Winters’ enemy- Montague Park Food Store

May 30, 2011 Leave a comment

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 7.30- 5pm
Sat – Sun: 9.00- 4.00pm

Coffee: Allpress Espresso

Mr LB:
“Melbourne winter – for me it has never been that appealing.  Sure there is the opportunity to wear ‘that’ new winter coat and woolly jumper which is a positive.  However, Melbourne winter isn’t as sexy, as say, New York’s winter with snow glossing the streets and ice skating.  Melbournians have the great pleasure of tackling the winter elements with its harsh, blistering cold winds, constant rain and chill factors which makes most people consider whether they should actually get out bed in the morning.  With all this arguably negative elements there is something to look forward to in regards to brunch- the exciting and innovative belly warming winter brunch options.  One such cafe with winter brunch options is Montague Park Food Store.

Montague Park Food Store is located in the lovely area of South Melbourne with its leaves falling and wind gushing at an incredible speed.  It is cleverly located on Montague Street near the tram line and tucked away from the busy Clarendon Street. Seating is outside and inside, however on this occasion and even after gym, we were not keen to brave the Melbourne winter cold front.  It had an inviting homely feel about it as we stepped into the cafe.  The decor inside is simplistic with subtle and clean decoration of jars, flowers with gourmet and homemade produce which includes their impressive sausages, breads and jams.   Once inside we were faced with that winter problem – the cold.  We had a chilled reception with little service and the cafe had no heating.  We order coffees, hoping that this could lift our spirits.

The coffee bean sourced at Montague Park Food Store is a favourite bean of mine, All Press Espresso.  I have given a positive write-up to this coffee blend at Pope Joan and I regularly indulge in their blend at Movida Terraza.  It came as a surprise when I ordered my long black at Montague Park Food Store that it didn’t live up to my expectations.   My coffee was certainly different as it lacked the silky texture and was replaced with a bitter taste.  There was a slight caramel flavour embodied, however it seemed to dissipate.  There could be a number of explanations as to why my coffee wasn’t up to scratch including that the one man barrister/ waiter may have rushed my coffee.  Another possibility could be a bad batch of All Press Espresso. There has been an increase in demand over the years so I could presume their roasting amount per batch would have had to increase, perhaps reducing quality.

Braised Home Made Sausages & Beans w/ Two Poached Eggs & Toasted

Being situated in an icy cold cafe waiting for our brunch to arrive (which seemed to take an unusually long amount of time to make for a weekday) and my coffee not a sparkling excitement, I wasn’t in the best mood.  However once my dish arrived, Braised Home Made Sausages & Beans w/ Two Poached Eggs & Toasted [$15], my winter blues had steamed away like my dish.  It was well plated with a decorative and beautiful bowl and it was steaming hot – the perfect dish for a cold winter’s day.  The homemade beans and sausages were covered with a thick and delightfully warm tomato sauce.  This sauce matched well with the impressive homemade sausages which consisted of pork belly, sage, nutmeg, garlic, cinnamon and fennel.  The quality of the sausages were impressive – the herbs a perfect match with an addictive flavour. The beans were prepared well with a slightly crunchy taste that guaranteed to fill any man, woman or beasts hunger.  Unfortunately the bread was sliced too thinly and once dipped in the sauce it lost its shape.  Also, the serving size was too big which seemed to be a waste.

Homemade cooking is always highly regarded and brings a lot of smile to peoples’ dials.  I admire the concept of a cafe which prides itself on home cooking and homemade goods as opposed to slack cafes which buy terrible pre-made packaged food.  With that said, there seems to be gap between Montague Park Food Store and a well-run cafe.  My meal was lovely but it felt like I was eating at home without a heater.  Montague Park Food Store is worth a try for a different experience but you need to keep an open mind.”

Miss SL:
“Winter was steadily approaching on an icy Melbourne morning. It was a Friday and after an early morning gym session Mr LB and I decided that breakfast at the Montague Park Food Store was in order. We arrived to find the picturesque little milk-bar-turned-cafe sitting on the corner of Park and Montague Streets in South Melbourne and seated ourselves along the bench-top counters.

