Q eleven

303 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205

This heading keeps making me think of Q bar... just awful, and just the opposite to this review.

My friend has recently declared herself gluten free/fructose free/lactose free and god knows what free.

It's a startling theory for me, one I almost can't comprehend. If this was me.... my life might just be over.

She seems to think there are not that many places that will suit her new diet, and to be honest, it's true.

So by the time I heard about Q eleven, I was already in the car, driving to South Melbourne.

You can't miss Q eleven on Coventry St, it's right opposite the markets, and whilst it's small in size, the fluro green exterior is a dead give away, and a preview to the excitement within.

We had a friendly greeting and despite our attempts to brave the winter chill, we were quickly ushered inside to a much warmer and inviting table. There is a very cosy vibe to this place, and even though it's so little (we were positioned between two tables and quite close to the kitchen and register) I still felt as though i could get down to the nitty gritty of essential catch up with my morning girl date.

After a very relaxing Saturday morning yoga class, I was ready to undo all my hard work with some serious breakfast goodness. This led me to the choice of Balsamic mushrooms, avocado mash, Yarra Valley feta, dukkah, toasted sourdough GFR* and a poached egg accompanied by a strong latte from Genovese coffee. (One should note they are also serving a single origin from Kenya.)

My gym buddy for the day, Miss Bree decided to indulge in a Ham & roesti stack, Kassler ham, quinoa and potato roesti, spinach, poached egg and onion jam GFR*.

Yep, we were just as excited when our food arrived as were reading the menu, and I haven't even mentioned some of the sweet things on offer:

-French toast, mandarin curd, toasted almonds, raspberry creme fraiche GFR*
-Creamed sago pudding, lime, coconut, berries, organic Barambah Greek yoghurt GFR*

* This annoying little star is letting you know that gluten free is available on request. (kudos from my friend- I can finally take her out in public)

I couldn't say anything bad about my meal if I tried. First and foremost, the presentation was amazing, almost too good to the point where I didn't want to disrupt the architectural design positioned on my plate. Taste was also flawless. I have decided that there is nothing like some dukkah in the morning to enlighten the soul, for the first time in a while, I didn't even add salt or pepper to my meal. Shock horror.

I will definitely return to Q eleven, I now feel it is my duty to make my way through the menu. Thanks to Kristin, another gluten free individual for sending me this way.

If you like this place, you will also like Las Chicas & Kanteen

Date Rate: Breakfast followed by a market adventure? Win.
Coffee cure: a good cup, but it didn't send my senses soaring.
Hangover happy: Their tortilla would accommodate.
Price: Fairly pricey for an adequate serve.

Apologies for disappearance

This is merely a quick hello that I still exist, and I have still been out enjoying a latte or two.

New job has taken over le life, and hence The F word has been on an extended holiday, i hope to your dismay.

Today however, I'm back with vengeance, and before you know it there will be some exciting things happening here. So watch this space.

In the mean time, I clearly have some work to do, and you have some cafes to attend.

One thing I have already learnt since starting my new job is that I may not be as wise as I thought when it comes to bragging about breakfast. There are plenty of places I am yet to see.

I have been gobsmacked at the amount of cafes my co-workers have been listing, and I'm ashamed to say i had no idea of their existence.

Not anymore.

Let's try to keep these updates regular, for all our sakes. We wouldn't want to get hungry now would we.

I like this.