It seemed like a really good idea. Mum of the Month perhaps, or at least a day of perfectly behaved children. A train ride into the city, a short walk through the malls, then a traditional feast, a school holiday special - pancakes at
Pancakes at Carillon.
So I packed up Miss Four and Miss Not-quite-two - and smugly congratulating myself for being such a great Mum - headed into the City.
I have been going to Pancakes at Carillon since it opened in 1983. It is an institution, and although I always go in with every intention of having something off their savoury
menu, I rarely go past their incredible range of sweets.
I have a lot of fond memories of pancakes as a kid. When Dad was returning from a work trip, we would always have pancakes for dinner before heading to the airport to collect him, often in our pyjamas. My husband and I even decided on the name for our firstborn at Pancakes at Carillon, over a plate of nachos if memory serves.
So I really thought I was onto something when I took my two for a special treat. The kids menu, ranging from $4 to about $7 includes smaller and simpler fare such as a pancake with chocolate or strawberry sauce and 100s and 1000s, icecream balls and nachos. They even make pancakes shaped like caterpillars and cats.
Pussycat Pancake
I bought each of my girls a mini stack, consisting of three small buttermilk pancakes, a scoop of vanilla icecream and maple syrup ($5.90) although the maple 'flavoured' syrup is already on the table, and doesn't actually come as part of the meal.
They didn't eat a thing.
This in no way reflects on the quality of the food at Pancakes at Carillon, because it is very good (I know, because I ended up eating most of their pancakes). But once the eldest got a brain freeze from the icecream and the little one filled up on strawberry milk, it was all over for the pancake stacks. Luckily I had ordered (in a moment of non-indulgence) the Lemon Delight, three crepes, sprinkled with sugar and presented with lemon wedges. Old school and very tasty, although I would have liked more sugar and there was none on the tables.
The service was friendly and the food very prompt. I did hear a fair bit of sniggering from the kitchen when my youngest threw a tantrum when I would not let her have the very full glass of strawberry milk she was given. I had to ask the kitchen to find a takeaway coffee container with a lid, something that took longer than cooking the pancakes.
If pancakes are not your thing, there is a range of burgers, steaks, nachos and salads available, but why go to a Pancake palace and not partake in their speciality?
Greek Delight
The crepe menu includes fillings such as fisherman's basket, Greek delight (spinach, fetta, sour cream and tomato sauce), chicken and mushroom, and the curious sounding Potato au Gratin (a potato pancake with cheese melt, sour cream, tropical pineapple, banana and homemade hollandaise).
Breakfast is available daily from 9am and includes your basic breakfasts but with pancakes instead of toast. The eggs benedict includes a pancake with ham, two eggs, hashbrowns and homemade hollandaise sauce ($15.50). The works includes two buttermilk pancakes, sausages, bacon, tomato, eggs and hashbrowns for $19.50.
But what you really want to hear about are the sweet pancakes, am I right? Try toppings such as hot spicy apple with sultanas and cinnamon ($13.90). Fresh orange, brandied orange sauce and chocolate fudge ($14.50). Walnuts, butter syrup and grilled banana ($14.90). French crepes, cream cheese, vanilla, sultanas, raspberry puree ($14.90).
Jaffa Orange
For those so inclined there are more traditional and simpler offerings such as pancake stacks with icecream and maple syrup, Devonshire pancakes (jam and cream), fresh strawberries and icecream.
This may not be a high end destination, but it is a lot of fun. Sure, my kids may have missed the excitement, but I think what makes Pancakes at Carillon a great place to eat, is that it cannot help but make us all kids at heart.
