Eat. @ Stagger Lee's

276 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 3065 ph (03) 9419 5564

Bubs and I have been playing what I call "Brunch Roulette" on Fridays.  There are so many cafes in the Fitzroy/Collingwood area nowadays I practically just drive that way, find a parking spot, and we wander into the closest cafe for our weekly brunch.  On this happy Friday we parked in front of Shocolate and wandered into Stagger Lee's, which was a wonderful piece of luck as I had wanted to come here earlier in the year but it had just won awards and I was a bit shy of crowds.  

So happy happy us as I sat down and ordered a mocha, which of course brought me deja vu feelings of Stagger Lee's older sibling Proud Mary.

I ordered the Mama's Stack ($19) which on the menu was shaved corn beef, pressed potato, black cabbage, soft poached egg and horseradish cream.  My corn beef was cubed rather than shaved (not that it made any difference!) and it was mighty delicious.

I presume the pressed potatoes makes this a "stack"?  Regardless, Bubs wolfed down more than half of the dish in no time (except for the black cabbage, sigh, my eternal struggle with kids not eating their greens!)

Yet another nice cafe in Fitzroy.  I am so envious of you people that live in the area, so many places to eat awesome brunches and drink great coffees, totally spoilt for choice!

Eat. @ Crabapple Kitchen

659 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn 3122 ph (03) 9078 5492

My Sister-in-Law amazes me that she would know about the cool new places to eat in Melbourne even though they have been living in the US for the past 2 years.  At her suggestions we went to Crabapple Kitchen in Hawthorn for Saturday morning brunch and I must say it was an excellent choice as we all loved it.

The cafe is deceptively well serviced by a back room of tables and a heated, covered deck area.  As a party of 7 we were seated in the deck area and even though it was a freezing winter morning,  we were kept cosy by the heaters.  We started with a warm drink as we looked through the menus.  Mochas ($3.5) for Hubby and I.

Latte ($3.5) for SIL.......

 and a short black for BIL.

The kids were busy checking out their own little menus.  The "Little Crabapplers" get to chose a meal and a drink for $13.  I would personally eat any of the dishes on this menu, where were cafes like these when I was little? (I suspect the answer would be - in my dreams!)  The reverse side of the menu are pictures of the whole Simpsons family to colour in, with buckets of pencils given to the kids by the friendly staff.

Readers of this blog will know that Bubs is a bacon and eggs type of dude, so free-range eggs and bacon on sourdough toast for him it was.  Poached eggs with runny yolk of course, nothing less for this little foodie!

Macaron Monster with her sweet tooth went for the pancakes with maple syrup and vanilla ice-cream.  What a lovely, fluffy looking pancake!

Whilst adventurous Mini Me tried the minute rump steak with shoestring fries from the lunch menu.  

Their drinks were served in little bottles with paper straws.   The older tow had milkshakes whilst Bubs went for a water melon juice (not pictured as I couldn't get him to give it up for a photo once it arrived!)  I really can't comment on their food as they disappeared from the plates pretty quickly, so no complaints from my children there obviously!

SIL and I both went for the Breakfast Experience from the Chef's Travels" from Stockholm, Sweden ($18), which was smoked ocean trout on toasted rye bread with shaved cornichon, red onion, capers, seaweed caviar, horseradish creme fraiche and young celery.  A sophisticated combination of interesting ingredients, and a beautiful looking dish I must say.

The BIL ordered a Chargrilled Flatbread with yoghurt, freekah, dukkah poached eggs ($18.5) - I think he added an extra sausage, which he quite liked.

Hubby the Sweet corn, coriander and chilli fritters with Cyprian haloumi, avocado, cucumber, tomato, red onion and mint salad ($17) with a poached egg (+$3).  This was the only dish that we were a bit disappointed in, as we found the flavours quite bland; it could've used a little bit more salt or perhaps a sauce to spice things up a bit.  

All in all it was a wonderful and enjoyable meal.  The staff were friendly and helpful with the little ones, the brunch options were quite varied and they cater to the the kids really well.  

Toilets - yes
Highchairs - yes

Eat. @ Little Tommy Tucker

432 Centre Rd, Bentleigh 3204 ph (03) 9576 5174

I had the rare opportunity to spend a day by myself down toward Brighton way a few weeks back, and had a really pleasant brunch at Little Tommy Tucker in Bentleigh.

They serve a mighty tall mocha.  I always worry that a bigger glass will mean disproportionate milk/coffee/chocolate ratio, but this one was still great!

On the recommendation of one of the friendly staff members I had a pretty filling brunch of Pulled Otway pork roll, with fried egg, tomato relish and watercress ($13).  A beautiful combination and it did not disappoint.

A great little cafe for the locals.  I would definitely come more often if I lived closer!