So we all know that I am Northside-centric and barely manage to get out of my local comfort zone (a quick peruse of the reviews page can show how far weighted reviews are to the North). So I’m generally at a loss when trying to come up with food suggestions on the other side of the river.
It was therefore by happy accident and pure luck that I ended up having a delicious lunch at Spoonful. My mate S and I were running errands and found ourselves starving on High Street. It was then that I remembered the gorgeous Spoonful. I have eaten there a couple of times, although this was a long time ago – probably 2 years at least. I was interested to see how the place was now.
The lunch menu includes a few salads (including calamari/chorizo and chicken liver with vincotto), omelettes, a pilaf, a risotto and a terrine. Very ladies who lunch (and I don’t mean it in a mean way – I was lunching there myself!).
I couldn’t go past the roast chicken salad with baby kipfler potatoes, green beans, preserved lemon and watercress ($22):
This was great – the salad had some heft to it, thanks to the potato and chicken, but somehow it still tasted light and fresh. The dressing was a basil pesto number and the preserved lemon cut through the richness. Yum.
S went for the pumpkin, gorgonzola and sage tart ($16.50):
Another good choice. This was served warm and had lovely nuggets of pumpkin and gorgonzola. S was also duly impressed with the buttery, flaky, shortcrust pastry.
Overall – a great lunch. I’m looking forward to visiting again, their breakfast menu looked tempting (saffron and elderflower poached pears anyone?). You can also visit their sweet little sister shop next door, Teaspoon, which sells coffee, cakes and some homewares too.
Details
Spoonful
543 High St, Prahran
Ph: (03) 9521 5212
Lovely decor – love the lampshades too. Will add this cafe to my weekend to do list.
Best wishes,
Madame Bonbon
Their breakfasts are lovely too and I liked their coffee.. all good things!
Interesting mix of chinese lanterns and kitsch cafe-ware!
Looks very cute though, have heard about this place and should really have visited considering I went to uni in the area! Will keep it in mind though!
Yes it’s an odd combination, but it does work – it’s cosy and sweet. Worth a visit!
Isn’t it wonderful when you return to an old fave and it’s as good as you remember? Your salad looks wonderfully fresh and vibrant – and so summery!
Yes it’s a summery salad for our not that summery summer… and delicious to boot!
That’s my favourite kind of salad-light but still has some depth to it. This place looks very nice indeed!
It was very good – I think I might try to recreate it at home some time with some of my homemade preserved lemon. I do love a kipfler too!
I adore the name of this place. and the sister shop’s too! It’s incredibly adorable. I can’t believe I haven’t been into this place yet, given how often I go up and down along that high street! It’s going on my to-visit list and the next time I’m back in Melbourne, I’ll definitely head over and try it out.
Yes it’s so sweet and cute! Spoonful also run a catering operation from the shop, which I guess is why the food is so great. If you get there I’d love to hear what you think!