I expect all of these.
Pearl Café (or is it Café Pearl?) has opened just up the road from the Pearl Restaurant, that we know and love.
I think it's a big daunting step for a restaurateur to step back and open a café, perhaps that's why it took a year longer than the initial reports speculated.
Attached to the stylishly attainable RG Madden store, Pearl Café is a small space with a large communal high table on warehouse castors (that move a little, unfortunately) some standard tables and a line of chilled displays. The menu is on an impressive cloud printed board that takes up most of one wall space.
We arrived for brunch at 11.30 to learn that breakfast is only served until 11am. Bummer, I am I the only one, that loves eggs on the weekend, even if it is lunch time?
Moving on from this, we ordered the Vietnamese baguettes; pâté, Asian salad and herbs in a crunchy roll. These were actually quite delicious, with the incredibly crunchy bread, being just like the ones I will eat agian, in a months time in Vietnam and the dressing as tangy and hot. My only gripe would be to add an extra smear of pâté and a little more meat for my $10, please.
A ugly, yet decadently good chocolate crackle, topped it off with a cafe latte.
My only hint to Pearl Café would be to sort out their staffing. Some were very obviously 'helping out' from the restaurant (read, stiff formal 'sir/madam' style service) others were cafe juniors that reeked of the skills shortage that is hurting the industry at every level. A balance needs to be found and no I don't want to see the wine list - for the third time - thanks.
No doubt Pearl Café will be popular for the growing Richmond market. I'd love to try their eggs, as one of my favourite fancy breakfast places was the bar at Pearl (restaurant), I'll just have to get myself organised earlier in the morning next time.
