It’s about that time! On this dreary Sunday, I bring you into my world of fantasy BREAKFAST – because I live, breathe it and sacrifice my well being for it with continual bouts of bloating. So I hope you’ll be able to find some solace in a cup of coffee and a hefty dose of poached eggs at either one of the cafes mentioned after reading this post. Plus I haven’t gone cafe hopping in yonkers due of the lack of annual leave taken over the last few months since the trip to the US and judging by the email and twitter requests I’ve received (thank you!) asking that I post up more of my breakfast adventures, this is long overdue. It’s good to know I’m not the only one interested in what other people shove in their belly’s.
Anywho, the reason why this post was possible was I that got to go out for breakfast whilst I was moving house over the course of 3 days. I mean, I had to fuel myself at the crack of dawn each day for the cleaning, the packing, the unpacking, the repairs and the trips back and forth to various Bunnings outlets!
![Coffee Art Coffee Art](https://foodrehab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-05-10-16.07.45.jpg)
Just like how the X-Men battled with the mighty Apocalypse, the cafes my buds battled were:
Footscray Milking Station 35 Bunbury St Footscray, VIC 3011 Phone: 03 9029 9240 Website
Chez Dre 287 Coventry St South Melbourne, VIC Phone: 03 9690 2688
West 48 48 Essex St Footscray VIC 3011 Phone: 0402 171 791
Pillar Of Salt 541 Church Street Richmond VIC 3121 Phone: 03 9421 1550
De Alleyway Espresso Shop 1A 318-322 Little Collins St CBD Phone: 0411 213 211
Demitri’s Feast 141 Swan Street Richmond VIC 3121 Phone: 03 9428 8659
Baked Eggs and Quesadillas at Footscray Milking Station
Ex-milkbar now burgeoning cafe in my hood, Footscray Milking Station has been a real local trooper – situated in street I used to visit my friends in 15 years ago – offering a solid menu that isn’t several pages long minimising the dreaded procrastination induced “I’ll have the..umm…can you come back in 2 mins?” not too mention a decent up of Padre coffee. I’ve used their beans before on my espresso machine at home.
The green and white theme permeates throughout including the staff’s cool uniforms
Like Pint of Milk, both cafes were previously milk bars in a residential strip. I’d like to see more of this trend as they were once necessities and acted as a community hub back in their heyday. I loved visiting these family run gems as a kid pointing at the lolly window as I selected a couple of 5 cent milk bottles, coloured cars, musk sticks and a 30 cent golden rough. Now, since lattes and piccolos are vital to our existence, where many of us cannot function without our daily dosage of caffeine, now it’s the cafe’s turn to bring the local community together. Where neighbours can congregate. Another prime example of that happening is at Duchess of Spotswood.
I chose to improvise on tummy room by getting the baked eggs because I was hanging for the tomato sugo but resisting the bread and the Breakfast Quesadilla because I felt like eggplant and a poached egg on the side because it’s the only thing I enjoy eating that oozes as much as it does. Random I know, but it’s the honest truth. Stop judging! Both were slammin but I’d probably recommend the baked eggs over the quesadilla for it’s sweet, red as hell tomato sugo littered with chorizo pieces that made it terribly hard to resist asking for a second piece of bread to mop it all up.
If you’re over in the west, also check out Wee Jeenie in Yarraville whose baked eggs are just as mop-worthy. TIP: Get it without the chorizo. The healthier version but just as good. *gasp* I know, I know – me? Giving health advice? Sit down.
Details:
Footscray Milking Station
35 Bunbury St
Footscray, VIC 3011
03 9029 9240
French Toast at Chez Dre
This must be the third time here at the always packed to the rafters Chez Dre. It was Wednesday and hump day was calling out for a mid week treat. I wanted French Toast and I wanted it bad and at a place I’ve never had it before. I walked in with one thing on my mind and early so I could get a seat fast and ordered zee Brioche French Toast! You know how much I like cream, so I couldn’t help but eat the vanilla marscapone cream first only to find that I could have really used it to balance the sweetness of the caramelised apples later on. I’ll give this a Snooki inspired Waah!
Wah. I still wanted more sweets. So I got an eclair.
Details:
Chez Dre
287 Coventry St
South Melbourne, VIC
Phone: 03 9690 2688
Avocado on Toast and House Cured Salmon at West 48
Another newbie on the westside block near my joint. There is a small strip of shops but West 48 resides within largely, a residential and caffeine free area. They were also recently coveted the Local Hero Award by The Age Good Cafe Guide which is a great win for the area and for the owners who from the looks of it, have put in so much into the fitout of the premises. Very Melbourne standard and a very welcoming interior with little touches of nostalgia throughout like one the pin ups that read “If you’re not shaking, you need another cup”- Bwahaha.
