The Pantry, Manly – Rating: 19/25

The Pantry

For a seaside breakfast in Sydney, you won’t get closer to the ocean or a much better view than The Pantry.  It’s the only building on the east side of North Steyne in Manly so it’s hard to miss.  The unique location and gleaming reputation of this establishment mean that it’s a popular spot so be prepared for a short wait.  With a beachfront promenade like this though, the time will fly!

Interior

The interior isn’t huge but they manage to fit in a decent amount of tables and counter stools while still ensuring that it doesn’t feel too cramped.  I found all of the staff to be extremely friendly, professional and accommodating.  During peak times, because of the close quarters, patron and kitchen noise can get a bit out of hand for short periods.  On the plus side though, winter mornings benefit from the sun streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the ocean side.  During summer, the doors and windows open to allow breezes to flow through.

Long black

Cappuccino

Flat white

Our coffees definitely hit the mark this morning.  I would have preferred them to have been made slightly faster but to be honest I didn’t care when they were served this hot and made this well.

Also available on the breakfast menu is breakfast juice ($7.90) which combines apple, apricot nectar, lime, ginger and fresh mint for a delicious morning pick-me-up.

French toast

The menu at The Pantry is comprised of a lot of Sydney breakfast café staples but you’ll find that they execute each rendition with flair.  The French toast ($22) utilises two slices of brioche and they were cooked beautifully, resulting in thick but very soft slices with caramelised edges.  The toast is accompanied by poached spiced pear, candied pecans, ginger crystals and housemade vanilla cream.  The pear was as soft as butter and a mouthful of it with the toast covered in maple syrup is enough to make you roll your eyes in disbelief and chew slowly just to savour it all.  While the price leaves a bit to be desired (those with a big appetite will be left wanting), the quality of the ingredients was faultless.

Buttermilk pancakes

The quality didn’t dip with the buttermilk pancakes ($18.90).  There are two versions available: banana, candied walnuts and honey or whipped vanilla butter and raspberry compote.  My guest ordered the latter and absolutely relished it.  The raspberries were in bountiful supply atop the two large pancakes.  I can’t really fault anything here as the pancakes were exactly what I like to see: perfectly cooked and fluffy but still with a definitive denseness.  The butter was a nice touch and melted beautifully over the warm pancakes.

Eggs Benedict

Yep!  It’s my go-to.  Eggs Benedict ($21, eggs Florentine $21, smoked salmon add $4).  Lovely, minimalist presentation and enough seasoning and sauce to simply let the ingredients do their own work.  The thick toast was soft enough to cut with ease and the Bangalow leg ham was offered in generous layers.  The Liberty free range eggs were poached perfectly with no vinegary taste at all.  The hollandaise was a perfect consistency with spot on flavour and not too much to drown the dish.  Baby potatoes with rosemary and lightly roasted plump cherry tomatoes were a nice distraction on the side.

Ocean view

Seasonal fresh fruit plate ($18), Irrewarra bakery granola (with milk 16.90, with yoghurt $17.90), boiled eggs with toast soldiers ($14) and the Pantry breakfast (two Liberty eggs, sourdough toast, bacon, homemade baked beans, roasted cherry tomatoes and baby potatoes with rosemary, $22) are just some of the other dishes that could easily entice me for a return visit.

If you can handle the price tag, with views and dishes like those at The Pantry, you’ll want to kick up your feet and wait until the next meal as they also offer lunch and dinner too!

Note that Sundays and public holidays do incur a $3 per person surcharge.

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Overall Rating: 19/25

Website: http://thepantrymanly.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pantry/171644149530917?fref=ts
Address: Ocean Promenade, North Steyne, Manly, 2095
Phone: 9977 0566

Payment Options: Credit cards, EFTPOS, cash