Knocking off Two Birds with One Stone

July 25, 2012 4 Comments

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 7am- 5pm
Sat – Sun: 7am – 4pm

Coffee: 5 Senses, single origin, filter

Mr LB:
“A lighting fixture is like the stone that’s thrown at the bird. It needs to be strong, bold and have the edge to strike more than one with a single throw. Not to say that the lighting fixtures are used as wielding weapon, but in many circumstances can be the focal point of a room. Apart from my obvious love for brunch and long blacks, lighting fixtures used by cafes has always been an interest of mine. With such a variety in the market, the selection and way it is used is critical in order to create the desired ambiance. Whilst chandeliers are very stand-offish and fluorescent lights industrial, it’s the unique lighting fixtures that makes a good cafe space fabulous and one step closer to attracting brunch addicts. The new establishment Two Birds One Stone has pulled all stops to bring a majestic cafe with damn cool lighting.

A fresh cafe opened for its first weekend and a calm Sunday afternoon set the scene for a good brunch vibe. Even though Two Birds One Stone is situated in South Yarra, it sure doesn’t feel like we were near the ridiculously busy Toorak Road. Cleverly situated near newly developed urban apartments, it certainly provides a no-rush environment. Inside, the space is impressively large with its high ceilings and its cool clean decor. There is the warm wall lights near the barista station to highlight the carved flower features, somewhat looking tree-root inspired with illuminated tips and the classic low-hanging light globes. Just on ambiance and cafe setting, I would have to say this is the best setup I’ve seen this year. It will instantly capture and attract you inside as you walk by.

Cafes are increasingly becoming simpler with their coffee orders, providing the right blend for either a black or white coffee. As expected I went for the black, ordering a House Blend long black [$4] – a blend of Columbian Primavera, Brazil Bobolink. My coffee also came with sparking water, which I think is the ideal way to drink coffee, as the water helps clear the palate for the next sip. It had very subtle tones with no upfront defining flavour. I did pick up a slight nutty flavour, but what’s really impressive about this coffee was its smoothness. This long black had no bitterness and was simply of a high calibre. The high benchmark set by predecessor Three Bags Full had certainly been achieved at Two Birds One Stone.

It was time to feed the stomach and hard decisions had to be made. It got to the point that neither of us were willing to confirm our orders, so we got some handy advice from one of the friendly waitresses. One of her recommendations was the Eggs Benedict, house smoked ham hock & bearnaise [$16.50]. I don’t tend to go for the classic brunch because they tend to be boring, safe and all you guys know what to expect. However, on this occasion this eggs benedict was really something to rave about. The most impressive element of this dish was the smoked ham off the bone, which in all seriousness was the best ham I have tasted in a long while. It had a lovely smokey taste and had the right amout of cooking oil added to give it the right texture. Even the rustic cutting of the ham allows you to really appreciate this delight. It defined what ham should taste like.

Eggs Benedict, house smoked ham hock & bearnaise

The bearnaise sauce had the right texture and consistency to be enjoyed with the perfectly poached eggs; it didn’t dominate the dish with its creaminess. It had a nice lemon taste to balance the palate. I take recommendations and shout outs very seriously. If I say it’s the best on the certain side of the river, I stand by my word, and this is an eggs benedict that you all should try - I think it’s the best on the south side of the river!

Eggs Benedict, house smoked ham hock & bearnaise

This is a cafe which ticks all of my boxes for what a Melbourne cafe should aim to provide. Getting a seat as soon as we arrived may not happen again on our next visit but we would be quite content queuing. We’ll most certainly will be back for some great coffee and food.”

Miss SL:
“Partnerships are a way of life as we know it since we were cavemen/women, hunting in packs and feeding as a group. Partnerships offer enduring friendships, effective business deals and sometimes, even love. Well I’m afraid to say that this blog is not about love – unless you count love for fine coffee and food.

We’d been keenly following the progress of new cafe Two Birds One Stone - the latest venture by power trio Nathan Toleman, Diamond Rozakeas and Ben Clarke (APTE, Liar Liar, Three Bags Full) – and were shocked to hear they’d opened right under our nose!

