Penance Prahran

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Posted 2024-05-09 by Jen ⇒ follow

Images - Writers Own

A new name, a new owner, and a freshly refurbished venue that's not quite done primping itself to be the best it can be. That would be Penance Prahran , 3A Carlton Street, Prahran (0413 903 291). However, they're already slinging the good vibes, hot cuppas, great service, and a menu freshly cooked on the premises, along with staple takeaways for that fast getaway. The menu will also be sporting a new lineup soon, with subtractions and exciting additions about to make their debut. Penance keeps a punishing pace starting bright and early for those who have an early morning start -looking for that good strong cup of coffee by Toby's Estate Coffee , to kickstart their day.

Quintessentially Melbourne, Penance sits down a laneway, conveniently just off Chapel Street. If you head down to Coles Supermarket on Chapel Street, and stand at their doorway, looking across to the opposite side of the street, you'll see Carlton Street where Penance is located. There's indoor and outdoor seating, and a huge service window for those flying by for a cuppa and a quick takeaway bagel, croissant, and the like. Operating hours are Monday to Friday 5.30am to 2.30pm, Saturday 6.30am to 2.30pm and Sunday 8am to 12pm. Stay in touch via Facebook and Instagram .

Stavros Fisher is the new young gun owner, with his trusty chef Mark, originally from Odesa, Ukraine until around 2 years ago, where he worked as a chef. Half British and half Greek, Stavros has given his baby - the cafe, a decor that reflects both Victorian and Hellenic cultures. Feature walls painted in regal colours of heritage green, you could easily imagine being in a cosy nook of a British manor, with Hellenic influences - a natural amalgamation for Stavros. The themed paintings on the wall are Victorian-era paintings of either Greek mythology or Greek figures. There's Lord Byron during a time he was in Greece, Oscar Wilde when he was over in Athens, Pandora, the Nymphs and more, gracing the walls, along with a sentimental picture of Stavros' grandfather doing a little dance, affectionately framed.

Stavros has no illusions about hospitality, having worked in the industry for many years. When asked why 'Penance'? - he chortles and says it's because working in hospitality is a punishment of sorts and refers to the name of his cafe in relation to the ancient Greek goddess of retribution and revenge. It's obvious Stavros loves a good punishment, as he busies himself in between talking to me, with customers streaming to his window for a quick coffee and takeaway food. In between, he was also waiting for new stools and let me know there's new furniture afoot - the tables in the pics here will be long gone. He'll be putting up deep rich wood panels out front, with a touch of gothic around the place - a sconce comfortably sitting on his wall. This man has a vision and is working at breakneck speed to fulfil it. Watch out for his 'Street Sign' yet to come to fruition. It'll be on a post at the corner of Chapel and Carlton Streets, drawing you towards the cafe.

As you can see from the image above, the cafe will still house the usual suspects - croissants, bagels, slices, burgers (one with beautiful Gypsy speck from the Barossa Valley which I love), and so on. Boasting a small but tasty and freshly cooked menu, what's coming off are the smoked salmon bagels. Though off the actual menu listing, they'll still be in existence in the glass cabinet, fresh and ready to go. The Cypriot grain breakfast bowl is another item that's coming off the menu - both items are about to be replaced by a Baklava Porridge, which is being perfected. It'll have ingredients like dried figs, cinnamon, Greek honey and more. A brioche French toast with hot honey, cardamom, cinnamon, halloumi, hot honey, spicy feta, mint etc will also make its way onto the menu soon enough.

I had a beautiful strong cup of coffee. Unfortunately, I waited too long (chatting) before taking a picture of it and it's not represented here as perfectly as the actual drop was. With attention to detail, a cup of green and gold - I loved the teaspoon. I'm a sucker for the cute factor. I've collected many a ladle in my time, just because they were cute. Next up was the Spanakopita - cooked by none other than Stavros himself. Filled with spinach, feta, leeks, garlic, ricotta, lemon zest, nutmeg, parsley, and dill and between the top sheets of filo, a popular Greek cheese called Kefalograviera. Made exclusively from pasteurised sheep and goat milk, like Saganaki. I enjoyed the plump and pillowy texture of the filling, the nutmeg and the cheese adding depth to its flavours.

Next up was the Strapatsada aka Yia Yia's (grandmother) eggs. There are three tomatoes cooked at very low heat with garlic, olive oil basil and a little bit of chilli and some olives, along with the scrambled eggs. It was a vision upon delivery, with perfectly sliced toast that was the right depth as a carrier for the eggs. I was far too full after the Spanakopita, to do the Strapatsada the justice it deserved. 'Penance' being within my local vicinity, my 'hood,' I guess I'll just have to toddle back down to order it again. I have to admit to going back to Penance the next day - support your local small businesses and all that, but have to confess, I could not go past the Spanakopita again!

By the time Stavros brought out what was like a Kourabiedes, a Greek almond biscuit homemade by his mum, I was absolutely too full! He has a fresh jar full of them sitting on the counter, so have one to go with your coffee when you go down and say hello to the boys. You could also dine-in and have their smashed avo, chilli scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict, Reuben bagel, and more, off the menu. Prices range from around $16 for the bagels and such, to around $22-$25 for the more substantial servings.

Do pop down and visit Penance and give it some love. It could well be your new 'go-to' local for an early morning coffee and something to eat on the weekends, or your fly-by morning coffee before you start your day. A self-confessed history nerd who loves to laugh with the customer, do go discover the many sides of the man who reckons he's a bit of a scallywag and a vagabond, shaped by pain and darkness. Oohh, that's deep but let me tell you, ssshhhhh - on the lighter side, he does some great accents and impressions! Don't tell him I told you! Asked whom he admires, it's authors and thinkers like Tolstoy and Carl Jung, moved by the same poignant ideas they were moved by - dark academia. 'There's something cosy about it' - he says. Asked what he calls success, when he can be the guy who pops in now and again, sitting in the corner with his laptop, while others (employees) do all the work.