Opening up a couple of months ago, Rye Cafe & Bar has been a welcome addition to the Braddon food scene. Offering a fresh and healthy menu with a Danish touch for both breakfast and lunch, the cafe’s small front scatter-cushioned alfresco area overlooking Lonsdale Street provides a nice welcome to diners. The cafe itself was very clean and simple with light natural timber panels on the cafe’s floors, walls and tables – a nod to Scandinavian design.
I headed in for breakfast one morning and ordered the Snowy River smoked trout with potato rosti, fried egg and dill creme fraiche ($19). I was quite surprised that the portion size was so small for the price. It was a lovely meal with crispy rosti that wasn’t oily, a perfectly fried egg, chunks of trout hidden underneath all mixed together with dill creme fraiche. Great combination of flavours. I was just a little disappointed that it was a small serve and I was still hungry afterwards. Luckily I’d ordered a soy mocha (forgotten the price) which helped fill my stomach. Five Senses coffee was provided with filter coffee, batch brew and cold brew with coconut water also available.
A few weeks later, I dined in for lunch to see how the place was going. I was tossing up between the tiger prawn roll, the duck pie, the smørrebrød or the Cuban sandwich. I ended up with the latter ($16) which consisted of slow cooked pork shoulder with ham, cheese and pickles in a toasted bun with a serve of fries. This was delicious and had the appropriate portions of each element to make it one tasty sandwich. I loved the toasted bun too which was a little crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside with the melted cheese against it. The thin chips were crunchy and salted well. Unlike my breakfast experience, I was happy with the size of the sandwich and very full after the meal. I also ordered a freshly squeezed orange juice ($7) which came pulp-free.
I might need to try the smørrebrød next time as I keep seeing drool-worthy photos of them.
Service on both occasions was excellent. I was greeted warmly and told I could sit anywhere I wanted. Drink orders were taken promptly allowing me to peruse the food menu. The food and drinks were quick to arrive. And there was just some nice gentlemanly charm about the wait staff (who I think were the owners).
There were also some sweets on the front counter such as croissants, danishes, and even Portuguese tarts on weekends if you’re lucky.
Rye Cafe is located on 9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Open Monday to Sunday for breakfast from 6.30am and lunch, and Wednesday to Saturday from 4pm for drinks and bar plates.
Foodgasm 7/10
Value for money 7/10
Service 8/10
FPJ score 22/30
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