Food- 19 Squares

Nineteen squares

Blessington Street. St Kilda

What's in a name? A mere 19 square meters that is the space in which this cafe operates.

Yet who was it that said it's not about the size, but rather what you do with it?

In this case good things really do come in small packages.

There is little room for seating inside, yet this cafe spills out onto the Blessington street footpath, with boxed crates and mismatched chairs available for customers and their four legged friends.

19 squares is the one place I will order a soy latte and know I will be getting my extra 50 cents worth of goodness. There is a distinct nutty flavour, which is often lost in other baristas ability to heat soymilk. These guys use supreme coffee beans, and make take away cups look cool again with their funky designs and patterns.

Their 'famous' chicken sandwich is true to its name. Words can’t describe how 'right' this creation is. From the bread selection to the mayo dressing and the amount of rocket used, it's an all round winner.

Another tip is the avocado and feta toast; one of the best I have had in a while.

19 squares has a certain quirkiness that draws you back, it is a clear favourite amongst most St. Kilda locals. It’s a place you go to hang out with a friend, with warmth and character that makes you feel instantly comfortable, as if you are at home.

During winter you will see pots strewn across the floor collecting the rainwater from the leaking roof, classic. I don’t know if it they will ever fix the leak, but who really cares?

Hung over happy- not so big breakfast servings

Date rate- intimate and relaxed

Coffee cure- a take away delight

Price- very accommodating

Food- Brother Baba Budan

Brother Baba Budan-

359 Little Bourke Street


Telephone +613 9606 0449

I have spent the last few months talking about Brother Baba Budan, yet having never been there, realised I had to walk the walk before I could talk the talk.

What a fabulous opportunity to use an office errand run to discover the glory and buildup that is Brother Baba Budan.

This tiny café can be easily missed amongst the sea of office workers pouring through Little Bourke Street during lunch hour in the city. For those who scope it out, their specialty coffee is sure to cure any three-thirty-itis or soften the blow of an infuriating boss or angry coworker.

It is hard enough to take in the interior of this miniscule haunt, but eye-catching enough are the near hundred antique chairs hanging from the ceiling, the exposed blueprint like wallpaper, and even the coffee menu board with falling letters.

In the short time frame that I managed to grab a latte’, Phillipa's cupcake (the greatest) and a seat, about 20 other caffeine addicts came and went, white paper cup in hand, smile on face extended.

I have had many cups of coffee in my short time on this planet, and honestly thought I had smelt the best, seen the best, and tasted the best. Brother Baba Budan however, is truly in a league of its own.

Rich, Creamy, Aromatic. Flavoursome. This wasn’t any cup of coffee; this was its own flavour, a single origin.

The coffee here is so good that it needs no company. There is no food menu other than small takeaway cakes or pastries. But after one hit we know it’s all about the coffee.

Everyone’s talking the talk.

Date Rate: Not somewhere you would sit for an hour, but worth a take-away adventure

Hungover happy: If caffeine is your poison

Price: Minimal!

Coffee Cure: 11/10

Food- Cumulus Inc.

Cumulus Inc.

45 Flinders Ln
Melbourne
(03) 9650 1445

Shaking things up with a night review.

Cumulus Inc. has earned its hype as one of Melbourne's great nightspots. It attracts a plethora of people, from young to old, business savvy to street trendy.

In its confused state, is it a bar? A cafe? A restaurant? Or as they like to call it, "eating house" the team somehow pulls off this addition to Flinders Lane with great execution. Its modern, industrialized look is clean cut but still inviting. There is bar, table and even seating against the chefs kitchen which allows for patrons to experience every aspect of this bustling venue, which on a Wednesday night could not be busier.

It is the latest in Andrew McConnell’s culinary presence within Melbourne and offers its patrons an array of flavours and taste sensations. Smoked Wagyu, Prosciutto di Parma, and spiced cauliflower salad were all ample servings of amazingly well prepared food. A must try is the crispy school prawns sautéed with chilli and garlic- eyeballs, antennas and claws all edible- watch out for those suckers.

