A Trendy Serenity

Hawk and Hunter is a well layed out open spaced cafe that is bustling with morning local diners of Ripponlea.

Large communal table with delightful comfy seating is where we sat so I could gaze upon the action of the Sunday morning. Over hanging industrial lighting on the pallet made table with a mix match collage of a paper tree was actually rather a pleasant feel to the dining experience.

Service was fantastic and I commend our waiter, a young well mannered gentlemen was more than happy to chat, offer ideas and was fast on his feet. I unfortunately failed to get his name but the service truly made me feel welcomed to dine.

Using 5 senses coffee the creme was golden and rich and a medium well bodied blend of bean. Would make anyone enjoy there coffee. Temperature was perfect and if you are into it a little art on your late was good.

So breakfast on a Sunday, theres no denying by now it's my thing and if you haven't read my other blogs - I am one to enjoy the Sunday Breakfast.

Hawk and Hunter have what you would expect on the menu for a breakfast meal.

Smashed avocado, Corn and Zucchini fritters, Spanish Breakfast, Bircher muesli and so on to name a few. But I have to say the serving sizes are large and the dishes have a slight change to the usual to make the dishes there own.

For example the Fancy Forest Mushrooms are far from having just a serve of buttered button mushrooms. Here we have sautéed mixed mushrooms in a truffle butter served with a runny poached egg and polenta chips. This selection of wild mushrooms were full flavoured and with a slight add of lemon juice brought this dish to the next level.

The Hawk Benedict was gorgeous with the perfectly cooked poached eggs with short cut bacon on top of what they call Dr Marty's crumpets, fresh asparagus and house hollandaise.

The crumpets were amazing, far from any other house made crumpet that I have tasted. Light fluffy and delicious soaking in the hollandaise sauce and the oil from the bacon. On the side there version of a potato rosti. A dense rosti indeed but jam packed with fresh herbs and a stunning golden crisp coating.

To unwind and relax you should try there detox tea, served in a dainty glass pot with cup and saucer I did feel a little bit like Alice in Wonderland for a moment. But the tea was lovely, fresh lemon, mint and a touch of chilli really made you unwind and enjoy your serenity.

On your way out or perhaps if you still have room for more you should check out the cake counter.

A counter of muffins, slices, filled donuts and musk sticks just to name a few delights but make sure you check out the fridge for more intense chocolate treats.

I really did get to enjoy  the overall experience here. The staff worked well together and it showed both in the service and on the plate.

If you are in the area and you catch Public Transport into the city then you will be happy to know that it's right beside the station for that easy access to caffeine on the run.

Happy dining and Thanks to the Team of Hawk and Hunter.

Hawk & Hunter

8 Glen Eira Ave

Ripponlea

9528 2719

How may I direct your call?

With these wintery mornings it is getting so much harder to get out of bed. But if you are a food entrepreneur such as myself (or blogger which ever you would like to say) it's great. While the people are tucked in their beds I get up put on the beanie and scarf that I knitted, drag the hubby with me and head out for a quiet breakfast as the cafe doors just open.

Recently I was able to get to Operator 25. Just around the corner of Victoria market nestled down a side street behind a dance studio and offices it was already bustling with diners.

The menu has a great selection of dishes that are all plated with phasic and inspiring compositions that is now what is hitting the breakfast food scene.

The coffee has a stunning crema and is full bodied, great for those like myself that need the morning to start off with a good coffee. The respect of a bean can really make a difference and here the coffee is well respected.

On this mornings menu choice I went for the sweet option of the Elderflower Sago: a combination of chia seeds, strawberry and rhubarb compote, freeze dried mango and a white chocolate foam.

A refreshing and sweet start to the morning. It was hard not to eat it too quickly, some restraint was required. A very well balanced flavour with nothing over powering. I enjoyed the mango shards to give it complexion and texture. And of course.... pretty on the plate.

It was hard to choose my breakfast and I wish I could sometimes have 3 meals to myself, but alas it won't happen.

But to choose against the Sago, Ginger and date bread with caramelised banana mascarpone, salted milk crumb and pomegranate sauce or the Granola clusters with seasonal fruits coconut honey yoghurt and mandarine juice is really Hard.

