Bread and Jam for Frances Cafe, Hawthorn

Named after the hilarious children’s book of the same name, Bread and Jam for Frances had recently opened this year, offering artisan style bread baked daily and supplied from their Dench Bakers outlet in North Fitzroy. What I found funny about the book is that Frances refuses to eat anything but bread and jam-trading her chicken salads at lunchtime or turning away from veal cutlets and soft boiled eggs. Anyone with a food obsession can certainly relate! You go kid.

Details: 1/701 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 3122 (attached to Readings bookshop) Phone: 9819 2122 Website

Lining up the back wall, are artisan sourdough and certified-organic-flour based breads to croissants,  cakes, tarts and biscuits, various pastries, bombolone (Italian custard-filled doughnuts. Hello!), gourmet sandwiches and baguettes. I was shaking my booty with excitement.

Located at the rear of the Readings bookstore, there is an abundance of natural light that fills the airy space, a wooden communal table, honey jars on the cutlery trolley as well as a few tables for two. Looking at the menu, there were several items I desperately wanted to try such as the Five Spice Duck Sandwich but I was already full from having breakfast beforehand and I was specific on what I wanted. I made an executive decision to see how the breads were and to dabble in some poached eggs.

The Croissant, served warmed up was a stunner. It was light and flaky to touch. With each bite, shards from the multitude of buttery pastry layers would lash out onto the plate and around your mouth. This was a great opportunity for me to dip the delicate pieces into the brightly orange poached eggs finishing it off with a sip of their velvety coffee. Whenever I visit a cafe for the first time, I always tend to try their poached eggs to see how well they’re done. If it’s better than how I do them, it’s a winner!

A vegetarian option, the sesame studded roll came with fresh avocado, goats cheese, olive tapenade, lettuce and tomato. I’m not a bifg fan of olives, but it added a welcomed salty kick.

After the lovely meal, we headed into the book store to chillax and read up on some classics by Roald Dahl.

As with most temptations these days, Bread and Jam for Frances is about a 15 minute walk from where I work. It may be a problem for my bank account, but at least I  have another decent cafe near my work.

Bring a date here? For sheeow.

Would your friends like it? Load up the communal table.

Service: Quick and courteous.

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight