‘Best eggs!’ They said
Folks that know me, know about my passion for all things eggs benedict.
Some try to help me on my mission to find — the one.
Ravi is one such friend and we have eaten breakfast foods on many occasions together in my search. Being a vegetarian, they do not generally partake of anything with meat and will often avoid animal products completely in favour of grains, pulses and leaves (yes, I deliberately left out Oxford).
When they say “They have the best eggs!” with enthusiasm, I’m not sure whether to believe they actually have the best eggs or be sceptical. I’ll admit to the latter on cooking. However, they do have chooks running rampant in their garden, so they definitely know fresh, free-range, so I was going for benefit of the doubt on the ingredient.
We went on a Saturday morning, so the cafe was quite busy, but not full, and certainly not heaving. it was dark and echoy inside, we opted to sit outside on the Spring morning. This gave us a good people watching position, although, I sat with my back to most of the action. Stoopid!
I had ordered EB with Salmon. it was the priciest option with a plain (eggs, spinach and muffin) being just $13. I paid $17 and about the usual for a large latte. Ravi ordered some vegan delight and a soy Cap.
We sat and enjoyed the view while we waited for our food. It was quick. Really quick. I suppose that’s why we sat on hard plastic chairs and slightly wobbly, stone topped, tables. Quick, in and out.
It was worth the 30 second wait.
Barely time to taste and evaluate the coffee. It was hot, and not burnt.
It came out on a beige stone plate, with nice presentation. A drizzle of caramelised balsamic vinegar separated the plate. A modest sprinkling of dried chives garnished the packet sauce.
The English muffin was not toasted, the spinach wasn’t wilted, and the only heat on the plate was the eggs. Which didn’t last long. They were however perfectly cooked.
On cutting into the first egg, the brilliant orange yolk spilled over the smoked salmon, spinach and muffin like lava flowing towards the sea. The second one did the same. It’s a tough ask to get two flowing eggs on a plate, but the cook/chef at Praga managed it. Now to figure out how to get warmth into the rest of the dish.
Would I go back. Yes, I think I would. If only to see if the perfect egg cooking can be repeated. Not — The One.
Location: Praga Cafe
Address: 30 Dickson Place, Dickson, ACT 2602
Website: Facebook
EB Price: $13–17
