Signature Brew at DFO

A shopping trip to DFO at Essendon Airport saw us looking for lunch and after perusing the menu at a rather disappointing "Villa and Hutt" at the entrance to the complex we ventured inside in search of something that may pass as Coffee.

We were pleasantly surprised to find, tucked away in the second food court, a new (to us) Coffee booth.
Ignoring the glistening array of Krispy Kreme Donuts we were drawn to the generously filled Panini  and  decided that one would be enough to share.
Double "Brownie Points" were awarded for the Coffee Art that sat atop of a very nice Rainforest, Fair Trade Organic Brew from Green Bean Espresso.
And if Coffee isn't your forte then they also serve Tea Drop Tea.


The staff were friendly and genuine in their enthusiasm - definitely would return next time I am in the area.

* * * * * * * 

2017 UPDATE:
Signature Brew is still serving wonderful coffee and tasty food (although you will need to get there early if you want some of their fantastic Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls)
And the Staff always greet us with the same warmth and enthusiasm. It is the ONLY place we go to at DFO for Coffee.




Signature BREW
DFO Essendon
100 Bulla Road Essendon Fields
(That is at the Bulla Road Off-ramp on the Tullamarine Freeway)

Open 7 days 10:00am - 6:00pm

8th Nerve Cafe

We have found a new favourite Cafe and Myrtle didn't get us there.

The 8th Nerve is an unassuming little Cafe situated opposite the Lincoln Mills Home-maker Centre in Gaffney Street Coburg.
It has a good choice on the menu for the Allergic, the Intolerant and the Lifestyle Diets amongst us.
'The Lactose Intolerant One' has finally found somewhere that serves a 'decent soy' and DH has  decided that the coffee is worth 'crossing the road' for.

Staff are friendly and remembered not only that we had visited before but our Coffee orders as well!


Currently Closed for Christmas Break - reopens 2nd January 2013


Open for Breakfast and Lunch
7 days
7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Plenty of parking across the road at the Homemaker Centre




The 8th Nerve Cafe
103 Gaffney Street
Coburg Vic 3058

Cafe Che Vita Bella

Saturday Morning saw us heading down High Street Preston in search of somewhere different.  We passed 2 or 3 cafe's that I have been meaning to stop at - but unfortunately, they seem not interested in the Saturday breakfast customer and we were met by closed doors and darkened interiors.

Cafe Che Vita Bella was open and ready for business.  The staff were friendly and initially attentive. The Genovese Coffee was good.  DH commented that his strong flat white was ' A decent cup' - high praise indeed, he reported it to be Full Bodied, Smooth and not burnt - Great! ticked all the boxes - unfortunately they missed out on a second coffee order from DH because they were not paying attention.
His standard Cafe order of a Mushroom Omelet was large and fluffy and packed with flavour. Which brings me to my order...

As I have said before - my test for the worth of a Cafe's brekkie menu is the quality of their Poached Eggs on Toast.

OH DEAR!
I could see we had problems when I ordered as there was no dressing mentioned on the menu.  I could add extras like mushroom or bacon but no Hollandaise and none offered when I asked.
The Eggs arrived with the glowing report that they were fantastic as they were fresh from the grower, and I was offered cracked Pepper to taste.  The Toast was perfectly toasted and there was plenty of it.
BUT - Where was the garnish?  One small sprig of parsley was insufficient to cut the cloying eggy taste which stayed with me all day.
And why oh why do you serve Free Range eggs only to cook them in the confines of a silicone mould?







Che Vita Bella
523 High Street
PRESTON  VIC 3072

Licenced
EFTPOS available

The Fish

I haven't written up a Fish and Chip Shop before but I must admit that this is the most impressive one I have seen in a long while. And it wasn't at the beach, so no Seagulls to feed with the tasty morsels that I couldn't fit in.

What sets this place apart from the run of the mill 'Chip Shop'?   The Café  - yes, Café was clean and bright and inviting, I even spied a Coffee machine in the corner. There were at least 4 staff behind the counter at all times and each customer was greeted on arrival whether they were regulars or not.
The fresh Fish on offering was laid out on trays for you to choose. And what a choice!  From the standard Flake (Fresh Gummy) to Atlantic Salmon! And a slightly cheaper Fish of the Day option.
Team this up with Chips and a Salad or if chips aren't your thing you can have Rice.

We weren't feeling too hungry so chose the $8:00 Snack Pack.  These arrived at the table in paper lined baskets and OH MY - Where is a flock of hungry seagulls when you need them?
The 3 Fish Bites - which I expected to be nugget size were 6" long, and coupled with this was a Potato cake, Dim Sim and a large tender Calamari ring (the real kind not one of those reformed calamari flavoured things), lemon wedge and tub of Tartare sauce and that was before you even got to the bed of Chips!
Also, while we waited the short time for our lunch to arrive, the table was set with a napkin and cutlery.

