May 21, 2011: Friends Of Mine

Friends of Mine opened close half dozen months dorsum inwards a outburst of hype in addition to excitement. The identify was run past times peeps amongst impressive cafe pedigrees (Porgie in addition to Mr Jones, Snow Pony - both unreviewed past times us despite vague intentions to see since close 2008) in addition to was on a department of Swan Street that was desperately brusk of expert java options. They also used their twitter account smartly, generating enthusiasm without simply existence wearisome self-promoters. So, predictably, they've been overrun past times Melbourne's buzz-conscious foodie set.

We set them on our listing of places to see in i lawsuit the hype (and queues) died downwardly in addition to this Saturday, amongst a trip to Richmond on the cards anyway, nosotros decided it was fourth dimension to hand them a shot. We turned upwardly at close 9:30 to notice swarms of people blocking the door - luckily they were generally inwards search of takeaway coffee, in addition to so nosotros were able to grab a tabular array without waiting around (just a calendar month back, Nouveau Potato waited 25 minutes for a table!).

It's a pretty big identify that hums amongst activeness - staff swarming close everywhere, customers coming in addition to going in addition to a constant flow of takeaway coffees existence served up. The fit-out is varied: nosotros sat inwards the middle department - all concrete in addition to quirkiness, field the dining expanse furthest from the front end had a to a greater extent than formal white-tablecloth vibe going on.

The carte (which rather weirdly tells you, "you are beautiful") is fairly criterion for a identify similar this: some vaguely salubrious options (muesli, porridge), toasts, eggy dishes in addition to a few other bits in addition to pieces. There's also a whole bunch of lunchy dishes in addition to some desserts, but nosotros stayed focussed on the breakfast department of the menu. The breakfast fashion sweets weren't also abundant (no French toast, no pancakes) in addition to so Cindy went savoury: herb in addition to cheesey toast amongst eggplant kusundi ($11.90).

I idea this was first-class - generous cheese, perfectly melted on delicious breadstuff in addition to a salty in addition to spicy eggplant relish to cutting through it all. Alas, from Cindy's request of sentiment it was all a flake heavy on the cheese. She's a to a greater extent than fragile appreciator of melted cheese (we've had some long in addition to fruitless debates close pizza before), in addition to so this ended upwardly existence a flake much for her.

I ordered the smashed avocado amongst thyme buttered mushrooms, marinated feta in addition to torn basil on wholegrain toast, amongst a poached egg ($18.90).

This was a pretty first-class rendition of avocado on toast - no skimping on the avo (with some overnice seize amongst teeth via a expert squeeze of lemon juice), fragrant in addition to beautifully cooked mushrooms, salty fetta, bursts of basil in addition to parsley in addition to a perfectly poached egg on top. It's worth mentioning that the breadstuff they role at Friends of Mine (courtesy of Noisette) is first-class - soft in addition to crusty inwards perfect proportions.

Unlike a few other bloggers nosotros had no service issues at all - inwards fact our nutrient came out remarkably speedily in addition to multiple staff were e'er on mitt when nosotros wanted them. The java expert in addition to Cindy enjoyed her orangish juice, but both of us walked away feeling a flake uninspired. I intend my issues were price-related - $18.90 is getting a flake ridiculous for a breakfast which, although excellent, doesn't tower inwards a higher identify some cheaper options closer to home.  And given its popularity, it's non currently a identify to linger over the newspaper.  To last fair, I in all probability stimulate got higher expectations for places that accept to a greater extent than than one-half an lx minutes for us to larn to in addition to so I may last belongings Friends of Mine to higher standards than our local favourites. Based on our experience, you'll larn swell service in addition to expert nutrient at Friends of Mine in addition to if you're inwards the neighbourhood you'll non last disappointed.

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Friends of Mine has been raved close all over the blogosphere: Melbourne Food Tales, Juggernaut's Foodie Thoughts, Gourmet Chick, Eat This, Pete Can Cook were all pretty impressed, field simply Melbourne Culinary Journal wasn't wowed.

Vego bloggers Nouveau Potato in addition to Ballroom Blintz were also fans (although it should last noted that vegans volition fighting to notice anything on the carte they tin eat).

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Friends of Mine
506 Swan St, Richmond
9428 7516
Breakfasts: $5.50 - $18.90
http://www.friendsofmine.com.au/ (beware of seemingly unstoppable autoplay music)

Accessibility: Friends of Mine has a fairly broad in addition to apartment entry in addition to is fairly spacious around the communal table.  Things larn to a greater extent than crowded in addition to hard around the check-out in addition to inwards the dining room area.