Tess (tess-presso-3)

Imagine a café with a menu focused on Hemp? Stop imagining, I found it! Hemp Kitchen is all about higher living without the high. It’s a first for Victoria, and... leer más Imagine a café with a menu focused on Hemp? Stop imagining, I found it! Hemp Kitchen is all about higher living without the high. It’s a first for Victoria, and I’m happy to say its 100% gluten free, with accreditation by Coeliac Australia. I had the pleasure of meeting owners Ousmane Jongue Emanuel Cerera, and was enthralled by their story. Both knew of the health benefits of hemp, and decided to open a venue where chefs could use traditional Italian methods to create a menu that specialised in Pasta, Pizza, and Burgers; using hemp as the staple ingredient. Until now, I had no idea hemp was a superfood loaded with protein, is rich in two essential fatty acids, omega-6 ω-3, and a selection of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium to name a few. We ordered the Spaghetti Cozze e Vongole, which came with mussels, clams, parsley, cherry tomatoes, and a white wine garlic oil base. The spaghetti had a mild nutty flavour, which paired well with the Hemp Caprese Salad served with a cold pressed hemp oil and balsamic glaze. They also serve a selection of organic wines, beer, and spirits, including a hemp-based gin, and hemp vodka. It’s the one time I can actually get high, legally!

Been to Carlton North lately?<br/ <br/ Admittedly, it’s one area I have little experience in. You could say, I’m a Fledgling in this area.<br/ <br/ That’s not s... leer más Been to Carlton North lately?<br/ <br/ Admittedly, it’s one area I have little experience in. You could say, I’m a Fledgling in this area.<br/ <br/ That’s not such a bad thing when you find a venue called Fledgling… Birds of a feather definitely do flock together at this Rathdowne Street café.<br/ <br/ Owner Conner Cunliffe started young in hospitality, a fellow fledgling as such. He’s now made his mark in Melbourne, and showcases both his creative flair in the kitchen and behind the espresso machine.<br/ <br/ The menu goes from one extreme to another. For those with a sweet (indulgent) tooth there’s the Raspberry Pancakes with popping chocolate and Oreos, and Banana Bread French Toast topped with vibrant pink fairy floss. While those of us who tend to hunt for something that’s nutrient rich, there’s the mushroom medley topped with a fried egg. A wholesome option is the Fledge Benny with smoked salmon and jalapenos hollandaise.<br/ <br/ Nestle into this Carlton North hotspot, and spoil yourself with a bottomless lunch if you feel the need for a midday escape over the Christmas period.

A tiny cafe run by people with hearts of gold, doing great things for Argentinian kids in need. They recently had a latte art competition to raise funds for the... leer más A tiny cafe run by people with hearts of gold, doing great things for Argentinian kids in need. They recently had a latte art competition to raise funds for their project.<br/ <br/ Coffee by Maker Fine.

Absolutely love this cafe. It's a neighbourhood gem, and has some delicious breakfast options.<br/ <br/ Huge thanks to the team for being so attentive, and extr... leer más Absolutely love this cafe. It's a neighbourhood gem, and has some delicious breakfast options.<br/ <br/ Huge thanks to the team for being so attentive, and extracting a great brew

Coffee 10/10. Its a true reflection of the years of hard work Sasa has put into Ona. This place is busy for a good reason.... coffee, food, staff, and atmospher... leer más Coffee 10/10. Its a true reflection of the years of hard work Sasa has put into Ona. This place is busy for a good reason.... coffee, food, staff, and atmosphere are all

When Nick Kolaitis, Ben Freeman, and Frank Gavralas decided to turn their Greek Street Food restaurant into a café, they took to the history books to find a nam... leer más When Nick Kolaitis, Ben Freeman, and Frank Gavralas decided to turn their Greek Street Food restaurant into a café, they took to the history books to find a name reflective of the area’s history, and their vision for its purpose. Having paid respect to their own heritage, by bringing authentic Greek Street Food to Melbourne, they decided their latest venture would pay respect to the native forbearers of land on which it’s located. Located within the Boroondara Council, which comes from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of shade’, the 3 men decided to name the venue Shade, and thus ensure the city’s Indigenous connections would not be lost.<br/ <br/  <br/ <br/ Step inside this Glenferrie Road haven, and you soon realise its design is specifically crafted to provide a place of shade, with its natural timber base, exposed red bricks emitting a cool feel, and dotted plants echoing the greenery from mother nature’s greatest shade providers.  It’s stylish, without being obtrusive, and leaves you with a sense of lightness, much like you would feel while sitting under a tree on a sunny day.<br/ <br/  <br/ <br/ Venue manger, Josh Carey, was quick to offer me a table, and soon offered me the fruits of another shade provider, the humble coffee tree. Beans are sourced from Reverence Coffee, with both the Night vision blend for that punchy milk coffee, and single origin beans for black coffee. For a café entrenched in a culture of paying respect, sourcing beans from a roaster named Reverence, is as harmonious as the venues ambiance. I was thrilled to see an Ethiopian Areka available for espresso. Truth be told, I could smell its blueberry aroma while Josh was putting my beans through the EK. This aroma permeated my sensory field, and followed through into the cup. Its sweet fruity flavours and clean finish made for an ideal espresso.<br/ <br/  <br/ <br/ The flavour fusion didn’t stop there. Nepalese chef, Abe Pandi, has taken basic ingredients and concepts taught as a child by his grandmother, and interpreted them in the modern flavour filled menu. Meals are designed to bring out the essence of each ingredient, such as Saffron Bircher Muesli, Chocolate Croffle with Matcha, Crab Chilli folded eggs; and Coconut Prawn Noodle Salad.  <br/ <br/  <br/ <br/ What I really appreciate about Shade, is that they have preserved a link to their Greek heritage by way of offering Frappe and Freddo coffee. This is definitely a point of different in the area, and a popular option with students looking for that refreshing caffeine hit on a warm day. They are served with a double shot of Reverence’s Night Vision Blend, and frothed using a traditional Greek method, which provides that thick texture frappes and Freddos are famed for. You’ll be sure to have a clear vision after a few of those.<br/ <br/  <br/ <br/ Hawthorn continues to be a place of shade with both leafy streets and parklands; and this gorgeous café which feels like an energising embrace. Find Shade at 684 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn.<br/ <br/  <br/ <br/

