Recently I dragged K, R and D to Serotonin in Richmond. It is a health conscious cafe so D needed some convincing and what better way to do it than with peer pressure. It's located in an area you won't normally go to unless you live locally as it is not near the main shopping areas of Richmond. However lucky to social media and fellow foodie friends, I found my way here.
It's offering is very healthy and focuses on well being which means you won't find greasy fried bacon and eggs here (I still love my bacon and eggs but its good to change things up). K and I were very excited..... the boys not so much.
Once we sat down we ordered our drinks, K got the golden latte, R got a normal latte, D went with the matcha latte and a cacao latte for me. The golden and cacao latte came with a smiley face which I found very cute. K's golden latte was turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper with almond milk. This is not one for the faint hearted. Personally I am not a fan of those spices so I didn't like it. K didn't mind it and it started to grow on her the more she sipped. D's matcha latte was not your typical sweet variety but more a robust matcha flavour. I got the cacao latte and was quite happy with my choice. It wasn't too sweet and the nuttiness from the almond milk complimented the cacao nicely.
K got the positive pancakes which was made from banana flour and came with house made banana ice cream, yoghurt balls laced with almonds and finished off with mixed berries. This was a very healthy option for our resident sweet tooth K. I was a bit of a piggy (as usual) and got 3 things to share with D - I got the kids version of the pancakes. The pancakes didn't have the same fluffiness as usual pancakes but the banana ice cream made up for it. The ice cream was blended frozen banana sweetened with honey. So it was enjoyable like a normal ice cream but with a lot less guilt attached.
R and D both got the beetroot risotto; this came with mushrooms, greens, crushed nuts and capsicum. This is not your typical Italian, homey robust risotto but more of a mild, fresh, risotto laced with beetroot flavours. I found this dish heavily relied on the mushroom for that bit of flavour punch, but that fine by me, as I love mushrooms. The boys were not as impressed, they were hoping for something with more of a flavour kick.
I got the twice baked beans. This came with house made tomato sauce, a poached egg and sourdough toast. This was a relatively hearty dish compared to the others. The tomato base was rich and the beans are great for any hungry stomachs.
Overall 16/20 I think this is a great clean vegan eating brunch place for all people to come. It is a great reminder that clean eating can taste good too and brunch doesn't always mean bacon and eggs.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Scarvelli Cafe
Recently Miss P and I ventured out to Balwyn to pay Scarvelli Cafe a visit for brunch. We initially had a larger group with Mario and K as well but after a 4.30am wake up to line up for Lune, Mario and K dropped out and waved a white flag, leaving just Miss P and me.
Located on Whitehouse Rd in Balwyn it was a perfect location for the locals. It had a few tables on the side walk so it's doggy friendly or for those of us (like me) who like to avoid hayfever I opted for indoors.
When we sat down we were greeted with a lovely smile and ready to take our coffee order. Miss P went for the soy cap and I went for a soy latte. Their beans were roasted by Industry beans so I was keen to get my caffeine hit.
Since it was 2.30pm already, we were really hungry and got straight into ordering. I got the Good Life bowl with added salmon, I would have picked the minute steak but they were out of it. This was a healthy combination of silverbeet, baby spinach leaves, broccolini, poached egg chickpeas and crispy kale. It was surprisingly filling. Along with the salmon it was the perfect healthy meal my body was craving.
Miss P was more hungry than me and she opted for the Braised Beef Cheeks. This came baked in mushrooms (her favourite) with parsnip puree, herbed brioche crumbs and pickled onions. This was very filling and the beef was nice and soft, together with the mushrooms it was a very hearty brunch. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't like the usual toast and eggs affairs for brunch.
Since I have been sick for a good 3 weeks, I thought I would up my vitamins with a freshly squeezed juice. I had watermelon, apple and grapefruit in mine. It hit the spot and gave me that bit of sweetness to finish my meal and I didn't reach for anything naughty afterwards.
Overall 15/20 it was a very pleasant surprise, it doesn't look like much from the outside but it makes the perfect weekend brunch hangout for locals or if you are in the area.
Disclosure: MissyNess and guest was invited to by Carlos and dine at the courtesy of Scarvelli cafe.
Located on Whitehouse Rd in Balwyn it was a perfect location for the locals. It had a few tables on the side walk so it's doggy friendly or for those of us (like me) who like to avoid hayfever I opted for indoors.
When we sat down we were greeted with a lovely smile and ready to take our coffee order. Miss P went for the soy cap and I went for a soy latte. Their beans were roasted by Industry beans so I was keen to get my caffeine hit.
Since it was 2.30pm already, we were really hungry and got straight into ordering. I got the Good Life bowl with added salmon, I would have picked the minute steak but they were out of it. This was a healthy combination of silverbeet, baby spinach leaves, broccolini, poached egg chickpeas and crispy kale. It was surprisingly filling. Along with the salmon it was the perfect healthy meal my body was craving.
