Excelsior Jones, Ashfield

I'm a breakfast sort of person. You know what they say, it's the most important meal of the day. But there are days where you just don't want to get up and the meal quickly turns to brunch. I find myself in Ashfield one day and the newly opened Excelsior Jones grabs my attention for that very meal.

It's located in a very unassuming part of Ashfield suburbia. Only 3 weeks old, the locals have quickly taken it in. It doesn't fail to be busy; the team are revved up on the coffees they serve, pumping out take away order after order. 

That's not to say you'll find a table easily either; they're always filled up on a group keen for a long brunch on a weekend, but that's typical of most cafes. 

It's a nice look: soft brown timbers, a casual atmosphere, solid white chairs and sweet baked goods out on display.

Butterscotch milkshake 6.5

I order one of their butterscotch milkshakes which has just the right consistency and loaded with enough sugar to get you going for the rest of the week.

Their coffee is a custom blend roasted by 5 senses, a well known wholesaler. 

Regular Cappucino 3.5

We get a cappuccino going on that has a good body and aroma, not too bitter and a soft finish.

House Cured Salmon Has 16

Their salmon hash is very good. Thick cut slightly crisp potatoes and fried buckwheat soak up all the salty smoky goodness of the salmon's firm flesh and yolk of the perfectly poached egg that's just asking you to split it up.

Eggs Benedict 14

That aforementioned poached egg makes another appearance on an old classic: eggs benedict. They nailed the hollondaise; the balance of acidity and decadence was spot on and marries well with the rich yolk that runs all the way down to be all soaked up on two muffin halves and ham.

Cheeseburger 16

Can I has Cheezburger? You'll certainly want one of Excelsior's with a juicy thick patty and melted cheese slathered all over. The aioli looked like it split a little but it tasted fine and it's probably a good indicated that they made it themselves. The spuds are really something. You know that feeling you get when you see the word fried and you get slightly disappointed when they're all oil soaked and terrible? Yeah that didn't happen here. They were smashed a little and fried to absolute crispy perfection. 

Cheesecake 4.5

We finish off with a smooth and velvety cheesecake that's studded with the rarest trace of vanilla beans and topped off with a sweet strawberry jelly. It's a little let down with a soggy crust that has a texture that's a little too similar to the cheese filling. A little more crumblier and biscuitier and it would have been perfect.

Now that Excelsior Jones is off my eat list, it's made its way onto my permanent breakfast list. The locals certainly know a good thing and it looks like it's a welcome unique addition to a neighborhood with more dumpling stores than you have fingers and toes. Now... to only find out what the name means...


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Posted in: ashfield, benedict, cheese burger, cheesecake, egg, salmon