A Local Favourite - Breakfast at my doorstep

Before moving to Australia breakfast was my least favourite meal of the day. It was simply a case of 'I must eat this bowl of oats now otherwise I will be starving hungry in about 2 hours time and eat an entire bag of jelly babies!'

Now, I long for the weekends when I can go out and eat breakfast like a king. Living in Carlton I am surrounded by cafes and restaurants all boasting breakfast menus that scream out to me. Aussies do breakfast much better than the English I am afraid to admit - there seems to be a lot more imagination.

Bircher muesli is a big YES for me. So far, of all the one's I have tried (and there have been a few!) Mister Close (target centre on Bourke St) top's my list. If you like creamy, rich, but not too sweet, this is the breakfast bowl for you! A generous dollop of seasonal poached fruits sits on top of a mountain of oats and yogurt. Raw apple slices and a side of  a honeyed nut mix complete this breakfast delight and for those that want to go all out you can even pour on some fresh orange juice to really live on the wild side!

Getting back to the focus of this post - Cafe Lua.

Unlike most of the restaurants on my doorstep Cafe Lua is not part of the Little Italy Group - and that's probably why it grabbed my eye!

Breakfast is by far the most appealing meal on the menu. With dishes ranging from quinoa porridge (which has the most delicious nutty taste due to its almond milk and pistachio flavouring) to pumpkin and chia seed pancakes (it may not sound breakfasty but if you are looking for a satisfying and savoury brunch type option this is it!) this cafe offers the perfect cure to whatever your weekend ailment may be!

If eggs are your chosen dish you will have a hard time deciding how you want them done! Traditionally - poached, scrambled or fried or perhaps a bit more exotically - scrambled with chipotle and feta?! The Huevos Rancheros dish is a personal favourite of mine - the spicy chorizo is a perfect combination with the salsa and rocket that accompanies this Spanish style egg breakfast.

The corn cake stake is a GREAT hangover cure! It isn't stodgy, but gives you enough of a full and satisfied feeling to truly kid yourself you have soaked up all the poisons you put in your body the night before!

This cafe is a definite must for all those that love to breakfast in a place that sings out songs of happiness. The staff are always smiling and eager to tell you the story behind their workplace and the artwork that features inside it. The decor is especially cute - when presented with the bill it came out on a tray with a tin duck that rolled along when you wound it up! There is nothing pretentious about this cafe - it is simply a gorgeous spot for locals or explorers - whether you come from around  the corner or the next suburb along you are made to feel at home.
http://www.cafelua.com/

Who said being a Vego was boring?

When I order a steak I get it medium rare - pink, tender and pretty bloody. 

Meat accompanies most of my meals and needless to say when my dad announced he was remarrying a vegetarian 2 years ago, I was horrified! 

However... eating like a vegetarian is something I have grown to love. Not only do you avoid the temptation to gorge yourself on that incredibly unhealthy beef burger, that may result in meat sweats (!), but, you can walk away from a meal feeling pretty light and healthy. 

The Veggie Bar on Brunswick Street is the first Veggie establishment I have visited since arriving in Oz and I was not disappointed.

Like most of the joints on Brunswick Street it has that quirky, charismatic feel to it that seems to portray the best of Melbourne's foodie culture. The fact that you are fighting for a table by 6pm is a clear mark of the Veggie Bar's popularity. The staff make up a mix of  multiple nationalities and all are friendly and accommodating, happy to share what their favourite dish is on the menu.

With an array of healthy fresh juices and smoothies you are spoilt for choice - the carob,banana and honey smoothie is a MUST - but either as a dessert (if you have room after the more than generous main courses) or a breakfast.

The food menu itself is excellent value for money and there is definitely something for everyone - salads, stirfrys, pastas, wraps, burgers and so it goes on! The menu is truly international and allows for all types of Veggie delights! 

I opted for the samosa to start followed by the Tagine. The samosa was crispy and delicious, accompanied by tzatziki and a tomato chutney. The Tagine was tasty - roasted veggies on a bed of cous cous. The heat of the Tagine caught me slightly by surprise! If you aren't too fond of spice make sure to spread the natural yogurt side over the Tagine BEFORE you put your fork straight into the Harissa paste and dig a mouthful of the cous cous! My only criticism with the Tagine would be the sweet potato - it seemed to dominate a bit and was slightly under cooked. Despite that the flavours were excellent - the sprinkling of dukkah on top of the Tagine added a rich nutty taste that went nicely with the sultanas that had been mixed through the cous cous. Bland is definitely not a word I would use for the food or the atmosphere of this funky restaurant.

I will definitely be heading back soon to try as many of the dishes as I can. I suffer from serious food envy and I think all tables within a 100m radius felt my eyes glaring over to their tables! Going on looks, I would definitely say the soba noodles with tofu in a satay sauce needs to be tasted! And...for all those that don't reckon their boyfriends/husbands would ever set foot in a veggie place, let alone find something they enjoy (heaven forbid in a vegetarian restaurant!) I reckon the man sized burrito that comes with a generous side of chips would keep them satisfied!