Small Block
130 Lygon St
Brunswick, VIC 3057
03 9381 2244
This visit happened in November last year, sorry for the delay in posting. Back then, it had been ages since I’d last caught up with Willem for brunch. So that had to be duly rectified. After all, I really do looove his comments when it comes to coffees… *evil laugh*.
/
As always, we’d normally pick a Sunday afternoon where I’d be working, our timelines seem to sync quite well on those days. I finish work, he finishes his own things, and we meet to eat and chat over coffees.
Brunswick has recently become an area that I’m exploring more and more food-wise. It’s also a suburb that Willem likes, you know… the kind of borough where he’d wouldn’t mind a buying a home in. I quote him “it has the bohemian feel of Fitzroy, without all the hipsterfication”. Heh heh, actually… quite true. For that afternoon’s brunch, Willem suggested either Small Block or A Minor Place… I chose the former.
Small Block isn’t one of those big players in the brunch industry, but the fit out does have its own charm. Willem thought the place felt dim and cavernous on that cloudy day. Personally, I liked the wall splash of bold numbers in primary reds / whites / blacks, and the use of school chairs. You could sit against the window gaze into the bustle of Lygon St as well. It’s easy to stroll in here for a feed if you lived locally.
The barista set-up didn’t look too exciting, so I wasn’t expecting much from the coffees. If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know how fussy I am with coffees, I can tell if it isn’t third wave. Willem’s 3/4 latte was on the weak and milky side, while my piccolo did have a stronger colour but I wasn’t particularly excited about it either.
Our waitress was quite lovely though. At one point she was in such a good mood, she was singing! Haha… random!
Unfortunately, Willem wasn’t too enthused about his summer breakfast – eggs on toast w avocado, persian fetta, spinach and beetroot relish $16.50. His two main quibbles with it were how the scramble was on the overcooked side, and the spinach was gritty, ie. unwashed. The other components were okay, but personally, I’d be quite unhappy about gritty spinach… big no no, I’m afraid.
/
But let’s all remember that the waitress was lovely, yeah?? :)
I went risky with the huevos rancheros – tortilla w chorizo, beans and cheese w fried eggs and salsa $15. A classic Mexican breakfast dish. I normally don’t like Mexican style food, they’re always so beany, so why did I order this? I think compared with the other brunch offerings, this one looked different and interesting. There are days where I’m up for being adventurous.
Anyway, I’ve pushed aside the (slightly faded) coriander so that you can see the dish better. Looks yummy, yeah?
/
Well guess what? I loved this dish!! Light and zesty because of the salsa, but also deliciously filling because of the chorizo, beans and cheese inside the tortilla. The fried egges were perfectly cooked too. What a surprise that I’ve found Mexican dishes that I like!
/
Melbourne is littered with brunch places… many many many of them. While the coffees were not that great, Small Block was a pleasant experience because we had a great (albeit sometimes distracted) waitress who sang as she served. And my tortilla dish was great too, I should start discovering Mexican food more!
/
View Melbourne Food Story in a larger map
Hahaha you're so funny with your descriptions :P I agree that most Mexican dishes are just full of beans, black beans, white beans and just all types of beans :D
I'm with Willem and you – I really hate unwashed and gritty spinach and even though the waitress was nice that doesn't justify it >_<
My recent post First Tasting – Cafe Punta del Cielo
I was meant to go to this place last week on my day off but I slept in and ended up not going anywhere because I was too lazy. I miss out :(
I heard A Minor Place is fantastic too :)
My recent post Heirloom Tomato Fields Forever
Being fussy w my coffees, I thought this place a little underwhelming. But these days I really shouldn't be so picky, because it'd omit many otherwise wonderful and cosy brunch places, like a minor place. :)
That tortilla with chorizo looks really good! Love the photos!
Thanks! It was a very satisfying dish. :)
Ohh i think my comment disappeared :( doesn't matter :) i was going to say that gritty spinach would be a BIG no no to me ~ it's really not acceptable >_< a shame since the waitress was so nice hehe I'm glad you liked your brunch and hahaha I agree Mexican is really beany which i kinda like :P
My recent post Cupcake Search – Kisses Cupcakes
Aww, singing waitresses? How cute! I love it when staff do random stuff like that :) Cute space, love the kinda industrial-chic look with the red number signs!
My recent post Momoco
She was such a happy, free spirit. ;)