Avenue Rd, Mosman – Rating: 20/25 (re-review)

Avenue Rd

It has been four years since I last reviewed Avenue Rd in Mosman. It impressed then and now with brand new owners and a fresh start for 2015, I was excited to see if they could still bring great food to the table.

Our waiter was very green and fresh on the scene but his willingness to impress won him some much deserved kudos from his thankful customers. I found all of our interactions with the waitstaff to be positive as they are a very friendly bunch.

Expect to see a few changes to the menu but for now, here’s some of what you can order at AR…

Cappuccino

Large flat white

Flat white

The delightful aroma of Double Roasters beans filled the air inside and the coffee ($4) in our cups tasted as good as it smelled.

Whatever your hot beverage, AR can take care of you including piccolo ($4), Belgian hot chocolate, mocha, affogato ($4.50 each), tea ($4.50) from Tea Craft and Organic Fusion teas ($5) such as the fire on all cylinders (liquorice, Serbian ginseng, damiana, gotu kota, peppermint, spearmint and rose petals!

Chocolate milkshake

The milkshakes ($6) are available as chocolate, vanilla, strawberry or caramel. Mine was reasonable but didn’t blow me away as it mainly tasted of a commercial chocolate syrup.

I can say though that the mango smoothie ($6.50) from my last visit was by far the best that I have ever tried. So if it’s still the same, then it would remain my recommendation.

Seasonal fruit salad

The seasonal fruit salad ($9.50) is served with yoghurt and honey. If you don’t like either of those then simply order without or ask for them on the side. All of the fruits in the bowl were cut to very manageable sizes, even the grapes were halved! The salad included a wide variety of fruit and it was all fresh and cold. Great presentation and fantastic ingredients.

Tomato & bocconcini bruschetta

The health-conscious among us at the table chose the current breakfast special: tomato & bocconcini bruchetta ($17). Of all similar dishes that she has had recently, she thought that this rated as one of the best. The topping includes a healthy variety of tomatoes, bouncy, delicious bocconcini, roasted capsicum and onion. A basil pesto topped the dish but wasn’t overpowering and this was all served on top of organic toasted wholemeal sourdough. High quality ingredients and a respect for the food earned high praise from all of us.

Corn & zucchini fritters

The corn & zucchini fritters ($17.50) were outstanding. Just on their own, the fritters impressed with their savoury flavours but add roast tomato and crispy bacon in the mix with a touch of haloumi and you have a sure-fire winner. The fritters were slightly on the salty side but relished by all. I would order this next time but would definitely be torn by the next dish…

Eggs Benedict

Benedict done right, that’s for sure. My eggs Benedict ($17.50) can be ordered with bacon, ham or smoked salmon (technically eggs Atlantica). I chose the classic ham and was extremely happy. There’s nothing to complain about when quality, thick slices of ham are used and the consistency and flavours in the hollandaise are so spot on. Perfectly poached eggs, chives for flavour and presentation made me extremely happy.

Baocn & egg roll

The bacon & egg roll ($10) looked a bit sparse to me but my guest was happy with with the crispy bacon and fried egg. The toasted Turkish did a good job of absorbing the juice, keeping it all a very neat affair but I still would have wanted to see something a little more outrageous!

Some other breakfast items include layered bircher muesli served with yoghurt & mixed berry compote ($10.50), bread free brekkie burger (roast tomato, baby spinach, bacon & grilled zucchini between two fried eggs with guacamole, $16.50) and the breakfast board (poached eggs, ham, avocado, mushrooms, feta, house baked beans with toasted organic sourdough, $16.50) which I saw someone else order and instantly became jealous!

Well once again an accomplished café has performed its duty by impressing me with its culinary delights and high class service. Congratulations Avenue Rd!

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