Gorgeous corner cafe in Blackburn, with a whimsical theme. Coffee by Conical, and a wholesome menu with some delicious breakfast options like the sweetcorn frit... leer más Gorgeous corner cafe in Blackburn, with a whimsical theme. Coffee by Conical, and a wholesome menu with some delicious breakfast options like the sweetcorn fritters. Kudos to Amy, the ever gorgeous chef.<br/

One by one’,….. I’m working through Melbourne’s best cafes.<br/ <br/ My latest adventure has brought me to Keilor, a suburb north-west of the city.<br/ <br/ It’... leer más One by one’,….. I’m working through Melbourne’s best cafes.<br/ <br/ My latest adventure has brought me to Keilor, a suburb north-west of the city.<br/ <br/ It’s where David, Joseph and Marco opened up their café, One by One, over 2 years ago.<br/ <br/ What began as a pop-up coffee spot, serving coffee through a 1m x 1m window, has now grown into a full café. The name is a nod to their humble beginning; a time when they planned what is today, a welcoming café designed by a young carpenter who was a customer at that time.<br/ <br/ The menu offers a ‘modern Australian café fare’, with the usual favourites high on the list. There’s the colourful Acai bowl garnished with protein balls; Eggs Benny with seeded mustard hollandaise; and a selection of salads and burgers for those feeling like a wholesome lunch.<br/ <br/ Credit goes to the chefs for this work of art in a bowl. I definitely appreciated the fresh fruits and house made protein balls. It’s wonderful to see more and more cafes championing gluten free and vegan dishes as staple parts of their offerings.

Been to Fairfield lately? If not, then you wouldn’t know about this café steeped in the area’s history.<br/ <br/ C H James is named after Charles Henry James, a... leer más Been to Fairfield lately? If not, then you wouldn’t know about this café steeped in the area’s history.<br/ <br/ C H James is named after Charles Henry James, a businessman and local member of the Legislative council back in the 1870s. He is said to have been a supporter of the Fairfield community, and went so far as founding the Station Street Horse tramway in the 1880s.<br/ <br/ The owner of CH James, Theo Krambias, was so inspired by the great man, that he named his café in honour of him.<br/ <br/ Walking into this well designed venue, it’s not hard to notice the attention to detail that’s gone into its layout. A takeaway window serves customers while they wait at the side of the cafe, while inside you’ll find a spacious dining area, and kitchen at the rear. Vintage agricultural implements hang on the wall, reflecting the venues link to the past. A relaxed vibe permeates the venue, and  the courtyard along the side that separates CH James from the church next door, has a generous shaded dining area with planter boxes nurture an edible garden; creating a sense of community. You could say, it’s the type of place Charles would have frequented if he was still around. I learnt that Theo’s parents actually tend to the outdoor plants daily, that’s when they are not in Cyprus enjoying a European summer. Speaking of Cyprus, CH James sponsored its Head Chef and Barista to visit Cyprus earlier this year, where they went on a journey of discovery to see where their much loved haloumi is made. It’s featured heavily in the menu, which is simple, yet rich in flavour and substance. Options include Smashed Avo with Panko egg and Dukkah spice; Eggs Benedict with pressed smoked hock on an English muffin with choron hollandaise; and Beetroot and Halloumi Fritters with almond dukkha.<br/ Small Batch supply the coffee, and the Golden Ticket blend was used for my Long black today. My cup was balanced, with nougat and chocolate tones.<br/ <br/

This place is a coffee lovers paradise. No less than 6 single origin beans available each day, with both espresso and filter options. The Ethiopian as an espres... leer más This place is a coffee lovers paradise. No less than 6 single origin beans available each day, with both espresso and filter options. The Ethiopian as an espresso shot was rich and loaded with fruit flavours. If you're vegan, you will love this place even more.