Would I go back?  Definitely!-
... But maybe next time I would order something with Salad on the side.






The Fish
148 Burgundy Street
Heidelberg  VIC

Closed Sundays

Espresso Room - Northcote

My DH came across this place one morning and liked it that much he dragged me back at the first opportunity!

The first thing I noticed when walking through the doors is the space - there was lots of it, but I could imagine that in a few hours it would be crammed packed with "Regulars" all enjoying their favourite breakfast from the extensive menu or just a coffee and the paper.







The decor of the place lent itself superbly to 'playing' with the Sepia filter settings on my camera while waiting for our breakfast to arrive.
Everywhere your eye fell - there was some other treasure to discover.


Our drinks arrived quickly and spying a Coffee Roaster in the corner of the room, I assume that they roast their own.  The only query I have about the coffee is - Is it a normally strong blend? Or did the Barrista not notice that my order was for a half strength Latte?

Breakfast saw me going outside my comfort zone and ordering something different - after all, that IS why we try different cafes isn't it?  I can't see the point of going somewhere new and ordering the same old 'Toast and Vegemite' I can make at home.


DH had an Omelet with fresh Tomato, which was light and fresh and huge, sitting on a bed of toast (perhaps to keep it off a cold plate?)

and I had Dukka Eggs on Wholegrain Toast with Fresh baby spinach and marinated Capsicum and Goats Cheese.

It was very tasty, with lots of toast underneath, and perfect poached eggs, although the small crumb of Goat's Cheese was hardly enough to be included on the menu description, but still a perfect breakfast, that is... until I got to the capsicum.
If I ever ordered it again I would be asking if they would swap it for something else like semi sundried tomato, as a massive hit of garlic infused oil at 8:00 am was .... going too far out of that comfort zone.

Would I return?  Yes, if I was in the area. The waitress was lovely and very attentive, and the menu had lots of other intriguing dishes that I would be tempted to try.









Espresso Room
Shop 1, 410 High Street
Northcote Vic 3070

8 days

Walking down High Street Armidale against a bitterly cold wind I was intrigued by the sight of a basket containing an assortment of Red and Grey fleece Wraps just sitting against the doorway of 8 days.

My first thought was, as I scurried inside, Who left that there?  Of course, when leaving I realised, as I pulled my collar up against the cold that they had been left out to warm the patrons who chose to dine outside.  What a lovely thoughtful gesture!

Inside the cafe is usually quite busy, yet the staff are always pleasant and where as I was not noticed when I came in and sat - after surveying the bounty in the cake cabinet, it was not long before  was greeted and my order taken.  As I waited for my Coffee and warm Flourless Orange Cake to arrive - I watched as the wait staff skillfully negotiated the tables carrying plates full of the most wonderful looking and smelling food.


As far as the coffee is concerned.  You have TWO choices.  Basically- if you ask for anything with milk - you get the House Bend 5 Senses 'Crompton Road' and all other Coffees are served the Single Origin "Guest Roaster of the Month" this month it is Panama Hortigal.

Would I return? ...  I always do - whenever I am passing.

Hmmm, was just asked if I would like another coffee.  Pity.... I'm on a One Hour Park!




8 days
1184 High Street
Armidale Vic

All Smiles - on Sorrento Back Beach

It was a 'nice day for a drive' so I loaded DH into the car and asked Myrtle to take us to Sorrento. A pleasant 2 hours from my side of Melbourne.

This is one of my favourite surf beaches, not just for it's close proximity to the township of Sorrento (Victoria) with a lively Cafe culture in the main street - but for the fact that it has a truly beautiful beach to walk along and when the tide is out - rockpools to investigate and when you are exhausted from all that you can wander into All Smiles!

And with a view like this - you take your time to peruse the menu. Our only problem was deciding WHAT to have!

Our choice for today was a Chicken & Mushroom Gourmet Pizza and a Bowl of Wedges to share.

If I was ordering just Pizza - next time (and I would order it again) I would have one each as it was smaller than we anticipated, but the Wedges could have easily satisfied another 1 or 2 people!

...and sorry, I can't tell you what their coffee was like --- as we chose to have an icy LLB (Lemon Lime and Bitters) instead.

The day was beautiful. The Beach terrific, as usual. The Staff and service at All Smiles was - just that....  All Smiles!






PS:  If you are too wet, sandy or time poor to go inside - they have an outside "Takeaway" and tables.





All Smiles
At the Carpark, Sorrento Surf Beach
SORRENTO  VIC