To take a break from the chaos that is the pre-Christmas rush David Jones, we had lunch at Captains of Industry, a gorgeous cafe located on Level 1 of 2 Somerset Place – a little laneway just off Little Bourke Street.

Entrance from Somerset Place

Despite only being a few blocks from my office – and eating at +39 Pizza which is just across the road frequently – I never even knew Captains of Industry was there. I have to give The Brooding Architect credit for spotting this place.  As soon as we walked in and I spotted the empty Hendricks Gin bottles lining the walls, I knew that he had picked a winner.

Captains of Industry fittingly describe themselves as a ‘Gentlemans Outfitter and Cafe’. In addition to serving great coffee and top shelf cafe fare, you or the man (men?) in your life can also source:

The fit-out reflects the multipurpose nature and use of the space. There are old Singer Sewing Machines and leather over lockers incorporated onto some of the tables. You can also peak into the working barber shop and leather work rooms.

To make it through the second half of the ‘power shop’ we ordered 2 coffees ($3.50) each – a flat white pre-lunch and an espresso post-lunch. Try and sit on the window street overlooking Elizabeth Street – the perfect spot to peacefully enjoy your coffee while you watch the world (or frenzied Christmas shoppers streaming out of the GPO Building on Elizabeth Street) pass by.

Enjoying a flat white at the window seat

We ordered the B.L.AT ($9) and the Knuckle Sandwich ($10) to share.

The B.L.AT is a bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato sandwich on fresh, crusty bread roll, served with lots of HP sauce and a zesty herb mayonnaise. The B.L.AT is the perfect gentlemens sandwich – it is substantial, has crispy bacon, plus some obligatory greens (in the form of the peppery rocket).

B.L.A.T - Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado & Tomato Sandwich

The Knuckle Sandwich combines all of my absolute favourite things – smoked ham hock, sweet pickles, cauliflower, tangy, sharp cheddar cheese and mustard - and puts them between two thick slices of sourdough bread.

Knuckle Sandwich - Smoked ham hock, sweet pickles, cauliflower, tangy, sharp cheddar cheese and mustard.

Without even tasting the Knuckle Sandwich I knew that it would be incredible. It was. There is just something magical about the combination of sweet smoky pork, pickles and cheese. Here it is again – up close for your viewing pleasure.

Knuckle Sandwich Up Close

For my “lunch dessert” (not to be confused with “breakfast dessert” which I have spoken about previously), I ordered a Mars Bar Crackle - a mouthful of chewy, choclatey, rice bubbly goodness. At a mere $1, too cheap not to buy at least one – also definitely far too good and too small to share. The perfect sweet treat with a strong espresso.

Mars Bar Crackle

After a much needed caffeine and food break, we managed to get through the rest of the Christmas shopping and thankfully only have one present left to buy. The Brooding Architect still has to pick something up for his office Secret Santa though. I suggested this T-Shirt or the usual Architect friendly Pantone Mug (in Process Black C of course), however suspect they may not be taken up. Gift suggestions under $20 most welcome.

I used my free Saturday to try out Kitchen Kultcha, a new-ish cafe on Glenylon Road, Brunswick – just a few minutes walk from Sydney Road.

Kitchen Kultcha - 43 Glenylon Road, Brunswick

Before housing Kitchen Kultcha this brick building has had many different lives. Most recently is was a fish and chip shop and before that it was a ye olde butcher (you can even still see the old and faded ‘Broken & Boneless Meat’ butcher sign out the front).

As always I started with a strong flat white ($3.50). The Brooding Architect and I agreed that the coffee was exceptionally good – strong, creamy, no trace of foam. The Brooding Architect has worked from home for the past year – frequenting each and every coffee shop in Brunswick -  so for coffee to get his seal of approval speaks volumes to me.

Strong Flat White from Kitchen Kultcha

For some reason though, they did not give the Brooding Architect a heart on his flat white?

The Brooding Architect's Coffee - Sans the heart art

While I drank my coffee I took a good look at the eclectic fit out. There were Chandeliers, Mediterranean style table tops, op shop paintings on the walls and a Buddhist statue at the entrance. Despite sounding chaotic the space works. The whole place has a very relaxed vibe – the staff are friendly, there are kids from the local kindy down the road running around and there are hipsters with hangovers. Somehow all of these elements just seem to harmoniously blend together. There is also free wifi, so all of you with your iPads (you know who I am talking about) can sit there reading your e-Newspapers (or playing Fruit Ninja) to your hearts content.

I generally think ordering muesli when you are out at a cafe is a classic ‘rookie’s mistake’; as it is one of those things that it so easy to make at home, plus who feels like being healthy on the weekend?  However, the muesli options at Kitchen Kultcha are très fancy – plus my first choice of the Beef Cheek Pastie was already sold out. (As a Beef Cheek Lover I will have to come back for this pastie very soon though).

I ordered the Granola ($8). This is clearly homemade, chock full of premium dried fruits and nuts – sliced almonds, roasted hazelnuts, pepitas, currants, cranberries, dried apricots and a sprinkling of orange rind. Not a sultana or the other dreaded filler fruit, dried paw paw, in sight. Lots of crunch and lovely cinnamon undertones. The Granola must be topped with full fat milk – this is completely non-negotiable.

