It was not even 9 in the morning when I sat down in one of the empty booths in the Pancake Parlour in Melbourne Central.
All Night Long was playing on the speaker.
This place brought about tons of memories.
Comforting memories ━ of breakfast dates with Liz and Pedro, where we ordered whatever we wanted with zero judgement, planning fun weekends with Jik, of having a morning moment to myself. It’s the equivalent to the chicken rice shop near the HDB I stayed in Bishan, Singapore. These are the places I frequented in search of food and comfort by means of eating my comfort food, which varies from pancake to chicken rice.
The unicorns print mask-wearing waiter came to take my order. I went for the classic. Two pancake with ice cream on top, strips of crispy fried bacon and eggs ━ scrambled this time. She helped me to save $3.80 by giving free maple syrup. Made me glad that I didn’t put the order through the app.
Order placed, I flipped through Patti Smith’s book, Year of the Monkey. I got jealous of Ms Smith; for writing eloquently and having stayed in Japantown. Meanwhile, I struggle with basic grammar and have never been to a Japantown.
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go was playing next. I put the book down to add it, and the song before, to my Spotify list. I apparently like (Pancake) Parlour(s) songs, a realisation that would help to break my self-limiting belief that I am not into music.
I spotted a hand-written signage:
$5 discount on hot days (above 30 degrees)
That’s not a lot, is it?
Idk how this place survives, to be honest. It’s pretty huge for a restaurant in a prime area such a Melbourne Central but each time I am here, I only see a few other patrons ━ most looks like out-of-towners (in a way, myself included).
Today was no different.
Also, coffee has never been good here. It tasted more like mocha, but the smell strangely reminded me of Japan. Then again, these days many things, anything, everything reminds me of Japan.
Only after I paid my bill and stepped out of the place, I remembered that I didn’t register for the Covid tracker.
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