Vaporetto

I love Vaporetto. 

I love how cosy it is, how accessible it is, and the fact that it is in Hawthorn. As Melbourne continues to be saturated in the CBD and in general with cafes, it’s interesting seeing interesting, and very good, suburban restaurants pop up. I know Hawthorn’s not super suburban - but it ain’t the city. 

From the get go Vaporetto is cosy and intimate, as you squeeze your way through the front bar where Aperol spritz and Sangiovese are poured cheerfully, and are seated in the restaurant. 

There are various seating options, from your standard tables, the outdoor courtyard, the mezzanine, and my favourite spot - which we were lucky enough to get, right by the kitchen where one becomes mesmerised by the sights, sounds and smells. 

And oh my, the food! 

As the name suggests, Vaporetto is inspired by the owner’s love affair with Venice, and the food is quintessential Italian - Venetian classics to be more specific with all the best that Melbourne has to offer. It’s casual and light, but elegant food that packs a punch. 

Soft squid ink polenta with dressed Spanner crab, parmesan, chill and wild fennel pollen to begin with was just beautiful. Comforting, but so vibrant as well, with a solid kick of chilli and a bit of richness from the parmesan too. 

Grilled calamari with pine mushrooms, Jerusalem artichoke, smoked eel and farro was also beautifully balanced, a seafood dish that was surprisingly earthy and very appropriate for autumn. Loved the char on the calamari too!

The mains are pure comfort. Brad’s gnocchi with rabbit argue, porcini, black truffle, salt bush and truffled Pecorino is everything you want in this weather at the moment. Fluffy, light gnocchi, crisp fried salt bush and just overall hearty goodness. I definitely poked my fork into Brad’s plate a multitude of times. 

I on the other hand, opted for the Hunter Valley spatchcock, butterflied and marinated with white truffle and sage which had me reminiscing of a similar style dish my last visit to Italy some years ago. I love how simply it is presented, just beautifully cooked spatchcock that is juicy and moreish, simply but deliciously marinated. This is really my kind of food. 

I’m such a sucker for cauliflower, so of course had it with pancetta, hazelnut and pine nuts, parsley and truffled Pecorino on the side. Loved how tender the cauliflower was, and it’s really just a marriage made in heaven with cheese and pancetta no?

To finish, roasted quinces, chocolate and fig and mascarpone ice-cream. Another beautifully balanced dish, that Brad actually tucks into as well as it’s not too sweet. I’m not usually a fan of quinces, but I enjoyed the smooth texture that Vaporetto managed to get and the chocolate is just insanely cocoa-y and lovely. 

Vaporetto really hits a sweet spot in Hawthorn, absolutely breaking every Italian restaurant cliche. The food is vibrant, full of flavour - and quite unexpected (I mean spanner crab and polenta?). The atmosphere is warm and cosy and hospitality is true Italian style - like you’re in their home. Could you ask for much more? 

Vaporetto 

Rear 681 Glenferrie Rd

Hawthorn (Enter via Grace St) 

VIC 3122

Piccolina Gelateria

Just when you think we can’t possibly have any more gelato stores in Melbourne (and how could our gelato really get any better anyway)…Melbourne likes to prove you wrong. 

Fortunately for me this time, the newest addition to the gelato squad, Piccolina Gelateria, is in Hawthorn - a much shorter journey for me to satisfy my gelato cravings!

Opened Sandra Foti, the cheerfully blue gelato shop is located right next to the snazzy looking renovated Samurai (ah…those green tea milk shakes during my high school days) on Glenferrie Road and although the fitout is simple and playful, the gelato is seriously good. 

The difference with Piccolina? The gelato is totally preservative free, and they make all the ingredients in-house. If it’s not a fruit or something (which are sourced locally too) which is already raw; it’s all made themselves. Pistachio gelato? The pistachios are roasted in-house; even the bread for the ‘bread, butter and jam’ gelato is baked in-house. For their cheekily named ‘Better than Nut-ella’ flavour, they don’t use nutella, instead they make their own hazelnut spread which is rich, nutty and full of the chocolatey goodness we love.

As it is quite close to my place, I have popped in a few times and can definitely vouch that the gelato is damn good. In general the texture is a bit softer, which means you have to gobble it down pretty quickly (not that it’s a problem for me) but I just love how creamy and dense it is, and how intense the flavours are.

Pistachio is easily one of my favourites, although the colour is a bit lighter, the flavour isn’t lacking; it’s got a richer slightly roasted nutty flavour, which you don’t usually get which I think is just awesome. 

I’ve also had the ‘bread, butter and chocolate’ gelato which totally blew my mind and is definitely worth trying!

They’ve also got granitas on offer, which as promised are also full of flavour, the watermelon and mint one I’ve had once was perfect and so refreshing when the weather was still 30 degrees and higher (or just a really great palate cleanser after a big meal too I reckon). 

The only thing with Piccolina, in my opinion, is that the price is on the higher end of things, compared to what else is in the market ($5.80 for a single scoop, $6.80 for two, $8.80 for three); but considering the gelato is made with all real ingredients and no preservatives, it’s a very small extra margin for what’s essentially now a health food…(right…???) 

Piccolina Gelateria 

802 Glenferrie Road

Hawthorn

 

Short Straw

Although I think I’m usually pretty alert and observant, I have to say, mum totally takes the cake when it comes to that kind of stuff. She’s always the one finding the amazing find when we’re op-shopping, or the one commenting on the beautiful flowers in the neighbourhood that I’ve just failed to notice magnificently blooming next to our house. 

It was through her observation skills (and probably the fact that she has more free time than I), that I came across Short Straw, which she had visited with a friend. Upon googling it when she first told me, I discovered no immediate social media presences, nor any write-ups. But an old gumtree ad looking for chefs, mentioned the operators heritage, which included Tall Timber, Touchwood and Coin Laundry.

Count me in kids.

We visited a mere 6 days after they had opened, on New Years Eve, which I know isn’t always fair to hospitality operators, but can you blame me? A new cafe in my hood is always going to get me excited!

Located just off Glenferrie Road, on Mary Street, the 60-seater is bright and airy and everything we love about modern, but approachable cafe interior design. Lots of beautiful timber, I loved the accent wall next to the coffee machine, painted chairs with the tips of the feet left bare, and clean white walls. 

Mum had mentioned liking the coffee when she was there, as did Brad. I on the other hand was busy being smitten with my lovely and flavoursome Chai Boy chai.

The menu reads bright and vibrant, and I was torn between a couple of options, but settled for the citrus cured salmon, with quinoa, brown rice, sorrel and pickled cauliflower (I think!). What a lovely and bright dish this was! The salmon definitely has a nice citrus kick, making it very refreshing, and the guys at Short Straw are generous with it, I couldn’t finish my whole serve! 

Brad went for one of the specials, three beef brisket tacos with avocado, corn, salsa, slaw, mint yoghurt and manchego. Now, I’m usually not big on tacos these days, as I’ve been finding that they under deliver, but these did not. I loved how much slaw was filling the shells, overflowing almost and how clean and bright the flavour was. The beef was lovely and tender. 

So, although it started getting a little hot and sticky as the morning went on, since there didn’t seem to be any air-con, I’m thrilled at this new addition to Hawthorn. Not so thrilled at the potential prospect of long lines on the weekends and lack of parking in the general vicinity in the future…but let’s see how we go! 

Short Straw 

743b Glenferrie Road

Hawthorn

 

Bawa Cafe

Although I’m not about chasing hype, it’s always nice to unexpectedly get onto something good, before the rest of Melbourne discovers it two days later (and not have to wait for a table). I was simply looking for a cafe option in Hawthorn, as Brad and I needed to make sure we were properly fuelled up before heading into the races…and fortunately discovered Bawa Cafe!

The name is taken from Geoffrey Bawa, who was a Sri Lankan architect, one of the most influential Asian architects of his generation, who popularised ‘tropical modernism’, a style that integrates buildings and landscape together. 

And my goodness, the guys behind Bawa (the resume includes Dukes, Barry, Square and Compass, Three Bags Full) have definitely taken this style to heart. Airy and lofty, and just so refreshing to walk into, where soft moss leather furnishings blend into plants dripping from the ceilings and hanging out over the window. It’s a gorgeous space. 

Make sure to get a table on the elevated space up next to the window, and then don’t be too surprised when the guys open it up. The big windows slide apart so that you can take in the sights, enjoy the sun and breeze. With all the plants around the windows, you might almost feel you’re not quite in Hawthorn after all… 

Chai Boy chai’s are velvety smooth and comforting, could have been a little stronger though. For coffee drinkers, the beans are Dukes, and Brad enjoys his latte. 

The food menu reads an absolute treat; it’s so hard to settle for just one dish, definitely a place to bring a group along so you can try as much as you can! I also love the vegetarian slant on the majority of the menu, with the option to make it a little meatier if you would like. 

My cauliflower hash with peaks of ricotta (which I just have to giggle over because they just look so comedic), with beetroot relish and pickled tomatoes, is just divine, and much more filling that it looks! The cauliflower hash itself is simply moreish, with a nice charred savouriness, to balance out against the sweetness of the beetroot and tomatoes, which also provide a little zing and zest. I love seeing all the colourful tomatoes, after a smorgasbord of tomato salads and what not over the years, I feel like they’ve been dropping off a bit, and it’s great to see them again. Perfect for the season. 

