Humble Rays
71 Bouverie Street, Carlton
03 8592 6995
Breakfast, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee and Tea
$$
Food
- Eggy Benny
- Monkey Business
- Matcha Latte
- Hojicha Latte
The Good
We started off with the Eggy Benny and were instantly impressed. Sitting underneath the perfectly poached egg was a beautiful golden brown miso and potato korokke – Japanese croquette. Exceptionally crispy, the lightly crumbed exterior enclosed a soft and fluffy inner mixture that was flavoursome and made even more creamy with bold Yuzu hollandaise. Accompanying them were two generous chunks of aptly charred pork belly, which was braised to a good tenderness. However, the fatty parts could’ve definitely benefitted from being rendered down more to provide a more even spread of protein and fat. Finished off with a spicy kick from the chilli bacon jam, coupled with the crunchy parsley crumbs, it was a very satisfying and well-balanced dish.
The Monkey Business certainly didn’t disappoint either. With a sunny-side up fried egg perched precariously on top of a huge stack of pancakes, we simply couldn’t wait to dig in. Served with a generous serving of maple syrup, an abundance of crispy, perfectly fried bacon was sandwiched between layers of banana, Nutella and pancakes. With an intricate balance of sweet and savoury, the Nutella and syrup perfectly contrasted the saltiness of the bacon and parmesan, while the softness mushiness of the banana and pancakes juxtaposed the crispness of the roasted thyme and bacon. The only gripe was that we found the pancakes to be less fluffy and denser than we had hoped, as an airier, spongier variety would’ve soaked up the sauces a lot better.
Matcha Latte are becoming increasingly popular in cafes these days, but this was definitely the first time we’ve come across a Hojicha Latte. The Matcha Latte was nothing short of exceptional, with a slight bitterness permeating throughout, the matcha flavour was forward and aromatic. Topped with even more matcha powder, the drink was unapologetically bold and strong.
We also enjoyed the Hojicha Latte. With a fragrant hojicha aroma, the light flavour of roasted tea was well complemented by the smooth, creamy milk throughout. With an absence of bitterness, the latte had a slight sweetness that wasn’t overpowering. A light yet very satisfying drink.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
It’s no surprise that Humble Rays came so highly recommended by so many foodies. Reasonably priced, we found the portion sizes generous and the dishes universally well-executed. The intricate balance of flavours and textures were a common theme across the food we sampled, and made for a very appetising and satisfying brunch fare.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
I’d definitely be back for sure, maybe for some Hong Kong Egg Waffles next time.