Going Hammer & Tong all 412 times

May 16, 2013 Leave a comment

Opening Hours:
Tues – Wed: 7am – 4pm
Thurs – Fri: 7am to late
Sat: 8am to late
Sun: 8am – 5pm

Cofffee: Dukes Coffee

Mr LB:
“Hard work will only get you half way. We can go all ‘hammer and tong’ to strive towards our goals but there are other factors which determine success. A bit of luck, the networks we retain and the opportunities we take or don’t take are some factors that come into play. The locals and foodies of Fitzroy who have a trained eye for great cafes will be aware that before Hammer & Tong 412, there was another. The previous establishment was run by interior designers who designed and developed a cafe space that could only be described as magnificent. There was a beautiful aesthetic to the layout, matched with impressive furniture and fixtures. The only problem was that whilst the owners knew how to attract customers with its alluring designs, they had little knowledge on running a cafe.  Push came to shove and regrettable they exited. Then Hammer & Tong 412 appeared. With their extensive kitchen experience they took the reigns of this space and transformed it.

Hammer & Tong 417 is just off the Fitzroy Road and from the outside there’s nothing too exciting about it. It’s the interior that dazzles its patrons. There are wooden panels acting as feature walls, polished and varnished concrete floors that give a subtle shine, pot pans fixed to roof with over hanging vegetation and all this is tied together with well-selected dark furniture.  It’s not overwhelming to the eye, but it is certainly alluring.

When you move to a new home you can’t help but miss the little things. For me, I have regrettably been drinking less Dukes Coffee. I was quite excited to discover that Hammer & Tong 412 were offering a Dukes house blend [$3.50] and Single origin [$4]. I went for the single origin in a long black and it was certainly a sight for sore eyes. The coffee had delectable tan-coloured head that was beautifully presented in blue-grey cups, creating a harmonious colour balance. The coffee had a  fine taste with a flavour combination of nuts and nectar.

It was the start of a great weekend and looking through the weekend brunch menu there were some winning items to be had. The Truffled duck eggs on toast, Parmesan & grilled asparagus [$18] certainly sounded inviting but my mind was set on the Spiced corn fritters, avocado, sour cream, smoked tomato & fried/poached egg [$17].

Spiced corn fritters, avocado, sour cream, smoked tomato & fried/poached egg

The meal was captivating with the fritters shaped into balls and deep-fried instead of the usual panned fried process. Gently laid in the middle was the perfectly poached egg topped with sour cream, atop a bed of smoked tomatoes.

Spiced corn fritters, avocado, sour cream, smoked tomato & fried/poached egg

Each fritter was packed with spices. The flavours appeared to be from an Indian influence as there was hints of turmeric and cumin. Pieces of fresh corn added subtle freshness and, when mixed with the crust of the fried fritters, was simply delectable. The smoked tomatoes were a delicious combination with the fritters, finishing with a lovely smokey taste and vinegar. This was a solid dish and a perfectly highlighted the fact that brunching at Hammer & Tong 412 wasn’t going to result in an experience of the ‘same-same’.

Turkish Delight soda

With every brunch we review or don’t review, it has become habit for both myself and Miss SL to take photos, upload and tweet before a single spoonful has enter our mouth.  As we were eating and discussing how we intended to use our weekend time, we received a tweet from @AgeGoodFoodU30 telling us to try the Turkish Delight Soda [$5]. I didn’t need any more encouragement, so I quickly found a waiter and ordered one. To my surprise this homemade soda really had the flavours of Turkish delight perfectly. The mint and the vanilla pods surfaced to the top adding the right balance of sweetness. It was super refreshing and was the perfect way to end brunch.

It appears the Fitzroy brunch game has significantly improved over the past year with the likes of Little Creatures, Backstreet Eating and Industry Beans. Now, with Hammer and Tong 417 on their corner, this could make Fitzroy the ideal brunch hub.”

Miss SL:
“Work. Dedication. Time. These are the things that make and break other commitments in our life – family, friends, kids. I work in a demanding industry and the joke in my old company was that you were ‘either married to someone within work or divorced’. Yikes! Work can, in fact, bring together magnificent relationships and shared interests. If you’re lucky, joint venture too. This is exactly what happened to experienced chefs Dennis Ferreira and Simon Ward who met at Melbourne’s favourite luxe foodie destination Vue de Monde,  where they both worked as chefs.

Branching out, the pair opened up Hammer and Tong 412 in what was previously The Brix. Stripping back and adding to, the interior decor was tweaked and prepped for action. What a beautiful job they had done!

When we entered the venue I was automatically relaxed. I peered down the hallway, glimpsing some tropical woodwork and hanging vines that added a very nature-like feel to the environment. 

