Charisma Workshop

3 Frederick Way, Melbourne

As a new arrival in Melbourne's expansive cafe scene, Charisma Workshop has a lot of great cafes to compete with. Charisma Workshop is a result of the collective vision of the Ko family, with Jonathan Ko at the head. With a passion for patisserie, he inspired his family to join him in advancing their skills as well as sharing their passion with others in the form of Charisma Workshop.

Siphon coffee

Kenyan coffee beans

Charisma Workshop is one of the only cafes in Melbourne that I have been to that serves siphon coffee. Many people who have had siphon coffee swear by the fact that it makes coffee with a lighter and more delicate aroma, while eliminating some of the bitterness. Although I could definitely tell the difference between the siphon coffee and a regular brewed black coffee, I would still prefer cold drip coffee. However, if hot black coffee is your thing, then I would definitely give their siphon coffee a try.

Chicken burger with chips

Confit duck leg

I chose to have the confit duck leg, as I was looking for something more substantial, and I rarely ever turn down a good duck dish. Although the dish had many different elements, they all combined well to compliment each other. Even though the duck should have been the centerpiece of the dish,it was slightly overcooked. Instead, I found myself enjoying the mushrooms and sweet potato and pumpkin mash more than the duck. The hidden star of the dish would definitely be the coffee and red wine reduction, which had a strong and deep savoury flavour that helped bring the dish together.

La vie en rose

When I first arrived at Charisma Workshop, I did not expect to find some of the best cakes that I have tried. Absolutely everything about them were done fabulously, from the texture of the different layers within the cake, to the subtle sweetness that accentuated the flavours instead of overpowering them.

The biggest obstacle that Charisma Workshop has to overcome is definitely their location. The cafe is located in a small lane-way adjacent to A'beckett and Wills street, which is the home of the very popular Operator 25. Apart from the location of the lane-way, the cafe was also obstructed from view by scaffolding on the nearby buildings.

Although you can tell that there is a bit of inexperience with them being a new cafe, Charisma Workshop itself was a good experience for us. There were a couple of wrinkles in the preparation of the food that could definitely be ironed out in time. However, other than that they are definitely a place to look out for, especially for those with a sweet tooth!

Food Rating 8.5/10

Overall Rating 8.5/10

Little Woodpecker

55 Katrina Street, Blackburn

Little Woodpecker is a small local cafe located in Blackburn North that specializes in fresh seasonal brunch items with a little bit of a Middle-Eastern twist, as well as custom roast coffee. As Little Woodpecker is the closest local cafe to me, I often find myself visiting them for a coffee and quick lunch.

Little Woodpecker

 Chai Latte

Grilled chicken burger with extra free range bacon

As a complete dish the burger was very enjoyable, but there were definitely some ups and downs with each element of the dish. Some of the negative points of the burger I noticed were that the chicken breast was slightly dry, which was not a huge problem as well as the fact that the burger was stacked really high, which made it quite difficult to eat without dismantling.

Although there were a couple of small negatives about the meal, I was definitely still satisfied and would visit them again. The location of the cafe is also a godsend for me, as there is a distinct lack of cafes around my area.

Food Rating 7.5/10

Overall Rating 7.5/10

Mary Miller

171 Miller Street, Fitzroy North

Previously the location of Me & Julio, Miller Street is now the home of the small and cosy Mary Miller Cafe. The simple and laid-back neighborhood atmosphere of the cafe is a welcome change from the nearby Brunswick restaurants and cafes, which makes it a great place for a casual breakfast or lunch - or for parents from the nearby school to relax before picking up their kids!

Chocolate milkshake

Being located next to a school, the chocolate milkshake is one of their most popular menu items. The milkshake had a rich chocolate flavour, but was unfortunately let down by the large amount of froth.

