ROADTEST

The The big breakfast challenge

The mission was to test our most popular breakfast spots – a mission impossible considering how many great ones there are, but here are a few suggested by our readers and rated by us, based on food, ambience, service and value. Coffee was kept out of the equation because that's a whole other mission!

Revolver Annandale
This destination café where you can enjoy brekky and some jazzy tunes is slightly off the beaten track but always buzzing. Starting with a fruity Carnivale tea (they have an impressive list of unusual leaf teas, $4), which was set down with a sandglass timer so I knew when it was fully infused, I waited for my bacon and egg roll ($8) with rocket and "awesome sauces". Yes, the sauce was awesome, and egg cooked perfectly. The ricotta hotcakes are thick and fluffy too, topped with plenty of rhubarb and strawberry compote and maple ricotta ($14.50). I was seated immediately, had my food within 10 minutes of ordering, and while the staff aren't chatty, they are attentive. 7/10

Big Brekky Petersham
I was looking forward to judging this place for myself as I've heard people both rave and complain about it. After getting past the frantic front counter, I found the experience was positive overall. There was a 10-minute wait to be seated but the staff, who stop to joke and chat even though they are run off their feet, made it feel like there was no wait at all. Sitting in the relaxed outdoor area is like hanging out at a mate's place, with kids free to play in the grass. The food lives up to its name (the generous servings keep you full till dinner), and although we got one over-poached egg, the tasty corn fritters made up for it. The 'Big Brekky' ($18) comes highly recommended with surprisingly good pear chutney. Definitely not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning. 8.5/10

Kazbah Balmain
I felt a little odd dinning in this big restaurant alone, it's so open, airy and spacious that it's built for bigger groups. They have a Middle Eastern-inspired menu, and I'd like to return with back-up to try a breakfast tagine, which is a little too big for one. This time I went for the omelette of the day with smoked salmon, dill, three chesses and onion marmalade ($18). It arrived quickly with Turkish bread and was also a generous size. This menu was generally a little more expensive than the others, but the wait staff were friendly, and the Egyptian Hibiscus tea was delicious. 6/10

Vargabar Newtown
This hip little breakfast spot a step away from the hustle and bustle of King Street has great food presentation and is a cosy spot to read the paper, which I was happy to see provided. My organic, free-range scrambled eggs on toast with tasty lean bacon ($12.90) came topped with crispy shavings of pumpkin and garnished with greens and a little pesto, which gave it something extra special. It was all washed down nicely with a pot of Organic Revive ($3.50), which is a bit like green tea with a hint of lemon. Add in the good pricing and quick service and you'll get no complaints from this diner. 8/10

Nancy Merlo