The cafe was a lot smaller than we expected it to be and included outdoor seating, which didn’t look particularly appealing as there was no heating both in or outside the cafe.  I felt sorry for the barista / waiter, who was rugged up in a wooly jumper. Initial service was extremely slow, which was surprising as there was only a handful of people within the cafe. This could be excused though – it’s hard to both manage coffee orders and take requests from patrons.

Mr LB found a breakfast menu lying outside, and I was quick to pick the Spanish Baked Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce with Chorizo [$14], as I was freezing and needed something hearty and warm. I’d also ordered a soy latte, which arrived within 5 minutes of ordering. Perhaps it’s just personal preference, but when I order hot food or drinks, I like it to be hot. Unfortunately, my soy latte was warm and thus, did not meet my expectations.

Spanish Baked Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce with Chorizo

After 30 minutes (a rather excessive wait for a weekday breakfast) our breakfast came out. It was piping hot and fresh out of the oven. Marvelous! The tomato soup surrounding the poached eggs were salty and delicious. The mixture was thinner than other baked eggs which I have had before at Cumulus Inc. and The Lawson Grove Store. It almost tasted like canned, chopped tomatoes, mixed with some fresh herbs and cooked with 2 eggs.

Spanish Baked Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce with Chorizo

The first egg I broke into oozed out with yolk, and was quickly collected by my crisp toast. The second egg I had broken open was well cooked inside, with no yolk to be found. I attribute this to assuming that the egg continued to cooked inside the sauce even though it had been removed from the oven.

My breakfast was warm, hearty and extremely satisfying. Montague Park Food Store was charming, but is better suited as a weekend brunch when the worry of bustling off to work is far from people’s mind.”

Final thought: “Home-style cooking to warm you up”

Montague Park Food Store on Urbanspoon

Filed under Baked Eggs, Eggs (Other), Other Brunch Foods, South Melbourne Tagged with , , , , , ,

The winning formula for Social Roasters

May 23, 2011 4 Comments

Opening Hours:
Please note this cafe has now closed and is now know as STREAT

Coffee: Social Roasting Company, Single Origin

Mr LB:
“Decor, ambiance and vibe- these are the first elements that any cafe goer observes when entering a cafe.  These first impressions are heavily relied upon when judging a cafe.  If a cafe is empty, pokie or just plain boring, an ill-informed cafe goers will question whether they should bother investing their time and money here.  Decor can be sexy, alluring and an eye opener, but it can also be superficial.  Social Roasting Company, hidden in the grungy, partly industrial suburb of Flemington proves that cafe’s don’t have to be designed by six degrees (which we love) to be exciting.

Social Roasting Company has a lovely layout with an odd arrangement of tables and chairs which don’t match on their own but collectively come together.  Art work is hung on the walls by local artist which can be purchased and the electric blue vintage – looking coffee machine adds casual touch.  There is even a lovely courtyard at the back to relax and remove yourself from the lively cafe conversations inside.

As the name suggest, Social Roasting Company proudly roast their coffee beans with a vintage German Probat roaster.  Their house blend has a very unique taste and it usually comprises of six individual beans sourced from various locations of the coffee belt (countries close to the equator which are in the prime location to grow coffee beans).  Their blend has a distinctively sweet and chocolate-like flavour.  Even with this prominent taste, which is identify quickly on the palate, the coffee has a naturally silky texture and pleasant aftertaste.  What is more impressive about this blend is the consistency of it.  I have been to the Social Roasting Company on a number of occasions over the years and the quality of the coffee has been enjoyable every time.

I am a tragic when it comes to ordering at the Social Roasting Company.  I am that guy you see who orders the same dish every time.  This isn’t to say that I don’t have an open mind, but as I scroll down the entire menu I become fixated and set on The Gatherer, poached eggs, wilted spinach, mushroom, hash brown, tomato and basil pesto on seeded sourdough [$18].

