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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

One to follow the leader

March 25, 2013 Leave a comment

Opening hours:
Mon – Sun: 7am – 5pm

Coffee: St Ali

Mr LB:
“Being the eldest of two other siblings, I often copped the brunt of punishment dished out by my parents. Sure, I’ll admit there was times when I had taken the last cookie from the jar just before dinner or had terrible table manners. But I was young and impressionable, and pushing the boundaries seemed fun. At the time I felt this practice was quite unforgiving as my younger brother and sister enjoyed the advantages of the do’s and don’ts of childhood behaviour. Somehow though, I became their leader so that they may not only learn life skills but also learn how to have fun stuff. While they failed to pick up my sense of great brunching and coffee, I headed out to meet Miss SL at Ripponlea to try out the somewhat new cafe, Follow The Leader.

The sun was certainly out and it was hot on the day we arrived. Upon entering, I was drawn to the cool wallpaper that acted as a backdrop to the main dining hall of the cafe. It had blended nicely with the subtle furniture and general decor. We had the opportunity to dine either in the cool air of the main hall or outside on the patio under the umbrellas. Given Melbourne’s short spell of a real summer, we had decided to consume brunch within some lovely sunshine.

There always comes a time in ones life when you know the best thing to do is saying no. Sadly, on this occasion it was to my long beloved friend, long black [$3.50]. Given that we were dining in peak heat, Miss SL and I quickly agreed on a smoothie, Rejuvenate – orange, carrot, lemon sorbet, lime and ginger [glass $6, jug $15]. Crushed ice combined with the citrus flavours resulted in a definite thirst quencher.

Corn Fritter: smoked salmon, sour cream and salad of avocado, spring onion, chili, coriander

The menu at Follow the Leader had all of the usual suspects to keep any brunch-goer happy. I went for the safe option of Corn Fritters: smoked salmon, sour cream and salad of avocado, spring onion, chili, coriander [$16]. In terms of presentation, the corn fritters were nice and evenly shaped as they lay on a bed of salad. The corn fitters were fried to perfection providing the desired crunch with the batter not being to doughy. The sour cream and flavoured oil certainly completed the corn fritters and tying the dish together. It was a filling brunch that would satisfied most, but there was no outstanding flare.

Pistachio cupcake

We were both keen for brunch dessert, opting for the Pistachio cupcake [~$4]. The cupcake was a lovely combination of soft and nutty. The icing wasn’t too rich, which is big tick for me, and the sprinkle of the pistachio allowed the cupcake to fully explore its star flavour. It was the perfect sweet to end our brunch.

Follow the Leader is a great cafe if you don’t want to be hassled with brunch lines, long waiting periods for food and the too-cool-for-me-hipsters. It’s a great location for a no fuss and chilled brunch.”

Miss SL:
“It was a beautiful sunny day when we’d arrived in Ripponlea to try a cafe that had contacted us on twitter. When we walked into Follow The Leader the vibe screamed ‘local hangout’ – and I don’t mean this in an offensive way. What I mean is, it was incredibly relaxed and unpretentious.

We were quick to enter into the courtyard in the back of the cafe, passing the open kitchen on our way. As we entered, we were welcomed by hessian bags carrying herbs.

Stripey cushions lay against tall, wooden walls which doubled up as fencing, which were well-matched by the paint job. Something about the cafe reminded me of Orange in Windsor. As soon as we sat down, one of the first things I noticed on the menu was the ability to order smoothies by the jug! This seemed quite convenient as Mr LB and I are often very thirsty people on brunching days, so we ordered a Rejuvenate – orange, carrot, lemon sorbet, lime and ginger [glass $6, jug $15] by the jug.

Rejuvenate Smoothie

It was a bomby 30 degrees on the day that we were here and our smoothie went down a real treat! The carrot and orange combination was really beautifully balanced and the flavours of the lemon sorbet softened the harshness of the pulp.

It was time to order our mains and after much abstaining I finally gave into the cheesy goodness of the Croque-Monsieur – French grilled ham and cheese sandwich with double mustard aioli [$10]. I also noticed on the menu that there was some Grilled Haloumi: with honey fresh mint and dried cranberries [$5]. For such a cheap side, who could say no?!

