Phat Milk

On an unsuspecting corner along Mt Alexander Road lies Phat Milk - modern Middle Eastern fare meets Melbourne cafe culture, pumping out St Ali brews to locals in the gateway to Melbourne’s North West.

A visit to Phat Milk promises an eclectic list of breakfast and lunch stand outs, inspired by Owner, Sean Halabi's Middle Eastern background. We're talking Warm Sahlab Puddings, (Middle Eastern pudding topped with crushed pistachios and berries), Shredded Confit Duck on zucchini and corn fritters with beetroot relish and drizzled with pomegranate molasses, to their Shish Baraks (Lebanese dumplings in hot garlic coriander yoghurt).

And behind the counter ? It’s all family affairs. Not simply in featuring mum’s home pickled olives recipe or grandma’s moghrabieh salad, but physically bringing in Mum and Dad into the kitchen to run a weekend traditional Middle Eastern BBQ. All the warm fuzzies.

Middle Eastern

Based on our waitress' suggestions, it would have been a sin not to order the Middle Eastern. Golden folds of scrambled eggs, falafels oh so crispy on the outside yet light and crumbly on the inside, Sean's Mum's home preserved olives made with TLC, thick and creamy labne, humus, sweet beetroot relish, spicy sujuk and a side of zataar bread. Lip-smackingly good.

Polenta Hotcake

I must say though, the ultimate breakfast showstopper here at Phat Milk must be their Polenta Hotcake, with devotees regularly making repeated visits over one weekend to get their Polenta Hotcake hit. Crispy-edged on the sides and tender in the middle, topped with a rainbow of seasonal fruits and berries, whipped Nutella mascarpone and a house made mixed berry coulis. Perfect for the gluten intolerant (and everyone else) !

I'm a sucker for fusion. And Phat Milk's unique fusion of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine with modern elements has made this Little Piggy very happy.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Phat Milk

Phat Milk

208 Mt Alexander Road

Travencore, VIC

http://phatmilkcafe.com.au 

 

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Mountain of Bears

Ormond locals rejoice ! From the dream team behind Manchester Press and Loco Coffee comes Mountain of Bears, bringing Melbourne's most beloved bagels and coffee to your neighbourhood. 

You'll find this humble little cafe tucked away in an arcade adjacent to Ormond train station. The bright and airy space is fitted out with polished timber furnishings, hanging plants and accents of yellow that would brighten up anyone's day.

Serving up 8oz coffee, refreshing salads and all things bagels, you really can't go wrong here. From toasted bagels with hummus, salted silver beets, grilled mushrooms, fresh avo and poached eggs to a New York open bagel with BBQ pulled pork, there is something for all. For a lighter option, there's the Chia Pudding with banana and coconut milk porridge topped with orange yoghurt, fresh strawberries and walnuts. Then there's hearty rustic stews of slow cooked brisket and root vegetables with a side of chilli salsa to warm the soul.

Pumpkin and Goats Cheese Smash Open Bagel 

The Pumpkin and Goats Cheese Smash Open Bagel was completely…smashing. The subtle flavour of pumpkin was amped up with smooth and creamy goats cheese, resting comfortably on a bed of fresh spinach leaves, smoked capsicum and onions. With added eggs for extra protein of course ! Plus, there are studies that prove that pumpkins are a happy food. Smiles all around I tell you.

Pastrami Open Bagel 

After something a little meatier, my friend decided on the Pastrami Open Bagel. Now won't you just take a look at those slices of tender pastrami served with a crunchy salad of cos, cucumber, capsicum, onion, carrot, tomato, caramelised onion and horseradish mayo.

Mama Bears Salad 

My other brunch buddy went for Mama Bears Salad, a nutritious salad packed with kale, kidney beans, goji berries, buckwheat, onion, cucumber and tomato drizzled in balsamic vinaigrette. Topped with sexy folds of smoked salmon and a perfectly poached egg of course. 

So what are you waiting for ? Climb the mountain and meet the bears.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Mountain of Bears

Mountain of Bears
556 North Road
Ormond, VIC
http://www.mountainofbears.com

 

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The Green at St Columbs

Located in the former chapel at the St Columbs church, The Green at St Columbs is the latest wholesome, community-minded project from Jesuit Social Services. Interior by ZWEI, coffee by Code Black Coffee and a modern, all-day menu crafted by Head Chef Kevin Dick (ex Cutler & Co. and St. Ali North) ? It's all exciting stuff.

Skinny Flat White

Salmon Gnocchi and Eggs

The hot smoked salmon fillet was beautifully cooked, rich and packed with flavour, working wonderfully with a pair of oozy poached eggs. Served on a bed of horseradish yoghurt, golden pillows of pan fried potato gnocchi and a crusty slice of sourdough made this dish a substantial meal. 

Middle Eastern Vegetarian Braise

On the other end of the table, my friend picked the Middle Eastern Vegetarian Braise with poached eggs and toast - a warm and hearty feed for a cozy brunch on a winter's day.

Fig Jam Doughnut

To skip dessert at The Green would have been a crime, with their boastful display of house-made cakes and pastries glistening from behind the glass counter. Their fig jam doughnuts were absolutely gorgeous - think fluffy pastries injected with luscious fig jam that sugar-coated our lips with each bite.

Brunching whilst simultaneously helping The Green at St Columb's mission of building a just society where people can live to their full potential ? Why wouldn't you. 

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of The Green at St Columbs

The Green at St Columbs
5 St Columbs Street
Hawthorn, VIC

 

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Operator25

Operator25 has got to be one of my favourite brunch spots. Big call, I know. But hey, what's not to like ? It pushes all the right buttons, from it's modern edge design, witty branding and graphics to it's inspiring menu with global accents taking Melbourne's brunch scene to the next level. 