Paul went for the savoury side of things, and it was a good choice at that. Smoked Sardines: on grilled rye bread covered with pickled cucumber, manchego, sour cherry, rocket and dill.

Under those luscious greens are delicately smoked sardine fillets that when combined with the cherry, cucumber and green mix is a world of pleasure about to be had when placed in your mouth.

Sweet and sour combinations enhance the sardines and are outstanding. It's possibly a dish that most would shy away from, being sardines and all. But these little fish are actually really good for you and hold an amazing flavour.
If you feel like getting a little fancy try In-house coffee spritzer and iced tea. The coffee spritzer is flavoured with cold brew, maple syrup, lemon, lychee, micro lemon balm and tonic water. A great stomach detox with all the lemon and tonic water and slightly bitter on the palate.

The iced tea is more suited for the sweet toothed people with Hibiscus, chamomile, eucalyptus honey and served with mint, orange and nata de cocoa.

It was a pleasant dining experience and most popular with the mums with kids in the dance studio. Great location pre or post venturing to the Victoria market and catch up with a friend.

There plating is eye catching and they will continue to grow with fans of the food crazed population.

Operator 25

25 Wills Street

Melbourne

9670 3278

Heighten the Senses

Isn't is amazing how our 5 senses are continuously working every minute of every day. I think they work harder than ourselves at work to be honest.

Everyone eats with their eyes, when it's fancy on a plate there is no doubt your mind will tell you its going to be delicious.

When you hear the surrounding people talk about their meal, your mind will believe them.

Smells and aromas that carry though out the restaurant activates the taste buds making you get anxious about where your dish is and changes you to all of a sudden be starving.


I recently went in and stopped at North Melbourne's new addition to the cafe scene "Mork Chocolate". A cafe dedicated to our grand chocolate lovers.

This quaint modern establishment is a place where you can catch up with a friend for an hour over petite cakes and of course chocolate beverages galore. Choose anything from a unique chocolate soda to the usual hot chocolate.

Start your dining experience with coco infused water to cleanse the palate and to get you ready to enjoy the rich chocolate goodness.

I had to go for something different that you wouldn't find in any other chocolate cafe and that was the Chocolate Soda. This lightly sparkling mineral water was infused with a bitter chocolate and a side of in house syrup to heighten the sweetness at your leisure. Unusual to say the least however interesting all the same and it works.

At first I was unsure whether I was meant to expect something like a spider after seeing the fizz the chocolate created when added to the soda, but it was far from that.


You can not compare it to anything from your childhood memories of chocolate and sodas. The flavours are rich and genuinely intense, but pleasantly enjoyable.

A lovely little brûlée tart was the perfect match as suggested by the team. creamy custard centre under a golden brûlée top and shortbread biscuit base.

The other unusual chocolate drink that caught my eye was the smoked chocolate. Smoke caught under the glass and chocolate served on the side was a magical experience. As the glass is turned the smoke awakened your senses but caught enough that when chocolate is added the fusion begins. Add a little salt to the glass and the experience has begun.

You can never say no to the accompaniment of a toasted marshmallow either. It makes you feel like you should be back on your school camps. Smoke of a camp fire and toasting your marshmallows while sitting on the logs. It's a perfect memory to be placed with this drink.

Although the menu is not extensive than a usual cafe, it is not needed. It is an indulgent place where you can not go to the extreme to  have everything on the menu, although you may think you should.

I did 2 chocolate drinks and both were as rich as each other, you can't really go for a third unless you are an extensive chocoholic and are crazy.

The best thing about this is that you would return. I'm already scheduled to go again to take my sister and she is a Chocoholic, so I will be interested to see how she goes.

I think I will be going for the Layered chocolate of chilled dark topped with warm custard or perhaps the A chocolate bar of hot chocolate with hazelnut and caramel. Who knows?

The team are great and can help you with the right selection and matching cake to go with what you choose. So don't be afraid to ask questions. You have to get the pairing right, it will make your experience even more exciting.

Mork Chocolate

150 Errol Street

North Melbourne

9328 1386