Proud Mary

(20/3/12)

Proud Mary is one of those cafes that you never try to get brunch at on a weekend :-(, there will always be a line out the door & even people across the road waiting.  However if you are able to wait until a weekday you will be able to score yourself a seat at a table inside or out or at one of the number of communal tables inside (cafes love those communal tables).  Lots of staff on the floor & behind the coffee machine, they do a great trade in takeaway coffee to the public in surrounding Collingwood.  All staff appeared happy, no I hate Monday faces here :-)  Orders taken swiftly for coffee & freshly squeezed Apple & Orange Juice, mmmm very nice coffee in nice bright coloured cups, juice looked lovely & tasted a treat.

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

($4.5)

The menu is reasonably varied, not a huge selection but you would be hard to please if you couldnt choose something!  There was a Spiced Rice Pudding with Baked fresh Figs, toasted almonds, also Ricotta Hotcakes with Baked Peach, Blueberries, Pistachio, & Lavender semi freddo.  The Hotcakes were inviting but I decided to go savory & something other than eggs, hence the Sardines.  The smell was devine as  they arrived at the table & the presentation was perfect and the taste ........... wonderful.  The celery salsa verde which was under the sardines gave the dish a really nice edge!  My plate was clean except for couple pieces of rocket :-)

House -Smoked Sardines on toast, slow-roasted tomato,

 celery salsa verde

($15.0)

Bircher Muesli, Fresh Berries, Orange Yoghurt,

 Toasted Hazelnuts

($11.5)

Mmmmmm now for the Bircher Muesli!  It doesnt unfortunately get a very glowing review from its eater :-(  He was feeling a little unwell, but he felt the best part of it was the fruit.  It was fairly bland & gluggy, consequently he didnt even eat half of it. All the fruit was consumed & the remainder covered (as his Pa would) with his serviette so as not to offend! Disappointment as he was also thinking of the Hotcakes & would order them next time.

Avocado, Heirloom Tomato, Goats Cheese, Rocket Pesto, Toasted Farmhouse Loaf, with added Poached Egg

($14.0 + $3)

This meal was an Avocado lovers delight, it consisted of approximately two full avocados, with lots of pesto that really amped up the taste, one poached egg possibly wasnt enough & next time he would order two!  Thoroughly enjoyed & another clean plate. Bravo!

Proud Mary has quite a large interior that is light & quirky touches, its tables are never empty for long, as we leave our table is once again occupied,  they have the winning formula!