As you may know from a previous post, I’ve just recently moved from my inner ‘urbanian’ pad in South Melbourne to the industrial driven zone of Spotswood, which is still within a few kilometers from my usual eating haunts in the CBD – just in case I feel the bouts of separation syndrome.
Now, like Creamy the Cat would do in a new suburb, it was time for me to explore and mark my territory in as many eateries as my stomach could take. First sniff and lick, breakfast. Although, admittedly being a frequent breakfast skipper when at work, I’m still yet to learn that this is the most important meal of the day…
In the 15 years of devouring my fair share of eateries in this side of town, apart from the nearby Yarraville (Fellow Foodie Reviews: The Corner Shop & Hausfrau) and Williamstown, there are barely any decent cafes in the near and far Westside of Melbourne. But don’t you fret, in an area dominated by industrial space and very few restaurants, lies a concrete rose – Duchess of Spotswood, brought to you by The Station Hotel’s Head Chef Andrew Gale (home of the best steak in the West) and ex-Auction Rooms Bobby Green. The results? None other than fresh locally sourced ingredients such as Mt Macedon mushrooms and eggs sourced from the Victorian Grampians as well as repeated cups of carefully made coffee.
Details: 87 Hudsons Rd, Spotswood, 3015 Phone (03) 9391 6016 Twitter: @duchesscafe
What you’ll find inside are white painted brick walls, timber floors, some recycled classic pieces of furniture, a large communal table that resides at the front and a butchers block in the center which holds their newspapers. Another great feature is their open kitchen where you smell and watch your field mushrooms hitting the pan.
The menu is unique and unabashedly English at heart, setting themselves apart from other cafes with their Specialty Dry Cured Bacon, English Stilton, smoked pork neck and house made black pudding. Hurry though, as the seasonal items may not be around for much longer. For the first time in a long while, I was undecided on a menu and required some assistance from a trusted friend. The problem was that almost everything on the menu sounded good, so I was showered with droolworthy temptations.
First off the rank came Fruit of The Forage with generous sized juicy pieces of Mt Macedon wild mushrooms, double smoked, yes double smoked crisp pork neck and a perfectly poached egg. If you thought that was enough, it also came with soft and smooth curd like textured semolina, making it perfect for spreading onto the toasted sourdough- locally sourced from Zeally Bay. I loved how the juices from the fresh mushrooms had seeped into the pork neck, surprisingly blending well with the semolina and the grated parmesan.
If you’re a pork fanatic like I am, the English Style Gammon will have no problem answering your meaty appetite or possibly on a Saturday morning, your hungover coos. You ready? Like the Fruit of The Forage, it comes with smoked pork neck but also pickled pork rump and bright orange yolky fried eggs with the meaty juices hitting the sourdough toast. Who needs bacon when you have all this meat! However, don’t let their perfectly rounded shapes fool you into thinking there isn’t enough. It was like a breakfast-dinner. I would’ve liked my eggs cooked a little longer (I go weak for the crisp edges) however, the pickled rump of pig was succulent and not overly salty.
You can also definitely taste the care taken into making this gem, which could have easily turned greasy and heavy but instead came off clean and skillfully presented.
The next dish was an absolute pleasure to eat, royally named Prince of Wales. Don’t you love it when the butter comes soft and spreadable?! I think the below picture speaks for itself.
The gluttony forged on with the Trumpeter fish fillet served with poached egg, house salad and perfectly melted Stilton blue cheese coated toast. Wonderfully presented dish right here people! The Trumpeter, which was brined then smoked was probably the best ‘hunk O’ fish that I’ve had in months – especially when combined with the salty Stilton cheese and dipped into the warm egg yolk.
Not usually one to order the specials of the day, but after this experience, I’m a changed man.
I certainly did not expect such a high quality dish usually reserved for high end restaurants for less than $16. But hey, I guess this would be the kind of meal and wonderful service you would expect from a Duchess right?
Come to papa…
The final and seriously sexy plate of morsels arrived in the form of Simple Pleasures. It included a foray marinated avocados, heirloom tomatoes, goats cheese, radish, a golden yolky egg with that irresistibly thick and somewhat sticky texture. Oh and an extra side of bacon! Sorry, I couldn’t resist…
So um, has been the best breakfast in the west so far? Well, so far, yes indeed my friends.
Dessert: There was a muffin stand and a freshly made tart, but tummy says no.
Bring a date here? Would make a great first date
Brunch out with friends here? Hell yes.
Service: A great team dynamic here with everyone happily helping each other out as well as genuine friendly chatter with the customers. Also, great detail in hygiene, even wiping down the chairs.
Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight
Details: 7 Anderson St, Yarraville VIC 3013 Phone: (03) 9687 1721
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Another hidden find was 3 minute drive down the road as we hunted for desserts. Along the charming streets of Yarraville, we came upon a shopfront in the far end of the strip adorned with awards and jam tarts. As you would expect, I hurried right on in without any hesitation.
Inside Heather Dell’s you will find yourself surrounded by homemade jam tarts, finger buns, almond cheesecake, hedgehog slices and award winning pies but what caught my eye were the Swiss Pineapple pies and Jam Lamingtons. I felt like I was at a tea party– minus the chit chat. The traditional recipes have been in the family for many years.
Swiss Pineapple pies, encased in a buttery pastry shell are filled with chunks of sweetly tart pineapple pieces with a layer of luscious butter cream. There is also a blueberry variety which I’ll take on next time.
Pretty in pink is what I was calling these Jam Lamingtons doused in coconut flakes are wonderfully dense and when opened, you can smell the thin layer of sweet jam and buttery aroma.
So um, are there any other café gems on the Westside that I should be devouring?
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I hate to say it…. but I don’t go to any cafes out west! We did initially, but couldn’t find any particularly good ones so gave up. Hopefully you do all the legwork and find some more good ones worth visiting! 😉
.-= Agnes´s last blog ..International Tacos Incident Party =-.
Geesh..you sure you’re not following me? I was at Duchess last weekend for breakfast!
But I wholeheartedly concur. What a gem of a place!
Hey Mellie- OMG! If I’m not mistaken, this would have to be the 3rd place we’ve either seen or ‘just’ missed each other! Let me know when you’re down here next so we can pig out on some gammon- I’m, literally like 2 mins away..
now I feel like a lamington!
I’m definitely sold on the fish dish – especially with the poached egg – a very unique but gorgeous dish. I’ll put this restaurant on my shortlist when next in Melbourne.
So much great looking food on one post. I don’t know what to comment on. All those breakfast dishes look so good. It would certainly be a great start to the day eating one of those. I like the look of these Swiss Pineapple Tarts, I think I might need to invent a recipe for them.
Woah! That looks amazing! I especially like the look of the little homey cafe, I’m a sucker for that type of food!
I must check it out next time I’m down in Yarraville stocking up on quality German sausages and hams! (Andrew’s Choice).
xox Sarah
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Vitasoy Vs St Ali =-.
oh nice one! I’ve never heard of this place. sounds like a keeper! I lost my mind when I saw that gooey perfectly cooked egg. Nothing better than runny yolks! Thanks for the recommendation!
.-= Maria@TheGourmetChallenge´s last blog ..Jumbo Couscous with Moroccan Lamb =-.
It definitely sounds like you have some great haunts to choose from Adrian! And the egg yolk oozing is pure food porn!
.-= Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella´s last blog ..Molten- Mount Eden- New Zealand =-.
Hey Agnes- Ha! I’ll do my best to explore my new hood.
Hey Amanda- You know what? So do I 🙂
Hey Mark- Yes, please do. The buttercream was amazing.
Hey Sarah- same here, which is probably the reason why I ran right in!
Hey Maria- Yes, the egg yolk was o good. Just like a warm rush down the throat- sounds wrong, but that’s how I’d describe it. LOL
Hey Lorraine- Totally- I didn’t realise the potential in the westside!
I made the move over to the west (Newport) from Southbank earlier this year too. From the places i’ve been to on this side of town, Duchess of Spotswood is easily the best, but then I think it would hold its own with the cafes south of the city. Westside cafes I would recommend a visit to are: Cornershop in Yarraville, Le chien in Seddon, Nosh in Newport and the pickle barrel cafe in williamstown (though the last two are not as consistently good as the others). I’ve also heard good things about the Happy River cafe at Footscray Community Arts centre. I’ll be checking to see your westside reviews to see if you uncover any other gems…
Hey Anna- What a coincidence! I was exploring my hood on Sunday and came across Le Chien. I had the Promite Special- it was amazing. Who knew that promite, poached eggs, avocado and tomato would match? Yep, I also liked the Cornershop. I had dinner there a few months back and loved the duck salad. Thanks for the other places, I’ll give them a go.
I agree here in Werribee, there are no decent brekkie places at all. My wife and I usually head down to the city
O_o wow… I’m drooling to this food. I should have this! 🙂
Hey Bean Scene- I still am drolling! 🙂
Holy crap that Fruit of the Forage sounds incredible. Now, to tell my sister about this porky goodness or not… perhaps it is best she doesn’t know in case we don’t make it there on our next visit. Yes, ignorance is bliss.