Beetroot, matcha and turmeric lattes

Steak sandwich

The steak sandwich was actually similar to a steak sandwich that I enjoyed at The Burger Lounge, so I was quite happy about it. The sandwich itself was a simple dish consisting steak, along with swiss cheese, caramelised onion, roquette, mayonnaise and beetroot relish. The steak was tender and while the other ingredients were all present, none of them overpowered the main ingredient of the steak.

Wagyu beef burger

My friend ordered the wagyu beef burger as they were looking for something a little more substantial. The composition of the burger itself was excellent, with a good balance of tasty components, such as the caramelised onion, short cut bacon and tomato relish. Although the burger as a whole was quite a good dish, it was not without shortcomings - the biggest of which was the wagyu patty, which was slightly overcooked and dry.

Zucchini and haloumi fritters

We were recommended the zucchini and haloumi fritters so we decided to give them a try, even though we already had quite a decent amount of food. The dish as a whole served as a wonderful and filling breakfast, with a mixture of fresh and savoury elements. While we did enjoy the fritters, we found it to be slightly on the heavy side, although some people might enjoy this.

Mary Miller is an great new cafe with amazing options for everybody, whether you are looking for a light breakfast, heavy lunch or are just stopping by for a milkshake after picking up the kids. While there were some minor setbacks and problems with the food, the overall standards and concepts were good and with some time, Mary Miller Cafe will definitely be a great cafe!

Were were invited by and dined courtesy of Mary Miller Cafe. 

Food Rating 7.5/10

Overall Rating 8/10

Mr & Mrs Anderson

398 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East

Mr & Mrs Anderson is a small yet modern cafe in Hawthorn East. Chef Lasse Polvsen has worked in Michelin starred restaurants in Copenhagen and brings his inspiration to the menu in the form of Nordic influences from where he trained, as well as some additional Asian touches. All of this is brought together with ingredients from their Gippsland Farm, with some help from local producers for items that they cannot grow.

Milo and marshmallow shake

The Milo and marshmallow shake was quite flavourful and a lot better than most shakes that I usually find around Melbourne. At a pricing of $8.50, the shake is on the expensive end of the spectrum, but with the amount of care put into the milkshake, it is definitely worth it.

Toasted granola of mixed seeds, nuts and dried fruit, seasonal fruit, set coconut cream and almond milk.

Unfortunately, by the time I tried this dish I was already quite full. Regardless, the dish was an amazing combination of fresh flavours and and different textures. I especially enjoyed the set coconut cream and almond milk, as coconut is a favourite of mine.

Duck burger with crumbed confit bird, sweet potato, kimchi wombok, Kewpie mayo and triple cooked fries

Recently I have been in sort of a duck frenzy, where I order whatever duck dish I can find on a menu. So when I noticed the duck burger on the menu, I immediately made my choice. The duck burger was a well made and tasty lunch dish, where each element complimented each other. The texture of the toasted buns and crispy duck patty was very pleasant, but I wish that the duck had more prominence in the dish, as the texture and flavour of the duck felt hidden behind those of the other elements of the dish.

Organic slow-cooked saltbush lamb shoulder, roasted cauliflower, turmeric yoghurt, pistachio, peas, mint and pomegranate seeds.

Although the slow cooked lamb shoulder was the least impressive of the dishes we were served, it was still tasty and left a good impression on us. The lamb was quite tender and was accentuated with the roasted flavours of the cauliflower as well as the pomegranate seeds.

Altogether Mr & Mrs Anderson is a lovely cafe within the local community. Although their location is a little bit inconvenient for me, I would still highly giving them a visit, as their innovative menu items as well as friendly staff create an amazing atmosphere.

We were invited by and dined courtesy of Mr & Mrs Anderson.

Food Rating 9/10

Overall Rating 9/10

Le Clec

727 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Le Clec is a small cafe located in the middle of the bustling Glenferrie Road. They offer a variety of breakfast and lunch items on their menu, which are inspired by both modern French and Asian influences, as well as an extensive coffee and drinks list, with coffee by Five Senses.

