Mister Close

Shop 13, Midtown Plaza, 246 Bourke Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000 
misterclose.com.au
 

Exams are getting pretty bad at the time of writing this, so rambling, structure-less posts will dominate for the time being. And no I can’t wait until after exams to write this. Not only will I have forgotten what the food tastes like by then, I will also be in Malaysia getting fat with the pharmily.

So it’s the last day of semester, and that means some manner of eating in a group. Today it was brunch at Mister Close, all hidden away in the Target Center.

Yep, their lunch menu changes daily. A rather exciting lunch menu I might add, for only a couple dollars more than what you’d pay in the food court 10 metres down.

Being the sleep deprived uni students we are, caffeinated beverages were ordered all round. A flurry of Flat Whites, Lattes, Mochas, and Earl Greys (approximately $4 each) landed on the table. The coffee blend didn’t have much body and fell rather flat, but the baristas made the most of the average blend with beautifully creamy milk and coffee art. I was told the earl grey was rather good though.

Chorizo, Fire Roasted Capsicums, Goats Cheese and Spinach Omelette ($16.5)

Food envy ensued when Minh-An and Sarah both ordered the Chorizo, Fire Roasted Capsicums, Goats Cheese and Spinach Omelette ($16.5). It was basically a breakfast pizza on a base of fluffy egg with a crispy bottom. It was simple and flavoursome, though Sarah did remark that it got a bit salty towards the end.

Favo Toast ($11)

The prices of avocado are going back up, so I satisfied the avocado deficiency in my life with Favo Toast ($11), avocado and fetta mash piled tall on about half a loaf of bread. The avocado mash was creamy yet clean, with some surprising but entirely welcome nuttiness from the dukkah scattered on top.

Chocolate French Toast ($15.5)

If I have to choose one thing I love the most about brunch, it’s the unabashed decadence of it. Case in point: Sandu’s Chocolate French Toast ($15.5). Pan fried until the crispy and infused with the sweetness of cinnamon, the brioche slices alternated with slabs of salted chocolate ganache. The hedonism was taken further with a scattering of hazelnut meringue and a sticky burnt orange sauce. I concur with the menu bragging that this is ‘stupidly good’.

Potato, Sweet Corn and Paprika Fritters served with an Almond Aioli and salad ($15.5)

Sneha was tempted by the Potato, Sweet Corn and Paprika Fritters served with an Almond Aioli and Salad ($15.5). The fritter was a tad doughy, but still soft and sweet. It was also a bit greasy; I think these are pre-made and displayed in the glass cabinets, and re-heated when ordered. The side pasta salad was creamy yet light, but a carb-overload when served alongside the slab of fritter.

Smoked Salmon, Fennel, and Caper Risotto Cakes with Sour Cream, Lemon, and a Garden Salad ($16)

Entranced by the prospect of smoked salmon, Sophia ordered the Smoked Salmon, Fennel, and Caper Risotto Cakes with Sour Cream, Lemon and a Garden Salad ($16). This was a letdown, as the smoked salmon wasn’t in silky drapes on top of the risotto as we had both envisioned, but in little flakes dispersed within. The risotto cakes were actually up to scratch; the flavours were buttery and rounded, and the individual grains retained just a little bit of bite. Except at this point we both felt like we ordered a milkshake and got a glass of milk with chocolate powder sitting at the bottom instead. 

The Fast Breaker ($10)

Last but not least (well not last; Bilge was a little late and she ordered some sort of chicken sandwich, but I didn’t manage to grab a photo of that; she gave it a big thumbs up though), Kathy and Jan broke their fast with The Fast Breaker ($10), a toasted sandwich with tomato, bacon, poached egg, and everything boring. Said boring sandwich then went ahead and took my ‘dish of the day’ award. It was a simple breakfast done well, with some unexpected deliciousness such as a sweet, chunky chutney that gave every mouthful of the sandwich life.

And no conclusion. Because I’m a lazy buttock.

Rating: 14/20 – yum.