The Collins

Overview

When you arrive at this Greenhithe local, make a sharp left out to the garden flanking the cafe and embrace your reptilian ways by not budging from that glorious sun for a few hours while the amicable staff cater to all your culinary needs. Of course, if it's the kind of morning you prefer to avoid any harsh light or whatever the weather condition, you are more than welcome to stay indoors - it's quite nice in there too. While you're there order yourself a Southern style French toast ($18.50) - that being a brioche encrusted with macadamia nuts and cornflakes doused in syrup - and a very well-made and silky flat white. Actually, order anything you like. I can personally verify that you'll be happy with any choice.

Once, I was accidentally feeling healthy (it happens, sometimes) and decided to go for a dish called the 'Village Greens' ($18.50), a name that promises salutary bragging rights for at least half a week and a very bored palate succumbed to faux-savouring leaves of various description. Not so with this Village Greens salad. You'd think 'mixed leafy greens, red onion, tomato, cucumber, avocado, bacon, crumbled feta, topped with a poached egg' has that blandness previously discussed, but this little number is packed with textures, little flavoursome twists and turns and has risen to become my close second favourite dish at The Collins. The French toast still reigns supreme, just.

The Collins' only downfall (we all have them) is their anti-English muffin choice in their Eggs Benny. It's not a fatal flaw, but if you're going to do a classic you have to respect the tradition and lay the right foundations. Structural integrity is a big deal to me as a seasoned eater, and when you don't stack all that gooey hollandaise sauce and poached egg on the right base you're going to have a bad time.