Lolo & Wren
In which we celebrate a birthday with Sunday brunch at a Melbourne cafe with a sweet name and menu to match...and I cave to my French Toast cravings yet again :)
I'll be the first to admit that I was lured here after seeing Lolo & Wren's Croque Monsieur rated amongst the best in Melbourne by The Age. We were meeting family from Bendigo & Hobart for a Sunday birthday brunch so I figured now was my chance to find out for real. Added bonus: my family pretty much just leaves these decisions in my hands when it comes to foodie destinations...I think they sense I don't take the decision lightly given we don't live in Melbourne & want to make the most of each trip. Then there's added pressure of a birthday...but I knew Lolo & Wren were up to it...and this was before I walked in and saw the blackboard pictured below :)
My sister had the Banoffee Porridge (pictured above)...with caramelised banana, stewed dates, dulce de leche and toasted coconut crumble. This is a serious porridge people...but any meal that blurs the line between breakfast and dessert is just fine in my book :)
Luke went with the Crispy Croque Monsiuer (pictured below)...w/ shaved leg ham, Swiss cheese, cheese & chive cream...coated in crisp breadcrumbs and fried...served with homemade tomato relish, with a side of potato and rosemary rosti.
I seem to be perpetually torn between French Toast and the rest of the menu, and have recently discovered that my brother-in-law understands this dilemma more than most :) Knowing Luke would give me a taste of the Croque Monsieur (he's sweet like that!), I chose the Brioche French Toast "St Clements"...w/ lemon curd, fresh orange, ricotta, candied zest, raspberry compote, baby basil and burnt orange syrup.
We got a table in a nice sunny corner...and there were several mentions during the morning of how great the staff were service/personality wise. They're popular so the place was buzzing in peak brunch time, and I'm all for a small wait if it means the food is fresh (as opposed to pre-made & waiting for orders). Thumbs up all round...and their location not far from the freeway back to Bendigo means we will definitely be stopping in again on our way into the city. On a side note, how lovely is the teal/canary yellow/wood colour scheme? :) Love your work guys...
You will find Lolo & Wren at 484 Albion Street, Brunswick West
Don't forget to send me ideas for future cafe visits...you know I'm keeping lists!
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