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MELBOURNE | It’s a public holiday morning, and Grange Road Egg Shop is full of hungry customers conversing over plates of perfectly scrambled eggs and deliciously colourful granola. Wait staff are kept busy between the kitchen, coffee counter and dining tables, yet they remain friendly, calm and conversational when arriving at each table to take orders. This bustling vibrancy creates an exciting and social atmosphere without feeling crowded or unpleasant.
Open since December 2016, the exterior of Grange Road Egg Shop is consistent with other retail and hospitality businesses in Toorak, fronted with Tudor-style windows and exposed brick walls. Once walking inside Grange Road Egg Shop however, the faux-Tudor look disappears. A contemporary vibe is complimented by a mixture of white marbled and timber furnished counter tops and tables. Walls divide the café into three separate dining spaces, however it still feels like a continuous single space. Leafy greens hanging from the roof are vibrantly enhanced by natural light shining through the tall glass front windows. Customers range from young solo diners seeking a hearty breakfast and coffee, to groups of friends and family who feel immediately welcomed thanks to friendly service and sufficiently-spaced tables.
As owner Adam explains, naming his most recent café venture was inspired by his travels to the USA, where egg-based cafes such as New York’s Egg Shop and Eggslut in Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market, are very popular. In Melbourne, there are only two other cafes that focus on the humble egg, but they are conveniently located on the other side of town. Don’t worry if you’re not in the mood for eggs though, as Grange Road Egg Shop’s menu does extends beyond just eggs.
Popular itmes include Dr Marty’s Crumpets (with caramelized strawberries, burnt honey, vanilla crème fraiche, hazelnut crumb and basil) and the beautifully colourful House Granola (with a yoghurt pannacotta, coconut, blood oranges, berries, kiwi and lychee). When we visited we were immediately drawn to another popular dish, the shakshuka, a baked egg dish with origins in Northern Africa. In a small metal saucepan, free range eggs (sourced from Real Eggs) are cooked with tomatoes, flaked chili, capsicum and chick peas, garnished with yoghurt, coriander and toasted sourdough bread. This is an example of a simple dish executed perfectly. Flavours exhibit a good balance of sweetness, saltiness and acidity, with the chili kick making its presence known, cut through by the sour freshness of the yoghurt.
Smoked Salmon Scrambled looks like a work of art on the plate, with delicately folded scrambled eggs topped with shaved radish, watercress, smoked salmon, labneh and salty salmon roe. This is easily one of the best takes on scrambled eggs I have ever experienced. The combination of thinly sliced smoked salmon and juicy pops of salty salmon roe add richness to the dish, reigned in by the piped labneh scattered around the top.
Finishing on a sweet note, the Buttermilk Pancakes will make any sweet lover jealous. Two thick pieces of pancake are plated with lemon curd, hazelnut, berries and maple syrup, with a theatrical upside down ice cream and cone placed on top, and garnished with candied fairy floss. Despite its over-the-top presentation the sweet flavours in this dish are well balanced without leaving a sickly sweet taste in your mouth. The pairing of the candy-infused vanilla bean ice cream with the buttermilk pancakes and maple syrup is a match made in heaven. The pancakes could have been thinner to avoid the slightly undercooked texture in the middle, however this didn’t dampen our enjoyment of this dish.
The care in the food that Grange Road Egg Shop produce is evident from watching the chefs at work in the kitchen. Each dish is meticulously plated and subsequently looked over, before being placed on the pass to be taken by the wait staff. This passion is what Adam looks for in his wait staff and his kitchen chefs, and it shows in all aspects of this venue. From the clean look of the café, to the friendly and caring nature of the wait staff, to the perfect presentation and well balanced flavours of the food. Eggs or not, you won’t be disappointed with a visit here.
Grange Road Egg Shop
1 Grange Road
Toorak
Victoria 3142
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9827 2736
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Fri: 6:30am to 3:30pm
Sat – Sun: 7:30am to 3:30pm