The day that I can walk into Babka and sit at a table straight away is the day that I buy a lottery ticket.
I’ve given Babka a HOT previously as part of the Hot Cross Bun Challenge 2009, but I thought it deserved a separate assessment on the basis of its sit-down service and food. Especially since my friends and new Fitzroy residents Martin and Mel gave it a thumbs down, saying it was over-rated and not worth the unavoidable queues.
Yes I did have to wait 20 minutes on a Saturday afternoon for a crushed table for three and the service was a bit scatty, but the food made it all worthwhile. The most delectable lemon tart with crushed nuts in the base, a just-set creamy filling and a delicate crackle of brulee barely keeping the citrus wobble together ($7). A giant flaky escargot, full of buttery stickyness and plump sultanas ($4.60). A fragrant mug of Calmer Sutra fresh chai served with an enormous extra pot of foamy soy milk ($4.90). All round gorgeousness!
- Babka Bakery Cafe, 358 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 3065 +61 3 9416 0091
Hmmm. Maybe Martin and I will need to branch out from the (disappointing) bircher muesli!
I’ve never had the bircher muesli so can’t comment unfortunately. But if you’re a muesli breakfaster rather than a ‘pancakes with the lot’ type, some of the best muesli I’ve had was at Mr Tulk and Mess Hall (although Mess Hall second time was awful, so who knows?).
I love Babka, but I have completely given up on trying to get seated in there on a weekend. On Sunday morning you’d think the Beatles had reunited and were serving the pastries themselves!