...about breakfasts at restaurants.
Is it just that I'm hard to please? Have I started that inevitable decline into old aged bad-temperedness and senility, where nothing is ever like it used to be in the good old days?
God forbid that I turn into that ridiculous person, but geez I feel like it a lot of days!
Breakfasted this morning, courtesy of an ex-husband (thanks for that, don't think I'm ungrateful!), at T42.
But why do I always feel like I'm living in a chapter of "Gullivers Travels" to Lilliput when ordering a simple Bacon and Eggs? For those of you whose Mums didn't read you that bedtime story when you were a child - it's about when Gulliver finds himself in the Land of Giants. He has many adventures, and difficulties, dealing with being a tiny person in a land of huge people.
There seem to be no smaller sized breakfasts for genteel people. I love Eggs Benedict. But you get TWO of them. Bacon and eggs - two eggs, half a pig and four giant doorstops of halved toast (unbuttered). WTF is that about?
A cute little girl like myself is amply satisfied with one egg, on one bit of averagely sliced toast (not thickly sliced) buttered (with the butter spread right to the edge of the toast!) and half a rasher of bacon, slightly overdone & crispy.
Does that sound so hard?
It's like those huge meals farmers and manual labourers in the olden days used to fortify themselves with before they spent a hard days work toiling on the land, ploughing up 2 fields by hand before lunch! Now those guys really did have to stock up, gastronomically!
Us - we stagger exhausted to our desks from this massive breakfast of champions, spend 7+ hours there, then go off home to devour yet even more of these amounts of food. Where will it end? Stomach stapling for all of us!
Brekky is my favourite meal of the day, and I really look forward to the weekends when I can indulge myself with a plate of Bacon and Eggs - but I've come to the inevitable conclusion that it's only me that can do it the way I love it. A sad state of affairs for someone who loves other people to cook for her!
Saturday, 15 September 2007
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34 comments:
Try Lenore's in Battery Point.
Not too much food and good coffee!
New Town Station Nursery serves are reasonable. But then again they are my cafe of choice due to the fact they keep a large loaf of GF free bread in the freezer for me.
Shh! You'll spoil it for people like me who love a big breakfast (when I'm damn well paying $15 for it or whatever such things cost these days)
yeah Rita you sound like a total wanker! For fucks sake its pretty hard to please everyone but having a whinge because the portion size is to genourous and becuase your to fucking lazy to butter your own toast???
Anon 1.31pm.
You are very harsh with this comment, a litlle over the top even.
You may not agree with the post but you dont have to be obnoxious about it. Furthermore you do it without saying who you are.
I'd say thats gutless.
Ms Creosote - I've heard a few things lately about Lenores. Will have to get there & try it.
Zelda - I'm ashamed to say I haven't managed to eat at New Town Station Nursery yet. I've gone there specifically 3 times but each time found them closed. That's a really nice touch to save the GF bread for when you go there.
Lonie - I'm glad you guys who prefer the larger portions get them and love them.
Gobbler - thanks for your timely comments to my Anon!
Anon 1.31 - I thank you for bothering to comment on my post! Pointing out I'm a wanker is helpful - NOT!
As a mother of many children, I hardly think I could be accused of any kind of laziness, especially in regard to buttering my own toast. I seem to have spent 20-odd years buttering other peoples toast so don't have one iota of a problem with doing that.
But yes - the point of the post was to have a whinge about the sizes of the offerings. Is that OK with you? When I last looked, we lived in a democracy. Know what that means? It means we all get to freely express what we want, within reason. Hence me setting up this blog site.
If you have read other posts of mine, you might find that I don't whinge that often. More often I rave about things.
Try and be a bit more balanced and mature about the way you comment next time if you want to be taken a bit more seriously.
Oh dear, some people do hospitality, others do hostility.
I'll let you know a few of my favourite breakfast spots when I'm less tired, one of them I'm sure Zelda will be pleased to know bakes their own gluten free bread and cakes, and also advertises the "Ladies serving", very politically incorrect I'm sure.
Mum, why dont you simply request exactly what you want? Most cafes will oblige, and its not too much of an imposition if they arent too busy....
Just ask for a single egg on a piece of well-buttered toast, with well-cooked bacon. Easy.
Nellie
Rita - you must go there on Mondays or after 3:30ish on the other days, which is when they are closed.
Its worth it. My mum (like you) has quite a small appetite and they will quite happily just do bacon and toast if thats what you want.
