brunswick foodstore, brunswick

It's been a long while since an update but so much has happened since the last post and I've come to realise that this space could potentially be the side-hobby of nothingness but of utmost joy to continue committing time to. So, here's to a new cafe and to many more to come!

Find a park in Barkly Square and you'll be sure to stumble upon a wonderful cafe within a 5-minute walk radius. One of these little gems would be Brunswick Foodstore.

The cafe, when I visited, was quieter, only because it was a weekday morning. Compared to some of the other cafes around the area, Brunswick Foodstore exudes a cosy and familiar ambience in its interior and service. Compared to green refectory, this cafe is one that you won't miss too easily. Look out for the beautiful yellow bicycle mounted on the brick wall and there it'll be! It's yellow-framed menus and yellow-painted floors will also be sure to grab your attention their way.

The tables are well spread out across the spacious cafe which I think would make a wonderful group catch-up venue. Note too that they also take reservations- so you don't have to fret waiting for half an hour to get a spot.

The latte I had was simple. Slightly too creamy for my liking and from memory, I do remember the milk tasting slightly too bitter. Unfortunately, just a little underwhelming for me.

(L): scrambled eggs w sucuk, shankhish & chives on sourdough toast
(R): baked eggs w eggplant, mushrooms, roasted peppers & shankilsh served w toasted turkish bread

However, the meals were wonderful! My friend had the dish on the left while I, on the right. What seemed to be a very simple scrambled eggs on toast breakfast was accompanied with sucuk, a Middle-Eastern dry and spicy sausage. The sucuk definitely drew me away from the predisposition I had initially of the dish and left me interested in trying more! One of my favourite vegetables of all time would have to be egg-plant. Hence, to have egg-plant in baked eggs was quite possibly one of the most exciting things I could have ever hoped for and I am so glad to say that it lived up to my expectations! The toasted Turkish bread was a bit too crunchy and ended up cutting my gums a little but I can't say I didn't expect it! That's generally what that kind of bread does to you, unfortunately. Also, I loved the peppers and mushrooms in the little ceramic pot; it added textures and didn't leave me thinking I just had blended eggs and salsa.

And one of the best memories of all from this trip? I discovered my love for who is one of my favourite Melbournian bands on Bourke Street busking, Woodlock.

brunswick foodstore
29 weston street
brunswick 3056
9388 8738
price point: ~$15

listening to: lemons by woodlock

green refectory, brunswick

Green Refectory has been my (no-longer) secret favourite brunch spot for the last 4 months or so. Located in the heart of Brunswick where other amazing coffee places are within 5-minute walking distances, green refectory makes a name for itself with its locality, simplicity and affordability.

Upon entering, you'll realise it is ridiculously squished and 90% of the time, you'll need to place yourself on one of the communal tables for a spot but I promise, it is all worthwhile. So, if you've arrived with a friend, have a look at the menu and split up so that you'll actually get a seat! When I was last there, I even saw a guy climb over the table to get to his seat. I promise it was more hilarious than feral. To me, that just yelled out "HOME" even more (except I don't have a chandelier casually hanging about in my house). 

If you're looking for some exquisite fancy brunch meals, then green refectory probably won't be the place you're looking for this time. The menu is simple, with the necessities on the board and what you'll realise is they are very cheap, especially for a brunch spot. Although it is simple, it ranges well from savoury to sweet with the special highlights like French toasts and smoked salmon. Also, the hot porridge with prunes and apricots sound absolutely delish that I will probably try that the next time I go back.

(L) flat white
(R) breakfast stack
potato pattie, bacon, grilled tomato, spinach, halloumi cheese, basil w a poached egg

The coffee, to me, was easy. It wasn't so much amazing, but it'd be a local coffee place were I to live in Brunswick myself. There was no odd after-taste and it was very smooth. Although, I sat on the left corner communal table and it was rather wobbly, so I think I ended up getting a fair amount of coffee on my saucer- very extremely depressing. I dare say, I was shooting lasers out of my eyes in fury. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the 'Breakfast Stack' of green refectory. One word, spectacular. So it may not look like much, but don't let its looks deceive you. Its portion was huge with just the right ratio of meat to potato to salsa to spinach. Having gone back a second time, I still didn't regret ordering this again just because it is such a satisfying dish. Although, I peeped over the ladies next to us and realised they ordered the same but with mushrooms added to it. I shall definitely try that the next time I go back, should I decide to order this again.

Note too that it was only $11 which meant I only paid ~$14 for my whole brunch experience. If you're a regular to the brunch arena, you'll know that brunches easily hit the $20 mark with coffee. So to pay less that $15 is a miracle and really, the perfect place for poor university students like myself!

green refectory

115 sydney rd 

brunswick 3065

9387 1150

price point: ~$12

listening to: you're beautiful by phil wickham