Bird Cow Fish, Surry Hills, Sydney (CLOSED)

EDIT: Bird Cow Fish has closed

"When you wake up in the morning Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"

"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"

"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.

I love this quote by Winnie The Pooh from The House at Pooh Corner by AA Milne. Bird Cow Fish co-owner and chef Alex Herbert loves it too, the quote printed at the top of her breakfast menu, setting the scene for a morning of deliciousness.


Short black $3.50

Coffee is a night-owl's best friend when it comes to early mornings. My Single Origin short black is perfect - aromatic, full-flavoured and intense with a smooth crema on top.


Flat white $3.50


Zucchini and walnut bread served with unsalted butter $4.50

Zucchini and walnut bread is almost cake-like in consistency, a moist loaf that is generous with shreds of zucchini and chunks of walnut. Its toasted surface is crunchy and sweet, protecting the soft interior.

And the butter. It's so good we eat it on its own. Quite literally, cutting little chunks off with our knife and nibbling on it like mice. We find out later it's Girgar Danish-style butter, our waiter having to check in the kitchen fridge when we wax lyrical about it (partly to explain our butter-smeared lips, too).


Three egg omelette $16.50
with braised leeks and Woodside goat's curd; sourdough toast

A three egg omelette is a folded affair in a happy hue of summer yellow, the silkiness of the egg offset by the slight tang of Woodside goat's curd and a hidden huddle of braised sweet leeks.


Slow braised and grilled pork belly $16.50
with a baked egg on potato mash and onion jam

Slow braised and grilled pork belly is a decadent way to start the day. The slice is small but rich, and meltingly tender, garnished with a dollop of sticky caramelised onion jam. A baked egg swathes over a bed of buttery and smooth potato mash.


Croque Madam $10.50
Double-smoked ham, Dijon mustard, Heidi Gruyere and a fried egg

I start my day with the croque Madam, a chunky toasted sandwich that celebrates protein. Thick slices of chewy sourdough bookend layers of double-smoked ham, fried egg, Dijon mustard and melted Heidi Grueyere cheese. It's so simple but so good, with the flavour of the Dijon mustard really coming through. There's a slight crunchy laciness to the fried egg, its yolk still moist, and the melted Gruyere oozing seductively out the edges, adding a salty sweetness.

A storybook ending of deliciousness. And happiness.

Really the same thing.


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Bird Cow Fish CLOSED
500 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9380 4090

Bistro opening hours
Monday to Sunday 12pm-2.30pm
Dinner Monday to Saturday 6pm-11pm

Espresso bar opening hours
Monday to Friday 11am-11pm
Saturday 8am-11pm
Sunday 8am-3pm

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