The Gatherer, poached eggs, wilted spinach, mushroom, hash brown, tomato and basil pesto on seeded sourdough

The dish arrives and it is beautifully plated, showcasing all the ingredients luring me to munch it down.  It is a hearty dish with defined brunch flavourings.  The mushrooms were beautifully sautéed with balsamic vinegar and roasted to be soft and juicy in a way that melts in your mouth.  The hash brown is quite simply the best in Melbourne, made with carefully prepared peeled potatoes, moulded together and lightly deep-fried.  The end result is amazing, with a crispy outside layer and a gently flavoured potato filling. Add a poached egg and the result is heavenly. The basil pesto consists of the usual suspects but also includes pine nuts.  It enhances the basil and is well-coupled with the rye bread.  I have also had The Gatherer with fluffy and juicy scrambled eggs and yes, it’s equally as tasty!

We all have a cafe that we swear upon.  A place that guarantees to meet everyones expectations, whether you are with mates, woman/man friend or family.  Social Roasting Company is a cafe I swear upon that is friendly, not lost by expensive decor, produces unique coffee and amazing food.  Make it your next cafe to swear upon.”

Miss SL:
“In the lovely suburb of Flemington lies a gem of a place known as Social Roasting Company. This was one of the first places Mr LB and I visited when starting to explore brunch in Melbourne – and it still stands as one of our favourites. Social Roasting Company‘s name originates from the social conscience which the company holds close as one of its core values. They focus on training and providing jobs for those that are long-term unemployed or struggling with mental illness. A cafe that gives back to the community? Tick number one in my book.

We arrived around midday and were seated immediately indoors around the communal table. We were greeted with the familiar chalkboard-wall full of menu options, each one looking more delicious than its predecessor. The thing I love about Social Roasting Company is how vegetarian-friendly the menu is. Tick number two.

Within 10 minutes of being seated, the temperature outside plummeted and I felt the need for something warm and hearty to fill me up. The last time I had come here I had the Spiced lentil dahl with spinach, roti and a poached egg [$14] and, remembering how good it was last time, opted for the same thing with a soy mocha.

Spiced lentil dahl with spinach, roti and a poached egg

My mocha arrived within 5 minutes, well presented and with a beautiful chocolate body. The flavour wasn’t overpowering – it was the perfect balance between chocolate and coffee. When my dish arrived it was perfectly presented in a gorgeous little terracotta pot. I must say the sizing was perfect – last time I had this dish it was served in a deep bowl and was far too much for me to eat (although I did, but I couldn’t eat for the rest of the day!).

Spiced lentil dahl with spinach, roti and a poached egg

My lentils were extremely hot and fresh out of the oven, but the risk of burning my mouth was well-worth it. As soon as I put the lentils in my mouth, the spices hit me. It wasn’t a chilli flavour, but merely a beautifully infused middle-eastern style dish. A very small portion of well-cooked and beautifully crisp roti bread was served alongside to accompany the lentils. When I cracked open my beautifully poached eggs, the yolk oozed out over the lentils and added a creamy texture which softened the flavour of the spiced lentils.

Overall, Social Roasting Company in Flemington has proved to be a consistently wonderful experience. The food here has been nothing short of excellent and the service friendly. A must visit in Melbourne.”

Final thought: “Consistently excellent brunch”

Filed under Eggs (Other), Flemington, Hash brown, Other Brunch Foods, Vegetarian Breakfast Tagged with , , , , ,

Red Door marks the spot

May 17, 2011 3 Comments

Opening hours:
Mon – Fri: 7am – 4pm
Sat – Sun: 8am– 4pm

Coffee: Maling Room, Single Origin

Mr LB:
“Milk bars were once the beacon of convenience to adults and a lolly heaven to kids. With shopping centres closed on the weekend (yes this did occur!), our much-needed food supplies were sought from the local milk bars.  It created a little community where people would have a friendly conversation with the owner as you picked up the newspaper, milk, bread and a lolly for the little one. However, these day milk bars are a dying breed with the introduction of more supermarkets and longer shopping hours. With this turn of events some fantastic real estate and great cafe locations became available on the market. One noticeable addition was the Red Door Corner Store in Northcote.

