Golden Spoons Review: Eats

CNS Editor | 30/05/2016

(CNS Foodie): Walking into Eats and seeing a restaurant full of comfortable booths with old-time rock ‘n’ roll music playing at just the right level, you can’t help but be optimistic about the food. The US diner atmosphere also lends itself to high expectations of breakfast, which worked out well since we were there on a Sunday morning.

We were seated immediately at a booth that could easily accommodate six, so that was great for the two of us. Our waitress came over straight away and took our drinks orders, which she delivered very quickly – always a good sign, especially when you are waiting on your first coffee of the day. Throughout the meal, she checked to see if I needed a top-up; I was never left with less than half a cup. My companion chose a special coffee – a mocha frappucino ($4.25) – which he enjoyed but I found too sweet.

He also ordered something off a special Sizzling Skillets menu, which debuted the last week in May. Featured are three variations on a theme – a piping hot platter filled with home fries sautéed with onions, bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and cheese topped with two sunny side up eggs and ranchero sauce, and either chorizo sausage ($14.95), pork chop ($17.95) or an eight-ounce steak ($19.95).

He went all-in for the steak. The skillet came fully loaded, a great and tasty mash-up. The sliced NY steak was not the best quality, but it would have been unfair to expect a top cut at the price. The ranchero sauce, which, as our waitress explained, was marinara-based with a little bit of spice, was a nice touch. He could have also had the eggs cooked any way he wanted, but the slightly runny eggs worked well.

The regular breakfast menu is substantial, with a selection of pancakes, French toast and waffles, various omelettes, and a very nice choice of combos.

I opted for the classic Rise & Shine Combo ($9.95), which is the only breakfast item available all day long – two eggs any style, home fries, toast (white, wheat, multigrain or rye) with choice of bacon, ham or sausage. The combo comes with coffee, tea or juice. My scrambled eggs were well done, as ordered, and my bacon nice and crispy. I was also happy to see rye toast offered, as that is my personal favourite and not every place has it.

We ordered the Bon Jour French Toast ($6.95) as well, which was three slices of egg bread, batter dipped and dusted with powdered sugar. It was tasty, but nothing special and I would have preferred a thicker cut of bread.

During our meal, we noticed the manager keeping an eye on things and ours was one of the tables he stopped at to ask how we were doing, a nice touch. He explained that if the Sizzling Skillets prove popular, and I think they will, Eats will add that to the menu when it is revised later this year, in either September or October.

All in all, a very satisfying breakfast, made even more enjoyable by our very friendly and helpful waitress.

Gratuity: 15% added to the bill.