Giraffe

Gunwharf Quays

 

Today we decided to take a trip over to Gunwharf Quays for breakfast and we ended up in Giraffe.

We went early to avoid the traffic, arrived about 9.30 and we virtually had the place to ourselves.  We had a really lovely meal, a bit different to what we usually have. They have a very exciting breakfast menu with lots of unusual choices.  You can see the full range if you click on the link above.

I chose to try ' Baked Egg Cocotte' which to be honest I had never heard of before.

It consists of two poached eggs, cheese sauce on mixed sauteed mushrooms and spinach served with toast. It was lovely. Jan chose 'Brioche French Toast',

 with apple compote, Cinnamon sugar,

Greek yoghurt, strawberries and

maple syrup. That was also yummy.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal even though it did work out quite expensive compared to what we usually pay.

The 'Baked Egg Cocotte' was £4.25 and the 'Brioche French Toast' was £6.50. Coffee was £2.15 a cup and as we had two cups each came to £8.60. Our bill came to £21.90. You need to be aware that they add a 10% gratuity which was included. Unfortunately we didn't notice and left them another £2.  Of course this was optional but means the customer has to ask for it to be taken off, we don't like it that way round.

All in all we had a very enjoyable meal and the waitress was very attentive and friendly.

                                                                                                                       Margaret

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Inn by the Sea, Lee on the Solent

Inn by the Sea

 Hello again, today we decided to try breakfast at the Inn by the Sea at Lee on the Solent.

 They do a buffet breakfast which is excellent value at £3.99 for as much as you like to eat. It includes all the usual favourites, sausages, bacon, eggs, beans, tomatoes, hash browns and toast.  You can help yourselves to butter, jam and marmalade. Mushrooms can be added for an extra 79p. Coffee is £1.55 for a large cup. All together our bill came to £12.66 for the two of us.



  

However, we weren't 100% happy this time. Firstly we had to queue up for quite a while to get served as there was only one person behind the counter who was serving, cooking toast, and filling serving dishes and butter dishes as required. Later on some one else joined him to help out. Today they weren't even busy so it could have been worse. Also the place was cold so our food got cold quickly. We paid the extra for mushrooms but wished we hadn't as they started off cold. We don't really like to give a not so good review but I think we have to be honest.  Maybe they were having an off day, we will try them again in the future.

The dogs did well with their sausages, they had bacon as well today and they didn't complain about them being cold.  Maybe we were just being hard to please today, blame the weather. 
                                                                                                      Margaret

Valentinos of Warsash

 

Here we are again, back to normal and both of us fit and well with our appetites back with us.

This week we decided to stay local again and went to one of our favourite places which is Valentinos of Warsash.It is an Italian Deli and coffee shop in Shore Road. We have been here a few times and the staff are always very friendly and welcoming. We had the small English breakfast at £4.50 which consists of one sausage, bacon, egg, beans, tomato, mushrooms and toast but there is also a larger option for bigger appetitesfor an extra pound. Take a look at the full menu . 

Very tasty

We had a very enjoyable hour or so over our breakfast, and Valentinos are well worth a visit to look at their deli as well.

We would always be interested to hear of different places to try, so leave a comment and we will get to as many places as possible.  It is really not a hardship and we always try to walk it off afterwards.

          

                                                                                                                 Margaret

The Boat House Cafe, Swanwick

The Boat House Cafe

I was very naughty and snuck in another breakfast on Sunday 10th March, only to be polite as I had a friend staying (good excuse!). So no Margaret sadly.

Went to the Boat House Cafe within Moodys boatyard at Lower Swanwick on the river Hamble. It opens at 0900 every day (so good for an earlier Sunday breakfast).
 Excellent cooked breakfast (quick service) - large size, with huge toasted granary bread chunks, beans, grilled tomato, fried egg, mushrooms, and a really delicious sausage (I haven't got Margaret's iphone skills so no photo!).

Lovely nautical environment, and good view of the zillion pound cruisers moored outside (one had a price tag of £250,000, and it looked small!).

Breakfast cost £7.00, with good mugs of filter coffee for £2.00, so again not the cheapest. But... good local option for an earlier Sunday breakfast. Has a chandlery next door for browsing afterwards if you want to poddle around afterwards.

Until next week....

Jan

M & S Hedge End

Well, we are back again trying out breakfasts for our review blog. Not quite up to tackling a full English yet but we had some very nice alternatives.

 

We decided to try the restaurant at Marks & Spencers at Hedge End.

And, we were very pleased that we did. It is a pleasant area to sit in, we managed to get a table right by the windows overlooking the store. It is waitress service and very reasonable and well presented.They have quite a good menu with some things a little bit different.

 


Jan decided to go for the Eggs Benedict which looked lovely and I went for the Warm Pancake stack which was delicious. They were layered with plenty of forest fruits and creme fraiche.

Eggs Benedict

Warm Pancake Stack

We felt quite righteous after this too as I am sure it is much healthier than a fried brekkie. The menu also gives all the calorie values, I'm sure this is a good thing although sometimes I think ignorance is bliss.
The Eggs Benedict were £4.95, the Pancake stack was £3.50 and the coffees were £2.10. They were both around 500 calories each. Total bill for the two of us was £12.65. Not one of our real cheapies but worth every penny (and calorie). We did later walk 2.25 miles so maybe we burned off half of them.

                                                                                                         Margaret

Temporary Brekie outing delay!

Margaret and Jan have not been feeling well,
Coughing and spluttering and feeling like hell.

Lost their appetite, hence empty plate.
For the next installment, you'll just have to wait....

So keep watching out, as only time will tell!!

Plan to be back checking out brekie locations shortly, but please add any recommendations in the meantime!!
Keep chomping!!