Salta, Ponsonby

Salta on Ponsonby Road. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Herald rating: * * * *
285 Ponsonby Rd

We chose this place because fate guided us there. First, we found an empty carpark on the busy strip and then we spotted a free table across the street, bathed in sunlight. It was only later we realised this was the cafe formerly known as Atlas, now called Salta. The reason for the name reversal remains unclear.

Parking was sent from the gods. Actually, it's never too tricky if you keep your eyes peeled.

We walked in and immediately thought we've been here before. And if memory serves rightly, we rather liked it.

The most unusual thing on the menu was the near-extinct classic, mince on toast. Very good it looked too - full of bright green peas (we spied on the neighbouring table).

We ordered the smoked salmon hash with hollandaise ($16) and poached eggs on toast with relish ($9.50). Very nice. The poached eggs were perfectly cooked and the sauce with both dishes was served in a shot glass so you could decide how much you wanted.

The service was brilliant. Friendly and relaxed but very efficient. The coffees arrived with our meals less than 10 minutes after we placed our order.

The coffee was ruined by my inexpert pouring of sugar, which saw me dump about two tablespoons worth in. David's flat white was perfect though.

We recommend if you come here you enjoy the quiet calm that befalls Ponsonby on a Sunday morning. Particularly if you've been out the night before. It's a curious sensation.

Overall, we thought at a total of $32.50 for two, that was one of the most reasonably priced brunches we've had in a long while. And excellently executed. They could invest in some idiot-proof sugar pourers, however, for people like me.