Java Lava - Pennant Hills

When: 15 Sept 2018

Where: Java Lava Pennant Hills

What: Eggs Benny with Salmon

Eggs (1-3): 2.5. Well cooked, possibly a tiny bit underdone, but with lovely golden yolks

Hollandaise (1-3): 2.5. Delightful tangy sauce. Could have done with more.

Base (1-3): 3. Nicely toasted Turkish bread. Smoked salmon was very good.

Accompaniments (1-3): 2. Single fried tomato looked a bit lonely.

Presentation (1-3): 2. Plate looked a little bare.

Overall score (1-5):4

Java Lava makes a great Eggs Benny with Smoked Salmon, although it is a little stingy on the accompaniments. Overall good value and really tasty.

4 Points by Sheraton Hotel - Auckland

When: 12 Sept 2018

Where:  Four Points by Sheraton, Auckland

What: Breakfast buffet with poached eggs and hollandaise direct from chef

Eggs (1-3): 3. Perfectly poached free range unpasteurised / washed with a great taste.

Hollandaise (1-3): 3. Subtle and delicate. I watched the chef making it himself as I came up to order the eggs.

Base (1-3): 2. My choice of a rye sourdough with smoked salmon. Should probably have chosen a lighter bread. My bad.

Accompaniments (1-3): 2. Chose chicken sausages (but dry), mushrooms (great) and has brown (Good, but not quite crunchy enough)

Presentation (1-3): 3. Chef took personal care.

Overall: 4.5 stars out of 5. Can’t beat those eggs and that hollandaise.

Sandbar Café - North Haven

When: 9 June 2016

Where: Sandbar Beach Café - https://www.thesandbarcafe.com/

What: Eggs Benedict with Salmon

Eggs (1-3): 3. Fresh local eggs, poached perfectly.

Hollandaise (1-3): 3. Basically perfect.

Base (1-3): 2.5. Toast is a little thick, but soft and toasted just right.

Accompaniments (1-3) : 1.5. With eggs this good, you don't really need accompaniments. Still, would have been nice to have something other than a garnish and some halved cherry tomatoes. 

Presentation (1-3): 3. Looks so good, you just can't wait to dive in.

Overall score (1-5): 4.5

This is as close to the perfect Eggs Benny as you are likely to find - and you can get them at any time thanks to the miracle of 'all day breakfast'. The café itself is wonderful and the staff are fun. Not the cheapest, but they are so good you just have to have this dish. If you are driving up the NSW coast, it's totally worth the stop.