The menu at Hammer and Tong 412 caters for both the faint at heart and those feeling creative. Dishes such as Coconut black rice pudding w mango [$12] and Berries w rhubarb jelly & whipped yoghurt [$12] were on the menu for choosing. On this particular occasion, I was feeling a little extravagant.

I put in an order for the Truffled duck egg on toast, parmesan & grilled asparagus [$18] and a double espresso [$3.50]. My coffee was full bodied and fruity – beautifully crafted and  not a single bit burnt. 

Our meals were taking a while to come out, but it was then that it struck me – there were shakes – delicious shakes – on the menu! I couldn’t help myself and immediately order a Golden Gaytime Milkshake [$6]. Our friend Carly was also with us on this occasion and she ordered a Tolerable Milkshake [$6]. My milkshake was a bit thinner than what I was expecting, however, the crushed honeycomb really gave that Gaytime flavour. Yum! I had a sip of Carly’s Toblerone and it was substantially thicker and creamier than mine.

Top: Golden Gaytime milkshake, Bottom: Toblerone milkshake

Our meals came out and I had a cheeky taste of Mr LBs fritters – they were too good to miss! They were delicious and moist with flavours such as turmeric and fennel really shining through in perfect harmony.

Truffled duck egg on toast, Parmesan & grilled asparagus

My dish was served with a really beautiful, creamy sauce. It was mayonnaise-like in flavor and went beautifully with the brioche bread. The duck egg was magazine perfect. The egg yolk just oozed out, soaking into the brioche and salty Parmesan. The asparagus was cooked simply and was super juicy. The brioche bread was a nice twist to this dish and created a beautiful, balance with its sweet texture. It was almost like having a beautiful, buttery croissant. The Parmesan gratings were generous and added a lovely oak flavour throughout the dish.

Truffled duck egg on toast, Parmesan & grilled asparagus

So, what happens when you combine all these contradictory flavours altogether in one mouthful? You get an initial striking flavour of saltiness that is followed up with the creamy egg yolk and mayonnaise that is then washed clean by the buttery flavours of brioche. Heavenly.

Overall I felt that Hammer and Tong 412 was inspirational and exciting. The decor was exciting. The menu was exciting. The sodas were exciting for goodness sake. My experience at Hammer and Tong 412 was better than I was anticipating and they delivered above and beyond. Would I recommend this cafe for your weekend brunching? You bet!”

Final Though: “Exceptional execution – will not disappoint”

Hammer and Tong 412 on Urbanspoon

Filed under Eggs (Other), Fitzroy, North, Vegetarian Breakfast, Zucchini / Corn Fritters Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chez Dre

February 9, 2013 Leave a comment

Opening hours:
Mon – Sun: 7:30am – 4:30pm

Coffee: Maling Room

Mr LB:
“Specialisation is not a new buzz word. In fact its been lingering around in the shadows for some time, wanting to pop its head out. Specialisation is about really knowing the ins and outs of a particular area. Long have gone the days where a project has a clear A to B approach with a generalist team able to deliver the goods. Business factors have pushed (or more like shoved relentlessly) for a work force that is specialised. Each unit or small team is dealing with one piece of a larger, complex puzzle. There is certainly pros and cons with this approach and this concept is creeping its way more and more into the hospitality industry. Most notably is the distinction between chef and patisserie chef. The skill set required is poles apart but when these unlikely skills join forces in theory they should make an unstoppable cafe. Or does it? We decided it was time for South Melbourne’s Chez Dre to be tested on both ends of the spectrums.

The one factor of Chez Dre that makes me fall in love with it on every occasion is its space. It’s so large and grand with the right selection of furniture that matches the dark and light colour schemes of the different dining areas. The kitchen is visually appealing, covered by a beautiful curved wall with a large slit in the middle to observe chefs at work. On the other side lies the counter, with an inviting patisserie showcase to drool over. The high ceiling reduces the busy sounds of the environment, but at the same time retains a warm ambiance. With an additional outdoor cafe area, the space has not only been well thought out, but it is executed perfectly. It’s the perfect place if you want to impress someone.

My Single Origin Long Black – Ethiopia Guji [$4] was ordered and arrived in next to no time, as I considered my biggest decision for my Saturday. As Miss SL will mention, we have been to Chez Dre on many non-blog days and I have personally found their coffee at times to be under performing. Persistence and improvement is the key and I can say that Chez Dre’s game has lifted over time. It came out showcasing a rich, bold tanned head. On first sips it displayed a very crisp flavour with noticeable aromas of blueberry, raspberry and pineapple. With a combination like that I couldn’t help but love it. A crisp, fresh and slightly tangy coffee equals the right balance of flavours for me!

Apparently, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Maybe not my heart, but I would reckon any mans-man who is given a big breakfast would be inches away. Given the hunger levels I was experiencing, I decided to go all out and order the Grand petit dejeuner – poached eggs on sourdough, bacon, spicy lamb sausages, potato rosti, sauteed mushrooms, smashed avocado with house fetta & tomato chutney [$19.50].

