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Pancho

Sophisticated yet soulful country cafe.

Chicken congee.
1 / 7Chicken congee.Eddie Jim
Inside Pancho, Daylesford.
2 / 7Inside Pancho, Daylesford.Eddie Jim
Roast lamb with hummus.
3 / 7Roast lamb with hummus.Eddie Jim
Beef roll.
4 / 7Beef roll.Eddie Jim
Reuben eggs.
5 / 7Reuben eggs.Eddie Jim
Winter greens with miso eggplant and house togarashi.
6 / 7Winter greens with miso eggplant and house togarashi.Supplied
Apple, buckwheat and whey fritters.
7 / 7Apple, buckwheat and whey fritters.Supplied

14.5/20

South American$

How many treechange dreams have been fuelled by Pancho? A vision of DIY charm, its farmhouse bric-a-brac plays well with artistically arranged tree branches, while an open fire adds to the country mise-en-scene.

The well-travelled menu delivers thrills and comfort in equal measure, aided by the region’s top produce including Salt Kitchen salumi and Mt Franklin organic veg.

Five-spiced chicken congee, bright with chilli oil and rich with oozing egg yolk, promises to cure whatever ails you. A perfectly cooked omelette marries vibrant kimchi and tangy cheddar; and the line between breakfast and lunch is delightfully blurred by rosy slices of rare roast beef, horseradish aioli and toast slathered in Cafe de Paris butter.

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It’s always busy, but there’s no hurry. Bring your dog, sip a sultry smoked tomato and jalapeno Bloody Mary, and feel at one with the world.

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/vic-good-food-guide/pancho-20240618-p5jmrb.html