Positioned right on the Yarra River at Southbank, the best spot to sit and enjoy a meal here is definitely outside on the second level balcony, overlooking the city of Melbourne at its best.

With our occasionally unpredictable weather, large market umbrellas keep you protected from the bright sunshine (although it’s worth bringing your sunnies in case you settle in the ‘bright seat’) and transparent awnings can be rolled into place to provide shelter on days of wind and rain, or raised to give uninterrupted views of the city and a refreshing breeze.

Inside colourful blue walls are a feature with the café also boasting 16 metres of white wall space used to feature the artwork of both established and aspiring artists.

Pieces are available for sale and changed monthly.

Blue Train offers plenty of seating choices with feature lights and wooden tables of various sizes matched to comfortable white plastic seats inside the large dining space.

There’s also the opportunity to seat larger groups of ten to fifteen people, which is rare in popular restaurants and is perfectly suited to a birthday gathering or catch up with lots of friends.

You can even choose to sit at diner-style raised tables with stools or watch the action from the central, square bar.

Blue Train is a great place to enjoy a sunny day, a family meal, or a crowd get-together. Open for breakfast (served until 3pm) lunch and dinner, all meals are served quickly with endless menu choices at great value prices.

From Monday to Friday you can take advantage of the $4.75 Breakfast Special or one of the five $10 lunch options, which change weekly.

With kid’s choices, hot rock pizzas, pasta, dishes of Asian to Indian influence through to an extensive dessert cabinet, this buzzy café caters for everyone.

Between our family we ordered from all sections of the menu. After convincing my 9 year old brother that the kid’s pizza was just as good as the one from the ‘grown up’ menu, he ordered and loved the ham and pineapple option.

My mother enjoyed the bircher muesli, soaked in juice with nuts, dried fruit and yoghurt and showing the quality of similarly delicious combinations served at a much trendier (and more expensive) boutique cafés.

My father made a brilliant selection devouring a gigantic, classic-style, Blue Train Burger with the bacon, lettuce, cheese, tomato and onion served on a lightly toasted bun, with a generous side of well-cooked fries (rapidly stolen from his plate) and tomato chutney.

Both my French exchange student and boyfriend enjoyed the BLT, served on warm pidé with the option of the fried egg.

I had a side salad of beetroot, rocket, feta and pine nuts, large enough to be a small meal on its own, as well as a warming daily special, the lamb, lentil and vegetable soup.

Served with pita bread, it’s the perfect dish to enjoy on a cool winter morning.

Although I prefer to visit cafés in more ‘tucked away’ places, Blue Train is a quick, easy option that is ideal for groups, decently priced, and with the huge advantage of an open-air view of this fabulous city as a backdrop.

It may never get a chef’s hat, but for what it continues to provide, Blue Train is much deserving of a first or repeat visit and a ronnies-spots recommendation.

Review and images by Sofia Levin

Blue Train

Address: MR5, Mid-Level, Southgate Landing, Southbank, Victoria

Phone: (03) 9696 0111

Open: Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 8am-11pm

http://www.dimaeats.com/bluetrain/index.html

http://www.dimaeats.com/bluetrain/images/LATEST%20July%202010%20MENU.pdf

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760222/restaurant/Melbourne/Blue-Train-Cafe-Southbank

http://www.theage.com.au/news/restaurant-reviews/blue-train-cafe/2005/09/27/1127800582806.html

Snuck in under a recently built apartment block in Inkerman St (just off St.Kilda Rd), is the delightful Harper’s Kitchen.

It’s a small but well thought out space with terrific cafe food.

Inside, a large communal table dominates and you’ll find that the atmosphere reflects that feeling with an abundance of friends, upstairs apartment dwellers and regulars in attendance.

But if you’re seeking a little more room for yourself, there’s also a few smaller inside tables and 5 two seaters outside.

Drawing a little on her Japanese heritage, owner Hana does a lovely job mixing up a traditional cafe menu with a touch of Asian influence, especially given the little ‘kitchen’ she has to work with.

This might take the form of a daily stew or curry served with rice or the regular Japanese pancakes (oko no miyaki), a soup special or even the organic cold chicken with soba noodle salad (which I loved).

There’s also a soup of the day as well as crowd favourites including a chicken schnitzel sandwich and the homemade sausage rolls which are enormous and sensational.

