OK, so I’m not a trendsetter. But sign me up to the long list of food bloggers who are in love with Hardware Societe.
I should’ve known that I would love it before I even stepped in the door when my friend D told me that the owners used to run Beetroot. Oh Beetroot, with the awesomest sandwiches that were worth the walk from the Beirut end of the CBD and the place that introduced me to the joys of hot chocolate topped with Persian fairy floss.
Hardware Societe fields a similarly interesting and varied menu – the creative choices for both breakfast and lunch are very enticing and it was difficult to choose.
Not being a coffee drinker and feeling a bit blah that morning, I ordered a some organic orange juice which came beautifully served in a Riedel wine glass. Some nice sunshine to start for $4.
Then I spotted a neat pile of savouries in on the kitchenside bench and asked what they were. Bocadillos! Eat your heart out Maccas Bacon and Egg McMuffins, I had an absolutely scrumptious mini breakfast sandwich of smoked trout, a sprig of baby spinach and a lightly fried egg, all on lightly toasted bread for $3
Which led nicely into the second (dessert) course of my breakfast, toasted brioche with poached quinces, vanilla labna, rose syrup and pomegranate seeds ($11). Gosh, I think this was simply the most perfect version of French toast I’ve ever had. A generous serve of beautifully soft bread with a satisfying crust of pan-fried crunch, sticky-sweet with syrup but not too much so and with the wonderful pops of pomegranate seeds.
I’ve also visited Hardware Societe for lunch where I had some lovely baked sardines and D had the empanada of the day. Unfortunately we were seated at an outdoor table bathed with red light, so all my photos turned out a bit…sunburnt. Rest assured that the food on a busy Friday lunch hour was equally good, with the evident use of fresh ingredients and care in presentation.
The Hardware Societe is definitely a place to return to – and now they open for Saturday for brunch until 2pm as well!
To read other gushing reviews of The Hardware Societe, check out I’m So Hungreeee and Tummyrumbles.
- The Hardware Societe, 120 Hardware St, Melbourne +61 3 9078 5992
That french toast looks amazing
Twitter: carawaters
| June 17, 2010, 5:48 pm
Mmm, that french toast does look great! Been meaning to try and pop in earlier in the day to try more of their breakfast items…I’ve just about eaten out their lunch menu I think…Thank you for the little mention there! I was a weekly visitor at Hardware Societe but have found myself ridiculously busy as of late!
Twitter: squeewubs
| June 17, 2010, 6:14 pm
Hi Ashley
Alas Hardware Societe is a little bit too far away from my office to be there regularly….what other menu items would you recommend given your weekly visits?
Jetsetting Joyce
Hi Joyce
I believe they just introduced a new lunch menu in on Tuesday so I don’t think my reccomendations may no longer apply! Although I was absolutely in love with the poached salmon previously…
If they haven’t changed the brunch menu, my mum tried the croque monsieur that was just decadently deliciously!
Twitter: squeewubs
| June 23, 2010, 4:03 pm
Croque Monsieur! I loooove Croque Monsieur. Thanks for the tip!
Jetsetting Joyce
I keep hearing about Hardware Societe and really should get myself there. The fact that you managed to do a mini breakfast degustation has tipped me over the edge….I’m going!
Twitter: tresnalee
| June 17, 2010, 8:42 pm
Hi Tresna
They started a new menu yesterday, so while the toasted brioche has different toppings I believe, it should still be on the menu (it’s a favourite with a lot of people). Enjoy!
Jetsetting Joyce
ive read so many good reviews on this place i cant wait to see for myself when im in melb in jan :O)
Twitter: babydoll20
| November 25, 2010, 3:20 pm