Herald Rating: 4/5
Address: 49 Main Highway, Ellerslie
We came here because we were driving past, hungry, and the sun on the outdoor tables made it look enticing.
Parking was directly in front of the cafe.
We walked in and immediately thought it was an attractive, glamorous space, lots of black with a shimmering feature wall. The slices and cakes on the counter looked divine.
The most unusual things on the menu were the salmon potato cakes with capsicum, spring onion, poached eggs and hollandaise ($15).
We ordered the vegetarian ultimate breakfast ($17.50) and the hash brown stack, layered with baked beans, crispy bacon and poached eggs ($14.20). The vege brekkie adhered to its healthful title with generous helpings of avocado, tomato and portobello mushrooms, plus two runny poached eggs (they can be done any style) with a subtle cumin flavour, perched on ciabatta and hash browns. Delicious. The hash brown stack was exactly what it said it was, and although it looked like the kind of thing you could make at home, many customers obviously don't bother as it was a popular choice that day.
The service was quick, friendly and patriotic. The waitress' Warriors jersey didn't really match the cafe's decor but we were playing the Sydney Roosters that day.
The coffee was creamy - my soy flat white could have been a touch stronger but Alex's double flat white was suitably jolting.
We recommend if you come here, pick the table outside by the wall if the weather permits. That way you still get sun without it getting in your eyes.
Overall we thought Trends may not be the kind of brunch spot you casually wander to, given its location, but with several appealing items on its menu we'd be happy to drive back.
