Once again, Pinbone delivers a top quartile winter feed. Initial review 9/10. Hence we return, even hungrier.

Today's two dishes - breakfast rice (left) and brown rice congee (right)

Quality is consistent, the attraction the same; hearty, decent value, impossible to replicate.

A 30km run in the adjacent Centennial Park was not marathon preparation. This was pre-brunch training. Proof below.

Sunday long-run per the Tom Tom Sports Watch

3 stomachs to feed but only two mouths. I simply couldn't deny myself the pumpkin congee again. The legendary creamed corn fregola is for next time.

Malted brown rice congee with mushroom, pumpkin and a poached egg - $18

There's no denying why I get up in the morning.... that butter-soft pumpkin lava. First spoon takes 45s to (spiritually) digest, then the rest is inhaled in 3 minutes. Poor pacing effort. I've got yolk-critique fatigue from 6 months of brunches...

This really is a go-to fine-dining winter choice. Not quite a 10/10, but close.

Dish two is another winter special; brown rice but in a completely different setting.

Breakfast rice with vanilla, almonds and poached pear - $14

Very simply a love child between cinnamon porridge and Asian rice pudding. Creamy, curiously chewy and I'd like 2x the crunchy toasted almonds. So thick the texture is vertically self-standing. A good thing.

Garnish of toasted flaked almonds and poached pear

Feels like a premium dish, yet these are known flavour combos. Can never say no to a poached pear for breakfast or dessert. Not-too-adventurous, but still 8.5/10 because of the lower $14 price.