Just for the nostalgia
I’ve since been twice, but my fav would have to be the heirloom tomatoes with chunks of feta and avocado on toast. Everything went really well from the sweetness of the tomatoes to the overall presentation of the dish. All it took was one photo. Their menu may be short but what it lacks in length, they make up for in solid offerings from their house cured salmon (also amazing, pictured below) to smooth and more than decent coffees.
aaaahhh….
House cured salmon
Then out comes …
Details:
West 48
48 Essex St Footscray VIC 3011
Phone: 0402 171 791
Southern Omelette at Pillar of Salt
Conveniently near my work, Pillar of Salt has been my saving grace not only for their coffees but their breakfasts are innovative but not too experimental giving patrons an opportunity to try a little something different. Take the southern omelette with creamed corn, coriander, jalapeños & buttered toast. A perfect vegetarian option but the fat omelette is filled with their own creamed corn that’s beautifully sweet with little bits of juicy whole kernels.
This was perfect as I was in the mood for an omelette. I forgot the name of the movie, but there was a scene where one of the characters cooked it as a midnight snack and ever since watching it the night prior, I woke up craving it!
Details:
Pillar Of Salt
541 Church Street Richmond VIC 3121
Pitstop: Baked Cheesecake at De Alleyway Espresso
Don’t you just love random finds? Don’t ya just?! I was workin the streets of the CBD (not in that way just in case you were thinking it, dirty minds) on the way back from treating myself to a hot chocolate from KOKO Black (inspired by Hannah) when I stumbled across some astro turf just off Little Collins Street in a block of shops I’ve never been to. Intrigued and lured by the smell of coffee beans being grinded, I followed the trail which lead to the latest addition to the block, De Alleyway Espresso.
To the right of the counter are the drinks on offer separating the Lights (lattes, piccolo, caps) from the Darks (short black, ristretto) along with the variety of teas. They use Mailing Room beans. Their coffee was smooth, creamy with a slightly gutsy finish. Meanwhile, what stood out was the housemade baked cheesecake. I thought that there must have been a reason why nearly every table ordered it!
It was light and so smooth atop a sweet crumbly biscuit base making this so indulgent especially when paired with the complimentary dollop jam that came in a takeaway coffee cup. They also do other snazzy desserts from Milo muffins to panna cotta in egg shells.
Details:
De Alleyway Espresso
Shop 1A 318-322 Little Collins St CBD
Phone: 0411 213 211
OUZO cured ocean trout at Demitri’s Feast
It had been a good 2 years since I last ate at Demitri’s Feast. I remember it being a sweltering summer’s day. This time round, it was the complete opposite awash with rain. Nonetheless, I was determined to fill my belly with their Greek influenced brekkie once again. It’s been too long and way too many cafes in between.
Everytime the clouds make an appearance, I immediately want something fried. Something nasty. But one must resist that temptation once in a while and perhaps, compromise. So in this instance, I did just that. I ordered the zucchini & herb fritter. It came crisp atop with ouzo, yes, OUZO cured ocean trout, greens, lemon and ahuh a poached egg for yo hungry ass.
Think piping hot slivers of zucchini encased in a seriously crispy shell all coming together with succulent pieces of their cured trout, flowing egg yolk and a dash of lemon all aiming for that gap of yours.
Got that right!
Cap Off
Usually by the end of my Breakfast Indigestion shenanigans, I’d be defeated, bloated and starfish’d on the couch. On this occasion however, I had more energy than ever. This was of course due to the fact that I burned off all that fuel during the move. Mind you, I didn’t count a breakfast at Pancake Parlour as well! LOL This post would have gone on forever if I did. I literally had to cut out a tonne of material to save you all from using your keyboard as a pillow. To cut straight to the chase, most props would have to go to the zucchini & herb fritter from Demitri’s Feast. Do it.
I swear, this boy will not be shifting or even be thinking about property for at least another few years. It would take some sort of infestation to get me out. You should have seen me at work this week. I had to get by on adrenalin and a few bouts of hysterical laughter. Day..e….m…zzzzzzzzzz. Hopefully with more sleep, I can get back to gettin’ jiggy with it.
Zee Details
Footscray Milking Station 35 Bunbury St Footscray, VIC 3011 Phone: 03 9029 9240 Website
Chez Dre 287 Coventry St South Melbourne, VIC Phone: 03 9690 2688
West 48 48 Essex St Footscray VIC 3011 Phone: 0402 171 791
Pillar Of Salt 541 Church Street Richmond VIC 3121 Phone: 03 9421 1550
De Alleyway Espresso Shop 1A 318-322 Little Collins St CBD Phone: 0411 213 211
Demitri’s Feast 141 Swan Street Richmond VIC 3121 Phone: 03 9428 8659
Still undecided?
