Paddock, Cambridge

M and I headed over to Cambridge for brunch (following a whirlwind pokemon tour of the town centre, of course). M had Baked eggs with Chorizo, which was very tasty, she especially liked the bread, which had the delicious friedness and crispy saltiness one looks for in a not too healthy breakfast.  The baked eggs had been cooked in a nonstick pan though, and served in the same, which seems an odd choice - the eater will damage it cutting things.

I had Ham hock and hollandaise with poached eggs, on waffles. It was amazing. Generous serving of ham hock, perfectly cooked eggs, a nice hollandaise, and plenty of carbohydrate in the waffles to soak it up.

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We both approve and will return.

http://www.paddockcambridge.co.nz/ 

Narrows Landing, Hamilton

The folks who own 2 Birds just took over the Narrows Landing Cafe out by the airport.  They do some tasty food out there, although they have a slight fetish for FOTM food trends. The below is M and I.

This was pumpkin pie hotcakes, gluten free, vegan, no refined sugar etc etc. (No refined sugar, especially, is an incredibly stupid thing to boast about, when your vegan caramel is blended dates and there is more sugar in your dish than you would get from just spooning it straight out of a sugar bowl). The cream/yogurt looking topping is whipped coconut cream, of which I approve. The pumpkin pie taste was delicious and intense, and the vegan caramel topped with nuts was very nice, although, again, so much sugar and no, it doesn't matter that it wasn't *refined* sugar.

This is a protein bowl, salmon, eggs, quinoa, roast veg, on salad greens, with a satayish sauce. Pretty damn good also.

Volare French Toast

Volare make some nice breads.  We picked up a loaf of their Pain au Levain a while back, and finished it up one weekend morning with french toast.  The secret to sweet french toast mix is buttermilk + cinnamon, with just a little sugar.  I might have pan fried some bananas in butter to go with the rhubarb/boysenberry coulis, and the whole thing is topped with greek yoghurt for a little tart offset

http://www.volarebread.com/

River Kitchen (2)

Back to the River Kitchen, because it was good last time.  This time, I brought M with me.  The food was better than last time, even. I think I made a nicer choice. I always like the idea of eggs benedict more than I like eggs benedict. Oh well.

This time I had beans and black pudding.  That worked out tremendously.

Mel had salmon and peas on potato, topped with an egg.  This too worked out brilliantly.

It is still good. Their website is still woeful.

http://www.theriverkitchen.co.nz

07 839 2906

email: info@theriverkitchen.co.nz

The River Kitchen

My brother was passing through town, so we hit up The River Kitchen for brunch.  Bright and early, so it was easy to waltz in off the street for a seat inside. (It filled up completely while we waited for coffee, however.  And the coffee was promptly delivered)

Coffee is good; well made and nicely decorated.

O gets baked eggs.  Served with nicely crisped bread, it is a generous serving, and he reports that is is good.

I go for eggs benedict with bacon.  The eggs are well cooked, the hollandaise is just about perfect. The bacon is perhaps not the best, but it isn't bad.

Service was efficient and the place is nice.  Its a bit cold for the outside seating, and you will be outside if you get there late (we arrived at about half past 8, Saturday morning). There were a good range of things on the menu, and not just your normal breakfast fare (although, we did go for pretty standard options).  I would happily come back.  It might be a while, just because I still have so many places I haven't been to once, but hey.

Also, their website is woeful:
http://www.theriverkitchen.co.nz/
07 839 2906
email: info@theriverkitchen.co.nz