Get your Freak on

Birthdays only come but once a year, but sometimes I wish I could have a birthday everyday. It would give me more reasons to celebrate and feel less conscious about eating all things naughty on any particular day.

Speaking of all things Naughty... it so happens that on my Birthday this year I had the pleasure of dining at Naughty Boy cafe, located on Lygon street.

The name of this cafe says it all really. 

A warm modern café with a giant cheeky boy painted as a feature wall makes for a quirky dining environment.

It is no surprise to grasp that first coffee as you gaze across the menu hoping for something to launch at you. However on this occasion, I had it all planned. I had imaged for days that I was going to indulge in the Red velvet pancakes and join it with a Freak Shake.

It’s my Birthday after all and I need no judgement on my choices.

Soft cloud like Red velvet pancakes donned with mascarpone cheese, freeze dried mandarin, berries, citrus powder and burnt meringue was exactly what I expected it to be.

Not an overly sweet breakfast but texturally made for an adventure on your palate. Meringue and chocolate fudge like pieces added the hint of sweetness, but with the tartness of citrus and berries it evened it back out. Add that creamy mascarpone and it’s a luscious exotic experience.

 

The Benedict was a lovely savoury option and a crowd pleaser.  Beautifully poached eggs exploded as you cut through them, which lay atop of grilled sourdough, pulled ham hock and smothered with apple cider hollandaise.

The hollandaise was lovely and light compared to the norm being made with the cider, which was very pleasing.

Now lets get to the sugar explosion of the day. The Freak Shakes.

Hitting the Melbourne food scene with an explosion these crazy shakes are monstrous but fun.

With my frutilicious Pavlova shake; it was a full powered sugar high in itself. Coconut milk based shake with passionfruit curd, mango sorbet, Pavlova, fresh fruits and finished with fairy floss.

The other was A Salted caramel shake with sticky date rice pudding, nutella rim, bitter praline and chocolate floss. Rich, decadent and a definite challenge in itself to complete.

The menu at Naughty boy has exciting dishes that will make you return, such as a Knuckle sandwich, the Hot Hanoi Roll or the Buttermilk waffles.

Service is friendly and welcoming adding to the overall experience. We will be visiting again very soon.

Naughty Boy Cafe

499 Lygon Street

Carlton North

9041 7870

Happiness is.......

Where did the blue skies go? 2 days ago we were all praising the first day of spring and today we are back in out woollen jumpers venturing to grasp a hot coffee and comfort foods.

Twenty & Six is a quaint little cafe away from the main street of North Melbourne. Here it sits with it's cozy and calm interior making it the perfect spot to get out of the chill in the air.

Staff greet with a pleasant welcome and have ensured that coffee is ordered as soon as you are seated.

The menu speaks fresh and flavoursome and being filled with an array of dishes, showcasing a large use of fruit and vegetables.

For me the Sticky black rice pudding with banana, coconut cream, passionfruit and buffed rice. As it is presented the aroma of passionfruit surrounds you. Your mouth instantly connects with your senses and can't wait to hoe into it.

Elegantly presented in a large bowl that you can wrap your arms around as your spoon is dug through the fresh ingredients.

Not overly sweet and well balanced with the sprinkles of the puffed rice and crisp sugary corn flake pieces.

The problem for me was that I couldn't finish it. I wanted to believe me, it's delicious, but alas I met my match.

Twenty & Six is a lovely quiet place to sit and unwind during the week, watching the world go by, read a book with a coffee and just escape to some peace.

Weekends they are packed with locals and being a place that can sit about 20 inside at 8 or so outside, you'd need to get in early for your morning brew and breakfast.

I'd be interested in returning again to try some savoury dishes with the Herb crusted kingfish ceviche or the lamb shoulder being my next picks. Otherwise I'm going for the Brioche french toast, but taking a friend so I can steal some of theres to compare.

Twenty & Six

594 Queensberry St

North Melbourne

9329 0298