19 April 2016

Weekend Cafe Hot Spot: Poachers Pantry

| Sophia Carlini
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Every Saturday morning my boyfriend and I head to the EPIC Farmers Market for free range eggs and fresh vegetables. We had heard that there were also weekend markets at Murrumbateman, so we thought we would check them out for something different.

As we were driving back into Canberra we saw the turn off for Poachers Pantry and decided to stop for breakfast. It is quite pretty in the summertime and a good place to sit outside and take in the scenery. The only problem with sitting outside at Poachers is that the trees attract Christmas beetles… and I’m not talking just a few; we actually had to move tables because we were being bombarded by beetles.

There were a lot of delicious sounding items on the brunch menu, including banana and chocolate bread and injectable cronuts. I am more of a savory gal when it comes to breakfast, so I went with the 62° egg with smoked salmon tartare, parmesan rye crumbs, caviar and buttery brioche fingers. My boyfriend ordered baked eggs with washed rind cheese, Poachers classic prosciutto, basil and rye toast.

Both dishes came out quite quickly and they were presented quite well. How cute are the eggs in the jar?!

Poachers

I’m afraid to say it because I hate being a negative Nellie, but our dishes were bland and frankly, the flavours were a little boring. And as an aside, what is this new fad where brioche is served for breakfast as a savoury food item?! It is not bread, people! In my opinion, it doesn’t taste great with eggs either.

Lastly, while I love the new hipster trend of serving food in glass jars, sometimes it can be totally impractical. Trying to scoop runny eggs out jar with crumbly brioche fingers left me feeling frustrated and I ended up pouring the eggs onto my plate.

I really love the concept behind Poachers Pantry and it’s a beautiful spot to eat breakfast, but I’ve been out there twice now (once for lunch and once for breakfast) and both times I left feeling disappointed. But hey, that is just my personal opinion and maybe you should check it out for yourself!

Poachers Pantry can be found on Nanima Road, Hall.

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rubaiyat said :

I suspect because of the remote location they can’t get good kitchen staff.

The wines are good as are the tasting platters of small goods, but everything else is overcooked and way too salty.

Country cooking but not in a good way.

I wouldn’t call 25 minutes from Civic ‘remote’ . I do agree on the ‘new fad’ comments by some posters, though. Every time I see something served in a mason jar, I want to smash it.

creative_canberran3:55 pm 09 Feb 15

PCB said :

Need fad? Um. I think brioche is a bread and in fact has savoury and sweet origins!

yes quite right. Brioche is simply a type of bread style with a rich texture. You’ve tended to see them in Australia offered in sweet varieties with custard or fruit fillings, but are just as appropriate as a savoury side with a meal.

Brioche, pate, bottle of riesling = solid picnic. Doesn’t need to be made with sugar in it, or only to partner with sweet things.

Need fad? Um. I think brioche is a bread and in fact has savoury and sweet origins!

And as an aside, what is this new fad where brioche is served for breakfast as a savoury food item?

Beats me. But I rank it up there with the fads of serving drinks in a jar, and food on a serving board. Jars are a pain in the backside to drink out of because they were never designed for it. And serving boards are completely impractical for eating from.

Sophia, I appreciate the effort you go to in order to provide these regular reviews. I have one request, though: could you also include information about prices in your future reviews? Ballpark figures would even be ok.

I suspect because of the remote location they can’t get good kitchen staff.

The wines are good as are the tasting platters of small goods, but everything else is overcooked and way too salty.

Country cooking but not in a good way.

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