For a big breakfast, the plating was spot on. I instantly became the source of food envy. It was nice to see a big breakfast that had nice, considered plating. In terms of taste it was a good-all rounder, with the tomato chutney providing a great spicy kick with its rich, thick sauce that went well with the perfectly cooked bacon and fresh sourdough. The lamb sausages stuffed with fresh herbs were nice but didn’t lift the dish with its taste.

Grand petit dejeuner – poached eggs on sourdough, bacon, spicy lamb sausages, potato rosti, sauteed mushrooms, smashed avocado with house fetta & tomato chutney

The potato rosti was certainly a good addition, breaking up the meat. It had a nice crispy crunch and wasn’t too oily. What was a let down were the mushrooms. They were slightly rubbery, shriveled and just tasteless. They didn’t add any value and in some way brought the dish down, a level. Other than the mushrooms, this dish was a well executed and yummy big breakfast.

I had convinced Miss SL that if we were at Chez Dre, then dessert is mandatory. Upon much debate we had decided to order and shared the Chocolate Tart [$8]. This glossy tart with its multiple layers was the perfect end to our meal. The mousse was rich and complemented the base biscuit beautifully. It was easy to pierce through and share. The tart was truly an experience I would recommend it to anyone, however, I was glad that I had shared it. A whole dessert may have been too much for me.

Chocolate Tart

To visit and observe Chez Dre since its inception through to now, watching it achieve a high standard of food and sweets is something great to see. To create a truly special cafe with lasting memories isn’t something that is achieved by having a stagnant approach. Improvements are always needed and I’m sure when you visit Chez Dre, they will give you lots of love.

Miss SL:
“Chez Dre is the epitome of Melbourne living. Walking passed a tiny laneway in South Melbourne, a curious little sign pokes out written in gold, luring the curious. Cute little baskets line the bare red-bricked wall and as you enter the space of this establishment your jaw will literally drop open.

The space is breathtakingly larger than what first meets the eye – as you walk through the narrow path filled with green booths, the space opens up in a beautifully wide-opened main dining hall action takes place. A curved blue-tiled wall frames the kitchen allowing food-goers to watch their meal being prepared, while the main counter hosts a range of incredibly well-made patisserie items which tease brunch-goers into submission. Your mind will become hypnotised by the colours, the shapes and the variety and before you know it – you’ve got an array of sweet-treats in front of you.

Mr LB and I have been to Chez Dre many times and have succumbed to munching on their infamous macarons and pastries.

On this occasion we were catching up with my two best friends – Toy and Elly. It had been a long time since I’d seen them both and we were gushing over recent events that had taken place in our lives. It was a lovely sunny day and we had managed to get a table immediately inside.

Having recently returned from Europe my eyes immediately fell for a French classic – Croque Monsieur – smoked ham, Gruyere & bechamel [$12], but I pulled myself away as I was trying to be on the healthy side. I instead opted for the Veggie petit dejeaner – poached eggs on sourdough, potato rosti, sauteed mushrooms, smashed avocado with house fetta & tomato chutney [$17.50] and a double espresso to start my day.

The thing about Europe that any coffee lover will soon discover is that, well, both breakfast and coffee over there sucks! The coffee is instant or burnt and bitter and there are no eggs, fresh avocado or veggies in sight on the menu. The only place I was able to find a mildly decent coffee was at Rome airport, and of course, London where many Australian cafe owners are beginning to set-up shop. As Chez Dre was my first brunch pit-stop once I’d returned, I’d cherished every last drop of my espresso. Pure. Heaven.

Chamomile tea

Elly had ordered some chamomile tea to go with her food. I loved the adorable little tea pot and milk container that came with it. Cute!

Veggie petit dejeaner – poached eggs on sourdough, potato rosti, sauteed mushrooms, smashed avocado with house fetta & tomato chutney

When my main came out I had mixed emotions – the potato rosti was a lot more delicious than anything I could have ever eaten in the passed month, however the top of it seemed a little greasy. Digging my fork into it revealed that the potato was cooked well and managed to maintain its shape. My mushrooms were rather underwhelming and didn’t seem to be seasoned with anything particularly flavourful. They were oily, a little shriveled and seemed to be missing the punch that cooking them in butter would have provided.

The tomato chutney was beautiful as always – little bits of real tomatoes provided the ‘freshly made’ experience. The star of this dish was truly the smashed avocado – fresh, tangy and zesty, it pretty much carried this entire dish into the good books.

Poached eggs on sourdough add Smashed avocado with house fetta

Toy had ordered her standard Chez Dre brunch dish – Poached eggs on sourdough [$9] add Smashed avocado with house fetta [add $4.50]. She seemed quite pleased with herself.

