Is there a better breakfast dish than the chilli eggs at Rosanna’s Ivy and Pearl?
LOOKING for Melbourne’s best breakfast? This suburban cafe is in the Ivy league, with a breakfast favourite packed so full of flavour, it “sings like a choir”. And gets the #1 vote from our seasoned reviewer.
Weekend
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BACK in the day, when I was a cub reporter on the beat in Heidelberg — for a newspaper called The Heidelberger — Rosanna seemed blissfully leafy.
A northern outpost on the Hurstbridge line notable for golf links, native gardens and mod Merchant Builders homes, 35 years on, the place looks more densely packed than I remember with a new, gaudily coloured train station.
It has something else I never saw in the ’80s — a buzzing cafe scene — and Ivy and Pearl, my final dining destination for Weekend, looks to be everyone’s fave.
WHERE TO GO FOR BRUNCH IN MELBOURNE
FOOD
Is there a better breakfast dish than Ivy and Pearl’s chilli folded eggs ($16.90)? I’m struggling to think of one.
Chef-owner Daniel Kadamani channels his Lebanese heritage with this eggy marvel, generously applying Aleppo pepper to the foamy yolks and setting them down on lightly charred flatbread.
Fried bacon bits get a look-in with green harissa and Persian feta. And together, they sing like a choir.
Trace elements of the Levant can be found right through the menu, from pistachio crumble and pomegranate in the organic chai porridge ($14.90) to pickles and saffron “hommos” in the falafel salad ($15.90).
BEST DISHES IN MELBOURNE AND VICTORIA FOR 2018
Then there’s shakshuka baked eggs ($16.90). At Ivy and Pearl, this Middle East classic comes to the table in the pan with zaatar-dusted pita bread — just what you need to scoop up its fiery-looking tomato-capsicum sauce.
Add Turkish sujuk sausage for an extra belt of flavour.
But the menu’s not all savoury.
Look for sticky date waffles ($16.90) — dense with medjool dates and oat clusters — and a granola “to go” ($8.50), packed with flaked almonds, pepita seeds, quince puree and health-giving gojiberries.
BEST PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK THIS WEEKEND
DRINK
It’s Axil coffee here. Our long mac was spot on, but all bases are covered, from shakes and smoothies to probiotic sodas and organic tea.
Anyone for a “popping pink” beetroot latte?
SERVICE
Ivy and Pearl’s smiling staff, in striped tees, were on top of things from the get-go.
X FACTOR
Up front, windows flip open onto gum-treed views. Out back, there’s a sunny courtyard.
In between, Ivy and Pearl charms with pops of greenery, a long blue banquette and stylish ceramics.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Good value with generous mains averaging around the $18 mark.
VERDICT
Give Ivy and Pearl a whirl — and thank you for reading my memos from the food front over so many years.
I’ve enjoyed serving you on a Saturday and I trust you weren’t led astray.
No need to tip. The pleasure was all mine.
IVY AND PEARL
31 Davies St, Rosanna. Phone: 9457 4858
FOOD Australian
HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm
CHEF Daniel Kadamani
BOOKINGS Yes
TIME BETWEEN ORDERING AND EATING Six minutes
PERFECT FOR Weekend brunching
DESTINATION DISH Chilli folded eggs on charred flatbread
NOISE LEVEL Pleasing
ONLINE ivyandpearl.com.au
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