Gingerlee
| Where | 117 Lygon Street, Brunswick East 3057—View map |
Contact | 03 9380 4430 |
Website | — |
Open | Wednesday to Monday 07.00am to 04.00pm |
Payment | Cash |
Diet | Check with venue |
Seating | Inside and outside |
Kids | Welcome |
Pets | Welcome |
Eggs on the edge
Claire Wiltshire 29 June 2008
Fancy a bit of inner suburban noise, I mean charm, alongside your eggs? If you're partial to the sounds of rattling trams and traffic first thing in the morning, the outdoor seating at Gingerlee may hit the spot. Positioned on the ever-busy Lygon Street in East Brunswick, this café is right on the city fringe.
There's also plenty of seating inside. Sit up at a table to watch your brekkie being made, or sidle up to a friend on comfy leather couches. The sparse interior oozes modern café chic, with lots of stainless steel, black wood and a simple concrete floor.
For something quick, there are plenty of cupcakes, muffins and tarts on display at the counter. But once you get a look at the menu, you'll want to spend a little time. Like a couple of other breakfast joints in the area, Gingerlee leans towards the Middle East for inspiration. The Shaksousa (baked eggs with Israeli tomato) is an interesting twist on some familiar ingredients.
The Syrian French Toast, with tangy rhubarb, honey labne and orange blossom syrup sprinkled with pistachios, is complex enough to keep your interest for the entire meal. This is sometimes a tricky feat for such a sweet dish. Half the fun is in the texture-toast softens under liquid from the mushy fruit, and the nuts add crunch. Texture also plays an important part in the baked beans. At least three pulse varieties are slow-cooked and served in a Moroccan tagine dish, then finished with yogurt and refreshing coriander. Accompanying bread comes dripping with butter to complete this sublime dish. Those with a taste for meatier breakfasts should try the spicy pork and fennel sausage, and shaved ham with eggs.
Gingerlee never scrimps on flavour, and little additions like the sumptuous side of Persian marinated feta are impressive. The feta is creamy, herby and melty delicious, perfectly offsetting juicy slow-braised mushrooms and avocado on a plate of poached eggs.
Coffee gets the thumbs up, and pots of tea are generous. But if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, the Gingerlee Breakfast includes a Bloody Mary as part of the egg, bacon and chilli jam combo. Whatever you choose, you'll leave here with a reasonable amount of loose change and a mouth full of flavours!