Breakfast might be a choice of bircher muesli with poached fruit and yoghurt, porridge with rhubarb or banana and honey, a warm breakfast salad with rocket, fetta, avocado, pancetta, roasted peppers, poached egg and croutons, fruit toast or poached eggs as you like them with a choice of sides and more…

Lunch also offers a giant egg and lettuce sandwich, 4 choices of pides, as well as two daily salads such as brown rice with tuna, chickpea, beetroot and pumpkin or pasta with varying ingredients or the traditional green salad. And for everything on offer, prices are reasonable and the portions hearty.

For after lunch I enjoyed a smooth Coffee Supreme which was served up well… I also loved the offer of freshly squeezed orange juice, something that’s simple and not seen often enough in cafes.

Despite being a little obscure, I predict that Harper’s is going to become a local favourite, if it isn’t already in just the short time it’s been open. Yay to that!

Smart thinking and well done Harper’s Kitchen people. Head down there for your fill.

Harper’s Kitchen: 78 Inkerman St. St. Kilda

Open for breakfast and lunch Monday to Saturday.

Ph: 9537 0450

http://harperskitchen.com.au

http://harperskitchen.com.au/menu-2/

http://melbourne.theagendadaily.com/restaurants-cafes/harpers-kitchen/

The natural setting is brilliant and just the way I remember it from my younger days.

Sitting and enjoying a meal or a coffee with views of lush, green hills, horse paddocks and animals lingering about, might be the perfect way to spend a sunny day but as its open to the elements, it’s preferable to visit when the weather is fine or else the charming experience that awaits you, might be somewhat lessened.

The Farm Cafe lies just before the main entrance so diners pay no entry fee with the crowd being a mixture of mothers with young children, stylish twenty-something’s from nearby Collingwood and Fitzroy and an eclectic group of all sorts.

The cafe has a strong ‘farm’ theme with tables and carved wooden benches positioned around a large red bricked area, that’s surrounded by wooden railings, gates and thatched brush walls.

There’s even one small table made from a tree stump which you might be able to grab if you are lucky.

While Farm Café may make the most of location, location, location, it tops it off with an appealing array of divine, fresh meals and a menu that boasts that most bits are made on site, making them fresh, free of unnecessary nasties and super tasty. And they’re right.

Organic, free range and biodynamic, choosing just one thing from the menu is difficult.

In keeping with the theme, little plastic animals are also available for sale at the front counter but they weren’t anywhere near the temptation of the cup cakes, muffins and slices displayed on the other side!

I started with a mug of spicy chai latte. The cinnamon and nutmeg were blended beautifully and the subtle, lingering kick was far better than your average café version.

Dining with friends meant that we were able to share and try three of their meals.

Although the zucchini fritters and cinnamon infused granola shouted out to be eaten, we ended up agreeing on the goat’s toast; a generous serving of colourful beetroot relish, fresh baby spinach, avocado and marinated goat’s cheese on sourdough.

Slow cooked beans were next and they came in a tomato and fennel seed sauce with marinated feta and fresh herbs, served with sourdough toast and a poached egg.

We also scoffed down the Medjool date loaf.

Homemade, sweet, and the perfect finish to our meal, it came with sesame, almonds, fresh banana, warm butterscotch sauce and a dollop of mascarpone, all of which left me wanting more.

There were also a number of other daily specials but we chose to ignore them as they would have made our meal choices far too difficult.

I was enchanted by the sounds, sights and tastes at The Farm Cafe.

Childrens laughter mixes with a myriad of bird calls and animal noises and kiddies are simply excited to be there.

And there’s a special menu catering especially for them with a ‘Kid’s Food’ section that includes plain eggs on toast, sausage rolls, half sandwiches and other child friendly options.

The Farm Cafe: A taste of nature and much more, right in the middle of the big city.

Drop in for a bite and I guarantee you’ll be as happy as a pig in mud.

Review and images by Sofia Levin.

Farm Café: 18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford, 3067

Open: Mon – Fri: 9am to 4pm, Weekends – 9am to 5pm

Phone: (03) 9415 6581

http://farmcafe.com.au/About

http://farmcafe.com.au/menu

http://farmcafe.com.au/reviews

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760670/restaurant/Melbourne/Collingwood/Farm-Cafe-Abbotsford

http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/epicure/restaurant-review/the-farm-cafe/2009/03/30/1238261503862.html

One of these is Della Nonna. Hoping that it might remain a bit of a secret, I hesitated in reviewing this place but then realised I needed to share it with my readers.

