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

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

Zumbo

Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre, Level 1, 619 Doncaster Road, Doncaster

Zumbo is a very well established name in the desserts and sweets field. Ever since his first appearance on MasterChef, Adriano Zumbo has expanded his brand and opened many new stores, including the Doncaster Shoppingtown store, which is located very conveniently for me. The stores are well known for their range of "Zumbarons", as well as a variety of unique cakes.

Assorted "Zumbarons"

Zumbo

6 Pack Macaron $16.50

At Zumbo, they are most widely known for their macarons and their cakes. As a person who has trained in patisserie, I can honestly say that the macarons at Zumbo are some of the best that I have tried. The shells have the perfect density and a smooth sheen to them, while the filling was smooth, light and did not have an overpowering flavour.

Apart from the macarons themselves, the staff were also very friendly and helpful. I was a little indecisive when it came to picking the flavours, as there were so many and the staff were very helpful and informative, which allowed me to make a quicker decision. Although the price point is quite high, I would definitely visit Zumbo again.

Food Rating 8/10

Overall Rating 8/10

Dex2rose

377 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Whenever I have spare time in the CBD, I love travelling around and finding new and different places to try. Dex2rose is a small and hidden nitrogen gelato restaurant which also serves other items such as hot and cold drinks, as well as other dessert items, such as Belgian Waffles and Crepe Cakes.

Salted caramel crepe cake 

The Crepe Cakes are a new addition to the menu since my last visit to Dex2rose. Each individual element of the dish was absolutely excellent, with lovely yet delicate flavours which are not overpoweringly sweet. Although the dish was excellent, the crepe cake itself, while incredibly tasty was overshadowed by the other elements on the dish.

Not your granny's apple pie

Not your granny's apple pie is the flavour that I enjoy the most at Dex2rose. The smooth milk gelato is churned with apples and served with warm apples chunks, cream and cinnamon sugar. The flavour is absolutely flawless and the gelato is also fun to eat, as it is served in a cone which is then placed upside down into the gelato cup.

Dex2rose is one of the best places that I have discovered while travelling around the CBD. Not only is the gelato amazing, but the atmosphere is lovely and cozy, which makes Dex2rose a great place to relax at. The staff at Dex2rose have always been absolutely amazing, friendly and accommodating, serving me and my friends with a smile. The first time I visited Dex2rose they were about to close, but the staff welcomed us in as soon as they saw us at the door and served us some of the best gelato that I have ever had. Ever since then I have been hooked and would recommend Dex2rose to everyone!

Food Rating 9/10

Overall Rating 9.5/10

El Rincon

69 Victoria Street, Melbourne

El Rincon, literally translating to "the corner", in reference to the location of the restaurant by Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market, is a small Spanish restaurant, cafe and bar which has recently opened in the CBD.

As well as boasting one of the largest collections of sherry in Melbourne, the restaurant is uniquely Spanish in regards to the different aspects of the restaurant, ranging from not only their food, but also their decor and even the tiles.

The chef and owner of El Rincon comes from the southern part of Spain which is close to the border of Gibraltar, which is where a lot of his traditional recipes draw inspiration from. On the night I was dining here however, El Rincon had a guest chef from San Sebastián, which is not only known as the gastronomic capital of Spain, but of the entire culinary world.

 Selection of wines and sherry

 Running Bull Sangria

El Rincon is the home of Running Bull Sangria, which is an alcoholic drink of Spanish origin. Found only at El Rincon at the Queen Victoria Markets, the sangria is made from a traditional family recipe and is absolutely lovely and refreshing.

 Salmorejo and Ana's Tortilla

Salmorejo and Ana's tortilla are two dishes that are usually served separately. The soft tortilla made with eggs, potatoes and onions was a delightfully light dish, which was a nice way to start off the tapas.

Salmorejo is a dish which originates from Andalucia in the south of Spain, very close to where the chef and owner of El Rincon comes from. The base of the dish is tomato and bread, which is also used as a base in other Spanish dishes. The dish itself was seasoned well and expertly made use of contrasting textures to give a very pleasant mouth-feel.

 Spanish croquettes with Jamón serrano and chorizo

The Spanish croquettes contained both Jamón Serrano and chorizo, which I thought would be very salty. Although the first bite was indeed quite salty, it was quickly counterbalanced by the rest of the dish, which left a delicious and complex flavour, as well as lovely texture.

 Sardinas fritas

As the dish arrived, the Sardinas fritas was described to me by our host as an almost out of body experience. With a sense of excitement, as well as a beautiful dish placed in front of me I could not resist. As I took my first bite I was suddenly filled with satisfaction and realised what she had meant. The dish itself was a perfectly fried sardine which had been stuffed with potatoes, marinated capsicum and bacalao, which is known as a type of dried and salted cod. The combination of a lovely crisp coating with the tender fish and potato was elevated with the salty distribution of the cod. The sauce brought everything together and the addition a fried, crispy and slightly fishy treat was a good finisher. A truly ethereal experience.

 Albondigas

The Albondigas was the last savoury item we tried. Unfortunately for the Spanish meatballs, the preceding dishes all had depth and character to them, which made them special experiences. Although the meatballs were cooked nicely, the flavour was slightly one dimensional. By no means a bad dish, however it was eclipsed as the mediocre dish in a lineup of great dishes.

Spanish flan

To finish of the meal we were served their Spanish flan. Although the dish was not particularly complex or special in many ways, the light sweetness was a great finisher for the meal.

El Rincon is a great place to visit at any time of the day. The atmosphere was absolutely lovely and the unique Spanish flavour made me imagine spending an entire morning here with nothing but a coffee and a book to read. Whether you have just finished shopping at the Queen Victoria Markets or have a Spanish tapas craving, El Rincon has something for everybody and I would definitely recommend everybody try it at least once.

We were invited and dined courtesy of El Rincon.

Food Rating 8.5/10

Overall Rating 8.5/10

El Churro Cafe - Spanish Doughnuts

710 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Churros have been a popular snack in Australia for quite some time, which has seen many restaurants serve churros and churro specialty pop up. Spanish Doughnuts is one example of these stores. With small take-away stores in both Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station, they are already a well known name to Melbournian commuters.

Hawthorn's Glenferrie Road

Non-alcoholic sangria $5.95

Iced chocolate $6.95

3 original churros $8.95

El Churro Cafe serves a variety of different churros, from the original churros, to filled churros as well as churros with toppings. We chose to order a few of the original churros, which could be described as lovely, crispy fried sticks of dough coated with a generous amount of cinnamon sugar.

Spanish chorizo $8.95

The Spanish chorizo hot dog was bursting with flavour from both the chorizo and the toppings. It was a lot more exciting than a normal hot dog but I wish I could have just ordered a big serving of the savoury churros that were served with the dish, as they were delightful.

Although both the store and the service was a bit dull, we enjoyed the food served. Not only was the food inexpensive, but it was also the type of food that was great for sharing and catching up with friends, which was exactly what we were doing.

Food Rating 7/10

Overall Rating 7/10