Rustica at Melbourne Central ups the ante for shopping centre dining
RUSTICA’S life-giving lattes, well-crafted seasonal dishes and a fine fit-out at its newest location provide a rewarding break from the retail storm, elevating shopping centre food beyond the norm of bain-maries and fast food.
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WHATEVER your level of retail stamina, shopping ‘til you drop deserves a stop.
Rustica’s fourth cafe location, on Melbourne Central’s top level, provides just that and more - a sanctuary of life-giving lattes and well-crafted, seasonal dishes in a gorgeous CBD space.
Rustica began baking its signature sourdough and pastries at its Fitzroy flagship store in 2012, and also has cafes in Hawthorn and in Rialto Towers.
A fifth venue in Maribyrnong’s Highpoint Shopping Centre is imminent, as is a new flagship bakery site.
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Founder Brenton Lang opened in Melbourne Central mid-year with the aim of elevating shopping-centre dining beyond bain-maries and fast food, and to give city suits and shoppers a quality go-to akin to the prominent cafes in the ’burbs.
At this 90-seater, formerly a Veronika Maine boutique, you’ll find Rustica’s favourites — like the luxe Lobster Eggs Benedict ($24.50) — as well as plates exclusive to the venue.
FOOD
Add some class to your lunch break with gin-cured trout ($23).
A generous serve of supple folds mingle with green leaves, dill, freekeh and barley, with a lick of smoky baba ganoush and a purple-hued pickled egg, to load on to a slab of miche loaf with a gloriously caramelised crust. Hearty and wholesome.
Or swing sweet to the delightfully over-the-top chocolate lamington French toast ($20.50). Brioche is given the lamington treatment with chocolate, coconut and strawberry jelly, and is teamed with crushed peanut brittle, fresh berries, Oreo custard and cream. A new menu will soon launch the next batch of signature dishes — such as croissant bread and butter pudding, and lemon meringue waffle pie.
DRINK
The beans are from Rustica’s First Love Coffee brand, with its maple-y Polaroid blend used for milk-based coffees.
There’s also a rotation of single-origin brews, as well as Chamellia teas, Ayomo cold-pressed juices and the decadently delicious doughnut-crowned Nutella milkshake ($12).
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SERVICE
A lacklustre welcome from one disinterested staffer was redeemed by our fabulous main waiter who was good humoured, sassy and, above all, switched on.
X FACTOR
A beautiful oasis-like fit-out by Bergman & Co provides respite from the retail storm.
A monochrome interior of pink and beige is dotted with greenery and highlighted by smooth curves and moody lighting.
The only thing that marred the serenity was the blaring music.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
While pricing hovers around $20-$22, each dish is well considered and piled high with quality ingredients.
VERDICT
Rustica at Melbourne Central ups the ante for shopping-centre dining way beyond the store-bought.
RUSTICA
Level 2, Melbourne Central,
La Trobe St, city
9663 1545
rusticasourdough.com.au
FOOD
Mod cafe and bakery
HOURS
Mon-Wed and Sat 9am-6pm, Thu-Fri 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm
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