The first thing I noticed when we walked inside this beautiful cafe was the almost immediate Japanese garden vibe I got from the decor. There was an incredible earthiness to this cafe with moss-plants hanging down from the ceiling in glass baubles and lightly coloured wood framing the private booths that housed those who were group-dining.

Flowers artistically adorned the gigantic communal table, sparking colour and contrast against the black and white feature wall. As I’m sure Mr LB mentioned, one of the most strikingly different elements in this cafe was the x-shaped light features, glowing on their tips and illuminating the cafe.

Everything on the menu at Two Birds One Stone looked incredibly delicious – from the Vanilla porridge with candied cumquats & flaked almonds [$11.50] to the Braised saltbush sandwich with crushed peas, feta, chillie & mint [$16.50]. It’s also important to note how reasonably priced everything on the menu was – there was nothing was over $17.50.

I decided on the Charred corn & zucchini fritter with haloumi, guacamole & house smoked salmon [$16]. As I wandered around the cafe taking happy snaps to share with you all, my greedy eyes immediately landed on the three cookies left by the counter. Could it be?! Was it possible?! Were my favorite cookies from Three Bags Full now in a location so close and accessible to my belly? The chef who made them – fondly dubbed by staff as “the cookie monster” – told me that they were variations of the Three Bags Full editions. They were the White choc and macadamia cookie and Choc, almond, oat + sultana cookie [$4.50 each]. I had one of each kept aside immediately in case they sold out.

Charred corn & zucchini fritter with haloumi, guacamole & house smoked salmon

When my fritters came out they were simply delicious – crispy on the outside, fresh and full of flavour. They bursts with sweet corn which was a nice combination with the slightly dry batter. The guacamole was unexpected, providing a spicy bed for the fritters, laced with red onions, chili and full, fat capers.

Charred corn & zucchini fritter with haloumi, guacamole & house smoked salmon

Just when I thought my dish couldn’t get any better I had a taste of Mr LBs Eggs Benedict and I was immediately flawed - the smokiness of the shaved, off-the-bone ham was incredible, matched with a perfectly balanced bearnaise sauce. I was immediately jealous!

Later in the evening we decided to tuck into the cookies that we’d purchased. The Choc, almond, oat + sultana cookie was immediately recognizable a the one commonly sold at Three Bags Full (which has apricots instead of sultanas). To sum it up – pure heaven.
The White choc and macadamia cookie was also lovely but very sweet. It was delicious and crunchy in all the right places.

Left: White choc and macadamia cookie Right: Choc, almond, oat + sultana cookie

Overall I found the service at Two Birds One Stone exceptional, the vibe relaxing, the food beyond expectations providing something unique and innovative with every plate. The boys have outdone themselves and we can’t wait to come back and make our way down the menu!”

Final thought: “Best Eggs Benedict South of the river!”

two birds one stone on Urbanspoon

Filed under Brunch dessert, Eggs Benedict/Florentine/Atlantic, South, South Yarra, Zucchini / Corn Fritters Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pillar of Salt – revisted

June 12, 2012 1 Comment

Opening hours:
Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 4:30pm
Sat – Sun: 8am – 5pm

Coffee: 5 Senses, Single Origin

See our previous review of Pillar of Salt here.

Mr LB:
“Life is full of unfinished business. The kind of opportunities and experiences gained when we dip our toes in the water but never give it a real go. Since going to Pillar of Salt mid last year, I have always felt that we didn’t give it the rap that perhaps it deserves. So after a long Sunday gym session it was off to Pillar of Salt with my good mates Power Ranger and Big Boy.

What hadn’t changed since our last visit was the waiting list for a weekend brunch. Power Ranger and Big Boy took the right approach by first arriving on time, putting their name down for a table and heading off up the road to the nearest pub for a cheeky beer. We were seated after a short wait and this time we were put outside in the large patio area. It was a nicer experience as the acoustics were a lot better and we didn’t have to be privy to the neighboring tables’ conversation.

Coffee being my no 1 drug of choice (followed closely by beer), I went straight to business and ordered a Single Origin long black [$4]. Sourced from Guatemala, these beans initially had a fine, crisp taste and was followed up by the fruity tones. The quality of this coffee was evident and worth the extra cents.

