South Yarra cafe Dilly Daly turns heads with smoke show dish
Melbourne’s in for a sad, cold weekend — so try this choc-chip hot cake dish when you’re out to brunch, complete with a Nutella syringe to inject at your leisure. Here’s where to find it.
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Melissa Glentis admits she’s a profound dilly-dallier.
However, when the businesswoman was given the chance to take over the lease of a South Yarra cafe, she jumped at the opportunity.
In six months, Dilly Daly has already built a loyal customer base, taking over SMAK Food House on Daly St to create a fun and approachable all-day menu, with chefs Daniel Ramirez and Daniel Reyes injecting some flair with South American flavours.
FOOD
Come to Dilly Daly for breakfast and a show. As soon as the transparent cloche is whisked from the kitchen into the dining room, brunch-goers crane their necks to see the spectacle.
Smoke masks what lies underneath, but when the plate arrives at the table and the lid is lifted, we’re treated to the Big Dilly A-hu-mado ($24) — a big breakfast, with a side of hickory smoke.
A-hu-mado is Spanish for smoked and was inspired by Ramirez’s hangover cure — barbecued meats on charcoal.
Nurse your sore head with two poached eggs on sourdough, a pork and fennel sausage, braised cherry tomatoes, sauteed broccoli, peppered mushrooms and halloumi.
Magical Mushrooms ($18, pictured) is another worthy selection, with plump sauteed button mushies drizzled in truffle oil and grated with gruyere for a bold umami hit.
But the dish is too dry and desperately needs a gooey egg on the side.
The DD hot cakes ($18) are a delightful shot in the arm, with two fluffy chocolate-chip hot cakes injected with a syringe thick with Nutella, and topped with quenelle of vanilla mascarpone.
Poached pear and strawberries add a fresh element to punch through the creamy, chocolate decadence.
Lunch offerings include four different health bowls.
DRINK
Enjoy a smooth brew courtesy of Carlton roaster Vertue, and there are also beetroot and turmeric lattes, smoothies and juices.
The cold brew Nitro coffee, served from a tap like beer, is unavailable in the cooler months, despite it being listed on the menu.
SERVICE
Staff keep the lines of communication open, letting us know the wait for food will be a little longer than usual due to a busy morning. Our food and coffee are on the table in around 20 minutes.
X FACTOR
Social media will have a field day at this 55-seater with its pink neon sign, indoor greenery — the plants are real — and backdrop of fairy-floss coloured walls. It’s also off the beaten Chapel St track, under a high-rise building in South Yarra’s concrete jungle of backstreets.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Almost all dishes are under $20, which is great value for the amount served on the plate.
You won’t leave Dilly Daly hungry.
VERDICT
If you’ve been keeping Dilly Daly under wraps as your local weekend brunch hangout, the secret’s out. This is the spot for great coffee with a work lunch or relaxed brunch in the often uncharted north end of Chapel St.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO TGI FRIDAYS?
IS THIS MELBOURNE’S BEST FRIED CHICKEN?
Dilly Daly
6c Daly St, South Yarra
7015 8272
FOOD: Approachable brunch dishes, with South American flair
HOURS: Mon-Fri 7am-3.30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm
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