Mr LB and I couldn’t go passed ordering dessert here. After all, that’s what they’re known for! There were so many good things to choose from, but we opted on the Chocolate Tart [$8]. When it came out it seemed to tease us. Perfectly coated ganache that was so shiny you could practically see your reflection on it. The tough, biscuit base secured the tart together and looked like it might be a challenge to crack through… but it wasn’t.

As I sliced my fork through the top layers, the tart gave way to a light, fluffy chocolate mouse that sat upon a beautifully made caramel. The base gave in to my fork and, without much trouble, allowed me to separate a slice of the tart. As soon as I put it in my mouth I felt that I was immediately transported to Edam, Holland.

Chocolate Tart

When I was travelling in Europe I became ridiculously addicted to something called Bakker Jooper – a treat made of two finely-made crispy waffles joined together by a chewy caramel. This tart had a similar taste – caramel atop a crispy, compacted chocolate base that almost tasted like crushed brownies. I was in heaven and immediately felt like I’d been cheating myself all this time by not having any of Chez Dre‘s cakes earlier.

Overall, Chez Dre is a wonderful venue. It is opulent, efficient, has great coffee and excellent desserts. If you’re looking to do brunch there I’d recommend you stick to their sweeter menu items – after all, sweets are their specialty. This venue is definitely worth the visit and worth travelling to from any side of the river. Chez Dre is a cafe I regularly hit-up and recommend to you to try.”

Final thought: “Incredible sweets to try- from macarons to cakes, this place will tickle your fancy”

Chez Dré on Urbanspoon

Filed under Big Breakfast, Brunch dessert, South, South Melbourne, Vegetarian Breakfast Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

St Ali North

January 7, 2013 4 Comments

Location:
815 Nicholson St
Carlton North

Opening hours:
Mon – Sun: 6am – 6pm
Kitchen hours: 7am – 5pm

Coffee: St Ali

Mr LB:
“Segregation [segriˈgāSHən] Noun – The action or state of setting someone or something apart from other people or things being set apart.

Melbournians can be a loyal bunch in odd ways. During my Father’s youth, there was something called beer brand loyalty. If you decided to drink Melbourne Bitter, then like a devoted football follower you drank Melbourne Bitter to the day you died. While some traits die as new generations question the previous ideals, others can’t be broken. For our generation the ‘which side of the river were you raised and currently reside in?’ question is a pivot point in any conversation. If you were raised in Broadmeadows, you were presumed to be trouble and, conversely, if you were from Brighton you might be seen as a Brighton snob. While segregation from a dirty river drives Melbourne to be diverse, we are no longer afraid to check out the new thrills that the other side has to offer. The latest thing to take the big jump over the river is St Ali, recently launching St Ali North.

Finding St Ali North requires some brain power. Upon arriving, Miss SL had taken navigation instructions from her smartphone. While the map location was correct, by reading the address we thought it was on the shop-front of Nicholson street. However, we were wrong. Your best starting point to finding St Ali North is by locating Velo Cycles store on Park Street and find the gigantic dinosaur graffiti art. Once found, you must head away from Nicholson Street, down Park Street. What you will find is magnificent architecture that is inviting, large and warming.

The space is smartly designed and has a large barista station against the outside wall to allow takeaway orders for those making a pit-stop. There is also a long, large communal table that caters for large groups amongst other well-positioned seating options. Natural lighting acts as a running theme, blending well with the deep aqua-coloured walls. There are cleverly designed sky lights and large windows that open up completely, giving a great summer vibe. The architectural design creates a great distinction for this cafe and is not only aesthetically pleasing and practical, but it creates a special vibe when you enter. It’s the best new café space I have seen in a while.

St Ali was arguably the Melbourne coffee mecca when it first setup shop. It was the place that guaranteed not just good – but out of this world coffee. As it’s been around for a long time, I’ll admit that lately it hasn’t been my all-time favourite coffee blend. Ordering my long black [$3.50], I had rediscovered my love for the St Ali blend. It was hands down a high quality coffee with a good-looking tan head, a lovely sweet, sharp taste and had a smooth aftertaste on the palate. I would recommend a little extra water to reduce the sweetness, but it’s a long black worth the travel time.

The menu selection was quite difficult with several innovative dishes as well as some old favourites to choose from. With all my dish selection time exhausted, I went for the Pressed potato, house smoked salmon, summer greens and cream friache [$18.50]. If a fresh, clean taste with pan-fried potato is what you’re craving, then this is your meal. The pressed potato was lightly panned fried with butter, with some bits of it being slightly firmer than expected. The smoked salmon and green salad was the perfect addition and brought a fresh taste to the dish. The red cabbage and dill herb was an excellent combination and mixed with the cream friache gave the salad more texture. Not to mention a perfect excuse to mop it up the final scraps on the plate. The meal was well-executed and was full of fresh, summer flavours that must be tried during summer. Even Miss SL agreed on this point.

