Flat white
Southern Taste at New Orleans Cafe
Due to many weeks of renovation New Orleans Cafe was having, I managed to past by Crowns Nest and thought I’d pop by to see if everything was complete and hooray they finally opened.
New Orleans Cafe provides an indoor and outdoor seating area, making it an ideal place to seat with a large group of friends outside where the sun is shining bright or for the romantic couples who prefer a bit more privacy-indoor.
If you enjoy a lively atmosphere, you would want to go on a weekend, I heard this cafe gets PACKED on a FRIDAY and SATURDAY night with LIVE MUSIC.
New Orleans is out of the ordinary for its Southern American cuisines. New Orleans offers unique milkshake flavours and you can taste the difference. Their All American Apple Pie ($13.70) with apple ice-cream that included chunks of caramelized apples pieces is absolutely one of the best apple pies I’ve had, it was MIND-BLOWING. And, witnessing my friends passionate facial expressions, I’d say it was that SUGAR-RUMPTIOUS!
Although their service lacked not jotting down the correct orders for a flat white in cup instead presented a Flat White in a Mug ($4.90). It was an average coffee and piping hot then regular coffees, but we were pleased it did not taste burnt whatsoever. So THUMBS UP for not burning it!
The Peanut Butter Milkshake ($6.70), which tasted so NUTTY was OUTSTANDING! Whilst sipping the milkshake, chunky pieces of crunchy peanuts would get sucked into the straw as well. Resulting a great combination of flavour and texture. I honestly didn’t mind another glass of milkshake…but I needed to save some space to try the rest of what we had ordered.
Whilst waiting for food to arrive I found WOODY…just kidding!
Orleans BENNY ($15.90) was not one of the best eggs benedict as one of the eggs were overcooked, luckily the other survived to be gooey and runny. Didn’t enjoy the extremely TANGY hollandaise sauce, perhaps it was cooked American style? And I usually come across the British version. But it’s worth giving it a try if you fancy tangy hollandaise sauce!
We couldn’t miss “The BIG EASY” full breakfast ($20.90) with not so crispy bacon, instead of poached eggs we asked for scrambled that tasted scrumptiously perfect but looked bubbly with hollow bubbles- hard to describe, see photo. Very tender chorizo sausage is a must try, pan fried field mushrooms, juicy roasted tomato, mammy’s beans on a warm toasted crispy sour dough. A great pick if you are REALLY HUNGRY!
Our last dish Aunty Betty’s Southern Pancake Stack ($15.90) served with their famous Buffalo bourbon maple sticky syrup and apple pie ice cream was heavenly delicious. BUT, for that price I’d much prefer heading down to Pancake On The Rocks! Because they fill the plate with A LOT of seasonal fruits and most importantly for a much lower cost.
I was completely stuffed by the end of the whole brunch, as a result it was satisfying brunch!
Highly recommend to give All American Apple Pie a try!!!
Photos by Vanny Tang
Share this:
Memorable Moments in Melbourne (Part 3)
Breakfast is evidently the most important meal of the day and to keep my tummy in a well balanced satisfisfaction I made my way to The Hardware Societe before the morning peak hour. I previously mentioned my last visit here was lunch and it caused such a hype for me to try it again. This time I didn’t have to go behind the line, nor hear out their staff callout names from the scribbled recycled paper.
I’ve always quite enjoyed their thoughtful recommendations and friendly services despite it being a packed cafe. The cafe is surrounded with quirky items, freshly baked bread that perfumed the entire cafe and bottled sauce jars to stock up in your pantry. But my most favourite display is their colourful rainbow French made lollipop stand sitting at the pay counter. It must be the bright colours that caught my attention.
Best barista
The Scrambled Eggs with Ocean Trout ($16) presented in creamy scrambled eggs at the bottom, shredded ocean trout drenched in aioli sauce, garnished with sliced cucumber and organic greens served with a few slices of baguette. This dish was quite pleasing especially when I dipped my warm soft slice of baguette into the centre of the cold trout and warm scrambled eggs; enticing!
Scrambled Eggs with Ocean Trout ($16)
Our obsession for eggs wasn’t complete until we tried their delicious Omelette ($15) . The fluffy omelette served with truffled creamy goats cheese, green peas and decorated in greens with slices of baguette was scrumptious! Ah..That baguette was so addictive!
