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Eating Out: Moka Pot Cafe

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The day was the international day of love, Valentine's Day. I always thought it was just a crappy day to sell more flowers, and make all the single people feel like crap. But this year, I decided to embrace it. I bought gifts, cooked dinner, and spent the whole day with Hamsley. We were awake fairly early, even after a late night with Chinese New Year's Eve the night before. Having no bread in the house, we headed out for breakfast; even though we had no idea where we were going. We eventually ended up in Balwyn, at a cute cafe called Moka Pot.
I never saw the appeal of eating breakfast out. Now I can though, but for the people who order toast when they go out for breakfast; I say, "buy a loaf of bread, some of your favorite spread and stay at home!" It's far cheaper for you that way, and you can be all cafe chic at your own place.. buy a coffee machine if you have to!

We sat inside, surrounded by other eager breakfast patrons, with attentive staff bustling around.
We were given menus and a nice amount of time to deliberate over what to get. So many delicious choices, I know I'll be back again.

Hamsley got a mug sized latte, and I opted for what the cafe was called; a moka.
The moka was fantastic. It wasn't bitter at all like you get with some mokas, and it wasn't sweet, it was just creamy and so pleasant to drink.

Ham Benedict - $12.90
Poached eggs with grilled virgina ham on toasted sour dough bread topped with hollandaise sauce.

Hamsley was very impressed with his ham benedict, with it's thick crusty bread; a far more filling serve than at our other favorite breakfast haunt, Brown Sugar Cafe. The bread was nice, the ham was slightly seared, and the poached eggs were perfect and runny.
It is called 'ham benedict' rather than eggs benedict, as they also have salmon benedict on the menu; which is served with, you guessed it; smoked salmon.
Because Hamsley is a good boyfriend, he said my eggs benedict were still better.

Buttermilk Pancakes - $12.90
Served with strawberries, maple syrup and cream.

For me it was a toss up between the salmon benedict, bircher muesli or the pancakes. I wanted my eggs scrambled, but the menu said no changes to dishes on weekends; so I left that out as an option. Then I decided, I don't have enough pancakes in my diet; so pancakes won this time. We were both wide-eyed and impressed with the size of this serve.

Fresh, sweet strawberries, drenched in maple syrup, upon the two biggest, fluffiest, most delicious pancakes. They reminded me of my breakfast at Zum in Tasmania. In fact the whole cafe had that lovely vibe that Zum had; which I have been searching for in Melbourne.
The pancakes were just fantastic. I didn't think I would be able to finish them, and I probably would have even if Hamsley didn't have a few bites so he could taste how fantastic they were.

On the tables, there was also a macaron menu. Being a sucker for all things macaron and cupcakes, I walked away with one of each flavour.

Flavours from top purple going clock wise:
Blueberry Cheesecake, Mint Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Turkish Delight, Pistachio, Lemon Tart, Salted Caramel, Licorice Chocolate (center)

The contents of the above plate cost me $20. I believe it was the tastiest research I've conducted so far, and well worth the money spent. You may like to spend your money on shoes, or video games; macarons it is for me.
  •  Blueberry Cheesecake: I'm pretty sure it was cheesecake. It was amazing however. Creamy with a jam center, no other words to describe it than 'just awesome'.
  • Mint Chocolate: My favorite of all the macaron flavours. Had a subtle mint flavour, not over powering and perfect with the chocolate filling.
  • Dark Chocolate: Creamy with a distinct bitter dark chocolate flavour.
  • Turkish Delight: A light, yet somewhat powerful rose water flavour, but not potpurri-ish like the Lindt Cafe rose flavour. A lovely jelly/jam centre to emulate the Turkish delight.
  • Pistachio: Far better than the Lindt pistachio flavour. You can actually taste the pistachio, but also the almond used in the macarons. 
  • Lemon Tart: Tangy, but not too tart. Perfect and soft.
  • Salted Caramel: Sticky and sweet, with a nice deep caramel flavour. The caramel taken to the point just before burning.
  • Licorice Chocolate: The aniseed flavour is not over powering. It goes perfectly with the chocolate creamy centre. I was told there was a little bit of Sambucca in this one. 
Overall, the macarons were far better than Lindt Cafe. My favorite macarons in Melbourne so far. And with delicious flavours like this, I'll be back for more.

