Beatrix
Occasionally, I find myself thinking, “Wouldn’t it be nice to own a cafe?”
And then I immediately give myself a mental smack. For many varied reasons, this is a Very Bad Idea.
However, in that hypothetical situation – that one where I’m a totally different person and have a different mindset and skills – Beatrix is exactly the kind of cafe I would love to have.
It’s little, and it’s sweet, and there’s cakes, NUMEROUS CAKES. Savoury food is limited and includes a couple of daily ciabatta specials.
I visited recently with my friend Em, managing to get a table without waiting (in a cafe that has about 12 or so seats inside, this must be an achievement).
The two ciabattas on offer that day were:
The Babe – filled with slow cooked pork belly, pink lady and dill slaw plus crackling ($16.50 / $15).
The Howl – a vegetarian option which came with roasted red and yellow beetroot with warm Thats Amore ricotta, mint, hazelnut dressing and roquette ($15 / $13.50).
Naturally I couldn’t go past the pork belly roll. I ordered a small one (which cutely came with crackling ears!) and thank goodness for that choice because small was not so small. I was almost too full for cake afterwards. Almost. Fortunately, I am a trooper.
The Babe came with slices of pork belly and creamy coleslaw heavily flavoured with dill. I was really pleased that the ciabatta wasn’t the type that completely tears up your mouth.
Em ordered the Shak-in-a-row ($12), which contained spicy Israeli style braised peppers with a fried egg, feta and fresh mint.
My long black was good and came with a little jug of hot water so I could add it to my taste.
Being surrounded by all the gorgeous looking baked goods, Em and I had another round of coffees and shared a slice of a lovely and light cocoa angel food cake ($5).
And then I purchased a couple of brioche doughnuts with lemon sour cream icing ($6 each) to take home for Alastair and Bro. They both approved of the doughnuts. 🙂
There’s something about Beatrix that is so charming. Go forth and visit.
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Beatrix
688 Queensberry Street
North Melbourne
Phone:(03) 9090 7301
Web: beatrixbakes.wordpress.com or Facebook.
CheezyK
January 23, 2013 @ 2:55 pm
I would LOVE to have my own cafe and have wanted to for many years … I’m sure the reality would be very different from the dream though 🙂
This place looks lovely!
Agnes
February 10, 2013 @ 10:34 pm
It’s soooo charming.
Ashley
January 30, 2013 @ 11:45 am
Wow that slice of cake just looks just amazing! Pork crackling ears are adorable too 🙂
Agnes
February 10, 2013 @ 10:35 pm
The cake was awesome. So light!
Iron Chef Shellie
February 6, 2013 @ 8:54 am
wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I so wanna go here! Been on the list for like 2 years. And yes, getting a table, and if it was on the weekend, you need a freakin award!
Agnes
February 10, 2013 @ 10:35 pm
I can’t believe you haven’t visited yet. Go go go.
Thanh
February 19, 2013 @ 8:06 am
I want to go just for all the cakes. I’m a trooper too.
Agnes
February 19, 2013 @ 9:22 pm
You’re a total trooper. Soldier on for cakes.
msihua
March 2, 2013 @ 7:36 pm
Mmmm this is probably not the cafe for me then.. cake vs savoury? Oh no…
Honeylishuss
April 7, 2013 @ 1:36 pm
Damn you! Now I want donuts and angel cake. Been wanting to come to Beatrix for ages. Hold the door- we are on our way!