Mjr Tom

All day eatery seems to be the new buzz word these days, with more and more eateries popping up to cover all hours of the day. Honestly, it’s something I’m more than happy to see, and is maybe a suggestion of Melbourne’s progression into more of a night time town (because if you compare us to somewhere like New York…? We got nothing happening). 

Mjr Tom (who’s spelling irks me a wee bit), is one of the newest all day eateries to open up on Smith Street. It caught my eye after a meal at Northern Light, as we were walking back to the car, with it’s shiny neon up above our heads and a slick looking timber fit-out with generous windows that folded open to make the outside inside and vice versa. 

The space is interesting, with indoor and outdoor seating at the very front, a corridor and then more seating and a bar out back. In the mornings, it’s definitely the smart thing to head straight out back and cosy up in the booths; it’s where the best lighting is as well! 

I loved the cup and little tray that my chai was presented on, the chai itself was nothing new or amazing, but perfectly comforting on a cool morning. 

The menu at Mjr Tom is interesting, slightly leaning towards a South American flavour, but with things that we’re well familiar with. 

Except for maybe this one. I choose to munch on the Banana Hot Dog, a roasted banana with bacon lardons, smoked scamorza, arepa, tomato marmalade, brazil nut shavings, green chilli and coriander salsa. 

What can I say. That’s a big banana. 

I’m surprised with the firmness of the banana, it’s not as tender or soft as I expected and surprisingly savoury. I love the kick of chilli, and the sweetness of the cheese gently melting over the top along with the tomato marmalade. They all combine nicely, although I don’t taste the brazil nut at all. I also love the crunch of the arepas at the top and the texture they provide, but am a little disappointed it’s not like a whole arepa wrapped around the banana or something. 

It’s a big flavour hit first thing in the morning, but it’s not the most filling dish. 

Brad opts for the Sarten (Hang Over Cure) with patatas braves, artichoke, morcilla, two fried eggs and a spicy paprika aioli. 

It’s simple, pure comfort food. Gooey egg yolks, a touch of crisp from the fried artichoke. I’m not a huge fan of potatoes for breakfast (it’s too American for me), but I could imagine this being really one of the best things ever after a big night out!

All in all, Mjr Tom is a pleasant little spot for breakfast, especially if you can get a booth seat. I’d be also interested to see what the dinner and night time scene is like, the pork knuckle has my name written aaalllll over it…

Mjr Tom

108 Smith Street

Collingwood 3066

 

Sir Charles

It’s funny to think that a lot of places in Melbourne are actually named after someone. I mean, look at Batman Avenue for example. The number of American friends I’ve had who have been fascinated with the street have also had a strong desire to drive down it going ‘Nanananananananana Batman!’ and are surprised to hear someone actually had that surname.

I wonder if anyone still does, how cool would it be to make a reservation in the name of “Mr. Batman”?

I had never taken much thought about Fitzroy before, but when Sir Charles opened, when I googled to find out more about it before visiting, I kept bumping into Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy (capital R)! I wonder if anyone still has that surname, and if they do, if they live in Fitzroy? 

It would only be fitting. 

Sir Charles the eatery is now open on Johnston Street, just a flick away from Brunswick Street. Although it has many of the elements of Scandinavian design that is so popular at the moment, the space is inviting and warm and I enjoy how the large and airy space has been broken up so that it doesn’t feel so warehouse-esque. 

The menu excites me, Sir Charles is clearly well travelled, with an eclectic mix of items, with some familiar things with new twists, and some things I’ve never seen on a brunch menu before…which is just fun. There’s an obvious Asian influence to the menu, and although some Asian-fusion combinations can feel a bit vacuous, I simply want to eat everything on this menu.

But I eventually opt for Sir Charles Benedict with panko crumbed eggs, Siracha hollandaise and bacon, served with roti. Yes. I don’t care what you all say, Siracha is still hot in my books. This combination is simply a winner, with perfectly cooked eggs, rich hollandaise with a bit of bite, delightfully salty bacon and roti, which isn’t served up too oily. All win here. 

Brad gets the jalapeño and mushroom poppers with a poached egg and salsa verde on a toasted baguette. Again, delicious, exciting lively flavours, with a bit of bite. That salsa verde, so fresh!

My only mildly negative comment about Sir Charles is that the portions are not ginormous, but they are executed well, and are fine if you’re not totally starving and mean you can also fit in brunch dessert. 

I couldn’t resist the toasted coconut, vegan crepe with butterscotch sauce, berry compote, and mango salsa. Vegan crepe? I was so intrigued.

It turns out, the vegan crepe is a thick, sticky rice pancake (essentially), which to my Asian palate is so familiar, but made fresh with the introduction of butterscotch and all the berries. I’m smitten with the colours, and it satiates the sweet tooth without being too decadent; especially first thing in the morning. I love the toasted coconut, the contrast of the fresh and crisp apple batons, and the slight char to the ‘crepe’. 

The staff are friendly, and very attentive and the chef, and co-owner, Tyler Preston, who brings experience from Chin Chin and De Clieu has created a very clever little menu indeed. I look forward to trying more of it, and also check out the dinner offering from Thursdays to Saturdays. 

Sir Charles

121 Johnston Street

Fitzroy 3065

Two by Two

Although I regularly tote a bag around that says ‘Eat Cake for Breakfast’, in reality, I hardly do sweets for breakfast, despite my great love of sweets. Sure, maybe when I was 18 I felt like I could get away with it, but these days, I’m a little more conscious of what I’m eating. So now sweet breakfasts are relatively few, usually planned in advance on my end, but always savoured. 

I’ve always loved how pancakes read on menus, but alas, for the days when I am being a well behaved glutard, they are not on my list of things to eat, so all I can is look lovingly as someone else orders it when it walks on by and as such, am always on the hunt for someone who can do good gluten free pancakes…because really, not many places do!

A little while ago, after a pizza session at Lievita, Brad and I strolled around High street and passed by Two by Two. It looked cute, so I had a quick squiz at the menu hanging in the window, which after reading, decided we would be back next week.

And we were. As promised.

Two by Two is an all day eatery in Northcote, carrying through from breakfast all the way until dinner. It’s a generous space, but I opt to sit along the counter by the window…for lighting purposes of course!

Although I’m usually a bit hit and miss with Calmer Sutra chai’s, at Two by Two they do a good job with it, and although the mercury was creeping up outside, inside where it was still cool and comfortable, it was just what I needed.

Brad ordered the bacon and fried egg sandwich, with cheese and a housemade HP sauce, which was far more elegant than I could have expected to look at. Elegant, but delicious as well, the housemade HP sauce was a real treat! 

However, I was here for one reason alone.

Buckwheat pancakes with banana, pistachio and marscapone. 

And yes glutards, it’s gluten free. 

Two generously thick buckwheat pancakes, stacked and sitting in a pool of golden syrup, generously topped with fresh bananas, pistachios and a dollop of marscapone. Oh yes. These were so fluffy and airy, with great big lovely air pockets making them so absorbent, slurping up the sweet syrup they were sitting in. Although I initially thought the bananas might be nice charred, upon having them, I much preferred them fresh, adding a creaminess in texture. 

I particularily liked this combination because it wasn’t too sweet or indulgent…pistachios and bananas are totally good for you right? 

All in all, a very happy Ash. My sweet breakfast quota is filled for the month now! 

These have easily been my most enjoyed gluten free pancakes yet, however, if you know somewhere I should try out, I would love to hear about it! 

Two by Two

235 High Street

Northcote 3070