Northcote is often overlooked as it’s quite close to the very hip and indie Brunswick.  However, for the locals and people in the ‘know’, Northcote is a well and truly buzzing suburb. Red Door Corner Store is just one example. Situated off High Street, this cafe has a modern, funky design which retains a little bit of the milk bar vibe.  There is a clever red theme throughout the cafe with random red chairs, waiters donning red aprons and red cafe decanters. You can get your coffee and paper – and if you’re in the mood for some impressive brunch dishes.  There are various seating options to suite the mood – in the cute courtyard at the back, in the front of the cafe or outside on the footpath. Upon arrival the vibe was cool and relaxed. There was no need to wait around to put your name on a waiting list as you could sit anywhere that took your fancy.

Peru El Gumbo – Organic – Long Black

The Red Door Corner Store house blend is by Maling Room, however on this occasion I wanted a defined Single Origin bean.  The bean suggested was the “Peru El Gumbo- Organic”. I am a big fan of single origin beans as it captures the true flavours. The coffee had a beautiful softly coloured head which was reflected in the taste. It was initially a lovely, sweet honey flavour with a noticeably acidity left on the palate. It wasn’t an ‘in your face’ taste but it was definitely an acquired taste.

It was meal time, and my choices were endless.  Reading from the paper bag menu, I had noticed that duck was on the menu – Duck confit, off the bone, with cream spinach, roasted field mushrooms, topped with a poached egg & sourdough croutes [$17.0].  Duck has always been one of my weaknesses and to have duck for brunch seemed like a no-brainier.

The duck was cooked extremely well and had a tasty chewy texture with no sign of dryness.  It was cooked in a sauce which had a prominent salty flavour and the baked mushrooms carried the same theme.  The poached eggs and the spinach helped to dilute the taste, however at times the saltiness was overpowering and a little off-putting.  With that said, the overall quality of the dish was unique and lovely.  The poached eggs went well with the duck and I quite enjoyed the rye bread which was toasted perfectly. The sesame seeds were a perfect combination with the duck and mushrooms.

Duck confit, off the bone, with cream spinach, roasted field mushrooms, topped with a poached egg & sourdough croutes

Red Door Corner Store delivered a great brunch dish and coffee to the suburban doorsteps of Northcote.  It’s not a cafe which is ‘conveniently’ located to attract customers attention.  Rather, the customers come to them.  This alone is an achievement, but also being in the suburbs makes the brunch experience relaxing and exciting.  Suburbs can be cool, they just need cool cafes.”

Miss SL:
“Mr LB and I have been to many brunch places over the years, before we even decided to start this blog. Every now and then, we crave to go somewhere new. A place we had heard of vaguely, mentioned once somewhere along the grapevine that hadn’t been covered much by the blog circuit. Enter Red Door Corner Store – a charming little cafe in the unsuspecting suburban streets of Northcote.

I was surprised in my post-brunch research to find that this place had not only been visited by The Age Cheap Eats Guide but also Masterchef guru, Matt Preston, who raved about the friands that used to be served there.

We positioned ourselves outside and were handed menus that were printed on brown paper bags and served water in 1980s styled milk bottles – simply adorable.

When I wandered around the cafe snooping for photo opportunities, I couldn’t help but notice how delicious the Bircher trifle layered with natural yoghurt & a rosewater berry compote [$9.5] looked. My stomach, however, was craving something substantial and I opted for the boring choice of the Breakfast roll with a free-range fried egg, tomato kasundi, double smoked free-range bacon, avocado, rocket & aioli [$10] along with a soy latte which was presented on a beautiful saucer.

