The Truman Show

Perched on the corner of Kerferd Road and Montangue Street (Albert Park) is Truman café. Relatively new to the café scene, it makes it’s mark with it's topsy turvy classroom esq furniture, simple yet delicious food and staff that are more than accommodating.

The seating area at the front of the café is a muddled mix of different coloured chairs and tables, retro style watering cans and potted plants that give the venue a quirky sense of charm.

The menu offers a variety of breakfast choices; standard must- haves – eggs, any way you like, with a side of whatever you like, all at very reasonable prices. Favourites include ‘Connie’s Eggs’ - poached eggs in Napoli sauce with chorizo and spinach on a toasted baguette. Breakfast rolls are as mouthed watering as they sound on the menu as when you pick them up with two hands and have delicious homemade relish dripping onto your plate! The buns are fresh and powdery ciabatta rolls and are filled with different breakfast ingredients - the scrambled eggs, spring onion, tomato relish and bacon being a popular choice.

Lunch is equally as appealing with salads, soups and sandwiches. The sandwich favourite – halouimi, caramalised beetroot, onion jam, watercress and mayo is packed with flavour and punch and can be washed down with any of the fresh juices/smoothies or homemade lemonade. 

Magic on Brunswick Street - The Alchemist

Peeping in through the heavily curtained windows of the Alchemist the glimmering candlelight and the wax smouldering chandeliers are enough to catch your attention and entice you inside. 

A plush rogue colour dominates the inside of this sultry little cocktail bar. Rugs,  antique looking arm chairs and chaise longs are embellished with a velvety finish, creating a luxurious and sensual atmosphere. Looking around the bar one soon realises the medicinal touches that have been featured to create The Alchemist's History. Old medicinal cabinets filled with different sized bottles occupy the nooks and crannys of the bar. A feature wall plastered with black and white photographs of famous alchemists showcases the likes of Eeinstein. Battered and beaten books lie about the marble topped tables creating a talking point for all those that don't already have enough to say about this weird and wonderful establishment.

The bar itself is made of century old pharmacy cabinets that have been lovingly restored and above it hang utensils and tools that most certainly belong to another era. The bartenders are dressed in breeches and embrace their role within the theatrical performance of potion making. The cocktail list, or rather the potion list, is endless. Among the concoctions, priced at around $18 a drink,  you will find cocktails named The Alchemist Zombie and I Love Apple Pie and all cocktails are listed with a glass description, aroma and taste. Whatever you desire, you will find on the menu and if not the staff will more than happily create something especially for you. The alchemists will dazzle you with their potion making skills and equally as magical charm! Watch as they perform their cocktail making duties with an art - fire and smoke, dry ice and steam, these guys will give you a show worth watching!

The people that frequent this bar are as an eclectic a mix as the cocktails. Whether it be a group of friends that know the bartenders and the cocktail list like the back of their hand or a loved up couple looking to snuggle into a corner and drink the night away the vibe is one of relaxation and fun. The music is never the same but you can be sure the bartenders and wait staff will be singing and dancing along mingling in with the customers by 11. 

If you fancy a nibble alongside your cocktails there is a tapas list (priced around $8 - 14 per dish) that features mini lamb burgers with chilli jam, melted Camembert and rocket, haloumi with capers, parsley and orange and a range of other mouthwatering bites. If you fancy something bigger the menu is fairly limited so your best bet is to select  a few of the tapas dishes or,  opt for The Alchemist Degustation. 

Certainly a bar to visit when you aren't feeling to worried about counting your pennies and when you are in the mood for some fun.