Especially as Della Nonna serves up really good home cooked Italian food, the way you might expect it when visiting family for dinner or a Sunday lunch and who doesn’t want that?

Located up the Hawthorn end of Glenferrie Rd (and now also in the Queen Victoria Building on Lonsdale St), I like it’s no fuss attitude, relaxed nature and also their extensive menu.

There’s something here for everyone including the kids and enjoying two or even three courses, won’t break the bank.

Choices include 16 different set wood-fired pizzas, 8 excellent risottos with a selection that includes seafood, vegetarian, meat and classics, 6 mains with temptations such as wood fired crispy duckling with borlotti bean, chive, Sardinian crumb pasta salad and blood orange sauce or pan fried calves liver, caramelised onions, pancetta, fresh oregano and polenta, lots of delicious entree starters as well as sides and daily specials.

A huge bonus is that corkage is set at only $10 a bottle which encourages you to bring that lovely wine you’ve been saving and enjoy it while dining.

Della Nonna might not win any chefs hats or industry awards but it definitely gets the patrons vote of approval, satisfying their craving for delicious food and filling lots of hungry tummies along the way.

Grandma would approve….

Della Nonna Hawthorn: 844 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, 3122

Open daily from 6pm

Phone: 03 9819 6444

Della Nonna QV: LEVEL 2 QV Square, Corner Swanston and Lonsdale Sts, Melbourne

Open: Daily, Sat 10am – late, Sun – Fri:  9 am til late

Ph: 03 9654 4880

http://dellanonna.com.au/

http://dellanonna.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/10-4-10-Hawthorn-Menu.pdf

http://www.theage.com.au/news/restaurant-reviews/della-nonna/2008/03/31/1206850790715.html

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760574/restaurant/Melbourne/Della-Nonna-Hawthorn

In the  case of Schnitz however, I’m delighted to make an exception as I consider it a spot good enough to stand on its own.

For those brought up on European food, especially the much loved schnitzel for dinner, what’s on offer at Schnitz is a bit of classic home cooking, albeit in a takeaway environment.

Schnitz is a fairly recent franchise that’s evolved from the owner Polish immigrant Roman Dyduk, who in the 1970’s worked at iconic St.Kilda restaurant Red Rock, where he was taught to make their famous schnitzels.

His experience there and subsequently led him to set up Schnitz to continue spreading our love for these crispy delights.

Using a huge choice of quality ingredients and condiments, he’s now serving them up as delicious wraps and sandwiches in 4 Melbourne locations.

Whether beef, pork, fish, chicken or even vegetable, each pan-cooked Schnitz is juicy, plump and fresh and a magnificent alternative when Mum’s not around to prepare them.

Feel free to try any of the 12 different options on the menu or add any of the extras to make up your own favourite.

I’m a sucker for the chicken American Dream wrap, with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and pickles with honey mustard and tomato sauce served in a soft tortilla.

It’s a fantastic meal and the perfect takeaway before heading to the MCG for the football.

Filling, healthy and freshly made, they’re that good that often I think I should have ordered two.

When visiting Schnitz, look for the taster samples on offer and feel free to turn your ‘schnitz’ into a combo with a drink and some of their superb crunchy chips, coated in the secret seasoning…

They’re tempting, moorish and almost addictive…

Schnitz is the first schnitzel franchise in the world and with locations in Richmond, Hawthorn, and 2 in the CBD with plans for many more to come.

Here’s hoping the Schnitz concept takes off and that in the next decade no one will be deprived of enjoying a great schnitz, no matter where they live!!

http://www.schnitz.com.au/

http://www.schnitz.com.au/the-schnitz-story.asp

http://www.schnitz.com.au/menu.asp

The name comes from an acronym of the initials of the owner Danielle and family members and they have really put together a lovely menu of meals that regulars return for.

Good food brings them in, over and over again…

Thread is a most welcoming place: bright, sunny, popular and very child friendly (complete with a box of toys and a kiddie menu that includes ‘cheesy fingers’ and fairy bread).

With polished concrete floors and well-worn wooden tables peppered around the large space, it’s a good place for families, friends or even a business meeting.

There’s also a large communal table for 14, surrounded by step ladder stools and even a few window seats overlooking busy Malvern Rd.

For a closer view, take a seat on one of the wooden picnic-style tables out the front.

In the centre of the communal table lies a giant tin canister of pink and green flowers which add to the already colourful room.

While nearby on some blackboard paint a quirky quote will brighten your day.

