Since opening just over a month ago, this café is just started to build a base of local clientele. Tired Toorak Village has been transforming over the past few years with more and more decent cafes offering good food and coffee.
Now and Then has simple, chic décor with blue tones. The brunch menu is more modern and interesting than anything you would have found in Toorak Village five years ago. Early mornings you will see local workers here for coffee, and retirees enjoying breakfast while reading the paper.
There are several vegetarian options. I chose the ‘hangover beetroot hash’ without bacon. The beetroot had been grated, cooked, then pressed into a wedge before being fried until crisp. This was served with green (kale) and deliciously creamy hollandaise. A runny poached egg, wedges of toast and a finely blended pesto topped it off. The hollandaise was the highlight.
Vegans might enjoy the ‘vegan scramble’, which comes with barbequed jackfruit, mushrooms, corn, herbs and spinach, with chilli relish and soy on sourdough. The ‘acai protein bowl’ is also tempting.
The main wait person, who I will assume was the owner, was so overly friendly and obliging almost to the point of seeming desperate. Don’t let this put you off. The food industry is difficult. And I would be happy to see Now and Then succeed in bringing a new lease of life to the village.
Now and Then Cafe and Bar
489 Toorak Road
Toorak 3142
03 9804 8644
www.nowandthencafe.com.au
Opening hours:
Daily 6:30am to 5:00pm
Now and Then has simple, chic décor with blue tones. The brunch menu is more modern and interesting than anything you would have found in Toorak Village five years ago. Early mornings you will see local workers here for coffee, and retirees enjoying breakfast while reading the paper.
There are several vegetarian options. I chose the ‘hangover beetroot hash’ without bacon. The beetroot had been grated, cooked, then pressed into a wedge before being fried until crisp. This was served with green (kale) and deliciously creamy hollandaise. A runny poached egg, wedges of toast and a finely blended pesto topped it off. The hollandaise was the highlight.
Vegans might enjoy the ‘vegan scramble’, which comes with barbequed jackfruit, mushrooms, corn, herbs and spinach, with chilli relish and soy on sourdough. The ‘acai protein bowl’ is also tempting.
The main wait person, who I will assume was the owner, was so overly friendly and obliging almost to the point of seeming desperate. Don’t let this put you off. The food industry is difficult. And I would be happy to see Now and Then succeed in bringing a new lease of life to the village.
Now and Then Cafe and Bar
489 Toorak Road
Toorak 3142
03 9804 8644
www.nowandthencafe.com.au
Opening hours:
Daily 6:30am to 5:00pm