The bread  of my burger was dense and difficult to cut through, but very delicious. I ended up pulling off the top piece in order to get a better handle on cutting through my meal – a little unfortunate because the aioli had attached itself to that slice. The bacon was beautiful – there was just the right amount of fat attached to it which added the perfect amount of salt to the overall dish.
The fried egg was cook purposely to be thick – almost half a centimetre. Unfortunately, it was overcooked. Perhaps that was intentional, but I would have liked even just a little bit of yolk to mix in with the rest of the dish.

Breakfast roll with a free-range fried egg, tomato kasundi, double smoked free-range bacon, avocado, rocket & aioli

The avocado was wonderfully fresh, melting in my mouth and mixing beautifully with the egg. The tomato kasundi was magnificent – it zapped through the burger and created excitement in the dish. By the end of it all my beast of a belly was well and truly satisfied, without feeling like I had over-eaten.

Red Door Corner Store was more of an adventure – a cafe experience which I enjoyed. I really enjoyed the old vs. new elements of the store, the extremely friendly and helpful staff and the various dishes on offer. I would definitely love to come back and try some of the more exciting things on the menu – mostly the Sticky black rice pudding with pineapple, lychee, kaffir lime & coconut cream [$10.5]. This is a place that is both innovative and yet offers standard dishes – a place that you can bring your friends to and hear no complaints about the food.”

Final thought: “The perfect combination of old vs. new”

Red Door Corner Store on Urbanspoon

Filed under Burger, Eggs (Other), Northcote, Other Brunch Foods Tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

Brunch on the North side of the South side

May 11, 2011 2 Comments

Location:
760 Chapel St
South Yarra
Melbourne, 3141
(03) 9827 6221

Opening Hours:
Mon: 7am – 4pm
Tues: 7am – 5pm
Wed – Fri: 7am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 4pm

Coffee: Espresso Syndicate

Mr LB:
“The Yarra, whilst being a dirty muddy colour that would never be suitable for swimming, unofficially divides Melbourne.  For years, people have associated themselves as either from the north or south side of the Yarra, followed with a cheeky little stereotype about up-bringing.  Whilst this spirited divide will continue long beyond my lifetime,  such conversations can be matched with brilliant coffees and clever dishes at NorthSouth Eatery.

The architecture and visual design of NorthSouth Eatery is impressive with an unusual long rectangular shape, located on the ground floor of a block of apartments.  The open kitchen is visible at the back with a calm green – themed dining decor with the alternative option to eat out on the spacious footpath looking over Chapel Street.

 

My long black had been provided by Espresso Syndicate, an organically – focused coffee roasting company which only buys beans that meet their eco standards, quality and flavour profile.  Their high standards are commendable considering some sectors of the market have been exploited, however the quality of the coffee didn’t meet the standard I was looking for.  My long black had mild flavours with a pleasant caramel aftertaste, but there was a slight harsh undertone.  The coffee seemed to lack the noticeable features which many other coffee roasting labels offer.  This isn’t to say that my coffee wasn’t drinkable, but it lacked the excitement I was expecting.

Spaghetti carbonara - pancetta, garlic, parsley and parmesan with a slow poached egg

The menu at NorthSouth Eatery is certainly a standout in comparison to a number of cafes around the area.  The brunch options are considerably well priced, with a big focus on being house made. Their dishes are clever and are not seen at the typical cafe.  This includes, House made granola with yoghurt [$9] or House made crumpets with butter, honey & lemon [$7.5]. 

My mind was set on ’unch‘ and I couldn’t forego the Spaghetti carbonara- pancetta, garlic, parsley and parmesan with a slow poached egg [$23].  This pasta was something special.  The carbonara had a creamy taste which was pleasant and there was no overload of cream.  The salmon pancetta was beautifully soft and there was no sign of a tough texture.  These two ingredients would usually make a great dish, however, adding the slow poached egg elevated the overall experience.  The dish was transformed once the egg was broken as it gripped to the spaghetti.  The creamy texture and the yolk made the spaghetti delightful. Combined with the pancetta it gave a fresh taste which was well balanced with the creamy texture.

To say NorthSouth Eatery is special would be an understatement.  The best thing about the Melbourne food scene is seeing a new addition which not only meets the standards but pushes the boundaries with innovation and tasty dishes.  We welcome NorthSouth Eatery to Melbourne.”

