Rustica Canteen
33 Guildford Lane, Melbourne
03 9642 2203
Bakery, Cafe, Coffee and Tea
$$
Food
- Eggs Benedict
- Peppered Brisket Sandwich
The Good
The Peppered Brisket Sandwich was exceptional both in flavour and texture. Between the lightly toasted ciabatta was an exceedingly tender, succulent piece of brisket. It was slow cooked to perfection and was bursting with flavour without being overpowered in pepper or smokeyness. Along with a plethora of fresh and pickled greens within and flavoursome smoked cheddar, this made of one of the best renditions of the famous 'Reuben' I've ever had.
The Eggs Benedict also didn't disappoint. Towered high, the poached eggs were cooked perfectly and the yolk ran wild once cut. Along with the succulent and perfectly seasoned pulled pork, dipping them in spicy, Tobasco Hollandaise sauce made for an extremely palatable egg dish that was unapologetically bold in flavour. The pumpkin seed sourdough though, deserves a special mention. A subtle hint of sourness was present along with the fresh, spongy dough and a crunchy crust. Perfect.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
While the attitude and hospitality of the wait staff was warm, efficient and friendly, same could not be said for the checkout chick. Robotic, unattentive and cold, it was only after my THIRD attempt to pay by AMEX that she decided go say "oh we don't take that card". Her face further soured as I asked for a split bill. Wow.
The Verdict
I thoroughly enjoyed having brunch here and their baked goods - sourdough or otherwise. They were absolutely sensational and I'd eat those, again and again, even just by themselves.
It's no surprise Rustica is almost always sells out of their pastries.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Of course. I might try their Richmond store next though to see if there's more consistency in their service. Food-wise though, flawless.