Percy Plunkett – Penrith

Vanessa:  We never let distance get in the way of our food quests, so an hour drive was no deterrent for us in checking out Penrith’s recent opening, Percy Plunkett. Having made appearances on our social feeds with its beautifully decorated interior and photogenic dishes, we had to experience it for ourselves.

So the FFS Friday crew gathered ( these days this includes Bianca, myself, mumma squads and my mini foodie, Baby V) and made tracks to Percy Plunkett.

Firstly, the beauty of the venue’s exterior stands out as it is situated at the entrance to a local shopping centre. The cafe is set inside a federation style home, with wrap around verandah and outdoor space complete with picnic blankets which will be perfect when the weather warms up.  It really is a stunner both inside and out, with much attention given to the fixtures and fittings making for a cosy yet upscale environment. We arrived at lunchtime and the place was bustling, clearly the locals know what’s good!

We were lucky enough to be seated in the private dining space. A quaint little room with a big bay window and feature fireplace that would be a great area for a birthday or small group gathering.

We were instantly drawn to the table, can it get any better than a marbled effect for a photo backdrop? The coffees were good, strong but not overpowering.  I literally can’t even think these days without ingesting caffeine, so its what was needed that day.

The menu is diverse offering great variation on typical cafe food, although you will find your staples on there. We tried to be varied in our decision-making to really appreciate what the cafe had to offer for both breakfast and lunch. Good thing Baby V was hungry and ready to get involved.

The Coconut & Vanilla porridge ($14) with mango gel, toasted granola, fresh berries and passion fruit is one exquisite looking dish. The porridge has just the right amount of sweetness that is balanced well by the berries and mango gel. It is served warm, but not hot. I personally enjoyed the taste, baby V loved it but overall we agreed that it was slightly too gluggy in its consistency.

As you can’t go past a menu without seeing a smashed avo, we thought we would road test the staple. The Avocado on Sourdough ($15) with crumbled feta, dukkah, parsley oil and lemon satisfies the avocado urge with a pleasant twist.  The dukkah makes for a nice addition.

The Lamb Eggs benny ($21)  is a welcomed twist on the popular cafe staple.  Slow cooked succulent lamb is placed upon a slab of sourdough and topped with two poached eggs that are smothered in paprika hollandaise sauce.  Throw in a side of roasted herb potatoes, because there is no use being calorie conscious at this point, and you have one substantial, heavy meal.  The flavor was outstanding, the lamb was cooked perfectly, the egg yolk was bursting but I would struggle to eat all of this on my own. So either a good sharing option or come at it with a wicked  hunger.

A favourite lunch option of mine is a reuben and Percy Plunkett have got the right combination and balance of ingredients going on.  Whilst it may look simple,  Reg’s Reuben Sandwich ($20) is a winner with its delicious corned beef, melted cheese, saurkeraut and mustard aioli with a side of thick cut chips. This is a substantial choice and you won’t be hungry.

Now onto Bianca’s savoury option of choice, the Smokey Texan Cheeseburger ($19). This beast of a burger is akin to a “milkbar classic” and by that I mean that it has classic flavors and is not trying too hard.  The smoked beef patty is loosely ground and topped with melted smokey cheddar. Caramalised onions make for a nice, sweet addition to what is a solid burger offering.

Moving over to the sweet side of life, because of course we left room, we chose two absolute standouts.  With Bianca’s pancake mission in full swing, the deepdish pancake ($20) was a must.  This is one THICK pancake. Beautifully presented with edible flowers, fresh berries, chocolate mouse, caramalised banana and butterscotch sauce this is a dish worth all the calorie. I found parts of the batter  were a little undercooked and extra sauce would be beneficial to inject more moisture but overall this was delicious…and definitely a good sharing option.

We can’t help mentioning the babyccino gets a tick of approval from Baby V who sampled his very first one at Percy Plunkett. The joy on his face says it all!

I’m a Devonshire tea lover from way back when and I’ve had my fair share of scones, but these knock the rest out of the park. These bad boys are made fresh daily and are super light and fluffy, almost like a sponge. The two scones ($9) are paired perfectly with strawberry jam and double cream, these are an absolute treat. I feel everyone needs to experience them if you find yourself at Percy Plunkett.

We picked our rather full selves and our restless baby up and made our way back, feeling thankful to have made it to experience Percy Plunkett for ourselves.  They are certainly delivering beautiful, well-thought out dishes in a setting that makes for a very relaxed dining experience.

Enjoy!

Vanessa

Photos by Bianca

*For Foods Sake dined as guest of Percy Plunkett, all opinions however are our own