Jerry Joy

I love op-shopping. Although it took me a while to get into it, I think I really started enjoying it once I started finding some of my favourite brands, and materials (silk, cashmere etc. etc.) and bargain prices that I just couldn't believe. 

And that feeling I got when I found something that maybe not everyone else could have, that little treasure amongst many, many other bits and pieces.

I think I kind of feel that way about Jerry Joy as well. 

You won't find it on any High street, wedged in a busy thoroughfare street in-between pharmacies and IGA's. Jerry Joy is truly a residential cafe, neatly tucked away in Thornbury down quiet little streets. 

It's so hard to gauge these days which cafes may have you lined up for an hour before you can get a seat, and which aren't (unless they're the truly obvious ones like new kid-on-the-block Kettle Black), so I was very pleasantly surprised when the bright and inviting space had plenty of seats for us to choose from.

As locals popped in and out for takeaway coffee; there was a never ending buzz and always someone floating around the counter, Brad and I tucked into our lovely drinks. Brad's coffee looked beautiful, and I was happy to be reunited with a Prana chai (it's been a while). 

The menu is modestly sized, but absolutely delicious looking; I found it quite difficult to make up my mind on what I wanted! It was quite refreshing to see almost everything on the menu was either gluten free, or could be made gluten free, and Brad commented that there were plenty of delicious looking veggie options too. 

Brad decided to go with one of the specials, the Mushroom and Hash, with a housemaid hash brown, sauteed mushrooms, celeriac puree and a poached egg topped with goats cheese, red lace and a herb salad drizzled with truffle oil.

Ah. Breakfast envy. Immediately. The mountain of mushrooms and hash brown, adorned in herb greenery smelt simply amazing as it's aromas wafted over the table to me. The bite Brad gave me was simply moreish. Loved the silky smooth celeriac puree, the hearty hash brown (very well seasoned) and of course the truffle oil. Happy sighs. Brad did comment that he found one of the elements in the dish a bit salty, but other than that, no complaints!

I decided to go with the spiced beetroot and red lentil fritters with roasted capsicum hommus, braised fennel and kale, and added an egg on the side. 

I simply adored this dish, a mix of vibrant colours, textures and flavour. And it all felt pretty clean and healthy to boot! I enjoyed that the beetroot seemed to be grated, giving the fritter some body and texture, it was generously spiced, and there was a lovely warmth that filled the mouth with each bite. The capsicum hommus complemented it nicely and on a whole, I finished my dish feeling very satisfied, but quite light and comfortable as well. 

Service was as friendly as you could get it, making me feel quite at home.

In fact, I enjoyed myself so much, that I visited again the very next day with mum for afternoon tea, since Brad was away watching his soccer team, so that I could have the pikelets I had my eye on from the previous day…can you blame me? They're gluten free!

The almond pikelets with spiced poached apple, crumble, blueberry jam and yoghurt foam were so cute, and just delightful. Not to mention absolutely delicious! So fluffy and airy, and I loved the yoghurt foam as an alternative to whipped cream, which is just as light, but brings a very subtle tartness to balance out the sweetness from the blueberry jam and poached apples, which still just have a wee bit of crunch to them. Just perfect.

My only request would be for more blueberry jam, as it's so delicious and goes so well with the pikelets that we had wiped it all up with just two!

In summary, I feel that Jerry Joy is a really little treasure with Interesting food, that's beautifully executed, and a friendly atmosphere all round (that had me visit twice in one weekend)! Oh, and they were playing "Rock Lobster" in the background on my second visit, which basically means instant cool cred too (they have it all)!

Jerry Joy

128 Mansfield Street

Thornbury

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