MELBOURNE | Seven years ago, former IT professional Anthony Herrera opened Enelssie Café in Burnside Heights, on Melbourne’s outer north-western suburban fringe. Cooking traditional food influenced by family recipes, Enelssie has been a hit with locals in the know. Earlier this year, with the aim of introducing his food to a wider audience, Anthony opened a second location in Melbourne’s CBD. I paid him and the team a visit to find out more for What’s On Melbourne.
Located in the heritage-listed Donkey Wheel House building, you need to head through a side door, and then another door to get inside the venue. When you find it, you’re greeted with a bright space, filled with cycling memorabilia and bikes attached to the walls. It’s a nod to the space’s former life as a bicycle repair shop. You’ll also spot Filipino artwork, photos of the homeland, and the latest editions of The Philippine Times newspaper.
The menu has expanded from the original location, with a wider array of traditional dishes on offer. Anthony and the kitchen team try their best to recreate the authentic flavours of home, using the best quality local produce and ingredients, and imported ingredients when required. Traditional cooking techniques are used, to arrive at dishes which are tasty and comforting.
Crispy pork belly bagnet and vibrant chicken inasal are two of the best sellers, and a great way to familiarise yourself with Anthony’s cooking. You’ll also find other classics like the sour tamarind soup, sinigang, with your choice of protein; pancit palabok noodles; and sigsig. For fans of offal, the rich pork blood stew, dinuguan, is a must try.
For dessert it’s classics like halo-halo, ube cake and buko pandan. To drink, you can enjoy favourites like sago at gulaman, mango sago shakes, and tsokolate (Filipino hot chocolate).
Enelssie Café
673 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: 0404 017 828
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon -Sat: 11:00am to 8:00pm