Pressed potato, house smoked salmon, summer greens and cream friache

St Ali and St Ali North, prove that no matter what side of the river you situate yourself on there is room to make a successful brunching establishment. If you’re keen on brunching, then St Ali North must be on your 2013 list of things to try. It’s a must do for any brunch lover.”

Miss SL:
“Melbourne’s brunch scene is as fickle and incestuous as they get. Every couple of weeks there’s a new cafe popping up, each one more exquisite than the last. As the scene gets more and more competitive, the focus of the owners changes. Outstanding coffee? Tick. Delicious food? Sorted. Architecturally breathtaking? Complete. Hidden enough for our Melbourne hipster market? Planned from the start.

Melbourne’s latest cafe creating all the buzz comes to you from the Al Capone of the brunch scene, St Ali.

Unlike other cafes that had smooth transitioning from concept to completion, St Ali North got a little bit of a rough welcome to the North side – before even opening their doors to the public, their $45,000 Synesso Hydro coffee machine was stolen! We’re unsure if this ever got resolved but this article on Broadsheets was a very interesting read for us!

We’d arrived around 1pm, missing the morning brunch crowd and were quickly welcomed to our seats. Our waitress was a familiar face from South Melbourne’s original St Ali, so like the pro she is, she offered to take our coffee orders and provided us with water, leaving us to decide on our order.

I was not very hungry on this occasion but was craving a bit of a sandwich. Being the optimist to try something new, I decided to give the Braised kale sandwich with saffron chickpeas, sumac onions and a green salad (on gluten free bread) [$16] a go. Kale is supposed to be an extremely healthy superfood, containing lots of Iron, vitamins A, C and K as well as containing a great level of flavonoids and carotenoids (antioxidants which are good for you!). More importantly, I’ve never consciously chosen a meal that touted kale as the star of the dish, and I was interested to see what the chef whipped up.

Braised kale sandwich with saffron chickpeas, sumac onions and a green salad (on gluten-free bread)

When my dish came out I was intrigued. The braised kale looked less like its cabbage heritage and more like cooked seaweed and the gluten-free toast didn’t look like regular gluten-free bread (it actually almost looked like normal multi-grain!). The first thing that I noticed when digging into my sandwich was the bread, which had a strong wholesome, multi-grain flavour.  The kale itself seemed to have a slightly salty flavour and firm texture.

The next flavour to hit the palate was the saffron chickpeas, which were presented as both smashed and whole within this dish. The whole chickpeas created a new layer of textures to this dish and were simply gorgeous – they were soft and easy to spear with a fork (not usually a simple task!). The sumac onions were hard to miss and added some real va-va-voom to this dish. They seemed pickled and were lightly dusted with sesame seeds. The onions burst with flavour and added a crunchy texture, almost like pickled cabbage. YUM!

Overall, the sandwich provided the light meal I was hoping for. Despite being content with my main, I couldn’t go passed a little bit of brunch dessert. The counter-top was full of goodies to be enjoyed and I was caught between a berry tart and a lemon meringue [$6]. We decided on sharing a lemon meringue because, well, they looked so darn cute! It was artfully caramalised on the top, creating textures of mid to deep caramels tones. The effect? Pure desire.

Lemon meringue

The meringue on top of the sponge was light and pillowy, like melted marshmallows. What I really liked about the meringue was that it wasn’t too sugary to be enjoyed. The sponge itself was dense, sweet and centered with caramel and lemon curd. YUM!

Lemon meringue

It looks like the mobsters of the coffee and brunch scene are looking to extend their territory from the South to the North. Their coffee-fueled guns are firing, they’ve brought their best men and women to battle and are looking to show everyone who really owns this town. St Ali North lives up to the hype – they offer some of the old, the new and something just plain refreshing. Well worth a visit whether you’re a foodie or just out to impress.”

Final thought: “A refreshed version of St Ali for the North side – something old and something new”

St Ali North on Urbanspoon

Filed under Brunch dessert, Carlton, Fish, North, Other Brunch Foods, Vegetarian Breakfast Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reverence for coffee

November 15, 2012 2 Comments

Opening hours:
Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 4pm
Sat – Sun: 8am – 4pm
Note: Kitchen closes at 3pm every day

Coffee: Carousel, single origin, pour over, aeropress, guest roaster

Mr LB:
“When I heard of a cafe from the North West which wasn’t too close to the CBD and provided specialty roasted coffee with the aim of producing a unique blend, I was jumping with joy. There have been too many occasions when I’ve been promised good coffee from the outer suburbs that claim to match their inner suburb companions and too many times where I have been burnt (or should I say, the coffee has been). Ascot Vale has all the characteristics and infrastructure to become the next hip suburb. Heck, if you lived in Ascot Vale you could walk to the races and some of Melbourne’s best music festivals, removing one self from the taxi madness. Whichever way Ascot Vale goes in the future, Reverence Specialty Coffee & Tea will provide the high quality brunch and coffee you require.