Granola topped with fresh fruit

The Granola is meant to be topped with poached seasonal fruit. Unfortunately due to our lazy start to the day, the kitchen had already run out of poached fruit, so the Granola was topped with fresh strawberries and grapes instead. The fresh fruit was lovely and sweet, however I think some poached fruit – such as rhubarb, apple or pear – with a little acidity would have been the perfect match.

Inspired by my healthy choice, the Brooding Architect jumped on the virtuous bandwagon and ordered the Bircher Muesli ($8). It was infused with rosewater and creamy natural youghurt (no low fat substitutes here). Just before serving fresh grated pear, rather than the usual grated green apple, is then added to the mix. It was healthy, delicious and deceptively filling.

Bircher Muesli at Kitchen Kultch

Now I just can’t wait for my next lazy Saturday, so I can try out that Beef Cheek Pastie…

Since we were out at Moonee Ponds, I was keen to check out Nabiha, a cafe I have read lots of good things about (including consistently high coffee ratings on the Bean Hunter Website).

Nabiha is located on Hall Street, just off Moonee Ponds main shopping strip, Puckle Street – next door to Bill Shorten MP’s office.  I jokingly asked The Brooding Architect if he thought we would be seated next to Bill. After much eye rolling from The Brooding Architect in response  to my question, imagine my surprise (smugness?) when Bill rocked up and was seated two tables away from us!  The Brooding Architect – probably in good taste – refused to let me ‘pap’ Bill for this post.

Nabiha from Hall Street - Bill Shorten MP's office is on the left

Given that much of Moonee Ponds feels you are stepping back in time to the mid-1990s, Nabiha has a refreshingly modern and funky fit-out. Extra points for the fantastic Rona Green screens which run along the front of the cafe, custom stools and the bonsai tree on each table.

Exterior of Nabiha - Note the bonsai on each table

Rona Green Screen Art

Custom Stool

We ordered 4 excellent flat whites ($3.50 each) - all strong, creamy and smooth. In the middle of guzzling our second coffees, the waitress let us in on the secret that all Nabiha coffees are double shots. Needless to say, we were buzzing for the rest of the afternoon.

Nabiha Double Shot Flat White

Food wise, we ordered 2 breakfast meals – 1 savoury and 1 sweet to ‘share’.

I ordered the Grilled Eggs with potato, mushroom, roasted tomato, cannellini beans, chorizo and feta ($12.90).  Despite a long list of ingredient this dish was actually very simple and fresh. The eggs were well cooked, with lovely oozing centres – which you could dip your toast in like soldiers. The chorizo was spicy and smoky, but was used in moderation so it did not overpower the other flavours. Lots of chunks of potato covered in delicious cheese too. Highly recommended.

Grilled Eggs - $12.90

The Brooding Architect ordered fruit toast, topped with fresh ricotta, flaked almonds and cinnamon ($8.50). The combination of honey, almonds and cinnamon was delicious and sweet (but not too ‘sickly’ sweet, if you know what I mean).  The use of fresh ricotta means that the dish has a smooth, creamy texture - nothing at all like the grainy store bought tubs of ricotta you get from Coles or Woolworths. A few of the stalls in the Deli Hall at the Queen Victoria Markets sell fresh ricotta for about $6 a kilo. Pick up a small wedge to try - say about $2 worth - and I promise you that you will never go back to the supermarket varieties.

Fruit Toast with Ricotta, Honey & Almonds - $8.50

Nabiha also had a full cabinet display of gorgeous looking glazed danishes and other sweet treats, which  I resisted as we were heading back to the House of Trouser for a BBQ and Part 2 of the AFL Grand Final.  I will definitely try something next weekend though, when we head out to the Apple Reseller again to finally pick up the replacement keyboard.

On the way back to Melbourne, we stopped by Picknicks Café at Rye for some much needed sustenance.

Picknics - From the Street

I had read good things about Picknicks in my bible, the 2010 edition of Cheap Eats. The reviews don’t lie -  the servings are whopping. Burgers are exceptional value at $10.50. Add a beer battered serve of chunky chips for only $3.00.

I ordered the Fisherking burger. Tempura Barramundi with tomato, avocado, red onion, cos lettuce, capers and a homemade tartare sauce.

The Fisherking Burger

The tempura was crunchy, perfectly coating the soft, sweet fish flesh. The vegetables were all fresh and crisp. The tartare sauce was homemade,  filled with the big bold flavours of lemon zest, sweet gerkins and capers. In my mind there is not much better than eating fresh seafood so close to the ocean.

The Brooding Architect had the Devil May Care burger.  Gourmet beef patty with jalapenos, tomato, avocado, red onion, cos lettuce and habanero tabasco. The Devil May Care looked so amazing I immediately ‘suggested’ that we went halves in each burger.

The Devil May Care Burger

The beef pattie was thick, juicy and smoky. The jalapenos and tabasco were not the watered down Old El Paso version. It was the real deal hot Caribbean variety. This was HOT but good.This is not a meal to order if you care about keeping clean. The meat juice was literally dripping down my face and hands as I ate this and I could not have been happier.

Once the weather heats up, avoid the crowds and get your Pic[k]nic takeaway lunch to eat on the beach across the road with a 6 pack of your favorite beers.