I’m in this little café in Hawkesburn. It’s Italian with Italian music, Italian staff and even Italian clientele, and all I can think is that my friend would have loved it. For years her Facebook profile pic was an Italian coffee cup, filled with her usual order of a long black.
I am in the courtyard. It is sunny and shaded with the dark greenery of a tall tree hanging down. There is an olive tree in a pot, lilies and ferns, sharp white pebbles line a small path and the outdoor settings are in iron with flourishes and tiles with lemons.
The waiter is literally waiting – he stands outside anticipating any one of us to look up and ask for something.
It is an interesting menu, lunch/brunch Melbourne style with hints of Italy thrown in. In this sense it is fusion.
The coffee was very milky but also rich, a bit too milky for my preference.
I ordered the cauliflower with brown mushrooms, pumpkin, a poached egg, croutons and porcini sauce. It held the pleasant and strong smell of fresh dill. It was a light cauliflower puree with chewy croutons, fried cauliflower, pepper, long cuts of pumpkin with square ends, flavourful mushrooms and a nicely poached egg. It was warming and tasty, like a thick soup with lots of interest on top. The flavours blended well, without anything being too strong.
Next time I will try the burrata. There is also a selection of paninis and breakfast rolls. What I like most about this place is its character. It serves a different menu with personality.
Officine Zero
534 Malvern Road
Prahran 3181
03 9533 2724
info@officinezero.com.au
officinezero.com.au
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday, 7:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, 7:30am to 5:00pm
I am in the courtyard. It is sunny and shaded with the dark greenery of a tall tree hanging down. There is an olive tree in a pot, lilies and ferns, sharp white pebbles line a small path and the outdoor settings are in iron with flourishes and tiles with lemons.
The waiter is literally waiting – he stands outside anticipating any one of us to look up and ask for something.
It is an interesting menu, lunch/brunch Melbourne style with hints of Italy thrown in. In this sense it is fusion.
The coffee was very milky but also rich, a bit too milky for my preference.
I ordered the cauliflower with brown mushrooms, pumpkin, a poached egg, croutons and porcini sauce. It held the pleasant and strong smell of fresh dill. It was a light cauliflower puree with chewy croutons, fried cauliflower, pepper, long cuts of pumpkin with square ends, flavourful mushrooms and a nicely poached egg. It was warming and tasty, like a thick soup with lots of interest on top. The flavours blended well, without anything being too strong.
Next time I will try the burrata. There is also a selection of paninis and breakfast rolls. What I like most about this place is its character. It serves a different menu with personality.
Officine Zero
534 Malvern Road
Prahran 3181
03 9533 2724
info@officinezero.com.au
officinezero.com.au
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday, 7:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, 7:30am to 5:00pm