On track at Tracks

A few weeks back, I reported that Clare Falconer is now at Tracks Café (ex-Express Café) in New Town, and that I had been told it was THE place to go.

Today proved all those rumours totally correct, in fact understated. Rita lunched at Tracks today and was absolutely over the moon to find that
a) Clare was there
b) It was totally full up with customers, so doing a roaring trade
c) My lunch was fabulous

To elaborate, a last minute invitation to lunch with birthday girl Jan, and Adrienne, at Tracks proved to be the opportunity for Rita to get along there, at last, and eat some of this mythical food which I’d heard was so extraordinary!

I selected the Chicken and Leek Pie and salad ($12) which proved to be a magnificent choice. It had the right amount of both chicken and leek; was the right temperature and was accompanied by a tasty little dollop of chutney which was bewdiful. The salad was good too.

I also ordered my usual drink - a Vanilla Milkshake ($4.80), which has become my litmus test for cafes. I asked if they made their milkshakes with ice cream in it, and was told by lovely Lisa that as so many people had requested they NOT have ice cream in their milkshakes that they now serve them standard with none, except on request, for additional charge. I didn’t check the bill so don’t know what the additional charge was, sorry. The milkshake was nearly up there with Sip’s, and made by mega-competent Paul.

(My question to the world – who the hell would want a milkshake without ice cream? What kind of human wants a luke warm milk shake? Yuk! I suppose I must put it down to this wonderful world of ours full of a huge diversity of tastes and people, all with totally different wants and needs and desires!)

Anyway, back on track to Tracks. Jan had the Frittata, which presented beautifully when it came out of the kitchen. She said it was as gorgeous as it looked. From memory it was priced at $12, but it might have been $14. She also had a cappa, which she instructed me to say was great, and way better than other places. (I find it hard to resist calling it a Warwick, as that’s what Greg, one of the regulars at our cafe, used to come in and humourously request EVERY time he visited, which averaged twice per day, every day! “Mug of Warwick please” he’d say, then laugh hilariously at his own joke! For those who perchance might not get it, his reference was to Warwick Kapper, the footballer). I miss you Greg!

Adrienne had a Savoury Muffin, which I think was round the $5 mark. It was Pesto and Zucchini, and she had it with aioli. She, like me, agreed that hers was brilliant.

It is a great venue, with an adequate lunch time menu. I absolutely loved it there and will definitely return. I recommend all those who spat it when Express closed down, to give Tracks a try. Principles are good, but don’t deprive yourselves of some great tucker. You’re dead a long time.
Clare – well done. Anyone who doubts Clare’s cheffing competency and ability should get along there, try it, then make your judgement call. I was told she made all the produce there today. Anyone who maintains that standard should be canonized.

(Oh, and absolutely nothing to do with Tracks - it is the anniversary of the death of one of my heroes, John Lennon, today. This world is a lot paler without you in it, John. 28 years has flashed by way too fast.)