Combi

Combi needs no introduction. Famous for their gorgeous raw organise super food smoothies, there is no doubt they haven’t popped up on your Instagram feed. Cue hashtags #cleaneating #raw #organic #vegan #superfoodsmoothies

"In here, there’s always time to eat well, live well, love others, laugh at the small stuff, nourish your body, kick back, take a load off, eat organic, make friends, build community, laugh at the big stuff, roll with the punches, be cheeky, share a smile, waste time, be compassionate, admire others doing their best, dream a little dream, eat your way to beautiful, laugh at yourself."

Berry Beloved / Shine On

Velvet Cacao 

My Shine On was bursting with fresh colours and flavours – brimming with coconut flesh, banana, mango, chia seeds, passionfruit, spinach, mesquite, raw fermented vanilla protein powder, probiotic powder and house made nut mylk.

Maggie’s Berry Beloved was crammed with raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, acai, lucuma, raw fermented protein powder, coconut flesh, banana and house made nut mylk. Whilst Peach Water’s Velvet Cacao was packed full with raw cacao, cacao nibs, berries, coconut flesh, cinnamon, banana, raw choc fermented protein powder and house made nut mylk.

The Shine On was unanimously the winner of all three smoothies.

Raw Pizza

I’m not usually one for raw vegan foods, but Combi’s Raw Pizza was spot on. A crunchy base made of dehydrated sunflower, flaxseed and almond, spread with kale and basil pesto and heaped with shredded veggies, sprouts herbs and drizzled with a raw cheesy cashew sauce. Though the pizza was very on point, the timeliness was not so much. Someone please explain to me why it takes 75 minutes to bring out a raw pizza ? I mean, there’s not even any cooking involved, it’s raw!

Apple Crumble

We also dug into Combi's rendition of an Apple Crumble. Layers upon layers baked Granny Smith apples marinated in cinnamon and cardamom, topped with almond meal, shredded coconut, coconut oil, drizzled with organic maple syrup and served with organic vanilla bean yogurt. Unfortunately this one didn't do it for me, it just tasted a little too healthy for my penchant for apple crumbles.

With their philosophy of clean eating and healthy living, Combi has left Melburnians swooning. Super bowls full of goodness, raw vibrant foods, in-house raw treats, cold pressed juices to revitalise, vitamin rich kombucha on tap and jam packed super food smoothies to nourish.. Not to mention everything is guilt-free and most importantly, Instagram worthy. Get a move on to Combi today. Oh, Combi – you should get a move on too.

Combi
1/140 Ormond Road
Elwood, VIC 3184
http://combicoffee.com.au/ 

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Breakfast Thieves

Quaintly located in what used to be an old chocolate factory, Breakfast Thieves offers brunch-seekers tantalising flavours of modern Australian cuisine with an alluring Asian edge.

The menu ? Usual suspects include croissants and toast from La Madre Bakery, whilst breakfast features the likes of Spanish morcilla served with crisp rosemary & parmesan polenta bars on pepperonata, heirloom tomatoes, pickles, basil oil and poached eggs. If your mouth still isn’t watering (are you even human ?), the Polenta-crusted soft shell crab slathered with fiery chilli crab sauce accompanied with lemon grass salted thrice-cooked chips is sure to do the job.

Skinny Flat White

The Legend

Breakfast Thieves’ Baked Eggs were really something and dare I say, one of the best baked eggs I’ve had. Spanish chorizo, mushrooms, green peas, corn and feta – this dish was out to impress. Not a drop was wasted as I mopped up every nook and cranny with their crunchy herbed garlic toast. It was legen… wait for it… dary !

 
Thieves on the Run

 My fellow brunch buddy opted for the Thieves on the Run – a ciabatta roll heaped with John Harbour bacon, golden folds of English cheddar omelette with wild rocket and homemade relish.

My P B & J

And of course we had to order the P B & J. I mean, how could we not ? We both had the biggest food envy as neighbouring brunch-goers tucked into their P B & J. Brioche French toast, peanut butter soil, sweetened beetroot, candied bacon, raspberry jelly and lemon curd – this crafty dish had taken the humble peanut butter and jelly and took it to a whole new level. It was a piece of art, irresistibly beautiful to admire and eat.

If you are looking to be impressed over and over again, I’d highly recommend Breakfast Thieves. Go on, venture off to the backstreets of Fitzroy and follow the crowds to Breakfast Thieves. You won’t regret it. Just be warned, they might just steal your heart.


Breakfast Thieves

420 Gore Street

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

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Industry Beans

You would have had to been hiding under a rock if this is the first time you have heard of Industry Beans.

Positioned in the heart of Fitzroy, Industry Beans is a coffee roastery, restaurant and brew bar. The scene is casual, edgy but with a fine dining influence in that raw warehouse vibe we all love. 

Skinny Flat White

 

Wild Mushrooms

Before I had even tucked in, I was won over. Not only was it my dish, but each and every dish that passed by had me mesmerised. The creativity, the plating, the colours, every single thing - the presentation was just impeccable.

My striking black plate hosted a forest of mushrooms - layers and layers of it. thick, juicy, earthy mushrooms sat atop crunchy polenta chips, dusted with a fine porcini powder and oozing with heavenly truffle foam. A perfectly poached egg too, for extra ooze. Each and every mouthful had me on cloud 9.

 

Avocado Smash

If it is simplicity you’re after, Industry Bean’s Smashed Avocado will do the trick. But of course, they haven’t just let it as that, we’re talking next level avocado smash here - thick crusty sourdough topped with creamy avo intermingling with a generous dose of chevre, poached egg, charred lemon and green tea sea salt. Though chevre is not something I would usually gravitate towards, this I didn't mind.

Complaints ? Yes, just one. I could only wish that Industry Beans was closer to home. To wake up on a lazy Sunday morning and stroll on over for my weekend brunch rituals. Sigh, girl can dream.

Industry Beans. Brunch reimagined.

Industry Beans
3/62 Rose Street
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
http://industrybeans.com/ 

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