 
Moka Pot Cafe on Urbanspoon

Speaking of macarons, Billy from A Table For Two has a monthly t-shirt in his new shiny online store. There are only 50 units of each t-shirt, hand made and designed by Billy himself. 10% of the profits go to KILT landmine victims in Cambodia. So I couldn't resist buying a funky macaron t-shirt which helps those less fortunate than me. For more information, check out Billy's store here: http://www.atablefortwo.com.au/shop


18 comments:

The licorice macarons look so perfect. In fact they look pretty good to me. Love your mac shirt. Billy is very talented.

Looks like you both had a lovely day following CNY.
Though, while the pancakes look very nice and appertising, the eggs look (stealing for MC here) a bit pedastrian for that price. Couldn't they throw some baby spinach leaves or something on there? $12.90 just seems a bit much for that one.
Also, that Tapas place is brilliant. Thoroughly recommend.

Looks like a good menu, and I'm loving how thick and fluffy those pancakes are! Nice pouring shot too :D

Sigh... as much as JonathonWright thinks the prices are a bit steep, they're pretty bloody good compared to Perth ones! Hmph.

Hey, thank you missy! I am glad you like the t-shirt :)

But i am looking at thosw swirly patterns macarons, and now i am intrigued how were they actually done..... hmmm more experiement to come :P

I'm betting your eggs are better for the same reason that my mum says the scrambled eggs I cook for her are best - because they're cooked with love :) (and a crazy amount of cream, but shhhhh...)

Macarons! I've never had them before, but Im getting so excited! Paris next month... I'm going to macaron-it-up big time! :)

OMG - Turkish Delight macarons MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Wish I lived in Victoria!!

ooh my gosh! those macarons look fantastic! and thankyou for your sacrifice in the name of research! hehehe

Those macarons look pretty cute! Do you guys live near North Balwyn? If you are ever back in the area, then I highly recommend Romeo's cafe (2 doors down from Moka Pot) - they have a limited range of food, but really great coffees.

xox Sarah

the pancakes looks yummy. I would have chosen pancakes as well. And the macarons are all lovely! love the swirly one.

les macarons sont à se damner!!!!!!!!
bonne journée

Swooning at the pretty macarons but absolutely gobsmacked the pillowy thick pancakes! Must've been sooo filling *faint*

I love having breakfast out! In fact, I think it's a habit that we should all get into once a week. It kinda forces you to eat slowly and be a morning person! :) And those gorgeous macarons are just rubbing salt in my ugly-macaron-making wounds

What really got me interested was the french toast. What a strange concept!! I love it!!

Ooh salmon benedict for me please! And I love the Licorice Chocolate - it looks like a cow-print! Totally know what you mean about preferring to spend your money on food vs Other Things, I'm always like - I could go to the club and chug beer and vodka....OR I could go have something really nice to eat (or put it in my Kitchen Appliance fund). It's no contest! By now I'm sure my friends think I am Seriously Uncool...

Yum, I wouldn't be able to decide between the pancakes and the eggs benedict. Love your T-shirt!

My what deliciously fluffy pancakes! :o I wonder how they get them so thick and fluffy? And a macaron menu? Be still my beating heart! :P

Haha, my husband always says that my food is better whenever we go out to eat. (He has learnt to lie very well!)

Love the tshirt!

I so want to go here! So excitement!! We have decided to go next week. Dave and I were just about to embark on our big long walk (in order to lower our blood-chocolate level being the end of easter), and then I searched for this blog entry and spent 15 mins trying to talk Dave out of the walk and into MokaPot Heaven! Alas, Dave's sense of reason has prevailed and we're off for the walk... Moka Pot will be waiting for us next week!! MWAH X

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