Hubby and I took a drive around the mountain on our quest for coffee one recent Sunday morning.
Rounding a deep bend on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, we happened upon
brunch, a quaint café-restaurant enveloped by gracefully aged deciduous trees, which looked very inviting.
snug
After all, when a sign for a café includes the words, "scrumptious" and "snuggery pre-loved bookshop", what further invitation does one need?
Entering through the gate, guarded by stone eagles, we were greeted by cheeky white cockatoos above, shrieking to alert the café staff that customers had arrived.
Inside, the café has a comfortable ambience, with bookcases in every room filled with second hand books (available to buy at great prices), cheerful fireplaces and thankfully, great coffee.
cheery
It was a cool, crisp pre-Christmas morning, so we decided to stay a while and order brunch.
The menu has so many choices. This is no bland, standard, same as everywhere else, fare.
I mean, how good is it to see a menu that offers "thick doorstop toast"? No meagre slices here, folks, but quality food and local seasonal produce.
After a hearty breakfast of juicy, tender mushrooms topped with a crumble of stilton cheese and a small side salad for me, and deliciously crisp apple strudel French toast for hubby, I took the opportunity to look around.
Who doesn't love to come across a knight in rusty armour?
It's wonderful to browse the many bookshelves and be encouraged to sit in a cosy corner to read while sipping a coffee, specialty bespoke tea or hot chocolate - made with no less than fifteen generous pieces of luscious Lindt couverture chocolate.
cosy corner
And, life is way too short to pass this by - their "signature dessert", Mayan Chocolate Ice Cream.
Decadent. Delicious. Deadly.
Perfect at anytime. And of course, I ordered it.
The menu is enticing. There will be many visits to try the dishes and drinks that appeal to me. Like the Irish coffee, which I'll order on cold, frosty days to sip slowly by a welcoming hearth.
Then there's the Frangelico Affogato….
With gluten free and vegetarian options, there's something for everyone, and all without the often outrageous prices found in some chic inner city cafés.
A drive up the mountain to
brunch is highly recommended.
You might even see me there… I know I'll be haunting it regularly.
Brunch is open 8am - 5pm daily and is located at 1365 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road. Mount Dandenong.
The friendly staff can be contacted on 03 9751 1100
Or buy email: eat@brunchmountain.com