Miss SL:

“It was a glorious morning and Mr LB and I decided that, given it was 11:30am, we would go out for an ‘unch‘ experience on the Northern side of South Yarra at Northsouth Eatery. There was a host of cafes down that way that we’re dying to try – for example, the infamous Pearl Cafe (sister cafe of the one hat Pearl restaurant) and Pillar of Salt – a fairly new establishment not too much further up the road.

We arrived to find people relaxing and having their brunches, reading the paper and discussing the latest hot topic in the media. We thought we’d spotted a table, but weren’t 100% sure if it was occupied or not, so we asked the maitre de if there were any available tables in the sun. She had a peak and informed us that all tables were occupied but one of the other staff who had overheard our conversation, promptly told us in a cheerful manner that he would arrange some tables for us outside. What service! Within minutes he’d whipped up a table and some stools and we were then sitting in the most enviable position in the place!

Steak Sandwich with Rocket, Aioli, Onions and Fries

I was starving and, after ordering my coffee, was quick to order the Steak Sandwich with Rocket, Aioli, Onions and Fries [$19]. My goodness, did it look delicious! The panella bread was beautifully dense and topped with flour in a way that made it look so inviting to eat. The minute-steak looked juicy, hanging off the side of my burger and the caramelised onions were generously stacked on top.

The first bite I had of my burger was with the steak and bun (I couldn’t tackle any onion at this stage). The meat was perfectly done – cooked through without becoming dry and flavourless. The bread was chewy and thick, the perfect partner to the steak. The caramalised onions were sweet and succulent. The main stars of this dish though were the tomato relish and the aioli. The relish gave the burger a bite without being overpowering and the aioli had a beautiful tang to it which just exploded in my mouth. Give me more!
The chips were perfectly made too – not over or undercooked. It came without seasoning, allowing guests to adjust to taste with the pink sea salt flakes available on the table.

Steak Sandwich with Rocket, Aioli, Onions and Fries

I had a taste of Mr LBs dish, and I have to say that the salmon pruschetto was just gorgeous. The gooey egg was a beautiful addition to this light dish, adding a certain unique appeal to this otherwise simplistic meal.

Overall, I very much enjoyed Northsouth Eatery – the staff were extremely friendly, the atmosphere was relaxed and the unch-type foods were hearty, down-to-earth and just simply tasty.”

Final thought: “Great ‘unch’ inspired dishes and wonderful service”

Disclaimer: We found out the night before launching this post the Northsouth eatery is changing hands in terms of ownership. Make sure you check this place out before it’s gone / completely changes!

Filed under Burger, Eggs (Other), Other Brunch Foods, South Yarra Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Getting the Crue on board

May 3, 2011 Leave a comment


Location:
194 Toorak Road
South Yarra
Melbourne 3141
(03) 9827 5058

Coffee: Rosso, Single Origin

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 6.45am – 4.30pm
Sat: 8am – 2pm
Sun: Closed

Note: This cafe is now closed and is replaced with Drugstore Cafe.

Mr LB:
“Believe it or not there are villages in Melbourne.  If a British foreigner was to come to Melbourne and stumbled across shops and eateries with wooden exterior panels and classic window designs, he/she would fit in like bangers and mash.  Understandably, we were colonised by the British which have villages and townships, which seems to have somewhat been adopted here in Australia. I beg to differ that a strip of shops is not considered a ‘village’, but regardless, amongst ‘Toorak village’ lies a cafe gem by the name of Crue Coffee Lounge.

Crue provides a unique coffee experience with a big focus on delivering fine coffee with a modern touch.  Upon entering Crue you will notice cameras purposely situated around the barista station capturing their every move while they prepare your coffee, which is transmitted on the TV screens behind them.  They offer a range of single origin beans in addition to their house blend, Rosso.  This blend is roasted in Richmond and consists of a selection of five different beans.  It is an interesting combination, considering most roasted blends prefer a two or three bean selection.  The end result of my long black was sensational, having soft floral aromas with a defined fruity/mandarin taste.  There was a clear, crisp taste which didn’t leave a lingering ‘coffee ash-tray breath’.

