Tag Archives: brunch

a place to drink, but only drink

It’s another breakfasty-brunchy post. What the hell. Sunshine, waking up early-ish on weekends. I don’t even know me anymore.

signage

Apte is about halfway between where I live and the city. Could be a good bike ride location when the weather stays good instead of this warm-cold Melbourne nonsense we’re experiencing at present.

Alas, while the staff are sweet and I’m told the coffee is fantastic (5 Senses blend), breakfast was…lacklustre. Here’s a cafe latte for your delectation.

cafe latté

I ordered the ‘apte’ scrambled eggs, with the optional smoked salmon and asked for goat’s cheese instead of the feta that normally comes with that. The staff were pretty cool with that. However, when my dish first came out, there was no salmon. Back into the kitchen it goes to be mussed up and have salmon added to it. It does not give me any pleasure to say that my mother makes better scrambled eggs – these were rubbery and dry.

apte scrambled eggs with salmon and goat's cheese

Ze Bit O’ Meat’s Spanish baked eggs didn’t fare much better. The eggs were overcooked and the yolks looked the ones you get on hard boiled eggs. Really, really disappointing. Normally I invent excuses to visit a place more than once before doing the write-up (‘research’ trips are important, hehe) but as we were leaving, I said to T that I didn’t feel this place needed a revisit.

spanish baked eggs

A shame really, given that on a sunny day it’s a gorgeous space to eat outside, and it’s stylish indoors.

Am I missing something? (about Apte, I mean, be nice!) Perhaps we caught them on a bad day? I’m not too fussed as I can head to Big Dish or Jackson Dodds if I want a semi-local breakfasty-brunchy fix.

Apte on Urbanspoon

the dish sure is big enough!

When I first went to Big Dish in Thornbury, purely on the basis that it seemed to have semi-decent reviews on Urbanspoon and was tucked away out my way, Tristan was adamant it not be reviewed due to the possible flux of hipsters. I politely pointed out that a. he was a dirty, filthy, stinking hipster and b. I really, really, really liked it.
The second time we went, we’re in the car going back to mine.

“Gem, you tewtelly have to review Big Dish!”
“What the fuck? You said I couldn’t review it!”
“Do it before (redacted) do!”
“Oh…oh, okay then, I bloody well will!”

220820102531

Big Dish is always packed. It’s also a house, or rather, was. I overheard the cook telling a couple to grab seats in the kids’ room if nowhere else was available. On our first visit, we sat at the communal table, which really is just a dining table. The last time we went, we got a table outdoors. I couldn’t remember when it was last warm enough to sit outside! Yea spring.

The menus are adorable and are repurposed Little Golden Books. Remember those? The only one I have is for the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, bought for me when we lived in England to help with a maths competition (I didn’t win. It’s okay, one year there I won a soft toy tiger that I originally named ‘Tigger’. He made the Britain-to-Australasia trip too). Tristan read the one below while I went back inside to order.

another Little Golden Book & OJ

The only real issue with the menu is a lot of it is egg-based. Don’t get me wrong, I love eggs for breakfast, but if you’re trying to avoid them then options are tricky. Having said that, I ordered the campfire breakfast – cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, caramelised onions, scrambled eggs and spinach. It’s baked in a small cast-iron pan and served with a side of sourdough. Divine.

220820102529

Tristan had the claypot eggs which comes in three flavours: chorizo, spinach and fetta or basil and parmesan. He chose the spinach and fetta. The eggs are cooked in a tomato and sweet capsicum salsa. Sourdough is perfect with this for soaking up the leftover juices. Again, a deeply impressive dish.

spinach and fetta claypot eggs

Was it a fluke? We decided to revisit last weekend to see. All in the name of research, you understand. Nabbing a table on the outdoor verandah, I admired yet another retro salt and pepper duo! Can’t decide if I prefer this duo or the one at The Breakfast Club…

salt 'n' pepper

It’s no fluke. My chilli con carne burrito was freaking fantastic. Wine-marinated mince and everything! And the stringy cheese and beans! I ate everything, even the guacamole, Jalapenos and tomato relish. Damn good tortillas too. I haven’t had breakfast as I write this and could really go this again. Care to peek inside?

chilli con carne burrito

T was equally thrilled with his sweet corn hot cakes that comes with perfectly poached eggs, avocado, horseradish cream and your choice of a side of bacon or smoked salmon.

corn cakes with poached eggs and bacon

Their chai lattes aren’t the best I’ve had, but T tells me the coffee is really good. It turns out that they use Coffee Supreme beans.

café latté

I love the Mexican lilt to their menu and the warm, friendly service. Expect to pay about $15 or so for a breakfasty-brunchy treat. While you’re at it, have a browse through the art for sale displayed on the walls. Yea for supporting local artists.

Big Dish on Urbanspoon

bonus breakfast lust

Today, a beery post was planned for publication. Alas, technology and that silly real life thing got in the way. Have a bonus breakfast post instead?

I was thrilled when I read on …it pleases us that there was a joint called The Breakfast Club that wasn’t too far from where I lived, in the oh so trendy Northcote. Quite some time ago, I forced myself out of bed at a ‘regular person’ hour and paid a visit.

I love it when bunnies tell you what’s special. I was so tempted by the rice porridge special on the board but needed a savoury fix badly.

specials

I also love it when teapots come in cosies.

cosy tea

I ordered ‘Tones creamy baked eggs’. Baked and creamy as promised and surprise savoury goodness – you never knew what you’d get in each mouthful, yum. There were all sorts of savoury things in there!

baked whatsit

T ordered ‘Something fishy for Marce’ – beautiful tomato and sardine toast. Even now, looking at the photo, it looks so fresh that you could reach through the screen and just grab it to eat!

sardines on toast on a plate

Let’s not forget the side of Mexican beans! I suspect these were just baked beans out of a tin with the addition of chilli or tabasco and other such things…

mehico beans

I vowed to return: there was a toastie called ‘the Ringwald’ that had my name on it. I decided to drop in this week alone months after my first visit to catch up on some reading. Gush!

Actually, I read the article before on Obama: I merely stared goggle-eyed at the photo of Gaiman (hey, most of you would do the same!).

Oh yes, breakfast! The Ringwald – melted brie, quince paste, basil and cracked pepper.

the Ringwald

Wait…that’s it? Where’s the basil…? *pout*

The lovely new waitress came over and apologised profusely, explaining she was new and forgot to add basil. She handed me a small bowl and a pepper grinder to add.

That’s better!

the Ringwald properly adorned

Alas, it should have had more brie and less quince. I’ll probably stick to their fantastic baked eggs selection in the future.

I also had a pot of soy chai and got to see another tea cosy in action.

yet another tea cosy

The cafe is dotted with all sorts of cool retro knick-knacks. I especially loved this salt and pepper duo, straight out of the 70s.

salt 'n' peppa

The Breakfast Club is a little out of the way on St Georges Rd rather than on High St but that makes it quieter. A good thing as it’s teensy! The service is lovely and it’s a fab breakfast and brunch spot. Just make sure you bring cash as they don’t take plastic. I’m also really keen to try out their restaurant next door, creatively called Next Door Diner.

Oh Northcote, so not hungover. Well, not this time (yea craft beer!).

The Breakfast Club on Urbanspoon