 Beautiful courtyard

 Cold drip coffee

Cold drip is one of my favourite things in the world, it allows me to enjoy the flavour of the coffee I love, without having to feel unwell due to too much milk consumption. Although I love cold drip coffees in general, the cold drip at Le Clec is one of my favourite.

 LFC (Le Clec Fried Chicken)

My friend ordered the fried chicken which he enjoyed thoroughly. The chicken was cooked well with a nicely fried outer coating and tender chicken, which was complemented by the freshness of the apple slaw.

BBQ Ocean Trout Special

We were recommended the ocean trout special by a lovely staff member. Although the trout was just a tad overcooked, the dish was still very good. The fish on the dish had some amazing accompaniments, such as the crispy mozzarella-stuffed hash browns and possibly the best cooked poached eggs that I have ever seen.

It is not often that I find a cafe that I am itching to visit again, however my visit Le Clec left me wanting more. I will definitely be visiting Le Clec again and I would recommend the same for anybody else.

We were invited by and dined courtesy of Le Clec.

Food Rating 9/10

Overall Rating 9.5/10

Legacy

347 Camberwell Road, Camberwell

Legacy is a popular cafe in Camberwell which serves good coffee and a vibrant range of brunch menu items. We decided to visit Legacy after an active morning out, but we had to wait 30 minutes for a table, as we had a decently large group and the cafe being quite busy.

Legacy

Sriracha and chorizo eggs benny with kaiser bacon

Sushi bowl

The food we ordered at Legacy was all prepared very well. The dishes were filling, cooked well and filled with a variety of fresh ingredients and flavours, which was something we definitely needed to refill after a long morning. The eggs benny in particular was the dish I enjoyed the most, as the poached eggs were cooked perfectly and were accentuated by the rich yet smooth hollandaise sauce.

Because of their popularity and how busy Legacy is, I felt that the service was a bit rushed and somewhat neglected. However, the staff were definitely still friendly and I would definitely recommend giving Legacy a visit if you enjoy breakfast or brunch, although perhaps when they are slightly less busy.

Food Rating 8.5/10

Overall Rating 8/10

Platform 3

Box Hill Central, Shop 48, 1 Main Street, Box Hill

Platform 3 is a cafe, bar and restaurant located inside the busy Box Hill Central shopping center. They offer a little bit of everything, from a brunch menu to a dinner menu as well as being one of the only bars in the Box Hill area. Their location near major public transport hubs, such as the Box Hill bus and train stations, as well as the 109 tram makes it very easy to drop by for a visit.

Platform 3

Bar area

Affogato

Long macchiato 

Overall the coffees were prepared well, the ice cream for the affogato was sufficiently cold and the milk foam to coffee ratio in the macchiato was good.

Snow White

I ordered the Snow White, as it was an incredibly hot day and I am a huge lover of coconut. The rich coconut milkshake by itself was extremely refreshing, and the layers on top were great treats which added some extra dimensions to it. I especially enjoyed the texture of the toasted coconut that was added to the top.

Spicy squid rings

The spicy squid rings were the first dish that was served to us, which was perfect as the crispy morsels of squid were a light snack to get our appetites going. Although the dish itself was delicious, I felt that a dish which is presented as "spicy squid rings" should have more of a kick behind it.

Flying pigs

The flying pigs were the most intriguing item on Platform 3's menu. The dish consisted of chicken wings that had been de-boned and stuffed with Japanese kurobuta pork. Although the concept behind the dish was interesting, I don't feel like the pork added very much to the chicken and that although the dish was not bad, it was a little gimmicky.

Calabrese linguine

The calabrese linguine, although simple, was my favourite dish of the meal. The linguine, which is the most important part of the dish, was cooked to a perfect al dente, which left the pasta with a firm but pleasant bite. The sauce and toppings for the dish were also very well balanced and seasoned excellently, which made for a great main dish.

