The Hub 3070
58a Victoria Road, Northcote
03 9482 4898
Breakfast, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee and Tea
$$
Food
- Grilled Mushroom Omelette
- Lamb Kleftiko
- Farmer Jo’s Paleo Granola
- Sheftalia Sausages
- Matcha Latte
- Lemon Lime Brownie
The Good
The Grilled Mushroom Omelette must surely be the most beautiful omelette we’ve ever laid our eyes on. The head of each mushroom poked out of the folded omelette, which were exceptionally juicy and flavoursome. With a slight crunch of freshness, the mushrooms offered up a slight earthiness which was balanced out by the creaminess of the shaved Moonlight Goats cheese. Served alongside was a smear of spinach and choice puree, providing a refreshing hint of zest and offering up additional diversity in flavour.
We also opted to add a side of Sheftalia Sausages. These Cypriot lamb and pork sausages were absolutely divine. Incredibly well-seasoned and cooked to just the right softness, the coarse grind ensured plenty of flavour and texture. The protein was juicy and tender without the slightest hint of fattiness, and probably made for some of the best sausages we’ve had for a long while!
The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the Lamb Kleftiko. Slow cooked for five whole hours. The generous chunks of lamb shoulder were exceptionally tender and succulent, incredibly juicy with protein that quite simply melted in your mouth. This was well complemented by the crispness of the fried potatoes scattered throughout, with a golden brown, crunchy outer and a pillowy soft inner. Mixed alongside was an exceptionally fresh and light pickled vegetable salad and a delectably creamy and rich Meredith’s feta, the perfect complement to the hearty potatoes and lamb. An utterly flawless, Greek-inspired dish that made for a satisfying feed.
The Farmer Jo’s Paleo Granola didn’t disappoint either. The stunning presentation gave way to a very tasty granola. Lightly sweetened and toasted just right, the grains offered up a satisfying crunch with each bite. This was well complemented by the mild sweetness of the vanilla yoghurt and rounded off by the slight tartness of the fresh berries scattered throughout.
We also enjoyed the Matcha Latte with Almond Milk. The matcha flavour was forward and pleasant, with a hint of almond taste permeating throughout. The honey served alongside was a welcome addition, and served well to add a hint of sweetness to balance out the bitterness of the matcha.
We concluded with the Lemon Lime Brownie. It was a very unconventional and polarising take on the humble brownie. The exceptionally bold flavours of lemon and lime offered up plenty of zest and a hint of bitterness throughout, which directly cotnrasted the sweetness of the brownie dough. The brownie itself though was rich and dense, aptly moist with plenty of dark chocolate mixed in throughout. The sweet, bitter and slightly salty sensation may not be everyone’s jam, but it certainly made our tastebuds happy.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
The Hub is a relatively new but much-welcome addition to the quieter neighbourhood of Westgarth. The family-centric venue offers up large spaces filled with plenty of natural light, a children’s play area as well as a cosy fireplace.
This homey cafe not only manages to satisfy your tastebuds with delicious food served at generous portions, but is destined to become the local neighbourhood gem.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
You can count on it! We love wholesome, fresh and unpretentious food done well, and The Hub has definitely hit the nail on its head.
Penguineats would like to thank owner George for his generous hospitality and for inviting us to The Hub 3070.