The Broadsheet Restaurant Melting Pot

Dearest internet,

Akin to how most of my life plays out, I didn't mean to end up here.  The 'Broadsheet Restaurant' pop up gave me the eye from across the street right before brunch which took me quite aback being one who is not usually at the receiving end of such sorts; I gave it a once over, liked what I saw, one thing led to another and I'm guiltily shoving money over the counter a couple of hours later (OH FOR LORD'S SAKE JUST HURRY AND TAKE IT BEFORE I AM SEEN). 

It's just so hard to resist a limited edition.  Where's my restraint?

I liked what it wore; quite Scandinavian if you ask me (no one is asking, no one).

It was done up beautifully for a place that will disappear with a poof on August the 2nd (2015).  I believe that there was a whole team of local designers involved in the plan of attack and it paid off quite nicely methinks.  Kinda digging the outdoor heaters inside (so naughty!) and that coupled with the foliage created the illusion of an outdoor experience without the bird poop on the furniture.

The baked goods on display are from Tivoli Road Bakery (all $5.50).  The two that caught my eye were the 'doussants' (babies of doughnuts x croissants) and the salted caramel doughnuts (tinier than the standard... which might just come in handy post main meal; read on, read on and you'll see why). 

This restaurant serves dishes selected from some of Melbourne's best which I find such an interesting and novel idea.  Whoever thought this up, GOLD STAR FOR YOU.  If this trend continued, there would be no more "Babe. where do you want to go?" "How about trying insert cafe?" "But I wanted to go to insert cafe!" "Why did you ask me then?!?".  One step towards world peace (too much of a stretch?).

Coffee by Small Batch.  Coffee art on a mocha (not mine).  

My order was 'soy mocha, stronger on the chocolate' as per the usual.  I really do thank the barista for his heavy handed chocolate sprinkle on the top (he really went to town) especially after he put in all that effort to make coffee art but... there was a teeny weenie bit of a misunderstanding (anyone else read that in an Irish accent? No? Just me?).  If you like your mocha to taste like coffee with a nod to chocolate, you'll swoon at the taste of this.  I only just tolerate the taste of unsweetened coffee which was pretty much what this was, but a few shovels of sugar into it made it right as rain.  Just be prepared you know?

Rye bread Smorrebrød with smoked salmon, cracked pepper cream cheese and devilled egg (from Filter : $18).  Technically it was equal to one piece of rye bread cut into three pieces, three small slices of smoked salmon, a few oozes of cream cheese, one egg and a few twigs of green; can't complain really as they did add salmon caviar and that stuff is the equivalent of gold.  The dish tasted good (loved the eggs and caviar) but there weren't any fireworks I guess?  Do note that you're likely to be hungry still after this dish.  That said, it'll leave you room to try out those Tivoli pastries from before which would fill your belly up quite so; perhaps it was all part of a cunning plan from the very start?

Twice baked brioche French toast with fennel poached pears and burnt caramel sorbet (from Top Paddock : $18)  It was reported to be enjoyable but not filling (it was the size of a few sticky note pads piled up on top of each other).

Baked free range eggs with tomatoes, fennel, chorizo, goat's cheese and burnt pickled onions (from Top Paddock : $20). This was substantial (only just) once again, and only one egg was served despite a definite plural suffix to think back.  Smelt pretty darned delicious to me any how and it was given a nod from the consumer.

I present to you some pictures of pot plants.

Very friendly service and welcoming!  The ambience of the place was so soothing and chilled we lingered a while and at no point did we feel rushed to leave despite the place filling up rapidly towards the end of our stay (we had to line up to pay!) and that's saying something judging how vast the place was.  Great concept but may require a little tweaking in the areas of portion size and mochas (PLEASE SIR, MORE CHOCOLATE) but no biggie.  It's open for dinner and dessert too from Wednesday to Sunday if that rocks your boat.  Don't wait too long though guise ok?

Yep, that's about it.  See you soon loves x

The Broadsheet Restaurant

166 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy 3065