Sayer’s cafe was super busy and finding a place during the weekends can be challenging. Fortunately, the friendly staff were helpful and found us a place after a reasonable 20 minutes wait. Before sitting down, I looked around the cafe and liked the layout of the cafe which is pretty special. To me, there were 3 main concepts that really worked well. You could be sitting in your typical neighbourhood cafe sipping away on a cuppa or in a lane-style cafe or an open backyard alfresco.
The little alley which sits a decent group of two or three.
The backyard sitting area with a more open environment.
As we had a large group, the backyard sitting area was well to our cause and we gladly sat there. Pets are allowed too I reckon. Spotted this adorable cocker spaniel running around its owner while panicking because it was about to rain.
Worried and tangled!
Skipping on, we ordered a good selection of hot brekkie and it took them slightly longer than most places to have the food served. My sister had already finished her drink before the food came!
Cappuccino?
For myself, I ordered the Sayers pork sausage with fried eggs, sweet potato crisp, mash and toasted Ciabatta @ $19.50.
While I have lots of complains for ALL sausages that accompanies the big brekkie meals in Perth, it would be rather weird if I had complains for a sausage where the dish itself was centred around it. Also, nothing can be more revolting than a cut-into-half sausage protruding out of a small pan screaming for attention while the gem of the dish (the green mash) sit hideously under a shrivelled tomato. For me, I was not blown away by the pork sausage. It did not taste superb in any way and was even difficult to cut. Nevertheless, the bread did its job with the fried eggs. Having every thing together brought a little chemistry which worked superb. Tomato sweetness + the saltiness of the meat worked well with the eggs although most element did not standout individually. But it must be pointed out though that the mash were the one of the yummiest mash I have EVER had. Its not the consistency but rather that unique flavour from the combination of spices of whatever the had in it. Real winner for me!
Yobi played conservative with a full serve scrambled eggs with toast ($11) and a side of smoked salmon ($5). He did not have plenty of words for it and I reckon I would be the same like him if I ordered the same thing. Not that this dish is simplistic or anything but yeah, its well cooked scrambled eggs which were sufficiently light and fluffy but more importantly, well seasoned and not overcooked! Or so says my sister which I think its true after having some of hers.
Ricotta & white chocolate hotcakes, sticky toffee apple, double cream & maple @ $16.50
Sticky toffee apple was good but perhaps a little seasoning would have added a little more ‘WoW’ factor. Hotcakes were above average and the lovely sauce was definitely a worthy talk. Overall, the dish was good together. A little bit of apple followed with a small piece of hot cake doused with the sauce before being finished with a dollop of the cream was delicious!!
Big Brekkie @ $22.00!
While the price is definitely steeper than most places, the big brekkie definitely has its own uniqueness which makes is distinctive from others. The mushroom for instance was different from your typical buttery-sweet mushrooms. It was filled with a pine nut pesto which was really tasty but slightly too heavy. The beans too, were delicious with a good amount of spices. Hash brown was special but not really quite my type. It had a good amount of onion, vege and I think bacon which really did not work for me.
Poached eggs were perfectly cooked with a runny yolk! Scrambled eggs were better than most places and was really cooked to perfection. It was rich, fluffy and was slightly runny! While these were the merits of the big brekkie, the bacon and chipolatas were unfortunately unenthusiastic. Tasteless sausages were a let down while the bacon felt undercooked. I would love to have seen two types of bacon. One, a crispy fatty-skin bacon, while the other one like the bacon above. But only one was present and did not really appeal. Nevertheless, a request would perhaps allowed me to get what I wanted.
Overall, Sayers would be among my top breakfast cafes near the CBD area. While I like Crumpets and John St. Cafe, this would be a qualified competitor. However, close rivals the Imp and Toast should not be overlooked. While price is concerned, Sayers would not be a place you can ideally call ‘CHEAP’ but is still decent for a Sunday brunch which fills your tummy till dinner. Also, well-designed layout was another ‘wow’ factor for me which had me smiling! Definitely a good experience which would make me return over and over. Perhaps little darling in the alley way, the housemates in the shop and all my homies in the backyard alfresco?
WenY
