The run this week required supplementary preparation in lieu
of the Easter holiday break. Challenges
arose from sourcing a café that was open for business and selecting the optimum
day to run, given the additional days available. The Bureau of Meteorology
forecasts were not assisting, as most days gloomily warned of 90% chance of
rain and possible thunderstorms. An
intent to head off Good Friday morning was quickly readdressed when the 5:20am alarm
was drowned out by very heavy precipitation. I made a mental commitment to run on Sunday
morning, whatever conditions presented.
Despite the rain recommencing on Saturday evening, accompanied by the
husband’s malevolent chuckle, the morning proved to be worth the wait. We were met with perfect conditions with the
silky smooth river as our backdrop.
Our party of three merrily departed at 5:45, conquering the
Laura St hill, advancing across the Goodwill Bridge and turning right into the
familiar territory of the Botanic gardens. The route was unusually void of fellow
athletes and cyclists and we enjoyed a peaceful, relaxed pace through the city,
passing the Eagle Street Pier and running under the shadow of the Story Bridge then
onto the floating walkway. Our turn-around
destination was the Merthyr Bowls Club (an idyllic river front spot for another
time). To avoid the pitfalls of repeating
the same scenery, we ascended the roads through New Farm, conquering the steady
climb towards the Story Bridge. In no
time, it seemed, we were running, like gazelles, down the Story Bridge. There
is some joy and satisfaction that is felt in finding the 10km mark a
comfortable distance. We descended the stairs at the southern end of the bridge
and reconnected with the river at Kangaroo Point. Like a well-trained seal, I spotted a fellow
runner with ‘Pace runner’ on her shirt and gave chase. It was a fast couple of kilometres but,
luckily, we soon deviated off the path near the new Lady Cilento Children’s
hospital and made our way through Woolloongabba and our breakfast spot.
The Pearl Cafe is situated in a cute character row of shops
at the start of Logan Road in Woolloongabba, a football hand-pass from the
Gabba oval. Our families joined us for
Easter Sunday breakfast, including my Mum, up from Sydney, one of the 2 dedicated
subscribers to my blog.
Pearl café has a very appealing street frontage and
yesteryear feel inside that is matched by a tempting menu. The slightly
pretentious menu descriptions required some minor interpretation, but promised some
delicious ‘twists’ on breakfast fare.
 |
| Smoked fish |
The
plates lived up to expectations. Amongst
the broader group, the highlights included my dish: a house smoked fish, leek
and potato hash, black cabbage and poached egg. The smoked fish was beautiful and I’m told it
is prepared on the premises being smoked with Earl Grey tea. I would return for this dish again.
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| House made morcilla |
Bronwyn declared some plate envy over me,
however, her house made morcilla, creamy corn, crisp jamon, fried egg on
grilled bread, was also enjoyed. This
was despite her growing realisation that morcilla is blood sausage (a dish only
for the stoic constitution). The creamy
corn had a slightly spicy flavour and the flavours combined well. A few of the younger members of the group,
indulged in ‘really French toast, roasted baby pears, crème fraiche and
almonds. The little pears made for a
very attractive and tasty dish and there was little left on their plates. The other enviable dish was the ‘autumn
fruits, pistachios, Pepe Saya mascarpone and Kingaroy honey. Caitlyn, loved her forest mushrooms, Milawa chevre,
rosemary on toast, however, I suspect it would have been rounded beautifully, for
her, with a side of her beloved avocado.
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| Autumn fruits |
 |
| Really French toast |
Pearl Café was a memorable visit and the popularity of this
venue is understandable. The dishes I have
described ranged between $12 to $22,
which made for reasonable prices for a breakfast decidedly a cut above. The expertise and professionalism of the staff
are a winning formula.
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