Briciola

We wanted to go to Zenja again for brunch, but the place was so packed that we didn't get any service for 10 minutes, so we decided to head to the Cafe Strip at Concord again.

Food

This offered the usual cafe fares. I decided to test them out so got the Eggs benedict - poached eggs on toast with tomato and spinach ($11.90). This looked like an almost exact replica of yesterday's eggs.... Taste wise, the eggs are cooked through rather than just set, but the muffin was better. The hollandaise was pretty good but just below MBC. But.. I got spinach and tomatoes as well to liven it up a bit!

We shared a plate of banana bread with butter and honey ($4.90). This was just how banana bread should be, sweet, warm and toasted, dusted with icing sugar, with butter and honey on the side. The three of us couldn't finish the 2 generous slices.

When my cappuccino ($3.50) finally arrived, it was beautiful, passing that all important test of not being bitter! The beans are from Danesi caffe.

Rating - 6.5

Atmosphere

The place was a bit less busy than Majors Bay Cafe (MBC), with more than half the tables filled. The weather wasn't too good but they had put up some clear plastic to shield against the wind in the al-fresco seatings. The inside area looked warm and inviting too.

Rating - 2

Service

The service was SLOW. Our drinks order took so long to arrive, and they didn't all arrive at once either! We had to remind them again to bring us water. It took at least 20 minutes before our bill arrived. It was lucky that we were there for a leisurely brunch so we didn't mind waiting, still, it's unacceptable, especially considering the place wasn't that full. They should really take a leaf from MBC, maybe that's why they charge more there?

Totally unrelated to the service but I thought I would mention, one of their guy waiters was wearing very heavy eye makeup. I guess it shouldn't be that unusual nowadays...

Rating - 1.5

C-factor

It worked out to $17 p.p. It's cheaper than MBC but the food is comparable, the only thing worst was the service.

Rating - 1

Brownie Points - 11

Info

82 Majors Bay Rd
Concord
NSW 2137
Phone (02) 8765 1414