House made corn fritters with smoked salmon, coriander & avocado salsa + poached egg

There was plenty of time to assess my food options and I wasn’t going to fall into the trap of ordering the wrong dish. After much consultation and conversation about life and the boys recent then accomplishment of finishing Diablo III, I had settled on the House made corn fritters with smoked salmon, coriander & avocado salsa [$16] + poached egg [$18]. The fritters were cooked well and had a nice soft texture. The batter had a nice homemade taste and the corn was fresh, providing a burst of flavour. The salsa added a fresh Mexican vibe to the dish that created the right balance, however the portion size was small and I would have liked more. It was a well crafted brunch dish, but I would recommend adding the poached egg to ensure you don’t end up eating just fritters.

Homemade smokey borlotti beans with avocado & persian feta puree, a poached egg, parsley dressing, shaved grando padano

Big Boy went for the healthy options to wash down his beer – Homemade smokey borlotti beans with avocado & persian feta puree, a poached egg, parsley dressing, shaved grando padano [$16.5]. The plate that went with the beans looked exceptionally delightful and it was apparently full of flavours and yummy. Power Ranger ordered the same thing as Miss SL – green eggs & ham – poached eggs, smoked ham, brioche, herby apple cider hollandaise & granny smith apple [$16.5].

Pillar of Salt is a cafe that would be my one of favorites had I worked or lived in the neighborhood. I’m surprised that after operating for more than a year it still pulls in a strong weekend crowd, maintaining quality food and coffee. Pillar of Salt is here to stay, so you should go ahead and give it a proper go.”

Miss SL:
“Cafe are always evolving and Mr LB and I like to occasionally re-test the waters of places we have been to before. Quality of food and coffee, level of service, menu items – they’re all variables that make up a good cafe and over time these can change for better or worse. It had been a while since we’d been to Pillar of Salt in Richmond and we decided to catch up with some of Mr LBs friends.

On this occassion I’d ordered a chamomile tea [$4] (by Larsen & Thompson Specialty Teas) with honey and a serving of the Green eggs & ham – poached eggs, smoked ham, brioche, herby apple cider hollandaise & granny smith apples [$16.50]. I should have checked what I’d the last time I came here, as I’d essentially ordered a tweaked verion of their Eggs Benedict.
My tea and honey was beautiful and delicate. Once I allowed the tea to settle into the hot water it poured out a beautiful deep, gold colour. It was gone within 10 minutes and an espresso [$3.50] had to be ordered quickly after that.

My meal was delicious – and much more green than I anticipated! The eggs were well crafted and made to perfection. I’d forgotton what it was like to have eggs this good. Small, round, and gooey – not runny. Perfection. The apple cider hollandaise was rich, creamy and very generously (perhaps a little too generously?) served. My brioche was delightfully crisp – well done -and the ham was so tender that you could tell it was off the bone. All in all a great dish bar one important factor – it was served cold. Mr LBs dish was served piping hot, and I have to say that cold food is a big faux pass. Lucky for these guys, the meal was delicious regardless.

Green eggs & ham – poached eggs, smoked ham, brioche, herby apple cider hollandaise & granny smith apples

The last time we came here my biggest complaint was the noise, which I have to say wasn’t a big issue this time around. Perhaps it was our slightly secluded little table out the back, but it definitely ampted up the experience. Pillar of Salt has proved it can deliver a consistently good meal, making it well-worth the revisit.”

Final thought: “Consistently delivering great brunches”

Pillar of Salt on Urbanspoon

Filed under Eggs (Other), Eggs Benedict/Florentine/Atlantic, Omelette, Richmond Tagged with , , , , , ,

Ah, Balderdash!

February 2, 2012 2 Comments

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

Coffee: 5 Senses, Single Origin espresso, cold drip, filter

Mr LB:
“Bal-der-dash [noun] senseless, stupid, or exaggerated talk or writing; nonsense

We all have that friend or know a person that loves the sound of their own voice. He/she believes that they are ‘tops’ – the best of everything who could never be wrong and should be the star attraction. They are the pure translation of Charlie Sheen’s “winning”. The balderdash that comes out of their mouth is astounding, annoying and you may even wished your ears had a mute function. If a cafe was nonsense or stupid, I’d imagine a place with no tables but just chairs, an obnoxious barista who would chat more than make coffees and the food service to be as late as a Greek bus service. Balderdash is a name of a fantastic cafe in Port Melbourne which is the completely opposite to the meaning of the word.