There are a number of other arty touches, including a pin board with red stick figures of a waiter serving food and similar figures of boys and girls lining the counter, along with modern paintings by local artist Kim Kennedy on the walls

While busy on this Friday afternoon, the service was quick and attentive and the food very inviting with a number of menu items that tempted me. There was also a selection of salads and prepared sandwiches in the display cabinet.

In the end I went for the tandoori chicken wrap which was one of seven daily specials.

It was served toasted, in a pressed tortilla with an avocado vinaigrette salad and tzatziki on the side.

My co-reviewer Sofia had the ‘chop chop’ salad, which sees a large plate covered in colourful mounds of the 9 ingredients that craft the dish including tuna, cottage cheese, tomato, cucumber, onion, capsicum, avocado, beetroot and celery.

Healthy and tempting, it offers the choice to mix up the ingredients to one’s own taste along with a vinaigrette dressing for the overall chop, chop experience..

We both finished up with a very good, deliciously smooth and creamy, organic All Press coffee, but if visiting on weekends, be aware that the wait for such a hit might take a little while.

As you leave behind the cosy atmosphere of Thread, be sure to take in the scrabble letters on the door as they remind you to “PULL and the little details of the espresso machine ‘group’ door handle.”

I really enjoyed my couple of hours spent at Thread and suggest that you head down to Malvern to do the same.

Co-review and images by Sofia Levin.

Thread: 1373 Malvern Rd, Malvern, 3144

Open: Morning through to late afternoon, 7 days a week

Ph: (03) 9822 8668

www.threadcafe.com.au

http://indolentdandy.net/fitzroyalty/2010/06/20/breakfast-at-thread-cafe-malvern/

http://www.misskish.com/2010/03/thread-cafe-in-malvern-thats-right-malvern/

http://beanhunter.com/cafes/review/thread

http://www.bubabout.com.au/melbourne-reviews/east/thread-cafe.html

That’s not the one that lodges in your throat but something substantial, with ingredients that tempt and delight

Someone finally listened.

Sitting just below the much vaunted and well patronised Movida Aqui, Earl Canteen is the place to head when you need an ample sandwich or a good cup of coffee.

Much has been written about Earl and for good reason.

The small space is bright and its’ clean lines, wood and subdued lighting give it a slightly industrial feel.

But the welcome is warm, with efficient staff doing their best to seat and feed you quickly.

And while it’s busy, the wait for one of their sandwich creations is never really too long and well worth it.

Meals come nicely presented on white mini-platters. And what sumptuous creations they are.

Ten interesting gourmet ingredient combinations form the centrepiece for Earl and are offered daily on crunchy fresh baguettes or as a wrap.

Confit duck with caramelised wild figs, crisp skin Otway belly pork, apple cabbage and fennel coleslaw, grilled skirt steak with provolone, beetroot and tomato, lime and palm sugar poached Gleroth chicken, sticky braised lamb, peas, cauliflowers cheese crumble, roast field mushrooms with goats cheese, Wagyu meatballs in sugo with zucchini pickles….

Are you tempted yet??

If that’s not enough, there’s also sandwiches and seasonal salads from the display cabinet, as well as amazing sweet treats (the mini crème brulee tarts are amazing!!)

And if you don’t want to sit at Earl to enjoy a meal, then there’s always takeaway or have them make up and deliver a platter for your next meeting or working lunch…they’ll definitely impress the clients.

For me, one visit to Earl and one killer sandwich sandwich sampled….nine to go!!

Earl Canteen: Ground level, 500 Bourke, Lt Bourke St courtyard, Melbourne 3000

Open: Mon-Fri 7.30am – 5pm

Ph: 03 9600 1995

http://www.earlcanteen.com.au/

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1523387/restaurant/CBD/EARL-Canteen-Melbourne

http://www.melbournegastronome.com/2010/05/earl-canteen-or-how-i-learned-to-stop.html

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/earl-canteen-20100526-wbw1.html

http://secondhelping.com.au/feastonthis/earl-canteen/

http://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/news/article/earl-sandwich

Sensational sums it up and the word about Pizza Farro, is out.

Using spelt, a different type of grain, better suited for those who are wheat intolerant and one that doesn’t leave you heavy or bloated, it took 2 years of research for Pizza Farro to get it to the quality required for the pizzas they wanted to serve.

And people have caught on. This place is busy.  With mismatched chairs, benches, tables and used furniture, no one has to feel too precious about making a mess so they’re perfectly set up to accommodate adults and kids.