Reverence Specialty Coffee & Tea is a cool decked-out place for Ascot Vale. The space itself is diverse enough to suit any occasion. The front space has a clean, grey look with a splash of colour, plenty of coffee accessories and a distinct lack of try-hard nick knacks. Also on display is their well-oiled medium-sized coffee roaster which highlights their passion for coffee. Out the back of the property is where you can enjoy brunch in the sun – perfect for summer!

As we sat near the marvelous roasting machine and having the usually father, son & brotherly catch up, I ordered a Reverence Carousel houseblend in a  long black [$3.50]. As my father revealed that he’s recently purchased his THIRD bike and that my (usually lazy) brother had taken up bike riding, the waitress intercepted with perfect timing with my coffee. The head had a lovely tanned colour and was the right portion size. I had found the coffee on this occasion to have subtle tones, that appeared to be fruity. This coffee wasn’t big on defining flavours and I think this was a good thing. Having a coffee with subtle notes is a great way to truly appreciate the clean taste with each sip and getting hock on the blend.

Ordering is always impossibly difficult and it was no different on this occasion. The breakfast menu looked a little uneventful for me, although I couldn’t resist the Middle Eastern spiced meatballs in tomato sauce w/yogurt, toasted bread & salad [$16]. The presentation was nice with four consistently shaped meatballs that were well-coated in tomato sauce. The sauce itself had the right (rich) consistency to complement the meatballs. I was looking for that spicy kick with the meatballs but unfortunately the spice was masked by the flavours of the sauce. The bread and the salad were nice additions and gave the dish some versatility, drawing attention away from the meatballs. All up this dish satisfied my hunger but it didn’t wow me in comparison to their coffee.

Middle Eastern spiced meatballs in tomato sauce w/yogurt, toasted bread & salad

My brother, Clarkeus, had opted for the Pot Pie of the Week (Curry Lamb & Lentils) w Green Salad [$13] and seem to have no complaints. A completed dish is a happy dish in my family.

Pot Pie of the Week (Curry Lamb & Lentils) w Green Salad

I think there is a lot of pressure on cafes to have that cool vibe while providing the best in everything that they do. Like in any group of people, some people are going to be cool, quirky, fun or interesting – but you need to be comfortable with yourself. Reverence Specialty Coffee & Tea doesn’t need to be coolest cafe on the block, but by focusing on delivering unique and defining coffees it will give them the right edge. With time and inspiration to craft defining dishes, Reverence Specialty Coffee & Tea will certainly make waves.”

Miss SL:
“Siblings. Sometimes they’re your best friend, other times they’re your worst enemy. As we get older and time goes on, we come to appreciate our siblings and how they differ from ourselves. Speaking from experience, I spent a lot of my younger years crying over the treachery of my older brother – from hiding my favourite teddy bear and telling me that mum had thrown it out, to not playing Captain Planet with me (am I hinting at my age bracket, here?). Yet, as time went on we fought less and less and even came to confiding in each other. I couldn’t imagine life without my brother who (still) bosses me around but inspires and re-calibrates me back to reality when I get swept away with my imagination.
So what happens when a brother and sister share the same passion? What if that passion was coffee? Something powerful – that’s what; the opening of a cafe that has the full support of its owners behind it. Enter Reverence Specialty Coffee & Tea, opened by Andreas and Annie Martinu. Annie takes the helm of this cafe, with her history of grinding coffee at The Maling Room and then working as barista in the CBD’s ex-crumpet champion Earl’s Canteen. Andreas balances his roles as Atomica’s Wholesale Manager and Reverence co-roaster.

As we entered the cafe space I noticed how clean and understated the decor was. There was no ‘wow’ paneling or features about its interior, but there was something extremely casual about the place. We were thirty minutes (!) late to meet Mr LBs brother and old man for a catch up brunch and sheepishly joined them on a table against the bright orange feature wall, next to the coffee roaster.

Our food decisions needed to be made with haste, and I opted for the Mushroom Medley – assorted mushrooms with baked ricotta and spinach on sourdough [$14] and a double espresso [$3.50] of the Reverence Carousel houseblend. As we made jokes at Mr LBs expense, our coffees arrived. My double espresso was immediately likable and the flavours were fruity but had the right balance between being bright and smooth.

