Escape, Mt Eden

By GRAHAM HEPBURN for canvas

It's strange how you sometimes feel as though you've become invisible when you walk into a cafe. That certainly seemed the case when the three of us visited Escape.

If you're not going to be greeted, seated and presented with a menu, then a simple "Hi" maybe followed by a "Please order at the counter when you're ready" would do the trick.

So, after a few minutes of studying the blackboard menu and gaining some fascinating insights into the nightlife of the staff courtesy of their loud exchanges in the kitchen, I patted myself down to be sure that I was indeed still flesh and blood and presented at the counter.

Having said that, once the staff had established that we were paying customers we did get good service.

I opted for the hearty venison sausages ($14.50), which came with perfectly cooked rosemary potatoes and fried eggs with a tasty tomatoey relish on the side, while Jane had the equally satisfying potato pikelets ($12.50) with field mushrooms, avocado, tomato, hollandaise and a side order of bacon ($3.50). Sophie May was the grateful recipient of titbits from our plates to go with her fluffy.

My long black was good and it was pleasing to see it served as a shot with a jug of hot water.

The menu has most of the usual brunch offerings and some quirkier additions, such as blueberry hotcakes, as well as some interesting salad options.

This light-filled cafe has retro funky decor and there is a large, stylish courtyard out the back. The cafe is owned by the same people who run the enduringly popular Circus Circus a little farther up the road, which was handy when they ran out of eggs, as one of the staff loudly announced down the phone to the other operation.

Certainly, the standard of the food echoes the consistent quality of its sister restaurant. And the pleasant staff won back some brownie points for lavishing Sophie May with attention.

So after a less than inspiring start, we escaped in a much better mood than when we arrived.

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 7am-11pm, Sunday & Monday 7am-4.30pm

Service: Improved with time

Ambience: Busy with mellow music background

Parking: On the surrounding streets

* Read more about what's happening in the world of food, wine, party places and entertainment in canvas magazine, part of your Weekend Herald print edition.