Toast, Stirling: I had heard good things about this café which boasts a very extensive breakfast, brunch, and lunch menu.
Although on the outskirts of the city and accessed by an overhead bridge from the bus station and train station or a pretty soulless car park it does offer a charming interior and a bright, lively and colourful atmosphere.
Dishes range from traditional all-day breakfast to sophisticated wraps and paninis at reasonable prices. They do an array of cakes and fruit-filled brunch delights.
My friend and I ordered steak sandwich combos at £6.50 and a side of fries to share. Our waiting staff were attentive and our dishes arrived quickly. My steak sandwich came on focaccia, my friend’s on flat bread.
Quickly I realised I’d made a wrong choice and succumbed to food envy as I looked lovingly on my friend’s dish which was doused in delicious sour cream, one of my favourites.
My choice was a little on the dry side, and our server had not asked how we liked our steak. Therefore mine was overcooked, well done to cremated. Note to self – tell servers in future I like my meat medium. It was redeemed a little by the quality of the focaccia which was fantastically crisp and nicely seasoned.
My food envy dissipated as my companion constantly reached for her glass of water as her dish was liberally garnished with red chilli peppers complete with seeds.
The fries were disappointing as they were not hand made on the premises, neither chunky chip nor skinny fry, but perhaps a bulk buy from a frozen food outlet.
Hunger is a good kitchen and we ate well and the portions were filling.
And how could two ladies who lunch resist a look at the tray bakes and sweets on display? We opted to share a tiffin. A delicious small portion but satisfying. The coffees were exceptionally good with that signature design on the foam that features in most coffee houses these days. Redemption was in sight.
However, annoyingly one of our servers began sweeping the floor next to our table while we were on our coffee and dessert course.
This was unnecessary, not to clear a spillage, but the sort of mundane end of the day cleaning that should have been carried out after all the diners had left.
Rating
Food: 5/10
Service: 6/10
Value for money: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
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