Tivoli Road Bakery

It is the Ex-MoVida Bakery but the reality is that nothing has changed. Same baker from what I understand, same everything.

I've visited the bakery a couple of times, mainly to pick up a coffee and the occasional pastry so I can't say too much about it. I have occasionally snuck in a donut at the Abbotsford Convent Slow Food market when they have a stall there. Their donuts, particularly the fillings, are insanely good. Even for something like $3-4. They are worth it.

Anyway, I did end up sitting down for a coffee and a "dossant" (it's a cronut without the trademark bullshit of calling it a cronut), is exceptional. Yep, big call.

Very much the feel of the Bourke St Bakery in Sydney (right down to how it's almost surrounded by houses), and I think there is some connection between the two. Anyway, the let down of this place is perhaps the service. I can't pin point what it is, hard to say they were rude, but can't say they left that great of an impression either.

But sometimes, you just gotta deal to get a dossant.

Where?
Tivoli Road Bakery
3 Tivoli Road, South Yarra

Hammer and Tong

Melbourne has quite the reputation of unseasonal, unpredictable and generally unpleasant weather. But sometimes, just sometimes, the skies clear up, the wind quietens down, and the temperature enters the perfect range of the "mid twenties".

It was the week before Christmas that I visited Hammer and Tong, so my account of the experience is slightly hazy. But I do remember sitting near the window and just enjoying my coffee and the delicious weather than Melbourne decided to finally put on. I think this was the day after a horrifyingly hot day so it was the more enjoyable.

After spending the morning sourcing U6 grade prawns which led me to Collingwood, I felt like I was able to justify heading to Hammer and Tong for a recovery breakfast. But blog buddies, tt's worth noting, you do enter via a side street, so keep that in mind. I am however a little surprised I haven't tried it sooner given it is a 5 minute walk from the yoga studio at which I practice.

Anyway I'm digressing. I didn't end up having a great deal, other than a filter coffee (I think it was a pourover) and their corn fritters. Both were fine (great in fact), no better or worse than Dead Man Espresso, Two Birds One Stone, Top Paddock, etc etc (which are all great btw). So you get the drift.

I like this place. It is places like this that makes me love Melbourne.


Where?
Hammer and Tong
Rear 412 Brunswick St, Fitzroy