Kitchen by Mike in Rosebery opened earlier this year with a philosophy that takes dining back to simpler times. You stand in line and point out which dishes you want as you shuffle along to the cashier. It's a canteen where all the cool kids go.
Amidst factories and warehouse sales, Kitchen by Mike is a open-space cafe run by Mike McEnearney. The menu changes every single day, and the only way you can find out what's on offer is to physically pop in or check their
Facebook page in the morning.
The menu of the day
I try the cabbage & apple slaw alongside the roast pumpkin & Persian feta tartine. The slaw is super-fresh and crunchy. And the tartine is divinely flavoursome with cooked Spanish onions and soft pumpkin.
Slaw & Pumpkin Tartine
The sweet corn is dressed with chilli salt and lime. A simple but delicious offering from Mike. And the wood-fired pumpkin, pomegranate and spiced yoghurt is of course a hit. Unfortunately the spiced yoghurt might not appeal to everyone. It's quite tangy, and I actually prefer the pumpkin sans yoghurt.
The cauliflower gratin is just how it should be - creamy and cheesy. Meanwhile, the chickpea, fig and young spinach salad boasts freshness and sweetness, offset by a punchy dressing.
Another favourite around our table is the crispy pork belly with quince relish. Cooked to perfection and cleverly paired with quince relish, we're definitely taken by this dish.
Biscotti and the margherita pizza in the background
We also try the margherita pizza, which is very flavoursome. It looks simple, but the taste is anything but plain. The tomato sauce is spiced well and makes a lasting impression.
Cappuccino
The coffee is decent, but not really the highlight here. Focus your energy and money on the food, I say. Be prepared to queue up when you order food and make sure you've secured a table before you go up to order.