Young future Masterchefs are also kept occupied with toys, books, colouring in pencils and more and their patronage is encouraged with dinner served from 5.30pm onwards. But you’ll need to book.

Pizza Farro is the brainchild of Yvette Romanin & Vincenzo Lotito.

He’s the chef, pizza-maker and builder and she’s a landscape architect and designer, who used her skills and visual bent to create a warm and wholly delightful café.

Inside it’s a bit of a collectors’ heaven, a distant memory from the burnt out restaurant shell they took over a few years ago.

The front section is a garden homage with watering cans for light fittings and screened vinyl wall panels of vegetables and flora, highlighting nature and growth. Along a rear walls hangs 100 chopping bards and the ceiling an abundance of rolling pins and egg beaters.

One wall features vintage swatches of quilt fabrics with another some tea towel ‘curtains’.

Whether hanging from the ceiling or nailed to the walls, the years of collecting, artful arrangements and creativity add a quirky, eclectic feel to what is a delightful space

And so onto the food itself. While there’s salads, foccacias and pasta on the menu, pizza is the main reason to visit.

I was tempted to go with the Prosciutto pizza, (prosciutto, rocket, marinated tomatoes, Napoli sauce and mozzarella) I was persuaded to choose the Osso Buco special.

Tender chunks of home cooked beef osso buco were sprinkled around a light doughy mozzarella and tomato base with parmesan, olives and rocket.

Very different but delicious. As another treat, a mixed funghi pizza drizzled with fragrant, enticing truffle oil appeared at the table, for all to share.

And in case that wasn’t enough, one of the dessert specials, the Corona Crumble, was suggested.

A sweet pizza of vanilla custard, poached apple & raspberry topped with crumble dressed with rhubarb, orange & raspberry sauce and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, all done on a pizza base.

It was magnificent and I’d highly recommend trying to save some room for it.

I loved my visit to Pizza Farro, a place that’s doing things a bit differently but all the important things right.

A special mention goes to their diligent staff who despite numerous distractions , kids running underfoot and mountains of pizzas being served to tables and to eager hungry patrons picking up takeaways, were helpful, friendly and at all times, very obliging.

So what else need to be said about Pizza Farro?

Maybe that a trip to Thornbury never looked, smelt or tasted so good.

Oh, and for those who don’t know about spelt, it is a whole food grain, which bakes well and is low in gluten and high in protein. Whereas wheat’s vital bran and germ are usually removed during milling, the vital substances of spelt are found in the inner kernel of the grain and remain, making it better nutritionally.

Pizza Farro: 608 High Street, Thornbury, VIC 3071

Ph: (03) 9484 2040

Open Wed-Thu 5:30pm-11pm; Fri-Sun 8:30am-3:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm

www.pizzafarro.com.au

http://www.theage.com.au/news/restaurant-reviews/pizza-farro/2006/03/20/1142703270274.html

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/761506/restaurant/Melbourne/Darebin/Pizza-Farro-Thornbury

Located on Gertrude Street, close to Smith Street in Fitzroy is therefore the perfect position for it, with this quirky space sandwiched between the famous Dr. Follicles barbershop and a record store, wafting its chill-out tunes.

Inside an interesting light sculpture made from globes and cooking whisks hangs from the ceiling next to a number of small wooden drawing figures, who ‘fly’ suspended by fishing wire from the ceiling, their arms removed, replaced by feathers.

Each time the front door opens, these ‘Birdmen’ come to life, swinging, twirling and floating in the breeze.

For seating, there’s a number of dark tables dotted around the room, highlighted with red and green chairs, there’s some stools facing the window or fight your neighbours for the comfortable bench seat that lines the right wall.

Wooden floorboards lead to the espresso machine, counter and kitchen at the back of the room.

Outside, long wooden benches double as a great vantage point to soak up the local atmosphere and watch people pass by, with everything from colourful Mohawks to Doc Martens on display to keep you occupied.

Inside, a different world awaits you.

The menu is modern and refreshing, with brunch available until 5pm, dinner from midday and no time constraints on when to enjoy dessert. Specials are listed on the blackboard and changed daily.

The comprehensive breakfast list includes offerings from toasted banana bread with Couverture chocolate, hazelnut and olive oil spread to black pudding with braised tomato, potato hash and fried eggs.

But for the ‘young at heart’, they also suggest the old favourites of Coco Pops or a boiled egg with soldiers.

