Melbourne's The Kettle Black - Good Design and Brunch

Melbourne seems to be awash with a number of good breakfast/brunch cafes currently and one-year old The Kettle Black has great decor, service, and food. I came here after an overnight flight from Singapore so it was just nice to be out walking and with a good cup of coffee. But what instantly struck me about The Kettle Black is its welcoming interior design – fresh white walls and muted citrus tones and lots of natural light – and helpful staff.

The Kettle Black's unique design — The cafe spreads between the terrace house and modern building

Located not far from the CBD near the junction of Albert and Domain roads, The Kettle Black was full when we arrived at around 9:30am – I suspect that we had hit the tail end of the breakfast meeting crowd. It was a really cold morning so while we tried sitting outside, the heat lamps weren’t strong enough but staff filled us with good coffee that helped keep us warm for about 10 minutes until we moved inside. I’m sure on a nice day, it’ll be the patio tables that will be full.

Pastries and Cookies entice you while you wait — Some dessert goodies on display

While it’ll always be the quality of the food that brings clientele back to eateries, a nice decor and welcoming staff help make a good first impression. The cafe is in a converted Victorian terrace house nestled beneath and adjoining a modern building. So the setting is somewhat unique.

Right at the entrance is a coffee cart serving those seated outside or those getting their takeaway caffeine. The cafe itself is split into two sections – one in the modern building and the other in the terrace house – but both with high ceilings and tall windows bringing nice natural light into the space. I think between the two spaces, the portion in the terrace house is cosier so it was nice that it was where we ended up sitting.

Floor to ceiling windows ensure ample natural light — The main dining room

Onto the breakfast/brunch – the menu is not extensive but there’s enough there to provide some indecision on what to order. There were four of us but we ended each ordering one item and then we also shared an additional dish. This worked out really well. Among what we ordered I think the standouts were (1) the ricotta hotcakes topped with fresh berries and oh so pretty given the seeds and petals floating on top; and (2) the tataki ocean trout with kale and a poached egg. The scrambled eggs were also nicely runny but this was served with wallaby, which being a cute animal sort of put me off a bit (although it really was quite delicious).

This version of eggs benedict was okay but not the best dish there — Benedict-like eggs with braised pork shoulder – not bad but not the best dish there

Crayfish in a roll at The Kettle Black — Fresh crayfish in an ash roll – lime & yuzu mayo was perhaps a bit too lavish

The Kettle Black's eggs and wallaby — Scrambled eggs and wallaby

The Kettle Black's Ocean Trout — Ocean Trout, kale and poached eggs – a good combo

The Kettle Black's Ricotta Hotcakes with berries and seeds — Best dish – Ricotta Hotcakes

Coffee-wise, I think it loses out to another breakfast centric cafe called Porgy & Mr. Jones, but it was still relatively good. There’s a good choice, though, of the usual coffee drinks as well as a selection of beans to try.

Ample choice of coffee drinks and beans — Good choice of coffee

The Kettle Black is owned by the same team who set up Top Paddock in Richmond so comparisons are often made. I think, however, that I do prefer The Kettle Black due in large part to its less canteen-like setting but also because I’d like to return for the hotcakes too.

The Kettle Black website: http://thekettleblack.com.au

Gazing and Grazing

Melbourne’s The Kettle Black – Good Design and Brunch