Their bacon is good, and they do really good poached eggs. If you go on the weekends aim for between about 9 and 10 otherwise it can get a bit busy...ESPECIALLY when hockey is being played at the hockey centre.
Cos I usually have an egg on toast for brekkie most days, when I go out I want everything with the lot; and with extra bernaise on the side THANK YOU.
Maybe we should have brekkie, Rita, I promise to clean up both our plates...
cheers
Foodkitty
Cartouche - please give us the list. I'd love to see it, especially the "Ladies serving" place.
Nellie - I know it sounds easy to just order what you want and believe me that very thought has occurred to me many times in the past, but I actually get embarrassed sounding like this petty, fussy old bag, so I only ask specifically for what I really want if I feel they aren't busy and that it won't be too much of an inconvenience. I suppose that comes down to my waitperson. Sometimes it's just not worth the hassle of suffering the raised eyebrows and sighs of frustration from waitpeople that I have had in the past when I have in fact ordered what I wanted.
You're good at that "don't give me shit"-look, Nellie, which you can and do give people who you target in these situations. I'm way more meek and mild and concilatory - being a Baby Boomer. Gen X and Y are much better at telling people in no uncertain terms exactly what they want!
Zelda - are they open on a Monday now? - cos that was one of the days I've been there in the past & they were closed.
Kitty - welcome back. Yep - I'm there for brekky if someone else is happy to take up the slack. I always think anyone who dines with me gets a bargain, because I usually halve the meal and plonk it on their plate at the start!
Jeez that was a rude bugger, Rita.
Obviously they don't pay attention, as you rightly point out you generally praise or offer comment on how things could have been better.
Be sure we appreciate your comments.
On bacon and eggs breakfast..isn't it amazing how such a simple meal can differ. I've always thought it was impossible for anyone else to get my breakfast of bacon and eggs right. (Except my mum and gran, where I'm sure the formula was set in stone.)
I like my bacon crispy too, Rita and my egg yolks ``broken'' as they fry.
My toast not too brown and lots of butter.
Maybe breakfast IS for home and DIY!
Cheers, Sir Grumpy
I have used my little calorie counter book to estimate the calorific value of your T42 breakfast and I think you have raised an important issue with your small murmur of protest.
I have assumed that you are over 35 years of age and are of average size (say 65 kg or 10st 3lb). According to my calorie counter a woman of this age and weight requires 2000 calories or 8360KJ per day to maintain her body weight.
From the calorie counter the calorific value of your breakfast is as follows:
Fours rashers of fried bacon (145 cals per rasher)= 580 calories
Two fried eggs (125 cals per egg) = 250 calories
Two thick slices of buttered toast (175 cals per slice)= 350 calories
Giving a grand total of 1180 calories which is more than half the daily calorific requirement to maintain your body weight. If you didn’t want to put on weight that day you would have had to restrict yourself to 820 calories for the rest of the day. In fact even if you were a 90 kg male over 35 you would have used up more than a third of your daily calorific requirement with that breakfast.
In the interest of the fight against obesity in our society it would seem logical for restaurants to offer a calorifically reasonable serving size as standard with an option to increase the size for people who desired a larger serving. In other words you shouldn’t have to request the serving to be downsized. Of course the concept of smaller sizes is not unknown on dinner menus with many restaurants providing options for entree or half size servings.
Cheers
Curly
ps I was quiet distressed to read the comment of Anonymous 1:31pm I am sorry you have to put up with that kind of comment. I bet he is really fat.
Well curly lasagna I hope that vicious anon of earlier vents forth on your calorie counting.
The last thing we need is the FOOD POLICE.
This is a food blog, so shove you calorie counter into your size zero pocket.
God, what a bore. Hope we don't meet at a party.
``You realise that peanut was 20 kilojoules, and loaded with salt and not roasted but deep fried in trans-fat vegetable oil....''
I can just hear ya.
Sir Grumpy
Sometimes sir G it is just a sheer joy to come home and see that chuckle muscle of yours in action, they say laughter burns off a lot of energy, that said breakfast just went.
On an old note I was always told to breakfast like a king and dinner as a pauper. Looking at the wine list at Me Wah, I think I will stick to this principle.
I wouldn’t worry too much about anon 1.31 has to say Rita. Sounds like pissed off chef that works there, probably one of those yobbos that sit outside smoking durries in their chef uniforms during break times. Go get some talent before defending your second rate cooking, or go back to Drysdale, they will teach you how to butter a piece of toast.
