DUN-DUN-DUNDAS AND FAUSSETTS (Albert Park)

I just LOVE breakfast. I love Melbourne cafes. I love travelling to woop-woop for pretty food. I love catching up with good mates that I haven't seen in yonks (a week technically). I love the smell of freshly roasted coffee wafting through the vibes of chit chat through the sound of the steam wand of a coffee machine. Oh and puppies. I LOVE puppies.
What I don't like is gloomy weather. But that never stops me from going out for food.
Today's special guest is my very good friend, Ben. Say hi, Ben!!

"Noooooo, staaahhhpp" 

Just kidding, he looked back because I was gushing about how nice the area was. 

Once again, a new area. Sitting on the corner of Dundas Place and Faussett Street (sound familiar??) (yeah don't worry, I was mindblown too!!), is a cafe full of amazing food, a huge menu, friendly staff, pretty interior and spectacular vibes. 

THEY EVEN HAD LITTLE BLANKETS FOR THE COLD

The entire time I was here, I was constantly like "Oh my goshhhh AHHH, I'm so excited!!!" '"aaaahhh!!!!" in my little squeaks. 

The waiter who served us was super friendly, and he was CANADIAN. Top notch service. 

We were given time to scan the menu, and oh my goodness, I just kept squeaking. The menu had sooo many options, probably the most broad menu I've seen. Your options are definitely not limited, as there are so many under the categories for breakfast, lunch, and even a section for Asian food. In the Breakfast section, you've got sweet and savory (always a conundrum for Mich) from smashed avo to smoked salmon and eggs, french toast, baked beans and corn cakes. There's more! 

In the Lunch section, you're separated into mains, salads, foccacias and wraps such as a Waygu Burger, Thai Beef Salad, Crispy Skin Caramalised Salmon Fillet and more! 

Just being so overwhelmed by the variety, I couldn't stop saying 'Ahhhh I'M SO HAPPPYYYY' with Ben shaking his head every time. 

Each table had cute little flowers and along the booth was a line of windows for a nice view.. of the next door cafe BUT STILL, letting the light shine through and I totally love that.

After much debate and back-and-forth conundrums, Ben and I made a final decision. Ben ordered the Caramel Milkshake and the Soft Shell Crab Burger with Fennel Salad, Peri Peri Mayo and Chilli Wedges. Lunch food, right? Myself on the other hand, had ordered a Cappuccino and the Ricotta Hotcakes with Banana, Palm Sugar Caramel, Hazelnut Crumble & Fresh Berries. "Ah, breakfast!" the waiter said as he took our orders at around 4 o'clock in the evening. I LOVE breakfast. I was so happy with our choices, because not only did they look good, but they tasted even better.

LET'S START WITH THE SOFT SHELL CRAB BURGER.
Now for those who love a good soft shell crab burger, Dundas and Faussetts are definitely a go-to. Pair it with a milkshake, and surely you can't go wrong. One bite of this burger and you're greeted with explosions of flavour from sweet to salty. The wedges come with sweet chilli for dipping and they are nicely crisp and salted moderately. Nothing bad about this burger, but I guess I only had the one bite with a few wedges.

Soft Shell Crab Burger with Fennel Salad, Peri Peri Mayo and Chilli Wedges (20.0) 

Ooooooft. The ricotta hotcakes. Now I've had my fair share of ricotta hotcakes, but this one is currently standing at the top of my favorites. There was just so much going on in the dish, it was so overwhelming and just so exciting!! Flowers on hotcakes, does it get any better?! Oh but it so does. Soaked with palm sugar caramel, topped with fresh berries and hazelnut crumble. Oooh my, it was so difficult getting everything onto the fork haha! Underneath the pile of berries and flowers, were banana halves too which just added to the perfection of the dish. It was small yet filling, I wasn't able to finish the second hotcake. But I loved the texture of the hazelnut crumble, with the beautiful caramel (that was more of a syrup). Absolutely amazing. And relatively moderate price too! (Heart-eyed emoji) 

Ricotta Hotcakes with Banana, Palm Sugar Caramel, Hazelnut Crumble & Fresh Berries ($14.50) 

Ben and I demolished the dishes within a solid ten minutes (I guess we were just really hungry?). When we went up to go pay the bill, you are faced with a whole display of desserts such as cakes and doughboys donuts, and butterbing's cookie sandwiches. They just looked so teasingly delicious but made me sick at the same time because it had reminded me of how full I was. 

 As we strolled through Albert Park, I was just so happy and intrigued by the area. It was so nice and pretty, with old buildings and houses. The photo below doesn't do much justice to the town but you've just gotta walk through it to really see. I took in every moment through this area by pointing out all the nice houses, the nice cars, the nice trees. Everything nice. 

Overall, a nice adventure in a new area, all within the time frame of an hour and a half since Ben had work. Are we good, or are we good? I was so happy with the cafe, the food, the service and overall happy spending time with a good friend! ALWAYS appreciate those friends who would drop anything for you, those are the kind of people you want in your life forever.  

Adventure awaits, 

Love Mich xx