When my main came out I was caught off guard – I was expecting to see freshly cooked mushrooms with a sprinkle of ricotta and some steamed spinach atop my sourdough. What I got instead was a saucy mix of mushroom which could be likened to a stew. This definitely didn’t look like the healthy choice I was opting for! The mushrooms were juicy within the almost butter-like sauce. The ricotta was melted into the medley and the spinach was hard to come by. The sauce itself was rich but not sickening, and the sourdough absorbed some of the juices without become unbearably soggy. Overall the dish was nice, but a little sickening. I think this is because I’m not used to really creamy, rich dishes though, so it really depends on what you like.

Mushroom Medley – assorted mushrooms with baked ricotta and spinach on sourdough

The Reverence Carousel houseblend was the highlight of my meal. If I were passing through Ascot Vale and in need of a pick-me-up, Reverence Specialty Coffee & Tea would certainly be on my list for a coffee. The venue was very relaxed and was suitable to go with friends, brother, sister and potentially even little ones! “

Final thought: “Beautiful coffee”

Reverence Specialty Coffee & Tea on Urbanspoon

Filed under Ascot Vale, Other Brunch Foods, Vegetarian Breakfast Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gardiner & Field

August 30, 2012 4 Comments

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

Coffee: Gardiner and Field house blend, Maling Room Single Origin

Note: Cash only

Mr LB:
“The waiting game. It’s one of life true test of character, strength and endless entertainment when people go bananas with frustration. Some people can wait forever, while others see the opportunity cost of waiting for a table too high and immediately leave (most notable during my recent visit to Perth). Whilst waiting isn’t the most amazing or glamorous pastime, it’s where we found ourselves on a bright and sunny Winters day in a leafy patch in Malvern. Waiting to try the very new offerings of Gardiner and Field during their opening weekend.

The location for Gardiner and Field is perfect within a much needed location for Armadale; not on Glenferrie Road but close enough for brunch-goers to consider the small detour. Melbournians love to jump on new hotspots and since it was Gardiner and Field‘s opening weekend, the venue was overwhelmed with customers and the wait was rather long. I will admit at one stage I was willing to bail, but we were finally seated out in the lovely sun on a rather cool long bench. It was hard to get waiter service given how packed and potentially understaffed they were, but it also made things a little more difficult as a large group of friends-of-the-staff were very chatty to the waiter. I don’t expect the red carpet welcome but I would have liked to have been given some water, a menu and the opportunity to order a coffee once seated.

After all of the commotion with the unfortunate long wait and lack of service, it was time to finally enjoy a long black [$3] from Gardiner and Field‘s own unique blend. It was good to see that given the owners, Jesse and Nick who have had a wealth of experience from other well-established cafes, had made sure their coffee was a signature element and not just another already known bean. My long black was of a high quality with a fantastic crisp taste when it first hits your palate, from first to last drop. On this occasion, I found it difficult to identify any defining flavour, but I did notice a slight fruity taste lingering on the back of my palate. Overall my long black was fantastic for an original house blend – something that has to be given a lot of credit for. From my perspective they nailed the coffee component straight off the bat, although according to Daisy her mocha needed a bit more TLC.

The menu options at Gardiner and Field were limited but what they lacked in options they made up with quality. They could have gone with the usually suspects but they should be applauded for broadening the brunching menu. Who wouldn’t be interested in Broad bean, pea, mint and feta mash with prosciutto, and poached eggs [$17] or the Brekkie roll with ham, fried eggs, cheese, tomato relish and rocket [$10]. Unfortunately for me, the long wait had made me a little disorientated and the desire for brunch had slowly died with an “unch” becoming more appealing. I ended up going for the Spiced Lamb Burger with roasted capsicum, rocket and tzatziki on a toasted challah bun served with chips [$16.50].

Spiced Lamb Burger with roasted capsicum, rocket and tzatziki on a toasted challah bun served with chips

Even though the small buns were very inviting, they weren’t reflective of the chefs original vision. We learnt later by talking to one of the owners that they didn’t anticipate such a high volume of brunch-goers, creating a short supply of food and a lot of creative improvisation by the chef. The burger was intended to be more of man-sized. Putting aside pre-planning and first weekend opening issues, my meal still looked yum and surprisingly tasted quite good. The lamb patties had a nice spice that was pleasantly acknowledged without being over dominating. The tzatziki sauce was the right texture to complement the pattie. My favourite element of the burger was the roasted capsicum as it was cooked to perfection as there wasn’t any trace of charcoal or being too soft. It delivered a good smokey taste and the moisture from the capsicum made it a notable burger.

Spiced Lamb Burger with roasted capsicum, rocket and tzatziki on a toasted challah bun served with chips

Like any skill, sport or profession that we take up, we are not expected to be the best on our first, second or even third attempt. Mistakes are a part of life, but it’s how you react to the mistake which I believe defines us. Whilst there was the wait and the unfortunate event of running out of ingredients, there were also some fantastic elements of Gardiner and Field worth checking out. Such mistakes can be rectified and with a little time to work out their kinks I believe they will deliver a fantastic brunch for all.”

