under $20

HOT: Aviv Cakes & Bagels, 412 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick

November 7, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

I once held a bake-off amongst my friends where everyone had to bring a baked dessert for judging (and eating). J and B brought a beautiful chocolate babka which was suspiciously excellent…and after a few drinks it was revealed that on a friend’s tip they had bought the babka from Aviv Cakes & Bagels! I’ve [...]

HOT: Miss Marie, 45 Beetham Pde, Rosanna

October 24, 2011 ⋅ One comment

Miss Marie is a cafe with an inner-city vibe catering to the discerning suburban cafe set. The first hint of its slightly left-of-centre sense of humour is in small shrub outside its entrance. The hanging child made me take a horrified double-take before I gasped in relief to see that it was only a doll. [...]

HOT: The Mercy Seat, 31 Johnston St, Collingwood

October 20, 2011 ⋅ One comment

In case you get confused by the ’99 Problems’ emblazoned on the door of number 31 Johnston Street…the address is a cafe called The Mercy Seat by day and a bar called 99 Problems by night. Time-sharing space (and facilities) is such a good idea! The Mercy Seat serves vegan food that’s not just beans [...]

HOT: Sataylicious, Shop W3, Dandenong Market, Cnr Clow and Cleeland St, Dandenong

October 19, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

Is it possible that I’ve found the best satay sauce in Melbourne…in Zone 2? Every family, every region and every country has their own satay recipe – and everyone has their favourite. I’ve eaten a lot of satays both in Australia and in South East Asia and I’m so excited about discovering the spicy satay [...]

HOT: Pope Joan, 77-79 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East

October 12, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

At last count, there were 19 blog reviews of Pope Joan on Urbanspoon. So I’m far behind with my visit and now I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long. Pope Joan is the kind of neighbourhood cafe for which you’d be willing to travel. Which is why it has found success despite being located [...]

HOT: Cafe Vue at Heide, Heide Museum of Modern Art, 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen

October 6, 2011 ⋅ 3 comments

It’s been a while since my last visit to Cafe Vue at Heide and this time we decided to try the a la carte menu rather than the Menu du Jour set menu. On a sunny weekend the cafe is a real drawcard for visitors to Heide Museum of Modern Art. There’s often a queue [...]

HOT: Mitte, 76 Michael Street (cnr Rowe Street), North Fitzroy

October 3, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

I’m not sure whether Mitte is named after the district in Berlin and the German word for ‘middle’ but let’s just say at the outset that there are no German references in the menu, decor or service of this neighbourhood cafe. It’s in a little hideaway location on the corner of two residential streets in [...]

HOT: Demetri’s Feast, 141 Swan St, Richmond

September 28, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Oh Demetri’s Feast. If only you weren’t so small. If only your food wasn’t so good. If only your service wasn’t so friendly. If only you weren’t so cool. Then it’d be easier to visit you all the time. Demetri’s Feast was crowned Melbourne’s best breakfast in The Age’s Cheap Eats 2010 and that accolade [...]

HOT: Small Block, 130 Lygon St, East Brunswick

September 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Small Block is a cafe particularly well suited to the urban professional/hip and arty/young parents demographic of East Brunswick. To whit: attention to coffee – the blackboard shows the single origin bean of the day and gives a description of its particular qualities; an extensive all-day breakfast menu which has the locals lining up on [...]

HOT: Bluebird Espresso, 134 Johnston St, Collingwood

September 14, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

You had me at hello. There are some cafes which just grab you by the coat and give you a big bear hug, providing smiles and instant comfort. I loved Bluebird Espresso from the moment I spotted it – a retro blue bike chained to lamp post, colourful tulips bravely wavering against the grey grunge [...]