New cafe Winter Malvern serves up a lip-smackingly good fried chicken and waffles
There’s nothing better than two crispy pieces of fried chicken, served on some sweet waffles and a generous lathering of maple syrup. But has this Melbourne cafe taken the dish to the next level?
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Julien Moussi’s new Malvern cafe wasn’t inspired by Game of Thrones’s return to our screens this month, though he’s happily pounced on the cult show’s famous “winter is coming” tagline to promote the venue.
Winter has already arrived in the leafy inner east, with the season’s cafe namesake opening last month within three weeks of taking over the Winter St digs from The Pour Kids cafe.
Moussi is the director of seasoned Melbourne cafe group Only Hospitality and wants Winter to be hyper-local, more so than his other venues which include Clubhouse, 1km up the road in Malvern, Fitzroy’s Bentwood, Stanley in Mount Waverley and Mob in Camberwell.
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Lots of Melbourne cafes offer fried chicken waffles but do try Winter’s take (pictured, $19.50). One bite and you’re hit with southern-style spices, tender chicken and a creamy slaw dressed in mustard and dill as well as a waffle that’s more crunch than cake. Then use the waffle to mop up the sriracha honey butter dotted around the plate.
Something lighter? The refreshing Jade Soba Noodles ($18) has pieces of poached chicken mixed in with the green goodness of avocado, broccolini and edamame. You’ll taste the miso and sesame dressing as you slurp the soba and zucchini zoodles.
Sweet lovers should order the Nutella Crumpets ($18). This dish well slathered with the choc-hazelnut spread, with strawberries and bananas adding freshness and hazelnuts for texture. It’s adorned with a delightful cherry butter with chunks of fruit that has a lovely creaminess making for addictive eating.
Winter uses its own Inglewood roaster’s blend for their milk styles, while a single origin is used for espresso and long blacks. There’s also cold brew, bottomless batch and iced coffee and chocolates. Milkshakes come in five flavours served with malt.
We’re seated immediately to our surprise during the Saturday morning rush, and perch in the bench window seat.
There’s confusion over our coffee order, and we’re still waiting 15 minutes later. Food also take about the same time, but staff are apologetic. We put this down to teething problems.
The cafe is well lit, and features pale timber tabletops and fittings and white walls for good ‘Gram shots. However, nab an outside table to avoid the loud chatter that bounces off the cafe’s walls.
All menu items are good value priced under $20, with a generous serve for each dish. Some drinks are costly — milkshakes and smoothies will set you back $8 and $10.50 respectively.
Winter’s food and coffee game is strong, setting a benchmark for other neighbourhood cafes. Some may hibernate with the changing seasons, but with eye-poppingly colourful dishes that look — almost — too pretty to eat, great coffee and menu catering for the health conscious and treat focused, winter is looking bright.
WINTER MALVERN
1E Winter St, Malvern
9077 3847
FOOD: Colourful brunch dishes
HOURS: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm
Sat-Sun 7.30pm-4pm
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