Before I'd even arrived in Hobart I'd heard about Salvete's breakfast special: $13 for two bacon rashers, two eggs how you like, on toast with chutney and a free tea or coffee of your choice. I wandered down to give them a go but was feeling decidedly not like consuming bacon. I opted for 'Simply Eggs' poached and served on Vienna Toast with homemade chutney. This, along with my latte came to $13.50. It's one of those odd things where you pay more for less food, but oh well.
Salvete sits in the lovely Salamanca Square. It serves breakfast all day and no doubt the special is popular with locals and tourists alike. Salvete means warm greetings and that is indeed what I got when I entered on the cool Saturday morning I visited. The service was friendly and prompt.
The coffee arrived at the table quickly and the beans were Grinders. It was a really good coffee but I don't know if it was just me, and I felt like more of a caffeine hit, or if the long, thin glass it was served in really didn't hold much of the delicious stuff.
Next came the eggs and they were good, but nothing exceptional. The chutney that they were served with was scrumptious but there wasn't that much of it in the little dish on the plate.
The style of the place was slick and sophisticated while still feeling friendly, and it wasn't packed, although that's probably because I was there very early.
Overall, it was a good little meal in a nice place but wasn't anything mind-blowing or unmissable. If you want a big breakfast then the special is a good option but if not then you could take it or leave it.
