Emerald

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The General Food Store – Emerald, Victoria – Friday 22 May 2015 – Lunch

Roots ‘n’ All - Honey roasted Dutch carrots, beetroots, shallots and butternut, farro, parsley, toasted almond, currants, lemon crème fraîche, olive oil

Roots ‘n’ All – Honey roasted Dutch carrots, beetroots, shallots and butternut, farro, parsley, toasted almond, currants, lemon crème fraîche, olive oil

This is not the first time we’ve been to The General Food Store and my first review was all about whether the trip was worth it. Being the fourth time we’d travelled all the way to Emerald for breakfast or lunch I’d say the trip is undoubtedly worth it.

Since then we’ve learned a few things. The staff might be young but they can serve. The cafe might be small and popular, but we normally get straight in as we get there at more unusual times (really early, or just coming up to midday is a good time). Lastly, but most importantly, the food is always beautiful.

Kentucky Derby - Toasted sesame bun, citrus slow cooked pork shoulder, red cabbage slaw, spinach, house made barbeque sauce, mayonnaise

Kentucky Derby – Toasted sesame bun, citrus slow cooked pork shoulder, red cabbage slaw, spinach, house made barbeque sauce, mayonnaise

Today we were here a bit later for lunch. Catherine was torn between the Kentucky Derby and the Roots ‘n’ All so naturally I offered to have half of the pulled pork, and half of the vegies. The Kentucky Derby is a generous sized pulled pork burger kept reasonably straightforward in terms of ingredients. The ingredients themselves are packed with flavour though, and while the barbeque sauce in particular is incredible, nothing can match the gorgeous pulled pork as the star. Catherine especially enjoyed the bun too.

The Roots ‘n’ All is certainly not just an accompanying dish. It stands on its own and the honey roasted carrots are delightful. Why it is not just a side is the addition of beautifully roasted and caramelised shallots, and texture from the almonds and farro, all brought together with the lemon creme fraiche and olive oil dressing. I could be quite happy having this as the main event.

Some nice coffee, and some beer and cider later, and it has been another successful trip to Emerald thanks to The General Food Store. If there was ever a destination cafe within an hour of Melbourne, this is my pick.

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The General Food Store – Emerald, Victoria – Sunday 6 July 2014 – Breakfast

Waffles, coffee mascarpone, poached pear

Waffles, coffee mascarpone, poached pear

Our waitperson confidently and politely added “I hope the drive was worth it” as we pulled up a bench at this cute Emerald jewel. We did too. It was a wet and cold Sunday morning and the main reason we were up was the World Cup match between Netherlands and Costa Rica which went through to a riveting penalty shoot out; won by the former.

To be fair, the drive is not really that far, and we had been wanting to try The General Food Store for more than a few months. Knowing it is tiny, seating about twenty inside and less than that out front and back, we left early and were straight in about 9.30am, but no one after us was! Offering a pork belly special, and the pork belly on its own as a side (for $4.50!) was a good sign.

The next tick was the coffee. Supplied by Coffee Supreme and beautifully made, my long black was of a quality you normally expect at speciality roasters or coffee focussed cafes. Catherine had done her research and was straight on to the waffles with coffee mascarpone and poached pear. I had a taste and the mascarpone in particular was superb with a pear that had that perfect texture – cooked through and tender but not too soft. When combined with the waffles it made for a delicious and indulgent breakfast.

Boston beans, ham hock, poached eggs, corn bread, onion rings

Boston beans, ham hock, poached eggs, corn bread, onion rings

My “Hells Yes!” Boston baked beans with ham hock, poached eggs, spinach and corn bread were equally indulgent on the savoury side of the spectrum. I couldn’t get through all the corn bread, but it was terrific, providing something unique to a dish I tend to try regularly. Everything else on the plate was quality, especially the generous amount of ham through the beans. On top was a further nice touch with thin onion rings adding some texture to the softness of the other ingredients. Both the presentation and taste of the overall dish was one of my breakfast highlights for the year.

It’s tiny so you expect the staff to get around and be handy when you need another coffee, a take away baguette, and/or a couple of takeaway lemon tarts and slices – and they were – so we ordered up! They were also quick to serve and the customers around us were being served their breakfast incredibly quickly for such a small kitchen.

The Emerald General Food Store is doing everything right. And the drive is pretty nice too!
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