To go with my fabulous beverage, I elected the Avocado & Feta mash w/ Pesto & Lemon on Sourdough [$9.8] with 2 additional eggs [approx. $2.5 each].  You will notice that Miss SL had also selected the same dish and this meant it was time for the brunch addict face-off.  The dish came out in next to no time and I was surprised at the attractive plating of the simplistic meal.  Avocado & Feta smash in general, is a delightful fresh and simplistic dish, but what separates a good and great smash is the method and the little additional extras.  This was clearly in the great category with its smooth, green texture and lack of lumpy avocado.  There was a sweet, enjoyable lemon taste infused within the smash which defined the dish.  The poached eggs were a necessary addition to the meal that complemented the pesto.

Avocado & Feta mash w/ Pesto & Lemon on Sourdough with 2 additional poached eggs

Crue is a great little cafe.  It has creativity, character with great coffee and food - but there are downsides.  For starters, it is closed on Sundays and limited hours on Saturday.  This makes it difficult if you don’t work in the area to visit.  The other main downside is its location.  Crue is a coffee place that you would expect to find down an alley, as the Melbourne brunch-goer generally enjoys taking a pleasant wander to get to their destination, like the newly impressive Manchester Press or The Little Mula Co.  Rather, Crue is on the main street with the busy traffic and people walking passed.  The location seems to lose a little of that ‘Melbourne factor’ where great cafes are in unexpected locations.  With that said, Crue is still worth the visit and I do urge to experience it for yourself.”

Miss SL:
“It was a beautifully sunny day and Mr LB and I decided on an impromptu brunch at Crue, South Yarra. It’s one of those places we’d been wanting to go to for a long time, but because it’s not open on Sundays we always missed out. We arrived to find it sitting in the middle of Toorak Road, amongst other shops and cafes which didn’t look nearly as exciting. It was surprisingly empty, which didn’t seem right given its cool and trendy decor.

There were two guys behind the counter mucking around when we arrived – the barista and the waiter. They jovially told us to sit anywhere we liked and assisted us with picking our brunch for the day – Avocado & Feta Mash w/ Pesto & Lemon on Sourdough [$9.8] with 2 additional eggs [approx. $2.5 each]. I also ordered a soy latte to start off my morning with a bit of a kick, and a copy of the cafe-supplied Box magazine for my dose of Hollywood gossip.

My coffee arrived and upon my first sip I knew it was something special – a unique flavour of flora and fruit combined together to leave a soft but velvety impression on my palate. Mr LB noted a hint of mandarin and nectar, which was drowned out by the power of my soy milk.

Our brunch was quickly served within 10 minutes of ordering. Two thin slices of sourdough crisply cooked and topped with a heavy load of pesto, avocado and fetta smashed, together with our beautifully cooked poached eggs to the side were served before us. I quickly re-arranged my plate and popped my eggs on top of the sourdough, piercing them with a fork and allowing it to drip all over the pesto.

Avocado & Feta Mash w/ Pesto & Lemon on Sourdough with 2 additional eggs

Delicious! I thought the pesto might be too overpowering in this dish, but the avocado and feta were perfectly matched, toning down the intense flavours of the basil and pine nuts. The sourdough was perfectly made too – crunchy, crisp and fresh. Believe it or not, we were both pretty full by the end of this meal and couldn’t even find room for a late lunch later in the day.

I think Crue would benefit from a more sneaky location, for example, in an unsuspecting side street or alley like many of Melbourne’s greats. After all, Melbournian’s love the hunt. That aside, I believe it was the perfect way to start our Saturday without being hustled and bustled about.”

Final thought: “A lovely pesto-based avocado smash”

Filed under Eggs (Other), Other Brunch Foods, South Yarra, Vegetarian Breakfast Tagged with , , , , ,

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