Brunch roundup – June 2012 (Proud Mary, Fandango, Pope Joan, L’atelier, Penny Farthing Espresso)
Having just returned from another trip overseas, I am genuinely and horrendously … @#%&#$& behind. So get ready for an epic round up of brunch places I’ve visited in the past “many” months… Proud Mary, Fandango, Pope Joan, L’atelier, Penny Farthing Espresso.
Also stay tuned for drool-worthy posts from EUROPE.
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[Proud Mary]
Where: 172 Oxford Street, Collingwood
Contact: 03 9417 5930
This lofty brick rendered space is an old favourite of Melbourne brunch-goers since it opened in 2009 in the back streets of Collingwood. The coffees brewed from the monstrous Synesso machine are amazing, my latte brought out a slight citric note against a light roast. The soy versions aren’t nearly as visually enticing nor taste wise as resounding. Breakfast items on the Summer menu were: a simple but refreshing salad of Avocado
with heirloom tomato, goats cheese, rocket pesto; and much heartier Potato hash with grilled bacon, poached egg, asparagus, bagna cauda. Bagna Cauda is made out of garlic, anchovies, olive oil and butter; and to my delight this sauce wasn’t as salty as you might think. There was a lovely anchovy fishiness with a not too overpowering garlic element.
Rating: Yummy+1. Solid coffee and breakfast
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[Fandango]
Where: 97 Errol St, North Melbourne
Contact: 03 9329 0693
A breakfast meet up with Bryan & Ashley from a time long before I can remember when… Posts written by both companions have long been published (see here Fatboo and here Ashley ), but I thought it’d deserve a mention in this roundup.
Pesto scrambled eggs with oven roasted tomato on toasted sourdough bread
Beetroot eggs with poached eggs with beetroot and fetta relish, served with spinach on toasted sourdough
Avocado and tomato with basil pesto and cracked pepper on toasted sourdough. Add bacon and poached eggs.
Pancakes stack of three pancakes topped with fruit compote, strawberries, honeyed cream cheese and maple syrup
Coffee was somewhat disappointing (according to coffee-authority FatBOO), but the chai latte was certainly warming, and mildly spiced. I do however prefer Jackson Dodd’s more robust hand on its chai. Brunch details fortunately were much more refined. The pesto used had a great basil-herbiness, leaving all three diners gobsmacked with joy. The bright pink-purple beetroot and fetta was an enticing relish. The huge avocado and tomato breakfast was a huge filler with crispy bacon and pesto. Now being ravenous and all, I insisted on a dessert course of fluffy pancakes with a sweet (may I add a tad too sweet for me, but thoroughly enjoyed by Ashley) berry and rhubarb compote, to which there was no protest apart from the moaning over-satiety at the end.
Instead of a post-prandial rest, we decided on round two of coffees at Auction Rooms, only a short 5 metre walk next door…
Rating: Yummy+0.5. Though not the coffee powerhouse, this place creates hearty breakfast options in a retro fit-out.
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[Pope Joan]
Where: 77-79 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East
Contact: 03 9388 8858
Pope Joan is relaxed, sleek with lots of earthy qualities, and has a striking monochrome wall with linked up Oroton “O’s”. Things can move quickly here, but remains warm and friendly. Coffee used was Allpress beans. The subtle fragrance of the Spanner crab omelette, coriander, chilli salt was a standout at this breakfast sitting, alongside the simplicity of the Rice pudding, blueberries and rhubarb. The Falafels (dry and bland) and the Slow cooked pork belly were however less impressive.
Whilst my visit was a little hit-and-miss on that particular day and menu, I would not be fazed to return given the quality in the dishes that worked.
Rating: Yummy.
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[L’atelier]
Where: 351 Lygon St, East Bunswick
Contact: 9380 4915
A quick photo revisit – I have lost count how many times I have come back. The hot chocolate is always a must order. And breakfast ranges from the refined to the playful, and rarely lacks in the flavour and punch.
See previous posts >>> Here.
Rating: Yummy+1.5.
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[Penny Farthing Espresso]
Where: 206 High St, Northcote
Contact: 03 9482 2246
Another breakfast after another long, long night shift… something to look forward to at the end of a “night”.
Penny Farthing Espresso is an adorable little café on an increasingly bustling High St that brings together a vintage warmth and cuteness without exuding an aloof cool. The iconic penny farthing(s) sits in the front window (apparently still in working order) with another spotlighted against a white washed-wall near the rear. I had the urge to jump on one and try my skills… The French toast was the perfect cure for an overnight aftermath, with crisp-eggy exterior and fluffy middle. Ice cream and berry compote to finish. Other items pictured: Baked eggs with white bean puree, crispy prosciutto, confit tomatoes; and Corn fritters with capsicum relish, bacon and poached egg.
Rating: promising, but not given yet. Beautiful French toast, but didn’t get to try the coffee or other items so maybe a return visit?
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Almost Always Ravenous 
I hate you now. You’ve got me craving for cafe food at the wrong time of the day!
Brunch always looks so good! Have you tried chez dre?? I need to get myself there pronto!