Good Coffee

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Grain Store – Melbourne, City – Sunday 7 June 2015 – Breakfast

Polenta corn fritter, avocado, and smashed greens, poached eggs, tomato chilli jam salsa, sweet potato crisps

Polenta corn fritter, avocado, and smashed greens, poached eggs, tomato chilli jam salsa, sweet potato crisps

Spoilt is an understatement when it comes to the excesses of brilliant cafes in Melbourne. After many years of trying I have learned to relax, take my time, and not attempt to try each and every one of them!

“Crossing off” cafes from my list has slowed as certain favourites have required more frequent visits, and I equally discover each new big thing might not always be my next big thing. However, we will always try a breakfast that offers something potentially exceptional and diverse. According to one of Catherine’s colleagues, the Grain Store offers this promise.

As I searched for somewhere to park while Catherine put our name down I regretted not getting the train into the city but there was some serious shopping to be done following breakfast. We take sustenance seriously, especially on Sunday morning, and by the time our 20 minute wait was over we were primed for the meal ahead. The entire menu appeals making it difficult to narrow down to one selection.

Portobello mushrooms and Gruyere potato rosti, poached eggs, hazelnut hollandaise, root chips

Portobello mushrooms and Gruyere potato rosti, poached eggs, hazelnut hollandaise, root chips

After reasonable deliberations I decided on the portobello mushrooms and Gruyere potato rosti not quite realising that the mushrooms were separate to the rosti. What was served up was a divine breakfast, simple in its nature, but breaking through the usual taste barriers impressively. The hazelnut hollandaise was particularly good at bringing the rich Gruyere rosti together with the rest of the dish.

Catherine was equally impressed. Her polenta corn fritter again taking something regular on breakfast menus, and bringing it to another level. The accompanying avocado, smashed greens, poached eggs, tomato chilli jam salsa, and sweet potato crisps, all adding balance of flavour and texture. A thoughtful dish.

The riches of Melbourne breakfast never cease to amaze. In this venue that reminds me of some of the elaborate, open spaced, cafes in the United States, there is a feeling of decadence. It seems there might be another cafe to add to the list of those I regularly need to attend.
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Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder – Richmond – Saturday 31 May 2015 – Breakfast

Home style baked borlotti beans with smoked ham hock and tomato ragout with gratinated Taleggio and basil pesto with toasted soldiers

Home style baked borlotti beans with smoked ham hock and tomato ragout with gratinated Taleggio and basil pesto with toasted soldiers

There is a pattern. It can never be too long between visits to Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder. The pattern is some months of absence before a distinct requirement for excessive cheese consumption like last September. Next comes the very grown up breakfast experience which reminds you that you must return for cheese, and lots of it!

RHCL has been a favourite from the first time I stepped in as a tourist. It is those visits, the professionalism of the staff, the cheese room, and the atmosphere, that sets it apart as an experience. Today it is about breakfast.

We have come at the right time. There is a table for two in the window which is by far my favourite spot inside and it is ours. I’ve indulged in the cheesy toast many times but today I feel like something a bit more sophisticated to pair with my sparkling shiraz.

Smashed avocado toast with Meredith goat’s feta, cherry tomatoes, chilli, basil & lemon infused olive oil

Smashed avocado toast with Meredith goat’s feta, cherry tomatoes, basil & lemon infused olive oil

The baked borlotti beans with ham hock seem perfect as we come to the threshold of winter in Melbourne. What I didn’t expect was the judicious use of taleggio over the top, oozing over the beans, but still showing the gorgeous rind that is a treasure in itself. That surprise was the highlight. Although the beans are flavoursome, they could be richer and personally I’d like the space to be able to place the beans on top of the toast so it soaks in the juices. A good dish but not as good as the cheesy toast.

Catherine enjoyed the RHCL’s version of smashed avocado, feta and cherry tomatoes. This is a dish that is on every second cafe menu, and for good reason. This one has good focus on quality ingredients, but with some accompaniments that enhance the dish beyond what most people could dish out at home.

It is easy for time to pass here as you chat, watch the foot traffic go by, and try to guess what the various gatherings are talking about, and where they have come from. There is that happy and satisfied atmosphere that is difficult to create in a restaurant, but seems like it now belongs.

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