I came here as a +1 for a friend, a Melbourne-based food blogger, who was invited by the owner…read more Being a visitor from New York, I didn't know what to expect since I am unfamiliar with all of the restaurants just yet.
Being an invite, my friend had a nice introductory chat with the owner first (I just listened on since, again, I was the +1), so we got a feel for what his background was for the cafe, and the mindset and direction he wanted to take it. I was struck by his genuine nature in wanting people to have a nice, quality experience, above all, but also that he communicates with other cafes to try not to offer the same things in order to make it as unique as possible for the customer.
We ordered the Scotch Pancakes, Nanban Chicken and the King Truffle.
The first thing I tried was the King Truffle, and it was beyond flavorful and well-cooked. The mushrooms were not overdone and were perfectly seasoned, as we even discussed that it was just on the edge of being "too salty," but the ingredients married well together to make that saltiness just right, while the presentation was spot on.
The Nanban Chicken was equally well-done, with the chicken being moist and well-seasoned, while the black rice added a nice texture and the chili gave a nice pop to the sweetness. The presentation was fabulous as well.
With the Scotch Pancakes, here is where we were a tad disappointed, and especially in being told this dish was a huge favorite. While the presentation delivered perfectly, unfortunately, the execution left us wanting more. We agreed that it wasn't a complete failure, as it still was pleasant enough, but the pancakes were found to be dry and lacking flavor. I would have loved if the syrup/sauce was able to soak up into the pancake, but perhaps it was the thickness of the pancake or the slight over cooked surface; however, we felt we were biting into dry dough and there wasn't enough on top to add the flavor we needed to get through it. The mascarpone on top was flavorful and definitely helped to add what was missing, but it was still lacking, and perhaps even adding more berries could do this dish justice. Nonetheless, I am quick to say that perhaps this dish simply had an "off moment," as you don't become a fan favorite and remain as one of the few items to go unchanged from the cafe's inception without good reviews. I would definitely try this again for a second chance, however, the first two dishes made up for where this one lacked, and given that, again, I think this was simply an off moment. Can't be perfect all the time, after all!!
If you are looking for a great brunch stop, I would definitely recommend this place, and do try the pancakes even, as we might have simply missed out this day. This rating should read more as 4.5 than simply a 4. Well done, overall.
