev’s or Via Dolce.
I did not clean the plate.
Score: 2.5
The service, for us, was not very good. The burn on the bagel did not impress me and the nearly overcooked egg was also a disappointment, though the bacon was well cooked.
Overall Score: 2.5
It is unlikely we will gather at The Gathering again.
We admit that having people who arrived after us being served before our order arrived and other patrons who arrived a considerable time after us being served very soon after our meals had belatedly arrived, coloured our reviews. No explanation for the delay was given even when asked Archer asked when we would be served. While the cafe was busy, we believe our order had been ignored or overlooked.
Clean the Plate 