Herald rating: * * * *
447 Mt Eden Rd
KEY POINTS:
We came here because my 6-year-old nags me to stop every time we drive past the large wooden clown outside the front door.
Parking was in the small customer carpark out the back or in the surrounding streets.
We walked in and immediately thought we should have got up earlier. It was packed, with people queued out the front door, and noisy.
The most unusual thing on the menu was the Circus Hobo - fried potato, mushrooms, onion and chorizo sausage topped with onion jam and a poached egg ($15.50).
We ordered scrambled eggs with herbed feta ($15.50), eggs benedict with salmon ($16.50) and a bagel tower, which consisted of a bagel, bacon, mushroom, tomato, chutney and grilled brie ($14.50). The bagel was excellent, enlivened by a very tasty chutney and the eggs benedict were spot-on, with the eggs cooked perfectly and the hollandaise sauce creamy and tangy. But the scrambled eggs were a let-down - ever so slightly overcooked and served with only two pieces of toast. Not great value for $15.50.
The service was impressive, especially considering how busy it was. Our meals arrived quickly and with a smile.
The coffee was prompt, strong and tasty
We recommend if you come here you should be prepared to wait. Try to get a table in the quieter back section away from the counter and the kitchen.
Overall we thought there is a good reason this place is so popular.
The service is great and the food pretty good, although next time we'll have the scrambled eggs as part of another dish and not on their own.
