Good Coffee

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Jethro Canteen – Richmond – Friday 7 October 2016 – Lunch

Chilli dog

Chilli dog

There are tens of apartment blocks going up in Richmond at any one time; all the time. That is not necessarily a good thing. On the flipside, the almost comparable number of cafes with good looks, sharp service, and great food, is a far more attractive element.

Given a moment to think, one could very quickly reel off half a dozen new cafes that have begun life in Richmond in the past year. Jethro Canteen, on Burnley Street, at the back East end of this great suburb, is the latest to be born.

There are some nice differences in the fitout that set it apart from many others in recent times, but it is still the clean minimalist look associated with this era in design. I particularly like the flourishes of green, and the exposed brick, in this wide rectangular double fronted old shop. Naturally with the length, the windows allow a lot of light through to fill the cafe with brightness.

As you would expect, on this first Friday of operation the cafe is full at lunch. We wait for a larger table of blokes to leave and our turn comes not long after arriving. If the wait time is too long, there is always Friends Of Mine a few minutes around the corner, or even better, Penny House just down the street.
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Instantly there appears to be a go-to dish in the form of the Jethro chilli dog. In fact, all three of the gentleman on our table instantly order it. I have a lower heat tolerance than Graeme and Ralph, so I use less of the jalapenos provided, but there is hot mustard on top of the brioche bun, and flecks of chilli in the frankfurter sausage, that gives the right amount of zing. It’s good, and I would go back for it again, but I would equally go for the fried chicken in charcoal brioche!

The coffee is good too. And I’ve been back twice to make sure! Each time there have been a surprising amount of staff, which is a great thing if it keeps up, because the crowds are already hitting up the cafe all times of day.

All I can say is keep the great new cafes coming, but please halt the number of new apartment blocks!

Jethro Canteen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Ferrovia Deli & Fine Foods – Pascoe Vale – Saturday 6 August 2016 – Breakfast

Eggs Florentine with a side of Hash Browns

Eggs Florentine with a side of Hash Browns

Spoilt for choice in Richmond, I cannot help the small pang of jealousy that Pascoe Vale has Ferrovia Deli & Fine Foods. Here is a cute neighbourhood café that is comparatively small both inside and out, with a feel of the suburbs.

There is no line, but there is a sizeable enough crowd to deliver a nice atmosphere. The service is relaxed and friendly, but still well tuned. All aspects feel comfortable and homely.

I came across Ferrovia about six months ago when looking for a coffee in what is a random area for me having led an existence around the inner city for all the years I’ve lived in Melbourne. Back in Perth I grew up in the suburbs, but there were no quality cafes within cooee. At that first time the coffee was great, and I instantly vowed to return for breakfast.

The interior is rustic, with dark tones; the focus being on the display window, tables and chairs scattered around where they can fit. Looking at the menu there are plenty of good looking options. A traditional dish, but one I’m not familiar with, the Eggs in Purgatory jumps out to Catherine. I decide to try an old classic that I haven’t eaten in a long time.

Eggs in Pergatory with a side of bacon

Eggs in Purgatory with a side of bacon

Catherine’s eggs in waiting for heaven is basically poached eggs in a Napoli sauce topped with with pesto and pecorino cheese. This dish is made by the rich Napoli sauce which is oozing flavour, freshened by the pesto. Obviously all of the ingredients are on the heavier side, but Catherine loves the combination.

My eggs Florentine also has perfectly poached eggs, the yolk running over just-steamed spinach. The hollandaise is terrific, and this classic combination is executed much better than average. The whole dish makes me regret not having ordered it for years. Our sides of bacon and crunchy hash browns, in particular, are excellent too.

Ferrovia’s coffee is fantastic. Using only a blend, the three I try are consistent, my long black each time is well made. Catherine’s orange juice is freshly squeezed; nice and sweet.

Out in the suburbs, Ferrovia is serving up food and coffee that stands up to the better cafes in inner city Melbourne. It goes to show that driving that extra bit doesn’t necessarily reduce the quality, but you certainly won’t have to wait in line as the weekend goes by.

Ferrovia Deli & Fine Foods Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato