Columbine Cottage Tea rooms

On the road to the big smoke, often I have stopped at a little place on the Western Hwy called "Columbine Cottage Tea rooms & Nursury".  It's a quaint little miners cottagesque building with a nursery and gift shop.  It advertises the fact that a warm heater is operating within. Let me tell you, with the gail that's blowing and the rain that's more like hundreds little of Mike Tyson's drop'n nuckles to my mug, the warmth and aura of a combustion heater is a major selling point on its own!
However, I'm not here for the comfort, I'm here for the SCONES!
Columbine Cottage is ranked in the top five Devonshire tea rooms in Victoria by a Herald Sun writer. I have arduously ventured to the other 4 specified locations, and its in good steed.  Its understandable that these folk proudly display a copy of the list to the left of the venues payment receptacle. Why not! Although it could benefit from the addition of a frame, which would add a sense of placement pride. GET TO THE SCONES!

The scones were delivered post haste.  I love fast service, but it always concerns me that I will be delivered a sweaty radiowave heat induced scone of the swamp!  This time the expedient delivery shows not this common trait. The scones seem to have been segregated minimalisticly, which is in accordance to recommendations regulary conveyed by the beloved Country Womens Ass. and other scripture. Essentially the scone mix is rolled out and placed on the heat induction tray. Then cut into divisions without any real separation. I however find this part of the "pre heat induction" construction to deprive the scone of it's essential outer crust.  Denying a solidifying edge to occur, due to the self insulation from it's own mass proximity, limiting airflow to the perimeter of the scone. The crust on this scone setting provides further evidence of this occurrence.

Under carriage inspection. Satisfactory crusting.

Internal vertical quarter dissection.  Lower.

As you can clearly see in the Internal vertical quarter dissections, the close proximity heat induction method bears quite a degradation of outer crusting.  The crusting on these bad boys I count as satisfactory, but only due to the method of cooking. Had these been segregated and re-aligned this would fall just below the acceptable parameters. 

The internals of the scone were on the slightly thicker density than preferred but were still within the guidelines of SxA and did pass the G.R.D.T (2.3sfR) They were certainly not thick to mud cake point, however after 4 or so of these bangars you may be looking to end the consumption period.  

Flavour was great,  it had a sweet tooth satisfying icing sugar frosting which I quite enjoyed.  Though here is not a forum for the discussion of the ancillary components to the scone experience.  I feel the need to compliment  on the cream. Bloody good cream consistency!  Segway to what is technically an ancillary component but due to the SxA review guidelines must be considered a primary component, the butter.

This time the initial butter scone amalgamation was poor, in-fact non existent,  due to the lack of presence  from butter at my setting.  However in due diligence I requested they invite monsieur butter to the table, and it was hastily brought to the table.  I was in two minds about the butter.  It was pre-packaged "not for resale" portions, which shows a lack of care in this important component.  It presents a ohh heres some butter from McDonalds we swiped earlier. Also if the butter is not at a proper mailability it  declares the mutual amalgamation far more than inferior.  These portions were not of correct malleability and hence the scones suffered this condition.  Now back to two minds on this..................

Western star Butter! My personal favorite whipped cow secretion.

Overall these scone's were really good and had a great flavor and texture with there chosen cooking method. A great example of this style.  The service was very good and friendly, with a quaint little atmosphere. 

Columbine Cottage Nursery & Tea Rooms

90 Neil Street, Beaufort, VIC

Venue/Service Rating  8.2

Scone Rating   7.9