I’ll make it easy for you, just click on the “Happy Toastie” below and you’ll be taken to all my breakfast adventures. BOOM!
If you’re not already signed up for updates from Food Rehab, get on the list and I’ll do my best to keep us learning about none-other than glorious, GLORIOUS food! Also, follow me on Facebook or Twitter if you have either of those addictive things.
Keep eating,
Adrian
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I love your breakfast posts, and this has made me seriously hungry! I really like Pillar of Salt (I used to work in the area too!), but I still haven’t tried the other cafes yet. Must get on that!
Well done on the move, and enjoy relaxing at your new place! 🙂
aw shucks, thanks Sarah. Yes, so glad to have Pillar of Salt so nearby!
I always love the cafes in Melbourne. Wayyy better than the ones here in Sydney. So lucky!
Agreed! Coffee is our religion lol
Sugar Twin shout-out!! Wheeee! Thank your my dear, you made my night 🙂 Particularly because Baked Cheesecake is the one thing, the one thing that I always pretend I’m not lactose intolerant for. We really are Sugar Twins! xoxo
P.S. For savouries, I’d go for West 48. Mostly because of the picture books 😛
You make a true sugar twin. Cheesecake is our foundation!
Agreed- West 48 is da bomb!
Reading this made me bloated.
Hehe. 😀
hehe, you and me both!
WOW!! So much delicious breakfast food, even Mr GG commented on how good the baked eggs looked!
I have never seen a deep fried eclair before… hmmm, sounds very interesting 🙂
Baked eggs at FMS is the best thing on the menu!
Gosh, that eclair was epic. I loved the vanilla bean throughout the cream,m
Does De Alleyway have non-dessert foods? I’ve walked past de alley multiple times but have never wandered in (or if I do, it’s just to stop into Chocolate Hub)
Totally do! They have daily specials – check it out and let me know 🙂
I’m with you… moving is one of the most painful things to do in the world. I always tell myself “I’m not going to move until 5 yrs from now!” and then I usually find myself moving almost eveyr 3 years. :/ BUT the brunches are super sexy!!! They’re so awesome, I’m even more undecided now than ever! Can’t wait for my next Melbourne trip!
So with you on that! It’s great but so tiring and with so many utilities to connect and addresses to change waaaaaah!
Nawww I miss Melbourne 🙁 what a round up!!!
So much coffee to be had still 🙂
Man I so need to catch up on my breakfasting spots! I wants I wants I wants.. and boo we didn’t see you at Comic Con.. damn the Boy and his ruptured appendix 🙁
Oh yea! I know, you have been my badge hunting pal
Work in the Pillar of Salt area too – so might be worth a meet up. One of the girls at work had a 1st date with the barista there and now I get free coffee.
Does life get any better?
Fow sure! Let me know when you’re free
Hehehe, working the streets, just lookin’ for a little breakfast indigestion!
These all look delicious. I adore cured fish, so you reeled me in with those. The baked cheesecake looks amazing too.
la da da da da, it’s the muthaf***in D.R.E.!
(couldn’t sign off without something [Chez] Dre)
dirty hey…LOL
OMG cured fish rocks. There’s something about how it all goes really well with poached eggs
oh, and big props on that rap. GO shawty..it’z ya birthday…
Fried Eclairs….?!?!? HELLOOOOOO why has no one told me about this until now?!??! I knew I could count on you to give me the food overdose I need. There’s just so much more awesome cafes that in the West that I need to try. I can see why you feel right at home there haha. One day, I need to go with you on one of these massive foodie expeditions to see if I can keep up haha!
Indeed! So many new cafes keep popping right up! I can’t keep up! Coffee is my BFF on the weekend
YOU SHOULD! You can be my Brekkie/Food battle partner!
I would totally get up early for any of these breakfasts! Great roundup Adrian! And will you write about Comiccon? 🙂
Thanks Lorraine. It’s a biatch getting up but so worth it when you’ve realised that because you did, you skipped the 11am queue
Oh how much I miss breakfast at cafes… after having two kids, it’s nearly impossible to go out for breakfast. Everything looks good, but I like the runny eggs… hmm I need to “make” it this weekend myself!
I reckon you should! Baked eggs on a cold morning is the bomb.
I’ve long thought, instead of being Food Rehab, your blog should actually be name the cafe/breakfast chronicles!
hehe, I think I’d have to agree with you right there!