Miss SL:
“When fellow blogger Daisy invited us to join her for brunch, we could hardly say no. Her super friendly online (and real life!) personality makes her a real treat and so we were delighted to catch up with her at the opening weekend for new inner suburban cafe Gardiner and Field.

The day was bright and full of hope as we waited outside amongst the hoard of fellow brunchers, our name patiently on the list. Time ticked away as we compared notes about our favorite dining experiences and the crowds seemed to swell – not quell – as we went on. A peek inside the venue revealed a rather small layout – the barista station was well adorned but the interior dining space was tiny, seating mainly tables for two, with only one or two tables suitable for groups. No wonder the wait was so long!

Quite literally one hour and ten minutes (!) later we were seated at the far end of an outdoor wooden bench. It was the longest wait I’d ever had to endure for a seat but our newfound company had kept my spirits high.

Waiters were hard to come by in the outside area and so we pounced on one walking by, ordering our coffees, which in my case was a double espresso [$3] of the house blend Gardiner and Field.

Our coffees came out and I was unsure if I had been given a double or single shot, as the cups were quite wide. The flavour of the coffee were lovely and had a notable hit of berries. Daisy didn’t feel her mocha was up to scratch, and after having a sip I could see why – it was far too watery and didn’t have a very prominent chocolate flavour.

It was time to order and the menu looked pretty yum. I’d decided on the Baked rhubarb and strawberries rolled in French toasted tortillas with orange, mint and a sprinkle of granola [$14.50] with a Snickers milkshake [$5] to accompany it, because I’m a guts. Daisy had ordered the Spiced Quinoa, pumpkin and chickpea fritters with flatbread, spiced yoghurt, coriander and poached eggs [$16.50] and a Cherry Ripe milkshake [$5].

Whilst we chatted as we waited for our orders to come through it was evident the cafe was entirely overwhelmed with the crowds that had arrived to try their food. Groups of four were milling around inside, outside and on the roadside. The maitre de looked rather stressed and I couldn’t help but sympathise with her.

Left: Cherry Ripe milkshake, Right: Snickers milkshake

My milkshake was first out and it was delicious! With real Snickers blended into the drink, my crunchy nut and chocolate milkshake was curbing my hunger pangs. Daisy’s Cherry Ripe milkshake was also quite reflective of the name, and rather delicious!

When our dishes came out I was pretty satisfied with what I saw. While the serving sizes seemed a little small I knew that it would be enough given my milkshake was well on its way to filling up my belly.

Baked rhubarb and strawberries rolled in French toasted tortillas with orange, mint and a sprinkle of granola

My main dish was lovely; the rhubarb and strawberries were sweet without being sickening. The French tortillas were a marvelous idea – somewhere between a French crepe and a Mexican tortilla. The shell was beautifully cooked and was not too sweet. The granola was generous and wasn’t just there for its looks – they created crunch, adding some dynamics in what was served. The orange was really juicy and cleansed the palate just when the strawberries and rhubarb became a bit routine.

Daisy shared one of her quinoa balls with us and it was packed with a cumin punch. The balls themselves were a little soft and fell apart as soon as I stuck my fork into it. I suspect this is because the kitchen had run out core ingredients, as I didn’t taste the pumpkin or the chickpeas (I think the chickpeas would have helped the balls stick together?!). It was still delicious though!
We couldn’t help but overhear one of the waiters talking to a customer about how they had such a high demand the previous day that they’d run out of bread! Yikes!

Spiced Quinoa, pumpkin and chickpea fritters with flatbread, spiced yoghurt, coriander and poached eggs

I had a taste of Mr LBs lamb burger and it was delicious, but the stand out element on his dish was definitely the chips. Being a big chip fiend I have to say they were extremely well made. They were a little flakey on the batter, golden brown, CRISPY, fluffy on the inside and perfectly salted. YUM!

As we were coming towards the end of our meals I noticed that the crowds had suddenly disappeared. An announcement shortly after was made to remaining brunchers that the kitchen had closed early. We talked to one of the owners – Jesse and he said they didn’t expect so many people on opening weekend and that they’d basically run out of food in the kitchen!

Overall the food at Gardiner and Field was good, but they need a bit of time to organise and prepare themselves for the weekend crowds. Hopefully they’ll sort themselves out for next weekend and order more supplies like bread rolls, bread and chickpeas! These guys are definitely worth keeping an eye out for and if you decide to go I’d heavily suggest you keep it to a group of two and go early morning or on a weekday. Happy brunching!”

Final thought: “Cafe worth watching… definite up and comer. Suitable for pairs – not groups”

Gardiner and Field on Urbanspoon

Filed under Armadale, Burger, Other Brunch Foods, South, Vegetarian Breakfast Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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