Grilled Haloumi: with honey fresh mint and dried cranberries

Croque-Monsieur – French grilled ham and cheese sandwich with double mustard aioli

The grilled haloumi was thinly sliced and quite rubbery to eat. The honey made an immediate impression upon my palate and it took a bit of chewing before the saltiness of the grilled haloumi came through, breaking through the initial sweetness on the palate. Cranberries and haloumi are always a winning combination but the addition of the honey was just plain clever.

My croque-monsieur was delicious from the moment my teeth broke bread. The sourdough was crisp and the bottom of the sandwich was beautifully caramelised with melted cheese and butter.

Croque-Monsieur – French grilled ham and cheese sandwich with double mustard aioli

The ham was really lovely and fresh. The mustard aioli was something quite unique to this dish and was a beautiful addition. The mustard aioli was mild and creamy but still powerful enough to cut through the thick sourdough and ham.

Overall, Follow The Leader was a nice experience. What it lacked in fancy decor, it gave back in fast service and nice meals. It is great for catching up with family and friends who are in the area.”

Final thought: “Refreshing smoothies by the jug”

Follow the Leader Cafe on Urbanspoon

Filed under Brunch dessert, Other Brunch Foods, Ripponlea, South, Zucchini / Corn Fritters Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Petty Officer takes charge

November 8, 2012 5 Comments

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Opening hours:
Sun – Sat: 7am – 4pm

Coffee: Axil house blend, Single Origin, Filter coffee, Affogato

Mr LB:
“To be given the title ‘petty officer’ gives the impression that you’re on the bottom. Even the Oxford English Dictionary provides the definition as ‘of small size, small, little’. Names and titles are important for organisations relying heavily on authority to ensure each person knows its place. Even when America had achieved their independence and the forefathers were deciding on the name of the now ‘President’, they wanted a title that derived as little power as possible. A title that the public had little care or understanding for and certainly didn’t hold any power. The Petty Officer may have a title indicating they’re small, but they’re sure making waves in Albert Park.

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We arrived on a fabulously sunny Sunday that had ticked all of Miss SLs boxes. Excited as we walk to The Petty Officer, we were greeted by a lovely white corner café with seating out the front and appropriate space for waiting guests. Inside there is clean and defining furniture with little reminders that it’s part of the Axil family. The same down lights are used, but here they are cleverly shaped with defining wired hourglass lamp shades and the same strong black stools. What is fabulous about this café space is the use of the natural light that shines to provide a warm environment with pre-dated war décor and an interesting painting of a bird. Space wise it ticks all the boxes, just don’t stand near the barista station- it’s clearly marked as a no standing zone.

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After being escorted to our seats and taking in the decor of The Petty Officer’s quarters, it was time to order our coffee to start this voyage. As typical as a Senior Sergeant with his cut lunch, I went for the Axil house blend in a long black [$3.50]. While the coffee head was a little distorted I can confirm this coffee was well-balanced. At the start I didn’t pick up on the slight nutty flavour that was present. The standout element was the clean finish taste on the palate. Having had a few Axil house blends, I believe crafting a coffee which allures you into having another taste is one of their strengths. A kick-ass long black if I don’t say myself.

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The menu brings about a good selection of food options and has a strong connection with the Axil menu. There are the known favourites such as the Avocado smashed with Meredith cheese, but all having their own little spin. The Corn, zucchini, & mint fritters with bloody Mary salsa, celery salt and crème fraiche [$15] was my winning choice. As the picture outlines, this was certainly not your typical fritters and as I long wanted to try a new interpretation of fritters I was quick to dig in.
The four medium-sized fritters had been shallow fried but weren’t too oily and provided a nice crunch on the outside. The size of corn made this dish pop with flavour and the zucchini and mint made the inside of the fritter fluffy. The bloody Mary salsa was a perfect addition as it provided the right amount of spice and zing from what tasted like Tabasco sauce. It packed a powerful punch! The additional tomatoes push the overall dishes’ flavour in the right direction and whilst the salsa was a little oily the crème fraiche brought the dish together.

