Matt Wilkinson and Ben Foster have been business partners for a long time now and know how to give Melbourne good food and convenience. They’ve shown us their restaurant skills in Pope Joan and then given us food on the go with Hams and Bacon. They’re at it again with a combination of both in their latest venue Jack Horner, just down the road on Weston Street in Brunswick East.
Jack Horner is an amalgamation of a café, canteen, deli, and milk bar. They’ve pretty much got your edible needs taken care of. You can start the day eating in with a plate of poached eggs, free-range ham, and hollandaise, or a simple plate of fruit toast with butter and jam. If that’s not quite enough, the jaffle with baked beans and cheese, or the banoffee waffles might be. They’re also ready with pre-prepared meals like full roasted Milawa free-range chickens, hot pots of braised goat and chorizo, or a vegan laksa, plus cuts of meat, fresh cheese, salads, and sandwiches all ready to go.
If you’re more of a cook-your-own-food kind of person, their retail space might be more helpful to you offering up a combination of gourmet produce and milk bar regulars right next to one another. Flours, sugar, eggs, bread, cheese, fruits and vegetables, chocolates, and even toiletries and booze. They’ve really thought of it all.
The clean, wholesome interior has been done by Foster and Figureground Architecture here in Melbourne. The result? A simple space that makes you feel at home if you want to linger, but makes getting in and out just as easy.
Allpress Coffee is a great start to the day, or you can go for a Bloody Mary if things are a little hazier. Beers and wines by the glass and bottle are there for you as well, depending what time of the day you roll on in.
We’re thinking breakfast with Jack, then a whole lot of goodness to go. How about you?
Jack Horner
179 Weston Street, Brunswick East
jackhorner.net