Balderdash is a calm, collected and chilled cafe, located on the busy side of Bay Street. It’s situated on a corner, with its interior containing subtle and quirky decor.  The high ceilings reduced the noisy chatter inside the cafe and the big windows allowed for plenty of sunlight to stream through. With high chairs, a communal table and outside seating, Balderdash was certainly aesthetically charming.

Coffee may be a catalyst for increasing the balderdash coming from ones mouth, but it is too good to give up on that fact alone. With this in mind, Balderdash coffee is sourced from 5 Senses which offers its house blend and a number of Single Origins. With all these choices, I went for the Guatemala COE Lot # 18 [$3.50]. It had a lovely initial clean taste, but after a few mouthfuls I could taste the strength of the plum. The acidity was subtle and at certain times I couldn’t pick it. The tasting notes indicated that there was also a caramel flavour, however I had failed to detect it. Putting aside the complex taste, it was a lovely high-end coffee which was clean and enjoyable from start to finish.

Brunching with the boys never deters my food selection. As I am currently addicted to Corn Fritters because of its diverse flavors, fluffiness and innovation, I ordered the Corn, zucchini & haloumi fritters with crushed avocado, poached egg [$14] with bacon [$17.5]. The fritters themselves reminded me of Mart 130. They were distinctively large and filled with fresh corn, with a lovely moist texture which complemented the haloumi and zucchini. The poached egg was slightly over done with the yolk slightly hardened, but this was forgiven by the generous serving of bacon. The relish was the star attraction with a great tomato taste and spicy flavours that worked well with the crushed avocado. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough relish and at the end of my dish there was only my fluffy fritter. The dish was well constructed with high quality ingredients which was worth the shot. Had there been a more generous serving of relish, this fritter could have seriously been a contender to become one of my favourites.

Corn, zucchini & haloumi fritters with crushed avocado, poached egg with bacon

Jay Jay is on a health kick and had the simple meal – The Balder Scrambled Eggs on toasted multigrain [$8]. He was excused from making a poor brunch decisions, but we won’t be so nice to him next time.

The Balder Scrambled Eggs on toasted multigrain

Power Ranger had the same as Miss SL, to which he had quite enjoyed the meal. Even with a mighty hangover from Friday night drinks.
Big bro had the Bircher muesli with rhubarb & lemonade compote, poached apple, low-fat milk & natural yoghurt [$9]. It was a high quality muesli and looked good for a mid-week brunch before pumping out the grunt at work.

Bircher muesli with rhubarb & lemonade compote, poached apple, low-fat milk & natural yoghurt

There is no funny business at Balderdash. There is a true commitment to coffee which is backed up with an impressive brunch menu. I like Balderdash for this and I like to think its one of the better cafes around Port Melbourne. So if it’s too cold for the beach, try talking some Balderdash at Balderdash.“

Miss SL:

“Mr LB was catching up with ‘his boys’ for brunch and for once, I got invited! I was a little apprehensive at first – crashing a boys catch up can create a recipe for disaster. After some coaxing from Mr LB however, I reluctantly agreed to go down to Port Melbourne to check out a place known as Balderdash. Interestingly enough, this place is just across the road from another known brunching establishment, My Sister Says.

Balderdash had a small interior – a large communal table in the centre of the room seemed somewhat private, with a large box of flowers preventing brunchers from awkwardly looking at the strangers sitting across the table from them. A counter top table lined the window and small tables and benches following the lines of the cafe.


Within 15 minutes, Mr LBs friends had arrived and we ordered our coffees and food, ravenous for the day. I had decided to go for something completely different as it was hot. I still needed my coffee fix but wanted something stronger, less milky and most importantly – cold. I opted for something completely out of my comfort zone – a Cold Drip coffee [~$5]. They had run out of the Cost Rica blend of the day and I instead got a cup of the Guatemalan – Antigua Los.