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Corn, zucchini, & mint fritters with bloody mary salsa, celery salt and crème fraiche

If fritters are not your thing, The Petty Officer was pumping out a number of delicious looking Wagyu beef burger, bacon, gruyere, beetroot relish, butter lettuce, house pickles [$16.50] – perfect for a Sunday lunch meal with a selection of cold phoenix drinks.

Albert Park may have few good quality cafes to its name, but The Petty Officer will make its mark sooner rather than later. It’s certainly worth any brunch-goers time.”

Miss SL:
“It was the perfect day. The sun was shining through the blinds as early as 8am, I had plans for an early morning bike ride and run, followed by brunch with my friends Mesh and Audrey.

Lying in bed I flicked through the web and realised that Axil‘s new brainchild The Petty Officer had finally opened a week ago, and a place called Jock’s Ice Cream & Sorbet (also in Albert Park) were doing a special ice cream sandwich on every Sunday for the month of November. It seemed that the stars were aligned and we would be off to Albert park.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

We arrived at 12:30pm to find that we had a short wait of 15 minutes to our table. This was unusually quick for a new cafe. Sure enough we were seated to a table for four inside. The interior of The Petty Officer is clean yet clever. The eyes are immediately drawn to the lines of the cafe, and a cleverly incorporated border creates a frame for the dining space.

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Upon taking our seats I ordered an affogato to start with. The menu revealed some great choices and EVERYTHING that came out of the kitchen looked delicious, particularly the lunch options such as the Wagyu beef burger, bacon, gruyere, beetroot relish, butter lettuce, house pickles [$16.50]. My affogato was delicious – a little too delicious in fact and I downed it a little too quickly. There was just the right amount of ice cream added to my shot of coffee, transforming the Axil blend into something that was rich, smooth and creamy. It was finished before the waitress even had a chance to take our food orders down.

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After much contemplation I decided to go for the Chief Petty Officer- smashed avocado, roast tomato, bacon, tomato relish, and poached eggs on toast [$17.50], ordering a double espresso [$3.50] to accompany it. Audrey went for the same dish as me, add mushrooms [$3], with fried eggs instead of poached. Our waitress was a gorgeous girl with a super friendly attitude and a great pixie cut and she joked and laughed at us with Audrey’s alterations every time she attempted to walk off.

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Avocado smashed with Meredith feta, mint, radish and lemon served on grain toast

Mesh is a bit of an Axil fan, as he used to live around the corner from it and would always order the baked eggs. I banned him from ordering this dish here, challenging him to broaden his vegetarian horizons and he ended up ordering the Avocado smashed with Meredith feta, mint, radish and lemon served on grain toast [$14.50]. The serving size of his dish looked really generous and the radish just seemed to add an element of freshness to it.

My newly arrived double espresso was a lot stronger and much more crisp on the tongue than my previous affogato. This was a great thing as it forced me to sip it along with my meal rather than greedily gulp it down.

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Chief Petty Officer- Smashed avocado, roast tomato, bacon, tomato relish, and poached eggs on toast

When my Chief Petty Officer came out there were two things that I noticed immediately:

  1. That the eggs were shaped perfectly and perhaps even trimmed. I could tell they were cooked until they oozed gooey yolk; and
  2. The ‘toast’ was in fact beautiful baguette bread sliced in half and toasted. Lovely!

Everything on the plate was well made and fresh – the roasted tomatoes were juicy and sweet, the avocado and feta was salty and creamy and the bacon was fried until they were rich pink. There was really nothing to fault!

When questioned around the table everyone unanimously agreed the food was good, although Audrey looked a hesitant. This could have been due to a rather grumpy waitress who was a bit rude earlier.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Chief Petty Officer- Smashed avocado, roast tomato, bacon, tomato relish, and poached eggs on toast add mushrooms w fried eggs

It seemed like The Petty Officer had been opened for long time and didn’t show the traits of a new cafe struggling to keep up. The menu had an interesting take on the usual favourites and our pixie-haired waitress really made our experience an enjoyable one. It’s a great addition to the Albert Park area and if you’re a fan of Axil, we recommend giving these guys a try!

