Cross Eatery emits the seasonal produce, healthy vibe more at home in the Inner West. Long tables are a safe-place for a food-loving finance professional - sip a 3/4 latte, munch a breakfast salad whilst after taking iPhone egg-yolk shots. Try this in Martin Place and you'll be arrested.

Sydney now boasts a sophisticated brunch at mid-range pricing in an office perimeter. Historically, this is why Melbourne exists. Bowery Lane is no longer my inner-city pick.



Owner Marcelo is the white knight fighting an epic battle against against exorbitant rents and the insulting palates of white-collar food criminals. Every day, the offenders choke down buttered toast alongside a double-shot espresso.

One choice combines three fabulous words - Truffle. Baked. Eggs. It's a dream to be realised next time. Breakfast salad bowl is a good base but too light. These add-ons have flare:

- Avo plus chilli salt. Creaminess, saltiness with kick.
- 63 degrees egg. My imaginative envelope bulges but I order a 2nd.
- Feather and Bone Ham. Freshly sliced and in theory, one putting Aldi ham to shame.

Similar to a Bunning DIY shop; basket price starts to climb but guilt-level does not.

Feather and Bone Ham and Avacado with Chilli Salt  - $6 + $5

Instantly smitten with this platter and so are the ladies struggling with eggs on toast nearby. I'm not sharing.

Breakfast Salad with Ham, Avo and Poached Egg - $12 + $6 + $5 + $3.50

Sobered by the price, but drunk on my own drooling from every element here. Thumbs up to moist ham, clearly fresh. Aldi pigs now have one less predator to worry about.

Add a 2nd egg. Critical. The slow poaching gives that luxurious, creamy texture. Complexity of salad excites my teeth. I learn radicchio is a crunchy leaf, not a Brazilian soccer player.

Companion can't stop singing praise and almost forgets the best part. The yolk.



Thanks to what remains of Mr Hog, I'm full. My joy is short-lived thanks to an on-tap Kumbucha.

Kumbucha on tap - $10

Winter sore-throat is now cleansed from this chilled hit of ginger and tumeric. Refreshing, notwithstanding my ignorance over the meaning of probiotic.

Mid $20s per head can be remorseful, yet highly forgiven in the finance district:

- Food - 9/10 - clean, sophisticated flavours. Reminiscent of Cornersmith.
- Value - 7/10 - Low teens budget equals hunger plus missed opportunity.
- Other - 9/10 - Owner's a nice guy and a champion for my kind.
- Overall - 8/10 - Yep, a go-to CBD pick for health-focused individuals.

Will I be returning?
Of course.