Auction Rooms (North Melbourne)

103-107 Errol St, North Melbourne

A long overdue catch up with Jess was needed so of course, what else but brunch?
After much thought of where to go, we had settled on Auction Rooms in North Melbourne.
Jess was running (literally) a bit late, so I had gone in first to get a table and so I didn't have to awkwardly stand outside to wait. It was one of those moments where I just sorta sat there looking around, sitting on my phone, reading the menu for the 50th time and making it seem like I really did have a friend coming and I wasn't being stood up. The waiters kept coming to me asking if I needed a drink, or if I wanted to order already, and I JUST COULDN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE ANYMORE. So I had ordered an iced coffee to start off.



20 minutes later, a wild Jess appears, running in, sitting in her non-assigned seat and immediately taking photos of the place without a word. Yep, things just haven't changed.
I had already ordered our food so that the wait wouldn't be too long when Jess had came. We ordered the Brulee French Toast with Cripsy Pancetta, Poached Rhubard and Glazed Strawberries and the Corned Beef Brisket with Potato Hash with Shredded Cabbage & Leek, Poached Eggs & Sriracha Hollandaise. Along with the side of two of the Iced Coffees - Espresso over ice Schulz milk & Coconut Blossom Sugar. 

Starting off with the Iced Coffee, I actually had two of these babies because 1) I had to order something at the start to avoid awkwardness with the waiters, and 2) It was just so goddamn amazing. The first sip of the iced coffee is an eye-widener. It's one of those drinks that only the first sip is spectacular. And then it gradually gets more bitter as you keep drinking, BUT THE FIRST SIP THOUGH. Bursted with coffee flavour with an explosion of the kind of sweetness that you taste when you try candy as a kid for the first time. I'm tellin you, it's the sugar that makes the difference. Quote from Jess: "Best iced coffee I've ever had" and I definitely agree.

Espresso over ice with Schulz milk & Coconut Blossom Sugar (4.5) 

The Brulee French Toast melts in your mouth within each bite. Once again, Jess hit the mint-bomb that were garnished on the dish, which I found quite humorous because of her loathe of mint. Not much to say about the French Toast as it was fluffy, crispy on the outside that just melts in your mouth. Presentation could've been a bit better but it was a nice and simple dish that you can't go wrong with.

Brulee French Toaste with Crispy Pancetta, Poached Rhubarb and Glazed Strawberries (16)

On the other hand, the Corned Beef Brisket was definitely a good choice too. There was a solid mix of ingredients that you needed a bit of everything within each forkful. The Sriracha Hollandaise sauce was definitely a different twist to your usual, that added a bit of a spicy kick to the dish. Now I'm probably the worst when it comes to chilli or anything spicy. But this was a good sort of spicy that I could handle and actually relatively enjoyed.

Corned Beef Brisket & Potato Hash w/ Shredded Cabbage & Leek, Poached Eggs and Sriracha Hollandaise (18.5)

The service was nice though, but the beauty of the cafe just made the whole experience worthwhile. Outside with the brick walls and trees, and inside with hanging lights and pretty interior. Every angle of the cafe was just so breathtaking and I wasn't sure how to take photos without making it obvious I was taking photos. Yknow what I mean? It was a mix up of 'I don't want to make it look like I'm taking photos of the place" and "I have no shame at all".
But it's okay, I got the photos I wanted.

Adventure awaits,
Love Mich xx