What could be nicer than to go to the Cammeray Golf Club on a Sunday, mid-morning? Or perhaps on a Saturday?
You get to sit on the verandah overlooking the green, watching people tee off (with varying degrees of success) and get that blissful feeling that all is well with the world.
What makes this place a treat is the chef and his team from Etiquette Catering [who run the Bistro and functions for the club], as well as the venue. If you ask nicely, they have been known to tweak the menu to suit your personal tastes.
I find it almost impossible to ignore the eggs benedict [all eggs are organic and it looks and tastes like it, too] with smoked salmon - not that thinly sliced supermarket smoked salmon, but the real deal: thick, juicy slices from the fish and smoked by them - and if you prefer to have bacon instead of the ham benedict, then that's when they smile and say not a problem.
You can drink your coffee while you wait for them to bring the food, or if it is over the yard-arm, a glass of bubbly or something of your own choice, and sigh contentedly as those active people go swinging clubs and walking and/ or stomping around chasing that little white ball with a determined, close to maniacal, glint in their eye.
Probably around now I should mention that I don't "do" sport of any kind - and by that I mean watch, read, listen, have an interest in, want to know . . . nothing, nil, nope, go talk to the trees, get a life, don't bore me, leave me alone. I've trained most of those around me to not bother and those new to my surroundings discover this trait very quickly. Especially those who want to crow about other people doing something - big deal. And yes, I do belong to the golf club, but only for the food and venue. I've done basketball, softball, skating, skiing, tennis, archery and many other sports but all in my youth with no desire to re-live any of it. Happy to swim and walk but that's where the line is drawn. And yes I am an Australian, and a proud one at that, so don't come the "oh, how un-Australian" with me!!
Anyway, back to the reason for this missive - the food is really lovely and if I manage to stray from the benedict, then it's to the sautéed mushrooms and roast tomatoes on toasted sourdough, as that is yummy, too.
Of course if 10.30am is too early for you, then a lunch at the club is also an excellent idea. They usually have wonderful specials on the board but can also be talked into doing something off the breakfast menu, but once again all of it is delicious. I've been to several birthday functions there, friends just getting together and organised for the office to go there for a Melbourne Cup luncheon, so it is a versatile place with consistently good food.
And I have to admit that I did once start there for a brunch one day and ended up staying for lunch as the specials looked so good it was too difficult to tear myself away from the place. Seeing that it's within walking distance from my place (long distance but still do-able), it is easy to appease myself with "I'll walk it off" and then continue to tuck in.
