Suzie Q, Surry Hills – Rating: 19/25

How can a café that is so well hidden, thrive with a healthy customer base?  Whether it’s word of mouth or many very lost people, the fact that Suzie Q attracts as many people as it does is testament to the delicious treasures within.  A lone pair of tables out the front is as far you’ll get with outdoor seating but thanks to an open interior with massive windows, the fresh air and light find their way in.

The interior is a centrepiece for a variety of retro and collectible objects from yesteryear.  The vinyl records that provide the relaxed tunes are also available to purchase.

Purveyor of Dukes coffee ($3.50) and they sure prepare it well.  I would have preferred my cup slightly hotter but they would have obliged on request.  Otherwise, an enjoyable blend.  Today’s single origin was an Ethiopian roast supplied by Golden Cobra.

One of today’s specials was poached eggs with either leg ham, caponata and pine nuts or zucchini ribbons, feta & dukkah ($17 each).  The eggs when broken displayed a glorious golden (free range) yolk.  My guest appreciated the background flavours of the zucchini blending perfectly with the feta and dukkah. She said that the sourdough was slightly too thick.  I didn’t fine this but the crust was quite tough to cut through.

Speaking of thick, the thick cut ham on the second dish was smoky and delicious.  The caponata was well seasoned with chopped eggplant, bright tomato and onion, all topped with roasted pine nuts.

The breakfast at Epiphanie’s ($17) board is served with either haloumi or smoked salmon.  Alongside was a boiled egg, avocado, cucumber & tomato salad, seasoned ricotta, marinated olives and toast on the side.  Some prosciutto found its way on too although this was not on the menu.  Every ingredient was fresh and delicious although the ricotta was slightly dry.  The toast featured a hint of caraway seeds.

Happiness is egg shaped ($11) was simple but prepared well.  The poached eggs and tomato relish combination serves as the base with available additions being grilled free range leg ham, Tasmanian smoked salmon, chorizo ($4.50 each), marinated feta, avocado or confit cherry tomatoes ($3.50 each).

I find it hard to resist a burger when I spot one on a menu.  The hot rod honeymoon ($18) is tall but thanks to the brioche bun, it is easy to handle and reduce the size.  What’s good about this burger?  A juicy pattie which wasn’t overcooked (although I would have preferred it even pinker), mint leaves thrown into the mix which was superb, very flavoursome pickles and a creamy dill aioli.  Plenty of melting cheese and a side of oven roasted potatoes helped too!

Suzie Q generally offers a small selection of cakes, muffins or pastries.  Today we were presented with the raspberry, ricotta and lime muffin which seemed to do everything right but unfortunately I didn’t find a cohesion of flavours that would have take it from mere muffin to mighty muffin!

The staff provide excellent service and you will no doubt feel comfortable and relaxed at Suzie Q.  Some other dishes to encourage you to visit include the girl from Ipanema (arepa, scrambled eggs with avocado, spring onion, guiso and capsicum salsa, $14), harvest moon (pulled beef or grilled haloumi with barley, roast brussel sprouts, honey and thyme glazed carrots and mixed herbs, $18) or the midnight feast (epic ploughman’s – chef’s selection of cheese, meats and other delights, $17).