Omelette ($15)
And oh so heavenly Chai Latte ($3.50) served with a bite size sugar cover donut to balance out my tastebuds.
Chai Latte ($3.50)
Fast forward a few hours and I was in front of a dark narrow staircase that is the entrance to Mamasita for lunch. Due to a number of friends recommending me this place I was quite eager to give it a try. Mamasita offers a large selection of Mexican cuisine such as tapas, quesadillas and bite size morsels. But the real reason was to get my hands on their Elotes callejeros ($4.90) each. The chargrilled “Street Style” corn served with queso, chipotle mayo that looked like graded melted cheese and a wedge of lime to add the extra tasty tantalizing flavour.
Elotes callejeros ($4.90) each
The next recommended dish by my friend was the adorable kids size 2.5 inch fried tortilla with any of the toppings from the menu. Each order was served with 4 tostaditas and so we ordered de Carnitas ($14) that was freaking glorious! Chunks of juicy braised pork shoulder, encurtidos, pickled jalapeño & chicharron felt like an explosion of flavours in my mouth. The de Pollo 14 ($14) came with shredded chargrilled chicken, mashed avocado, a smudge of chipotle mayo & a spoonful of queso fresco added the extra kick.
de Carnitas ($14)
de Pollo 14 ($14)
Now the Tacos , 6 inch soft shell tortilla with any fillings displayed in the menu. We ordered de Camarones ($7) each wrapped inside marinated prawns, slices of large red chili and drizzled in chipotle almond salsa.
We couldn’t just try one taco when we are in a Mexican restaurant, so we also ordered estilo al Pastor ($6) each shredded al pastor-style pork. sweet and sour juicy grilled pineapple, chopped white onion and strands of coriander. It was very refreshing and tangy with tropical flavours.
With the Tacos the waitress also arrived with a small plate of tangy salad to nibble on as well.
Clutching our stomaches we couldn’t leave without giving dessert a try. And so to ease into our de Maíz ($6) sweet corn ice cream with a hint of cameral and topped with salted popcorn. It was more comfortable to ask for a take away and eat while we do some window shopping along the way.
de Maíz ($6)
By the time I finished my toothsome treat and roamed around Melbourne’s CBD I immediately stopped and saw a lovely artistic graffiti wall starring back at me I turned my head left and an alley way was there, crowded with people. Of course curiosity had striked! So I followed my eyes towards the packed atmosphere. I peaked around to see what the fuss was about and the next minute I knew I was in a line at Manchester’s Press Cafe, a hidden cafe tucked right where the entrance is beside a few garage doors. It is such an inner city Melbourne gem, especially a great place to stop by during shopping breaks. It was my third meal of the day in less than eight hours, I questioned if I had any more room in my stomach left.
As we were still in line, new comers started to line up. However I wasn’t pleased with the waiting management system as two couples were escorted in first before us as they had just arrived. Although luckily a group of people had just left and so seconds later we got in.
The place looks industrial and rustic. If you glance around they have a massive bowling ball pin tucked in one corner. I really wanted to go up to it and take a photo, but it was too embarrassing. Next visit I will! Service approach is slightly above average, but I guess the staff were all drained as it was almost the end of the day for them and still crazy packed inside and out.
Amazingly tasty toasted bagels is a must try here! I ordered the 12 Hour Roasted Pull Pork ($14) served in a poppy seed bagel. The warm bagel was well portion size served with freshly cut lettuce, drizzled BBQ sauce and homemade apple slaw that was surprisingly perfect! I think I left this world and landed on a holy land of apples; refreshing!
12 Hour Roasted Pull Pork ($14)
Besides the fantastic bagels and sweet cakes, their coffee here is one of a kind, especially when it comes to presentation. The Flat White ($3.50) was beyond disappointment. Even during busiest hours the barristers sure know how create unbelievable coffee art that pleases many customers, more so on the ladies. Teehee.
Flat White ($3.50)
My first time ever receiving coffee presented like this to me before! Not too sure if it’s a genie in a Bob the builder hat or an Indian man…:P Anyways the Mocha ($4) was indeed my favourite drink of the day. It had a very strong aroma that is overall a very good coffee.
Mocha ($4)
I except my next visit there would have even more creative coffee art!
To sum up Machester Press is an awesome joint to check out whenever you are in Melbourne and need a coffee break or have cravings for bagels.
Till next time Melbourne 🙂 🙂 🙂
Nessy Eater 