On a 39-degree day, two days before Christmas, I wisely set out on foot (!) to find a half-decent cafe in my new 'hood. The one I'd aimed for, New York Tomato, was shut (boo hiss) and the next closest I knew of (proximity being the key factor when walking in 39-degree heat) was Three Bags Full (39 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford). Technically, I'd walked through three suburbs to get there (East Melbourne, Richmond, Abbotsford), so I was pretty adamant I wanted a table, water and caffeination ASAP. Fortunately, being on my own meant no waiting time as it is much easier to seat one patron than two, even at a place as regularly busy as Three Bags Full. (I should drop a 'four' in here somewhere, but frankly my brain won't extend that far today.)
Happily seated at the window in brisk air-con with ice water at hand, I started feeling better. Much more so when my delicious 45ml shot coffee arrived, neatly accompanied by a sugary shortbready biscuity thing (possibly for Christmas-festivity-purposes? or possibly a regular fixture). I was far too disgruntled to easily make a food choice, so I just picked something off the menu (mushrooms on toast) and asked for an egg to be chucked on.
Best. Mushrooms. Ever.
Happily seated at the window in brisk air-con with ice water at hand, I started feeling better. Much more so when my delicious 45ml shot coffee arrived, neatly accompanied by a sugary shortbready biscuity thing (possibly for Christmas-festivity-purposes? or possibly a regular fixture). I was far too disgruntled to easily make a food choice, so I just picked something off the menu (mushrooms on toast) and asked for an egg to be chucked on.
Best. Mushrooms. Ever.
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| Coooooffeeeeeeeeeeee nom. |
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| Mushrooms, goats cheese, dukkah, poached egg |
I don't know about you, but I luuuuurve mushrooms, and definitely judge breakfast places by their mushroom abilities. Three Bags Full cheffies had grilled the large serve of mushies perfectly, lobbed on some soft goats' cheese, sprinkled over some nutty dukkah and served it all up on tasty toasted bread with aforementioned requested poached egg. All most impressively delicious. My stomach is making weird appreciative noises as I write this.
My only gripes: it took me a while to get the attention of waitstaff for a second coffee (they were chatting) - but otherwise they were all very friendly, helpful and efficient - and, there were no good bits of the paper left! Pretty small issues in the scheme of things.
Total thumbs up!
Additional comments, 13 March 2013:
Popped in here again the other day and thought I should share pics of the deliciousness for your viewing pleasure.
Again - blown away. Thanks, guys.
Additional comments, 13 April 2013:
Once again, popped in for breakfast and some pre-IKEA caffeination. This time, I tried the rice pudding. It was beautifully creamy, with popping berry flavours and the satisfying crunch of toffeed almonds. Again, as always... delicious.
Additional comments, 19 July 2013:
Additional comments, 13 March 2013:
Popped in here again the other day and thought I should share pics of the deliciousness for your viewing pleasure.
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| Twice-baked French toast with creme pattiserie, peaches and almonds |
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| Oxygen |
Again - blown away. Thanks, guys.
Additional comments, 13 April 2013:
Once again, popped in for breakfast and some pre-IKEA caffeination. This time, I tried the rice pudding. It was beautifully creamy, with popping berry flavours and the satisfying crunch of toffeed almonds. Again, as always... delicious.
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| Rice pudding |
Additional comments, 19 July 2013:
Recent breakfast goodness...
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| Smashed avocado on toast, with feta, tomato, radish, and a side of mushrooms |