What came out was something completely unexpected. Presented in a chilled little bottle, this liquid tar looked magnificent. Pouring it into my icy cold latte cup, the texture of the cold drip was thicker than regular coffee – the colour was rich and bold and the aroma was gentle and magnificent. It was hard to define the flavour but I suspect there was a mix of plums hitting the forefront of my palate in a burst of sweet caffeine. I had never had a cold drip prior to this experience, but must say that I am now a convert and I will be having many cold drips this summer!

Eggs Benedict- poached on a bed of sautéed gypsy ham & spinach with a citrus hollandaise sauce with toasted turkish bread

For brunch I ordered the Eggs Benedict- poached on a bed of sautéed gypsy ham & spinach with a citrus hollandaise sauce with toasted turkish bread [$16]. When it came out, it looked pretty delicious – the ham was fresh and the hollandaise sauce was lumpy with bits of peppercorn. Heaven! The citrus flavour was not so prominent, but the hollandaise was rich and creamy and there was just the right amount of sauce for the meal. The eggs were soft and gooey inside, perfect with the ham.

Eggs Benedict- poached on a bed of sautéed gypsy ham & spinach with a citrus hollandaise sauce with toasted turkish bread

Overall I rather enjoyed Balderdash. Was it the most impressive meal I’ve ever had? No. Was the coffee good? Yes (in fact, so much so that I have been converted to a cold drip drinker!). Was it easy to get a seat for a brunch with friends? Absolutely. The atmosphere here was relaxed and the staff were friendly. Balderdash is a nice place to go for brunch if you’re in the area and not willing to put up with all the fuss of some of Melbourne’s other popular cafe establishments.”

Final thought: “Good coffee, good food”

Balderdash on Urbanspoon

After we went to Balderdash we did a side trip down to Chapel Street in Prahran and visited Topshop / Topman. We’re not sure if it’s a regular weekend stall, but on this weekend we visited a mini cupcake stall Cupcakes by Box Brownies setup just to the left of the entrance.

With all the flavours you could imagine, this cupcake stall was well stocked! We couldn’t help but getting some take – aways for ourselves. Mr LB got a Cookies and Cream flavoured mini – cupcake and Miss SL picked up a Pina Colada mini – cupcake [$2.50 each]. Delicious!

Filed under Brunch dessert, Eggs Benedict/Florentine/Atlantic, Port Melbourne, South, Zucchini / Corn Fritters Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

Pillar of Salt

August 25, 2011 2 Comments

Opening hours:
Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 4:30pm
Sat – Sun: 8am – 5pm

Coffee: 5 Senses, Single Origin

Mr LB:
“It’s the pillars in life that we rely upon. Whether being the structural integrity of a building, the foundation of wealth or the values races stand upon centuries ago. Salt is a commodity just like crude oil, and like the crude oil of today it was heavy relied upon. It was once the sole commodity to preserve fresh food in which wealth and bloodshed had occurred over salt plains. Moving into the present, where life is easier – can a cafe be worth its salt? We trekked to Pillar of Salt on a cold Sunday morning to find out ourselves.

Pillar of Salt is smartly located on Church Street, Richmond with vibrant grey exterior walls and lovely designed blinds. It is home to white collared work bandits and stylish furniture shops, including Space Furniture (the definition of stylish dreams). Situated on a corner, the seating layout is in a ‘L’ shape with the option of sitting in their terrace. With a brick feature wall and without the high ceilings gives a homely/cosey feeling, which is attributed to the large inviting front windows that allow natural lighting. It would be my type of local cafe if I was to work around the area. However, there is a small problem- acoustics. My theory is that having brick walls and low ceilings heightens the acoustics of the room, thus attributing to a loud atmosphere. You can’t prevent yourself from hearing nearby conversations. It was getting to the point that it felt like being in a packed bar/pub rather than a relax cafe.

Pillar of Salt sources their coffee from 5 Senses. Lately, I have being having a few coffees from 5 Senses and in my book they are surprising me with every coffee. Just like at The Pint of Milk, the blend on offer was the Dark Horse Blend, consisting of a four different beans from Columbian, Costa Rican, Ethiopia and Guatemalan. My long black [$3.5] was dark and rich with a bitter taste aftertaste. It wasn’t an unpleasant bitter taste, rather the right amount to enjoy the slight harshness it embodies. This flavour may result in a knee-jerk reaction from some coffee drinkers, making them reach for the sugar. It was a coffee with a dark twist which I had enjoyed and was a good mix with the sweeter flavours which other cafes often deliver.

