Amsterdam Street Cafe

Whilst it has been a long time between posts, it hasn't been a long time between breakfasts.  We/i have just been lazy.  And busy.  And often we head back to the old tried and trusted breakfast establishments due to location, familiarity, whatever.  But mostly I continue to snap away with my camera and don't get around to posting.  Sorry to all our dedicated fan/s*. 

I went to Amsterdam Street Cafe (no website it would seem but they tweet)  a couple of months ago with my wonderful friends Todd and KT, who are old breakfast pros.  Due to a busy schedule we had an ultra early Saturday morning breakfast, so I can't say how busy this place gets on weekends but it wouldn't surprise me if they got very full indeed.   Positioned next to some awesome street art in the part of Richmond that almost encroaches into South Yarra, this cafe is rocking a red semi-retro theme but it doesn't try too hard.  It features lots of lovely natural light, old stools, great tables with embedded red tiles, bare lighting and lots of recycled wood used in their bar area and storage cupboards.  

 Coffee: All my shots were rubbish, but it was so good I had to take one for the road! As you can see in the above picture they use Bonsoy which is a favourite amongst we soy devotes.  

KT opted for the classic croissant with home made jam which was fresh and buttery as you would expect.  Todd also went with the classics and had poached eggs on toast with bacon.  Eggs cooked very nicely, slight singe on the toast though.  Still you could hardly notice that when you check out how nicely that bacon is cooked.  Now I don't eat meat and haven't done so for years but I certainly remember and recognise perfectly cooked bacon.  Kudos to the chefs of Amsterdam.

 Being the total wild-child** that I am, I went for something crazy and different, which was the breakfast burrito - with scrambled eggs, spinach, mushrooms and chilli-jam mayo.  Do I need to emphasise how brilliant that is? CHILLI JAM MAYO OMGZ! It was pretty world rocking.  Slightly heavy on the mushrooms for my tastes but the beauty of mushrooms is that they're easy to pick out.

Overall a very enjoyable breakfast experience, looking forward to returning.  Also staff were friendly and chilled out.  I had to think hard to come up with a slightly singed piece of toast and the mushroom-to-rest-of-burrito-ratio slightly off (for my personal tastes anyway) to pick on, so it's a definite recommendation to get yourself down to Amsterdam Street Cafe if you're around the Richmond area. 

 
*Love you Mum xx  
** no for real, I mean it 

Pillar of Salt (revisited)

Pillar of Salt has already been documented here on BOC (the inaugural post I believe, ahhh memories) but seeing as though I went in at a much later time, sat in a different area, had all different meals AND had a really nice experience to boot, I think it deserves another wrap. I did go with the same people though, my wonderful friends Todd and KT.

Check out the colanders for light fittings!

We were originally going to go to Amsterdam Café but it was sadly closed, and since we had enjoyed Pillar of Salt before we decided to go there again. Saturday was a balmy day for September and we sat out the back area to a truly cruisy late afternoon vibe. The staff were chilled out and helpful, and the menu selections were so good I could hardly decide, but I got there in the end. Phew!

The last time we were there, it was a busy Saturday morning and Richmond's trendiest folk were out in force. We felt out of place that we didn't have on heels and a faux rabbit skin vest on (all the rage a few months ago). Switch to the afternoon and the place has a much more relaxed feel.

So even though it was about 3pm, they had all day breakfast and I’m only human, I can’t resist that! Todd picked from the lunch menu but KT and I stayed in the realm of breakfast.

Todd got the coconut poached chicken salad, shredded vegetables, vermiceli noodles, asian herbs & nahm jim dressing ($15). It looked so great, it's times like these when it’s hard being a vego. Of course I didn’t succumb and had to take his word for it that it was excellent, especially loved the dressing. He also got some communal chips - that man knows the way to a girls heart, who doesn't love cafe chips!

mmmmm chips

Coconut poached chicken salad

KT, Todd's beautiful other half, got the homemade smoky borlotti bean bruschetta, with avocado & persian feta puree, served with a poached egg, parsley dressing & shaved grana padano ($16.50). I thought this sounded great but I don’t generally like smoky flavours so I passed on it. KT generously allowed me to sample a fair few bites and there was no overpowering smoke flavours, just delicious beans and cheese flavours so I think this is what I will get when we no doubt come again.

I got the corn fritters, smoked salmon, coriander & avacado salsa ($16 or with a poached egg $18). I asked for no salmon but the others jumped in, stating that they would kindly take the salmon off my hands. That is, after all, what friends are for. The helpful waiter said he’d put it on a side dish for for us, so it's not in this photo as it was eagerly plucked away by KT but I think you can see it in the chips photo above!

They forgot our coke but were mighty apologetic when it came out. The staff were preparing for an evening function but didn’t kick us out, nor did they mind when we stayed chatting for ages after our meals were finished. Overall a really nice afternoon with friends topped off by excellent food and relaxed atmosphere. Get yourself down there kids!

Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder

This fortnight, our crew of Champions braved the Melbourne rain for a trip out to Bridge Road Richmond. Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder was our destination. With a cheeky U-turn we found ticketed parking on Bridge Road ($5 for 2 hours though... eeek). I'm not sure how successful we would have been had it been the weekend, but I was told by fellow champion Sally that there is parking available behind the Bridge Road shops, so if you were combining shopping with a brekky adventure that could be the way to go!

Mmmm Breakfast!

We walked through the red doors and were instantly hit with an amazing cheesy smell. In front of us lay 'The Cheese Room' which according from their website is a 'purpose built maturation room', hampers are available for all those cheese connoisseurs. 

Room of cheesy goodness!

We were happily greeted by a waitress and seated on a roomy 4 seater table. Coffee orders were promptly taken and we were left to drool over the menu.

The 'Spring Breakfast' menu available till 3pm, had almost too many options. Our little crew of Champions were struggling to choose, with Maddy having the most trouble. But fear not, we made our choice and I for one was oh sooo satisfied.

Coffee coffee coffee!

Even though there was a slight hiccup with our coffee orders (a short macchiato instead of a latte was bought to the table), the mistake was promptly an apologetically rectified. Our breakfast orders were taken and we were left to enjoy our creamy and sufficiently strong coffees!

Linen napkin!

One little detail that I was particularly taken by was our LINEN napkins, yep you heard me, actually fabric, it wasn't even that 'linen feel' paper napkins. We are talking hand folded dry cleaned napkins, way to make a girl feel special over breakfast.

Breakfast time, and wasn't I a happy little camper that Sal and I ordered the same meal. I would have had major food envy otherwise!

Corn fritters with Chorizo!

Sally and I both enjoyed our Corn and coriander fritters with smoked salmon a poached egg (perfectly runny), spinach and a house made tomato and capsicum relish. I also got a side of chorizo which was just the right amount of spice. Sally ordered the house made spicy sausage as a side, I had a cheeky taste and admittedly would have been just as happy (if not more) with that tasty morsel. The Corn fritters had a great taste and the chefs were not skimpy with the corn. All the flavours overall worked well and I was smiling my happy smile at the end.

Maddy's Breakfast!

Maddy's Brekky looked absolutely fantastic when it came to the table, and I ALMOST found myself regretting my own breakfast decision. Almost.

Maddy's choice: Avocado and fresh tomato on Dench's sourdough with Meredith's soft goat's feta, chilli and basil. With a side of bacon of course! Maddy did enjoy her breakfast but was disappointed by the thickness (or thinness) of the toast slice. It was closer to a sandwich cut of bread and I'm told was really difficult to cut through. Nothing beats a good thick serve of toast with your breakfast and at $18.50 for the meal (not including the bacon) I can understand her frustration.

Mmmmm Baked Goods....

Assorted baked treats!

Looking at the above picture again makes my mouth water! The Champions all became a little excited at the options for our sweet treat to finish off our meal so we ordered three and had a big share!

First, the warm croissant with a house made chocolate and hazelnut spread, soft and fresh and melted in my mouth.

Second, A vanilla cupcake with spiralling chocolate  icing, light and fluffy, everything a cupcake should be.

Finally, the chocolate tart with light pastry base, dense (but not too dense) chocolatey goodness, my chosen final mouthful (always leave the best to last right??)

The price of the meal for me was $35.80, which I was happy to pay considering I really really really enjoyed it. It included, 2 coffees, the corn fritters, the chorizo side and a baked treat.  Coffee was above the standard at $3.90, although Bridge Road may have higher prices than what I am used to else where. It was probably the $5 side of chorizo that I would say was a little steep, but what price can you put on a delicious piece of sausage really?

I had a thoroughly enjoyable breakfast (cause I haven't that already). The service was prompt and their management of a mistake (which happens) was handled well. The meal was tasty and the size was generous. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed. Everything you want in a brunch really. I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

Also, I recommend looking at the Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder website, it is one of the more comprehensive cafe websites I have come across.

Pillar of Salt

www.pillarofsalt.com.au/

Ditching my regular breakfast buddies, I met up with good friends who whilst technically live in Melbourne, aren’t there very often. Despite this, I entrusted them to the location, and they certainly didn’t let me down. Pillar of Salt is in Church street Richmond and is brilliant location for people watching. Grabbing a free table outside near the entrance was purely by accident, but allowed us to see many persons of the “I’m so trendy I don’t even need to try” variety, not to mention the plethora of brilliant casual Saturday morning outfits that literally came to us. I’m talking rabbit skin vests, beautiful new season boots and an array of tight bodied Lycra skinned cyclist. But enough about the scenery.

Whilst the sign is placed with what I’m sure is heaps of artistic flair, it’s hard to see if you have a dirty great Ute sitting out front (especially if you’re running characteristically late and hastily scanning the streets for a location you’ve never been to and are stressing cause your friends are waiting for you).

Close up, but somewhat obscured by one of the bikes, no doubt owned by one of the aforementioned toned cyclists. Did I mention hot bodies?

Coffee took a while to come out but clearly a lot of time went into that presentation (see above). And they were so good that I had to have another.

I can’t help myself and always order poached eggs, with the red wine mushrooms and spinach as sides. They were lovely , cooked to perfection (pet hate - when my eggs are over-poached). I forgot to ask for no butter on the toast, and I’m not sure but they may have used olive oil on the toast instead of butter and maybe even spread some on the plate too - there was definitely something on that plate. It wasn’t a bad effect and certainly didn't make the meal heavy or (gasp!) untasty, but guys, a girl has gotta watch her figure. And with all those hot people around, I'm likely to slip into a body image complex.

T (obviously a pseudonym, protect the innocent etc) ordered the soft taco, which was reportedly lovely. The black turtle beans were a good touch and that Persian feta guacamole was deeevvviiinnneee. Good work team.

K had the scrambled eggs with avocado, which once again impressed. Please excuse the photos - we got so excited at the thought of food that we had already exchanged sides and started to dig in by the time I remembered to take the customary photos. This is what happens when I go anywhere without my beloved sister who is far better with these things. Don't worry though, it won’t happen again, I'll never go anywhere without you again!

Side note - I can't seem to get my photos the right way up. Why does this occur and how the heck do I fix it? They're the right way up in my computer, why are they the wrong way up blogger? Epic first real post fail