Saint James
1376 Malvern Road, Malvern
03 9078 8150
Breakfast, Cafe, Coffee and Tea
$$
Food
- Flat White
- Chocolate Milkshake
- Strawberries & Cream Pikelets
- Saint Benedict
- King Brown Mushroom
The Good
We started off brunch with a Flat White, which was brewed, according to owner Craig, out of one of only two of the same custom-made coffee machines in the world. The house blend of beans had a beautiful depth in flavour as well as a rather persistent aftertaste. Compounded by the smooth froth and the gorgeous latte art, needless to say this was downed rather quickly.
The Saint Benedict was absolutely delicious and was the highlight of the meal for me. Piled high on top of their thick sourdough was an exceedingly generous amount of soft, succulent pulled pork. The juiciness and flavour of their perfectly cooked protein ensured that each bite was simply delectable. This was made even better by cutting open the two beautifully poached eggs and just the right amount of hollandaise sauce, the dish was bold, creamy and rich. With dashes of apple and jalapeno sauce spread throughout the plate, this slight spice and acidity cut right through the creamy richness of the pulled pork and eggs, creating a flawless and enticing balance of sweet and savoury. With perfectly balanced flavours, this quickly became one of the best Eggs Benedict I've ever devoured, and safe to say that I savoured every last bite of this awesome dish. Adding that extra juicy and perfectly cooked King Brown Mushroom didn't hurt either.
We also enjoyed the Strawberries & Cream Pikelet Stack. The pancakes were thick and quite fluffy, with a good spongy sensation with each bite. The rather unconventional use of Creme Friache provided an interesting flavour, and caused the dish to inhibited a sour touch much akin to yoghurt. Despite working rather well with the fresh strawberries and meringue, I think I would've preferred the traditional flavours of a sweet cream or sauce to accompany these otherwise perfect pikelets. The coffee and chocolate soil though, was absolutely divine and I'd happily smear more of that on my fluffy pancakes.
The Chocolate Milkshake didn't disappoint either. With a good balance in flavour, the chocolate within was of high quality, wasn't overly sweet nor bitter. The shake had just the right thickness and creaminess, and was a great conclusion to our brunch.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
As a British inspired cafe, Saint James offers up delicious and generous brunch options that's bound to satisfy. The flavours of the dishes here were unique and well balanced, and with flawless execution, it was an enticing brunch to say the least.
Having been to their sister cafe of my still-favourite brunch joint "From on High", today's experience at St James surely didn't disappoint one bit, and it's evident that the quality of food and service is consistent across their many venues.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Most definitely. With a beautiful courtyard to laze around in the summer, and generous brunch options, I'd be back in a jiffy.
I'd like to thank owner Craig for inviting us to sample the new menu at Saint James.