Sor G - thanks for that. I think you might be right about the brekky being DIY at home. But I think you were way harsh on poor old Curly. He has a point about the calories. I feel a lot less guilty about not eating such huge brekky servings now.
Cartouche - you've wimped out on naming your brekky places...?
Anon 10.24 - your comment was a bit hard to work out. Were you agreeing with me or criticising me? If you were agreeing with me - thanks. If you were telling me to get some talent & go back to Drysdale to learn how to butter a piece of toast and cook better, then I'm sorry to tell you I didn't learn my buttering & cooking skills at Drysdale. It hadn't been invented when I learnt them! Go easy!
Thanks Rita. I was indeed deeply hurt by Sir Grumpy's reply. I thought I would re-read my original comment before preparing a comprehensive refutation of his criticism. Unfortunately, I fell asleep around the second paragraph. It was indeed breathtakingly boring (one of my best actually).
Personally I would consider it a great honour to meet Sir Grumpy at a party. I imagine he would be quite scintillating, and what a sense of humour the man has. Unfortunately people don't seem to invite me out to parties. Strange don't you think.
Cheers
Curly
Jeez Curley, Back off!! I'm a bit fat, but I hope I'm not as boorish as that awful Anon 1:31.
Seriously though, isn't it strange that something as seemingly simple as poaching eggs can be mucked up, with the additional pain of forking out $15 or so for the privilege.
I had "brunch" recently at a city establishment that I otherwise enjoy visiting. I was presented with a large and varied breakfast plate. An apology was made for the delay "while they cooked the tomato" which was piping hot along with mushrooms and bacon. The poached eggs were, however, cold and overcooked from waiting too long for the tomato to arrive.
Petty? maybe, Annoying? definitely
Cheers
Anon2
Anon 2 - name it up! Which was the brunch venue you had the cold poached eggs? Half the reason for the blog is to chat like the friends we all are, amongst ourselves, and share dining and food experiences!
For the record Rita ! Enjoyed your company last weekend and I have to say I agree with you, back in the good old days you did create a pretty mean brecky which sadly the modern day cafe simply struggles to replicate. Sadly we have some visitors to your informative and worthy site who are bogans I suspect or as Annon calls you! dear Rita " A Wanker"
I do enjoy your musings keep it up, and remember please that I fondly remember your skills in the kitchen and the wonderfrul breacky's that you use to creat for the family on a Sunday morning!
Sorry Curly.
I have a family member who keeps calorie counter food guides around...no kidding.
I have put up with it for years.
``Do youi know how many calories are in that Mars Bar, pint of Guinness, Valhalla ice cream, etc,'' he would say as I got ready to binge.
For years I've had it...for years (I'm crying now)..I should have got it out my system years ago.
But what did I do, Curly, old mate?
What did I do. I bottled it. Every flaming ``Do you know how many calories in that..''
I bottled it up.
Then, you, poor Curly. You come along, meaning well and offering some constructive comment...not knowing there in wait was a TRAIN WRECK that is Sir Grumpy,
A wreck who should have taken that calorie counter food guide and shoved it up his...no, I won't go there.
I'm calm now, I think it's gone forever, Curly.
You've done me a favour. I've splented my veen and I'm only sorry it was you who copped it.
I thank you and apologise. The dark room awaits. It's water and bread for me (wholemeal for fibre, one slice, only 35 calories, no spread).
Aaargh, I'm not cured. Help.
Sir Grumpy
Marketing guru (or ex-husband) - thanks for those very complimentary words about my blog! Sounds like our relationship is blooming again!!! Yes - I DID devote a lot of time, effort and love into the many breakfasts we as a family had over the years. Glad you appreciated them.
Sir G - I love to see a happy ending to a story! That's nice that you and Curly have made up. Your relative sounds like a right pain in the arse. I hate those sanctimonious people like that!
RE my earlier comments re cold poached eggs.
Sorry Rita. I wasn't trying to be secretive. It simply did not occur to me to name the joint, being a novice at blogging, and , not being aware of the "rules".
It was SAY CHEESE, the one on Salamanca Square.
