Want to try ‘bressert’? Flovie Florist Cafe does choc-heavy dessert breakfast dish

If you’re after a sweet treat this Mother’s Day, this Carlton cafe is serving up a ‘bressert’ (breakfast dessert) hot cake dish that’ll have chocolate lovers coming back for more.

Kara Irving

2 min read

May 10, 2019 - 3:00PM

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t go past ordering Flovie’s Black Forest Hot Cakes. Picture: Tiffany Coubrough.

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Melbourne loves a gimmick. In the past, we’ve had a cat cafe and a bar selling our favourite childhood breakfast cereals.

But could Flovie Florist Cafe — a new venture by businessman Jia Wang teaming brunch and bouquets — be seen in a similar vein?

Flovie, which opened in January, won’t be a flash in the pan, Wang assures us, and he brings a wealth of hospo experience from his White Mojo cafe chain.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO TGI FRIDAYS?

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THE ULTIMATE WINE GLASS HACKS

Char Siu Eggs Benedict is one of the cafe’s most popular dishes. Picture: Tiffany Coubrough.

He’s opened Flovie with florist friend Valerie Wang (no relation), creating a micro greenhouse space smack bang in Carlton’s student hub.

Head chef Hiroshi Okuda (ex-Vue De Monde, White Mojo) gives an Asian twist to western brunch favourites, aptly using edible flowers to embellish his breakfast dishes.

FOOD

Why eat brunch when you can enjoy “bressert”? You won’t be disappointed with Flovie’s Black Forest hot cakes ($20, pictured).

After a 20-minute cook time, two more-ish dark chocolate discs — more cake than hot cake — are served, resting on top of each other and drizzled with a warm cherry compote and a thick mascarpone chantilly quenelle.

Want more chocolate? There’s also a biscuit-crumb soil, gooey ganache and a choc crème anglaise served in a tiny jug to pour over at your leisure.

Take home the single red rose served with the dish. The char siu pulled pork eggs benny ($20) has all the elements of a great dish, with two poached eggs trickling with a mandarin scented hollandaise atop tender pork shoulder, with a sweet, soft mantou (Chinese bun). Refreshing cucumber and pickled carrots punch through the buttery sauce and robust pork, but the dish craves crunch.

The fried shallots, sprinkled sparingly over the eggs, don’t deliver, nor does the pan-fried mantou.

The rose tea latte is pretty as a picture. Picture: Tiffany Coubrough.

DRINK

Try the eye-catching pale-pink rose tea latte ($7) made with frothed coconut milk infused with rose petals.

There are also five styles of more traditional tea, while White Mojo-roasted beans deliver on the milk and black coffee.

SERVICE

Wait-staff go to great lengths to make you feel comfortable.

We’re seated immediately, despite no booking, tended to as soon as we’ve decided on our order, and within 10 minutes, coffee and one of the dishes we’re sharing are on the table.

X FACTOR

Flovie’s flower-adorned interior oozes romance, while colourful custom-made teapots and reflective sheer waterglasses add to the charm.

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

You get a lot on your plate for $20. We share two dishes and are satisfied.

All the signature tea lattes are $7 a pop — worth it for the time and effort put into making each cup.

VERDICT

A florist cafe may sound like a gimmick, but Flovie’s execution of the idea — along with a considered food menu, impeccable service and unique drinks list — should put it high on your list of places to visit. Come for the food and leave with a bouquet at this clever dual-use space.