My menu choice was skewed on this occasion, due to my sickness developed by bike riding in the winter nights. I do believe that when I am sick my judgement and palate are certainly off. With this said and in hindsight, the menu of Pillar of Salt is impressive. They offer innovative and attractive brunch and lunch options and they also bake their own quiches. Yum! Yum!

Quiche

On this occasion, I had a rather simple dish – Red chili scrambled eggs with julienne bacon, spring onion, parsley, a hint of parmesan & toast [$16]. The scrambled egg was a little dry upon being served, however the filling was of a good combination and married well. The bacon strips were generous and tasty with the grated parmesan giving it a nice cheesy taste. I don’t know whether it was my sickness, but I couldn’t taste chili at all! It was a disappointing dish for me having seen Ms SLs and neighboring inspired dishes. Looking back at my selection, it appeared to be marketed at a punter who wasn’t in the mood for an exotic or innovative dish. It seemed disappointing that the creativity couldn’t be translated into this option.

Red chili scrambled eggs with julienne bacon, spring onion, parsley, a hint of parmesan & toast

I realise I am pointing out negatives, but I still want to go back for another sitting. My sickness may have misled me, but the innovation the kitchen can deliver is note worthy. It is becoming a favourite in Richmond by drawing crowds, but I think to really appreciate this cafe requires a weekday sitting.”

Miss SL:

“It was a miserable looking day when Mr LB and I set out to Richmond’s Pillar of Salt. There was a short wait of 15 minutes before we were seated with staff being very friendly and attentive, taking our order of coffees as we sat down. What’s immediately noticeable when entering was the atmosphere – acoustically loud, beautiful down lights and gorgeous brickwork. A fully white-tiled pillar in the centre of the main room, representative of the name. A cheeky wander around the back revealed another, larger indoor seating area. It was charming but a little ‘jail-like’ with all the brickwork.

Our coffees arrived and it was the Dark Horse blend by 5 Senses. We first experienced this blend at The Pint of Milk, in Newport. I have to point out that on this occassion I did not pick any hint of cherry, but what immediately hit my palate was the bitter taste of the bean. Mr LB pointed this out upon sipping his long black, as well.

After perusing the menu I opted for the Eggs Benedict, with ham off the bone, apple cider hollandaise on toasted brioche [$16], although I was immediately jealous of a neighboring table which ordered the House baked banana bread with mixed berries mascarpone and peanut praline [$14]. Everything on the menu looked absolutely delightful.

Eggs Benedict, with ham off the bone, apple cider hollandaise on toasted brioche

When my dish arrived I was excited. The brioche was golden brown, the ham fresh and the hollandaise looked absolutely glutenous. I first had a little bit of the sauce, which was thick, rich and creamy. The consistency was perfect and the apple cider added an interesting twist to the traditional lemon hollandaise. I next broke open the egg, which was cooked perfectly. The yolk was thick and gooey and bright orange in colour – a beautiful contrast to the yellow sauce.
The ham was soft and tender – not at all like the sliced rubbish found at big-branch grocers. The brioche was soft and slightly sweet – full of air and thick to cut. It added the volume necessary to make this dish feel complete.

Overall Pillar of Salt was a nice experience. The acoustics of the venue was the only downside – it definitely didn’t give the ‘lazy brunch’ feeling which I normally enjoy. The service, however, was fast and friendly. The kitchen and barista station seemed to handle the Sunday brunch crowd with ease, pumping out food without sacrificing quality. The menu here is enticing and I would like to come to try some of the simpler things here – such as the banana bread.”

Final thought: “Great stop for a weekday breakfast.”

Filed under Eggs (Other), Eggs Benedict/Florentine/Atlantic, Omelette, Richmond Tagged with , , , , , , ,

From Spain with love: Movida Terraza

April 5, 2011 2 Comments

Opening Hours:
Note this cafe is now closed and has been replaced with Movida’s Paco’s Tacos.

