92. Cock-a-doodle-do
After getting my bike serviced on a Saturday I decided to go the long way home. It’s not unusual that the long way is the preferred way when the sun is shining and no further commitments for the day other than housework.
Naturally, being a lovely day, I decided to stop at one of my favourite, go to cafes on my way home. It’s not common to see motorbike in the area as it provides a proliferation of garden centres and other large, outdoor businesses, such as riding schools and outdoor landscaping supplies. This is a space that I feel comfortable in. I can breathe here.
It’s also a place I often bring visitors too. So you may be surprised that I have never had the EB here.
I pulled up to an audience of couples out to buy pots and plants. Heads turned with the rumble of the engine.
I ordered an EB with smoked salmon (included in the price), a latte, and added a pineapple juice for sh*ts and giggles. It’s vital that hydration is kept when riding especially when it’s sunny because it’s always windy and that’s what dries you out. Ordering is done inside at the counter where you pay upfront. There are paper, laminated menus to peruse with a wide, but not overwhelming choice.
I took an outside seat under the shade cloth and waited as I sipped on the juice. The café has an indoor, undercover deck, and shade cloth covered patio. I’ve never sat inside, even in Winter.
One of the appeals to this café is the free-range peafowl. While I didn’t get to see and babies, I did get to enjoy the call and sight of a roaming peahen.
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she struts -
on the prowl
waiting for cock
The latte arrived in a double walled glass with a deep head of froth. Rather than being a rich coffee brown, it was overly milky and resembled the flesh of an Englishman that revealed his legs after winter. Surprisingly it was a perfect temperature even if the flavour was weak.
One of the things about this place is the attentiveness and awareness of the staff. At the table next to me there as a couple with a large, long haired German Shepherd called Freddy. They had ordered him a baby chino. When the waiter brought it out and saw the bowl on the ground he paused and then said, “Ohh we didn’t realise it was for a dog, there a sprinkling of chocolate power on the top”. I love that they are aware of the little things for their customers.
The Eggs arrived shortly after and sat neatly on the plate under a layer of packet sauce with a light sprinkling of paprika. Toasted Turkish bread as the based with a generous layer of salmon, the greenery garnish, while limited, lifted the look just enough to complement the glance of smashed avocado. Eggs poached to perfection. Zero egg snot with golden yolks.
The first taste of the sauce confirmed packet, or the Knorr or Continental variety. However, the ratio of sauce to egg/salmon/avo resulted in the overly creamy taste and texture was balanced out.
I’m very pleased I selected smoked salmon for the protein as it’s delicate flavour complimented others on the plate. I think bacon would have drowned out the subtly of the overall meal.
Would I return, yes, or course. Would I have the EB again, yeah, probably, although I have to say I haven’t been disappointed by anything I’ve had here.
***
Location: Tulip’s Café
Address: 8 Beltana Road, Pialligo, ACT 2609
Website: www.tulipscafe.com.au
EB Price: $26.50
