Drugstore Espresso (South Yarra)

Drugstore Espresso. 

194 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

What comes to mind when you think of Drugstore Espresso? 

Well to Yvonne, she was like "Does Drugstore Espresso mean 'cheap espresso'?" 

That would be my best friend. 

A 30 degree weather in Melbourne on an Autumn day surely calls for brunch. In a nice location convenient to travel to from the State Library, Drugstore Espresso couldn't have been a better option. Greeted by friendly guys who were hungover from the work party they had the night beforehand, Von and I took a seat out in the sun and were stuck deciding on what to get. It's always a struggle going out to eat with someone who is just as indecisive as you are, and took us a rough 20 minutes to order. 

During this 20 minutes, we had a friendly waiter who comfortably sat with us and talked about his night at the work party, and of course the food recommendations. After much debate based on the prettiness of the food, we set ourselves on iced coffees, the Berry Beet Acai Breakfast Bowl Blend of Mix Berries, Dates, Walnuts, Coconut Milk, Banana & Beetroot topped with Roasted Coconut Flakes, Chia Seeds, Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries with added Granola, and the Sweet Potato Hash Brown with Sauteed Kale, Sugar Snap Peas, Semi Dried Cherry Tomatos & Roased Pumpkin finished with a Poached Egg, Greek Fetta and Spice Dukkah.  
Bit of a handful isn't it? 

Drinks served in jars? Much excitement from me! The food was absolutely amazing. Von and I had shared between the breakfast bowl and the hash brown so we had the bits of both sweet and savoury. In addition, we got both servings of fruits and vegetables #fitspo. Tipping our hats off for each other for making great decisions. (Just kidding, thank you to the waiter for helping us) 

The Breakfast Bowl was absolutely refreshing and a definite must for the hot weather. We were digging through the smoothie bowl until we realised that there was granola (that we ordered as an extra) at the bottom of the bowl. I kid you not, both Von and I gasped in huge excitement and both mixed the smoothie with the granola together immediately.Not only was the dish itself pretty, but every spoonful just made you feel good about yourself. It was a perfect texture with the coldness of the dish, added with fresh fruits. 

Berry Beet Acai Breakfast Bowl Blend of Mix Berries, Dates, Walnuts, Coconut Milk, Banana & Beetroot topped with Roasted Coconut Flakes, Chia Seeds, Fresh Strawberries & Blueberries with added Granola (16.0 + 4 ) 

On the other hand, the Sweet Potato Hash Brown was a dish of no regrets. A patty of sweet potato hash brown hidden under all these vegetables and topped with a poached egg had never smelled and looked so good. I was already won over by the smell of the dish, and it had tasted amazing. So many vegetables topped and it was just bursting with flavour for every bite. 

Sweet Potato Hash Brown with Sauteed Kale, Sugar Snap Peas, Semi-Dried Cherry Tomatoes & Roasted Pumpkin, finished with a Poached Egg, Greek Fetta and Spice Dukkah (16.5) 

Overall, I have to give the food a 10/10, the service a 10/10 and for a relatively affordable price too. A definite recommend, you will not regret. So happy with the experience at Drugstore Espresso and will most likely go back. Von and I had spent almost 3 hours sitting there just chatting away catching up, with the snacking bites on the smoothie bowl and sips of iced coffee in the perfect weather.

And occasionally having the waiter join us in on the conversation but that was fun! 

Adventure awaits, 

Love Mich xx

Two Birds One Stone (South Yarra)

Just a few minutes walk from South Yarra station lies a cute little cafe called Two Birds One Stone. So the name itself opens up a warm welcome. Once inside, you're greeted with excellent service and surrounded by a buzzing atmosphere of coffee lovers.

My friend Liam and I were seated on one of the bigger benches, which I thought was cute because there was a plant pot in the middle of the table. The only con I thought about the seating was that the lighting was not going to do any justice for the photo, so I had politely asked to move to the spare seats by the window with the nice natural lighting. (sorry)































So Liam had ordered the Eggs Benedict: House Smoked Ham Hock and Bernaise on Toast; because he's the type of person that only orders the simples or more so the 'classics'. On the other hand, I had ordered the Ricotta Hotcakes with Fresh Figs, Pistachios, Vanilla Cream and Canadian Maple Syrup. For an Eggs Benedict, it was definitely different. (I reckon it was the smoked ham hock).

Ricotta Hotcakes with Fresh Fig, Pistachios, Vanilla Cream and Canadian Maple Syrup

Eggs Benedict: Smoked Ham Hock and Bernaise on Toast

For Liam, they were too many different flavours for him to handle, but he still enjoyed it. I think the Bernaise added some zing to the dish, which is usually it's job in a typical eggs benedict.

And for the hotcakes, the presentation was a solid 10/10. The hotcakes were fluffy and all the flavours had really complimented each other. You can't go wrong with the hotcakes, so that is a definite recommendation.

Two Birds One Stone is definitely a well-known cafe and I can see why. In a convenient location with good vibes, good food, good service; you really can't go wrong.

On a side note, I am currently on school holidays so I guess there will be more frequent updates on this blog! School's gotten busy lately so I have been lacking the effort with this. BUT don't you worry, more posts coming soon!

Adventure awaits,
Love Mich xx

Seven Seeds (Carlton)

Located within the streets next to Melbourne Uni lies a warehouse cafe with hung up bicycles and good vibes bouncing off the wooden walls. Already sounding unique? Oh yes.

114 Berkeley Street, Carlton

Seven Seeds had actually taken it's name from a Muslim man (referred to as Baba Budan), who smuggled seven coffee seeds from Yemen back to India where he had started growing his own plantation. For me, I get fascinated with the stories behind everything.

So Jess did have a rough morning, but nothing that some food couldn't fix! I ordered the Iced Latte with the House Smoked Salmon on Dark Rye, Poached Eggs, Minted Smashed Peas w/ Horseradish Cream Cheese and a Green Salad. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it?
Jess had Dr Marty's Crumpets w/ Mint Infused Cream, Choc Ganache, Fresh Strawberries and Chilli.

Iced Latte

House Smoked Salmon on Dark Rye (left) x Dr Marty's Crumpets (right) 

I enjoyed the Salmon on Rye, but what really held it together was the horseradish cream cheese. It was the perfect combination of rye, cream cheese, salmon and poached egg and I was definitely satisfied. The flavour of the cream cheese was immaculate that probably made the dish.

On the other hand with the crumpets: mint, dark chocolate and chilli? What even? 

Jess questioned herself every bite debating with herself how she felt about the dish. Maybe that's because she found out there was mint, and let's just say Jess is not a big fan of mint. She actually thought it was the mint leaves, being totally unaware that it was mint-infused cream. So that was still debatable but I think it was one of those dishes that slowly grow on you each bite? I could be wrong. 

But otherwise, the service was great and you can't help but get absorbed by the atmosphere. I don't know if I will be visiting again, but by the time I do, chances are that they would have changed the menu. So maybe giving them a go!

p.s a little note for Jess: Everyone has bad days, and it's okay to take some time to breathe a little and get some space. Can't appreciate the good days without experiencing a bit of a bad day!

Adventure awaits,
Love Mich xx