Deciding to squeeze in dessert and coffee was a brave but well rewarded choice. Without sounding like a 12 year old on Facebook, OMG was only the beginning of several salutations that described the 'party in our mouths.' Chocolate, Malt and Caramel Ice cream with Anzac biscuits literally melt in your mouth and make you laugh at the thought of a Neapolitan sundae.

It’s not often that I am convinced to trade my breakfast review mind for that of a dinner outing, but sometimes such company, and such hype can persuade even the most wary. If only we could always have a guardian angel to guide us in the right direction of an amazing venue.

Date rate: Brownie points

Hung over happy: Not so much

Price: An affordable and well worth night out

Coffee cure: ****

Food- Monk Bohdi Dharma

Monk Bodhi Dharma-

Rear 202 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183

The latest in Melbourne’s hidden cafe secrets, Monk Bodhi Dharma is hard pressed to find let alone to get a table.

Tucked away in car park within an alleyway, this café opened just before Christmas and has already gained a cult following. There is no wonder why with its exposed brick walls, old boot makers counter and carved wooden seats.

Staff members are more than welcoming, and genuinely interested as to how each customer came to find this specialty coffee and tea house. The coffee cant be wrong with 5 senses, and their specialty tea of Cascarra Coffee Cherry a must on the to do list.

While their menu is free from eggs and meat, their servings of avocado and feta mash or Peach Melba muffins top the list of this cafes ‘healing foods’.

Complimented by their house blend and single origin coffees, Monk Bodhi Dharma is in every way the Buddha’s retreat.

Food- Dr Jekyll

Dr Jekyll

107 Grey Street St. Kilda

Its not often that a café can generate customers without a shop front sign and purely by word of mouth, but that is exactly what Roy and Matt from Dr Jekyll have done. Since opening 13 weeks ago, this modern interpretation of the house coffee Syndicate; as Dr Jekyll’s poison, proves that if it doesn’t kill you it only makes you stronger. From the front this café does not look like much, but a few steps inside reveals the enchanting enclosed courtyard surrounded by brick apartments draped in ivy- a cool hideout on a sunny Melbourne day.

Roy and Matt have come far since their days at Mr Wolf, and their friendly greetings every morning make you realise the passion that they have for their coffee clinic. So what are you waiting for? Drop by and get your daily dose of medicine.

Food- The Galleon

The Galleon

9 Carlisle Street, St Kilda.

Galleon expedition #6,321

A particularly dreary day soon became brighter with 'the usual' order of a large latte and French toast.

Best described as a 'dumpster chic' hippies paradise, the Galleon has become known as one of St. Kilda’s most coveted cafes, and if your willing to brave the 30 minute wait for a table and ongoing wait for food, it is well worth the journey.

Picture this: an array of mismatched chairs and tables, local artwork and community notices, as well as photos of regular customers and their coffee orders displayed on the walls. The Galleon is old school, and that’s why we love it.

If your a local your bound to run into at least five people you know, a few family members, and five people you'd rather you didn’t know.

With waiters who would rather talk to you about life then take your order you realise that this place is not out to impress anyone but themselves.

The Galleon offers the ultimate hangover cure in the form of perfectly poached eggs, with lashings of every side imaginable. If you’re feeling adventurous go for the hash stack, if not, embrace the sweet side of life.

Strawberries, bananas and the Galleons famous sweet ricotta will make any other pancake or French toast feel underdressed. It is perfectly complimented with the strong and aromatic taste of Di Bella coffee.

This cafe does not need an extravagant send up. It is raw, casual and completely indicative of the vibe that is St. Kilda. An ongoing and continual adventure that wont let you down.

Date Rate: Casual and chilled

Hung-over Happy: Hell yes

Coffee cure: the ultimate

Price: Value for money