I think the only times Hanno and I have eaten breakfast out was when we've been travelling but last week we had breakfast at a local beach cafe. Hanno had an OT appointment at 7am and as we had other things to do during the morning while we were out, instead of going home for breakfast, the OT recommended a nearby cafe and we went there. I thought there'd be only one or two other breakfasters but the place was packed. I bet you're thinking they were all young people on their way to work having a quick coffee and toast but no, most of our fellow diners were our age.
I had my heart set on grilled cheese on toast and black tea. Hmmm, not available. How about cinnamon toast and black tea? No. Plain toast and tea? Uh-uh. Poached eggs on toast? Nope. Scrambled eggs? No. We could have sweet muffin of the day with cream, or bacon and egg bap with caramelised onions and BBQ sauce, or poached eggs, hash, hollandaise sauce and bacon, or smoked salmon, grilled asparagus, creme fraiche, sourdough and poached eggs (for $18.50), or what we had - toasted organic fruit loaf with citrus curd. Hanno had coffee, I had tea and although there were enough tea and coffee varieties to sink a ship, we both had the basic versions.
How times have changed.
I don't want to eat 'new' food for breakfast. Breakfast is for old favourites - grilled cheese on toast, porridge, boiled eggs and toast. I don't like my food stacked up. I want it all sitting on the plate. I don't want dots of oil, sprinklings of micro herbs or caramelised balsamic. And no foam. Thank you.
I would like grilled cheese on toast soldiers and black tea.
I'm not talking about a toasted cheese sandwich. I want the authentic pre-1950s bit of toast with slices of cheddar cheese on top, grilled till it's melting and golden. It's not such a big ask but it seems that, like Elvis, it has left the building. Food fashion has dictated that grilled cheese on toast has turned into fried haloumi on sourdough wedges with white balsamic dots, a sprinkling of oregano and lemon. pffffffft!
If you've been reading here for a while you would know that I love change but the things that change should be the dinosaurs, those things that were inefficient and ridiculous to begin with (like fried haloumi on sourdough). Sharks, on the other hand, have barely changed over millions of years. There is no need for a shark to evolve - it was close to perfection to begin with. Grilled cheese on toast is a shark, no need for change. It may have turned into fried haloumi for most people but here in my home, it will always be on the menu.
If you're ever at my home for breakfast expect a variety of sharks to be on the menu - porridge, tea and toast soldiers with homemade jam, crumpets and honey, baked beans beside the toast (not on it), bacon and eggs one day a week, and tea, always black tea. Not English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Lady Grey (or any of the Grey family), Russian Caravan, Queen Mary, peppermint or green. All breakfasts are served with loose black tea, usually the King brand, made in a tea pot and poured through a strainer. That is another shark.