Similarly to the linguine, the lamb was also seasoned very well and radiated an amazing flavour. The lamb skewers themselves were very tender, but just slightly overcooked, causing them to be a little dry. This was not a problem though, as the flavour and quality of the dish more than made up for it.

The staff at Platform 3 are also quite friendly, accommodating and were very helpful during our visit. While I have overlooked Platform 3 in the past while visiting Box Hill, their food and service definitely warrant more visits in the future. If you are in Box Hill looking for something different, then Platform 3 may be worth looking in to.

Food Rating 8/10

Overall Rating 8.5/10

Saint James

1376 Malvern Road, Malvern

Saint James is a cafe with a British inspired menu and theme located in the suburb of Malvern. As the English Cousin of From on High, Hard Pressed, Small Print Pizza Bar, Pedro Espresso and Yorkshire Brewhouse, some of which I have visited in the past, I instantly had high expectations of Saint James.

Saint James

Pastries

Chai latte

I enjoy trying chai lattes whenever I visit a new cafe, as something about their aroma always seems to draw me in. The chai latte at Saint James was incredibly fragrant and quite smooth, I would definitely come back, if only for the chai latte.

Fish finger butty

The fish finger butty was a lovely dish which was perfect for a light lunch. The breaded fish was cooked perfectly and had a very crispy outer coating, while the lightness and acidity of the other ingredients kept the dish from being heavy, making it perfect pickup if you are looking for a light, yet tasty dish.

Saint Benedict

The Saint Benedict was a combination of Berkshire pork shoulder, fresh apple, poached eggs topped with beurre noisette hollandaise served on toasted sourdough. Each separate element of the dish was meticulously made, with the perfectly poached eggs, the succulent and flavourful pork, as well as the creamy hollandaise sauce. The combination of these elements, made for a lovely and fulfilling breakfast item.

Although Malvern is quite out of the way, Saint James has definitely left a good impression on me. The English inspired menu is a welcome addition to the Melbourne breakfast and brunch scene, as the English elements add a new twist on the traditional Australian breakfast and brunch menus, which in my opinion, has grown somewhat stale. I would definitely recommend a visit to Saint James, whether you are an avid brunch fan, or just looking for a quick coffee around the area.

We were invited and dined courtesy of Saint James.

Food Rating 8.5/10

Overall Rating 8.5/10

Journeyman

169 Chapel Street, Windsor

I have heard many great things about Journeyman, however I don't often have time to eat breakfast out, so when I found myself debating suggestions for breakfast with some friends, I took the opportunity to make sure we ended up here.

Busy weekday

Large and stylish space

I was expecting a long wait from what I had heard about the place, but we were swiftly led to a table by a very polite waitress.

Busy kitchen

All day menu

Strong Latte $4.00

Chai Latte $4.50

The Chai latte had a beautiful scent when it arrived and after trying it, the taste expectations matched the one left by the scent.

Toasted Waffles $15.00

The toasted waffles were presented beautifully with fresh fruits, smoked maple syrup and blueberry compote. I love a good waffle and although it tasted amazing, it was really sweet and not as suitable for us since we were having breakfast while tired.

Smashed Avocado $19.00

Journey Eggs Benedict $19.00

The eggs benedict were an amazing combination of the traditional eggs and hollandaise sauce combined with the ever present pork and apple. Originally we each ordered one of these, however after tasting it we immediately ordered another, possibly one of the best breakfast dishes I have tried.

Chilli Scrambled Eggs $18.00

The chilli scrambled eggs were creamy and had a nice chilli kick, which was a good way to wake me up a little. To be honest though, even though the chilli scrambled eggs were amazing, to me the real star of the dish was the mozzarella, basil and baguette. 

Journeyman is a great way to enjoy breakfast for any occasion, whether it be a breakfast by yourself or with friends. The menu has a good variety of different breakfast or brunch dishes and the food that we ordered was lovely. I would highly recommend anybody who is willing to head to Windsor for breakfast to try out Journeyman.

Food Rating 9/10

Overall Rating 9.5/10