Ashcrofts Bistro, Blackheath – Rating: 21/25

Ashcrofts Bisto

Blackheath serves as a refuge for hungry drivers on their way far west of Sydney as well as a destination for most tourists intent on exploring the best that the Blue Mountains has to offer. One of the many cafés that vie for your attention is Ashcrofts Bistro and it certainly lived up to everything that the menu promised.

The spacious dining room has a simple layout and is decorated with interesting portrait photography. The staff were on the ball throughout our visit which isn’t always a given in small towns. My guest and I were greeted with smiles and polite conversation so we even didn’t mind when we were told that the French toast ($16) with house made spiced brioche, lemon infused ricotta, Canadian maple syrup and honey poached pears was sold out! There were plenty of other options anyway…

Flat white

Breakfast blend tea

My flat white ($3.50) utilising Toby’s Estate was as good as one can expect with strong deep caramel flavours. Tea is offered by the same brand as breakfast blend, organic chamomile and organic refresh ($4).

Chocolate milkshake

Two flavours of milkshake ($9) are available: house made salted caramel or chocolate. My chocolate milkshake tasted like a bomb of white chocolate. It was strong in flavour and delicious. I could have devoured two of these.

Pancakes

Once this plate hit the table, I didn’t yearn for the French toast anymore! The pancakes was a special that I hope becomes a permanent fixture. Three thick and extremely fluffy pancakes adorned my plate, covered in caramel maple syrup and topped with a disc of honeycomb butter. To the side was a perfectly grilled banana and a stack of crispy bacon.

Big breakfast

The big breakfast ($22) is a hefty serving as it should be. Free range eggs cooked any way with free range bacon, roasted Roma tomatoes, roasted field mushrooms, free range chorizo and sourdough. The hashbrown was lightly fried which was a nice change. There really was very little to criticise here as it was all prepared and presented extremely well. The ingredients were top notch and based on this plate, I would wager that all other dishes on the menu are prepared with as much precision.

Speaking of other dishes, some of the options include fruit plate (seasonal fruite plate with lime syrup and Greek yoghurt panna cotta, $16), corn fritters topped with poached free range eggs, avocado salsa and oven roasted tomatoes ($17) and salmon Benedict (house cured apple wood smoked salmon with soft poached eggs, orange burnt butter hollandaise and sauteed pea tendrils on a toasted English style muffin, $19).

If you’re in the Blue Mountains, it’s pretty obvious where you need to visit for breakfast!

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