Volumes

Bill and I had time for a quick breakfast and as it was my turn to choose I thought we could head over to the nearby suburb of Eltham to Volumes, a place I have been to many times but never breakfasted at!

Volumes cafe, gift and book shop: 70 Commercial Place Eltham VIC 3095
Phone: (03) 9431 500

You can see it from the Main Road, but you actually access it from what appears to be around the back.

As this sign out the front proclaims, it isn't just a cafe, but also a spectacular gift shop (which is why I have been there so often) and a bookshop too.

As you wander into the entrance you pass by another gift shop on the right which is also worth having a meander through.

Naturally enough you are FORCED to walk through the shop on the way to the cafe which is nestled down the back - the things they have here are so beautiful that it is hard not to stop and look and touch.

We did finally make it to the cafe which is deceptively huge. They don't have any small tables for two, but are not at all worried about small numbers of people taking up whole large tables - great if you want to spread out your newspaper for a good read over your coffee!

Eltham is a very arty, creative little town and this cafe is no different. Besides the eclectic mix of paintings adorning the walls, this brightly coloured mural entirely covers the back wall. It looks as if it would be garish, but actually fits in beautifully.

We made our choices from the menu and ordered at the front. The service was really quick - I had barely sat down and there it was in front of us. I chose the Aussie breakfast sandwich, a great huge sandwich chockablock with bacon, cheese and two fried eggs! The pot of delicious relish on the side was a nice touch. The waiter raised her eyebrows when she saw that it was me who had ordered this meal, and I can see why as I just couldn't finish it.

Bill went for the poached eggs and sausages which were beautifully cooked.  I was very proud of him for choosing something other than scrambled eggs which are his all time favourite breakfast.

His coffee looked very extravagant with the chocolate flower perched on top!

They have a balcony overlooking the Main Road and railway station which would be a lovely place to sit on a nice day. It was pretty wet in Melbourne this day so we stuck with being inside in the cosiness.

I'll definitely head back here again.

George's Gourmet Food Store

My goodness, this is the third breakfast in one week!!! Maybe I am overdoing it a bit, but when Donna and I decided we wanted to catch up with our dear friend and past colleague Polly, well breakfast just beckoned. As the other two live out Croydon way, we thought we would taste the local delights and went  to George's ...

George's Gourmet Food Store  22-24 Hewish Road Croydon VIC 3136
Phone: (03) 9723 5036

...which is tucked away at the back of the shops in Croydon. Here is Polly waiting so patiently  for us!

Our first coffee arrived in pretty quick time and included a cute little Aussie animal biscuit nestled onto each spoon.

We got down the serious business of choosing our food and they have quite a lot of choice, although we all felt it was a bit pricey.

Donna had the muesli and declared it delish ...

Polly decided on pancakes (but that is no surprise as she ALWAYS chooses pancakes) ...

and I went for the fruit toast which I am fairly partial to.

They cater for lunch as well here and have a small but OK wine list and no, we didn't indulge at 9.00am, although I have been known to enjoy a Buck's Fizz first thing in the morning sometimes!

We enjoyed our meal here -  the food was OK, the service good, but a bit expensive for us for breakfast.

Red Door Corner Store

Hooray!!! We did it! Bill and I finally breakfasted together and he even chose the spot!! We knew it would happen - we just had to be patient. We set off this beautiful Melbourne morning to a mystery location. I love surprises but Bill doesn't, so he did very well keeping this to himself until we arrived. He took me to Red Door Corner Store in Northcote.

Red Door Corner Store 70 Mitchell Street Northcote VIC 3070

Phone: (03) 94898040

In Melbourne many of the milk bars, or corner/convenience stores have closed their doors and been refurbished as very quaint, inviting cafes - this is one of them.

It is set right on a roundabout in the middle of a stunning old residential area, surrounded by beautiful houses like this one.

The area is brimming with young families, many of whom were enjoying the joys of this welcoming eatery. Some arrived pushing strollers, others walked or rode their bikes, a very common past time in this part of the world.

You can sit outside here on the footpath on an eclectic mix of stools as the street isn't too busy, but we headed inside to soak up the atmosphere. We ignored the bad headlines on the ad for this morning's paper on the verandah post as we wanted to feel totally self indulgent just for a short time.

The decor is earthy, homey, with a selection of delicious looking goodies to buy and take away if you haven't the time to prop, as we did.

We chose to sit on a bench in the front window as we are both a couple of sticky beaks and enjoy watching the passing parade outside on the street.

I wasn't terribly hungry so chose the Breakfast Tart - cherry tomatoes, feta, caramelised onions and bacon enclosed in a thin crust of pastry. It was the perfect size and the flavour was just fabulous. I ate it slowly so I could relish every mouthful!

Bill chose scrambled eggs on Dench's toast with smoked bacon and it was a huge meal. We had to sit for a while just to let everything settle!!

