The House Cured Salmon Scotch Egg was absolutely sensational. Stunningly presented, the gigantic crumbed egg was the star of the show. Cutting open the egg revealed an exceptionally runny yolk wrapped in a mixture of tender, cured salmon. It was evident that the egg was incredibly fresh from its aroma, and the gooey yolk was well accompanied by an abundance of leafy spinach. Underneath sat an incredibly soft and spongy English muffin that soaked up all the juices, which was directly juxtaposed by the crispness of the crunchy fried leeks surrounding the bowl.
Not only did the Latte look pretty, it also tasted rather excellent as well. With good initial in coffee flavour, it offered up a pleasant aftertaste and a nice depth in flavour. Brewed to a nice hot temperature and coupled with the creamy frothed milk, it was perfect for a wintery day.
The Mediocre
We were excitedly anticipating the Charred Corn Mac & Cheese, however it fell short on expectations. Despite the more than generous serving size and the abundance of well-cooked mac and cheese was disappointingly bland. We could’ve done with a hell of a lot more cheese, though this was salvaged by the pan-fried bacon bits which provided a good savoury sensation as well as the occasional smoked paprika crisp, both adding much-needed flavour. Contrasting the savouries were the charred sweet corn, which offered bursts of sweetness throughout. The soft shell crab tempura didn’t impress either, and wasn’t nearly as crispy, soft, nor flavoursome enough to excite the tastebuds.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
It’s no surprise that Collective Espresso was jam-packed with locals. The highlights include the more than generous portion sizes, the hearty, comfort-food dishes, as well as the excellent coffee.
While some dishes did fall short on expectations, what they did nail was the Salmon Scotch Egg, and there’s no doubt that this dish continues to be a crowd favourite and bestseller.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
I’m definitely keen to be back to try more dishes, and of course more of that scotch egg!
Penguineats would like to thank Collective Espresso and Victoria Walker for inviting us.
