Saint James
1376 Malvern Road, Malvern
03 9078 8150
Breakfast, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee and Tea
$$
Food
- Chilli Scrambled Eggs
- Earl Grey Panna Cotta
- Strawberry and Cream Pikelets
The Good
We were off to a great start with the Chilli Scrambled Eggs. Generously topped with soft, delicate slices of house-cured ocean trout, this colourful dish delivered equally on presentation and flavour. The fish itself was fresh and flavourful, and its tender protein was beautifully accompanied by the bed of creamy and silky smooth scrambled eggs. Scattered around were an abundance of crispy fried shallots, offering up plenty of crunch, while the spicy sambal provided an intense flavour and a chilli sensation throughout. All served on a piece of crispy toast and complemented by a generous amount of fragrant coriander, this dish certainly wasn’t shy in delivering flavours!
We also enjoyed the special of the day, being the Earl Grey Panna Cotta. Passing the ‘wobbly’ test with flying colours, the suitably jiggly panna cotta had a beautiful tea aroma permeating throughout. The smooth and creamy concoction was well accompanied by a bed of crunchy, toasted granola, where the crispness of the grains and seeds directly juxtaposed the soft and spongey marshmallows scattered throughout. A texturally diverse dessert dish that delivers in sweetness and in health.
No visit of Saint James can be complete without the stunning Strawberry and Cream Pikelets. The beautiful signature presentation gave way to some of the best pikelets we’ve sampled. Exceptionally spongey with a perfectly bouncy feedback, these soft and pillowy stack of pikelets were cooked to perfection. The vanilla creme friache offered up a pleasant and creamy sensation, providing a gel that held together the delicious chocolate and coffee crumble, whose texture perfectly contrasted the softer components of the dish. With plenty of fresh berries balancing out the sweeter components, it’s no wonder this has continued to be the best seller at Saint James.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
It was, predictably, another very enjoyable visit at Saint James. The signature Pikelets were of course the highlight of our meal, though the other dishes certainly satisfied our tastebuds as well.
It’s encouraging to see that cafes like Saint James continue to uphold their quality standards and create innovative specials that keep bringing back the locals.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Sure thing! It’s always a great feed at Saint James, and you can definitely count on us returning for more delicious and beautiful brunches ahead.
Penguineats would like to thank owner Craig for inviting us to Saint James Cafe.