KEY POINTS:
Herald rating: * * * *
We came here because we had arranged to meet at another local cafe but were so uninspired by the menu we upped sticks to here, where we were certain of a good brunch.
Parking was suprisingly easy on a nearby side street. But we're not so foolish as to think this is standard practice. It can take days to find a park around this busy strip.
We walked in and immediately thought how lovely, the manager remembered us from our last visit (a birthday lunch) - and reminded us about the colourful photos we took that day.
The most unusual thing on the menu would have to be the wagyu fillet ($39.50). Not exactly your standard brunch fare - and a little pricey for a casual meal.
We ordered the eggs benedict with bacon ($18.50), the grilled breakfast ($18.90) and a saffron risotto ($29.50 from the main menu). The eggs benedict were perfectly poached, served with spinach and just the right amount of hollandaise. We were slightly let down by the bacon, which was tough and chewy. The grilled breakfast's mushrooms were superb, as were the accompanying sausages.
The service is one of the reasons SPQR is such an institution. Spot on, every time.
The coffee was as you'd expect - very good.
We recommend if you come here you settle in for a while and partake in the great Ponsonby hobby of people-watching. Even inside, you're sure to spot a few interesting characters and famous faces.
Overall we thought it may not specialise in traditional brunch fare but you really can't beat it for ambience. And they still do some of the best eggs benedict in town.