Visiting after midday, we were able to order from either the breakfast and lunch menus.

The coconut quinoa porridge with banana and palm sugar was a huge temptation but we ended up trying the corn, broccoli and ricotta hotcakes served with creamy smoked trout, avocado and Spanish onion.

We also tried the roasted heirloom carrots with honey yoghurt and crispy bunderfleisch (dried, cured beef). saw the flavours and texture of the beetroot-coloured carrots combine perfectly with the crispy beef and the side salad, topped off with sweet yoghurt sauce.

As the carrots were a small portion, better suited to a starter or a tapas style lunch, they left room for the black rice dessert which had the amazing texture of fluffy cream and was served with coconut yoghurt and strawberries.

Tea was served in delicate, floral pots and the Genovese coffee was a hit. But the best part of the meal had to be the homemade honeycomb. Covered in dark chocolate, it has an airy, melt-in-the-mouth consistency.

I could actually feel the honey oozing out as it dissolved on my tongue.

Although overwhelmed by the assortment of delicious options available at Birdman, this problem can be easily solved by taking advantage of the chefs tasting special.

The Tweetie Menu costs $35 per head and the Big Bird Menu is $45 per head, including specials and dessert and is for a minimum of 2 people.

Birdman Eating shows their appreciation for the arts, in little endearing touches.

Food served in small bowls and glasses comes perched on squares of sheet music and Birdman also supports local artists by giving you a printed, one-off postcard with your bill.

I can’t wait for my next visit here with Birdman Eating, definitely something to tweet about.

Review and images by Sofia Levin.

Birdman Eating: 238 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Phone: (03) 9416 4747

Open:  Mon – Fri, 7am – late, Sat & Sun, 8am – late  (Kitchen closes at 10:30pm)

http://www.birdmaneating.com.au/main.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/restaurant-reviews/birdman-eating/2007/06/25/1182623802550.html

http://www.deckofsecrets.com/TheVault/Bars/BrunchMelbourne/BirdmanEating.aspx

Situated alongside the Camberwell Railway Station (on the dry side of Burke Rd, unfortunately), The Collective opened August 2009 and is today run by partners Duncan McCance and Mark Jacobson, who have the fine pedigree of experience at Las Chicas and with Atomic Coffee Roasters in New Zealand.

While they’re still young, as the next wave of baristas and cafe owners (Gen Y restaurateurs perhaps???), they know what they’re doing and are on the cusp of something good here.

Staff are enthusiastic and very switched on and the welcome was warm and courteous.

They pride themselves on being friendly, remembering the names and orders of their customers and showing people a good time as they head to work or just pop in for a short break in their day.

Set in a lovely old shopfront, The Collective is light-filled and very relaxed with one long communal table being the main seating option.

Food is cafe style with the menu changed every couple of months and new ideas and different stuff added on an ad-hoc basis in between.

Breakfast has lots of favourites such as porridge with banana, sultanas and cinnamon, bircher muesli with poached fruit, poached or scrambled eggs on sourdough, or with a potato rosti, chipolatas, spinach and roasted tomato, avocado and feta on sourdough with or without a poached egg, eggs wth spinach, mushrooms and Kaiser flesh bacon and even scrambled eggs with ham and parmesan cheese.

There are also few toasted pides including roast chicken, sundried tomato, rocket and cheese, an open pumpkin sandwich with feta, pesto and rocket, a ham, cheese and tomato with Dijon mustard and one with salami, tomato, chutney, spinach and feta.

There are three daily specials which on the day I visited included a homemade pea and ham soup, a roast chicken salad with green beans and cabbage and a pork belly sandwich.

They use the excellent 5 Senses coffee, made superbly out of the very popular 3 group Synesso machine with my latte was just great.

I like the energy and the feel of this cafe. They may not be industry veterans just yet, but with what’s on offer at The Collective, they’ve definitely got it going on.

Get along and find out for yourself.

The Collective: 3 Cookson St, Camberwell, 3124

Open Mon-Fri: 7am – 5pm, Sat-Sun: 8am – 4pm.

Ph: (03) 9882 8995

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1477559/restaurant/Melbourne/Collective-Espresso-Camberwell

http://www.fivesensescoffee.com.au/news/2009/12/01/the-coffee-community-at-collective-espresso

http://www.beanhunter.com/cafes/review/collective-espresso

http://backseatbaristas.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/collective-espresso-camberwell-2nd-review/