Hope the move has been smooth.
.-= Conor @ HoldtheBeef´s last blog ..J’adore Montréal =-.
Hey Conor- haha, love it! But, I think this place is worth the visit. Let us know when you’re down. If you have time, we can go for a pig out! Yes, the move went pretty smoothly thanks. 🙂
That breakfast does indeed look amazing, but that Swiss pineapple pie has me drooling right now. I want one…..now. Oh I hate reading food blogs late at night, so bad for the mind.
Oh! Since you are that way, check out Yim Yam! It is a Viet/Laos restaurant. And if you are there, must order the crispy rice salad.
Enjoy Japan and catch up when you are back dude!
.-= penny aka jeroxie´s last blog ..International Scones Incident Party =-.
Hey Thanh- hah! Yes, late night reading of food blogs has not ended well for me- think late night binges!
Hey Penny- Yim Yam- ok cool, will check it out. Crispy Rice Salad sounds a treat!!
Yeah for sure, I’ll holla at ya when I’m back in town.
Hey Adrian, I thought I left a comment before, but musn’t have saved it. Anyhoo, any place with pink jam lamingtons is definitely worth visiting. And how is Creamy taking to her new surroundings?
.-= OohLookBel´s last blog ..Chargrilled Vegetables like Ottolenghi does it =-.
Hey Belle- I do that as well LOL Yep, the lamingtons were sublime.
Creamy has already forgotten about the old place. She goes crazy on the stairs!!!
Oh, I am so at this place when I get back home! Looks amazing. Love the fish and the egg, wow. I am with Agnes, haven’t found a cafe that I love yet, despite living in the west for 4 years now. I must admit my cafe visits are few and far between, though, as they necessitate driving (very few within walking distance and all that are, are bad). I used to quite like Hausfrau’s coffee but have had disappointments recently; ditto Le Chien. Have never tried Cornershop but have heard only good things.
.-= Ms Baklover´s last blog ..HuTong Dumpling Bar =-.
Hey Ms Baklover- Yes, the fish was the highlight. Amazing. I liked Le Chien, so far- that would be the best one so far.
Twitter Comment
The Duchess of Spotswood is both a wicked temptress and hazardously close. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Hey alisoncroggon- Yes, terribly close to where I live. Very dangerous indeed! It’s my second home!
Errr, that was a good review except for the creepy bit where you said ‘Come to papa…’ to a poached egg yolk.
Hey Shirmy- haha! Yep, it takes a while to get used to my humor- can you tell I’m way obessed over my food. Of course I have the best of intentions. 🙂
Love the idea of the Pretty in Pink Lamingtons. They look so delish!
Hey Cath- Yes, although I invented the name of the beauties, I thought it was most fitting! I want more!!!
This has made me seen some kind of light in breakfasting elsewhere than inner Melbourne. Who would have thought the’burbs could have provided such entertainment for tastebuds! Looks like Melbourne food culture seeps all the way to the edge of this fine city. Coming from South of the Yarra myself, I can recommend more than a few gems to dine at.
Duchess of Spotswood may be the best breakfast in the West, but the best in the North would have to be the Auction Room (http://www.auctionroomscafe.com.au/), where the steak sandwich can rival any in town. I find it interesting – and pleasing! – how Melbourne’s food culture has extended to breakfast, with breakfast menus staying open later and later, even merging with lunch.
Check out an article in the age (http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/epicure/articles/2010/02/22/1266687040087.html) which identifies how breakfast is becoming trendier! Perhaps this is the reason for the extended menus. Whatever the reason, I think the rivalry it presents between cafes to maintain business means no excuse for bad coffee or service.
hey saturdaysophie- I still have to go to Auction Rooms, but each time I go, there’s a long queue. Unfortunately, I can only go on weekends… 🙁
Thanks for the tips and please keep them coming as I’m always up for something new!
Since Spotswood is only a short drive form Daylesford, why not make it for breakfast? Just leave 90 mins earlier and phone the order through!
I have just eaten dinner and so full of pasta but reading your blog post is making want to get in my car and drive straight to this place! 😀
Hey guys, I’ve been to duchess of spotswood and yes it is a fantastic café but its not one to visit everyday or call “my local café” there is one that I go to in Newport which is only 1km away from spotswood, its called Leroy’s Café in mason street, Newport its fantastic, friendly staff fantastic coffee, rear courtyard with a small play ground and outside seating next door to park this is mine and my wife’s local café and we love it just a suggestion if your ever in the west highly recommend 🙂