The Brekky Review
29
October
There’s nothing more that us busy little bees like other than to go out for brekky on the weekend. That leisurely feeling that you don’t have to be anywhere, have no work to do and if you really want to, you can drink alcohol before midday without looking like a derelict. I realise this will be more of a Melbourne thing but hopefully, if any of our readers decide they have to visit Melbourne, this weekly guide will prove indespensible to those of you who savour a lazy brekky just like we do. And so here it is, the very first (cue dramatic music) Beezhouse Brekky Review.
Rathdowne Street Food Store
617 Rathdowne St, North Carlton
So I had a late night playing poker with the boys on last night. It’s so frustrating trying to play a serious game with people who are drunk and choose to play out of turn (posting blinds, calling in turn, shuffling cards properly and promptly). Rolling out of bed at 10:30am Sunday morning, I needed a recharge. I also wanted to explore areas of Melbourne I rarely visit. Rathdowne street is one such area. Mostly I use this street as a short cut to get home whilst avoiding the traffic of surrounding major roads. A quick phonecall to the Daydreamer and it was agreed we should meet at the Food Store (as it shall be known in this post).
Nestled in leafy Rathdowne street, the Food Store is what a lazy breakfast should be all about. I love being greeted the minute I walk in the door - it makes me feel welcome and attended to - and the staff of the Food Store were cued in straight away. I also love eating at a table dressed with linen table cloths, because brekky should always have an element of class to it. The weather wasn’t too cold so outdoor eating seemed the way to go (we won’t worry about the lack of seats inside).
Brekky is an event not to be taken lightly, with many fascinating menu options to choose from - muesli with a fruit (was it rhubarb?) compote caught my eye but if I want fibre, I’ll eat at home. There’s also a changing brunch menu offering a more ‘lunch-feel’ to breakfast faves. I wasn’t too sure about the fennel pancakes so I felt it would be safer to go with the eggs benedict, my yardstick of restaurant/café quality. My brekky didn’t fail to impress. Perfectly poached eggs covered in a lightly vinegared hollandaise sauce that was fresh without being overly creamy. Funky little rounds of hashbrowns (an optional extra) caught my attention for their funky presentation. The Daydreamer appeared to enjoy his omlette filled with smoked salmon and fetta - he didn’t have much to say while there was food on his plate.
Coffee was great (Genovese for the record), full of flavour, creamy in texture and most importantly, served at the right temperature. Right temperature meaning I didn’t have to let it sit for fifteen minutes before I could take another sip. Our waitress was pleasant and personable, giving us enough space to enjoy our food (and conversation) without neglecting us. Prices were in step with what I’d expect to pay for a quality cooked breakfast though I am still looking at my receipt and can’t believe I didn’t notice coffee was $4.50!?! It was a great coffee but I’m not really sure about paying $4+ for a coffee.
On the whole, the Rathdowne Street Food Store is what brekky in Melbourne should be: unobstrusive service, well-cooked food and well-made coffee. Oh, and lazing about on a leafy, inner suburban street with no plans at all. We give it:
Note: I was a little lazy in noting other menu items as my sole driving desire was for eggs benedict, so for a more comprehensive overview of the menu check out the breakfast blog.
Update: I was so surprised by the $4.50 price-tag on the coffee, I decided to return for an early brekky the following Saturday. Sure enough, the menu quite clearly states that coffee is $3. I took half a star off the rating for the price of coffee (on the first visit) and while I consider this matter now resolved to my stisfaction, the half star remains witheld for the inconvenience of being overcharged. For the record, I didn’t ask for my money back.
1. Jimmy James | October 30th, 2006 at 08:34
Oz, breakfast is sacred to me, and you certainly don’t make the effort to go out for breakfast then eat cereal.
Mario’s on Brunswick Street - poached eggs on multi grain toast, the coffee there is superb and the waiting staff are so cool that they’re not.
Retro down the road from Mario’s - the staff were really nice to my 12 year old niece when I took her there for breakfast after a Harry Potter book launch. The food and coffee were pretty good too. Everyone talks to each other there, so don’t go if you are hung over and grumpy.
The Reel Cafe in Belgrave (part of Cameo Cinema) - there’s a few things on the menu worth getting, but beware who makes your coffee. Still don’t know who keeps falling asleep at the machine.
Henry Hurst’s - this is a place in Hurstbridge named after the bushranger who first stamped his name on the area. The cafe is not far from where Henry received the bullet wound which eventually killed him. Nice Omlettes.
I even had breakfast at a small cafe at the top of Australia on Collins once. Prosciutto and scrambled eggs. It was pretty good.
2. Oz | October 30th, 2006 at 21:03
Amen to Mario’s - that review will come soon. That place is a institution to the Melbourne brekky scene.
I had a brekky at Retro a few weeks ago and was really disappointed. The staff were fantastic with their attitude and service but were sorely let down by the kitchen - the food just wasn’t up to scratch and I’ve seen better coffee.
I can guarantee there’ll be more reviews each week. As you said, brekky is sacred.
3. Jade | November 16th, 2006 at 09:59
Hey Jimmy James, I like that little place at the top of Australia on Collins too. I hear the soup is devine.
Although I also hear that since the owner has been away on sick leave, the place just isn’t the same! :) :)
4. jimmy james | November 21st, 2006 at 18:53
The soup is, as you say, something to die for.
You’re right, the service has really slipped. I went there the other day and someone was sitting at my table.