Love your blogg. Still trying to dream up a name to differentiate me from some of those other sus people calling themselves "Anonymous"
Cheers
Anon2
Thanks Anon2. There aren't any 'rules' as such. I was just trying to encourage you to divulge! We all like a bit of scuttlebutt every now and then, especially with regard to anything associated with the food world!
Thanks for your comments. Feel free to participate in any discussion you like. Don't be intimidated by all the so-called experts! It took me ages of reading these blogs before I even dared commenting, and then I thought I was being SO bold! It took me a lot of courage to write that first one, let me tell you.
Now here I am, with my own blog, and really loving it.
I try to keep my posts, and comments 'real'. I try to use my everyday speaking lingo, in an effort to make my blog seem as approachable and friendly as I can for people like yourself.
If I'm being a wanker, tell me! Expect me to fire up back, cos I don't think I am, generally, but I suppose like everyone else I can be. So then I need to be told!
Rita - not sure if its Mon or Tues they are now open. My brain is saying Tuesday....Monday is the day they all take off I think.
I'm with you Rita,
It's breakfast at home for me. My favourite at the moment is the Wall Street breakfast I had at a pancake place at Southbank in Melbourne. Pancakes, eggs, bacon and maple syrup. At first I was horrified but then intrigued. ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!
I don't know of anyone in Hobart that makes it, but I do a pretty mean interpretation myself. And I can control my portion size. Not because I want to but because I have to. I love a big brekkie but unfortunately it straight to the tummy and the hips.
When you say pancakes, Christina, do you mean the thin crepe-type ones or the thicker American-type ones like pikelets?
It sounds gross, but often those combinations actually are great! I'd like to try it!
How much did they charge for that serve?
Bif fat American pancakes Rita. If I recall it was 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 generous bacon rashers, smothered in maple syrup and I'm sure it was around the $10.00 mark.
Honestly this was one of the most delicious things I've ever had. I've made it heaps for friends and now they won't come and stay if I don't. It's preordered before they get here.
If your scared, take it easy on the syrup at first, but I guarantee you'll be mopping it up before too long. If you try it, please let me know what you think.
Mum, i can't believe that tool!!! WHO speaks like that??? (i thought it was dad bagging you out but seeing as he made a comment after same, i think not) WHO EVER YOU ARE THAT FEELS THE NEED TO CALL MY MOTHER LAZY FOR ASKING THAT HER TOAST BE BUTTER RIGHT TO EDGE ABD A WANKER FOR WANTING A SMALLER SIZED MEAL, SHOULD WALK A DAY IN HER SHOES!!! I ASURE YOU SHE IS FAR FROM LAZY AND JUST BEACAUSE SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS DOES NOT MAKE HER A WANKER!!!! We shouldn't throw stones in glass houses anon 160907 1.31.......
Bec, my missus loves her toast buttered to the edges too. It used to make think, why would she bother.
But she does, so why wouldn't I want to oblige? I try. She also likes her cup of tea served with her main course, not way after the food. It's her way, we ask for this at places and they do it, no trouble.
And my missus in no Lazy jane either, so I back you in telling Anon to go to buggery.
Good for you, Sir Grumpy
Hi Rita,I also like my toast buttered all the way to the edges.If it doesnt come that way and only half buttered whos the lazy one ?Its pure laziness at its best!A thatlldo attitude,which sorta pisses me off,especially when your paying for it.As for your small portions ,like your daughter said,ask for what you want!!A simple request like that is no big deal,a decent establishment would probably offer a slight discount aswell,well i believe they should. bbv
Hi Sir G & Valentino - thanks for backing up my daughter. She gets pretty fired up in her defence of her mum, especially when she sees the Anon comments like that one above (16/9/07 1.31).
Yo're all correct when you say to ask for those specifics which I require, but my point is that I have, over the years, endured that typical young waitpersons response to this perceived stupid, fussy customers requirements, like the raising of eyebrows, the bored look, the sighs of frustration - and then they just bring out what was on the menu, obviously having not passed on your request at all to the kitchen.
I have been in this situation so many times, I'm way over it. My best brekkies have been in hotels where it's all laid out there for you, and all you have to do is help yourself - to whatever you want, and however much you want of it!
Best breakfasts were at Cradle Mountain Lodge, Rita.
I'm not really a brekkie person but the spread of breads, fruit, juices, cereals, plus the bacon and eggs etc, pats of Tassie honey, fresh coffee and tea worked a treat on my hangovers.
It was about 15 years ago, though. Maybe things have changed.
Sir grumpy
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