Brad gets the chilli scrambled eggs, with pickled mushrooms, kaiserfleish and generously grated reggiano on top of toast. What a visual spectacle, one of the best looking scrambled eggs I ever saw! Although they didn’t really have as much of a kick as suggested, the eggs were beautifully folded, and I loved the cheesiness, with the tartness of the pickled mushrooms coming through. Brad wasn’t totally convinced on the mushrooms, but I quite liked them. 

So get in quick. These guys have only been open for a little over a week, and although we waltzed in and got a table straight away…it’s not going to stay that way for long. 

Bawa Cafe

248 Burwood Road

Hawthorn

 

Little Temper

Sometimes a lot of little things all together make a place just right. 

It took me a while to get around to visiting Little Temper in Hawthorn, as I hadn’t heard much about it, and hadn’t known of anyone who visited. 

But once I arrived, I wish I had visited much sooner! The cosy little space fits a nice scoopful of people, and although small, there’s plenty of colour and personality in the space, from the multi-coloured coffee cups to the striped counters and the blue counter next to the window that looks stunning in photos. 

We popped ourselves at the counter, and watched the rain bash down, as two dapperly dressed men sipped on their espressos and smoked their cigarettes on the outside tables. 

Lately, I feel like Prana Chai can be very hit and miss, with some cafes just not giving it the love it needs to really get the fullest flavour out of it. At Little Temper, they just worked magic with it, warm and creamy and stunningly rich in flavour, nice and spicy. I loved the mug they served it in too, so cute and huggable, just right for a rainy day. 

Brad’s baked eggs came piping hot in a skillet, and were just the kind of baked eggs he liked. Still a little runny, but not overly so, and delightfully hearty. There are times were I could wax lyrical about how good a dish was, and sometimes, I simply cannot describe the simple comfort a dish brings. 

Although I was tempted by gluten free ricotta and almond hotcakes (definitely returning for these!) I absolutely loved my house spiced granola with raspberry compote, berries, organic honey and yoghurt. I feel like my granola/porridge picks lately have been a bit hit and miss…however, I cleaned this plate up. This was just what I liked.

Crunchy, lightly toasted granola with spices that were lovely and aromatic. The addition of the raspberry compote was perfect for me, adding a gentle sweetness and the apple batons added another crispy texture. All swirled up together, I simply could not get enough. Delish.

Although it’s fun to run around town and check out all that’s new, I do need to take more chances on little neighbourhood gems like Little Temper, which often give me so much more than I need. Brad and I got into one of our more intellectual conversations, and although we always bond over brunching, there are some places where it’s certainly easier to do it at than others. Like Little Temper! 

Little Temper

63 Burwood Road

Hawthorn 3122

Tana Cafe

In Japan, there’s a concept, ‘Wabi Sabi’ which is a world view or aesthetic centred around the acceptance of transience and imperfection. It’s the appreciation of a hand made object, that’s a little bit off from being perfectly round and from what I’ve seen and understand, seems to have that rather organic and soothing appeal to it. 

Sure I could be wrong, but I feel like Tana Cafe embodies a lot of this. The little Japanese cafe sits unassumingly on Church Street in Richmond and with it’s clean but earthy palette, feels just so soothing when you walk in. Perhaps it’s the bric-a-brac feel to the place, with a mix of wooden square shelves adhered to the wall, low seats and tables, nothing really matching, but it all matching at the same time. 

Very cute.

Water is a self served affair, and I’m positively delighted with the glass jugs used for the water, as they’re exactly the same ones we have at home. It’s a bit of an Asian thing I guess. 

I naturally cannot resist a matcha or green tea latte, and although the flavour isn’t as strong as I hope it to be, it’s still good enough and I’m quite satisfied. Brad’s latte looks dark and gorgeous. 

Tana Cafe’s menu is a little quirky, with a relatively small range of items, mostly sandwiches and bread based dishes, with not so much available for those who are into their big breakfasts. 

My soft egg with avocado came with two big chunks of bread and a lovely little salad with raisins, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts. It surprised me a bit that even the egg was served cold, but it was a lovely, light and very refreshing dish. The soft egg was just right for mixing through the creamy avocado, all combining into a flavoursome mouthful. Definitely not the usual breakfast though! 

Brad picked one of the specials, one of the few hot dishes on the menu, which was the baked egg…but unlike the usual baked egg with tomatoes, this was baked with Japanese curry. Being a slightly cool morning, this was just perfect, filling and warming. It was quite nice having a little punch of spice in the morning as well, and as Japanese curries usually are, it was very savoury and moreish. 

Seeing that they have their own blend of chai, I also have to order one before I leave, and it's smooth and sweet. Could use a little more kick for me though personally. 

Although I probably wouldn’t bring Brad in on a regular basis, there probably wouldn’t be enough for him there to eat, but I just loved the airy ambience, where time seemed to slow down for a second, and you have a moment to actually catch your breath. 

Tana Cafe

36 Chuch Street

Hawthorn 3122