Tucking down from an otherwise pretty standard suburban street, what you come across here is almost like a little urban village with several great offerings standing right there in a row. To any residents in the adjacent housing, this must be a gold mine for deciding to go out and have a meal or get a coffee, particularly when someone comes over. Starting a streak here, quality is definitely important in all aspects - especially service and food - and with two offerings from the Venzin group standing side-by-side, it should be ever more apparent.
In coming up to a landmark review, there was an initial mud-mapped plan about where to go beforehand and managing it so that it landed gracefully in meeting it. However, benefit of hindsight would have seen it be Easter around the time the plan materialised which always throws it into a tizzy. Being adaptable, that was for a later time; back to the drawing board was to find places open upon the Easter Sunday. One of the places that was open was Picnic in Camp Hill, and that being not too far away was the go.
Therefore, after getting woken up in the morning and throwing the day's gear on, it was off to here. Just needing a bit of a wait around until the real opening hours, biding the time proved effective in getting a good seat before it started to fill up. When the news spreads about it being open, along with how well regarded it is, there is no doubting why that happened.
From personal experience coming here, this visit was the first time I paid attention to it. With it having the doors closed for the time being, I was not aware how spacious it was until they opened up the wooden shutter. From seeing across the road, I thought the waitress placing the seating out the front indicated that - but it more indicated how popular it got, plus how they accommodated to get more clients serviced. There is something about the design that I can't quite put my finger on - it is not really rustic per se, though it has an old-time feel to it as well. The spaciousness, complete with lovely throughflow of air are a great combination, and it just feels so comfortable.
Say, speaking about service ... they have it in the bag right here. From the minute that you walk in, you are noted and brought to your table. It is all about getting all the small touches here (note: getting the waters) and being efficient (note: timing it just right, and delivering it efficiently) along with the casual attitude and professional mentality. This is a signature of the Venzin group, and the explosion of popularity will mean more demand, and getting the efficient customer service model is the main aspect that is needed. While I have gotten used to the counter service, who does not prefer it by table? That is the case here, and it feels more personable in all honesty. You didn't even need to get up from the table for them to start clearing it after you were done, which adds in a whole new record for speed - and that is when you have stuck a fork in it.
Just as a head's up, it is likely the menu also changes from time to time with seasons or depending on availability. From a scour of the menu, it is not really fair to say it is mot of the same since there are enough items which are unusual on the breakfast menu, at the same time it is a general range that usually has some twist made upon it. As someone who does the cooking at home, it sort of represents the not-quite professional mindset making food where they know a few good dishes and a few hat tricks as well (such as a signature or adapting from a known recipe). With it being said, this is more with the professional flair than anything; and as a second paraphrasing in a row, it would take a lot of raw talent to present it this homely.
Getting back on track, they produce an all-day breakfast that has something for everyone on it, and a few more solid items at lunch time. The drinks menu is coffee, tea, milkshakes/smoothies, juice, soda, wines and beers. There is also a cake cabinet with all sorts of sweet treats, and they produce a specials section on a regular basis.
First port of business first, and that is getting some coffee. The coffee in which they use is from Fonzie-Abbott, and that was enough to pique my interest from when I saw the sign out the front. To me, that is enough that needs to be said - it is the perfect blend of coffee, and one that will . They were using their signature Highside blend, which is even more a slight optimistic sight. It will wake you up from even the most groggy part of hypnopomp, it is that strong. Plus a strong coffee is not enough to be good, it also has to have a nice taste and they often provide it with Foznie-Abbott. Each time that I have had a coffee with this bean, I have not been disappointed. For quite a while, I was touting that it was not under-rated per se - but more so, not utilised enough. Now I have seen the day it has become widespread, and unlike hipster brethren I will remain loyal to it.
Now for aforementioned adapting to a known recipe, every damn place seems to want to make their own twist on the egg's benedict or risk getting left in the dust. Most of them choose to have a different topping, while the guys at Picnic do it the other way - with the base. Instead of an English muffin or toast, you have waffles, and the choices are either bacon or haloumi. I went with the bacon, and got it cooked crispy. As well as bacon, this sucker is topped with pecerino cheese, poached eggs (as per usual, ordered soft) and an apple-cider hollandaise. This was very delicious.
One of the best tells when getting the eggs poached soft is to stab it. When the yolk bleeds everywhere like it is liquid, then you have gold on your hands. In fact, come to think of it - the combination of this and waffles is a lot more shrewd just upon writing it. The eggs were really good, soft and definitely from a quality farmer. The bacon was well cooked, crispy in parts and a generous amount on top. Since apple cider vinegar and pecerino both have a pretty sharp flavour,these combined created quite a distinct hit and the cheese was practically melting on top on the eggs, making them stretchy and gooey. Finally, the waffles were solid and had a small bit of syrup mixed into the batter, and were occasionally pretty crunchy. Best of all, the serving size was generous (always a plus for me) and had me filled up for most of the day.
Since they were on the breakfast menu, and I subconsciously like to order them on the side at odd times, I also got us a side of fries to share. These are without a doubt, some of the best fries in which I have tried for every such a long time. Steve Brimblecombe was impressed beyond belief. These were quite crispy, very hot on the outside with soft potato on the inside, and the seasoning was a simple one, but it was generously done nonetheless. Plus, for the serving size as a side you cannot argue for value.
Any cafe or takeaway worth their salt will realise how much quality could hinge - or be inferred - from how well they do their fries, one of the simplest and most straightforward of items. If is decent enough, that will do; but if it is as good as this, even as a mere side, then that will speak volumes about their skills and how much they pay attention to quality. And that is how you sell it.
The Venzin group has done it again. After remembering just how much I liked their Woolloongabba branch "PawPaw", I was excited to go here. And after going here, I remember why I liked it so much, and many of the same reasons for that are present with Picnic. A good place does have to serve marginally decent food at a bare minimum, and extra credit will is awarded for attention-to-detail in quality plus even more credit on top of that is when they either get innovative or start doing twists upon the meals. That is pretty much what sticks out about the place, along with good customer service that is quick and efficient. There is a good reason for them to be well regarded, and it is a combination of all the factors that go into the ideal customer service experience. Each one is paid its due attention, and you can't teach that.
TL;DR: High quality fare is produced here, done with customer service that takes the best aspects of both professional restaurants and your local cafe, and fixes it in one neat package. That is all you need to know about the Venzin group. If you haven't had the pleasure of dining at one of their locations, find your nearest one ASAP and try it for yourself. You will thank me later.
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