Simply Balmy – http://www.simplybalmy.co.nz/

Reviewed by Karen – July 2014

The Place:

You can dine inside or out.  It’s in a great location.  The menu is varied and it caters for gluten intolerant people and vegetarian’s.  Whilst there is not a separate kid’s menu you can order something g for your little ones such as a bowl of fries or even a banana split.

The Service:

The service was friendly and speedy.

The presentation:

Overall the presentation was really, really average. This did not seem like a professionally made ensemble….I did wonder whether I could have made this dish better just at home.

• The Benedict – was okay.
• The Bacon – was actually processed ham so no fat but it didn’t seem like real bacon.
• The Muffins – were average.
• The Tomato – I enjoyed the tomato.  It was browned and warm and delicious.
• The eggs – were bordering on being overcooked, a Bene fan’s worst nightmare.
• The Hollandaise – was good, it was a lemon hollandaise….it was good but did not seem home made.
• The Hash Brown – was the highlight and came as part of the order.

Would we go again?

Would give the place another visit but would not order the bene, disappointing for a bene fan!  Sad to say this visit was somewhat disappointing.

Scorecard:

Style: Classic 5/10.  No greenery on the plate which made it seem a bit bland.

Taste: 4/10.  Have eaten here before and was thrilled, but that was a few years ago.

Originality: 4/10 – You could get the Bene or the Montreal.

Value: 9/10 The two options are the Benedict which is $16, or the Montreal/Florentine (Spinach and Salmon).

Eggs: (how good they were): 4/10. Almost overcooked. And realisatically I probably could have cooked them better (and I am not that flash at poaching eggs).

Overall score: 4/10

52 Signal Street, Foxton Beach.