Mr. & Mrs. Anderson
398 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn
03 8899 6673
Breakfast, Cafe, Coffee and Tea
$$
Food
- Grilled Broccolini & Asparagus
- Slow Cooked Crispy Pork Belly
- Poke Bowl
- Caramelised White Chocolate Brioche
- Brioche French Toast
- Peanut Butter & Jam Cruffin
- Batch Brew Coffee
The Good
We started off with the Peanut Butter & Jam Cruffin. Beautifully presented, this pastry was an innovative cross between a muffin and a croissant. The incredibly flakey and crispy outer gave way to a soft and spongey inner that was filled with a delicious jam. This was exceptionally well complemented by the drop of peanut butter topping the pastry, though we definitely could’ve done with more of that peanut butter…. as it was absolutely delicious.
The Grilled Broccolini & Asparagus was also very enjoyable. Underneath the perfectly poached egg was a plethora of greens. Perfectly grilled, the broccolini and asparagus were crispy and tasted exceptionally fresh. This was well complemented by the crunch of the chickpeas and the sudden bursts of sweetness proved by the pomegranate seeds. While we definitely could’ve done with more apple cider dressing to spice up the flavours, this was all very enjoyable on toast nonetheless, and made for a tasty yet exceedingly healthy choice.
We weren’t disappointed by the Slow Cooked Crispy Pork Belly either. The pork belly exhibited beautifully even layers of protein and fat, making for the perfect combination in texture and flavour. With a ham-like texture, the pork was amazingly soft and tender, though could’ve benefitted from a tad more moisture. This was contrasted by the exceedingly crunchy dutch carrots and sweet and soft grilled onions. Despite being advertised as a crispy pork belly, the crunch elements of this dish were only found in the carrots as opposed to the skin of the pork belly itself.
Poke Bowls are an increasingly popular dish in modern eateries, and it’s no surprise that this was a popular choice amongst locals. Topped with an abundance of fresh salmon, avocado and spring onion, hidden underneath was a generous portion of brown rice mixed with crunchy macadamia nuts. Much akin to a deconstructed sushi, the poke bowl here was light and refreshing, allowing one to fully appreciate the unadulterated and wholesome ingredients.
It was dessert time, and we opted for the special of the day, the Brioche French Toast. Beautifully presented, the thick, spongey french toast was eggy and sweet with a hint of coconut within, toasted to perfection and topped with an abundance of spiced poached fruits, including pears and figs. The sweetness and tartness perfectly contrasted each other, while the addition of dollops of passionfruit curd and honey cinnamon labne added a refreshing and spicy twist to the dish. The occasional pistachio provided an interesting and surprising crunch element to the otherwise fluffy and soft components. Simply perfect.
The Mediocre
While we were informed that the Caramelised White Chocolate Brioche was essentially form from the same brioche as our french toast served alongside, it was unfortunately flawed on this occasion. The refreshing scoop of fruity sorbet topping it did help in terms of moisture, but the brioche itself remained undeniably rather dense and dry. The white chocolate matcha truffles however were perfectly balanced in terms of sweetness and bitterness, and was nicely accompanied by the fresh berries and sweet candied walnuts.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
As a newly established cafe, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson provides an innovative and tasty brunch spot for locals. With all their produce grown organically in a farm in Moe and then prepared in-house, you can be rest assured that you are getting the highest of quality in ingredients prepared by experienced chefs.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Absolutely. With such unique dishes that are not only photogenic but also tastes so fresh and wholesome , I am already excitedly anticipating my next visit.
Penguineats would like to thank @melbfoodbaby and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson for inviting us.