Most cafés cook a lot of things on premises. This is common knowledge. They’re baking bread out the back, making in-house smoked meats, maybe even making their own take-home goods. But it’s rare you get a café that has an on-site cacao bean roaster. That’s right. The stuff that makes chocolate, people. This is where East Elevation really sets itself apart from other cafés in Melbourne’s north.
The space on Lygon Street in Brunswick East is right next door to sister venue Monsieur Truffe and houses the chocolate shop’s roaster. If you’re lucky you’ll be munching on your breakfast when the roasting is taking place and you’ll be able to take in that smell in all its glory.
Speaking of breakfast. You can start the day sweet with the organic granola with hazelnuts, dried fruit, honey, dark chocolate, cacao nibs, baked quince, and natural yoghurt, or the ricotta and rose stuffed crepes with fresh berries, saffron-lemon syrup, and hazelnut praline, or just go all out with a Monsieur Truffe hot chocolate and a bar of the good stuff. Too much? Sorry.
Savoury lovers are well catered for too with the king and Swiss brown mushrooms with baby spinach and goats cheese on rye, and the vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes with avocado, basil, and Persian feta on grilled olive bread. Lunch looks just as good with the Harris smoked sardine fillets and pickled tomato with honey braised fennel, crushed potatoes, artichokes, capers, and pepitas, and the Croque Monsieur (which takes 20 minutes) of free range ham, Swiss gruyere, mustard, béchamel, and braised leek on sourdough. Heavens. They also have a beautiful focus on organic, free-range, and local produce.
The space is beautiful too which makes waiting for the chocolate roasting all the more fun. A large industrial space with exposed brick, wooden details, exposed beams, and lots of greenery. Plus an adorable blue and white tiled wall behind the counter giving it a homely touch.
We say go for the food and coffee and take the chocolate home with you. Or just pop next door for the full Monsieur Truffe experience. Decisions decisions.
East Elevation
351 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
eastelevation.com.au
