Robert Gordon’s world-famous pottery from Pakenham now comes with quality cafe
HAVE your cake and buy the plate, too, at Robert Gordon’s world-famous pottery HQ in Pakenham — now with added cafe.
School Holidays
Don't miss out on the headlines from School Holidays. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THEY make the ceramics that grace some of the state’s top restaurants. Now, you can eat your cake there and buy the plate, too. Robert Gordon this month opened a homely, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, 60-seat cafe at its Pakenham pottery HQ, with British-born chef Chris Henderson at the helm.
It makes sense then that Robert Gordon Kitchen is serving cafe fare with British flair, like a Proper Bacon Sandwich with HP Sauce and a full English breakfast with black pudding, along with fresh twists on brunch classics.
KUZU BRINGS ELEGANTLY SIMPLE JAPANESE IZAKAYA CULTURE TO WOODEND
NEW CAFE AT LAIKON DELI IN RICHMOND OFFERS A LITTLE EURO VISION
Dishes are served on snazzy Robert Gordon stoneware, also supplied to the likes of Vue de Monde, Longrain and Grossi Florentino, as well as Las Vegas’s Bellagio casino and trendy Los Angeles bar and restaurant E.P. & L.P.
The third-generation business was founded in 1945, first calling Black Rock home, then Gembrook and, since the early ’90s, its current Pakenham location.
FOOD
Henderson, previously head chef at events company The Big Group, delivers food that is approachable and tasty.
Decorated with edible flowers, the poached pear brulee ($14.50, pictured) is prettiness on a plate, half a pear under torched, just-set meringue on nourishing apple bircher jostling with toasted grains and coconut. It’s fresh, light and lovely.
Flying the flag for hearty simplicity is the Steak and Eggs ($24). Sliced, rosy-centred cuts of Gippsland beef meet two open-range numbers from Daylesford’s Real Eggs, with roasted tomato and a potato hash croquette.
Elsewhere, there’s a slaw of soba noodles and cabbage dressed in kewpie mayonnaise on a slab of roasted eggplant ($18.50), and chilli scrambled eggs ($16) on sourdough from Shannon Bennett’s Burnham Beeches bakery.
Kids have a dedicated menu (eggs and soldiers, waffles and ice cream) but they’ll no doubt love the cupcakes ($8) with DIY decorations. A cabinet of tempting ready-made sweets, slices and croissants are from Burnham Beeches or made on site, while pies are from chef Raymond Capaldi’s Wonder Pies range.
DRINK
Coffee is from the roastery at Frankie’s cafe in Warragul, or go old school with thick shakes ($8) or a spider ($9) with vanilla ice cream, blueberries and raspberry-lemonade kombucha for the fizz. A liquor licence is in the works.
SERVICE
A real country charm to the lovely staff here, for whom nothing seems too much.
X FACTOR
The cafe occupies a front corner of the no-fuss warehouse outlet, with a semi-open kitchen and timber tables set with the family’s crockery — which you can then buy from the adjoining retail area. An eye-catching David Bromley painting of the Gordons brightens one wall, and there’s another area where people can paint their own pottery pieces.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Inner-city pricing at this destination diner, but you’re paying for ethically sourced, quality ingredients.
VERDICT
A down-to-earth, dual-purpose delight great for a quality bite as much as a shop.
Robert Gordon Kitchen, 114 Mulcahy Rd, Pakenham, Phone: 5941 3302
RELATED CONTENT
Beat the bushfires: 7 free campsites in the bush
There’s never been a better time to pack the tent or caravan to help regional Victoria bounce back from the bushfires. Even better when the campsites are free.
Why this iconic Victorian pool has to close
A popular holiday spot in the state’s east will be without one of its main attractions this summer. The area’s swimming pool has been declared unsafe and will shut this week, devastating locals and tourists.