Served against all this playfulness is their serious passion for food and specialty coffee - two things these guys will never joke about. And believe me when I say that Operator25's new autumn menu is here to excite the senses. A great range of dishes to please anyone and everyone. 

 Balinese Pulled Pork Burger

 I fell head over heels for it back in 2013 - it was love at first sight. Such tender, juicy pork that melted in your mouth, full of flavour thanks to a marinade boasting over 30 herbs and spices. Accompanied by a crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw, fresh springs of coriander and chilli mayo, this burger was simply divine. Can I please redial another one ?

Smoked Sardines 

This was a flavour powerhouse of a dish - salty smoked sardines on grilled rye, fitted with delicate slices of pickled cucumber, shards of manchego cheese and herbed up with parsley, rocket and dill.

#NOYOUHANGUP - Honey & fruit infused coffee, Grand Marnier, 

Amaro Montenegro, orange bitters, tonic water, mint, orange peel

House Brewed Iced Tea - Hibiscus, chamomile, eucalypt honey 

served with mint, segmented orange and nata de coco

Ras El Hanout Soft Polenta 

The Ras El Hanout Soft Polenta was spectacular too and the epitome of an autumn dish. A spoonful of the soft creamy polenta felt just like a warm hug from the inside, contrasting wonderfully with the perfectly grilled octopus and chorizo patty. So much yes.

Spiced Chickpea Fritters 

Beautifully fluffy spiced chickpea fritters served with herb tahini, tomato and cucumber salsa, cottage cheese, chipotle sauce, crisp flatbread and thick cut streaky bacon. I repeat, thick cut streaky bacon. Will you just look at that bacon ! 

Elderflower Sago 

For dessert, we moved onto one of Operator25's signature dishes, the Elderflower Sago. Visually pleasing to the eye and even more pleasing to the palette, we loved the playground of textures and intricate flavours of this dish - from the refreshing elderflower sago, bursting chia seeds, the tartness of rhubarb together with the sweetness of the strawberry compote, heavenly light white chocolate foam to the crunch of the freeze-dried mango. Absolute bliss.

Ginger and Date Bread 

Last but not least was the dish that stole my heart. Oh so soft and moist ginger and date bread topped with a luscious mascarpone folded with caramelised banana, studded with a salted milk crumb and  pomegranate molasses. Food porn at it's finest.

Operator25, you brew my mind. Over and over again.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Operator25

Operator25

25 Wills Street  

Melbourne, VIC 3000

http://www.operator25.com.au

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District Brewer

Joining the likes of Little Tommy Tucker and Merchant's Guild, District Brewer is the newest kid to join the neighbourhood. I must say Bentleigh, I am impressed. Melbourne's north-side feels down in the south-eastern suburbs ? Hell freakin' yeah !

Skinny Flat White

Duck Rillettes 

Duck Rillettes ? Why the duck not ? Paired with the tenderness and sweetness of the grilled pumpkin brioche, richness and creaminess of the cauliflower cheese, the crispness of the salt & vinegar kale chips, the crunch of the Asian granola and runny goodness of the poached eggs ? It's pretty hard to say no.

Stuffed Fig French Toast

My brunch buddy, a sucker for anything and everything sweet had to have the Stuffed Fig French Toast. Complemented with a chocolate & coffee crumble, mango pop rock sherbet, brie custard and strawberry bitters, a sugar coma was inevitable.

Head on over and say hi to District Brewer. Go on, don't be shy.

District Brewer
36 Brewer Road
Bentleigh, VIC 3204

http://www.districtbrewer.com.au

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Rustica Sourdough

If you're a fan of sourdough at all, I am confident you have come across Rustica Sourdough's artisan breads. Baked using traditional sourdough techniques and using only Australian produce and ingredients, it's not hard to see why Rustica Sourdough's breads are a popular choice among cafes all across Melbourne. 

But little did I know that they had a café of their own. Oh, the shame. You can imagine how eager was to be invited to taste their award-winning, mouth-watering menu. Eek !

Skinny Flat White

Sautéed Greens

I was instantly drawn to Rustica's dish of Sautéed Greens - a sweet medley of broccolini, beans, snow peas and grilled haloumi (squeak squeak) on a bed of luscious smashed avo and pesto. Of course, all layered on a crusty slice of their famous sourdough. Topped with an oozy poached egg, this wholesome and nutritious dish was flawless.

House Cured Salmon

Equally as keen, my brunch buddy went for the House Cured Salmon on rye accompanied with a rich and tangy lemon & chive crème fraîche and microherb salad. A poached egg was requested because, well really, who doesn't love a good poached egg. Extra protein, extra smiles !

Lime & Basil Cronut

After finishing our dishes, our eyes could not help but wonder to the pastry cabinet. The most delectable looking danishes, tarts, cookies, croissants, donuts… you would only understand if you were there. After much drooling and contemplating we settled for the Lime & Basil Cronut - layers and layers of buttery pastry injected with a fragrant lime and basil filling. Personally I found the cronut a little too crispy for my liking, with just a bite causing the whole pastry to fall apart. Regardless, still a scrummy treat !

With no hesitation would I recommend Rustica Sourdough - food is fresh and full of flavour coupled with friendly and attentive service. I mean come on, what is not to like?

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of ID Collective and Rustica Sourdough

Rustica Sourdough
402 Brunswick Street  

Fitzroy, VIC 3065
http://www.rusticasourdough.com.au/ 

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