Sunday, 10 August 2008

Era Cafe - South Brisbane, Brisbane

http://www.erabistro.com.au/index.php?MMID=194 Dined: 9/08/08

I'm a bit fond of Era and have had some excellent nights here in the bar having wine and tapas but I hadn't ever been to the cafe.

A late brunch with a couple of other Fussy's was on the cards after a morning with Picasso. I love the feel of the cafe here and it almost seems like a bit of secret cave that you can't see from the street. Even though it was a sunny day they had the braziers out which pleased the cold blooded Fussy's of the group no end.

I do tend to order scrambled eggs or eggs benedict when dining out for breakfast as I can't cook them very well myself. On Saturday there was Tasmanian Smoked Salmon, Swiss Cheese, Scrambled Eggs & Sour Dough Toast ($16) on offer and I couldn't resist.

The service was a bit strange with our waiter not seeming to want to say anything although the it was efficient.

A lovely hot, very strong cappuccino for me, a tea and two soft drinks for the others. The tea was beautifully presented in a plunger with loose leaf tea.

The meals were bought promptly and I have to say I was disappointed. Although the smoked salmon was plentiful it was all clumped together and the eggs had been overcooked and had none of the soft, creamy fluffiness that good scrambled eggs have. The sourdough was fine although I must admit the Swiss Cheese didn't work as well as I thought it would (and I have a fairly passionate relationship with cheese). I didn't finish the meal which is always a very bad sign. Again, I'm sure for most people it would have been fine, but I am Fussy and I was disappointed. I don't like paying for a breakfast I could have cooked better myself.

That being said, the chips were very good although very, very oily and the panini's seemed okay. The other breakfast (Bacon & Eggs… ‘as you like it’ with Toast 9 and a side of mushrooms) looked beautiful although the mushrooms were apparently on the ordinary side (there was also shell in the eggs).

My benchmark for breakfast will is always Cirque and their smoked salmon & scrambled eggs in in another league compared to this (and cheaper!).

As breakfasts go it was pretty forgettable.

Food excellence 2/5

Ambiance 4/5

Cleanliness 4/5

Price 2/5

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