Coffee: AllPress

Mr LB:
“What do you get if you combine a Spanish menu situated on a terrace? Movida Terraza of course! Movida Terraza has hit the mark perfectly in creating a vibrant cafe/bar/dining outdoor experience. The location is an experience alone, located in the legal district of Melbourne, where on one side is the historic Supreme Court building and the other is an exciting food courtyard with the likes of Cafenatics and Earl Canteen. With its comfortable seating, fabulous staff and open kitchen layout to marvel at the cooking talent – it’s a location you want to continually return to. I know I do!


The coffee bean Movida Terraza source is the reputable AllPress blend (long black $3.00) – an impressive blend with a colourful rich head and the pleasant beverage to match my meal. It has a defined flavour that flows with a smooth texture.  It’s a coffee you can have everyday and still be impressed with every cupping.

The brunch dishes on offer have – as expected – a Spanish influence, however Movida Terraza offers something more traditional than the Melbourne brunch norm of ‘Spanish baked eggs’. The Movida Terraza menu has a clear Spanish vision with innovative dishes that will keep the brunch goer guessing as to how it will be presented and taste. On this occasion, I selected the Tortillas – Jamon Serano and queso [$12]. For all of you that wish you had taken Spanish lessons (me included), the dish is essentially an adaption to the traditional Spanish omelette which consists of many layers of potato. There was no potato in the egg, however the egg was crafted in a perfect circle and teased to present that drool worthy egg colour. Layered on top was beautiful sliced Jamon (Spanish ham) and served with a slice of sourdough.

Tortillas – Jamon Serano and queso

The taste was damn right captivating.  The egg burst with flavour and at no point did it taste dry or overcooked.  The spices infused with the egg were not overloaded, but gave an exciting flavour which never bored.  The Jamon, to my surprise, had the right level of salt with a smooth texture that was well matched to the egg.  Overall, it was an enjoyable dish which was addictive, tasteful and quite satisfying.

I am a big fan of Movida Terraza and I have been known to pop around for a long black and an almond croissant, which might I add is a fantastic sweet delight.  Leaving aside my fondness, Movida Terraza is serious when it comes to plating up an authentic Spanish brunch.  If you are in the city and want to escape its bustle on a day when a  standard Melbourne brunch isn’t going to do it for you, then Movida Terraza is the place for you.  Happy Spanish brunching.”

Miss SL:
“Mr LB was sparked with excitement when I let him know that I would spend a day in the city to do some training for the client that I am currently working for out in the middle of no where. I suggested a good old-fashioned breakfast in town, which we hadn’t done for a long while. It was decided that since Movida Terraza had their breakfast menu back in action, that we would go there.

I decided on the Huevos – Poached organic eggs, smoked trout pate, white beans and sourdough [$14], as I was craving some eggs that morning. I also couldn’t go passed ordering a soy latte here, as I’m a fan of AllPress beans. The coffee was good as always, and after almost a week of no caffeine, it was a good way to break a dry spell.

When my Huevos came out I wasn’t sure what to think. It looked a little…plain. But what about taste? You would expect nothing less than eggs cooked to perfection at Movida Terraza. My first egg was just that - gooey and seductive, it was delicious. My second egg, however, burst out with water when pierced. Unfortunately, the result was soggy sourdough and a watery plate.

Huevos – Poached organic eggs, smoked trout pate, white beans and sourdough

The white beans were delicious. I’d never had white beans before and my first impression of them was ‘my goodness, they’re huge!’. Although used sparingly, these mutant beans of nature were filling and added density to the dish which otherwise would have been missing. The trout pate was… interesting. It was smooth (as a pate should be), but the trout flavouring provided a somewhat unpleasant taste in the background of the entire dish. I’m not really a pate fan though, so perhaps I’m unfavourably biased.

Huevos – Poached organic eggs, smoked trout pate, white beans and sourdough

I’ve been to Movida Terraza a few times before and must say that I’ve had better dishes than this one. The dinners here are superb – in fact, one of my favourite dinner experiences, but in ‘brunch world’ I think the Cous Cous - Honeyed cous cous, raisins, dates and almonds [$11] is amazingly unique and innovative and a must try. I promise the next time we’re here I’ll grab a shot, just for you!”

Final thought: “An Authentic Spanish Brunch “

Filed under CBD, Eggs (Other), Eggs Benedict/Florentine/Atlantic, Omelette Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older posts

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 868 other followers