Cafes in Melbourne is something I obsess about. I'm always looking out for the best smashed avo, or coffee, or cured salmon, or the cafe with the best display of cakes. At the moment there are two cafes which I am raving about, they are Mr and Mrs Anderson and Glovers Station. Being a food blogger I'm lucky enough to be able to enjoy numerous cafes and restaurants across Melbourne, but its not always the best experience like you'd think. These are two cafes who have been above and beyond expectations. And are cafes that I'd go back to and revisit with friends and family.
MR AND MRS ANDERSON
Situated at 398 Tooronga Road Hawthorn this place has the most beautiful open windows letting in the beautiful morning light. I've only been in once on a warm afternoon when the weather was lovely, and its absolutely amazing being able to eat with Melbourne's fresh air on your back. When looking at the menu and ordering you really can't go wrong, honestly everything is amazing. I'm yet to eat my way through the menu but I'm pretty close. Lets start off with the basics, drinks. My all time favourite, and I'm pretty sure all the staff there know about it, the strawberry and elderflower milkshake, its a no brainer. Made with elderflower honey and crushed strawberry reduction that they make themselves, this is my favourite milkshake I've ever had in any cafe. And they're so accomodating they'll even make it with soy milk.
The menu, they're constantly adding dishes, and swapping thing around, theres really no way to go wrong here. One of my all time favourites is their vegan dish, the crispy celeriac/parsnip polenta, celeriac puree with sautéed, fresh and pickled mushrooms, mushroom/thyme broth and peas. The flavours in the mushroom/thyme broth are to die for, so packed full of flavour. My other favourite dish would have to be the smoked salmon, confit mushrooms with farm harvested vegetables and leaves, crushed peas, parmesan cheese, a poached egg and walnut pesto.
Crispy celeriac/parsnip polenta, celeriac puree with sautéed, fresh and pickled mushrooms, mushroom/thyme broth and peas (above)
The second cafe I have fallen in love with is Glovers Station, located at 258 Glen Eira Rd, Elsternwick 3185. I just love the open outdoor seating out the front, so nice to sit out there end enjoy breakfast, lunch or just a coffee. The service here has been impeccable the couple of time I have visited, and for me this is something many cafes in Melbourne are really lacking. I love that Glovers Station has an alcoholic beverage option, from cocktail jugs to local Australian wines. Not only does there food look amazing, but it also tastes amazing. Heres a quick run through of some of my favourite dishes, please keep in mind that the menu has changed since I last visited, so these dishes may not still be available. The semolina gnocchi wiht pumpkin veloute, pickled pumpkin, feta, crispy sage, burnt butter and pepitas. Such a beautifully balanced dish, and not too heavy as the pickled pumpkin cuts through the creaminess of the dish. Second favourite would have to be the prettiest on the menu. The panna cotta, chocolate, yoghurt lemon thyme muesli and freeze dried berries.
Semolina gnocchi wiht pumpkin veloute, pickled pumpkin, feta, crispy sage, burnt butter and pepitas (above)
Panna cotta, chocolate, yoghurt lemon thyme muesli and freeze dried berries (above)
There you have it guys, my two favourite cafes for 2017. Please note, these blog posts were not sponsored, these are true and honest opinions, from the hundreds of cafes I have visited this year, these two honestly stood out for me.