76. Nice day for a drive
On a day forecast to be 36° (97f) and having freshly minted air-conditioning in my Clover I felt the drive to Orange should include the long ago promised eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise.
When I arrived at 11am it appears many had chosen to stay in and the cafe had very few patrons. In my experience there are two types of weather that drive Aussies inside, be it the cinema, shopping center, or staying home it’s rain and a heatwave predicted to reach 48° (118.5f) and to still be in the mid 30s overnight.
I decided I’d eat before undertaking the errands I needed to run. I left the girls at home because the bitumen would be too hot for their little feet before we even completed the 101km (67.8miles) drive.
I ordered the EB w/ Smoked Salmon and a large latte. Then I nipped to the toilet. Two unisex accessible toilets to pick from and I choose poorly. The seat was loose and it reminded me of the time I had a minor roller skating tumble in Bournemouth Promenade. Not yet realising the severity of my injuries, I appeared uninjured, not even a scraped knee, I went to lunch with my friends. They laughed at my misfortune until I went to the bathroom. Mid-stream the seat slid sideways and bumped down the few millimeters of height that being straight and secure on the bowl affords it. My bellow of pain from the jolt was heard in the restaurant and the wait staff came running. Long story short; Emergency, pulled all the muscles in my back and shoulders, and took weeks to recover.
After I had used the facilities and death toilet, I took a hard, plastic seat outside under the dense shade of several large Plane Trees and released the breath I didn’t realise I was holding.
I watched as a couple tried out several seats before settling down at a table for eight.
My coffee arrived.
It came in thick sided ceramic cup on a saucer. The liquid was dark chocolate coloured with a neat froof of frothed milk. To taste it was bitter and somewhat over-roasted. Maybe the Fish River Roasters coffee is not to my taste because this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced an abundance of charcoal sensation in my drink of this particular brand.
My brunch arrived.
I knew the sauce was homemade because I’d been told on a previous visit. That’s why I chose this place for my dining.
At first glance I was not disappointed. The plate was delivered by a woman wearing a black chefs jacket so I confirmed, ‘the sauce is housemade, isn’t it?’
“Oh yes, made by the other chef. We made the tarragon vinegar in-house too for that extra acid zing. Enjoy!’ she disappeared down the steps and into the cafe.
I took another look, then a sniff. A fresh hit of tang assaulted my nose. I sat back, slid the knife and fork out of the small cardboard envelope and cut into the fresh white cob toaster that held just a small amount of sauce. I lifted it to my mouth and was rewarded with a burst of flavour. As I chewed and felt my tastebuds tingle I cut open the first egg. A yolk of gazinia orange flame flowed out. No white snot, no hardening of yolk. Just perfect.
As I ate the tastes mingled and tingled my tongue. I almost forgot to enjoy it. The second yolk was perfect like the first, telling me that the had stalled the cooking process while somehow maintaining the heat in the meal. It was warm throughout, to the point where the spinach had naturally wilted and the smoked salmon had gained that lovely pink of slightly cooked.
It was delicious.
I’d like to take a moment to mention the finances of this endeavour. By far one of the most expensive EB I’ve ever ordered, and being a Saturday and having the nerve to pay with a card, plus the somewhat mediocre coffee was out of pocket almost $40. I understand the need to pay loadings to staff at the weekend, but adding a flat % to all card transactions p*ssed me off. Especially when you have a sign that indicates card is your preferred payment method.
I didn’t finish my coffee. That and the death toilet, which I discussed at length with my bra fitting lady, has been like that for nigh on a year, is what would prevent my return. If I didn’t have a coffee or need a wee…I’d be back in a shot.
***
Location: Nile Street Cafe
Address: 49 Nile Street, Orange NSW 2800
Website: www.nilestreetcafe.com
EB Cost: $28 plus card and weekend surcharges