Final thought: “A unique take on corn fritters”

The Petty Officer on Urbanspoon

We’d read about an ice creamery in Albert Park called Jock’s which was doing a special edition ice cream sandwich on every Sunday for the month of November 2012. The sandwiches were made from brioche bread, supplied from the infamous Brasserie Bread. How could we possibly ignore such a salacious offer?! When we googled the address it would appear we were in luck – Jock’s Ice Cream & Sorbet was just a couple of doors down from The Petty Officer!

We arrived to find a queue of locals getting single and double cone ice creams. We lined up to find interesting flavours for our picking – panacotta, pavlova and salted caramel to name a few (although they were out of salted caramel). Miss SL decided to go for the pavlova flavour and Mr LB got Blood Orange. We have to say the sandwiches were delightful but at $4.50 a pop they weren’t cheap.

Ice cream sandwich

The brioche was quite sweet, but seemed to balance the flavours of our ice creams. This seemed like a dessert that would typically be found in Asia, and when we asked Audrey if this was something considered normal in China (her home country), she said yes. Our only comment about the brioche was that it seemed a little stale. We’re not sure if this was intentional so that the buns would hold their shape with ice cream in them or if this was just a stale batch of buns. With that said, if we were kids this would be a real hoot of a treat! Make sure you give Jock’s a try for brunch-dessert if you’re in the area!

Filed under Albert Park, Big Breakfast, Brunch dessert, Eggs (Other), South, Zucchini / Corn Fritters Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jackson Dodds serves up a good brew

June 28, 2012 2 Comments

Coffee: Allpress

Mr LB:
“There are a number of fundamental elements which make up Melbourne’s charm. However, they don’t get any bigger than the beloved tram. Love them or hate them, they are a Melbourne icon and easy transportation for either a few city blocks or urban travelling. Over the years the network has expanded and is said to be the largest tram network in the world. Covering 250km of tracks and 1,763 stops. The largest number of stops belongs to Rout 112, which goes from West Preston to Fitzroy Street, St Kilda via the City. It captures all the fabulous elements that Melbourne has to offer, from the east to the west.  What you may not know about this route is that at the final stop on the west side lies a cafe which is pushing all the right buttons to deliver a fine brunch experience - Jackson Dodds.

The cafe space at Jackson Dodds is surprising. There is only one room (I assume this space was once a shop front) which provides seating for brunch goers, a barista station on the left and an open kitchen at the end. If fresh air is more your style, then there is seating outside on the sidewalk which provides the opportunity to embrace the strange but thought-provoking street art. What Jackson Dodds delivers is an edgy and raw cafe without the unnecessary pretentious air. It has certainly cultivated a ‘cool kid’ / ‘indie’ vibe which is nice to discover within the suburb of Preston.

A quick ‘good morning’ from the waitress was quickly followed by our coffee orders. Jumping straight to the point I ordered my AllPress long black [$3.50]. It had a striking, dark taste with a desirable slight bitterness. It was an addictively good coffee. With AllPress being stocked at a number of quality cafes, I was surprised at how well it was brewed. It was possibly the best Allpress long black I’d had in a few months.

It’s a common occurence that Miss SL and myself have the same or similar thought process when selecting our meals. The discussion of what to eat always starts with friendly input, followed by expressions such as ‘ohhhh’ and then ends with food envy. With Miss SL having first dibs on her meal, I then pivoted towards the fritter option and decided on the special - Parsnip & Sweet Corn Fritters with roasted tomatoes, bacon, beetroot relish and poached eggs [$16].

