Luke and I love going out for breakfast and there are two places we generally compare any place we go to, "The Retro" in Hobart and "Flavours of Lakhoum" in Richmond, Melbourne. We often find that where we go doesn't compare too well to these.
I wasn't sure about the pearl oyster but as soon as we opened the door we were greeted so warmly, not just by physical heat by several attentive waiting staff who were dressed more like movie extras in some kind of indie film than waiters.
We had menus ( very cute - just slips printed and paperclipped inside primary school readers) within a few minutes and coffee within ten, our meals arrived within 15, pretty impressive.
It's nice to have a short but interesting menu, instead of agonising over whether to have the ricotta with orange blosson cream and pistachios or the poached eggs, hoummus and dukka - I know I can come back another day, so I have the eggs.
Luke, attracted to the various extras that go with the sourdough ( yes, it IS as good as the retro sourdough), avocado and lime, hoummous and lemon, homemade passionfruit and grapefruit marmalade - decided to have a toast party for two by himself.
The coffee was *great* - fairtrade organic and not needing sugar - their mochas were made with some kind of spiced chocolate mix that was a nice change from overly sweet syrup.
I like formica kitch but the "Pearl Oyster" did it particularly well, not a hodge podge of kitchy things, but well chosen "vintage" chairs and amber glass cups and other touches lent a kind of "nana" ambience.
I will be back, and that's not just because it is barely five minutes walk from my flat...
