Laneway Cafes - The Quarter VS Cafe Andiamo

    In Melbourne, you can find most establishments operational at around 1030-1100.  I do often find it rather difficult to be able to get things done early in the morning because of this late start.  Many of these tiny laneway cafes do open their doors at a very early hour offering those much needed 'Pick-me-up' drinks.  For me, breakfast/brunch is the most important meal of the day and of course, I have to order the most expensive and biggest portion brekkie on the menu EVERY TIME!  So, taking price, portion and availability into account is of utmost importance to me.

    Last month I've tried eating at a few of the cafes along Melbourne's laneways.  Here are two of them in comparison as they're more of the higher priced cafes and would be a little more appropriate as they are directly opposite each other and offer similar genre of eateries.

The Quarter

Cafe Andiamo

    Using these 2 cafes as examples, I am just going to do a quick review and offer some insight on Melbourne laneway cafes.  Read on, if you enjoy continental brekkies/brunch =)

    First challenger!  The Quarter!  Mind you, if I am not mistaken, I popped my "Melbourne laneways" cheery by eating brunch here.

Menus strung across the wall adds to the decor

Very neat decorations of "designer water"

Lovely B&W photos of places from around Europe

    Overall, I'd say that this place is spacious despite it looking very cramped from the outside.  Onto the FOOD!

I have this habit of taking shots of menus as to not forget what I ordered

Eggs Florentine

    For those unfamiliar with Eggs Florentine, is is actually just substituting the ham in Eggs Benedict with spinach.  A quick quote from wiki, "Eggs Benedict is a dish that consists of a half of an English muffin, topped with ham or bacon, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce."

    The Hollandaise sauce adds a rather creamy and buttery texture and taste to the dish.  I am not a fan of ordering veggies, but this does seem like a quick hangover meal as described by them Englishmen.  *Hands-up-in-the-air smile* Poached eggs this way will ensure that eggs will come out more tender than a regular hard boiled egg and with the absence of any oil or butter as with most brekkie fried eggs.  Although I must say, buttered toast/english muffin/baguette always defeats the purpose, but it in always important to butter and pan fry it so that it isn't served super hard.

Works Breakfast

    The biggest and baddest aussie brekkie that The Quarter has to offer!  Lightly seared Tomato Half on top of a bed of Spinach, pan-fried button mushrooms, served with two links of sausages and bacon topped with what looks like a four egg omelette on half a slice of sour dough.  Even for someone who gets hungry as easily as me, I'd skip lunch after wiping this plate clean.

    As this is the perfect meal for me.  My only complain was that perhaps cooks from around the world should learn to drain the oil with perhaps a paper towel after cooking something like bacon.  The mushrooms were a little on the soggy side as I'd suspect that it was a little overcooked and over stirred.

    The key to cooking veggies for continental brekkies is to not move them around so much.  Cut large veggies into half, face down, pressed to sear and turn once for the other side then serve.  It's the basics.

    How's the service?  Service was quick, very friendly and appropriate.  Apparently it seems to be the habit for many food establishments for servers to NOT leave the bloody bottle of water at a table that only has 2 patrons.  Come on, the cups for water is small enough to down it in a single gulp!

    And now, the second challenger, Cafe Andiamo!

It is very common to display the menu for the passerby to decide easily

Brekkie served - 0700 on weekdays, 0800 on weekends

/win

And of course, a general shot to showcase what the cafe looks like.

    Honestly, it was a very slow morning as we didn't get enough sleep.  As far as for me, I enjoy the quiet.  The place is littered with a variety of cute antique items.  It definitely will be very crowded if filled as it is very small and cramped.  However, the space seems exactly the same as with The Quarter.  Perhaps better arrangement of tables would help.  Trying to force 4 patrons into this tiny table doesn't cut it.
 

 Ham & Cheese Sandwich?!

    Note to self...Never pay money for simple food that you can make on your own under 5 minutes.  Anyway, good toast, lots of cheese and a less than average amount of ham.  At least you don't catch the 'fresh-out-of-the-meat-packet' smell.  What more can I say?  It is just a H&C sandwich =/

El Grande!

That's right!

    THIS is my type of brekkie! I can eat this three times a day.  BOOYAH!  Three sunny side-ups on top of a huge slice of buttered Toast!  Non-soggy Hashbrown that's better than Maccas!  A generous amount of Bacon that isn't mostly fat!  Lightly seared half slice of Tomato and a healthy amount of Sliced Mushrooms.  About half a can of Baked Beans!  Stalk of Parsley for garnish!

   What can I say?  Make me this everyday, please.  A very healthy amount of protein, carbs and veggies.  I love the variety and the finishing touches.  The bowl to separate the Baked Beans was a nice touch.  This attention to detail is always a clear sign that the food has been prepared with equal quality.  The food isn't very oily, but still could be of some improvement.  Dollar for dollar, this beast is the winner!

    As everyone suspected, having few patrons, the food better be served FAST!  A ten minute wait makes it feel like fast food!

    IN CONCLUSION, if you're looking for a place to chill indoors with 3 other friends, head over to The Quarter.  For a very filling meal for heavy eaters or 2 lightweights, I'd suggest Cafe Andiamo.  Also, part of the reason this particular laneway is more expensive is due to the fact that it isn't so cramped and there are many tables in between the buildings.  If you're sitting on the outside for a smoke or to chill, it wouldn't matter where you get your coffee from =)

Photo info:  Nikon D700, 17-35mm f/2.8.  No flash, hand-held, long exposures.  Lighting is a mix of incandescent lighting as well as indirect glaring morning sun.

Hope that you enjoyed my little presentation of my love for continental breakfast!

Ciao!