Parsnip & Sweet Corn Fritters with roasted tomatoes, bacon, beetroot relish and poached eggs

The fritters themselves were perfectly cook – crispy on the outside but soft in the middle. The flavours of the sweet corn and the parsnip were certainly distinguishable, well completed by the beetroot relish which gave the dish a spicy kick. The poached eggs were cooked perfectly and the bacon was nice and juicy, although I would have preferred it to be a little crunchier. What was exciting about this dish was the endless combinations of sides to go with the fritters. It certainly wasn’t the case that the last fritter was eaten by itself. It was the perfect winter meal – hearty and delicious.

Overall, I was quite impressed that a cafe space in Preston delivered such a fabulous brunch experience. It is always good to see cafes away from the urban fringe that can deliver high quality brunch dishes and good coffee. Jackson Dodds is worth the trip and let’s hope Preston gathers traction for more brunch opportunities.”

Miss SL:
“Winter is a terrible time of year for most people, as diets go out the window and we all take comfort in warm, hearty meals.  Heavy dinners and excessive snacking had led me to drastic actions and my personal trainer put me on a four-week healthy eating plan to re-calibrate my healthy eating senses. We’re by no means fatties – we certainly exercise and keep fairly trim. It was the end of my first week on my new healthy eating plan and I decided that, so long as I didn’t go down the path of desserts or things outside the guidelines of what my trainer had defined, brunch could certainly be managed. I felt like something different and so started perusing online, finally settling on a quaint place known as Jackson Dodds in Preston.

It was a completely miserable day and the long drive to get there left me extremely hungry. We entered into what felt like a very cool, trendy cafe. It was small and the kitchen was open plan – the barista station was in full view from where cafe-goers were sitting. Post-visit I looked up other reviews and it would seem that Jackson Dodds was a place for families. Unfortunately I didn’t get this vibe at all – there were no clog of pushers in the walkways and I felt like I was in a trendy cafe in Brunswick (although I have been recently informed by a work colleagues that families are in and out well and truly before the brunching period begins).

The first thing I noticed upon taking a seat was that the coffee was done by AllPress. Tick. Next up, there was a notice on the chalkboard that they only use organic food to prepare meals. Tick. I could really like this place. When I got the menu, I noticed that gluten-free bread was available for an additional $2 per slice. This was a big tick as I wasn’t allowed any gluten as part of my diet. Hooray! Time for ordering.

Chamomile Tea

I’d ordered an chamomile tea [$4] to start with as I was quite sick and quickly decided on Jacks Breakfast – two poached eggs w/ grilled haloumi , sauteed spinach, avocado, & house made tomato relish, on sourdough [$15] add mushrooms [$2] add gluten-free bread [$2].

My tea had an absolutely beautiful scent and came out a gorgeous gold colour – smooth and delicate like honey. I tried to hail down a waiter to get me some honey to sweeten the brew and sooth my throat but couldn’t catch one despite sitting right near the barista station.

I’d finished my tea pretty quickly and ordered a short black [$3.30] to go with my food (as latte’s were not allowed as part of my healthy eating regime). The AllPress coffee I received had a dark chocolate taste to it – slightly bitter but with nice undertones.

Jacks Breakfast – two poached eggs w/ grilled haloumi , sauteed spinach, avocado, & house made tomato relish, on sourdough add mushrooms add gluten-free bread

When my meal came out I was immediately impressed with it. I don’t think haloumi would have been considered ‘diet freindly’, but I’m going to be honest – it looked so friggin’ good I didn’t really care. It was the best haloumi I’d had since St Ali - perfectly salty adding excitement to the rest of the dish. The mushrooms were full of natural flavour. The gluten-free toast let the dish down a bit – it was dry and the yellow colour (I can only assume this was because it was made from corn) was a little off-putting. I can only really blame myself with that one, though. The tomato relish and avocado were simply fresh and delicious, living up to the fresh and organic social values they market.

Jackson Dodds was a surprisingly good eat for the journey out to Preston. Their organic food values and fresh produce made it worth the trip out there – and their coffee wasn’t bad either. If you’re on that side of the city and in the area, Jackson Dodds is worth the pop-in.”

Final thought: “Best haloumi since St Ali”

Jackson Dodds on Urbanspoon

Filed under Preston, Vegetarian Breakfast, Zucchini / Corn Fritters Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

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