Before heading off (we do have to work sometime) we had a little wander around the shop and just loved their decor - basic materials from around the home, but beautifully arranged.

Bill, you did well - now the challenge is back on me. Hmmmm, where to next?

Kuranga Native Nursery Paperbark Cafe

Okay, I know, I know, I know - another breakfast without Bill!!! But it wasn't my fault! It was supposed to be a catch up for Donna and me with our great friend Rolf over a cup of coffee - I couldn't help that we ended up somewhere which has such an interesting breakfast menu and we were all starving! What is a girl to do? Yep, we ended up eating breakfast at the Paperbark Cafe in the Kuranga Native Nursery in Mt Evelyn.

Paperbark Cafe at Kuranga Nursery
118 York Road, Mount Evelyn
Phone: 9760 8100

Not only is it gorgeous and earthy on the outside...

 York Road Mount Evelyn 3796   T. 9760 8100

 ... the inside is a homemaker's dream - just look at that shop!

We managed to walk through the shop and out to the cafe without buying anything (not an easy thing to do!). We could have sat inside, but we chose to head out onto the balcony - we are such outside people - and it felt as if we were right in amongst the plants. Yes, by the way, they do sell plants here!

They also have heaps of beautiful garden art such as these pottery hangings and many other things, all presided over by these magnificent metal sculptured eagles - awesome!

Coffee came quick smart which was fabulous as we were really ready for our caffeine fix by the time we had all arrived. Donna and Rolf didn't waste any time catching up!!

Then the difficult decision - what to order? The menu is an all day one called "Muncheon"- a combination of what we would normally consider breakfast foods with other interesting fare, all with an Australian native ingredient flavour to them - almost a bush tucker feel.

Donna went for a dried fruit salad with granola and fresh natural yoghurt, Rolf had scrambled eggs with an outback twist and I ordered a salmon roulade on spinach. All very different and all voted delicious!

After another coffee and heaps more chatting, we staggered off to work knowing we wouldn't need to eat again until tea time. If we had the time we could have meandered around the extensive native nursery or back into the shop - maybe next visit.

Apte Foodstore

Oh no - I have done it again!! I've gone out and indulged in breakfast without Bill! He's not going to be happy, but I didn't do it on purpose. My long time friend Marg and I wanted to catch up this weekend and  breakfast on Saturday morning was the only available time - so what is a girl to do? I picked Marg up and headed over to the Apte Foodstore in Alphington.

Apte Foodstore 538 Heidelberg Road Alphington VIC 3078
Phone: (03) 9482 2991

It appears to be a bit of a haunt with cyclists as it is very close to the Main Yarra bike trail.

 You can sit outside but it is right on a busy road so not appealing for us, although I often see people there when I drive past.

You can also sit inside, but we chose the inviting courtyard - fresh and cool on these hot days, but easily warmed up with big gas heaters when the weather is inclement.

Sculptured birds and plants adorn this space as do quite unusual paintings on the walls inside, so it almost feels as if you are dining in an art gallery.

We needed coffee straight away, naturally, and although it took a while to come - they were pretty busy - it was worth the wait. Marg was showing me some photos of her summer holidays on her nifty little iPad and we had plenty of time to relax and chat.

Foodwise I was desperate to have their ricotta hotcakes. I have had them before and just loved them. Not for breakfast mind, but I threw caution to the wind this time. They are sooo delicious! The hotcakes are topped with ricotta and freshly grated orange peel, then a sauce of pear, berries and rhubarb. This mixture is to die for! It is really filling though and might be best shared (if you can) as I did once before with Donna when we popped in for lunch.

A great place to go as long as you are not in a hurry.

OK Bill, it is definitely your turn now!!!

Axil Coffee Roasters

Although it was Bill's turn to choose our next breakfast spot, I jumped the gun on him a little as Donna, my friend and business partner and I had a meeting with Marylou and Jane from Play for Life, and what better way to hold a meeting than over food? We decided on Axil Coffee Roasters, a cafe in Hawthorn which was a convenient spot for all of us.

Axil Coffee Roasters -  322 Burwood Road Hawthorn
Phone:(03) 9819 0091

It is a very large building and does to tend to be pretty noisy - I think the acoustics could be improved - but the hubbub creates a great atmosphere and the service is good, with very attentive, helpful staff.

It actually was a lunch meeting, but this is one of those great places that has all day breakfasts and I couldn't resist! They have lots of choices, including the usual muesli, yoghurt, fruit toast and so on, but I chose eggs again. It was quite an exotic dish - baked eggs in a spicy tomato sauce with goat fetta cheese and dukkha sprinkled on the top. It had some yummy, well buttered sour dough toast on the side to dip into the juices. It was absolutely delicious!

 Our test of a great cafe is its coffee and Axil didn't let us down.

For a bit of added interest, the cafe has shelves stocked with all sorts of food goodies that are worth taking a look at.

 Sorry I went there without you Bill - I promise I'll wait for your turn next time!!!