MELBOURNE | I first discovered Monforte Viennoiserie while doing my daily walks during lockdown in the evenings last year. “Oooh this place looks interesting, I have to check it out when it’s open (Thu-Sun mornings)”, I though to myself. Aaaaand months went by. You know the way it goes.
Fast forward to Wednesday last week, when I was at Starward Whisky for the launch of their Ginger Beer Cask #6 Whiskey, pairing it with four sweet treats from four top Melbourne pastry chefs. One of the chefs there was Monforte founder and owner, Giorgia McAllister Forte. Her creation was brilliant, and I resolved to finally visit the pasticceria the next day.
Giorgia started her career in London, working at Mark Hix’s Oyster & Chop House, followed by a stint at one of my favourite bakeries from when I lived in London, Claire Ptak’s Violet Cakes.
At Monforte, the name of which is a nod to Giorgia’s part Italian heritage, you’ll find a rotating assortment viennoiserie (pastries made with laminated dough, like croissants), other baked treats, and filter coffee.
There’s the recognisable classics, and all kinds of other interesting pastries and flavour combinations on offer. When I went, I restricted myself to two treats (of course I wanted them all). I tried the chocolate and espresso croissant, and the Welsh rarebit, pangratatto, and picked red onion on savoury custard soaked pain de mie. Both divine.
It might have taken me a good nine months to visit Monforte, which is, quite frankly, embarrassing given how close it is to my apartment, but you can bet that I’ll be going back many times again.
Monforte Viennoiserie
585A Canning Street
Carlton North
Victoria 3054
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Thu – Fri: 8:00am to 12:30pm
Sat – Sun: 8:30am to 12:30pm