Signorelli Gastronomia, Pyrmont (Let's do Brunch - SIFF 2010)

"I just saw them pour two shots of vodka into your bloody mary - it's 10 am."
"Don't worry I can handle it"

Silly silly Demos.

Continuing our "early" start at the Pyrmont Grower's Festival, I was a woman on a mission to have Brunch at Signorelli Gastronomia. More specifically, I was on a truffle scrambled eggs  kind of mission.  When I saw they were listed as one of the restaurants taking part in the "Let's do Brunch" event for the month of October I had my heart set on trying it out.

It was the first day of the Crave Sydney International Food festival, Demos and I were pretty much two of the first few people to arrive. Maybe we did seem a bit too keen, but we had no problems getting a spot on the exquisite marble bench overlooking one of the food prep areas.

The concept behind "Let's do Brunch" is that different cafes and restaurants put up a special brunch menu on the weekends for $25 per person. Some places offer fruity drinks with this set price others charge extra for "special' beverages, this was the case here. I order the Peach Bellini and Demos, as previously mentioned, challenges the Bloody Mary. Somehow it doesn't seem right to be consuming alcoholic beverages at 10am, knowing the McDonald's is still serving breakfast for another 30 mins; but, our excuse is that "research purposes for the blog of course.." Besides, these two $10 cocktails are perfectly acceptable at the breakfast table - were not downing shots of tequila here!

Still being a bit quiet and relatively empty inside, our Shared Breakfast Antipasti arrives in a flash. Grilled mushrooms, rocket dressed with olive oil, 2 pieces of proscuitto, 2 pieces of coppa and 2 pieces provolone cheese are presented to us on a wooden board. Looking back I was a bit underwhelmed. We were surrounded by hanging legs of aged jamon, imported cold cuts beautifully displayed, a selection of fine imported cheeses and what we received was a pretty basic selection. Its like being surrounded by (forgive me male readers..) Jewelled Jimmy Choo's, sky high YSL platforms, metal studded Christian Louboutins and leopard print Manolo's and receiving a pair of flats, albeit sequinned flats.. The flats are comfy, practical and pretty, but being surrounded by more tempting options you'd want to pay that little bit extra for the full experience. Maybe I was expecting a bit much to get a sky high pile of san danielle proscuitto for $25pp but its hard when your sitting across a delectable cured meat cabinet.

Now for the truffle scrambled eggs. I could smell that truffly goodness as the dishes were approaching. As we got stuck into our eggs we felt a void that only carbs could fill. The dish does not come with any bread at all, and we stare at the Sonoma Artisan bread they have for sale. Unfortunately, at this time the only thing you could order was the set brunch menu, full menu isn't available until 12pm. The truffle flavour in the scrambled eggs was deliciously sinful and exactly what I craved for.. I could only wish for a toasted piece of sourdough to complete it! Im not a big fan of cured fish at all (I did try it though) so my one and a half portions of in-house cured salmon ended up with Demos.

Food Prep area and deli counter

More delicious buys..limocello, gelati and pasta - oh my!

Every carnivoire's heaven

I'm never completely disappointed with any of the meals that Demos and I share but it just seemed that we got so little for what was essentially a $70 breakfast. But, the overly positive side of me still found it to be an enjoyable experience. Demos struggled through his Bloody Mary as expected but he blamed the tobasco sauce not the vodka. We were happy to be able to sample their brunch but I think next time I would choose to order from the full menu so that we get exactly what we want. I guess being in such a beautifully decorated and opulent venue I had high food expectations.. I just need to repeat that it was $25 per person, I just wished that we were a little bit fuller, but hey - it was stil early!

     

After our meal we left behind half a glass of the potent bloody mary and wandered into the cheese room, my happy place. In wise words of Arnie, "Ill be back".

So that's our first proper Crave SIFF "Let's do brunch" experience, we plan to try out more before month's end - and for more SIFF event ideas make sure you visit Anna @ Morsels and Musings for her weekly SIFF Rundown. Happy Eating Everyone!

Signorelli Gastronomia - 02 8571 0616 - 48 Pirrima Rd Pyrmont 2009
http://www.signorelli.com.au/