Miss P was more hungry than me and she opted for the Braised Beef Cheeks. This came baked in mushrooms (her favourite) with parsnip puree, herbed brioche crumbs and pickled onions. This was very filling and the beef was nice and soft, together with the mushrooms it was a very hearty brunch. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't like the usual toast and eggs affairs for brunch.
Since I have been sick for a good 3 weeks, I thought I would up my vitamins with a freshly squeezed juice. I had watermelon, apple and grapefruit in mine. It hit the spot and gave me that bit of sweetness to finish my meal and I didn't reach for anything naughty afterwards.
Overall 15/20 it was a very pleasant surprise, it doesn't look like much from the outside but it makes the perfect weekend brunch hangout for locals or if you are in the area.
Disclosure: MissyNess and guest was invited to by Carlos and dine at the courtesy of Scarvelli cafe.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
The Town Mouse
I wanted to come here for ages so I was stoked when D finally got us a table for date night. It is located off Lygon and had a great atmosphere. We were seated by the bar so we got to see some of the bartender action.
We wasted no time and got ordering straight away.Once the order was in, we were given some fresh bread with house-made black sesame butter. I went gaga over it.
First thing we got was the fresh oysters, this came with a chardonnay/vinegar sorbet served with a wedge of lemon. This was not the usual way I have my oysters but I loved it, the acidity and sweet balance in the sorbet was a great way to get taste buds going. I wish we ordered more.
Goat cheese profiterole and duck liver parfait were the first tapas entrees we got. The goat cheese profiterole had honey and thyme with it so it gave a nice balance to the creaminess. The duck liver parfait came with pickled cucumber and a super thin potato crisp. It was intense and luxury on the lips. I wish I had bread to make this go further.
Smoked eel brandade was a nice surprise, I have never had brandade before so it was a nice surprise. I quite enjoyed the saltiness paired with the thin sourdough toast. I would have preferred the toast to be not so thin as it kept breaking each time I tired to spread the brandade on it. Overall still very tasty with the intense punchy flavours
For the main to share we got the snapper which came with grilled broccoli and clams. The fish was fresh and retained good flavour as it was cooked just right. The grilled broccoli with clam and olive oil was a nice complement that wasn't overpowering and provided just enough bite
Creamed corn was our side of choice. This came with creme fraiche and tarragon. Once spooned through this was like a thick, thick corn soup with a punch. It was heartwarming like a soup but not quite a soup
Lime posset with green apple, white chocolate and matcha. That layer so sugar film was finely created and the thing that held everything together. This is a great dessert for anyone who prefers a more of a fresh taste and not the typical heaviness in decadent rich chocolate desserts. The line cut through the sweetness and there was just enough sweetness
Yoghurt semifreddo with hazelnuts and feijoa. I really just ordered this because I saw the word feijoa, it one of the fruits I love but sadly not everyone knows how to use or have even heard of it. The semifreddo was lighter than ice cream but still enough to be cut and served like cake
Overall 17/20 enjoyable experienced and food. Liked all the dishes we tried and would go back again to try other things on the menu.
We wasted no time and got ordering straight away.Once the order was in, we were given some fresh bread with house-made black sesame butter. I went gaga over it.
First thing we got was the fresh oysters, this came with a chardonnay/vinegar sorbet served with a wedge of lemon. This was not the usual way I have my oysters but I loved it, the acidity and sweet balance in the sorbet was a great way to get taste buds going. I wish we ordered more.
Goat cheese profiterole and duck liver parfait were the first tapas entrees we got. The goat cheese profiterole had honey and thyme with it so it gave a nice balance to the creaminess. The duck liver parfait came with pickled cucumber and a super thin potato crisp. It was intense and luxury on the lips. I wish I had bread to make this go further.
Smoked eel brandade was a nice surprise, I have never had brandade before so it was a nice surprise. I quite enjoyed the saltiness paired with the thin sourdough toast. I would have preferred the toast to be not so thin as it kept breaking each time I tired to spread the brandade on it. Overall still very tasty with the intense punchy flavours
For the main to share we got the snapper which came with grilled broccoli and clams. The fish was fresh and retained good flavour as it was cooked just right. The grilled broccoli with clam and olive oil was a nice complement that wasn't overpowering and provided just enough bite
Creamed corn was our side of choice. This came with creme fraiche and tarragon. Once spooned through this was like a thick, thick corn soup with a punch. It was heartwarming like a soup but not quite a soup
Lime posset with green apple, white chocolate and matcha. That layer so sugar film was finely created and the thing that held everything together. This is a great dessert for anyone who prefers a more of a fresh taste and not the typical heaviness in decadent rich chocolate desserts. The line cut through the sweetness and there was just enough sweetness
Yoghurt semifreddo with hazelnuts and feijoa. I really just ordered this because I saw the word feijoa, it one of the fruits I love but sadly not everyone knows how to use or have even heard of it. The semifreddo was lighter than ice cream but still enough to be cut and served like cake
Overall 17/20 enjoyable experienced and food. Liked all the dishes we tried and would go back again to try other things on the menu.
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